Hi all

Built in Salem, Massachusetts for the American fleet in 1799, the Essex was a 32-gun frigate that was at one time the pride of the American Navy. The Essex had an illustrious service record being involved in naval action against France in 1800 and against the Barbary pirates in 1805. In 1812 she was involved in a series of engagements against British naval, merchant and whaling ships. She was eventually captured in 1814, by a superior British force off Valparaiso, Chile.
The Essex was towed to Plymouth in England where she was repaired and taken into the British Navy. In 1824 she was brought to anchor in the harbour at Kingstown (Dun Laoghaire),near to Dublin, the masts were removed and she was converted into a prison ship or hulk. Between 250 and 300 male prisoners at a time were housed on the Essex, most of them convicts awaiting transportation to Australia. The Essex was sold off in 1839 and it was broken up and stripped for salvage and scrap metal.

I am writing a radio documentary on the history of the Essex and intend to include some songs associated with some of the convicts that were held captive on the Essex when she was anchored at Kingstown.

As part of the project I am seeking leads to any songs that may have been composed in her honour when she was part of the United States fleet.

Fergus