No legal restrictions were placed on African Americans who wanted to enlist into the Navy
In the War of 1812, most navy squadrons had a high percentage of black people, thanks to the policy that did not restrict them from enlisting. The reason for this is that the navy was severely short of personnel.
Records indicate that African Americans took part in the Battle of Lake Erie against the British, with Hannibal Collins, a former slave as one of the notable soldiers in the squadron.
Charles Ball was also an enslaved black man served in Chesapeake Bay Flotilla of the U.S. Navy in 1812 and 1813. In 1814, he served in the Battle of Bladensburg, in which the Americans were defeated.
