USS Growler was a 112-ton sloop-of-war that served in the United States Navy during the War of 1812. Armed with ten 18-pounder carronades and one 6-pounder gun, she operated on Lake Champlain as part of Commodore Thomas Macdonough's squadron.
Acquisition and Specifications
The United States Navy purchased Growler on Lake Champlain in 1812. She was a merchant sloop converted for naval service. Her dimensions were: length 64 ft (20 m), beam 20 ft 4 in (6.20 m), draft 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m), and tons burthen 112 (builder's old measurement). She was propelled by sail.
American Service and Capture
Growler cruised under the command of Lieutenant Sidney Smith as part of Commodore Thomas Macdonough's squadron. On 3 June 1813, while pursuing British gunboats on the Sorel (Richelieu) River near Île aux Noix on the Canadian side of Lake Champlain, she was ambushed by British forces under Major George Taylor of the 100th Regiment. After an engagement lasting approximately three and a half hours, Growler was forced aground and captured. The British took her into the Royal Navy, initially naming her HMS Shannon, and later renaming her HMS Chub (or Chubb).
British Service and Recapture
As HMS Chub, the vessel served under Lieutenant James McGhie in Captain George Downie's British squadron on Lake Champlain. On 11 September 1814, at the Battle of Lake Champlain (also known as the Battle of Plattsburgh), Chub was ordered to support HMS Linnet in attacking USS Eagle. During the engagement, Chub lost her main boom and bowsprit, and her anchor cable was severed. She drifted into the American line and struck her colors to USS Saratoga. The vessel suffered six killed and sixteen wounded. At Lieutenant McGhie's subsequent court-martial for the loss of his ship, the board severely reprimanded him for failing to come into action properly and for failing to anchor properly.
Fate
After being recaptured by the Americans, the sloop-of-war saw no further service. She was sold at Whitehall, New York, in July 1815.
Notes on Nomenclature
There is some discrepancy among historical sources regarding the British names of the captured American vessels. According to the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS) and the National Maritime Museum, Growler became HMS Chub. However, historian David J. Hepper records Growler as becoming HMS Finch, while USS Eagle became HMS Chub. Rif Winfield makes no mention of Finch and agrees with Hepper regarding Eagle/Chubb.
