The third USS Hornet was a brig-rigged sloop of war was launched on 28 July1805 in Baltimore and commissioned on 18 October. She fought in the War of 1812 under command of James Lawrence, who gave the Navy their famous motto "don't give up the ship." She captured the privateer Dolphin on 9 July1812 although the ship was recaptured again shortly afterwards. Hornet assisted in the blockade of HMS Bonne Citoyenne in the harbor at Salvador, Brazil and sank HMS Peacock (18) on 24 February1813. On 23 March1815Hornet captured HMS Penguin in a short battle off Tristan da Cunha. This was one of several naval engagements which took place after the war had ended. A month later, on 27 April, she engaged the HMS Cornwallis (74) having mistakenly identified her as a cargo vessel. However, by throwing overboard boats, guns and other equipment she managed to build up her speed to escape unharmed. Following the war, she took part in anti-piracy patrols in the Caribbean. Hornet sank in a storm off Tampico, Mexico on 29 September1829 with the loss of all on board.
General Characteristics
Displacement: 440 tons
Length: 106 feet 9 inches
Beam: 31 feet 5 inches
Draft: 14 feet
Armament: eighteen 32-pounder cannon and two 18-pounder
USSHornet, a 441-ton brig-sloop built at Baltimore, Maryland, was commissioned in October 1805.
In 1811 Hornet was converted to a ship-sloop at the Washington Navy Yard, D.C. Hornet rendered conspicuous service during the War of 1812.
On 23 March1815, off Tristan da Cunha island, USSHornet captured the British sloop Penguin, one of several actions between the U.S. and Royal Navies that took place after the War of 1812 had formally ended, but before all ships at sea had learned of the settlement.
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