Joel Abbot
| Joel Abbot | |
|---|---|
| Born |
January 18, 1793 Westford, Massachusetts |
| Died | December 14, 1855 (aged 62) Hong Kong |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | (1812-1855) |
| Rank |
.png){kind=icon} Captain, Flag Officer
|
| Commands held | captured pirate ship Mariana (1818) Boston Navy Yard (1838) USS Decatur (1843) USS Macedonian (1852) Flag Officer, East India Squadron (1854) |
| Battles/wars | War of 1812 |
Joel Abbot (January 18, 1793 – December 14, 1855) was a U.S. naval officer who served notably in the War of 1812, and commanded a ship during Commodore Perry's 1852 visit to Japan.
Born in Westford, Massachusetts, Abbot entered the Navy at the age of 19 as midshipman at the beginning of the War of 1812.
He served first on the frigate USS President and next on Lake Champlain with Commodore Macdonough, who, when he asked Abbot if he were ready to die for his country received the reply "Certainly, sir; that is what I came into the service for." For his success in this dangerous exploit, and for his bravery in the engagement at Cumberland Head on 11 September 1814, the young officer received a sword of honor from Congress and was commissioned a lieutenant. In 1818, he was given charge of the captured pirate ship Mariana.
Abbot was promoted to commander in 1838, and the following year was given command of the Boston Navy Yard.
In 1843 he took command of the sloop-of-war Decatur in Commodore Perry’s African Squadron.
On 3 October 1850, Abbot was promoted to captain. In 1852, when Commodore Perry was entrusted with power to select the officers to accompany him on his famous Japan expedition, he chose Abbot to command the sailing frigate USS Macedonian.
In 1854, he was appointed commodore of the East India Squadron. (At that time, commodore was the title of the commander of a squadron of ships, rather than a rank in the Navy.) He died in Hong Kong on December 14, 1855.
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