USS AYLWIN DD-47

JOHN CUSHING AYLWIN

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, September 2022

John Cushing Aylwin – born on 14 June 1778 in Quebec, Canada, to Thomas and Lucy Cushing Aylwin – was intended by his father for a life of service in the Royal Navy. According to nineteenth century sources, however, John rejected that destiny, having seen a friend forcibly abducted by a Royal Navy pressgang. He instead urged his parents to allow him to live with his maternal family in Massachusetts where he could launch his career at sea. Before his wishes were carried out, however, both Thomas and Lucy died, only months apart, in 1791. The youngster’s paternal uncle secured his nephew a position as a captain’s apprentice on a merchant voyage to London.  The terms of the apprenticeship stipulated that after a period of service the captain was to permit John to study at a naval academy in England.

To the young sailor’s continuing misfortune, however, his master did not honor the agreement, and retained John on board for a voyage to the West Indies.  After two voyages, the fifteen-year old impressed the captain enough that he was advanced to a ship’s mate. Unfortunately, the good relations between Aylwin and his superior did not continue and the two experienced a falling out. When the vessel reached London, the captain turned John over to a Royal Navy pressgang and the unlucky youth involuntarily entered His Majesty’s service on board a gun-brig.

With the French Revolutionary Wars in full force, the unwilling tar sailed the world fighting under the Union Jack.  After sailing the North Sea, he was in the Mediterranean when Napoleon invaded Egypt and he likely participated in the naval war that raged in that theatre.  Soon the admiralty sent his vessel to the east and he served for more than half a decade in the East Indies, Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.  During that time, he served as captain of the fore-top where he gained further experience as a fighting seaman.  Throughout his service, his officers attempted to convince John to join the Royal Navy voluntarily, even offering him a warrant after he distinguished himself in a boarding action against a French corvette.  He steadfastly refused, and only failing health released him from bondage.

His finding his way to his family in Boston proved salubrious, the veteran sailor regaining his health and serving on board merchant ships.  In 1812, with war on the horizon, John sought naval service and Captain Isaac Hull of Constitution was happy to take on the seadog as his sailing master. Aylwin joined the frigate at Washington and received his warrant on 24 April 1812.  War broke out in June while Constitution was recruiting in Annapolis, Md.  After departing the city on 5 July, the 34-year old master’s sailing mettle was tested when an entire British squadron sighted Constitution off the coast of New Jersey and took up chase on 18 July. The wind proved exceedingly light and Constitution’s sailing master utilized every trick he learned in his nearly two decades at sea, crowding and wetting sail to take advantage of every feeble breeze as crew members simultaneously towed the frigate using small boats and a kedge.  After two days the wind freshened and allowed the American to leave her pursuers behind.  Aylwin’s exertions not only helped the frigate escape certain capture, but prompted the veteran to respect his less experienced shipmates. “It is not seldom that I have examined the human face in the hour of battle,” he confided to a friend, “and I never before saw any truer stamp of courage than was then to be found in every sailors countenance. “

From the outset, Aylwin felt confident in the fighting qualities of his vessel.  While the U.S. frigates were untested against the Navy in which he had served, he believed they were more than a match for their British counterparts — a sentiment not universally shared in the American ranks.  His optimism proved warranted when Constitution fell in with the 32-gun Guerriere on 19 August 1812.  After sighting the British vessel, Aylwin expertly handled the frigate and put her alongside Guerriere while denying the enemy’s attempt to gain the weather gauge.  By 6:00 p.m., the vessels traded broadsides and soon the respective crews exchanged musket fire.  Late in the battle, the ships came alongside one another.  Intending to board the British vessel, Constitution’s Master of Marines leapt onto the taffrail and was instantly shot dead.  Undeterred, Aylwin mounted the rail and was slightly wounded in the left shoulder by musket fire.  He remained at his post on the quarterdeck as Constitution pulled away and maneuvered into an advantageous position against her foe.  After nightfall, the British frigate capitulated and the Americans burned her on the following day.  The veteran sailor was elated, and wrote “On the 19[th of] August we fortunately fell in with the Guerriere.  I say fortunately, for I would not have missed the chance-no! not for the richest prize ever floated.  It has given our officers and men the only thing hitherto wanting-confidence in themselves.”  Commodore Hull promoted Aylwin to lieutenant in recognition for his performance in the battle.

After putting into Boston, Constitution departed that port on 26 October 1812 under the command of Commodore William Bainbridge.  Paired with the sloop Hornet, the frigate sailed to the coast of Brazil to hunt for British shipping.  On 29 December, Constitution again found herself tested by a British frigate.  At 9:00 a.m., lookouts sighted sail that proved to be two ships, one which approached Constitution while the other continued toward land.  The approaching vessel proved to be the 38-gun British frigate Java.  Aylwin served as fifth lieutenant during the ensuing action and commanded the forecastle division.

At 2:10 p.m., the men-of-war began action at grape and canister range.  Thirty minutes into the engagement, Bainbridge was determined to close his adversary and within ten minutes the vessels were maneuvering close aboard.  When the belligerents seemed destined to collide,   Aylwin climbed atop the quarterdeck hammock lashings and fired a brace of pistols at enemy tars preparing to board.  This fearless action exposed him to enemy fire and he was struck by musket fire or grapeshot that passed from under his left collar bone clear through his left shoulder blade.  Despite the severity of the wound, the lieutenant remained at his post and did not call attention to his injury.  By 5:25 p.m., Constitution had reduced Java to a wreck and again accepted her opponent’s surrender. Only after the surgeon had tended to all of the wounded on board did Aylwin reveal that he, too, was hurt.  Although the seasoned veteran downplayed the injury, the doctor recognized the wound as dangerous — one that risked infection.  He dressed Aylwin’s shoulder and ordered him to remain immobile in his cabin while it healed.

Days later, however, Constitution’s crew was called to quarters when lookouts spotted a sail on the horizon.  Thirsty for action, Aylwin, ignoring the surgeon’s orders, rushed to the forecastle where he remained and exerted himself for two hours in the tropical summer sun.  The vessel, however, proved to be Hornet. According to the surgeon, Aylwin’s actions had aggravated the wound which became gangrenous.  Soon it was apparent that Aylwin’s eventful life was coming to an end.  He clung to life for three weeks, intently focused on settling earthly business.  When the surgeon interpreted Aylwin’s incessant activity as betraying a fear of his approaching demise, the veteran officer replied firmly: “Doctor, I have looked death too often in the face to be afraid of him now.”

On his deathbed, Aylwin’s thoughts reportedly returned to the years he served against his will as an impressed seaman and his role in a war fought in part to end the practice on American shores.  In his last moments, he declared repeatedly “I thank God I am dying in so glorious a cause.”  Lt. John Aylwin died on board Constitution on 28 January 1813 at the age of 34 and was buried at sea.  In his tribute to his lieutenant, Commodore Bainbridge wrote, “He was an officer of great merit, much esteemed by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.  He had seen much of the world, and improved his opportunities of observation; possessed a strong mind with a great benevolence of disposition.  In his death our country has suffered a great loss.”