Samuel Evans (naval officer)

While serving on the Ganges he sailed from Philadelphia 24 May 1798, under the command of Captain Richard Dale, and cruised on the Atlantic coast in the early part of the Quasi-War with France (1798-1800).

Evans in 1799 was ordered to the USS George Washington, which was attached to the squadron of Commodore Thomas Tingey on the Guadaloupe Station.

On 2 June 1801 he was informed that he was one of the Lieutenants selected to be retained in the Navy under the Military Peace Establishment Act of 3 March 1801, where he took part in naval actions against the Barbary pirates, the George Washington carried tribute to Algiers in the summer of 1801, and remained in the Mediterranean on convoy duty for several months during the first part of the War with Tripoli (1801-1805), sailing for home early in 1802.

[4] On 3 April 1811 Evans was again furloughed for a merchant voyage by his own request, but was unable to go, as he was on 13 May 1812 ordered to take command of the Norfolk Navy Yard.

In his letter to Secretary of the Navy Paul Hamilton dated 24 June 1812, Evans complained "I regret that I have to state there is now scarcely a possibility to procure a seaman here.

"[5] In August 1812 Evans was ordered from Norfolk to Boston to assume command of the USS Chesapeake and prepare her for service.

[6] Samuel Evans while captain of the USS Chesapeake "had the good luck to capture five merchant vessels" his share of the prize money for their capture came to $10,290.00[7]On 30 April 1813 Evans asked to be relieved of the command of the USS Chesapeake, stating his "eyesight was affected as the result of an old wound, and he must be under the care of an oculist."

In response to this economic downturn President James Monroe and to ensure financial stability made large cuts to the annual naval appropriation and as a consequence Evans was ordered to reduce the wages of all navy yard mechanics and laborers across the board.

[12] On 27 March 1823 the New York Evening Post announced a Naval Court of Inquiry to be held at the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, by order of the Secretary of the Navy, "to investigate the conduct of Captain Evans, as commandant of the yard upon charges preferred by John Pine Decatur, naval storekeeper".

No rent was charged for the first seven years..."[15] Reports of the Evans Inquiry were widely carried in local and national newspapers of the era.

[16] Evans was admonished by the court for "blending public and private concerns" and sentenced to receive a reprimand from the Secretary of the Navy.