Alexander Martin Model Ship Gallery

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U.S.S. Essex

After the American Revolution the American Navy was allowed to dwindle in strength almost as a matter of course, while our overseas commerce expanded rapidly in extent and volume. Without protection, this commerce was subject to molestation by the Arab powers in the Mediterranean, British impressment of seamen, and petty piracy of other European nations. To protect our ships a number of frigates were built by popular subscription, including Essex by the citizens of Essex County, Massachusetts.

She was a 32 gun frigate, length 146 feet, beam 37 feet, depth of hold 13 feet, launched Salem, Massachusetts, September 30, 1799.

Her fascinating history with the account of her lone wolf raid into the South American whaling areas during the War of 1812 is told in detail by F.B. Robotti in the Nautical Research Journal.

During my training as an apprentice seaman in the U.S. Navy, December 1898 to April 1904, in May 1899 I was stationed on the training ship U.S.S. Essex. She had been recently remodeled as a trainer. We were taught to climb the rigging and make and furl sail, gunnery, signaling. We made a 9 month European cruise. Our first trip from Newport, Rhode Island, to Queenstown, Ireland, took 23 days. We lay in a calm with no wind at all for 3 days with all sails flat. It was a delightful cruise. We visited all the countries in Europe and experienced shore leave in every port wherever we dropped anchor for fresh water and provisions.

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