Cutters win 

 glory in the 

 War of 1812 



Nine cutters, averaging 125 tons, each 

 with 6 to 10 light guns and crews of 15 to 

 30 men, fought in the War of 1812. The 

 war was not a week old when the cutter 



]effersou captured the Patriot, the first 

 prize to fall into American hands. Alto- 

 gether, the cutters took 14 enemy ships. 

 The Madison brought in the 300-ton 

 brig Shamrock, and shortly afterward the 

 schooner W^ade, carrying $20,000 in gold 

 and silver. The Vigilant took the British 

 privateer Dart in a running battle between 

 Newport and Block Island. 



But Britain was a great sea power and 

 was able to send strong squadrons into 

 American waters. Frequently the cutters, 

 seeking contact with the enemy, found 

 themselves up against bigger, more heavily 

 armed warships. 



