As his frigate rounded Cape Henry and made for open sea, a watchman signalled a British warship nearby. However, since the country was at peace and she was going to sail in known and friendly waters, no one was too concerned by her state.Ĭhesapeake's senior officer was newly-appointed Commodore James Barron, an experienced seaman and captain of good repute who was heading for his post as Head of the American fleet in the Mediterranean. As a result, baggage and extra gear were scattered all over the lower decks and took priority over the battle readiness of the frigate moreover, the extra weight also slowed her down considerably. On board were important civilian passengers – government officials- on their way to postings in Europe, travelling along with their relatives and their belongings. She was now headed for a two-year assignment as flagship of the American squadron in the Mediterranean. Built less than seven years before, she had just been refitted after a four-year hiatus in the shipyard. On early morning of June 22 1807, the American warship USS Chesapeake weighed anchor from its naval base in Norfolk, Virginia, and soon cleared the bay whose name she carried to put to sea.
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