The Uss Essex and the Birth of the American Navy

by Robotti, Frances Diane; Vescovi, James

• ISBN13: 9781580621120
• ISBN10: 1580621120
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-05-01
• Publisher: Adams Media Corp

Summary

Built in Salem, Massachusetts in 1799, the Essex was a 32-gun frigate known throughout the world for its speed and beauty -- it was one of the U.S. Navy's first and foremost vessels. The Essex symbolizes America's growth into a world naval power: she was the first U.S. warship to round the Cape of Good Hope, protected U.S. merchant vessels against the Barbary nations in the Mediterranean, and was the first U.S. warship to round the Horn into the Pacific, where her crew fought and lost one of the bloodiest sea battles in U.S. history off the coast of Chile. The book includes maps of the Essex's voyages, blueprints of the vessel, contemporary illustrations of the Essex in battle, along with a detailed portrait of this fascinating era in American history.

Table of Contents

Cast of Characters	ix
Foreword	xv
Essex and the Young American Navy	1	(22)
Salem Builds a Frigate	23	(22)
The Shakedown Cruise	45	(22)
Mediterranean Duty	67	(40)
America Defeats the Bashaw	107	(30)
Porter Takes Command	137	(32)
The Glorious Pacific Cruise	169	(46)
Valparaiso: The Final Battle	215	(40)
A Fitting End	255	(6)
Epilogue	261	(4)
Bibliography	265	(8)
Glossary	273	(8)
Salem Subscribers to Essex	281	(4)
Acknowledgements	285	(2)
Index	287