Allen, William H.
William Henry Allen was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on 21 October 1784. He entered the U.S. Navy as a Midshipman in April 1800. While holding that rank, he served in the armed ship George Washington and the frigate Philadelphia. Allen was promoted to Lieutenant in February 1807 and assigned to the frigate Chesapeake, which was preparing for a Mediterranean Sea deployment. He distinguished himself by firing the only shot his ship was able to get off when she was overwhelmed by HMS Leopard in June 1807.
During the early months of the War of 1812 Lieutenant Allen served in the frigate United States, taking part in the capture of HMS Macedonian in October 1812 and commanding the prize crew that brought the latter to New York. In 1813 Allen, who received the rank of Commander in July of that year, captained the brig Argus during a commerce-raiding cruise into the waters near the British Isles. On 14 August 1813 she fought a losing engagement with HMS Pelican in the English Channel. Mortally wounded in this action, Commander William H. Allen died four days later.
USS Allen (Destroyer # 66), of 1917-1946, was named in honor of Commander William H. Allen.
This page features the only view we have concerning William H. Allen.
