USS Erie ( 1813 ) USS " Erie " was a three - masted , wooden - hulled sloop - of - war of the United States Navy in the early 19th century . " Erie " was launched 3 November 1813 by Thomas Kemp , Baltimore , Maryland ; and first put to sea 20 March 1814 , Commander Charles G . Ridgeley in command . Unable to reach the open sea because of the British blockade at Hampton Roads , Erie was forced to return to Baltimore 7 April 1814 where she remained berthed at Baltimore without a crew until early in 1815 . On 8 May she sailed to Boston , Massachusetts to join Commodore William Bainbridge ' s squadron sailing for the Mediterranean 2 July . With peace concluded with Algiers before the squadron reached the area , the squadron returned to the United States , leaving " Erie " to cruise with the naval force assigned to protect commerce and guard against any further disturbance of peace by the Barbary States . She remained on station for 4 years , sailing from Gibraltar for home 27 November 1819 . After calling at Madeira and in the West Indies , she reached New York 20 January 1820 , and was laid up there for repairs for 3½ years . Lengthened to and with her tonnage increased to 611 tons , " Erie " sailed from New York in November 1823 to serve in the Mediterranean until 1826 . From 1827 to 1832 , she was based at Pensacola , Florida , returning north to New York or Norfolk , Virginia for necessary repairs . " Erie " patrolled in the West Indies and off the coast of Mexico , protecting American citizens and property , suppressing the slave trade , and convoying merchantmen . After lying in ordinary at Boston from 21 August 1832 to 24 June 1834 , " Erie " served on the Brazil Station for 3 years , as flagship during the last two . During a period of revolution and other political disturbance , her squadron gave protection to Americans and their commerce , and provided vital intelligence concerning Brazil , Uruguay , and Argentina . She was again in ordinary at Boston from 15 September 1837 to 4 February 1838 , and on 9 February sailed to cruise the Atlantic coast to aid any merchantmen she might find in distress . In July , she sailed to Pensacola to patrol the West Indies and Gulf of Mexico for 2 weeks , guarding American interests during the French blockade of Mexican ports . Between July 1840 and February 1843 , " Erie " was rebuilt at Boston , and converted into an armed storeship . She sailed for the Pacific 9 February , delivered supplies to ships on the Brazil Station en route , and reached Callao , Peru , 27 July . During a cruise to the Hawaiian and - Society Islands between November 1843 and January 1844 , she served as flagship , and in June 1844 , she sailed for New York , arriving 10 November . " Erie " crossed the Atlantic to supply the African Squadron , then repaired at New York , returning to the Pacific Squadron 18 November 1845 . When the Mexican - American War opened , " Erie " was in the Hawaiian Islands , but she returned to the coasts of Mexico , California , and Panama in August 1846 , to supply the fleet in its operations at sea and in landings . She participated in the occupation of Mazatlán 11 November 1847 , and shortly thereafter sailed for the east coast , reaching New York 24 June 1848 . " Erie " set sail for the coast of Africa and the Mediterranean 15 September 1848 to deliver supplies to ships on those stations . She returned to New York 11 July 1849 , and between 6 September 1849 and 12 September 1850 , twice more voyaged to the Mediterranean with supplies . She was sold in New York 26 November 1850 .