Captain James Lawrence, USN

James Lawrence (October 1, 1781 – June 4, 1813) was an American naval hero. During the War of 1812, he commanded the USS Chesapeake in a single-ship action against the HMS Shannon (commanded by Philip Broke). He is probably best known today for his dying command "Don't give up the ship!", which is still a popular naval battle cry. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (585x765, 84 KB) Summary Image taken from the US Navy historical image library (www. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (585x765, 84 KB) Summary Image taken from the US Navy historical image library (www. ... is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1781 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... June 4 is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1813 (MDCCCXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar). ... The United States Navy, also known as the USN or the U.S. Navy, is a branch of the United States armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations. ... Combatants United States Great Britain Canada Bermuda Eastern Woodland Indians Commanders James Madison Henry Dearborn Jacob Brown Winfield Scott Andrew Jackson George Prevost Isaac Brock† Tecumseh† Strength •U.S. Regular Army: 35,800 •Rangers: 3,049 •Militia: 458,463* •US Navy & US Marines: (at start of war): •Frigates:6 •Other... The USS Chesapeake was a 36-gun sailing frigate of the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France and the War of 1812. ... This is a list of notable single-ship actions, naval bombardments and other naval events: Not complete yet // Single-ship actions 1512 August 10 - English Regent vs French La Cordelière near Cape St Mathieu 1781 May 30 Cape Santa Maria - 2 Dutch vs 2 British frigates Russo-Swedish War... The HMS Shannon was a Royal Navy 38 gun frigate of the Leda class, launched in 1806. ... Sir Philip Bowes de Vere Broke Sir Philip Bowes de Vere Broke was a distinguished officer in the British Royal Navy. ... A battle cry is a yell or chant taken up in battle, usually by members of the same military unit. ...

Biography

Lawrence was born in Burlington, New Jersey but raised in Woodbury, NJ, the son of John and Martha (Tallman) Lawrence. His mother died when he was an infant and his Loyalist father fled to Canada during the American Revolution, leaving his half-sister to care for him. Though he studied law, he entered the United States Navy as a midshipman in 1798. The City of Burlington highlighted in Burlington County. ... Woodbury highlighted in Gloucester County. ... This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... John Trumbulls Declaration of Independence, showing the five-man committee in charge of drafting the Declaration in 1776 as it presents its work to the Second Continental Congress The American Revolution refers to the period during the last half of the 18th century in which the Thirteen Colonies that... The United States Navy, also known as the USN or the U.S. Navy, is a branch of the United States armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations. ... A midshipman is a subordinate officer, or alternatively a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the navies of several English-speaking countries. ...

During the Quasi-War with France, he served in the ship USS Ganges and frigate USS Adams in the Caribbean. He was commissioned a lieutenant on April 6, 1802 and served aboard USS Enterprise in the Mediterranean, taking part in a successful attack on enemy craft on 2 June 1803. The Quasi-War was an undeclared war fought entirely at sea between the United States and France from 1798 to 1801. ... USS Ganges was a man-of-war in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France. ... For the bird, see Frigatebird. ... The first USS Adams was a 28-gun (rated) sailing frigate of the United States Navy. ... “West Indian” redirects here. ... Lieutenant is a military, naval, paramilitary, fire service or police officer rank. ... is the 96th day of the year (97th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... --69. ... The third USS Enterprise, a schooner, was built by Henry Spencer at Baltimore, Maryland, in 1799, and placed under the command of Lieutenant John Shaw. ... The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east, covering an approximate area of 2. ... June 2 is the 153rd day of the year (154th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1803 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

In February 1804, he was second in command during the expedition to destroy the captured frigate USS Philadelphia. Later in the conflict he commanded Enterprise and a gunboat in battles with the Tripolitans. He was also First Lieutenant of the frigate Adams and, in 1805, commanded the small Gunboat Number 6 during a voyage across the Atlantic to Italy. The second USS Philadelphia of the United States Navy was a 36 gun sailing frigate. ... Tripolitania is a historic region of western Libya, centered around the coastal city of Tripoli. ... First Lieutenant is a military rank. ...

Subsequently, Lieutenant Lawrence commanded the warships USS Vixen, USS Wasp and USS Argus. In 1810, he also took part in trials of an experimental spar torpedo^{[citation needed]}. Promoted to the rank of Master Commandant in November 1810, he took command of the sloop of war USS Hornet a year later and sailed her to Europe on a diplomatic mission. From the beginning of the War of 1812, Lawrence and Hornet cruised actively, capturing the privateer Dolphin in July 1812. Later in the year Hornet blockaded the British sloop HMS Bonne Citoyenne at Bahia, Brazil, and on 24 February 1813 captured HMS Peacock. The first USS Vixen was a schooner in the United States Navy during the First Barbary War. ... The second USS Wasp of the United States Navy was a sailing sloop of war captured by the British in the early months of the War of 1812. ... The first USS Argus was a brig in the United States Navy during the First Barbary War and the War of 1812. ... A spar torpedo is a weapon consisting of a bomb placed at the end of a long pole, or spar, and attached to a boat. ... Master Commandant was a rank within the early United States Navy. ... USS Constellation, a United States Navy sloop-of-war. ... The third USS Hornet was a brig-rigged sloop of war was launched on 28 July 1805 in Baltimore and commissioned on 18 October. ... World map showing the location of Europe. ... Combatants United States Great Britain Canada Bermuda Eastern Woodland Indians Commanders James Madison Henry Dearborn Jacob Brown Winfield Scott Andrew Jackson George Prevost Isaac Brock† Tecumseh† Strength •U.S. Regular Army: 35,800 •Rangers: 3,049 •Militia: 458,463* •US Navy & US Marines: (at start of war): •Frigates:6 •Other... A privateer was a private ship (or its captain) authorized by a countrys government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping. ... For the genus of wildflowers in the family Asteraceae, see Bahia (Botany) Bahia is a state in the north-east of Brazil. ... February 24 is the 55th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1813 (MDCCCXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar). ... HMS Peacock has been the name of several Royal Navy vessels. ...

USS Chesapeake by F. Muller. US Navy Art Collection

Upon his return to the United States in March, Lawrence learned of his promotion to Captain. Two months later he took command of the frigate USS Chesapeake, then preparing for sea at Boston, Massachusetts. He left port on 1 June 1813 and immediately engaged the blockading Royal Navy frigate HMS Shannon in a fierce battle. Although slightly smaller, accurate gunfire from the British ship disabled Chesapeake within the first few minutes. Captain Lawrence, mortally wounded by small arms fire, ordering his officers to "Fight her 'til she sinks and don't give up the ship" as he was carried below. However, his crew was overwhelmed by a British boarding party shortly afterwards. James Lawrence died of his wounds on 4 June 1813, while Chesapeake was being taken to Halifax, Nova Scotia, by her captors. from http://www. ... from http://www. ... The USS Chesapeake was a 36-gun sailing frigate of the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France and the War of 1812. ... Captain is a rank or title with various meanings. ... The USS Chesapeake was a 36-gun sailing frigate of the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France and the War of 1812. ... Nickname: Location in Massachusetts, USA Coordinates: , Country United States State Massachusetts County Suffolk County Settled 1630 Incorporated (city) 1822 Government  - Governor Deval Patrick (D) Area  - City  89. ... June 1 is the 152nd day of the year (153rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1813 (MDCCCXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar). ... A blockade is any effort to prevent supplies, troops, information or aid from reaching an opposing force. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ... The HMS Shannon was a Royal Navy 38 gun frigate of the Leda class, launched in 1806. ... June 4 is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1813 (MDCCCXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar). ... Motto: Template:Unhide = E Mari Merces (Wealth from the Sea) Logo: Location City Information Established: April 1, 1996 Area: (former city) 79. ...

He was buried with military honors in Halifax, Nova Scotia, but reinterred at Trinity Church in New York City. He left behind a wife and daughter. Trinity Church Close-up of Trinity Church Trinity Church, at the corner of Broadway and Wall Street in New York City, viewed from the World Trade Center A glimpse of New York from Trinity Church steeple. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ...

His death would be reported to his friend and fellow officer Oliver Hazard Perry, who would order a large blue battle ensign stitched with the phrase DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP in bold white letters. The Perry Flag would fly from his flagship during his victorious engagement against the British on Lake Erie in September, 1813. Oliver Hazard Perry Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry (August 23, 1785 – August 23, 1819) was an officer in the United States Navy. ...

Legacy

Many places are named for Captain Lawrence, including Lawrence County, Indiana, Lawrence County, Missouri, Lawrence County, Ohio, Lawrence County, Kentucky, Lawrence County, Alabama, Lawrence County, Tennessee, Lawrenceville, Georgia, Lawrenceville and Lawrence County, Illinois, and Lawrence Township, New Jersey and its Lawrenceville neighborhood. His birthplace of Burlington, New Jersey, has a Captain James Lawrence Elementary School^[1]. Lawrence County is a county located in the state of Indiana. ... Lawrence County is a county located in the state of Missouri. ... Lawrence County is a county located in the state of Ohio. ... Lawrence County is a county located in the state of Kentucky. ... Lawrence County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Lawrence County is a county located in the state of Tennessee. ... The Historic Lawrenceville Courthouse Lawrenceville is the county seat of Gwinnett County, Georgia, in the United States. ... Lawrenceville is a city located in Lawrence County, Illinois. ... Lawrence County is a county located in the state of Illinois. ... Lawrence Township is the name of some places in the U.S. state of New Jersey: Lawrence Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey Lawrence Township, Mercer County, New Jersey This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Map of Lawrenceville CDP in Mercer County Lawrenceville is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Lawrence Township in Mercer County, New Jersey. ... The City of Burlington highlighted in Burlington County. ...

In addition, the U.S. Navy has named five ships USS Lawrence. Five United States Naval ships have borne the name USS Lawrence for James Lawrence. ...

• The first USS Lawrence was a brig which acted as Commodore Oliver Perry's flagship during the Battle of Lake Erie until she was destroyed in that action.
• The second USS Lawrence was also a brig, serving from 1843-1846.
• The third USS Lawrence (DD-8) was a 400-ton destroyer, commissioned in 1903 and serving until 1920.
• The fourth USS Lawrence (DD-250) was a Clemson-class destroyer, serving from 1921 to 1945
• The fifth USS Lawrence (DDG-4) was a Charles F. Adams-class destroyer . Commissioned in 1962, she served until 1994.

Relatives of Captain James Lawrence live in Massachusetts currently, and a few of his descendents now reside in New Jersey, Kentucky, South Carolina, California and Atlanta. The first USS Lawrence was one of two 493-ton Niagara-class brigs built at Erie, Pennsylvania, for United States Navy service on the Great Lakes during the War of 1812. ... Commodore is a rank of the United States Navy with a somewhat complicated history. ... Oliver Hazard Perry Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry (August 23, 1785 – August 23, 1819) was an officer in the United States Navy. ... Combatants United Kingdom United States Commanders Robert Heriot Barclay Oliver Hazard Perry Jesse Elliot Strength 2 ships 2 brigs 1 schooner 1 sloop 3 brigs 5 schooners 1 sloop Casualties 41 dead 93 wounded prisoners 306 surrendered Entire squadron captured 27 dead 96 wounded One brig heavily damaged The Battle... The second USS Lawrence was a brig in the United States Navy. ... The third USS Lawrence (DD-8) was a destroyer in the United States Navy. ... The fourth USS Lawrence (DD-250) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for James Lawrence. ... Clemson-class destroyers were commissioned by the United States Navy from 1919 to 1922, built by various shipyards. ... HMCS Algonquin, a Canadian Iroquois-class destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range but powerful attackers (originally torpedo boats, later submarines and aircraft). ... USS Lawrence (DDG-4), named for Captain James Lawrence USN (1781-1813), was a Charles F. Adams class guided missile armed destroyer in the United States Navy. ... The class of guided missile destroyers was a group of twenty-nine built between 1958 and 1967. ...

Notes

1. ^ The City of Burlington School District. URL accessed 5 January 2005; verified 12 September 2006.

David Lawrence, Professor James Barnes Lawrence and Harriette Hayes Lawrence are descendants of Captain James Lawrence. David, James Barnes, and Harriette Hayes are the children of Adelbert Lionel Lawrence and Frances Hayes. The Lawrence family moved to Cummington, MA in the late 1960's. ~

References

• This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
• Albert Gleaves. James Lawrence, Captain, United States Navy, Commander of the 'Chesapeake'. 1904.
• Peter Padfield. Broke and the Shannon. 1968.
• H.F. Pullen. The Shannon and the Chesapeake. 1970.