Our chapter was chartered on December 7, 1983, in honor of the USS Chesapeake,

which was launched from the Gosport Shipyard, today's Norfolk Naval Shipyard,

on December 2, 1799. She was one of the first six frigates authorized by Congress on March 27, 1794. The USS Chesapeake, with a complement of 340 sailors, served an important role in the

Quasi-War with France, the Tripolitan, and the War of 1812.

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On June 1, 1813, near the Port of Boston, the USS Chesapeake engaged in her last battle against the British frigate, HMS Shannon. Mortally wounded, Captain James Lawrence of the

USS Chesapeake issued his last command,

"Don't Give Up The Ship!"

This phrase has inspired our chapter in addition to American sailors to the present day.