Ship's Crew
John Templer Shubrick
Rank(s): Midshipman
Dates of Service: 5/6/1812 - 12/29/1812
Birth Date: 9/12/1788
Death Date: 91815
Early Life
John Templar Shubrick was born on Bull’s Island, South Carolina on September 12, 1788. His father was a colonel in the Revolutionary Army. Shubrick and his wife Elizabeth had one child, Edmond.
Shubrick and his three brothers all served in the US Navy. His brother William Branford was a third lieutenant on the Constitution and later rose to commander-in-chief of the US naval forces in the Pacific. Brother Edward Rutledge reached the rank of captain before he died at sea. Brother Irvine served as a commander before his retirement; Irvine’s son, Thomas Branford, continued the family’s naval tradition as an officer and was killed in battle at Vera Cruz during the Mexican War.
Early Experience
Shubrick joined the Navy in 1806 as a midshipman aboard USS Chesapeake.
Shubrick joined Constitution on May 6, 1812 as a midshipman. By the end of the month he had been promoted to lieutenant. As the ship’s fifth lieutenant, Shubrick would have assisted with command functions, particularly in supervising the men aboard ship. He would have been paid $40 a month and split with the other lieutenants ten percent of any captured ship’s prizes.
Battles and Engagements
Shubrick saw action in the battles against HMS Guerriere on August 19, 1812 and HMS Java on December 29, 1812.
Shubrick transferred to the Hornet in January 1813 and was aboard when that vessel captured the British sloop-of-war Peacock. Shubrick later transferred to USS President, but the ship was captured by the British in January 1815 and he was taken a prisoner to Bermuda until the end of the war. His wartime service, victorious against three British ships, brought him three silver medals from Congress and accolades from his home state of South Carolina, which bestowed on him formal thanks and a sword.
Crew ID
13227
