Keel of U.S. Frigate CHESAPEAKE, sister ship of the CONSTITUTION, laid at Gosport Shipyard.
December 10, 1798
First ship built here for the U.S. Navy. The Chesapeake was attacked by the British in 1807. The attack led to the court martial of James Barron and ultimately to the duel with Stephen Decatur. The same attack was a contributing cause of the War of 1812. The ship was eventually captured off the coast of Boston and seized by the British Royal Navy. Her commander, Capt. James Lawrence is credited with the saying, “Don’t give up the ship!” as his dying words. The Chesapeake was scrapped in 1820 in Portsmouth, England.
Keel of U.S. Frigate CHESAPEAKE, sister ship of the CONSTITUTION, laid at Gosport Shipyard.
December 10, 1798
First ship built here for the U.S. Navy. The Chesapeake was attacked by the British in 1807. The attack led to the court martial of James Barron and ultimately to the duel with Stephen Decatur. The same attack was a contributing cause of the War of 1812. The ship was eventually captured off the coast of Boston and seized by the British Royal Navy. Her commander, Capt. James Lawrence is credited with the saying, “Don’t give up the ship!” as his dying words. The Chesapeake was scrapped in 1820 in Portsmouth, England.