The USRC James Madison was a schooner launched in 1807 at Baltimore for service with the United States Revenue-Marine. She was constructed following authorization from the U.S. Treasury Department, which approved her building in June 1807, and she was completed in 1808. As a Revenue Cutter, she was initially armed and operated along the southeastern coast of the United States. Her dimensions and specific construction details are not provided, but she was described as a fast sailing vessel, coppered and copper-fastened, suggesting she was designed for swift patrol and interception duties. During her service, James Madison played a notable role early in the War of 1812. She detained the British schooner Wade at Amelia Island in July 1812, capturing her along with a second vessel carrying specie, indicating her active engagement against British maritime traffic. Under the command of George Brooks, she was armed with a crew of approximately 70 men—an unusually large complement for a Revenue Marine vessel—implying privateering ambitions. She successfully captured the British brig Shamrock in July and the brig Santa Rosa in August 1812, highlighting her effectiveness in wartime interdiction. Her most significant event occurred in August 1812, when she attempted to intercept a convoy of merchant ships protected by British warships HMS Polyphemus and HMS Barbadoes. After a prolonged chase, she engaged the frigate Barbadoes, believing her to be a merchant vessel. Outnumbered and outgunned, James Madison was eventually captured by Barbadoes on 22 August 1812 about 250 miles southeast of Savannah. She was pierced for 14 guns, carried ten, and had thrown two overboard during the chase. Her crew numbered around 65–70 men. The British fitted her out for their own use, but a subsequent survey found her unfit for naval service due to her condition. Following her capture, James Madison was renamed Osprey by Lord Belmore, who converted her from a schooner into a brig and armed her with a letter of marque against the United States. She later became a family yacht for a trip to the eastern Mediterranean around 1817, visiting Mediterranean ports and Egypt. In 1819, she was sold to the King of Naples, and her ultimate fate remains unknown. Her history reflects her significance as a fast, versatile vessel involved in both wartime interdiction and later private and leisure activities.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.