Chronicles of the Frigate Macedonian: 1809-1922 [Hardcover]

James T. De Kay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1995

His Majesty's frigate "Macedonian" was launched in 1810, at the height of the Napoleonic wars, and burned in Manhattan in 1922. Captured by the Americans in 1812, the ship became a symbol of pride for the American navy, and served prominently in the liberation of Latin America, the war against the slave trade, the Irish potato famine, and the American Civil War. The story of the ship, told in this book, is full of battles, chases, and one near-mutiny, and also represents the story of gunboat diplomacy which defined international relations in the 19th century.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The Macedonian first went to sea under British colors in 1809. Captured in the War of 1812, it became a mainstay of the U.S. Navy for another half century. It fought only one pitched battle, against the United States in 1812, but showed the flags of its countries from Tunis to Japan in an era when gunboat diplomacy was a literal concept. De Kay masterfully reconstructs the dynamics of life on board a sailing warship at a time when spending months beyond sight of land was the norm. Ship's companies became ship's communities, whose captains set the tone. During its working life, the Macedonian was commanded by embezzlers, martinets and eccentrics, by a British aristocrat and by an American Jew who earned his rank in an era when the U.S. Navy was virulently anti-Semitic. Their stories enliven a vivid, well-written volume that will be welcomed by readers interested in maritime subjects. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

History that reads like a historical novel. -- New York Times Book Review

Rousing maritime history. . . . [The] real-life equivalent of a Patrick O'Brian novel. -- Boston Globe

Thoroughly delightful and informative. -- Atlantic Monthly --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc; 1st edition (July 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393038041
• ISBN-13: 978-0393038040
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,320,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping span of history tied to one ship., April 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Chronicles of the Frigate Macedonian: 1809-1922 (Hardcover)

Fascinating account of how the capture of one ship from the British during the War of 1812 boosted national morale and elevated the United States in the international arena. De Kay skillfully illustrates how the US's leaders shrewdly manipulated the Macedonian's psychological power by sending her on highly visible missions. As a result, the Macedonian was there for over 100 years' worth of some of the US's most fascinating history, and captained by some of the most colorful officers in the United States Navy. De Kay masterfully ties the Macedonian's history with our history. Excellent!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Story About America's Brave and Patriotic Past, December 29, 1998

By 

Bill Reilly ([e-mail]) (Linthicum, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chronicles of the Frigate Macedonian: 1809-1922 (Hardcover)

During the War of 1812 many early land battles ended terribly for the United States. Our soldiers were volunteers who lacked the training to sustain the fierce attacks of the seasoned British troops who had just defeated Napoleon.

America needed a boost of confidence to thwart those in the land who would capitulate to the British rather than fight what they saw as a loosing battle.

In a short span of several weeks, two sea battles took place against the British. These intense conflicts with cannons blazing and men fighting as they never fought before, resulted in victories for the U.S. Navy.

This turn of events brought the British government great shame in their own country and gave the Americans much to celebrate.

In the first battle, the British ship sank, but in the second the Macedonian was captured by Stephen Decatur and his brave and dedicated crew.

When this ship was brought to America's shores the people were greatly motivated to try and fight everywhere to save their country. the War of 1812 is often called the second American Revolution and could have marked the end of this new form of government.

The defeat and capture of the Macedonian was so grand and uplifting to the U.S. Navy and the American people that it remained in service and was kept as a reminder of our strength for about 100 years.

The story that unfolds about this ship brings so much rich history about the United States and its people that it is well worth getting excited over.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful Biography of a ship, October 9, 2001

By 

S. Lawrenz "Lendorien" (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chronicles of the Frigate Macedonian: 1809-1922 (Hardcover)

The USS Macedonean (originally HMS) is largely forgotten today, but her legacy is intertwined with the early days and wellfare of the young American republic. She was the first English warship to be captured by the American Navy, and was instrumental to putting an end to the Barbary pirates, and even had a hand in the reopening of Japan to the world.

It is only fitting therefore that a book would be written about her. De Kay's book, "Chronicles of the Frigate Macedonian" is an extremely entertaining read, one that well worth the time. There aren't many single ship biographies out there about the American sailing navy, which makes this book a solid gem.

Chronicling the Macedonean from her construction in a shipwayd in england, to her (What was left of her) final destruction at the hands of a fire in 1922, De Kay weaves a entertaining account of the ship, her glories and her more tarnished incidents. The true cast of character is diverse, ranging from the honorable John carden, who lost the Macedonian to the USS United States and never commanded a ship again, to Commodore James Biddle, who's own tenure as captain was filled with sickness and death on the ship, to "Commodore George DeKay" who successfully used the Macedonian to bring much needed relief to an Ireland suffering from famine.

The Macedonian's history was filled with political intruige, madmen, jealousy, courage, and death. De Kay chronicles it all in vivid color. If you enjoy C.S Forester, Patrick O'Brian, or Naval History, I'd strongly suggest this book.