Penn's Landing in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

U.S.S. United States

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 16, 2015

1. U.S.S. United States Marker

Inscription. First vessel completed for new U.S. Navy. Frigate was launched near here May 10, 1797. Flagship of Capt. John Barry; builder was Joshua Humphreys. In 1812, under Capt. Stephen Decatur, Jr., occurred its celebrated capture of H.M.S. Macedonian. Vessel scrapped at Norfolk, 1866.

Erected 1983 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 10, 1797.

Location. 39° 56.487′ N, 75° 8.459′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Penn's Landing. It is on South Columbus Blvd. The marker is located on the driveway of the Chart House Restaurant and next to the dock of the Spirit of Philadelphia. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 611 S Chris Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "Associators" (within shouting distance of this marker); Exiles for Conscience Sake (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mason-Dixon Survey (about 800 feet away); Still on Patrol

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Peace-Time Submariners Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); U. S. S. Trigger - SS 237 (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Casket of the American "Unknown Soldier" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stephen Decatur (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Cruiser Olympia - Submarine Becuna (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . American sailors humiliate their English counterparts in ship-to-ship battle. A brief synopsis of the USS United States vs. HMS Macedonian battle by the National Park Service: After capturing the British frigate Macedonian in a brutal engagement, Stephen Decatur and his crew came home to a hero’s welcome, sharing $300,000 in prize money. Though strategically insignificant, the loss of the Macedonian was a major blow to the Royal Navy’s prestige and aura of invincibility. (Submitted on May 20, 2015.)

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 16, 2015

2. U.S.S. United States Marker

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 16, 2015

3. U.S.S. United States Marker

<i> United States & Macedonian</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Thomas Birch, circa 1813

4. United States & Macedonian

Pen and ink drawing, image courtesy of the Library of Congress.

The capture of HMS Macedonian was a naval action fought near Madeira on 25 October 1812 between the frigates USS United States, commanded by Stephen Decatur, and HMS Macedonian, under the command of John Surman Carden. The American vessel won the long bloody battle, capturing and bringing the Macedonian back to the United States. It was the first British warship to ever be brought into an American harbor. - Wikipedia

Capture of HMS <i>Macedonian</i> by U.S. Frigate <i>United States</i>,<br>October 25, 1812 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 16, 2015

5. Capture of HMS Macedonian by U.S. Frigate United States,
October 25, 1812

This 1852 painting of the battle between the United States and the Macedonian by Thomas Chambers hangs in the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 740 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 19, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 4. submitted on May 20, 2015. 5. submitted on December 5, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.