USS Superior (1814)

USS Superior[1]
History
United States
Name:	USS Superior
Builder:	Henry Eckford, Sackets Harbor, New York
Laid down:	February 1814
Launched:	2 May 1814
Fate:	Sold sometime before 1824
General characteristics
Type:	Frigate
Tonnage:	1580
Propulsion:	Sail
Complement:	500 officers and enlisted
Armament:	30 × medium Columbiads 32-pounder guns 2 × long 24-pounder guns 26 × 42-pounder carronades

USS Superior was built for the War of 1812, and was named after one of the Great Lakes. Superior was a U.S. Navy frigate built in 1814 at Sackets Harbor, New York, by Henry Eckford, and was laid down in February 1814 and launched on 2 May of the same year.

Operations on Lake Ontario

Built for service in Commodore Isaac Chauncey's squadron on Lake Ontario, Superior was commanded by Lt. John H. Elton. She joined the squadron in late July off the English base at Kingston, Ontario. The frigate operated there through the summer as Chauncey blockaded Kingston, hoping to lure Sir James Yeo's fleet out for a decisive action.

Late in September, Superior helped transport General Izzard and some 3,000 troops from Sackets Harbor to Genesee, New York. She returned briefly to Kingston before sailing back to Sackets Harbor for the winter.

Post-war deactivation

Before warm weather returned, peace ended naval operations on Lake Ontario. Superior was laid up at Sackets Harbor and sold sometime before 1824.

References

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.