USS Caledonia (1812) - Service in The War of 1812

Service in The War of 1812

The Caledonia was formally purchased by the U.S. Navy on 6 February 1813, and was fitted with two long 24-pounder guns and one 32-pounder carronade. This gave Caledonia a broadside of 80 pounds of shot. For several months, the Caledonia and several other schooners which had been purchased by the Navy and were converted into gunboats were prevented from leaving Black Rock by the British batteries on the other side of the Niagara. On 26 May, the British were defeated at the Battle of Fort George at the foot of the river and were compelled to abandon Fort Erie and the nearby batteries. Lieutenant Oliver Hazard Perry had the Caledonia and the other vessels towed by oxen up the fast-flowing river, an operation which took several days. He then sailed with them along the southern shore of Lake Erie to Presque Isle, where the other vessels of Perry's squadron were being constructed.

On 10 September, Caledonia played a key role in the decisive Battle of Lake Erie. Caledonia was commanded in this battle by Lieutenant Daniel Turner, who was praised by Perry for his conduct. For much of the early part of the battle, the other major American vessels were outranged, and only Caledonia's long guns could engage the British flagship and the other British vessels at the center of the battle.

Following the American victory, Caledonia transported American troops to Detroit and Amherstburg, which had been abandoned by the British Army.

In 1814, Caledonia was part of the expedition to Lake Huron, which attempted to recover Mackinac Island.