From the Sargeant Memorial Collection Inside the Pretlow Anchor Branch Library — Vignettes about Norfolk and Virginia’s History and Genealogy
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Norfolk Public Library
British
The War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain has been largely overlooked in American history, except for the writing of the Star Spangled Banner and the exploits of the frigate USS Constitution. The cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, however, were the site of a critical battle during which the Americans took on a far superior British Navy and won. The British considered the War of 1812 to be a minor conflict as England and her allies were fully engaged on the European Continent in other conflicts in a desperate attempt to stop the French Emperor Napoleon and his allies from consuming Europe for inclusion in his empire. Although fully engaged in Europe, there were still enough British June 21 – 22 forces to keep American ships bottled up in their seaports. Norfolk and the surrounding region faced such a situation when a British squadron sailed through the Chesapeake Capes on February 4th, 1813. The squadron consisted of five 74 gun ships of the line, ten frigates, and a host of smaller By Wm. Troy Valos sloop, schooners, and brigs, under the command of Admiral George Cockburn. Their mission was to stop all outgoing American naval forces and, if circumstances permitted, capture a seaport to use as a base of operations. Norfolk was an ideal seaport for this purpose. It had two forts protecting the city, a deep river and harbor, and access to naval stores and the Gosport Shipyard was capable of handling large naval vessels and properly supporting them. Norfolk and the region were of strategic importance because it was located at the halfway point on the Eastern Seaboard and allowed water access to our nation’s capital. It was truly a gem to capture in the eyes of the British! With the British squadron’s arrival, the local American forces were on high alert and started preparations to counter the British forces. The American situation was View of Craney Island in 1869. further complicated because the USS Constellation, sister ship of the USS Constitution, had been driven into port by the British who wanted to capture the ship. The Virginia militia began the reinforcement of Norfolk and the surrounding region under the command of General Robert B. Taylor. Earthworks were erected around the area including some at Craney Island. General Taylor wanted to create a layered defense of the city to make it extremely difficult for the British to capture the seaport. He ordered seven cannons of varying sizes put in place and ordered 700 men from different units to man them. The 50-acre island gave a wide view of the harbor and was the best place to counter a British attack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > C o n t i n u e d O n P a g e 6
Attack Repulsed:
B at t le o f Craney Island
1813
Virginia G. Ferguson Remebered
Lost Norfolk: The Pythian Castle
Second Wednesday Series
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