Chesapeake Flotilla Gunboat No. 137
Gunboat · United States · Lost June 1814, following the actions at St. Leonard's Creek · Chesapeake Bay
One of Commodore Joshua Barney's small Chesapeake Flotilla gunboats, scuttled in St. Leonard's Creek to avoid Royal Navy capture in 1814.
The Vessel and Her Loss
Gunboat No. 137 was one of the small shallow-draft vessels of Commodore Joshua Barney's Chesapeake Flotilla, formed to resist British incursions on the Patuxent River during the War of 1812. Trapped by a blockading Royal Navy squadron in St. Leonard's Creek, the flotilla fought a series of engagements before Barney ordered his vessels destroyed rather than let them fall into enemy hands. No. 137 was scuttled along with most of the flotilla in June 1814. The action preceded the British advance that led to the burning of Washington.
Vessel
- Not established
- No. 137
- Not established
- Not established
- Wood
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Sail/oar
- United States Navy, Chesapeake Flotilla
Loss
- June 1814, following the actions at St. Leonard's Creek
- Intentional sinking
- St. Leonard's Creek, Patuxent River
- Patuxent River
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- Not established
- Position not established
- St. Leonard's Creek, Calvert County, Maryland
Evidence
Overall confidence: Partially documented (55/100)
This vessel's individual specifications and exact scuttling position within St. Leonard's Creek are not established in the sources reviewed.
Calvert Marine Museum
History of the Battle of St. Leonard's Creek and the scuttling of Barney's flotilla.
Naval History and Heritage Command
Chesapeake Flotilla organization and War of 1812 service.
