Joseph Ropes was born on 15 December 1770. He was an American privateersman and merchant.
Background
Joseph Ropes was born on 15 December 1770 in Salem, Massachussets, the son of David Ropes, a noted privateersman of the Revolution who was killed in battle in 1781, and Ruth Hathorne, a kinswoman of Nathaniel Bowditch and Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Career
While still a boy he ran away to sea and made a voyage to the West Indies. His pay was four dollars a month at first, but the life suited him and he rose steadily from cabin boy to shipmaster.
In 1794 he commanded the ship Recovery and in 1797 the ship John.
He made many voyages to China, the East Indies, Arabia, and the Isle of France.
In 1809 he took command of the America, of 473 tons, 114 feet long, with 30 feet breadth of beam, a large vessel in those days and one of the fastest ships of her time. She made a voyage to the Mediterranean and was the first American merchantman to visit Constantinople. When the War of 1812 broke out the America was converted into a privateer.
Her upper deck was removed, her sides fortified with oak, and her yards and royalmasts lengthened.
She carried 20 guns and 150 men.
Ropes commanded her on her first cruise and sailed from Salem September 7, 1812. He cruised in the chops of the English Channel.
Although he fell in with no war vessels and fought no battles, he captured six prizes during the cruise valued at $158, 000.
When the America returned to Salem about the end of the year Ropes gave up his command and retired permanently from a seafaring life. Why he did so in war-time, at the end of a successful cruise, is not known. He was, however, chosen captain of a company of Sea Fencibles--an artillery force for coast defense.
After the war he settled down into the life of a useful and public-spirited citizen. He served as selectman of the town and for several terms in the state legislature. He was director of a bank and of an insurance company, and one of the founders of the East India Marine Society.
Achievements
Membership
He was one of the founders of the East India Marine Society.
Personality
He was a strict disciplinarian and quelled a mutiny on board the ship.
Connections
He had married, February 3, 1801, Sarah, daughter of Zachariah Burchmore, another Salem privateersman. They had two daughters.