Ship's Crew

Noyes joined the Constitution on July 7, 1812 from Washington, DC. When the Constitution captured the English brig Adelina he was transferred to the prize ship. HMS Statira recaptured Adelina and Noyes spent four days as a prisoner in Halifax. After he was released to Boston, he rejoined Constitution‘s crew in October 1812. Noyes left Constitution sometime after February 17, 1813.

The quartermaster was appointed by the sailing master and assisted the master’s mates with their duties. He helped supervise the stowage of ballast and provisions, coiled the anchor cables in the tier, supervised the men at the helm, and kept time with the watch-glasses. A quartermaster made $18.00 per month and received one ration per day.

Battles and Engagements
Noyes was on board in action with HMS Guerriere on August 19 1812 and HMS Java on December 29, 1812. He received a full share from the first victory and $148.43 from the second victory in prize money. Noyes was manning the wheel during the battle with Java. When a cannon ball demolished the wheel, splinters hit Noyes in the leg and foot, but his injuries were minor and not reported in the log.

In 1836 Noyes applied for a Navy pension, stating that the injuries he sustained in the Java battle had become more troublesome and he was unable to work. Though he had served honorably his pension was denied because he could not prove that his injuries were inflicted in action. He reapplied in 1841, this time with the testimonies of fellow crewmembers like surgeon Amos Evans. It is unclear if his second petition was successful.