The U.S. frigate captured off Chile at the Battle of Valparaiso was USS Essex.
The battle occurred on March 28, 1814, off Valparaiso, Chile, during the War of 1812. Essex, commanded by Captain David Porter, had conducted a successful commerce-raiding cruise in the Pacific, capturing British whalers and disrupting British trade. British Captain James Hillyar pursued her with the frigate HMS Phoebe and the ship-sloop HMS Cherub.
Essex and its companion vessel, Essex Junior, had been blockaded at Valparaiso. A sudden squall damaged Essex by carrying away its main-topmast, leaving Porter little chance of escape. The American frigate anchored outside the protection of the Chilean forts, and Phoebe and Cherub attacked. After heavy fighting and severe American losses, Porter struck his colors and surrendered Essex.
Essex Junior was also captured, although it did not play the same direct role in the battle. The captured frigate entered British service as HMS Essex and remained there until 1837. USS Constellation, USS Congress, and USS President were important American warships of the period, but none was the frigate taken at Valparaiso.