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Chesapeake LbNA #13358 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Feb 5, 2005
Location:
City:Lawrenceville
County:Gwinnett
State:Georgia
Boxes:1
Planted by:Runs for Beer
Found by: Isabeau
Last found:Dec 31, 2008
Status:FFFFFFFaFFFr
Last edited:Feb 5, 2005
UPDATE: 4/25/09 - Temporarily pulled due to tree carnage in the area. Will be replanted in the near future.

Due to reports of a hornet's nest nearby or possible in the stump this ship has pulled its anchor and sailed to another port. Clues updated 1/5/08.

(Carved by Maine Mom of 123 Family)

This City was formed on December 15, 1821, three years to the date after the creation of Gwinnett County and was named after Captain James Lawrence. The Captain’s historic final words so endeared him to Gwinnett resident William Maltbie that he suggested naming the town in his honor.

The youngest of eleven children, James Lawrence was born in Burlington, NJ on October 1, 1781. James was sent to study law at the age of 13, but proved an uncooperative student. Eventually he was permitted to joint he Navy as a midshipman in 1798 and was commissioned a Lieutenant in 1802. During the War of 1812, Lawrence commanded the U.S.S. Hornet, which captured the H.M.S. Peacock, and was promoted to Captain as a result.

On June 1, 1813, commanding a new and untrained crew on the 49-gun frigate U.S.S. Chesapeake off Boston, Lawrence accepted a challenge from Philip Bowes Vere Broke, captain of the 38-gun H.M.S. Shannon. Four years to Lawrence’s senior, Broke had commanded the Shannon for six years, and had the best trained crew in the Royal Navy. In less than 15 minutes, Lawrence’s crew was overwhelmed. Mortally wounded, Lawrence shouted, “Tell the men to fire and not give up the ship; fight her till she sinks!” True to his words, every officer in the Chesapeake’s chain of command fought until he was either killed or wounded. Even so, the battle was lost in under an hour, the Chesapeake was captured and Lawrence died four days later, leaving a wife and a daughter.

In honor of Captain Lawrence, a group of women stitched the words “Don’t Give Up The Ship” into a flag. The flag was presented to Oliver Hazard Perry, commander of the U.S.S. Lawrence – named for Captain Lawrence – in the summer of 1813. Lawrence’s words became the motto of the U.S. Navy, which has named numerous ships in his honor, and Perry’s flag now hangs in a place of honor at the United States Naval Academy.

To find this bit of history, go to a memorial for heroes. Stand facing the memorial slabs, on the right, next to the eagle. Turn to your right. See that V tree next to the path? Find your way down the path (don't go cross county - follow the sidewalk from the parking lot!) Stand with the V in front of you and site slightly uphill to a fallen log with a boulder at its left end. In the hollow end of the log covered with wood. Please cover well and be very aware of your surroundings; there are times when this place can be busier.

Replace as found - hidden from view.