Following the War of
1812, the United States committed to building a strong navy. The
U.S. Navy required ships which could hold the line of battle in
conflict, hence the name ship-of-the-line or line-of-battle ship,
later shortened to battleship.
The
first of seven new ships approved by Congress, the three-masted
square-rigger NORTH CAROLINA was considered the terror of the
seas. Her keel was laid in 1818 in Philadelphia Navy Yard where
she was built. She was launched in 1820 after being "fitted
out" in Norfolk Navy Yard. Considered the most powerful vessel
afloat in her day when commissioned in June 1824, NORTH CAROLINA
was invited to many foreign ports.
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Ship-of-the-line
Log book |
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From
April 1825 until May 1827, NORTH CAROLINA served in the Mediterranean
fleet as Commodore John Rogers flagship. Her powerful presence
enhanced our nation's prestige and displayed our might, an important
factor in the young country's national affairs.
She
served as flagship once again in South America in May 1837. War
raged between Chile and Peru and our relations with Mexico were
strained. NORTH CAROLINA protected American commerce until March
1839.
Her
great size limited the number of ports where she could be of service
and so she returned to New York Navy Yard and served as a receiving
ship for new sailors until 1866. She
was sold for scrap at New York 1 October 1867 for $30,000.
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Statistics
- 196 feet 3 inches long
- 53 feet 6 inches wide at her beam
- weighed 2,633 tons
- 74 guns - 32 pounders and 42 pounders
- complement of 820 men
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