The USS Erie was a three-masted, wooden-hulled sloop-of-war of the United States Navy, launched on November 3, 1813, by Thomas Kemp in Baltimore, Maryland. Initially, Erie was unable to reach the open sea due to the British blockade at Hampton Roads and returned to Baltimore, where she remained berthed without a crew until early 1815. She first put to sea on March 20, 1814, under Commander Charles G. Ridgeley. In July 1814, she sailed to join Commodore William Bainbridge's squadron heading for the Mediterranean, but peace with Algiers was concluded before arrival, leading Erie to cruise independently along the Barbary Coast for the next four years, protecting American commerce and guarding against disturbances. In 1820, after a repair period in Baltimore, Erie’s length was increased to 122 feet (37 meters), and her tonnage was raised to 611 tons. She resumed service in the Mediterranean until 1826, then was based at Pensacola, Florida, from 1827 to 1832, patrolling the West Indies and off the Mexican coast to protect American interests, suppress the slave trade, and convoy merchant ships. She was laid up at Boston from 1832 to 1834, then served as flagship on the Brazil Station during a period of regional unrest, providing protection and intelligence. Between 1837 and 1840, Erie was laid in ordinary at Boston, then rebuilt at Boston between 1840 and 1843 into an armed storeship. She sailed to the Pacific, arriving in Callao, Peru, in July 1843, and served as flagship during a cruise to the Hawaiian and Society Islands. During the Mexican-American War, Erie operated along the Mexican coast, supporting landings and participating in the occupation of Mazatlán in November 1847. Afterward, she continued supply missions to Africa and the Mediterranean, returning to New York multiple times. The vessel was sold on November 26, 1850, marking the end of her notable service.

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