Naval History and Heritage Command

II

(Ketch)

The second Surprise was purchased by the Navy at New Orleans in March 1815 for operations in a little squadron commanded by Commodore Daniel T. Patterson against pirates and slave traders. On 18 June 1818, the ketch, commanded by Lt. Isaac M'Keever, captured the schooners Merino and Louisa which carried between them 25 slaves. M'Keever took the prizes to Mobile, Ala., where they were condemned after prolonged litigation.

In the autumn of 1818, Surprise captured a buccaneer schooner which had been operating out of Galveston under Mexican colors. On board the prize was General Humbert, a Frenchman, who was the head of the nest of pirates at Galveston.

Surprise was sold at New Orleans in 1820.