Fair American (Schooner)
1812-1815
The Navy retained the name carried by this vessel at the time of her acquisition.
(Schooner: tonnage 82; complement 52; armament 1 32-pounder, 1 12-pounder)
The schooner Fair American was purchased by Commodore Isaac Chauncey at Oswego, N.Y., in October 1812. She was fitted out for service on Lake Ontario, and Lt. Walcott Chauncey placed in command.
Fair American and the other ships of the squadron passed the winter of 1812-13 at Sacketts Harbor, N.Y., then cruised Lake Ontario in support of land operations in the area. After landing General Henry Dearborn and some 1,700 soldiers at York [Toronto], Ontario, on 27 April 1813, Fair American and the other ships of the squadron opened a heavy cannonade on the forts of the town. The United States troops took possession of the town that same day, while the squadron captured a British schooner, 28 cannon, and large quantities of ammunition.
Fair American continued cruising the lake, transporting troops and protecting other shipping until December when, the squadron was laid up again at Sacketts Harbor. In 1814 Fair American was converted into a transport and for the remainder of the war, was used to carry troops and supplies for the Army. She was sold at Sacketts Harbor on 15 May 1815.
Updated, Robert J. Cressman
9 March 2023
