Ship's Crew
Richard Collins
Rank(s): Ordinary Seaman
Dates of Service: 5/6/1812 - 2/17/1813
Early Life
Collins’ place and date of birth are unknown.
Early Experience
Collins enlisted as an ordinary seaman at the Washington Navy Yard on May 1, 1812.
Richard Collins joined Constitution ’s crew as an ordinary seaman on May 6, 1812. He was assigned to gun no. 3, 2nd Loader/Fireman as a part of the forecastle division. He was discharged after February 17, 1813.
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
Collins participated in the battle with HMS Guerriere and received $42.62 ½ in prize money. He also participated in the battle with HMS Java and received $42.30 in prize money.
Collins’ place and date of death are unknown.
Crew ID
1725
