The Rossie was a schooner launched in Baltimore in 1807, constructed by Thomas Kemp of Fell's Point, who was also known for building several successful privateers during the War of 1812, including the notable Chasseur. The vessel was commissioned into service at the outbreak of the war, with her first commissioning occurring on July 11, 1812, under the command of Joshua Barney, who was hired by her owners. She was armed with a total of eleven guns, including ten 12-pounders and one long 9-pounder on a pivot, and manned by a crew of approximately 95 sailors. Rossie’s initial significant role was as a privateer operating off Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. During her first cruise, she captured around 18 vessels in just six weeks, demonstrating her effectiveness and agility at sea. Notably, Barney’s command saw her out-sail British frigates on multiple occasions and engage in several notable actions. Among her captures was the Jenny (or Jeanie), a 12-gun vessel, and the brig Nymphe. Her most renowned achievement was the capture of the Post Office Packet Service packet ship Princess Amelia on September 16, 1812. In this engagement, Rossie sustained casualties, including the death of her captain Isaac Moorsom and her sailing master, and wounded several crew members, while the Princess Amelia lost three men killed, including her captain, and had her crew wounded. The captured Princess Amelia was taken to Savannah, Georgia, where she was purchased by the US Navy and renamed USS Troup. Rossie’s successful cruise resulted in the capture of substantial British shipping, with Barney estimating the total tonnage at nearly 3,700 tons and the value at approximately US$1.5 million, along with 217 prisoners. After her active service as a privateer, Rossie was re-commissioned on December 3, 1812, under J. D. Daniels. However, her career was cut short when she was captured by the Royal Navy’s Rochfort squadron on January 6, 1813, in the Basque Roads while carrying coffee from Baltimore to Bordeaux. She arrived in Plymouth on January 17, 1813, marking the end of her brief but notable service history as a privateer vessel during the early years of the War of 1812.

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