Action off Charles Island

Action off Charles Island
Part of War of 1812

USS Essex off Galapagos.
DateJuly 14, 1813
Location
Result United States victory
Belligerents
 United States United Kingdom United Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
United States Navy David Porter United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland William Stavers
Strength
1 frigate
2 sloops-of-war
3 armed whaling brigs
Casualties and losses
1 sloop-of-war damaged 89 men captured, of which 48 were released on parole after the battle
3 brigs captured

The action off Charles Island was a naval battle fought during the War of 1812 in the summer of 1813 off Charles Island in the Galapagos. An American squadron of three vessels attacked three British armed whalers, and captured them. The engagement was notable for being one of the few to occur in the Pacific Ocean during the war and involved United States Marine Lieutenant John M. Gamble, the first U.S. Marine to command an American warship.[1]

  1. ^ Hearn, G. Chester (2007). Marines: An Illustrated History: the United States Marine Corps from 1775 to the 21st Century. MBI Publishing Company. p. 21.