On This Day 22 August

[Coog]

The USRC James Madison’s career came to an end on 22 August 1812. In October 1812, an extract of a letter written to John Wilson Croker, Esq. from Captain Huskisson of the HMS Barbados appeared in The Edinburgh Advertiser. In that letter, Captain Huskisson described the “seven hour chase” that ensued on August 22. At position 51 degrees north and 75 degrees west, the HMS Barbados “captured the Revenue Schooner James Madison commanded by George Brooks, pierced for fourteen guns, and had ten mounted, two of which were thrown overboard in the chase, with a compliment of sixty five men.” Captain Brooks and his officers were then taken to New York where they arrived on November 24, 1812. The final fate of the cutter is not known. Some have speculated that the James Madison was placed in service of the British under the name Alban, but others have disputed this.

[David Manley]

From wiki:

She did not become HMS Alban; that was the American vessel William Bayard.

Briefly, her ultimate fate was as follows: sold as a prize to Lord Belmore, of Enniskillen in today's Northern Ireland; converted from schooner to brig rig, fitted with carronades, and sent out as a privateer against the US from Killybegs in Donegal. Papers are in Public Records Office in Belfast. After that war (and Waterloo) she was used for a family cruise to Egypt, Turkey and Greece. She was sold to the King of Naples and the family returned home in 1819 - Michael Clarke Historian Lough Erne Yacht Club