Which cutter defended against an attack by the British brig Dispatch and an accompanying sloop?

• A. Eagle
• B. Jefferson
• C. Surveyor
• D. Legare

Answer: (A)

Small, fast cutters showed what coastal defense could look like when a skilled crew could outmaneuver larger, slower ships near the shore. The key lesson is how a nimble vessel could stop a raid and protect a harbor even against a British brig like Dispatch and an accompanying sloop.

The cutter Eagle is the name tied to this particular defense, because it successfully defended against that attack. Its actions illustrate the important role these cutters played in safeguarding American waters and commerce during periods of naval tension with Britain. The other cutters listed are associated with different operations or times and aren’t linked to this specific encounter, so Eagle stands out as the vessel involved in this defense.