Ship's Crew

Edwin Bennett joined the Constitution ’s crew as an ordinary seaman some time before October 28, 1812. He was promoted to armorer on December 30, 1813. On November 5, 1814, he was discharged from the Constitution . He re-entered as an armorer on November 6, 1814. He was assigned to Gun No. 15 as fireman and sail trimmer as a part of the third division.

Among the enlisted men, ordinary seamen stood in the middle of the lower-deck hierarchy. These men had typically sailed one or two voyages and knew basic seamanship. Like the able seamen, they too could “hand, reef, and steer,” but some of the more complicated maneuvers were foreign to them. Many ordinary seamen would have been numbered among the topmen, the young and agile crewmembers who were responsible for working aloft on the masts and yards. The ordinary seaman made $10.00 per month.

The armorer was a skilled blacksmith able to repair or forge anew all of the metal work aboard ship. He was supplied with a set of tools and a portable forge. He kept in good order the cannon locks and hand-cuffs. The armorer was also responsible for maintenance of the ship’s and marine’s muskets, and answered to the marine officers and gunner. The armorer made $18.00 per month.

Battles and Engagements

Bennett fought in the battle with HMS Java and received $442.30 in prize money. He also fought in the battle with HMS Cyane and HMS Levant and received $126.93 in prize money.

After September 10, 1815, Bennett was discharged from the Constitution. His place and date of death are unknown.