During the War of 1812 revenue cutters protected American commerce by enforcing custom laws and providing defense of its shores. They were sailing vessels with fore and aft sails on two or more masts and were perfect ships for navigating the shallow water along the North Carolina coast. The revenue cutter Mercury, built at Ocracoke in 1807, helped to defend North Carolina from an invasion by sea. Its homeport was moved to New Bern by 1809.
On July 11, 1813, a British Royal Navy fleet under the command of Admiral George Cockburn landed in a surprise attack at Ocracoke and Portsmouth. This fleet included a seventy four gun man of war, four frigates, two brigs and two sloops as well as fifteen armed barges with approximately 1,000 British officers and enlisted men. Their objective was to capture the Mercury, as well as the city of New Bern and then proceed to the interior of the state. Two brigs and the Mercury were the only American ships docked at Ocracoke at the time. The brigs were captured, but the Mercury managed to escape with the local custom house money and bonds. Master David Wallace, captained the Mercury, and when he received word of the Ocracoke invasion, his ship outran several British Navy barges and set sail for New Bern to alert them of an impending attack. This timely warning allowed the state to prepare a defense, and prevent a full scale invasion. As news reached the mainland, militia units from across the state arrived at New Bern.
New Bernians prepared for war. Breastworks of logs, earth and stone were erected at Union Point Park. Local militia units were mustered, but Governor Benjamin Hawkins, upon hearing of the threat to the coast, ordered militia units from all over the state to New Bern, and he personally proceeded there to take command of the forces. The Governor arrived in New Bern on July 21 but it turns out it was for naught. On July 16, 1813 the British Naval fleet left Ocracoke Island as they had lost the element of surprise. Due to poor communication militia continued to arrive in New Bern, but the citizens were grateful nonetheless for the prompt aid provided by the Governor.
The Mercury continued to guard the waterways around Ocracoke for the rest of the War and captured several British vessels. By 1815 Master David Wallace and the crew of the Mercury received word that the War of 1812 was over. The crew continued to sail local waters to prevent smuggling of foreign goods through North Carolina ports. To honor this mostly forgotten but important incident, a historical marker honoring the service of the Mercury and its crew was erected in Ocracoke.
By Claudia Houston, New Bern Historical Society
Blog article provided by, New Bern Historical Society – www.newbernhistorical.org