Ship's Crew

Allen held the rank of seaman aboard USS Constitution and had to perform the duties that were required for the proper sailing and daily maintenance of the vessel. Allen’s battle station was the First Division, no. 4 Long Gun where he served as the 1st Loader. As a loader, he loaded the charge of his gun and stood by as the gun fired.

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.

Battles and Engagements

Allen first sailed on a diplomatic mission in 1812 to France and Holland aboard Constitution with Captain Hull. Then, in September of 1812 he volunteered to aide Commodore John Rodgers when battle seemed possible with the British off the coast of Boston, but the battle never took place. Later after the war with Britain broke out, Allen participated in the victories over HMS Guerriere on August 19, 1812 and Java on December 29, 1812. Allen received the prize money for the victorious battles he participated in and was discharged on February 17, 1813.

Allen’s date and place of death are unknown.