AMER WINTER 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Thursday, February 8, 2018.
JOURNAL, USS MACEDONIAN, COMMANDED BY CAPTAIN JAMES BIDDLE, JUNE 12, 1826-OCTOBER 31, 1831.The USS Macedonian has the most interesting history in that it was captured during the War of 1812 by Stephen Decatur in the naval battle that would make him famous. HMS Macedonian was immediately preserved by Stephen Decatur as he realized the fledgling American Navy could well use this prized British frigate. The ship was brought to Newport, Rhode Island, refitted and renamed USS Macedonian. The Macedonian would next see service in Commodore Decatur's second Barbary War as part of his 10-ship squadron. The Macedonian would see limited service in the Caribbean and the East Coast until being re-provisioned as flagship for James Biddle's new "Brazil Squadron" to protect American interests in South America from the newly independent nations of Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia where fighting was rampant. This 165 page manuscript journal maintained by Mid-shipman William P. Livingston, is well preserved and shows daily details of ships position and notes daily as to specific actions and events. This cruise is the most significant action of Macedonian's entire career and the entire chronology is maintained from the day it left Hampton Roads, June 18, 1826 until the day it returned October 31, 1828 and was immediately decommissioned. In this forgotten two year campaign, the American Navy would remain on the coast of South America protecting American merchant vessels and meeting with the various new South American ministers until peace was finally achieved by the warring Brazilians and Argentinians (Buenos Aires) on August 29, 1828. August 30th Biddle's squadron headed back to the United States and on the way discovered they had small pox on board with several sailors dying. The last entry October 31: "Came to anchor off Norfolk" would be the Macedonian's last day in the Navy. The ship's keel was utilized to rebuild the second USS Macedonian beginning in 1832 at the Gosport Navy Yard and finally launched in 1836 for 16 years of service. Accompanying lot is copied history of the Macedonian and typed script notes on many of the entries. SIZE: CONDITION: Fair to good overall. Contents intact and easily discernible. 3/4 leather binding heavily scuffed, worn and stained at spine and edges. Hinges intact, but starting. Spine intact, partially split at bottom. Typed label pasted on cover, orange typed card tipped onto front fly leaf with penciled annotation "Capt. Biddle was the spiritual father of the US Naval Academy, Annapolis". 52979-1 JGS (6,500-7,500)