IDENTIFICATION & VESSEL INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The USS Jefferson was a wooden brig constructed by the U.S. Navy during the War of 1812. It was specifically designed for naval combat on the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Ontario, which was a critical theater of operations during the conflict. The brig was heavily armed with 20 guns, including carronades and long guns, making it a powerful warship of its time.
HISTORY #
The USS Jefferson was a brig commissioned by the U.S. Navy during the War of 1812, a time when control of the Great Lakes was vital to the outcome of the conflict between the United States and Great Britain. Constructed in 1814 at Sackett’s Harbor, New York, the Jefferson was designed as a formidable naval combat vessel, reflecting the urgent need for naval power on Lake Ontario. The brig measured 108 feet 9 inches in length, with a beam of 33 feet 2 inches and a depth of 10 feet 5 inches, boasting a tonnage of 500 tons under the old measurement system. Its armament was considerable for the period, featuring 20 guns, including 16 carronades and 4 long guns, which made it a powerful force in the naval engagements on the Great Lakes.
Launched on April 13, 1814, the USS Jefferson quickly entered service, joining the U.S. Navy’s efforts to maintain control over Lake Ontario. However, the vessel’s career was not without challenges. In September 1814, while navigating the lake, the Jefferson encountered a severe gale that caused it to leak, highlighting the perilous and unpredictable conditions that naval forces faced on the Great Lakes. Despite these difficulties, the Jefferson played its part in the broader strategy to secure American interests during the war. After the conflict ended, the Jefferson was placed in “ordinary” in 1825, a naval term indicating that the ship was decommissioned and left to deteriorate. Over time, the vessel succumbed to the elements, eventually sinking at the very site where it had been constructed—Sackett’s Harbor.
The wreck of the USS Jefferson was rediscovered in 1984 by researchers Kevin Crisman and Arthur Cohn, whose work provided valuable insights into early 19th-century naval architecture and the operational history of U.S. Navy vessels on the Great Lakes. The discovery of the wreck, particularly the examination of the ship’s deck lights, has contributed to the study of naval warfare during the War of 1812 and the strategic importance of controlling the Great Lakes. The USS Jefferson remains a significant part of American naval history, embodying the challenges and triumphs of the U.S. Navy during a critical period in the nation’s early years.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The wreck of the USS Jefferson was rediscovered in 1984 by researchers Kevin Crisman and Arthur Cohn. Their exploration and study of the site, particularly the examination of the ship’s deck lights and other structural features, provided valuable insights into early 19th-century naval architecture and the operational history of U.S. Navy vessels on the Great Lakes. The wreck remains submerged at Sackett’s Harbor, contributing to the historical narrative of American naval power during the War of 1812.
LEGACY #
The USS Jefferson holds a significant place in U.S. naval history as part of the efforts to control the Great Lakes during the War of 1812. Its construction, brief service, and eventual demise illustrate the strategic importance of naval forces in the conflict and the challenges faced by these vessels. The discovery of the wreck in 1984 added to the ship’s historical significance, offering researchers a direct link to early American naval warfare and the broader maritime history of the Great Lakes.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Naval History and Heritage Command: USS Jefferson History
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Research: Great Lakes Shipwrecks
- NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
Conclusion #
The USS Jefferson is a vital part of the history of naval warfare on the Great Lakes, representing the challenges and strategic imperatives of the War of 1812. Its service and eventual sinking at Sackett’s Harbor offer a poignant reminder of the era’s maritime conflicts. The discovery of its wreck has allowed historians and archaeologists to deepen their understanding of early 19th-century naval operations, preserving the legacy of this important vessel.
USS Jefferson
War of 1812
Sackett’s Harbor
Lake Ontario
Wooden Brig
U.S. Navy
Great Lakes Maritime History
Naval Architecture
Shipwreck Discovery
NOAA
