Allen, William Henry, 1784-1813

William Henry Allen, U.S. Naval officer and son of General William Allen. He was appointed midshipman in the U.S. Navy in 1800 and served on the "George Washington," "John Adams," "Congress," and "Constitution" before joining, as a third lieutenant, the "Chesapeake" shortly before its surrender to the British ship "Leopard" in 1807. Allen was appointed first lieutenant of the "United States" in 1809, and given command of the sloop "Argus" in 1813. He was badly wounded in an action with the British brig "Pelican" later that year, and died in a British prison.

William H. Allen (1784-1813), a U.S. naval officer and hero of the War of 1812. In Jan. 187 he was ordered to the firgate Chesapeake as third Lieutenant. The Chesapeake was to be sent to the Mediterranean as squadron flagship. On June 22, the Chesapeak was attacked by HMS Leopard, killing three men, killing three men, wounding 18, including the captain, damaging the ship severely, and carried off four men that were deserters from the British Navy. The only shot fired from the Chesapeake was fired by Allen. The frigate returned to Norfolk for repairs, and then with Captain Stephen Decatur in command, cruised off the New England coast enforcing the embargo laws.

Naval officer.