The HMS Leopard was made famous in the Patrick O’Brien novel “Desolation Island”, where Captain Jack Aubrey was assigned to rescue Governor Bligh of the famed “Mutiny on the Bounty”.
In history, the HMS Leopard, is best known for the “Chesapeake-Leopard” affair of 1807 (which many saw as a prelude to the War of 1812). Under the command of Captain Humphreys, the Leopard hailed the USS Chesapeake to search for suspected deserters. The Leopard sent a boat over to the Chesapeake with a copy of a search order. Denying the request, the Commodore of the Chesapeake sent the boat back while secretly clearing the gun decks in preparation for battle. Not letting himself be outwit, the HMS Leopard was prepared and fired three full broadsides on the Chesapeake. Able to fire off only one shot in retaliation, the Chesapeake surrendered and allowed the boarding and search previously requested by more peaceful means. Four suspected deserters were captured and brought back to the Leopard.
In 1812 the Leopard was converted to a troop ship and finally met her demise in 1814, by grounding in the Gulf of St Lawrence due to heavy fog.
