JAMES LAWRENCE

He became one of the great heroes of the American navy and this statement is taught to every American sailor. Actually, although a very good Captain, in the battle with the Shannon, he made a number of mistakes which was unusual for him, but the Shannon won the battle. The American sailors did not give up the ship, but they were overcome with one of the highest casualty rates of any sea battle of the time. Had Lawrence lived—he dies of infection from his wounds—he probably would have faced a board of inquiry or a court martial, but his death turned him into an American hero. See {625129}. Commodore Perry, a friend of Lawrence, had “Don’t Give Up The Ship” sewn on to his battle flag, and the motto has been part of the United States Navy ever since.

Two of the major issues of the War of 1812 were the right of American ships to trade in Europe. The British were at war with France and boycotted all ports controlled by the French. They would seize American ships bound for or having traded with French areas. In addition, many American merchant seamen had formerly served in the British Navy and British warships would stop American merchant ships and remove “suspected” deserters and force them into British military naval service. Captain Lawrence was mortally wounded in this battle. See {625136}.

He became one of the great heroes of the American navy and this statement is taught to every American sailor. Actually, although a very good Captain, in the battle with the Shannon, he made a number of mistakes which was unusual for him, but the Shannon won the battle. The American sailors did not give up the ship, but they were overcome with one of the highest casualty rates of any sea battle of the time. Had Lawrence lived—he dies of infection from his wounds—he probably would have faced a board of inquiry or a court martial, but his death turned him into an American hero. See {625129}. Commodore Perry, a friend of Lawrence, had “Don’t Give Up The Ship” sewn on to his battle flag, and the motto has been part of the United States Navy ever since.

Two of the major issues of the War of 1812 were the right of American ships to trade in Europe. The British were at war with France and boycotted all ports controlled by the French. They would seize American ships bound for or having traded with French areas. In addition, many American merchant seamen had formerly served in the British Navy and British warships would stop American merchant ships and remove “suspected” deserters and force them into British military naval service. Captain Lawrence was mortally wounded in this battle. See {625136}.