Ship's Crew

Thomas Coursey joined Constitution ’s crew as a quarter gunner on May 17, 1812. In 1812, he was assigned to gun no. 1 to assist the officer in command of the forecastle division.

Quarter gunners received supervision from the gunner’s mates. Most ships carried one quarter gunner for every four guns. Their duties were similar to those of the gunner’s mates, but they were also considered prime seamen and often found themselves keeping watch and supervising tricky sail=handling maneuvers. Quarter gunners made $18.00 per month.

Battles and Engagements

Coursey 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. The ship was a month into a war cruise when he died.

Coursey died at sea from typhus onboard Constitution on January 15, 1814.