USS Hornet (1805 brig)

Artist's depiction of Hornet's foundering
History
United States
Name:	USS Hornet
Cost:	$52,603
Launched:	28 July 1805
Commissioned:	18 October 1805
Fate:	Sunk in storm, 29 September 1829
General characteristics
Type:	Sloop-of-war
Tonnage:	440
Length:	106 ft 9 in (32.5 m)
Beam:	31 ft 5 in (9.6 m)
Draft:	14 ft (4.3 m)
Propulsion:	Sail
Armament:	18 × 32-pounder carronades 2 × 12-pounder long guns

The third USS Hornet was a brig-rigged (later ship-rigged) sloop-of-war in the United States Navy. During the War of 1812, she was the first U.S. Navy ship to capture a British vessel.

Hornet was launched 28 July 1805 in Baltimore and commissioned there on 18 October, Master Commandant Isaac Chauncey in command.

Hornet's design was a compromise between the six original U.S. frigates and coastal gunboats championed by President Thomas Jefferson. The fledgling Navy needed a light-draft ship that was fast and maneuverable, but also possessing sufficient firepower to deter or defeat enemy ships. Hornet’s design is attributed to Josiah Fox but her builder, William Price, is said to have altered it based on the successful lines of the Baltimore Clipper, of which he had significant experience.

During his time as captain, Chauncey reported significant problems with Hornet’s rigging, hindering her overall potential. In response to these reports, Hornet's sister ship, Wasp, constructed at the Washington Navy Yard, had her rigging changed to three masts and afterward reported excellent performance at sea.

Hornet cruised the Atlantic coast until 29 March 1806 when she sailed to join the squadron protecting American commerce from threats of piracy in the Mediterranean. She returned to Charleston, South Carolina on 29 November 1807 and was decommissioned.