The Chesapeake Affair – Ship’s Log
The following is an extract from the official log book of the USS Chesapeake. Entries in the log often give the day and
time that they happened. Read through the official account carefully and see if you can establish the time sequence of
events that took place. Don’t be confused by the fact that at this time a new day at sea began at noon.
A true Copy taken from the United States Frigate Chesapeak's Log Book, James Barron Esqr
Commander, Charles Gordon Esqr Captain, and Samuel Brook, Sailing Master
Monday June 22nd Commences with light Breezes from the Sd & Wd and clear Weather. At 7 A M
hoisted out the Jolly Boat , and hoisted in the Second Cutter, run the Jolly Boat up a Stern, at 1/4 past
7- Weighed anchor made Sail with a pleasant Breeze from W.S.W. and stood out for Sea. at 9 pass'd
2 of H.B. Majesty's Ships at Anchor. Stow'd the larboard Anchor and secured the Boats. at Meridian
(noon) the light on Cape Henry bore S. W. by S. people employ'd in clearing Ship for Sea. This Day
ends at Meridian and contains 17 hours.
Tuesday 23rd Commences with light Breezes from the South and West, and clear Weather. a Ship
in sight apparently standing for us, at 1 PM. the Wind haul'd to the Nd. & Ed. in Studding Sails and
haul'd upon a Wind and at 1/ 2 past 3 the Ship came up with us. back'd the Main Top Sail and Spoke
her. Was boarded by her, She proved to be the British Ship Leopard of 50 Guns She came on board
to demand some Men who had deserted from the English Navy. The Commodore refusing to give
them up, the Boat return'd. They ranged along side of us and Commenc'd a heavy fire. We being
unprepared and the Ship much lumber'd- it was impossible to Clear Ship for Action in proper time,
though every possible exertion was made, and not suspecting an enemy so near did not begin to clear
the Deck untill the enemy had commenc'd firing. In about thirty minutes after receiving much Damage
in our Hull, Rigging and Spars, and having three Men killed. viz. Joseph Arnold , Peter Shakely and John
Lawrence, and 16 Wounded. Vizt Commodore Barron, Mr. Broom, John Hadden, Cotton Brown, Peter
Ellison, John Parker, Geo. Perseval , Peter Summers, Wm Hendrick, Robt McDonald, Francis Conhoven,
Thomas Short, Wm Moody, David Creighton, John Martyr, James Epps, Emanuel Hendricks [Manuel
Fernandez], John Wilson, William Warren and John Bates. And having one Gun ready fired and
haul'd down our Colours. The Leopard ceased firing and sent her Boat on board. Muster'd the Ships
Company. At Sun down, they left the Ship taking with them 4 Men. Vizt John Strawn [Strachan], Daniel
Martin, Wm Ware and John Wilson, who had deserted from their Service. at the same time Lieut Allen
went on board and returned at 8 o’clock. The Leopard left us and Stood. We then made Sail and stood
in Shore having 3 feet Water in our Hold. Crew employ'd in pumping and Working Ship in for Hampton
Roads, got the Anchors clear for coming too. At 6 A M took the 3rd reef in. The Main Topsail, and Set
Top Gallant Sails, Held a Survey on the Masts & Rigging. At 8 Cape Henry bore S. W. Dist 4 or 5 Miles.
Employ'd Ship in for Hampton Road. At 1/ 2 past Meridian (noon) came too with the Starboard Anchor
in 7 fathom Water in Hampton Roads.
Copy, DNA, RG45 , CL, 1807 , Vol. 2, No.26
The Chesapeake Affair – Ship’s Log
The following is an extract from the official log book of the USS Chesapeake. Entries in the log often give the day and
time that they happened. Read through the official account carefully and see if you can establish the time sequence of
events that took place. Don’t be confused by the fact that at this time a new day at sea began at noon.
A true Copy taken from the United States Frigate Chesapeak's Log
Book, James Barron Esqr Commander, Charles Gordon Esqr Captain,
and Samuel Brook, Sailing Master
Monday June 22nd Commences with light Breezes from the Sd
& Wd and clear Weather. At 7 A M hoisted out the Jolly Boat , and
hoisted in the Second Cutter, run the Jolly Boat up a Stern, at 1/4 past
7- Weighed anchor made Sail with a pleasant Breeze from W.S.W.
and stood out for Sea. at 9 pass'd 2 of H.B. Majesty's Ships at Anchor. Stow'd the larboard Anchor and secured the Boats. at Meridian
(noon) the light on Cape Henry bore S. W. by S. people employ'd in
clearing Ship for Sea. This Day ends at Meridian and contains 17
hours.
Tuesday 23rd Commences with light Breezes from the South and
West, and clear Weather. a Ship in sight apparently standing for us,
at 1 PM. the Wind haul'd to the Nd. & Ed. in Studding Sails and
haul'd upon a Wind and at 1/ 2 past 3 the Ship came up with us.
back'd the Main Top Sail and Spoke her. Was boarded by her, She
proved to be the British Ship Leopard of 50 Guns She came on board
to demand some Men who had deserted from the English Navy. The
Commodore refusing to give them up, the Boat return'd. They ranged
along side of us and Commenc'd a heavy fire. We being unprepared and
the Ship much lumber'd- it was impossible to Clear Ship for Action in proper time, though every possible exertion was made, and not
suspecting an enemy so near did not begin to clear the Deck untill the
enemy had commenc'd firing. In about thirty minutes after receiving
much Damage in our Hull, Rigging and Spars, and having three Men
killed. viz. Joseph Arnold , Peter Shakely and John Lawrence, and 16
Wounded. Vizt Commodore Barron, Mr. Broom, John Hadden, Cotton
Brown, Peter Ellison, John Parker, Geo. Perseval , Peter Summers,
Wm Hendrick, Robt McDonald, Francis Conhoven, Thomas Short, Wm
Moody, David Creighton, John Martyr, James Epps, Emanuel Hendricks [Manuel Fernandez], John Wilson, William Warren and John
Bates. And having one Gun ready fired and haul'd down our Colours.
The Leopard ceased firing and sent her Boat on board. Muster'd the
Ships Company. At Sun down, they left the Ship taking with them
4 Men. Vizt John Strawn [Strachan], Daniel Martin, Wm Ware
The Chesapeake Affair – Ship’s Log
Continued
and John Wilson, who had deserted from their Service. at the same time
Lieut Allen went on board and returned at 8 o’clock. The Leopard left us
and Stood. We then made Sail and stood in Shore having 3 feet Water
in our Hold. Crew employ'd in pumping and Working Ship in for
Hampton Roads, got the Anchors clear for coming too. At 6 A M took
the 3rd reef in. The Main Topsail, and Set Top Gallant Sails, Held a
Survey on the Masts & Rigging. At 8 Cape Henry bore S. W. Dist 4 or
5 Miles. Employ'd Ship in for Hampton Road. At 1/ 2 past Meridian (noon) came too with the Starboard Anchor in 7 fathom Water
in Hampton Roads.
Copy, DNA, RG45 , CL, 1807 , Vol. 2, No.26
Name
Date
The Chesapeake Affair Time Sequence
Use the information from the ship’s log to list the sequence of events that took place.
Date
Time
Event