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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

USS United States vs HMS Macedonian

The American ship on the left is firing on the British ship, which has lost its masts
Description: Engraving Print; By J. J. Bartlett after Samuel Seymour; C.1812; Framed Dimensions 22H X 27W
Accession #: 85-229-I
Related Content

On October 1812, the frigate United States, Captain Stephen Decatur, Jr. commanding, was patrolling in the Canary Islands when it encountered HMS Macedonian, which was on a similar mission. In a fifteen minute encounter, the American ship shot away the British ship's masts and it surrendered. Decatur then took it as a prize to New York, the first British warship so taken in the War of 1812.

Topic
Document Type
  • Art
Wars & Conflicts
  • War of 1812 1812-1815
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Location of Archival Materials
  • NHHC