Sea Power and MaritimeSea Power and Maritime Affairs Affairs

Lesson 4: The United States Navy, 1815-1860:

Power projection and technological revolution

                                            

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives Comprehend the effectiveness of the U.S. Navy as an

instrument of diplomacy. Know the state of naval technology and its evolution

during this period. Know U.S. naval policy as a reflection of the period of

1815-1860. Comprehend the Wilkes and M. C. Perry expeditions and

assess their importance to U.S maritime interests. Comprehend the lessons of the Mexican and Crimean

Wars.

Period of ExpansionPeriod of Expansion Monroe Doctrine -- 1823

– No European colonization or intervention in the Americas.

Manifest Destiny – “Our manifest destiny is to overspread the continent

allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions.”

• John L. O'Sullivan, 1845

Anglo-American FriendshipAnglo-American Friendship

Monroe Doctrine sprung from British interest to prevent Holy Alliance (Prussia, Russia, Austria) from grabbing Spanish colonies

Began to see eye-to-eye with erstwhile Mother Country

Love, peace, and harmony…kind of

Continuing Problems with Continuing Problems with Barbary StatesBarbary States

Barbary Wrap-UpBarbary Wrap-Up

Algerian Dey up to old tricksMadison sends Decatur back to Med after

Treaty of GhentMFN - Sets standard for US maritime pacts

in 19th centuryThe Golden Age of “Gunboat Diplomacy”

Monroe’sMonroe’s “Gunboat Diplomacy” “Gunboat Diplomacy”

Increase in SizeAnglo-American CooperationMonroe Doctrine (1823)Squadron Deployment

From periodic scourge to worldwide policeman

Board of CommissionersBoard of Commissioners Secretary of Navy William Jones overwhelmed with

paperwork during War of 1812 Asked Congress to establish three officer “advisory board” Congress does so in 1815

– John Rodgers– Isaac Hull– David Porter

Naval Warfighting DoctrineNaval Warfighting Doctrine

Primary mission of the Navy = “Gunboat Diplomacy”.– Protect U. S. commercial interests overseas - “Showing

the flag.”

Overall Doctrine– Focus on Commerce Raiding - “Guerre de Course”.– Command of the sea -- de-emphasized.– Coastal defense - Army forts constructed at entrances

to ports.

Initial Squadrons (1826)Initial Squadrons (1826)

MediterraneanWest IndiaBrazilianPacificEast India (1835)

Permanent U.S. Navy Permanent U.S. Navy SquadronsSquadrons

Home Squadron– Atlantic coast.

Mediterranean Squadron– Barbary states’ tribute demands.

West Indies Squadron– David Porter battles Caribbean and Gulf Coast piracy.

Brazil Squadron– Enforcement of the Monroe Doctrine.

African Squadron– Enforcement of ban on the slave trade (Enacted in 1807).

Pacific Squadron– Chile and Peru, later Hawaii - protection of whaling fleets.

East Indies Squadron– Protect expanding U.S. trade in Asia.

Permanent Permanent SquadronsSquadrons

West Indies SquadronWest Indies Squadron

Spanish degenerates to outright piracyMonroe turns to Navy1821 Adams-Onis TreatyWI Squadron cleans out CaribbeanBased in Key WestJames Biddle, David Porter1841 Absorbed into “Home Squadron”

Pacific SquadronPacific Squadron

Isaac HullAnglo-American relationsDolphin to HawaiiPeacock to Honolulu

– MFN

President President Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson

Jackson’s Naval DiplomacyJackson’s Naval Diplomacy

“...standing armies dangerous to free governments in time of peace.”

Enough ships to protect commerceBut Bellicose in action

SumatraSumatra

Natives in Qualla Battoo raided American merchant Friendship

Potomac captained by John DownesAmphibious landing in Qualla Battoo

– slaughter

Jackson: publicly praises

The Falkland IslandsThe Falkland Islands

Argentine governor Louis VernetProsecutes illegal seal poacher HarrietLexington, Captain Silas Duncan in

Montevideo– Raids the Falklands

Buenos Aries cuts of diplomatic ties with USPresident entirely approves of [Duncan’s]

conduct

Turkish-American Treaty- Turkish-American Treaty- 18301830

Most Favored Nation statusOpened Black Sea to American

merchantmenConfirmed principle of extra-territorialityGuaranteed human treatment of

shipwrecked sailorsSet standard for 19th century American

diplomacy outside of Europe

1837- Handoff to Martin Van 1837- Handoff to Martin Van BurenBuren

21 shipsFive Squadrons

– All operating away from the Atlantic Coast– Anglo-American friendship

Van Buren not interested in Navy– Depression 1837– Secretary of Navy James K. Paulding kind of a

dud

A word on Science and A word on Science and Technology...Technology...

Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution Affects naval technology.

Propulsion Sail to Steam

Armor Wood to Iron

Weapons Solid Shot to Shell

Steam PowerSteam Power James Watt -- Steam Engine advances made in 1770’s. Robert Fulton - Steam-driven “paddle wheelers”.

– Clermont - 1807 First practical steamship.– Demologos (Fulton) - 1814 First steam warship.– Engines and paddles take gun space and are vulnerable to attack.

M. F. Maury, Robert Stockton and M.C. Perry:– Leading naval advocates for steam power.– Fulton II - 1837 -- Commanded by M.C. Perry.

Mississippi and Missouri - 1842. Princeton - 1842-43 “Screw” propeller warship.

– Stockton brings John Ericcson from Europe to design.– All machinery below decks.

Merrimack - class “fast screw” frigates - 1850’s. European navies also develop steam power and screws.

Robert Robert FultonFulton

USS USS MississippiMississippi

USS Princeton, 1842-43USS Princeton, 1842-43

Battle of Vera Cruz

M.C. Perry’s FlagshipUSS USS

MississippiMississippi

Wilkes Expedition 1838-1842Wilkes Expedition 1838-1842 Lieutenant Charles Wilkes

– Six-ship squadron.

Gathers scientific knowledge.

Charted much of the Pacific Ocean, Antarctica, and North

American West Coast.

Recognized growing importance of the Pacific.

– Increasing trade with Asia.

The “Wilkes Expedition” August 1838 - The “Wilkes Expedition” August 1838 - July 1842July 1842

MatthewMatthewFontaineFontaine

MauryMaury

Pathfinder of the Seas

“Father of Naval Oceanography”

Studies of weather and currents allow preparation of detailed navigation charts.

Back to the action...Back to the action...

Manifest DestinyThe Mexican-American WarThe Ante-Bellum period

““Tippecanoe and…”Tippecanoe and…”

Abel P. Upshur SECNAV under President Tyler

Tyler Doctrine: No one colonizes HawaiiBureau SystemContinued Naval IncreaseGuerre de Course

The “Bureau System”The “Bureau System” Secretary of the Navy Upshur -- 1841-42

– Proponent of expansion, modernization, and reform.

Five “bureaus” established to replace the Board of Commissioners in 1842.

– Bureau of Navy Yards and Docks

– Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography

– Bureau of Construction, Equipment, and Repair

– Bureau of Medicine and Surgery

– Bureau of Provisions and Clothing

“We have tried every effort at reconciliation… But now, after reiterated menaces, Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States (Rio Grande), has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil…. The two nations are at war.”

Mexican-American War 1846-48Mexican-American War 1846-48 Republic of Texas

– Independent from Mexico: 1836.– Annexed by United States: 1845.– Southern border in dispute with Mexico.

General Zachary Taylor– Operations against Mexican Army in Texas - 1846.– Picking a fight– 25 April 1846: clash on the border

Gulf of Mexico - 1847Gulf of Mexico - 1847

SECNAV George BancroftHome Squadron

– David Connor– Blockade, bombardment, amphibious assault– Where is the guerre de course?– We are the stronger power!

Kept to our guns– “Free ships make free goods”– Legal blockades...pretty boring

Gulf of Mexico - 1847Gulf of Mexico - 1847

U.S. Navy establishes command of the sea.– Blockade and capture of Mexican ports.– Marines used as a garrison force.

Combined Army-Navy operations at Vera Cruz.– Commodore M.C. Perry takes command of Home Squadron– Amphibious landing including Marines.

General Winfield Scott marches to Mexico City.– Accompanied by a regiment of Marines.

Marines in the Battle of Chapultepec.– “The Halls of Montezuma”

Battle of Vera CruzBattle of Vera Cruz

Pacific SquadronPacific Squadron

Initially under Commodore John Sloat.– Monterey and San Francisco captured by joint

American forces - Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.

– Commodore Robert Stockton - Los Angeles.– California and Oregon occupied by the end of

the war.

Battle of MontereyBattle of Monterey

GeneralGeneralZacharyZacharyTaylorTaylor

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo - Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo - 18481848

Rio Grande established as Texas-Mexico border.

Western United States ceded from Mexico.

Mexico kept Baja (lower) California

Crimean Crimean PeninsulaPeninsula

The Crimean War 1853-56

Crimean War 1854-56Crimean War 1854-56 Russian invasion of Ottoman Empire in Europe. Battle of Sinop

– Russian fleet annihilates Turkish fleet by use of shell fire.– Proves wooden-hulled ships are obsolete -- unable to withstand

explosive shell fire. Great Britain and France allied with Ottoman Turks. Sevastopol Campaign

– Sailing ships inadequate compared to steam ships for maneuver.– Importance of proper planning and coordination of amphibious assaults.

Kinburn– Ironclad armor on French ships used for protection.

Secretary of Navy Secretary of Navy James C. DobbinJames C. Dobbin

Hagan: “godfather of modern American Sea Power”

Modernized fleet in order to maintain “our proper and elevated rank among the great powers of the world.”

U.S. Navy Expedition to Japan - U.S. Navy Expedition to Japan - 18541854

Acquisition of California and Oregon - 1848.– U.S. is now a power in the Pacific Ocean.

Japan– Island nation closed to foreign influence.

Commodore M.C. Perry– U.S. Navy squadron to Japan - 1853.

– Returns to Tokyo Bay - 1854.

Treaty of Kanagawa - 1854– Protection of American seamen.

– Two ports opened to American shipping.

USS USS SusquehannaSusquehanna- Commodore Perry’s Flagship during - Commodore Perry’s Flagship during

mission to Japan.mission to Japan.

ArmorArmor Korean “Turtle” Ships– Japanese-Korean War 1592-1598– Iron deck on galleys provided protection from boarding and projectiles.

French ironclad frigate Gloire - 1859. – 36 guns in broadside.– 5,600-tons displacement.– Wooden hull with iron armor plating.

British ironclad battleship Warrior - 1860.– 40 guns in broadside.– 9,000-tons displacement.– Iron hull with iron armor plating.– First “modern” warship -- sometimes referred to as first battleship.

HMS HMS WarriorWarrior

Portsmouth, England

First “Modern” Warship

OrdnanceOrdnance USS Princeton ordnance demonstration - 1844.

– Ericcson’s “Oregon” and Stockton’s “Peacemaker”.– “Peacemaker” improperly reinforced.

Explosion kills six, including the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy.

– U.S. naval ordnance development suspended. John Dahlgren -- “Father of Modern Naval Ordnance”

– “Dahlgren Gun” - 1850’s. Nine inch shell gun. Mounted on Merrimac - class frigates.

– Bore is smooth - still inaccurate at longer ranges.– Experiments with “rifled” cannon begin.

John John DahlgrenDahlgren

Father

of

Modern Naval

Ordnance

The “Peacemaker”The “Peacemaker”

Conclusion 1815-1860Conclusion 1815-1860

Period of U.S. territorial and commercial expansion.

– Navy grows after War of 1812.

– Supports American trade overseas.

Relative peace throughout period.

– U.S. -- defensive and isolationist policy for Europe.

– Popular support of Navy slowly declines.

Experiments with new naval technologies.

Next time: The Civil War, 1861-1865