HMS Levant (1813)

HMS Levant was a 20-gun Cyrus-class sixth rate of the Royal Navy built by William Courtney, of Chester. She was one of five British warships that USS Constitution captured or destroyed during the War of 1812. She was soon recaptured, and after 1817 was reclassified as a sloop of war. She was broken up in 1820.

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Levant.

Levant
History
United Kingdom
Name: HMS Levant
Ordered: 18 November 1812
Builder: William Courtney, Chester
Laid down: January 1813
Launched: 8 December 1813
Completed: By 22 April 1814
Fate: Broken up by 9 October 1820
General characteristics
Class and type: Rated 20-gun Cyrus-class sixth rate
Tons burthen: 464 ​42⁄94 bm
Length:
  • 116 ft (35 m) (overall)
  • 98 ft 1 1⁄4 in (29.9 m) (keel)
Beam: 29 ft 10 in (9.09 m)
Draught: 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m)
Depth of hold: 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
Complement: 135
Armament: 2 x 6-pounders bow chasers + 20 x 32 pounder carronades

Career
A lithograph showing the capture of Cyane and Levant by Constitution

Levant was one of 16 ships of the Cyrus class that had the underwater lines of the French prize Bonne Citoyenne (though slightly reduced). Levant was launched in December 1813. Her first commander was Captain Alexander Jones who was replaced by George Douglas on 28 April 1814. Under Douglas, Levant travelled from England to Quebec and then to Gibraltar.

While escorting two British convoys together with HMS Cyane, a Banterer-class sixth-rate vessel, the two warships were attacked by USS Constitution under Captain Charles Stewart on 20 February 1815. Although peace had already been declared Constitution had not received official information about the Treaty of Ghent. Cyane and Levant were able to fire heavier broadsides than Constitution but were still outgunned by range and gun power by the American vessel. With excellent seamanship Constitution outmanoeuvred both ships and forced Cyane to surrender first. After placing a prize crew on board Cyane, Stewart chased Levant down. The sloop surrendered after two broadsides fired by the American vessel and was also taken a prize. With the help of the British prisoners all three ships set course for the Cape Verde Islands.

A British squadron under Commodore George Collier eventually sighted Constitution in heavy weather off Porto Praya on 11 March 1815. She was proceeding with her two prizes. Due to the weather and some confusion, Constitution eluded the British.

Fire from HMS Leander led Levant's crew to run her ashore, where HMS Acasta then captured her.[1][2] Collier eventually left Acasta and HMS Newcastle windward of Barbados while he searched for Constitution. However, she had returned to port, thus avoiding an engagement.[Note 1]

Because Portugal was unable to maintain its neutrality on its (former) soil the Portuguese government compensated the United States for the loss of Levant.

Captain John Sheridan commanded Levant from June 1815 until she was laid up in Chatham in November that year.

Fate

Levant was intended to be repaired and returned to service in August 1820, but this was not carried out and she was broken up by 9 October 1820. Her captured ensign was on display at Mahan Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy, but was removed on 27 February 2018 for preservation.[4]

Notes
  1. A first-class share of the prize money for Levant was worth £496 15ss 4d; a sixth-class share, that of an ordinary seaman, was worth £3 5s 4¼d, or about two months' pay.[3]

Citations
  1. Gossett (1986), p.95.
  2. "No. 17010". The London Gazette. 9 May 1815. p. 871.
  3. "No. 17200". The London Gazette. 14 December 1816. p. 2366.
  4. "U.S. Naval Academy Museum". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 28 February 2018.

References
  • Gossett, William Patrick (1986) The lost ships of the Royal Navy, 1793-1900. (London: Mansell). ISBN 0-7201-1816-6
  • James, William (1837). The Naval History of Great Britain, from the Declaration of War by France in 1793, to the Accession of George IV. 6. R. Bentley.
  • Martin, Tyrone G. (2003) A Most Fortunate Ship. A Narrative History Of Old Ironsides. Revised Edition.
  • Winfield, Rif (2008). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth. ISBN 1861762461.
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