Gunboat No. 166
(U.S. Schooner Alligator)
(U.S. Schooner Alligator)
Gunboat 166 was built by Amos Perry near Wilmington, North Carolina. Perry's naval contract, issued in March
of 1808 was for three sloop rigged 60' gunboats. The superintendent of construction was Navy Agent General
Benjamin Smith. Mr. Perry built Gunboat 166 with a schooner rig instead of the planned sloop rigging. He also
provided the ship with two 6 pounder cannons instead of the single 24 or 32 pounder cannon called for in the
contract. Rated at 80 tons, with a length of 60', a beam of 16'6", and depth of hold of 6'6", the gunboat received
her crew of forty sailors and marines. Launched on 1 April 1809, the gunboat was placed in ordinary at
Wilmington after only two months.
of 1808 was for three sloop rigged 60' gunboats. The superintendent of construction was Navy Agent General
Benjamin Smith. Mr. Perry built Gunboat 166 with a schooner rig instead of the planned sloop rigging. He also
provided the ship with two 6 pounder cannons instead of the single 24 or 32 pounder cannon called for in the
contract. Rated at 80 tons, with a length of 60', a beam of 16'6", and depth of hold of 6'6", the gunboat received
her crew of forty sailors and marines. Launched on 1 April 1809, the gunboat was placed in ordinary at
Wilmington after only two months.
Reactivated in the fall of 1811, Gunboat 166 began patrolling the North Carolina coast. Soon after the
declaration of war, she was transferred to South Carolina waters. Near the end of 1812 or early 1813, Gunboat
166 was renamed, Alligator. It was during this period that the Alligator also received two additional cannons.
Over the next couple of years she would increase her armament to eight 12 pounder carronades.
declaration of war, she was transferred to South Carolina waters. Near the end of 1812 or early 1813, Gunboat
166 was renamed, Alligator. It was during this period that the Alligator also received two additional cannons.
Over the next couple of years she would increase her armament to eight 12 pounder carronades.
The Alligator faced it greatest danger against the British Navy on 29 January 1814. Anchored near the mouth of
the Stono River in South Carolina the American's sighted a British frigate and brig. Sailing Master Russell
Bassett, the Alligator's commander, suspected that the British would attempt a cutting out action after dark, and
immediately cleared his ship for action. At 7:30 p.m. the Americans spotted six armed boats with muffled oars
rowing towards them. The Alligator called out a challenge and received an answer of a cheer, followed by the
blast of the British boats' small carronades. Bassett returned the favor by firing his cannons and then quickly
cut his anchor cable. With a light breeze from the Southwest the Alligator started to move away from the
advancing British who were about thirty yards away. The fire from the Alligator's guns stunned the attackers
and slowed their advance. The Alligator slowly drifted into shallow water and ran aground. Now in a dangerous
position the Americans braced themselves for the British assault. Fortunately for the Alligator, the British had
suffered dreadfully from the initial exchange of cannon fire and did not continue the attack. Casualties on board
the Alligator were two killed and two wounded. The small American gunboat also received substantial damage to
her sails and rigging. American records do not list the number of British casualties.
the Stono River in South Carolina the American's sighted a British frigate and brig. Sailing Master Russell
Bassett, the Alligator's commander, suspected that the British would attempt a cutting out action after dark, and
immediately cleared his ship for action. At 7:30 p.m. the Americans spotted six armed boats with muffled oars
rowing towards them. The Alligator called out a challenge and received an answer of a cheer, followed by the
blast of the British boats' small carronades. Bassett returned the favor by firing his cannons and then quickly
cut his anchor cable. With a light breeze from the Southwest the Alligator started to move away from the
advancing British who were about thirty yards away. The fire from the Alligator's guns stunned the attackers
and slowed their advance. The Alligator slowly drifted into shallow water and ran aground. Now in a dangerous
position the Americans braced themselves for the British assault. Fortunately for the Alligator, the British had
suffered dreadfully from the initial exchange of cannon fire and did not continue the attack. Casualties on board
the Alligator were two killed and two wounded. The small American gunboat also received substantial damage to
her sails and rigging. American records do not list the number of British casualties.
The Alligator soon faced a far worse enemy than the British. On 1 July 1814, while patrolling Port Royal Sound,
she capsized during a heavy storm. Twenty-three officers and men of the ship were lost. But, this was not the
end of the Alligator. She was promptly raised, refitted, and soon resumed her duties. In the late spring of 1815,
she completed her last cruise. On 12 June 1815, she was decommissioned and the naval career of the Alligator
was over.
she capsized during a heavy storm. Twenty-three officers and men of the ship were lost. But, this was not the
end of the Alligator. She was promptly raised, refitted, and soon resumed her duties. In the late spring of 1815,
she completed her last cruise. On 12 June 1815, she was decommissioned and the naval career of the Alligator
was over.
Sources:
Chapelle, Howard. The History of the American Sailing Navy: The Ships and Their Development
Dudley, Wade G. Splintering the Wooden Wall: The British Blockade of the United States, 1812-1815
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. www.history.navy.mil/danfs
Roosevelt, Theodore. The Naval War of 1812
Smith, Gene A. "A Force of Being": North Carolina and Jefferson’s Gunboat Navy. Article in October 1994 issue of Tributaries
Full references available upon request.
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