This month’s lecture covers the exploits of the self-taught shipbuilders, Noah and Adam Brown, who over the course of the war built everything from gunboats to ships of the line. Their work included some of the most successful privateers of the war; the sloop Peacock, which took more prizes than any other U.S. Navy ship; and Robert Fulton’s steamship Demologos. However, their most impressive work was on the lakes. They built Perry’s squadron at Lake Erie with nothing but hand-powered tools in the winter of 1813. And in 1814, they built Macdonough’s squadron on Lake Champlain, which included launching the brig Eagle in 19 days after laying the keel. In both cases, the brother’s ingenuity and resourcefulness contributed directly to American victories. As entertaining as the brothers’ exploits are, the lessons that the story provides for our modern Navy regarding the importance of a strong commercial maritime industry are the most impactful.

William “Bill” Prom

Naval Historical Author

William Prom is a writer that likes to focus his work on naval history and national defense issues. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2009 with a B.S. in History with Honors and a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps. As an artillery officer, he deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 and on the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2013. William left the Marine Corps in 2014 and now works as a writer in the Houston area with his wife and kids. His work has appeared in Naval History Magazine, the Center for International Maritime Security, the Proceedings Podcast, and more.