Former American brig of war Spark became Brazilian brig of war Quinze de Agosto in 1826

The brig Spark was completed in 1813 at Sag Harbor, Long Island, New York and by the American navy at Baltimore, Maryland in 1814 acquired. Commissioned circa 20 May 1815, reached Newport, Rhode Island, on 15 November 1815 and laid up for repairs, recommissioned 1 July 1816 and finally decommissioned circa 1825 and to be sold at New York in 1826. With a displacement of 310 tons, were her dimensions 103' (between perpendiculars) x 25'4" (moulded)x 12' 8". In American naval service she was fitted out with 2 long 18-pdr and 10-8pdr carronades and a crew of 90 men. She served in the Caribbean while hunting for pirates. An other source (www.history.navy) claimed that she was original to be a privateer before being bought by the navy to serve in the war against the British.

Chapelle (1949) wrote that she was a 'particularly fine brig' well known for her sailing qualifications, in 1817 called the fastest sailer available in the American navy. Built for owners coming from Baltimore was she intended to be a privateer. Clipper brig rigged. She was to small to be fitted out with the original planned 14 guns.

According to The Navy of the United States she as a 14 guns brig with a crew of 90 men and 300 tons, purchased in 1814 at Baltimore for 17.389 dollars and sold for 3.500 dollars at New York in 1826.

But what happened with the Spark after she was sold at New York in 1826? Document no. 32 of the American House of Representatives dating from 1837 gives the answer. According to this document she was within the American navy known as the fastest sailer serving. "She was sold under a regulation adopting for reducing the navy to particular classes to which she did not correspond. The vessel was purchased by her late owners completely repaired in the most useful and substantial manner and at great expense; and in consequence of encouragement received from Mr. Rebello and an officer of the Brazilian navy to send her to Brazil for sale, was despatched to Rio Janeiro with that object. She had the most ample testimon from several distinguished officers of the American navy, as to the character and condition of the vessel, accompanied by certificates of the Brazilian consul. On her arrival in Rio de Janeiro she was generally admitted to be the handsomest vessel in the harbor. Pursuant to the original designs, she was offered to the Brazilian Government at a less price by one-third vessel than a vessel of the same description could have been procured if sent for expressly. The Minister of Marine would not give the price asked, and the captain, disappointed in his expectations, was obliged to proceed further. The vessel was then regularly cleared at the custom-house and sailed for Montevideo. In the meantime the Brazilian steamboat had proceeded out of the harbor in waiting for the Spark; and captured on leaving the harbor under the allegation that she was a pirate, although she had on board twelve respectable passengers, among them several females; a singular preparation for a piratical cruise. Violence and insult were used towards the officers and crew, some of whom were put in irons, &c. After a most rigid search, breaking up various parts of the vessel and destroying property, not the slightest evidence could be found, as in fact none ever existed, to justify the alleged suspicion. Finding it in vain to procure a settlement, the captain made a protest, abandoned the vessel, and returned to the United States. After a time this brig was taken into the Brazilian navy, and has now for a year past borne the flag of his Imperial Majesty. The owner of this vessel is a man of irreproachable character, and his whole property is involved in her".

Sources

USS Spark (1813), From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 10 July 2009.

www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s16/spark-i.htm

The Navy of the United States from the commencement 1775 to 1853. Statistical history of the Navy of the Unitd States, p.12-13.

Documents of the House of Representatives at the first session of the twenty-fifth congress begun and held at the city of Washington, September 4, 1837. Washington, 1837, document no. 32, p. 58-59.

H.I. Chapelle. The history of the American Sailing Navy. The Ships and Their Development. New York, 1949.