Author of Flotilla: The Patuxent Naval Campaign in the War of 1812 at Navy Memorial

Donald G. Shomette Will Discuss and Sign His Book Followed by a Q&A 

Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 12:00 NOON 
Free and open to the public

Part of the Navy Memorial’s “Authors on Deck” Series of Navy-related Book Lectures. Donald G. Shomette will present his new book, Flotilla: The Patuxent Naval Campaign in the War of 1812, followed by Q&A and book signing.

In this second edition, author Donald G. Shomette revisits and significantly revises his original work centering on the history of the Chesapeake Flotilla and their stand against the British fleet. 

As the War of 1812 raged on, Britain’s Royal Navy began offensives in the Chesapeake Bay with devastating raids on coastal towns, and by extension, the economies of the area.  Immovable in the face of America’s other naval forces, the Royal Navy would not be challenged in the Bay until Captain Joshua Barney and his Chesapeake Flotilla, consisting of a squadron of 20 barges, came to the scene.  Determined to drive the Royal Navy off or die trying, they launched a campaign doomed to failure yet successful in many ways.

Sharing the story of the construction of the boats and the politics surrounding them, Flotilla also recounts attacks by the Royal Navy on American towns and farms and the efforts, victories and defeats of Captain Barney and his fleet.

DONALD G. SHOMETTE is a marine archaeologist and cultural resource manager in Dunkirk, Maryland.  In addition, he served as the director of the archaeological excavation of the flotilla’s flagship Scorpion.