History of the United States Navy the ship!". Despite their earlier successes, by 1814 many of the Navy's best ships were blockaded in port and unable to prevent British incursions on land via the sea. During the summer of 1814, the British fought the Chesapeake Campaign, which was climaxed by amphibious assaults against Washington and Baltimore. The capital fell to the British almost without a fight, and several ships were burned at the Washington Navy Yard, including the 44-gun frigate USS "Columbia". At Baltimore, the bombardment by Fort McHenry inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner", and the hulks blocking the channel prevented the
USS Wasp (1814) She remained at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, until late spring awaiting sailing orders and, upon receipt of them, put to sea on 1 May 1814 for a war cruise to the western approaches to the English Channel. "Wasp" captured her first vessel, the 207-ton barque "Neptune", on 2 June 1814, embarked her crew as prisoners, and burned the prize at sea. On 13 June 1814, she took "William", a 91-ton brig, and burned her as well. "Wasp" encountered the 131-ton armed brig "Pallas" on 18 June 1814, captured her, apparently without resistance, and scuttled her. Her fourth victim, 171-ton galiot "Henrietta",