Isaac Chauncey

For the minister, see Isaac Chauncy.

Isaac Chauncey
Born	(1779-02-20)February 20, 1779 Black Rock, Connecticut, United States of America
Died	Washington, D.C., U.S.
Place of burial	Congressional Cemetery Washington, D.C.
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1798-1840
Rank	Commodore
Commands held	General Greene John Adams Hornet Washington
Battles/wars	Quasi-War First Barbary War War of 1812
Other work	President of the Board of Navy Commissioners (1837-40)

Isaac Chauncey (20 February 1779 – 27 January 1840) was an officer in the United States Navy who served in the Quasi War, The Barbary Wars and the War of 1812. In the latter part of his naval career he was President of the Board of Navy Commissioners.

Biography

Chauncey, born in Black Rock, Connecticut, 20 February 1779, was appointed a Lieutenant in the Navy from 17 September 1798. He fought with gallantry in the West Indies during the Quasi-War with France; in the Mediterranean during the First Barbary War; and commanded John Adams (1804–5), Hornet (1805–6), Washington and the Mediterranean Squadron (1815–1820). He was promoted to Captain in 1806.

Perhaps his most outstanding service was during the War of 1812 when he commanded the naval forces on Lake Ontario, conducting amphibious operations in cooperation with the Army, and containing the large British fleet under the command of Sir James Yeo stationed there. He also served twice as commandant of the New York Naval Shipyard.

His last service was as member, and, for four years, President, of the Board of Navy Commissioners. Commodore Chauncey died in Washington 27 January 1840.

Legacy

• USS Chauncey named in his honor.

Bibliography

Further reading

• Dudley, William S.; Cogar, William B., Ed. (1989) "Commodore Isaac Chauncey and U.S. Joint Operations on Lake Ontario, 1813-14."
  In New Interpretations in Naval History: Selected Papers From the Eighth Naval History Symposium
  Naval Institute Press, Annapolis.
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External links

• The Isaac Chauncey papers, at the William L. Clements Library contain professional letters and documents from throughout Chauncey's naval career.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.