General Armstrong

The General Armstrong was an American brig built for privateering during the Atlantic Ocean theater of the War of 1812. She was named for Brigadier General John Armstrong, Sr. who fought in the American Revolutionary War.

War of 1812

The General Armstrong had a crew of about 90 men, under the command of Captain Samuel Chester Reid, and was armed with seven guns, including a Long Tom. On 19 April 1814, she captured the British armed merchantman Fanny, of eighteen guns and forty-five men, off the coast of Ireland. The engagement, which lasted about an hour, was described as a "severe" close range action. The entire battle was fought within "pistol shot range" and eventually the British struck their colors after losing several men either killed or wounded. The crew of the General Armstrong lost one killed and six wounded, the Fanny a like number. The British ship third rate Sceptre later recaptured Fanny.^[1]

General Armstrong is most remembered for her involvement in the Battle of Fayal from 26 to 27 September 1814. In the engagement, the British brig-sloop Carnation and several boats armed with cannon and carrying sailors and marines, attempted to cut out the General Armstrong. General Armstrong repulsed the attacks but Captain Reid felt he had no chance of escaping the Azores so he ordered the scuttling of General Armstrong after fighting off the Carnation for a final time on 27 September. The Americans made it to shore where the Portuguese authorities protected them. Casualties amounted to two killed and seven wounded for the United States; the British lost 36 men killed and 93 wounded. Two of their boats were sunk and two others were captured.^[2]

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.