#john surman carden

[clove-pinks]

In early 1812, months before the outbreak of war, two captains of frigates from rival navies met in Norfolk. One was Stephen Decatur, who held the unofficial rank of commodore in the United States Navy and who was in command of USS United States. With him was the British John Surman Carden, in command of the crack new 38-gun frigate HMS Macedonian. The two socialised frequently during Carden’s stay in Norfolk, and Carden often dined with Decatur and his wife. The two officers took a liking to each other, bonding primarily through discussion of their beloved frigates. While United States was by far the slowest of the three heavy frigates with the nickname ‘Old Wagon’, she was still a prestigious command as one of the most powerful frigates in the world and currently carrying a slightly heavier armament than her sisters. Macedonian was considered an exceptionally fast frigate, and her first lieutenant, David Hope, considered her to be one of the best-trained frigates in gunnery in the world. It was reported that during one of Carden and Decatur's discussions they had joked about making a wager over a beaver hat on the outcome of a prospective contest between their two frigates.

— Nicholas James Kaizer, Revenge in the Name of Honour: The Royal Navy’s Quest for Vengeance in the Single Ship Actions of the War of 1812

Engagement between the ‘United States’ and the ‘Macedonian’ (details) by Thomas Birch, 1813. (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)

When Carden and Decatur met again, 500 miles south of the Azores, it was an American victory, with the heavier armament of United States making the difference. Her longer, 24-pound shot proved decisive, inflicting much more damage than Macedonian’s 18-pound shot. At closer range, the Americans’ twenty-four 42-pound carronades devastated Macedonian, who carried only fourteen 32-pounders. Carden’s ship was nearly dismasted and became unmanageable, with great loss of life. Over 100 dead, dying, and wounded men were strewn near her wrecked rigging and canvas. 

When Carden surrendered at last, some of his men cried and others were prepared to fight the American prize crew (the British sailors had also broken into the spirit stores, adding to the chaos). Nonetheless:

Decatur and Carden greeted each other as friends. The American refused to accept Carden’s sword and praised his gallantry, but he could tell that Carden was in a deplorably melancholic state. Carden admitted that he was devastated at losing his ship, believing that he was the first British captain to do so. Decatur’s attempts to console him by informing him that Dacres [of HMS Guerriere] had that unfortunate distinction only partially mollified Carden. He had still lost a ship in one-on-one combat, and Macedonian became the first and only British frigate to be brought into an American port as a prize. 

— Nicholas James Kaizer, Revenge in the Name of Honour: The Royal Navy’s Quest for Vengeance in the Single Ship Actions of the War of 1812

No word from Kaizer if the bet for a beaver hat was ever called in by Stephen Decatur. For those unfamiliar with the term, it refers to a hat made from highly processed beaver fur that has been felted, formed, and brushed to a silken sheen, like the top hat worn by this gentleman in an 1812 fashion plate (Flickr):

Beaver hats were also waterproof, and naval cocked hats were made out of the same material.

[ltwilliammowett]

The USS United States engaging HMS Macedonian , by Leslie Arthur Wilcox, c. 1977

The battle between these two frigates was fought near Madeira on October 25, 1812, the United States being commanded by Steven Decater. The Macedonian by John Surman Carden.

After a long, bloody battle, the United States captured the Macedonian and escorted her to Newport, the first British warship ever brought into an American harbor. The British frigate was later recommissoned by the US Navy as USS Macedonian and remained in service until 1836.