Do all British ships eventually become property of the United States?

Question

As an Ameircan, I am constantly amazed at the number of ships on display in our military bases that were once British. for example, the HMS Macedonian. The Macedonian was defeated at sea by the USS United States, was brought into port, and became the USS Macedonian. The guns from the Macedonian are on display at the United States Naval Academy.

Do all British ships eventually become property of the United States?

Answer 1

more than a few years back HM QE2 was visiting Boston and the USS Constitution..the CO pointed out to her and Prince Phillip that some of Constitution's guns still bore the "Broad Arrow" mark as having been cast for the Royal Navy originally. Without missing a beat your Queen turned to her husband and said "Remind me to speak with the Prime Minister about these foreign arms sales"....

and to those who would like to dispute the Freedom of the Seas with the English Speaking peoples: The only Navy to beat the USN or the RN in the last 225 years was the other of the two.....

Answer 2

No although we did lend them some ships during world war 1 and 2 as part of the lend lease act. Most likely the HMS Macedonian was captured in battle during the revolutionary war and was then used by the US since it may have been in good condition following the battle. Many times armys will do that. Especially if they are running low on some of their own equipment or need some for spare parts.

Answer 3

Go to Portsmouth to a pub frequented by British sailors and say that. Say it loud. Say it VERY loud. Ås far as the Revolutionary War and the war of 1812,
Did the British return the USS PEACOCK, the USS ESSEX, the USS CHESAPEAKE, the USS ARGUS, the USS PRESIDENT and a plethora of privateers ? One of the benefits of British caputres was the admiralty's policy of taking caputred vessels and having them dry docked so their lines could be taken and recorded.
We know a lot about our maritime history due to this practice

Answer 4

sadly the Great British Fleet is detined for the EU navy. The brits will have only a defensive coast guard.

Answer 5

Nice effort. I like the Toby Keith v. Sid Vicious contrast.

Answer 6

Right, because one ship was captured, however and why ever,
we just leapfrog over everything and say all British ships become America's. Exactly when did this happen, the war of 1812?

Answer 7

No. But we did capture many of them during the revolution and the war of 1812.

On the other hand the British were given many American ships during WW2. The way I see it kinda evens it out.

Answer 8

Yea. America is too poor to buy new ships. Thats why they use defunct ships of other nations

Answer 9

Capturing enemy ships was a common tactic in naval warfare. It's better than destroying it because it makes your side stronger. It was just as common, even more so, for Britain as with the Americans.

Answer 10

Umm, we haven't fought a war with Britain in nearly 200 years.