h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It took almost seven months before Leib was assigned to his next ship after his promotion. There were many long periods of unemployment in the peace-time Navy. He was sent to the schooner 'Shark', another of the smallest ships on the Navy's list. Her duty was to patrol the slave coast of Africa and intercept any ship that was carrying a human cargo. The 'cargo' of any ships captured would be taken to the country of Liberia, where they would be safe from future capture. After returning by way of the Caribbean, she docked in New York harbour on 5 July, 1827.

She did not discharge her crew and officers, but was instead sent to northern waters to protect the rights of American fishermen in the international waters off Newfoundland. She Returned of 6 October 1827, and Lieutenant Lieb was granted what would prove to be a fairly long leave. He would make good use of it.

On 19 June, 1828, he married Caroline Matilda Harrison at her father's estate 'Priestly Lodge'. If the genealogy stated earlier is correct they were first cousins, but this may have not been a concern at the time and place.

Their first child was born on 1 September, 1829. A boy, he was named John Lewis, this may be another indication that Thomas was the son of Judge Leib. He was followed by a sister, Lydia Virginia on 7 December, 1830.

0n 9 June, 1831 Leib was again given a post, this time on the 'Receiving Ship 'Seagull' at the Philadelphia Naval Yard. A 'Receiving Ship' are vessels assigned at various ports as a place for new recruits and men waiting for a ship getting ready for sea until she is ready to 'receive' them aboard.

The 'Seagull' herself has an interesting story, as she was probably the first steamship to be used in combat. She had been built as a river steamer and was purchased by the Navy in 1822. She was converted to a proper Navy ship with the addition of masts and sails and sent to the Caribbean to fight pirates, She was active there at the same time Lieb was aboard the 'Congress', and he had almost certainly seen her at sea - if not actually engaged in action. Serving on a ship docked so close to home must have been a welcome relief compared to spending years far away. He was again granted leave on 3 October, 1831.

In January of 1832 Leib was instructed to travel to Boston to join the brig 'Boxer', although she was a small ship she had just been built and was starting her first voyage. This time he would find himself on the Brazil station. With all of instability and revolutions in Central and south America, the government had decided that several ships should be available to protect US merchants in the area. In July, 1833 Lieutenant Leib was transferred to the sloop of war 'Warren' (a medium class of ship) off the river Plate. The ship returned to New York on 31 October and Leib was once again on his way home by 8 November,1833

The birth of his second daughter Mary Jacoba on 13 August, 1834 may indicate how he spent his time at home, however he was serving on the 'Receiving Ship' at New York by the time of her birth.

In the next section he will head to the war in Florida.

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[Amy P]

I take it this will be an entry soon excellent story

what would you call a warship that was also a steamship? A steam warship? A war steamship?

Actually her official title was a 'Galliot', If you was to see a brief description yon can read http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s8/sea_gull-i.htm

The term 'Galliot' seems to de derived from 'Galley'

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