attacked the French flotilla at El Puerto de Santa María, between them firing some hundred shells with considerable effect. In February 1812 Commander Thomas Alexander assumed command of Devastation. Shortly after the outbreak of the War of 1812, on 12 August, Devastation shared in the seizure of several American vessels: Cuba, Caliban, Edward, Galen, Halcyon, and Cygnet. In 1813 Devastation served in the Baltic. During the War of 1812 Devastation, commanded by Thomas Alexander, was part of the squadron under the command of James Gordon that in August–September 1814 sailed up the Potomac River in the raid on Alexandria, seeing the destruction of Fort Warburton, and accepting the surrender of the town. There they captured twenty-two merchant vessels and vast quantities of plunder, including 16,000 barrels of flour, 1,000 hogsheads of tobacco, 150 bales of cotton and some $5,000 worth of wine, sugar and other items before withdrawing. In the subsequent Battle of Baltimore, Devastation was one of five bomb-vessels that shelled Fort McHenry for 25 hours on 13–14 September, though without result. On the morning of 31 October 1814, Devastation arrived at Parker's Point, Virginia, on the Potomac River, and landed two hundred seamen and marines to procure cattle. An American force of about 114 cavalry and 1,000 infantry, with five field guns, attacked the British. Devastations men repulsed the attack, capturing two prisoners and twenty horses, and afterwards re-embarked without loss. Early the next year Devastation was operating off Cumberland Island, Georgia. On 14 January 1815, after the capture of Fort Peter, British troops accompanied by the Devastation and ascended the river to St. Marys and occupied the town. In March 1815 Commander Martin Guise assumed command of Devastation. Fate On 11 May 1816 Devastation was one of a large number of war-surplus ships and vessels advertised for sale at Portsmouth. She sold on 30 May for £1,400. See also List of bomb vessels of the Royal Navy Notes, citations, and references Notes Citations References 1803 ships Age of Sail merchant ships of England Bomb vessels of the Royal Navy War of 1812 ships of the United Kingdom