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32X

. ^

THE

AM ERIC

lie of th(

FiliiL AND CORRECT ACCOUNT

OF THB CHIEF

NAVAL OCCURRENCES

THE LATE WAR

BETWEEN

GREAT BRITAIN

A.VD

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA;

PRECEDED BY - '

A CURSORY EXAMINATION

, OF THB

AMERICAN ACCOUNTS OF THEIR NAVAL ACTIONS FOUGHT
PREVIOUS TO THAT PERIOD:

( t

' TO WHICH U ADDED , ,

AN APPENDIX;

WITH PLATES. f

By WILLIAM JAMES.

r«\r#«^«#<#^«sr«^««^ .

« Trutb is always brought to light by time and reflection ; while the
lie of the day lives by bustle, noise, and precipitation."

Murphy's Tacitus, B. ii. 39. .,

"»
\

PRINTKD FOR T. EGERTOxV, WHITEHALL,.

1817. '

r .*

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■H-'..-.i--* ■- V*-

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H •- \ -^ ,1 t ■"

■"» 15,5 ; i'-ii

J«2/ce Gold, PrinUr, 103, ShoC'iaM, Loncioth

. 'I

■^i

SIR PHILIP BOWES VERE BROKE,

BARONET, KNIGHT-COMMANDEU OP THE MOST
HONORABLE ORDER OF THE BATH,
AND CAPTAIN IN THE
ROYAL NAVY;

•WHO,

ON THE FIRST OF JUNE, 1813,

HIS MAJESTY'S FRIGATE SHANNON,

CAPTURED, V

AFTER A CLOSE ACTION OF

FIFTEEN MINUTES,

FOUGHT OFF BOSTON LIGHT-HOUSE,

(bIMBKLF BiBADIHO the BOARDER!,)

THE

UNITED STATES FRIGATE CHESAPEAKE,

OF THE SAME FORCE;

4 ... J.

\^ THIS WORK

V .. ■-. ;.-v: ^v. i .. >■ IS ■ . '-

MOST EESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, •

'■' '■/- -, ..* *>.'t^ BY

ivf /

S'.,V-iv"^':

■5-i

THE AUTHOR.

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•*'*■. n

PREFACE.

-■> ■■*

X HE account that an American 44, had
captured a British 49, gun frigate, reached the
author, when a prisoner in the United States*
An Englishman, early accustomed to regard
the navy as the bulwark of his country, and
not aware of any difference between the no-
minal or rated, and the real force of a ship^
might well feel a degree of humiliation in the
Guerriere's loss. The event naturally excited
a spirit of inquiry ; truth and fiction separated
by degrees; and, before the author effected
his escape from the United States, he had
learned duly to appreciate the tales of American
victories, both by sea and land. " - ■^4i;i|

t. Convinced that, the moment the actions
between British and American ships could

VI PBBPACB.

be submitted to arithmetical calculation, the
popular delusion respecting them would cease,
the author, upon his arrival at Halifax, Nova
Scotia, commenced transmitting to the editor
of the Naval Chronicle, under the signa-
ture of " Boxer," a series of letters on the
subject. As these were written soon after
the accounts had transpired, it was hardly
possible to avoid some mistatements ; nor
would a literary correspondence admit of
very minute details. Subsequently, the au-
thor published at Halifax, a pamphlet, enti-
tuled, — " An Inquiry into the merits of the
principal Naval Actions between Great Britain
and theUnited States, &c.** — This was a decided
improvement upon the letters ; but, as nearly
all the British ships had left the station, and
the dearth of materials been encreased by thq
non-appearance in print of the British official
accounts, in as many as twelve of the actions,
much still remained to be done. The colonial
public, however, gave the work a most flattering
reception : in the short space of two months,
nearly 2000 copies went off*; and the remainder^

PREFACE.

VII

about 500 in ' umber, the author brought with
him to England. . ■ *^ *

, A second edition, or, rather, an entirely new
work, is now offered to the public. Not only
have the details of each action been more fully
and correctly stated, and the comparative force
of the parties, more clearly exhibited; but
many naval occurrences of the late war, not
noticed in the Halifax edition, have been
added : and, as the American historians have
commenced attacking the British naval cha-
racter, from the war of 1 77Q^ it was incum-
bent upon the author to bestow a slight re«
trospect upon the events of that early period.
. To obviate the charge of partiality, so often
alleged against histories of war-events, the
published official accounts, American as well
as British, are inserted in an Appendix.
The plates are intended to illustrate the
subject, not to ornament the work. Plate 1
shows the description of shot used by the Ame-
ricans, during the whole of the late war ; at
first, attempted to be concealed under thewords
^^ round and grape.'" Plates 2 and 3 explaii)

viii

VtlEFACE.

themselFes, The author had intended to repre-
sent, in a fourth plate, the profile-views of the
British and American frigates, but wanted inte-
rest to procure copies of the sheer-draughts:
indeed, it becomes him to state tliat, his own
assiduity alone, enabled him to give any plates
at all. He might, it is true, have procured
a drawing of the action between the Shannon
and Chesapeake, or Pelican and Argus; but
here he must have trusted to the pencil of
another; and so little is generally thought
due to the relative size and force of the
ships, provided the piece, as a whole, produces
a striking effect, that he has preferred being
a plate deficient, to introducing one, calcu-
lated to please the fancy, at the risk of
entrapping the judgment, of his readers. i
With respect to the general credit of his
work, the author has spared no pains or ex*-
pense, to render it worthy the subject upon
which it treats. For the chief of his facts,
not extracted from the official accounts and
American naval histories, he is indebted to the
feady communications of many distinguished

PREFACB*

liaval officers: the remaining facts are the
result of his own observation and inquiries,
as well while a prisoner, as since his escape, i
Before the reader pronounces upon any
harsh expression he may observe in the work,
let him study, attentively, the grounds upon
which it is uttered. National character is a
sensitive thing ; and, surely, the existing peace
between the two countries does not oblige
us to let pass, unrefuted, the foulest asper-
sions, or wholly to suppress the feelings of a
just indignation. How little the Americans
consult any punctilio of the kind, may be seen
in a collection of libels upon both British navy
and army, published as late as September
last ; and dedicated to the ^' Honorable James
Munro," on the eve of his becoming president
of the United States. The high tone assumed
by the American author, when speaking of
the inientions of his government, coupled with
the dedication of his work, is a convincing
proof, that he was sanctioned in the perform-
ance of it ; and that, had he thought the deck-
plans, or sheer-draughts, of any of the Ame-

I I

1^ f&BFACiS.

rican fhips of war, would further his object,
(be American nary-board, when applied to on
the subject, would not hare thought it expe*
dient to withhold them from his sight.
^■^, In the separate details of each action, par*
ticularly those of the late war, the author has
endearoured at a methodical arrangement,
something like the following : i ; - : ^' / - ^^ '

».f,T-'

Meeting of the ships.
Details of the actiou.

{British and American ac-
counts compared together.

" \ i ship's damages, — loss. do. do.

American)

British '^ship's guns, and compleO
American) ment of men and boys.)

Dimensions of the ships. do. do.

Comparative force of the ships computed, and exhibited in
'a statement.

Remarks prising out of that statement; illustrations, &c.

do.

.■s..'-A.ifyi:-

do.

t)v

f-fif

-^ The merits of the different actions might
have been detailed in less than half the space
they occupy in the present work, had not the
American editors, by heaping falsehood upon
falsehood, so often compelled the author, — not
unfrequently by a tedious operation to both the

«M •

PREFACE.

'"?•*«'■'

reader and himself, — to remove the obstruction
ere he could proceed. Yet he does not pledge
himself to have remarked upon all the contra^
dictions and inconsistencies to be found in the
American official accounts : much remains ^or
the reader's discernment. Had the suppressed
British letters duly appeared in the Gazette,
there would have been something to counter**
act, in the public mind, the baneful effects of
the American accounts, so freely circulated,
without a word of comment, by British jour^
nalists ; and the author would not now have to
eradicate one impression, before he can hope
to succeed with another. , ttAj.*ti

There were a few boat*attacks and other
spirited enterprises, performed upon the coast
of the L^nited States, that are not recorded in
these pages, t'he chief reason for omitting them
was, the impossibility of getting at the relative
force of the parties; without which, the details
would comprise no more tlian what had been
seen by the public. The same motives, added
to the work's having already exceeded, by
upwards of 130 pages, the liinits originally

I \

211

PREFACS.

assigned to it, induced the author to leave out
of his plan, the numerous gallant actions fought
by British packets and merchant-ships, with
American privateers. It is the actions between
the public cruizers on each side, — the higher
classes especially, — that stand as conspicuous
national events; and which ought, therefore,
to be handed down to posterity in characters
'of truth. ^yi-T':- ^-^ ,V •--^-^^■^.^^..',,U i^v..

fh An earlier appearance of the present work,
-might have rendered it more acceptable ; but
the author had only to choose between, waiting
till he had obtained the required information
from officers dispersed all over the United
Kingdom, and rashly committing to print, a
mass of crude facts and imperfect details,
upon so highly interesting a subject. Indeed,
it was only in February last, that the full par-
ticulars of the wanton attack made by the U. S.
ship Peacock upon the honorable East India
Company's cruizer Nautilus, appeared in an
authenticated form ; and yet more recently,
that the last American work on the occur-
rences of the late war, arrived in this country.

FRBFACE.

xiii

Without the latter, the advantage of the re*
ply, after an adversary has exhausted his
eloquence in embellishing his own, and black-
ening our cause, would have been lost : with«
out the former, an important event of the late
war, would only have reached the public,
disfigured by American misrepresentation.
. The question may be asked, — Have we not
already, in the Annual Registers and other
periodical works, faithful accounts of the naval
events of the lai'e American war ? — ^In not one
of them, are the actions between British and
American ships correctly statv. !• Nor is it
surprising, when we consider, that the editors,
in the numerous cases in which the British
official letters were not published, had hastily
to glean their materials from the rumours of
the day, or the official and other accounts of
the Americans. Even here, had the authori-
ties been cited, the antidote, in most cases,
would have accompanied the poison ; but, very
often, the latter was rendered more potent by
the editor's remarks; and more so still, when

FIUBVAOS;

the Judgment that dictated thfem, had beeome
warped by the spirit of party* j ' - ,'<q
-r The present urork differs from btherii upon
the fame nub] ect, in one material point; the
attempt to exhibit the comparative foroe in
natal actions, by placing in confrontation, fim,
the amount, in pounds-'welght, or calibers, of
the shot thrown by each ship or fleet, in a broad-
side, or di^harge from all their guns upon
one side) distinguishing the long guns from
the carronades) then, the complement or
complements of men and t>oys, and lastly,
the size in tons, of each opposing ship or fleet.
The reasons for adopting this method, have
been fully set forth In the first or introductory
chapter* Another point of difference oon<*
si^tS) in submitting to the reader's view, the
enemy's official account of each action. It is
seldom we see a French official account ; and
then, the aid of a translator is required, to give it
general currency i whereas an American official
account no Sooner meets the eye of an Eng^^
lishman, than it finds its way to both his head
and his heart.

Ii
exp<
gin

PREFACE.

In a work like the present, the reader may
expect some political discussions, upon the ori-
gin of the late American war, the manner in
which it was conducted by each party, and the
merits of the treaty by which it terminated*
If so, he will be disappointed : the author hai
confined his attention to naval subjects ; and,
should he have succeeded in exposing to ridi«
cule, American bombast, and in Tindicating the
character of British seamen, from that perti«
nacious system of Cstlijehood and detraction,
upon which the Americans have founded their
novel pretensions to excel us in deeds of arms
on the ocean, — he has accomplished his object.

London, Jane Isi, 1817*

"y*"'

V. iii

.,*.. r.- , v.-

CRHAtA.

! I ! i

Page 8 line 89, dtU Neptnne her cbariotetfr.

— — 90, ftr his read a.
35 — 14, /br 88 read 26.

' — — ^ IT, for four read two.

— — • 19, /or 6 read 8.

68 — 8, /or 1780 read 1800.

141 — 10, for f^re read maio.

S88 — 5, for squadron rea<f sqnadrons.

338 — 18, deU men.

419 — ^ 19, /or larger than, read nearly ai lofge oA

528 — 29, for fear rend three,

xviii — 13, /or 29 read 20<

N.B. The author has in preparation, a nfork, intended to be
in uniformity to tlie present, upon the military occurrences of
the late war between Great Britain and the United States
of America,

i/ ■

ttpu.

I' LATE I

il^

ill

^11

DLnntmlluuf ,i)r ylnuriran'round and ^rupi- ,1 hot . ju Jfip-pJiyLXSXU ■

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>>•»•«'»■'

eHAPTJBH I.

American naval hUtoriet — Their partiality — List
„ &f several — Nature of a ship*s armament — Dif-

ferent kinds of cannon in use — Their compara"^
, tive qualities — Advantages of large-sized shot —
^ Weight of less consequence than diameter — Ame-
ricans of a contrary opinion — Its fallacy exposed
— British and American shot in use' — Advantage
of shifting guns — Definition of a ship's broad-
^^ side-weight of metal — Necessity of estimating the
complement — Also the size in tons — British and
xf American ships' rates — Deceptionupon the public
I — New order in council — Difference in ships of
, war, as to number of decks — Not a true criterion
» ^f fi^^^ — ^^^ difference in rig, of size — Injunc-
^ ^on to the reader on the foregoing heads.

-_. '*«

XN a nork professing to exhibit correct ac-
counts of the naval occurrences of a war, it
would be an insult to the reader's understand-
ing, to call for his decision upon exparte state- .
ments. Yet, not one of the nuval histories pub-
lished in the United States, pays any respect to
the statements of an enemy. American otBcial
accounts, however improbable or contradictory,
are held too sacred to be doubted ; and even idle

NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

liiM-

rumour, and newspaper paragraphs, are often
made the grounds of the most positive assertions,
upon the most important points.

The American details of their naral actions,
will be extracted from four of their principal
works on that subject. It knay be as well to
give, at once, a summary of their respective
title-pages;

" The Naval History of the United States,
from the commencement of the Revolutionary
War to the present time; hy Thomas Clark;
second edition; published at Philadelphia,
January d» 1814."

*' An IMPARTIAL and correct History of the
War, &c.: carefully compiled from official do-
cuments : by John Low, at New York, in 1815."

*' Naval Monument, containing official and
other accounts of the battles fought between the
navies of the United States and Great Bri-
tain, during the late war, &c. : by A. Bowbn^
at Boston, in 1816."

'* Historical Sketchis of tfa^ late war be*
tween the United States and Great Britain,^
&c. ; by John Lewis Thompson, at Philadel-
phia; third edition ; 1816."

One of these works, the " Naval Monument,**
has a remarkably modest frontispiece. It re-
presents America riding triumphant on th«
waves, and Neptune, her charioteer, pointing,
with his trident, to a cluster of American wor*

f T I

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

thies, fantastically stuck upon a tall monument ;
whose foundation, by the bye, is not clearly dis-i
cernible. Addison has described the design in
a very few words. — ** One kind of burlesque,"
says he, ^' represents mean persons in the ac-
coutrements of heroes.''

The •* Naval History of the United States"
partakes rather of an official character; and Mr.
Clark, in his first edition, did style himself,-^
** U. States topographical engineer." He has^
evidently, been allowed access to all the public
records. Both democrats and federalists lavishly^
praised his first edition; and the author has,!
very judiciously, placed in front of his second^
under the imposing head of *' Criticism," seve-
ral complimentary scraps. Among them, is ther
following from the American ** Portefolio:"

"This is a very interesting collection of facts
and documents, no where else to be found in so
convenient a form, on tl|e most important sub^
ject which now engrosses the attention of the
American people. The naval history of a coun-
try is a theme on which we all dwell with pecu-
liar pleasure ; since our national pride cannot
fail to receive its highest gratification from a
series of brilliant and daring achievements. The
author of the present work has, therefore, ren-
dered a useful service, by enabling the public at
large to become more familiar with our naval
annals," '^ i-^- mu^ ,%.iU

i< v* »i H ii iir^ ti r| A

B 2

# m NATAL OCOUailENCES BETWEEN

A third edition, and a dedication to the late
American secretary of state, Mr. Munro, confer
some authority upon the ** Sketches of the war."
That, and the *• Naval History,** may be consi-
dered as speaking the sentiments of the Ameri-
can people, upon the great national subject that
fills the pages of both.

. The indulgence of the naval reader is now re-
quested, while a few observations, chiefly cal-^
culated for such as are unacquainted with the
subject, are submitted, upon the nature of a
ship's armament, and upon what really consti- <
tutes her force, — or power to do and resist in-
jury, when contending with an enemy. . /

That ships constructed for the purposes of
war, mount guns or cannon, is well known.
Guns have their cylinders of various diameters or^
calibers, from 2^ to 8 inches; and each gun is
named from the weight of the shot, which its
cylinder will admit to pass freely. Thus, a gun
of a 2^ inch caliber, being capable of receiving
and discharging an iron shot tjiat weighs half a
pound, is called a half-pounder, or more com-^
munly, a swivel, from the way in which it is-
usually mounted ; and a gun of an 8-inch ca-
liber, discharging a stiot weighing sixty eight
pounds, is called a 68-pounder. Between these
extremes, are several gradations, each distin-
guished in a similar manner.
The gun which throws a shot of sixty eight

•y

o ^amig ^

Bfeaas

UREAT BRITAIN AND AMRRICA. V

pounds weight, was invented in 1770, at Carron
in Scotland ; and thence called a carronade.
This gun is wliorler and lighter^ in proportion to
its caliber, than any of the comm'^n kind. The
carronade admits of variety in caliber, but not
to so great an extent as the long gun; the
cylinders of few of the former being below
fourinches in diameter; the caliber of a
9-pounder.

No long gun at present in our service throws a
heavier shot than of thirty two pounds. There
is, however, a kind of gun, still shorter than the
carronade, the diameter of whose bore extends
to thirteen inches. These guns are named
mortars and howitzers ; and are designated ac-
cording to the diameter of their bores, thus :
** A 13-inch mortar;" — " An 8-inch howitzer."
They are chiefly employed to throw shells ; and,
for that purpose, mounted on board peculiar
vessels, called bomb- ships.

Within these few years, a sort of medium-gun
has been invented, for sea-service, called by us,
Govet'Sy or Congreve^s gun. The Americans call
their's a Columbiad; probably from its having
been cast at the cannon-foundery situate in the
district of Columbia, in the United States.

The English short long-gun weighs about two-
fifths less than a gun of the same caliber, of the
common construction ; but a 68-pound-carro-
nade weighs only one-sixth more than the lightest

NATAL OCCUBRENCES BETWEEN

m I

t !i

4 i

'^-potind gUD, and a 42-pound sarrona^eweighi
considerably less than the lightest 18-pound
gun.

Owing to this circumstance, the carronade re«
quires fewer hands to work it, and can be loaded
•and pointed with more quickness and facility,
than the long gun. The benefit to be derived
from employing a species of cannon capable of
throwing shot of so extraordinary a size, appears
in the following extract from a celebrated trea-
tise on gunnery :

^' The most important advantage of heavy
bullets is this, that with the same velocity, they
break out holes in all solid bodies, in a greater
proportion than their weight: that is, for in-
stance, a 24-pound shot will, with the same ve-
locity, break out a hole in any wall, rampart or
solid beam, in which it lodges, above eight times
larger than will be made by a 3-pound shot ;
for, its diameter being double, it will make a
superficial fracture above four times slU great as
the d-pounder, (more of a smaller hole being
closed up by the springing of the solid body than
of a great one,) and it will penetrate to more
than twice the depth. By this means, the firmest
walls of masonry are easily cut through their
whole substance by heavy shot, which could
never be effected by those of a smaller caliber ;
and in ships, the strongest beams and masts are
}icrebjr ffactured^ which ^ jgreat number of

■><i

th
cl

^itei

SBBBS55

' l l nl'WB I '^H

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA. f

•mailer bullets would scarcely injure.'^ (Robins,
p. 285.)

In Rees^s Eiicyclopedia, title, Cannon, are the
following additional remarks upon large-sized
shot.-^** The 68-pound carronade is superior to
the long 24 and 32-pounders, particularly in
close combats, by the size of the holes which its
shot makes in the side of a ship, and from its
likewise passing through the same with less ve-
locity. Tor a shot, especially if its diameter be
but small, that passes very quickly through a
ship^s side, makes only a clean hole; whereas
one of a large diameter that penetrates it with
less celerity, makes a rough and ragged hole, by
tearing and splintering the planks and timbers."

It may be necessary to offer a few words on
the comparative distances to which cannon
of the different calibers and descriptions will
project a shot. Robins, who wrote upwards
of thirty years before the invention of carro-
nades ; and therefore had reference to long guns
only, says : — " The larger bullets being less re-
sisted in proportion to their weight than the
smaller, the distance to which these larger bullets
fly with the same proportion of powder, exceeds
the flight of the smaller ones, almost in the pro-
portion of their diameters ; so that a 32<pound
shot, for instance, being somewhat more than
six inches in diameter, and a 0-pound shot but
four inches, the 32-pound shot will fly near half

\ I

W NATAL OCCURR£I9CEft BETWEBlf

a» far again, as that of Qupound, if both piMes
are so elevated as to range to the furthest dis-
tance possible.'' (P.284.) In another place he
sajs, ** a 24-pounder, loaded in the customary
in'tuiner, and elevated to 8', ranges its bullet,
at a medium, to about a mile and a half;
whereas, a d-pounder, which is of half the di»
ameter, will, in the same circumstances, range
but little more than a mile," (P. 256.) ' '

Some information relating to the range of
carronades, is here extracted from a little work
entitled the <* Naval Pocket Gunner.''
' '* Range with carronadeSf 1-l^th the weight of
the shot, with one wad; the line of jire fr^m six to
nine feet above the water's level.*'

Nature.

6S-pndr.

49-pndr.

32-pndr.

84-pndr.

18-pndr.

12-pndr,

Five degrees. . ,

450 yds.
1280 ..

40Oyd8.
1170 ..

330 yds.
1087 ..

SOOyds.
1060 ..

270 yds
1000 ..

230 ydi.
870 ..

Therefore, a ship, armed with carronades
only, however large in caliber, would be quite at
the mercy of an adversary, armed with long 12
or 18-pounders; provided the latter ship, by
possessing the weather-gage, or a decided supe*
riority in sailing, could choose her distance.
Let the two ships once close, and the larger balls
would soon establish their destructive superi*
ority,

ORBAT BRITAIN AND A1li£RI<)A.

• i

There is another advantage atteiiding largi
cannon, which Mr. Robins justly calls *' a ca-^
pital one;" — "that of carrying the weight of
their bullet in grape or lead-shot, and thereby
annoying the enemy more effect ually, than could
be done by ten times the number of small
pieces.'" (P. 285.)

On referring again to the ** Naval Pocket
Gunner,'' it appears, that the difference in tbe
relative weights of grape-shot, when made up, is,
in some cases, much greater than exists between
the relative weights of round shot. For instance^
a single grape-shot for a 24-pouQder weighs
two pounds; and, for an 18-pounder, one pound
eight ounces : but while the grape, when niade
np, weighs for a 24-pouncler, twenty four pounds
four ounces, it weighs for an 18-pounder only
sixteen pounds eight ounces.

It is commonly thought, that a shot fired at a
very long range, should it even strike a ship,
would do far less injury, than a shot fired from
a short distance. The extract from Rees's En-
cyclopedia, already given, disproves this ; and,
to the same effect, are the words of Mr. Robins: —
** It is p matter of experiment, that a bullet,
which can but just pass through a piece of tim-
ber, and loses almost all its motion thereby, has
a much better chance of rending and fracturing
it, than if it passed through it with a much
l^reater velocity." (P. 291.) And, in another

NAVAL OCCURRBNCfifl BETWEEN

.■ 1
It

• f ■
i

place:— >" In penetratiag^olid bodies, thatbul-
letwhich has but just forbe enough to go through^
will produce much greater effect, than a bullet
which has a considerable velocity left, after it
has got through/' (P. 307.)

The Americans, it appears, have ^' accurately
weighed together'' their shot and ours, of the
same caliber ; and -one naval commander officially
states, that a British 32-pound shot weighs one
pound three-quarters more than an American
one. This alleged difference in weight (rather less
than one-eightoenth) the Americans ascribe, not
to the diameter of their shot being smaller than
ours of the same nominal weight, but to the tex-
ture being looser, arising from some difference
in the two methods of casting. Whenever the
Americans do venture upon a calculation of
comparative weight of metal, they take care to
profit by this discovery.

It is not worth enquiring, whether or not
this alleged trifling variation in weight between
American and British shot, doen exist ; or whe-
ther it may not arise from a i^ew shot having
been picked out on one side, and an old one,
dented in the casting, or abraded by rust, on
the other. Under the article already quoted
from Rees's Encyclopedia, it is stated, that '* a
hollow shot equal in diameter to a 68-pound
shot, but weighing only forty pounds, fired from
a suitable distance, penetrated a bulk*head, as

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

■t.

thick as the sides of a first'^rate ; and afterwards
striking against an oak post or stud, nine inches
square, tore, shattered, and splintered it almost
to pieces/'

It has jttst appeared, that one advantage of a
large shot, ia the size of the hole it makes in a
ship's side ; and that the less the celerity of the
shot in its passage through, the greater will be
the damage. Were the exact weight, and not
the diameter, of a shot to be taken, in proof of
its destructive power, the above hollow shot, of
eight inches diameter, filled with combustible
matter till it weighed forty eight pounds, must
be considered as less etfective than a solid iron
shot of the same diameter, weighing sixty eight
pounds; and that, precisely as 48 is to 68.
Either the Americans mean this, or they mean no-
thing. It is to be hoped, they will not again
broach a principle so truly ridiculous.

The only kinds of shot used in the British
navy, are, round, grape, and case or canister, a
smaller species of grape. But the Americans,
both in their public, and private-armed vessels,
employ, under the denomination of '* rodnd and
grape," chain, bar, star, and double-headed
shot; which, in close combat especially, enables
them to unrig a ship, much more quickly than
could be accomplished by the shot in general
use. An accurate representation of these dis-
ipantling shot may be seen in Plate I.

I'm

NA.VAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

Ti; I

t... I

111

1 11

The editor of the " Naval History" says that, '
-— '* in an engagement between ship and ship,
the efTect produced is, by the broadside, or the
number of guns placed in battery on one side of
a ship/' Mr. Clark should hare said — ** num-
ber and description of guns ;" his present state-
ment implying, that a 3 and a 32-pounder are
productive of equal effect.

The armed schooners of the United States
often appear with their guns fitted in a manner, §
that, one would think, requires only to bie
known, to be generally adopted. For instance,
a schooner of SO or .90 tons, upon which we
should place six li2-pound carronades at least,
would, as an American privateer, carry three
long l*2-pounders, upon pivot-carriages; so as
to be used upon either broadside. Thus, while
numerically of only half her former force, she
throws the same weight of metal in broad-
side; and possesses the immense advantage
of long guns over carronades of the same ca-
liber.

All the American public ships derive a par-
tial benefit from using shifting guns upon
their upper decks; for which they are pro^
vided with spare ports, exclusive of those at
the bow and stern. These guns, as well as
those placed on pivot-carriages, belong to the
broadside-force ; and should be estimated ac-
cordingly. Mr. Clark, by including, in his

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

> I

statement of the force of oiir frigates, the
shifting or boat-carronade which tbej usually
carry, admits the correctness of this principle. .

Standing bow or stern-chasers, or any other
guns in the ship, for which no broadside-ports
(in contra-distinction to the bow or bridle-port)
are provided ; or which, from the construction
of their carriages, cannot be fought, otherwise
than through ports, will not be estimated. By a
ship's broadside-weight of metal, is therefore to
be understood, the united calibers, in pounds,
of all the long guns and carronades, which she
can "place in battery on one side of her;"
whether those guns are stationed upon her decks#
or in her tops.

The guns of a ship are useless lumps of iron,
without men to handle them. A ship that has
not men enough for all her guns upon the broad-^
side, must either allot to each gun fewer hands
than can properly work it, or fully man a part
only of her guns, and leave the remainder un«<
supplied. In either case, that ship's whole
force or power is not brought into action.

Suppose two ships, equal in guns, to engage ;
one to have full crews for every gun upon her
broadside, marines for her gangways and tops,
seamen in abundance to trim sails, repair run*
ning-rigging, clear away wrecks of spars,^ stop
shot-holes ; in short, men for every possible ser«i
vice in the ship. Let the other ship have men

NATAL OCOURREKCEI BETWEEN

enough to work two-third of her guns only,
scarcely any to employ as marines, and so few
for trimming sails and manoeuvering the ship,
or for hastily repairing slight accidents in the
rigging, that she can neither take a position to
rake her opponent, nor prevent being raked
herself; her disability encreasing, by every shot
that is iired. Will any one pronounce this to
be an equal match ? Yet, were a ship's force to
be estimated from her guns only, the affirmative
would be the answer, whatever absui'dity it
might involve. '

Strictly speaking, every gun that cannot be
manned, should be thrown out of the estimate.'
None would be by this such sufferers in famey
as the commanders of American privateers.
One of their schooners, of ten heavy guns, might
have captured, in quick succession, six merchant-
ships, of twelve guns each ; every one of which
would, of course, be pronounced ** superior'^ to
hei>s^. Yet the whole six British crews, would
not, perhaps, outnumber the single American
crew. 4"

Again ; when two ships grapple, of what con-
sequence is an. equality in cannon P She that
has most men, with arms in their hands, will
inevitably carry her opponent, unless, indeed,
the advantage is rendered of no avail by a de-
ficiency in valor. This fact has been established
repeatedly, in the engagements with our packets/

6RBAT BRITAIN ANP AMERICA.

armed transports, and even merchantpthips, as
many a disappointed privateersman can testify.

American editors, in their statements of ac-
tions, conceal, not only the weight of metal^;
but, invariably, the complements, on each side;
a wart) that, as «* successful contributors to na-
tional character,'' they dare not make the dis».
closure.

In the present work, a ship's complement will
be addedto her broadside-weight of metal ; and^
as a British ship's complement always consists
of a great proportion of boys; (and of very
young ones, too;) while scarcely any are to be
seen on board an American ship, it would be
to consider men and boys as equal in effective*
ness, not to enumerate them separately. The
same distinction must be observed, when non-^
combatant-passengers are on board.

Hitherto, estimates of the comparative force
of ships hHv« been usually considered as com-
plete, when the force in guns and men was accu-
rately stated ; but, it is submitted, a disparity
in size, especially if it amounts to any thing be-
yond a fifth or a fourth, ought also to be in-
cluded* For instance, the larger ship remains
steadier in a rough sea; by which her guns are
pointed with more effect, as, from the roomji-
ness of her decks^ they are worked with more
ease. Her additional length necessarily places,
the men further apart ; thereby diminishing the

NATAL OCCUREENOB8 BETW^BUT

■M

havoc made by the enemy's shot. The men hare
another security, in the additional thickness of
her sides, through which the shot have to pass;
and the ship herself is, from the same cause, en-
abled to withstand a longer and more furious
cannoqade. Then, the encreased diameter of
the masts, yards, and rigging, adds to the diffi-
culty of destroying or disabling them ; and the
stability of a ship's masts, after those of her
adversary have fallen, generally decides the
contest. ,

The advantage of thick sides has nof escaped
the discernment of the Americans; and, lihe dis-
cussion being confined to American ship<>i^ there
could be noobject in withholding it from the pubn.
lie, or in rendering it confused. Mr. Paul Hamil*
ton, the American secretary of the navy, in his off',
ficial letter, transmitting a '^ very valuable cOm*,
munication'' from Captain Che^'^es Stewart of tlie
United States' navy, explicitly says:—-*' Besides,
a 76" (a ship then proposed to be so rated) ''* ia ^
built of heavier timber, is intrinsically much
stronger, than a frigate in all her works ; and
can sustain battering much longer, and with less
injjury. A shot which would sink a frigate,
might be received by a 76 with biit little injury,
k might pass between wind and water through a
frigate, when it would stick ui the frame of
a 76."^(N. Chron. vol. xxix. p.i4e6.)
This argument requires some ejiplanatiou. If

OnBAT BRITAIN AND AMF.RIOA.

tl!? accounts of the Americans are to be cre-
dited, we have no ship in the British navy, not
«ven the Caledonia and her class, *^ built of hea-
vier timber'' than the American 766, or 74s, as
they are now rated. Consequently, one of the
latter may have been *' built of heavier timber,
and be intrinsically much stronger in all her
works," than an American frigate ; as is notori-
ously^ the case between a British 74 and a Britijsh
frigate. The possession of the Pres|ident, how-
ever, h&s decidedly proved, that the difference,
if Btiy, in the size of scantling, between a British
74 and an American frigate, is in iavor of the
latter. Yet, in answer to a charge in the British
journals, that the large American frigates were
74s in disguise, Mr. Clark declaims a great deal
about a British 74-gun ship's superiority in
** compactness and strength of sides.''

Between two British ships of war, the tonnage
bears some proportion to the thickness of sides:
and so it may between two American ships of
war; but, between a British, and an American,
ship df war, that rule generally fails. The fol-
lowing table, the several items of which ane
the result of actual measurement, will suffici-
ently illustrate this :

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

BuUi.

1797
J 809
1816

1813

PrrMni
riitrt.

560
46

' I

N«a«a.

Preiid«ntt — An.
S«a Domingo, '^

Hero, I X

iicanderi • • • • ^
Eufotat,

BV| • • • • I

Tom.

13SS
1819!
1741 !
1571
1084

lliickncii or lepiidei, including
oMMtlv pUnk, limber, wid Ib-
Md«i plHiik, ■(

inid-iliip main-
deck pori'iilt.

Fi.
1

in.
8

5
5

fur«nio»t quart'*
d«ck port-ailf.

Ft. in.
1 5

fUi

Ol
It

The San Domingo was Admiral Warren^s flag-
ship on the American station; and the Hero,
recently built at Deptford, is esteemed one of
the finest second-class 74s in the service. The
Leander was constructed purposely to match the
President, and her class ; and the Eurotas con-
sidered strong enough to carry Congreve's 34-
pounders upon the main-deck. The latter's
top-sides will answer for tliose of Britisn 46-guli
frigates, in general. »t£i/i

It would appear, then, that British and Ame-
rican builders difier in their ideas as to what
is the due proportion between the thickness of a
ship x>f war's top-sides, and her length, breadth,
and tonnage. Derrick says:—** In tlie year
1744 or 1745, a general complaint was made of
the ships in his majesty's navy, that their scant-
lings were not so large and strong as they should

ORBAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

be.''* Mr. Sepping's solid plan of building
rises no higher than the level of the gan-deck.
It may save the ship from sinking, but it will
afibrd no additional shelter to the men at the
guns.— True, no ship's side can resist a well-
directed 18 or 24-pound shot, fired from a short
distance; but may not a shot that is' nearly spent,
pass through a side fifteen inches thick, when
it would lodge in a side twenty inches thick ?

Some persons may imagine, that a stout, com-
pact side would act as an impediment io sailing;
a point so essential in a ship of war. On the
contrary, the American ships are, proverbially,
swift sailers ; and the President, with such un-
common topsides, one of the swiftest among
them. The quality of sailing depends chiefly
upon the form of a ship's bottom, aided by her
length. The Americans had, according to Char-
nock, discovered this, early in the war of 1776 ;t
and they have now proved, clearly . that swift-
sailing is not incompatible with the strongest
construction. -•

A ship's masts and yards are generally in pro-
portion to her size ; but the lower-masts of Ame-
rican ships, are invariably stouter in proportion
to their lev ^h , than the lower-masts of British
ships. A coiNparison of the main-masts of dif-
ferent ships will explain this :

* Derrick's Mem. of the R. Na?y, p. 130.
f Charnock, M. Arch., toI. iii. p. 18.

C 2

kxTAL dCCURR£lVCES BEtWEElT*

::i!

!(,

M«in-muts.

Br. 64.

Am. 44

Br. 46*

Am.

Br.

•

Am. 18

Br. te.

Am. 14

Pt. fn.

Ft. in.

Pr. iti.

Pt.

ih.

Pt.

in.

Pt. in.

Ft. ih.

L«n|Ui> 4...

100

101 6

75 9

610

Diantet^r i.,i

S9i

9 11

I9i

l»i

1 30|

It is tosy to cdnceiVe, that the smaller the
mast, the lesswill be the difficulty of destroying
it by shot ; but there are few persons ivho caii
form an adequate idea of the state of a ship,
with her mksts all gone ; engaged with another^
whoB^ masts are all standing.
, Tb^ masts, in their fall, crush men, and dis«
able guns. If the wreck haiigs over the side
engaged, resistance is suspended; or, if a few
guns can still be used, the flash from them sets
-the wi«ck in flames^ and adds to the confusion.
Hairing no locomotive |K>wer, no Aail to counter-
iict thie Inotion Of the sea, the ship becomes an
•ungovernable hulk, reeling from side to side,
and dipping her guns at every roll. These, or
a part of them, she may discharge at the enemy ;
but, under such eircu'mstahces, how many shot
will take effect? The othei' ship, benefiting by
the pi'essnre of th« wind upon her sails, rides
steady amidst the waVes ; and advances, turns,
and retreats, at pleasure. H«r guns, she fires
with precision ; and either sinkft her opponent,
or compels her to surrender.

♦ Present ratet.

Itii

. i It r^mmwtfk my a fPW W<m-48 Qo the ^^fFetenc^
observable between British and Ame.ican toq-
Ji^. AiH^vAiniS *® w* oflft<;ia| pap«r hii be-
ibre the Amerkftn g:<over»meDt, the Fr/Bfn^ea^
measured 1444 tooA, •^ fractionf n9t given ;^
whereas she ineMures, by oi^r jnethodi l^39r
44ths of a tan. . r

The President's '' (keel for topnage," as U up-
pears in an Amcri«an publieation^ is 14^ feet ;
we make it 146 feet^ 7^ tnebes.^^In both cases,
it is a mere calculation, intended to aUovr for
the ra^ or incUnation of the libip's sfemi and
stern.

In casting iht toqnage, the firftt niultipUfiator
of the Americans, is t\m b|:»adtli acfoiip ith^
frame, or moulded hreadJth; (by them iisual|]r
called ** hi;ea^th of beam;'^) of the Bri<?M»h, the
same, encreased by the thickness of the plank
#t the ship's buttom, Or the e^ptreme brtfldih.
The sei^ond tnuMiplicator of each* is the riespejc-
live half-l^readths. 'The American divisor is
^ ; the British 94. Thus:

Ft. in. F. in. Bt. in. Tant.

Alp. mctbod. 145 X43,^6303Xt1 9=1371999-^5=1^^4 ^Jthi.
Brit ditto .. 146 7|X4f 4=6502X22 2=143044-1-94=1553 i)tht. '

The President's ^'nioulfl^ bc^^dth," asher/e
stated, is as the Americanis have made it ; hut,
by actual measuremeut, it is two inches more.
J|t is very common for ships, hy falling out at tha

* NaT. Chroo. toI. xxix. p. 458.

-aer

NAZAL OCCURRENCES ilETWEEN

t :

■ f

{■■

m'-'

sides, to exceed, by a trifle, the builder's esti-
mate, vjj.;*
"^^ This difTerenoe in tonnage, from not being ge-
nerally known, occasions mistakes, in pronounc-
ing upon the relative f»ize of British and Ameri-
oan vessels ; and, in ;discus8ions of that nature,
is, evidently, an advantage to the latter. All
ships, therefore, American as well as British,
whose tonnage may appear in the present work,
will have been measured according to the
British method.

i>' The application of the size in tons, as part of
a ship's force, cannot be reasonably objected te
by 'the Americans; because, as has appeared al-
ready, British ships of greater tonnage than the
American 44s, are exceeded by them, in thick-
ness of topsides; and equalled, at least, in
stoutness of spars. "■ '

* '^ ^To convey a better idea of a ship's size, than
the tonnage alone may afford, the length on
deck, and extreme breadth, of most, if not all,
of the ships engaged, will be given; and, as the
masts are such important auxiliaries in action,
and the squareness of the yards may contribiite
to shew the size of the ship, the length and dia-
meter of the main-mast and main-yard, wi{l
also, when obtainable, be added.

Having endeavoured to explain the nature of
a ship's armament ; as well as to point out, that
^11 accurate statement of ^ ship's force, ought tq

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMBRICA.

ooiQpns0} her brmdaifle meial in poufidst both in
long guns and mrron^dts ; her complement of men
tmdboys; and her size in /o»s-— a clear, view of
the subject demands afeiy obserTation^, upon the
popular notion about the rate, the class or form,
and the mode of rigr, of armed vessels in general.
^' Previous to the invention of carronades, a ship
of war was designated, or rated^ according to the
number oi guns she actually -mounted. At first,
c^arrpnades, by two or four at a time, were intrp^f
duced op board the frigates and higher classes :
to receive which carropades, additional ports
were Pi|t through the sides of the quarter-deck;
tbe ports for long guns not answering for carro-
nades, without considerable alteration. These
earronades became, then, an addition to the
ship's armament, not expressed or understood by
her rate. As new ships were added to the navy,
oarronade-ports were constructed by the builder,
upon the forecastle, and all along tl^e quarter-
deck; except where the interference of the main-
rigging required a long gun; Thus, a ship was
inade to mount as many as eight or ten pieces of
cannon, more than were expressed as her actual
armament. ;^ »

This addition to a ship's rated armament
might be illustrated by the re-equipment of
most of his majesty's ships, built earlier than the
year 1790. There was, however, in existence
until very lately, a ship built as long ago as

! ^-li

•l!

l| I'

..^ ?i*i ,

NATAL 6«ct;iiiiE5rei:i ftCTtvislsw'

'■I m

1767; which may best serve to establish the'
point. The Southampton frigate, in every list
of the British nafy from 1757 to 1702, is stated
to have carried the following guns: twenty six
12-pounders upon the main-deck ; Aiurf^-pound-
ers upon the quarter-deck ; and two 6-pounderB
upon the forecastle; total 32 guns: precisely
what she rated, in every list up to that announc-
ing her loss, by shipwreck, in November 1812.
But, at that period, the Southampton mounted,
ilpon the quarter-deck and forecastle, ten car-
i^nadcs, 24-pounders, a 12-pound boat-carro-
nade, and four long 6s; making, with her twenty
six long 128 upon the main-deck, 41 , instead of
32 guns, the number she rated, >* •

The first British-built fHgate, of ^< 3^ guns,''
was, according to Charnock's lists, the Minerva,
of 040 tons, built in 1780 ; and, up to the year
1702, the establishment of guns for that class
was, — twenty eight 18-poundei*s upon the main-
deck; eight 0-pounders upon the quarter-deck i-
and two 12-pounders upon the forecastle; tot^;
38 guns. At present, the frigates of this class,
encreased in size to 1080 tons, mount upon the
quarter-deck and forecastle, fourteen carro-
nades, 32-pounders, and two long Os ; making,
with their main-deck battery, and boat-gun,
47, instead of 38 guns, the rated number.

Previous to the Prince Regent's order in coun*
cil, recently promulgated^ it would have puzzled

ORBAT BItltAIN AKD AMBRIC^t' ^

an^ one but of the naval department, to enoine-
rate the gnne of a ship, from seeing her rate in the
list. By people in general, the rate and actuall
armament, were considered as sy nonimous terms i.
and, therefore, in proportion as the two terms
differed, was the deception upon the publte/
We read in Steel: — '' La Traave, 44, taken by
the Andromache, 36/' The same list designates^
the former, as aBriiish ship, thus: ♦* Traave, 36."
And what did the Andromache mount? — Ac-^
cording to the present admiralty-lists, 46 guns.(
We read, also, of the capture of '* La Re*-
nomm^e, 44 ;'* but, "when that ship, with an al-
tered name, and three more gu^ks placed upon'
her, is ^aptur«d from us, Mr. Steel calls her
*^ Java, 118.^' The very same list contains the
following statement: ^^ La Furieuse, 50, taken
July 6, by the Bonne Citoyenne, 18;^' when a
reference to Captain Mounsey's official letter *#
would have i^ewn the editor, that La Furieuse,'
although manned with a frigate's complement,
and pierced for 48, mounted only HO guns*^
The thing, in all its parts, was gallant enough^^
without the aid of exaggeration.

It was not the least inconvenience attending
the rating system, that it had a partial applica-
tion, even in oar own service. For instance, one
of Steers ** 18-gun'* sloops, if a brig, or a cor--

1. 1

-^♦- •

f Nsf. Chroo. Tol. xxH. p. ^6,

:ir

m IfA^AL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

yette-ship, mounted (without reckoning; the
boat-carronade) no more guns than her rate ex-
pressed; hut, if a deep-waisted ship, 26 or 2^

guns. ,, i;,.:;^,,jf,, • , . ..•..'u.u'iU'i.-t.rr ;JifAUM^;.:itl5

. To what m&y we, in a ^reat measifre, itnplite
the national surprise at the capture of /a British
frigate of ^' 49guns,^' bjan American one of ^'44
guns/' but the delusion created by the repeated
victories of a British frigate of ** 38 guns" over
a French frigate of '^ 44 guns'' P—rWas the pub*
lie to know, that the first British frigate was
stated at the guns she mounted, the second at
the guns she rated ; and that the reverse of this
occurred in the case of the American, and the
French frigate; thus: British frigate, 49 guns,
American frigate, 44 (instead of 56) guns ; Bri-
tish frigate, 38 (instead of 46) guns, French
frigate, 44 guns? , h.

Foreigners, with almost pardonable acrimony,
will often speak of this habit of contrasting the
rate of our ships with the mounting of theirs;
and how can an Englishman reply ? With what
face can we blame the Americans, for having
acted in the same manner towards us? ;^#

. It is due to the gallantry of British seamen,
and to the honorable character of British offir
cers, to state, that most of the French ships of
«( 44 guns" were larger, and far more numerously
manned, than the *' 38 gun frigates' ' that cap-
tured them ; and, partly on account of the dif?

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

«7

ference between French and English measures,
usually mounted heavier metal; upon the main*
deck, especially. Were an officer, in his public
letter, to state how many guns his own ship
mounted, it would be infonning the lords of the
admiralty, of what they are already supposed td^
know. He has only to describe the force of th«^
enemy's ship ; being well aware that a reference
to the navy-office books, will procure, for any
one who may desire to publish an account of the^
action, the true force of his ship. Nor does a
British officer, if properly applied to, ever ro^
fuse to give the fullest information on the sub^ ,
ject. It is the editors and publishers of suchv
ac^unts, and not the British officers, who de«<
serve censure for imposing upon the public, 'i
iri The variation between the rate, and mount-
ing, of the ships of the British navy, was, as w#
have seen, a gradual process ; attributable rathev
to accident than design . Was that the case witb
the ships in the American navy? mi ^^^|

Hi An act of congress, dated the 27th of March^
1794, authorised the building of '* four ships of
44 guns, and two of 36 guns;" and, in 1813,
the following appeared in a Philadelphia newsi
paper :

■5-/Si

*!^:

VA7AL OiCemtRBVCCI JiJSTWEBS

riff\frt^y

..%

;;ii'i

i^ ; ^' It afipcars iha.% tl|t fimt «t«iiiii«te rendered to
eoagnefifi, wfuitfnr £rig«iMof IIkb oonmo^ size and
dameiiMons* rated «t 06 aiid /i4 guas; aad that
tiM Arat appiopmliona for ik» armamtnt, were
£Mindfid upon this cstiflMi^* It also appeart
tiiat, when their size a^ dimensions eame to be
more otttuneif ooosiderod, duo ffeferenee being
bad lo lAii^ ships thaf might have to cof^tejid
with, it w»B defimed proper^ so tp aUer tksir 41^
msmiona^ uithmt ehmigitig Ihdr rtUes, as to ex»
tend their spfaetw of ntilitj as much aa possible.
' '^* It was expected, from this alterationi that
they would possesfij in an eminent degree^ the
advantage of sailing ; that, ^separately, they would
be tuperUr So uwy nngle European frigate of the
usual dimemUme ; that, if assailedby number8,'tkry
would be always able to lead a-faead ; that they
could never be obliged to go into action but on
their own terms, except in « calm ; and that, in
heavy weather, they would be capable of engage
%ng douhle-deek ships.

• *' These are the principal advantages contem-
plated from the change made in their dimeni-
sions. Should they be realized, they will more
than compensate for having materially swelled
the body of expenditures."

Here is an official document, pointing out the

to
Of
of

a
Ad

■-■I » i\r

.,?v

«II8AT BRfTAfK JLVD AMBmiOA.

*< advantages'' ^ sending forth ships, of grtater
size and force than theif rate implies ; evidently^
to opeflite as a ebeat or delusion upon the rest
oftheworldi There was no '' European frigate
of the ttSusl dimensions/' bot was known to b^
ft third stnaller^ and a third weaker^ than an
American frig^ote ** of 44 guns.'' But why to rale
" of 44 guns" ? Beeause the largest *' £uro))eati
frigates" then mounUd that number; conse*>
quentlj, a frigate *'qf44 guns" was apparently
equal to a frigate " of ^ guns." The diffii*-
rence between the raU and tnmmting wf stkp-
posed to be a secret ; the above '' Jttpart of iht
Hctetary at var^' not being suffered to see the
light, till of late years, when some vf the ^< ad<-
vantages^^ of the deception, had beeome, indeed^
»* realized*' ! ,

Happily, it was reserved for Britain to pludk
the reil of deception from the rating system.
Her gallant tars require not the aid cf fiction, to
give a colour to their claims. The order i|i
council expresses, *' that all the ressels in the
navy shall in future be distinguished by the
number of guns and carronades they actually
mount, and not according to the erroneous de-
nominations which had long since grown into
use."— America, Surely, will not now have the
face to continue her rating system. In verifioa*
tioii of the old proverbi she will find it her iti»

t?*w

"^I'Mif •?«#* %*}.'

€l%-f*'.nf

■I

NATAL OCCVRRBN0B9 BETWEEN

terest to be honevt ; but it will not be forgotten —
who set her the example*

The rate, as we have seen/ is an arbitrary dis-
tinction, liable to continual fluctuation. There
is, between ships of war, another distinction,
general and permanent. Thus we have, the
three-decker, or ship with three whole battery-
decks ; the two-decker, or ship with two whole
battery-decks ; the one-decker, or frigate, and
its variety, the corvette or cutter, with one whole
battery-deck. .

The corvette has simply one deck or battery,
with sometimes two small spaces elevated from
four to six feet above the level of the deck ; one
situate aft, called the poop or round-house, the
other forward, called the top-gallant-forecastle.
Upon one or both of these short decks, two or
three small guns are sometimes employed in
action ; but, Ihere being no ramparts to protect
the men, the station is always a dangerous one,
especially within the range of musketry.
^ The top-gallant-forecastle, extended aft from
the stem to the belfry, (a little abaft the fore-
mast,) and the poop or round-house, from the
stem to nearly the . centre of the ship, become
the forecastle and quarter-deck. These are
joined by a narrow platform, or range of planks,
laid horizontally along the upper part of the
ship's side, called th^ gangway ; a vacancy being
left in the middle, which opens to the upper or

GREAT BRtTAIN AND AMBRICA.

Diain^eck, and forms the waist. Ships of this
construction are called deep-waisted ; and, if
armed for war, and with but one whole deck,
frigates. ' \'i'

Vessels not deep-waisted, whether corvetteff,
or such as hare two whole decks reaching from
the stem to the stern, with or without a popp
and top-gallant-forecastle, have also a quarter-
deck and forecastle, of the same extent as if
separated in the middle by the waist. But a
ship of war's upper-deck, when of this fabric,
is . usually called, the spar-deck. Of this des-
cription, . are the upper-decks of the Majestic,
and Saturn, razees; of the Leander, Newcastle,,
and new Java ; and of the President, and the '^
large American frigates of her, class. None off
these vessels are therefore deep-waisted, or fri-
gate-built ships; although courtesy has gained
for them the appellation of frigates.
•«< .The frigate-class formerly descended very low. i
It was only in the year 1760, that deep-waisted v^
ships, rating 18 guns and under, began to be
classed as sloops ; and not until very lately, that
ships rating 24 guns, were removed to the same
station. Yet neither the French nor the Spaniards
admit any intermediate class between a frigate-
built ship, however small, and a single-decked
flushrship ; both calling the one a frigate, and
the other a corvette. , The Americans called the
Cyane, rating 24 guns, a frigate ; and most of our

MJlVAL OCCVARBMCEt BETWfiEV

4 mi

frig^e-bttilt 18 or 30-gun sloops, of the old mte,
if tbcj happened to tire a few shot at an Amo-
rican privateer, were simiJarly designated, m

The quarter-deck and forecastle, with the
deep-waist, are common to both regular two, and
three*decked ships ; and all the latter, and most
oi the former, hare also a poop or rotind-hoose ;
but which) unlike that upon corvettes^ is oon-
atmcted with ramparts and ports, similar to the
quarter-deok.

, Without enquiring which ship's deck is the
longer of the two, or has placed apon it the
greater number and weight of gam, the world
icalls for proof, that ships of one denominatioii
n^e not of equal ibrce. Upon the same principle,
|»ersoiis imagine, that the ship of three decks, or
batteries, mu<it necessarily be superior iti force
lo the ship of two ; and so, in succession, dowa
to the corvette.

.V Whether, on the contrary, a disparity, in some
bases four-fold, may not exist between ships o£
war, having the same number of decks, a few
exiunples will shew.

The class of three-deckers is limited, but even
they are not equal in force. A comparison be^
tween ships ef this class is not necessary.

For one of the tw4>-deckers, let us tid^e the
Malta, with the £orce she mounted in 1812. To
lieighten the contrast, a two-decked *' 44'' might
be produced ; but, as that useless class is now

I I

GREAT BRITAIH AND AMBRICA.

ditmitted the senrice, the two-decked 50, or pre-
sent 68, gun ihip (not much better) will be op*
posed to the Malta. ^^

Malta. Old 50.gttn ihip.

. , , f tcarrom B8-0ndn.]

Lower-deck .--.-{.«, .«

\ 30 long S3 ->

Upper-deck . • • . 38 — - 84 —

(90 GoTeriX. 34 —
Searr* 68 —
1—— 24 —
1 18 —

Ppop 6 N 34 —

■)

33 long 34 pndr8»
S3 13*—

8 carr. 34 — —

♦*♦

Total.... 94 gnns. 60 gonf.

Comparative force of two two-deckers:

Old 60- gun ship!
437

Malta.

Broadside-metal in pounds < '^

*^ I carr. 178

153

Complement of men and boys. ,
Size in tons

•1330

689

3355

114

541

343

1044

That a contest between two such ships, is not
merely an ideal case, was proved on the 18th of
August, 1798, when a British 50, the old Lean-
der, under the command of the present Vice*
admiral Sir Thomas Boulden Thompson, Bart,
engaged, at close action, for six hours and a
half, le Genereux, a ship very little inferior in
weight of metal, and actually superior in num-
ber of men, to the Malta.

For the one-decked, or frigate-class, a ship as
much a frigate as the new Leander, Newcastle,
and new Java, will be produced. The Majestic,

{.'»
Jl

NATAL OCCUHRENCEf BETWEIll

! <M

I i

it is true, HmI been a 74 ; dtid tJie Autdli iemd InAti*-

fatigfable^ 649 ; yet tktj all dslssed as frigates. If

the Majestic had not been intended to represenf;

j| iVigate, H^hy was her GonstruAtion altered ? The

Americans caHed tbe Cyane, wtkeli they captured

her, a frigate ; and t)i^ sanre class of ship is often

si milarly designated hy, us. Most of these skips

formerly mounted long guns upon the main**

deck. One of the latter will be preiSerr«d;i as

the ship to which she is to be opposed, mounted on

that deck long guns also. The Majestic, and the

old 24'tguu ship, respectively mivunted as follows :

Old 34.giln ship.
22 long 9 pndrs.

2 . 9 — -

8 carr. Id -—
1 U

Majestic.
IMEain.deck ..... 28 long 32 pndrs.

Quarttr^deck and r I - — >-l>raS9 12

f orocaitle .... 1 28 carr.. 42 — -*•
' 1 -^ 18

Total.... d8 giMM.

33" gam.

Comparative force dflwo frigates:

Majestie.

I. guns

firoadside.metal in pounds i

Ccanr

Cotrtplechent of men and boys . . . ,
Sr2eitttot>s

460
606

OM24.gunih.

■1066

500

1642

-192
-ft38

Formidable as is the Mojestic^s^ for a frigate's,
broadside, someof the new Ainericfin^* 44s'' mount
two 33'poiinders upon tbeif main-decks, more
than she does. There Would be some propriety
4n rating soeh ships, as the Mi^stic was rated,
At -'58 guiis;" but, is it not a burlesque upoti
<the rating-system to rate them at ** 44 guns" ?

solut

and]

With

^Hiss,

of an

men!

Andr

forme

meftsi

I<cngih
^readdi

*» TO.

of a 4

guns;

vonadc

four 4i

t^en 1

l^fitisfa

Ameri<

corvett

lisltiied

They \^

latter,!

It ha

quate t

&f a sh

IKfferei

fitittttes

vW.

U\?,.

te's,
unt

lOti

OftSAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

The Aiiierieaif Commodore Macdonough, ab-
solutely called two British armed sloops of 110,
and lOd tons ^* sloops of war/' (See App. No. 91 .)
Without contrasting vessels of the sloop-of-war
elas9, it will be sufficient to shew the dimensions
of an American corveHe, as well as what arma-
ment she was calculated to carry. The late
Andromeda in our senrice, (now sol^ out,) was
formerly the American ship Hannibal. Her di-
mensions were these:

Ft. In.
Length ^deekfifwira^bit to rfibbU.... 139 7 l..
preadliicx^remef .,...^... ...... ....... 37 5| 3

^ The Alodmmeda's masts and yards were those
of a 4S-gun frigate. -She was piereed for 38
guns ; andy although she carried 33-polind- car-
vonades, might have been armed with twenty
four 4as) and two long 1 8-pounders. She would
then have thrown as heavy a broadside as a
British 46-gun frigate, of the new rate. The
Americans, during the late war, Employed two
corvettes, about the size of the Andromeda ; one
nsltned the Adams; the other, the John Adams.
They were both reduced from frigates; and the
latter, it is believed, carried 42-pound carronades.
- It has already been shewn, how totally inade-
quate the number of decks, as well as the rvitfr,
bf a ship is, to determine her force and site.
DitiTerence in the n^e of rigging vessels, con-
stitutes a third distinction ; and is one that, a*

D 2

i *

%% ■!

i -: ^ I

M NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

respects size particularly, may also lead to Vjery
erroneous conclusions.

Most people imagine, that a ship must be
larger than a brig; and a brig than a schooner.
,^rhe American brigs Jones and Jefferson, on Lake
Ontario, are each 530 tons; and the Mammoth,
privateer-schooner, was 406 (376 Am.) tons,
His majesty's sbip-psckets are 180 tons; the
brig of war Hunter^ on hake Erie, was 74 tons ;
and the schooner Chippeway, at the same place^
32 tons.

In action^ a three-masted, has certainly an
advantage over a- two-masted vessel. If a brig's
main-gafTis shot away, or her boom-iAain-i^l
otherwise rendered useless, she directly falls 6fr
from the wind, and exposes herself to a raking
fire: whereas, if a similar aecidelit befall *&
ship's spanker, the mizen-tpp-sail, or mizen-
fttay<-sail, keeps her broadside to the eneqay. In
the engagements between our brig-sloops and
the American ship-sloops, presently to be de-
tailed, the truth of this will be manifest, . >

|f, then, the reader wishes to understand
tliprougbly the merits of the several disputed
cases, the elucidation of which is the sole object
of the present work, he mast not be biassed by
^bip's rates, number of decks, or other such
equivocal distiiictions, but must give his whole
attention to each ship's broaclside-weight of^ fite«
talyt^ompkment of men and, boy s^ and me in tons,

';i*

CHEAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

'**

III

CHAPTER II.

-.■'.■.■•■' »y I
Wir of 1776 — i/. M. S. Glasgow and an American,
squadron — Nimrod and an American armed
ship — Beaver and Oliver Cromwell — Varmtnflh
and Randolph — Cruel treatment of Britifhpri*
soners of war — Ariadne and Ceres with the Ror^,
leigh and Alfred — Levant and Greneral Hancock
'-^DUigetit and Providence — Scrapie andScarho-i
rough with squadron under Paul Jones-^Savage
and Congress-^South Carolina American frigate
-f— Anecdote of Captain Manly — Atalante and
■ Trepassy with tJie Alliance — Sybil and Afliance
'-~(xross amount of British and American cap:
tures. »

X HE early pages of Mr. Clark's work, are de*
Toted to the naval operations of the '^ revolu-
tionary war.*' Almost every action in which a
British armed ship was a party, is detailed vntK
some circumstances to her disadvantage. As far
as respects private-armed siiips, it is hard^ypos*^
sible, at this day, to come at the truth ; but, the
proceedings of our public-armed ships being
on record, from the earliest periods, the de-
tails of actions in which they have been c6a-
cerned, will not be so di0icult to procur«.

\ i

'■^Srh

NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

': i

'.«:

;-;( ■ 1 i

rv".

At page 26 of his first volume, Mr. Clark in-
forms us, that an American fleet, consisting of,
*' the Alfred, of 30 guns and 300 men; Colum-
bus, of 28 guns and 300 men ; Andrew Doria, of
16 guns and 200 men ; Sebastian Cabot, of 14
guiis an^ 200 men; and Providence, of 12 guni
■^r Itfid 150 men,'' on their return from a successful
expedition against the island of New Provi-
dence, fen in with H. M. S. Glasgow, of^O
s guiis, Captain Tyfingham Howe, in company
with a tender.-*^' The Cabot,'' says Mr. Clark,
*' Mng foremost of the squadron, bore down
vpon her. After exchanging broadsides, lihe
Cabot was so much damaged in her hallviWid
tigging, by the superior weight of the enemy's
metal, as to be obliged to abandon the contest,
and refit. The Alfred came next alongside, and
continued a close engagement for an hour and a
half. During the action, the Alfred had her
tiHeff and maib-brates shot away. At day-
break, the Glasgow, making all the sail she
MMild crowd, stood in for Newport. The Cabot
Had four men killed, and seven wounded ; the
Alfred six killed, and six wounded ; the Coluro*
b«r one woundted. After this engagement th«
Americlin fleet got safe into port. The escape
^ of the Glasgow excited much displeasiyre against
tin eommodore." .

Captftili Sehdmherg* states this aifair to hHV^

♦ Schomberg'a Nat. Chronol. vol. I. p. 41t. -*

r CMISAT BmiTAlN AKO AMRRICA. H

h#p|ieiied cut (be ddi of April 1776; a4id that;
se ^r from tbe Glugew eifeotttig her escape;
she eooapelled this might j squadfioa of Amerieaif
ships to *' sheer off,*' She was much ertppted
is her masts and ri^ng; and had cme ibait
killed, and three wounded. '

The Glasg;»w was 451 tmi», and oilrrled twenty
long 9-potmden. The tender does not appeal)
to have beea arnoed. llie Alfred and Columbfid
miiat have had either 9 or 18-pound<»rs: the other
thiee American veiwels, 6-pounder8. — ^WHaf
toeans Mr. Clark, the», bj '* the superior Weight
of the enemj^s metal'^ P-^-^A candid writer wdalcl
hare saidr-r-*' die extraordinary precision of the
eneny^s lire/' Some idea of what th« Glasgow'
had to contend with, will appear by the num-*
hers on each side : British force, 00 gnns, 160
men ; American force, 109 guns, 1150 m^h. ^

At page 39 of the same volume^ Mr. Claris
says — " In the month of September (1776) Ca^-^
tain Baird, eoramander of a Massachusetts
armed ship, engaged the Nimrod, a British sloot»
of war, of 18 guns. After a severe action, tM
Nimrod struck hm- colours ;*^ — and refers, for hi^
authority, to two American miseellani^, the
Remembrancer, and PeniwylvaRia Packet. ^

Passing onrer the circumstance of the armedf
ship's force being left to inference, it is sujficient
to state, that neither this ^* severe acticin,'' noi*
the Nimvod's capture, ^sm be jfbund in Schom-

'^fl

NATAL 0C0VRRBNCE8 BETWEEN

hergi-'--^ work Mr. Clark admits of authorit}r,
by.referriiig to it so often. But, inthetiayj-
)ist for 1777, (the year succeeding the alleged
capture,) the Nimrod's name appears, for the
first time; aod she is there stated to mount 14»
instead of 18 guns. r

At p, 51, we read,—'' On the 11th of May
(1777) the British sloop of war Beaver, of 14
guns and 1$^5 men, fell in with an American
privateer of superior force. After a sinart action
of three quarters of an hour, the privateer struck'
to the English vessel.*'—'* Schombetg's Naval
Chronology^ vol. i. p. 436.''— The passage quoted
rui|8tbus: ^' On the 18th of May, the Beaver
sloop of war, of 14 guns and 125 menj com<^
manded l^y Captain Jones, being on a cruize olF
$t.' Lucia, fell in with, and after a sinart action*
of three quarters of an hour, captured the-01i«.
▼er Cromwell, American privateer, of 24 guns,
10 swivels, and 10 cohorns, and 150 men, com-*,
manded by Captain Harman ; 20. of whom were
killed, an^d as many wounded. The Beaver had
three inen wounded.. She was taken into the
service, and named the Beaver's prize." f

^-. At p* 78} Mr. Clark recounts the blowing^ up
of the American 32-guQ frigate, the Randolph!
while engaging the Yarmouth 04, at night ;
having mistaken her for a ^' large sloop with
only a square-sail set,"— *^ The Britisl^ ship^'^
t^ays the a^coupt, '' wa^ the Yarmouth of 64

i»i,

•'^i'

6RBAT BRITAIN AND AMBRIOA.

guns, eqinmanded by Captain Vincent. She wat
very niuch disabled by the action. Her saihi
were all torn to pieces in a most surprising man-
ner. She had Ave men killed, and twelve wounded.
AH the other vessels escaped from the Yarmouth;
which continued a chase of several days after
them." — ^For this, Schomberg is not cited, but an
American miscellany of note, the '* Porie-folio"
Captain Schomberg relates the same disastroliH
event thus: — '* On the 7th of March, Captain
Vincent, in the Yarmouth, of 64 guns, being on'
i| cruize off the island of Antigua, about five
o'clock in the evening, discovered and chased
six sail. At nine. Captain Vincent came, up with
the largest, which, upon being hailed, hoisted
American colours^ and fired her broadside into
the -Yarmouth: she' continued to engage for
about twenty minutes, when on a sudden she
blew up. Being very near to the Yarmouth, a
great part of the wreck fell on board her, which
cut her rigging and sails to pieces, killed five
men, and wounded twelve, others. On the 12th,'
Captain Vincent : being. i# chase, saw a large
piece o{ a wreck with four men on it ; upon which
he gaye up the chase, and bore' down to pick
them up. They proved to be the only remain-^
ing part of the unfortunate crew'of the ship
which. had. blown up, while engaging the Yar-
mouth. These poor wretches had subsisted ool

til

■

'■" II
I'

f,?

VATAI. OCCUMlinfCn BiBTVSBa

Dodiisg but fain- water, wiiich thcf had caugbl
in a pwoe of an old blanket. Captaia Vincent
learnt frohn theii, that the liiip was the Ran-
di»lpli9 American privateer, of 36 guns, and 306

U '

men

The American acooswt, in the yerjnext para-
graph to that stating the Yarmouth's ioss in tails
and men, *' by the motion** says — *'*• There were
315 persons on board the Randolph, l^hen she
blew ti^i it was fortunate for the Yarmouth that
she was to- windward of her. Notwithstanding,
she was covered with parts of the wreck. A
large piece- of timber, six feet long, tfell on the
poop. Another large fnece struck her fore-top^
gallant-sail.^' But, strange to saj, not a word
is them of a single man4>n the Yarmouth's decks
having been hurt by this shower of spars, *^ sit
leetlong.''

To oomraemorate tha ^glorious event," a
splendid oil-painting is still exhibited, shewing
l)he Yarmouth, in size a three^eeker, engaging
the Randolph. The Is^er^ oansorts, (although
onei^f them^ the Mo«iltrie of ^0 guns, is admits
ted to have been olosely engaged,) wmmf be seen
Ihr off in the back-gnNind; the sail«4>f the %i
aire pierced whh shbt^-holes ; a top-gallant-yard
is breaking in two; and atop^gailant-mast fall*
iag iipon tbe dedk. lii shoct, the Yarrooudi ap^
)p«arB to havQ^ by iar, the wonst of the actiom

tin

CASAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA. ti

So much for represehtingi that as having pra»
ceded, which actuallf followed, and was the
consequence of, the Randolph's destruction.

According to a paragraph respecting the fit<«
ting out of this Randolph, it would appear that
'* British sailors'' were among the sufTerecs on this
melancholy occasion. Mr. Clark says: — *' Thd
difficulty of procuring American seamen, when
thf( frigate mks fitting out^ obliged Captain
Biddle to comply with l^e request of a numbev
of British sailors, then prisoners, to be allowed
to enter on board his vessel. Wlule bearing
away for Charleston, the English sailors, in oon«
junction with others of the crew, formed the de<?
sign of taking th^ ship. When prepaired, three
cheers were given by them on the gun-deck«
But, by the firm and determined conduct of the
captain and his officers, the ringleaders were
nei^ed and punished. The rest submitted with-i
out opposition.''

This brings to recollection, a circumstenoe
related by an American loyalist, who is now a
oommissioui^ officer in his ma^ty's laBd-ser<«
vice. H^ stated, that he was confined, as a pri-
soner of war, in the jail of Philadelphia, during
the first American war; and there firequently
witnessed the taking by force of British pri^
soners to man the U. States' vessels, then lying
in the Delaware. That, on one occasion, thirty
#t forty sailors* aelei^ed as the moftt ci<9ctive«-

• '4

1 .

NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

nf:

Mif

%vere dragged forth ; and that, on their comrades
witbin-side joining in their loud execrations
against the authors of such cruelty, the soldiers
appointed to guard the men^ in their inarch to
the ships, fired into the prison-windows ! ' r

' The fact of the '* British sailors" oh board
the Randolph trying to regain their liberty,
proves, pretty clearly, that, instead of their hav-
ing ^'requested to enter," the American coiii-
mander and his officers had, like the autho-
rities on shore, employed coercive means. t

At p. 85, vol. I. of the ** Naval History," we
read that,— «< on the 9th of March (1778) the
Alfred of 30 guns, was captured by the British
vessels, Ariadne of 20 guns, aiid Ceres of 14:''
^^'^ Schomberg^s Naval Chronologic y vol. i. p*
451." — Upon consulting the authority, the pas-
sage is found to run thus: — " On the 9th of
March, the Ariadne of 20 guns, and the Ceres
sloop of war, of 14 guns, commanded by Cap-f
tains Pringle and Dacres, being on a cruize off
Barbadoes, chased two American frigate». At
noon they came up with one of them, which
struck, after a short resistance. She proved to'
be the Alfred, of 20 guns,' aiid 180 men. Hef"
consort was the Raleigh, of 32 guns, whicb'
escaped." ^

The ship that escaped was afterwards captured
by the Experiment, of 50 guns, and Unicorn, of'
^ guns ;' and taken into the service as a d2TgUil'

iff

Hi"

OB BAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

frigate. No wonder Mr. Clark preferred being
guilty of a false quotation, to disgracing his
pages with the fact of the Raleigh having de-
serted her consort, when chased bv two British
ships ; the largest of which was barely equal in
force to the smallest of the American ships.

We next read (p. 87) of '* the Levant, an
English frigate, of 32 guns, commanded by Cap-
tain John Martin," being, on the 10th of Sep-
tember 1778, blown up in action with *' the
prif ate-armed ship General Hancock, of Bos-
ton.'' The latter's force not .mentioned. This
loss does not appear in Schomherg, On the con-
trarj^ in his lists of the British navy, for 1777,
1778, and 1779, may be seen — *' Levant, 28 guns,
Captain Hon.G. Murray;" but the name '^ John
Martin" no where appears among the post-cap-
tains, or ' commanders, in his majesty's navy.
One of. the: last paragraphs in the American arr
tide, states, that the . boatswain and seventeen
men were saved ; and that the crew ^ consisted
of ninety seven seamen, exclusive of landsmen
and boys.'' — The ship, therefore, wa/i probably
a. British letter of marque; but evidently not, as>
aUeged by Mr. Clark, «' an English frigate of
32 guns."

At p. 96 is the following:—" In the month of
May (177?) as the U. States' sloop of war Provi-
dence, of 10 gans, Captain Hoisted Hacker, was
cruizing off. Sandy Hook, .she fell in with the

NAf AL OCCURRSNCES BETWEEN

British sloop of war Diligent, of 12 guns. A
■evere action ensued, and lasted an hour and a
half, when the British vessel struck to the Ame-
rican. The Providence had four men killed,
and ten wounded.''

According to Schoniberg*^ and Charnock^s lists,
the Diligent mounted 10 guns, d-ponnderSk was
allowed 45 men, and measured 89 tons. Mr.
Clark, ill atiother part of his book, states the
ibrce of the Providence at twelve 4-pounders,
and 90 men; and captured American vessels of
12 guns, at that time, were from 198 to 220 tons.
This, therefore, was no capture of a superior
British Ibrce, as the statement implies.
. At p. 105 is given a highlj exaggerated ac^
ooont of the kas of U. M. ships, the Serapis, of
44, and Scarborough, of 20 guns. These two
ships, with 294, and 135 men, were captured,
flccMPding to the official accounts, after a san-
guinary action of neady four hours, by that no*
tovioos rcnegado, FaulJones, in Le Bon Homme
itichasd, of 40 guns, and 375 me»; the Alliance,
of 36 guns, and 300 men ; le Pallas, of 32 guns,
and 375 men; and the Vengeance brig, of 13
guns, and 70 men: altogether, 120 guns, and
1020 men, opposed to 64 guns, and 420 men.
• At p. 125 is the following: — ** In September,
the British sloop of war Savage, of 20 guns, and
about 140 men, ci^ized along the southern coast
of the Ignited States. . She had proceeded up the

>i I

HaiAT BRITATH AND AMERICA.

Potowmae, and plundered General Washing-
^on's estate. On the Otb of September^ she was
met off Charleston, by the privat«er Congfress,
of tlie same force witli herself. The CongreMB
was commanded by Captain Gedde>9. Major
M'Lane, a ^ery distiagaished partizan- officer of
the Amen< !ui army, had, with a part of his com>-
roand, Tohinteered to serve as marines on board
ifaer. As the crew of the Savage were all seamen,
«he had considerably the advantage of the Con-
gress, the greater part of whose orew were lands-
men. At half past ten, the Congress commence
'firing her bow-chasers. At eleven, the action
commenced with musketry; which, after mueh
execution, was foUowed by a severe cannonade on
boiA sides. The Savage, at the commencement
of the e^tgiigemcnt, had the advantage. She
then lay on the Congress' bows, and ra^ed her.
But the latter succeeded in getting alongside
the Savaj^, and soon disabled her so oiTectually
^at she could not mancftuvre. An hour after
the commencement of the action, all the bracM
and bow-lin6s of the Savage were shot away.
•Not a rope was left to trim the sails with. Her
•decks were cleared by the musketry of the Am^
vioans. The Congress continued alongside until
accident obliged her to drop a-stern. The Sa«-
.vage was then almost a wreck; her sails, rig«
^ng, and yards, were so much injured, thiat
St was with the utmost difficulty sha could

.!!■ I '

■ i- i

y^^tk^ NATAL OCCtlRRBNCfiS l^EtWEEN

^ change her position time enough to avoid being;
raked. The cannonading soon recommenced,
with greater vigour than ever. The quarter*
deck and forecastle of the Savage were, in a
«hort time, again nearly cleared; almost every
man stationed in these places being either killed
or wounded. Three guns on the main-deck of
the Savage wel'e rendered useless. The fire
., from the guns of each ship, scorched the men
:i^ opposed io them in the other. The mizen-mast
of the Savage was shot away, and got entangled
in the after-rigging of the Congress. The co-
lours of both vessels were shot away, when the
boatswain of the Savage appearefd forward with
his hat off, calling for quarters. As ail the boats
of > the Congress had been destroyed by shot, it
was half an hour before any of her crew could
board the Savage. She was found to be a com^
pl^te wreck. Her decks were covered with blood,
and killed and wounded men. The victory wa»,
in a; great measure, due to the exertion and acti-
■ ;iijty.of Major M'Lane and his brave soldiers.'' .
This very circumstantial account, to make it
complete, wanted only, what the Americans are
generally unwilling to cominunicate — the force
of their own ship, fortunately, that appears in
Schomberg, vol. ii. p. 57. He there says,—" Qa
the 6th of September, Captain Charles Sterling,
in^the Savage sloop of war, of 14 guns, and 125
iiisn,> being on a cruize off Charlestown, fell in

iaa£A7. BRITAIN AND AM^BICA. 0f

-jwitii* . and. was capturcyd, after . a furkius and

bloody conflict, by th« Congress priyatie^irt

.mounting 30. 12-pounders, and four 6-pounders,

•witha complement of 215 men, commanded by

.Captain Geddes. Captain Sterling did not sur-

.render the king's ship, until his mis^n-mast was

'.shot away, the main-mast in imminent danger

lof falling overboard, sveral of the guns rendered

.useless, 8 men kiUed,. and 26 wounded. Among

:ihe former was the master, and among the latter

iwere Captain Sterling, Lieutenant Shielfls, and

.3 midshipmen." .^

Althotugh the Congress was more than doubly

^superior (o the Savage ; (whose 14 guns were only

6rpound6r8 ;) yet,, says t he* above candid histo-

irian, '* the British .sloop of war was captured

.by an American ship .of the same force, with

.herself." - ,,u

■ At p. 138, is stated the capture, in the ^ontb

.of December, 1782fof the American frigate South

.Carc^ina,,Qf 40gufls. ^ehomberg^ the author cited,

^fidds, *'.tw^nty'dght of which were 42-poun<c^

ers on the main-deck, and twelve 12-pound-

; t«rs on the quarter-deck and forecastle, with a

.complement of 450 men, commanded by Cap-

tain.Joiner. This frigatf ^ as bailt in Holland

ibr the , Americans : her length of keel was .160

feet."— It is not then in modern times only, that

the Americans have employed frigates exreed<%

fi.

DTAVAL OCCURRCN'OES BETWEEIT

:j-t

"lis

itlg in force and siae, the frigates of any other
nation. ~*

To cap the climax of American beroiflm dai^
ing the ** revolutionary war/* Mr. Clark, in the
same page of his book, gives the following anec-
dote : — *^ In the month of September^ Captain
Manly^, who in the commencement of the war
commanded the Hancock frigate, was appointed
to the command of the U. States' frigate Hague,
before called the Deane. Cruizing in the West
Indies, he was chased by an English 74, and
grounded on a sand-bank near Guadaloupe.
Three ships of the line having joined the 74,
they came to anchor within point-blank shot of
the Hague. With springs on their cables, they
opened a most tremendous fire. The American
frigate supported this cannonade for three days.
On the fourth she was got off, when, hoistings
continental ' colours at the main-top-gallant-
mast, she fired 13 guns as a farewell defiance.
Sheariived safe in Boston.'' The reader will rev
cover himself a little when he finds that, for thitt
wonderful escape from three days' *' tremendous
cannonade," by four ships of the line, within
** point-blank shot," an '< American Biographi-
cal Dictionary" is Mr. Clark's sole authority. 4>

The *' Naval History" contains, also, the ac-

"* An Englifhman, born in Torbay. Naval Chron. toI.

«&BAT BRITAllf Aifl> AMtRlCM* 51

counts of the capture of two of our sloops of
war by the American frigate Alliance, '* of «I3
guns/' and of that ship's action with a British
irigate of ** equal force ;" but as these actions
are more circumstantially given in the *^ life of
Commodore Barry/' vol.'ii. p. 1. of the Ameri«
can Forte/olio, the latter will be consulted in
preference. '^

The European reader will find it difficult to
Comprehend, how Mr. Barry, admitted to have
been " bom in Ireland," could be '*an Ameo
rican hero;" or how an acknowledged traitor to
bis country, could be '* the first of patriots and
best of men." In American language, these
tarms are synonimous; unless, indeed, a natiye
of the United States becomes a traitor. In that
case, tfcs words revert to -their original mean*
ing, and no crime is so heinous. .«

f The Alliance, *' of 36 guns," says the Gom«-
modore's biographist, " sailed from L'Orient
early in 1781, on a cruire; and, having taken
many valuable prizes, on the 29th of May att
event occurred that deserves notice. On * the
preceding day two sail were discovered on the
weather-bow standing for the Alliance. The
strange sails were discovered to be a ship and a
brig; the British flag was displayed, and having;,
by means of their sweeps, got within hailing
disiance, they respectively hailed, when it ap^

'It 2

>"«•

NAVAL OCCCJftRENCES BETWEEJC

:;!i

?,i • '!

i m:

peared that the ship was his Britannic insyestj's
ship of %var Atalante, Captain Edwards, carry-
ing between 20 and 30 guns^ and her consort, the
brig Trepasa, Captain Smith.*'-— Then, the action
is detailed; and that <'^ three P. M. they both
struck their colours.'' The time at which the
tiring commenced is not stated ; but, *' about two
o'clock, the commodore (Barry) was wounded
in the shoulder by a grape-shot.'' i

*> Soon after the commodore wks wounded
4iud left the deck^ one of his lieutenants went
•to him while in the cockpit, and, represienting
^ ^fae shattered state of the sails and rigging, the
number of killed and wounded, and the disad-
■vantages under which they laboured, from the
want of wind, desired to know if the colours
should be struck. :* No,' said he^ *• and if the
ship can't be fought without, 1 will be carried
on deck»' When the lieutenant made known to
the cpew the determination of ih^ir brave com-
mander, fresh spirit was infus ad into them, and
they, one and all, resolvied to stick by him. m
■ ^' The Alliance hud 1 1 killed and 21 wounded ;
mmong the latter, several of her officers; her
rigging and spars much shattered, and severely
iviounded in her hull. The enemy had the same
number killed, and 30 wounded. We have been
led'into the detail of this victory, as it was con«
«idcred at the time of its achievement, a tnyoi^

«>x kft

OREAT BRITAIN AND AMEJUqA-.

43i

brilliant exploit, and as an uneqmv^ca) evi'-)
dence of the unconquerable firiiiness and intre-
piditji^ of the victor/^ H J J>n« jt-m ^ftrrnr In «;?of
, Here, thien, the *' unconquerable intrepidil7"f
of an Irishman- prevented the colours of an
American ship from being struck. What re-
nown, it may be asked, did the Americans gain^
by this? Sappo&^e, even, the Ameri<;an lieute^
nant and his men had, without requiring to be^
stimulated by their Irish commander, effected
the conquest, was the capturte, or the defence, of
these two sloops the most ^' brilliant eTsploit'*?.
' i$'cAoiii6fir^ records the event thus:-^**,,(^n the,
36th of May,, the Atalaqte sloop of w^r„ pf 1'^
guns, and 12^ men, commanded by Captain
Edwards, and the Trepassey, of 14 guns, and
80 men, Captain Smith, bfing on % cruize oi^
the banks of Newfoundland, at noon on tha^
day, were attack^ by the Alliance, American
frigate, of 40 guns, and S50 men. The sloops
made a most determined and fesolute, defence^
at one o'clock, Captain Smith, of the Trepas-.
sey, was kiUed. Lieutenant Ki ng, on whom the
command devolved, continued the action with
great gallantry for two hours longer. At this
tin^e, the Trepilssey was s^ cpmplete wreck, with
5 men killed, and lO wounded, and the ship
ungovemable; he was compelled to strike. Cap.i
tain Edwards, in the Atalante, still maintained
the action with uncommon bravery; but his an-

IfATAL OCOIHIrRBffCES BETWBBN

tagonist hating no longer any othhr to ooniehd
with, compelled him ako to snrrend^, with tho
loss of many men, and the ship dreadfully cut
to pieces. Mr. Samuel Arden, her lieutenant,
bebaTed With unexampled brayery, haring lost
his right arm in the action ; the instant it was
dressed, he resumed his station upon deck, and
slnimftted the men to fight gallantly, where he
continued till the ship struck .*'♦ ^ »J i>^<^ ^^*^
^ Ambrig the frigates eaptui'ed from the Ameri-
cans during the war of 1776, were two of 32
gun^^^ each, carrying long 18s and 12s; and
one, the Bricole, sunk at Charleston in 1780,
was pierced for 60, and mounted 44 guns, 24
And 38 'plunders. The Alliance itaounted 40
guns; donsi^ting, it is believed, of twenty-eight
long 18'p6tinderH upon the main-^ck, and
twelve long 12-pcunderB ilpon the qti&rter-d^k
imd ibrecastle. The American^ fHgate, Cohfede-
tacy, of 36 gutis, and 300 men, captiired in 1801,
measured 959 tons; which may therefore be
titatedasthe size of the Alliancet'^^^* f**^**^

The 'AtaUnte mounted 16 guns; 6^pounders,
limd'mettiured 3€0 tons ; the Trepassey 14 gUns,
4-pounder8, and measured 187 tons. The fol-
lowing, theti, will shew the relative force of the
two captured sloops and tho American frigate ;
htkd decide which party in this contest Was en-
titled to honors:

t Schomb. N. Chronol. vol. li. p, 59,

• i-ryi iii Stft

ORXAT BRITAIN 4ND AMBaiGAt 5S

t.t f^ ^(|l«nte aii4 Trepaisef. AlHance.

Broadiiide.meUl in pounds (all iQDg guns) ..76 300 '

Complement of m«n and bbyi .......^5 ^50*^

Size in tons l^.^:..-.:. 4. ..., 487 Wf^-^*-

T 'irii* -sU 1 :

i «tl» Hi>fi§i ir.

ilt^ fM'jH r

*■■■ The next '' brilliant exploit" of the same
American frigate, 19 noted thus:— >": The Alli-
ance left L'Orient in February, 179^, from
which time shi continued cruizing with great
success, till March of the following y^ar;; when,
shortly after leaving Havannah, whither she had
been ordered to bring to vthe L nited States a
large quantity of specie, having 'in company the
continental ship Luzerne^ of 20 guns, fCaptain
Green, three frigates li^^re d^^covered right
a-head, two leagues di^t^P^.. The American
vessels were hove about ;. the enemy gave chase.
iThe Lnserne not sailing so fast as the Alliance,
the commodore ordered the captain to throw her
guns overboard. A sail was then discovered on
her weather-bow, bearing down upon them.
The Alliance hove out a signal, which was an-
swered: she proved to be a French ship of 50
guns. Relyin^t upon her assistance, the com-
modore concluded to bring the headmost of
the enemy's ships to action; after inspiriting
his crew by an address, and going from gun to
g^n, cautioning his men against too much haste,
. and not to fire till ordered, he prepared for ac-
tion. The enemy's ship Was of equal size with

* Short of her proper complement by 70 mep, at least..

.;l'i

ii6'

NAVAL OCCtJRliEN'OEA BfttWEBN^

f
(^ III'

r !■;■'■

i\i^

ihe Alliance : a severe engagement followed. It
wag very soon perceptible that the Alliance was
gaining the advantage. Most of the enemy's
guns were silenced ; and after an action of fifty
minutes, his ship was so severely damaged, that
she hoisted a signal o£ distress, when her con-
sorts joined hor. The loss on boiMd the Alliance
was yery trifling; 3 killed, and- 11 wounded.
The enemy^s loss was severe; 37 killed, and
50 wobnded. The other English iiigates were
watching the movements of the French ship ; the
4;aptain of which, upon coming up with the
Alliance, assigned as a reason for keeping aloof
from the action, that he was apprehensive the
AHiance had been taken, and that the engage«^|
ment was only ^ decoy. Chase was made^ but
the French ship being unable to keep up witk«
\ihe American, it was given over.— ^A gentlematf,.^
of distinguished naval reputation; when in the
Mediterranean with the American squadron, wat^ k
introduced to Captain James Vashon, esquire,.,
now vice.'admiral of the red, the commander of ^
ths British frigate engaged with the Alliance.'
Ill the course of conversatioki he made particular ,
enquiry after Captain Barry^ related the cir-i ,,
cumstance of the action, and, with the frankn .
ness of a generous enemy, confessed that he had
never seen a ship so' ably fought as th« Alliance;,
Ihat he had never before, to use his own wordF,

.r^is^ u

'A: t

dWEAT BIlfTAItt AUD AMCRf CA'.

»- 1'

* received such a drubbing/ and that he was in-
debted to the assistance of his consorts/'*

Neither Schomherg^ nor any other British na**
▼a1 historian, mentions this engagement. By a
little industry, however, the following facts have
been obtained; and may be relied on. The
** three frigates" consisted of the Alarm of
twenty -«ix long 12, and six long 6 poundenr,^
commanded by the late Sir Charles Cotton ;f
the Sybili of twenty^^onr long 0, and four long
6 pounders, commanded by the present Admi*
ral Vashon; and xhe Tobago of sixteen l<^ng
4-pounder8, commanded by the present Vico«>
admiral Martin. It was to extricate the' Lu-
zerne, of twenty long ^-pounders, that t^e Alli-
ance bore down upon, and engaged, the Sybil?
which ship was, in a manner, detached from her
consorts. The action was fought within half-
musket shot . distance ; and continued about*
seventeen minutes, when the Alliance hauled on
board Irer fore and main-tacks, and stood from*
her antagonist; whose great inferiority of sail-
ing rendered pursuit useless. The Alarm and
Tobago were still at a considerable distance;
and, so far from the Sybil being '* severely
damaged/' and losing " 37 killed and 50
wounded,'^ she received very little injury in
kuUi spars, or rigging, and lost but 2 men killed,
and 7 or 8 wounded. If, therefore, Captaia

•»» b^i& ♦ American Portefblio, toI. ii. p. 7. > r *

-'ij ^V

^§

DTA^TAL O€0IJIl»BN0BS BETWEBtt)

f\'\\i<

Vashon made any «ignaU it muit have been to
acquaint his commanding officer, that the Sybil*
alone, could mana|^the Alliance; thereby leav-
ing the Alarm and rTobngo at liberty to devote
their attention to the French 60, and the Ame-*
Tican 20t gun &hip, the friend and consort of
the f ugitiye American frigate^ 1 1 is almost need-
less to add» that the statement of .this engage-*
ment, as. given by Commodore Baery's bio-
graphist, including the alleged constellation
between "Captain James Vashon, esquire^** and
the American *^ gentleman of distinguished
n^val reput<k|iont? is jail entire fabrication. > l
. To enable the reader full^|r to appreciate the
galltint performance of the officers and crew of
the Sybil, h^re follows then

14 .f Ml -^.Ul^

''smi

Comparative force of the two ships': '

Sybil. Alliance.

Broadside-met»I in pounds (all long gnni) ^.190 396 >

Complementof men and boys.. .....3Q0 3^ >.

^e ill tons. .^.. ................... ....504 I 950 r,

A superiority, in weight of metal, of more
tlian three to one, and in complement, of more
than three to two, failed to give success; yet
the American statement of the Alliance's two
actions, concludes thus: — ^^' We wish it to be
nnderstood, that the gallantry of our seamen is
not of recent date, but is coeval with our na«
tional existence." • .... ^ 7^

It is not simply by partial and fabricated ac-

•RBAT BRITAIN Alf9 AMBRICA.

SIO

counts of actions, that the Americans have
reared from comparative insignificance, the
«• Naval History of the revolutionary war;'*
Mr. Clark devotes twenty pages of his book to
a mere list of British captured vessels; while he
compels the reader to wade through the whole»
in search of the few captured American vessels,
with the names of which his industry had sup-
plied hiin. The writer's motives appear in the
following comparative statement of the gross
numbers of American and British armed vessels,
captured or destroyed during the first American
Wal*; as extracted from Schombergf vol. ▼. p. 11
and 52;

American armed Teisels. I Britiih armed tresseti.

No.iBS; gons, 1795. INo. 29; guns, 470.

r^t

■;«>^vi>-'tto.i.Y^..i

! i

•\ n'i

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^*' .

BTATAL 0CCIIRREN0E8 BBTWBElf

#1 ,

^".'tim

.♦-I*

ft;

CHAPTER III.

•M^''

The Untied Siatet and France — Comtellation en",
t' gaget and capturee V Imurgent'^A »laUmeni of

ihe conkparative force of the ships — Consieiiaiion;

engages la Vengeance — Is beaten off-^La Ven-^
i^ geance refitted — Encounters the Seine^-^Js cap^i
^*iiired'--^ialement of the comparative force ofthe^
it ships-^ Americans claim a mctory for Commo*^
{ ^ore Truxton — Description of his medal presented,

in consequence — French account of the engage*,.

went with the American frigate -^ Remarks
^'' thereon — Leopard and Chesapeake— jimerican

accounts of it — Statement of the comparative

force of the vessels — Little Belt and President—

Americans at Trijjoli — British deserters,

X HE only naval occurrences that strictly come
within the plan of the present work, are those
that have taken place between the United States
and Great Britain ; but, as the Americans still
attach considerable importance to the two '* me-
morable naval victories," they pretend to have
gained over the French, a cursory examination
of the American accounts of those actions, may
not be an unprofitable digression. It will then
be seen, whether America has displayed mor«

QRBAT BRITAIN AMD AMERICA.

.*!

moderation in recording her TictorieR over
France, to whose treasure and fleeth she owed
her independence, than she has in triumphing
over us; to whom, it is admitted, she owes no
extraordinary obligations.

The '« Naval History" states that, on the
0th of February, 1709, the U. States' frigate
Constellation, '' of 36 guns," fell in with " a
large ship'' under French colours ; that an action
ensued, which lasted *' one hour and a quarter*"
when the enemy struck, and proved to be I'ln-
surgent, *' of 40 guns, and 417 men." Another
Americiin account fixes her complement at 340;
but neither account mentions the nature of her
armament. •(

This *' brilliant victory" was echoed from one
end of the union to the other; and a late
American newspaper-puff, headed ** Record of
glory," recalls it to the public attention. It is
,of little consequence, whether the Constellation
rated of ** 36 guns;" or, as Mr. Clark has made
her, in his list of the American navy for the very
year of the action, '* of 44 guns:" the ques*
tion is — what was her real force, as well as that
of the frigate she captured ?
^ A lieutenant of the Constellation, while, dur-
ing the late war, she was lying in Norfolk, Vir-
ginia, blockaded by the British squadron, gave
the following as her armament, at that period:-^
twenty-ei^ht long 18-pounders upon the main*

5'<

JfAVAL OCCUKRBN€BS BETW££ll

deck, twenty carronades, dd-pounders, and two
(English) long 34-poanders, bored to carry a
32-poand shot, upon the quarter-deck and fore-
castle; total 50 guns: exclusive of boat-carro^
nade^ and top-guns, if any.

■£*»■= W' «N**I

O i ijf t i ^>

9^ But a gentleman who was frequently on board
the Constellation, while she was in the West
Indies, in the years 1799 and 1780, declares,
that her main-deck battery then consisted, not
of 18, but of 24 pounders. In confirmation of
this^ a New-York paper, of the end of 1800, or
beginning of 1801, (the precise date not recol-
lectedj announced the arrival there from ft
southern port, of the U. States' frigate ConsteU
lation, for the purpose of *' exchanging her 246
for 18s.'' Therefore, long subsequently to both
her '* victories," the Coiistellation mounted
94«pounders upon the main-deck. It is believed^
that the chief part of her spar-deck battery
then consisted of long 12s, and that they were
afterwards exchanged for carronades. To make
allowance for that, ten of her twenty-two spar-
deck guns will be considered as lodg 12s, and
the remainder as 32-pound carronades.

The complement of the Constellation was 440
at least ; and her size is described as about equal
to that of tiie Endymion. At ail events, she
could not well have been less than 1250 tons. ^'^■

The nature of I'Insurgent's guns no where ap*
pears. For some years subsequent to 1799^

J''::

eaEAT BRITAIN AND AMXRICA;

M'hea a French frigate was captuved, witli
IS-pounders upon the main-deck, itwasinra^
riably so expressed in the official aocoant. Tha
generality of the French 40*gun frigates, carried
12-pounders; and were from 850 to 950 tons.
To give eyerj advantage to the Americans, let us
suppose that I'Insurgent mounted twenty-six
long I S>pounders upon the main-deck, and four*
teen long 9-pounders upon the quarter-deck and
forecastle ; total *^ 49 guns.'' The difference be*
tween an English and a French 18-pound shot;
in diameter, is as 5,040 to 5,377; (inches and
decimal parts;) and, in weight, as 18 to 20f
pounds. So that, by adding one eighth to th^
nominal calibers of French guns, we have the
weight of metal expressed in English pounds.
The mean of the two American accounts of
rinsurgent's complement is 379. Her tonnagsi
may be stated at 950. '

iitf^ i.'-i .

Comparative force of the two shipi:

Consiellation.

)}roads|de.inetol tu pounds .. <

I. gaps 396

carr.

Complement of men and boys.
Size in tons

102

588

410
1250

rinsnrgtalyj

71 *^

SS4 ^

379 '
950

^^Had the Constellation captured, in one action^
two such ships as I'Insurgent, the Americans
could not have boasted more than they did upon
this occasion. A disclosure of the real strensfth

¥1 f

I -.»"

NAYikL OCCURRENrES BETWEEN

f 1

|i J
' I
i

|:i''|

of the parties, now shews, that the defence of
the French frigate was highly creditable to her
officers and crew.

h The merchants of London, misled by the
American statements, most of which were copied
into the British journals, viewed the capture of
rinsurgent as a victory gained by an American,
over a French frigate, greatly superior; and,
acting with their accustomed liberality, sub»
scribed for a piece of plate to be presented to
Commodore Truxton. Had the rate of, and
actual number of guns mounted by, a ship^
meant the same thing, this '* memorable vie*
tory'' would have passed oiF without notice. 4
.^ On the Ifrt of February, 1800, the Constella-
tion fell in with, and engaged for upwards of
"three hours, the French frigate la Vengeance.
Each party, as is usual in undecided cases, ac-
cused the other of *' shtiering off" At. all
events, the Constellation had her main-mast shot
away ; and was otherwise so greatly injured as
to be compelled to bear up for Jamaica, to un-
dergo the necessary repairs. Her loss in killed
and wounded amounted to 89. La Vengeance
was also much shattered, aiul lost a great many
men. She afterw^irds put into Cura^oa, to get
herself refitted. Commodore Truxton's account
pf this engagement, being deemed RMnique piece
of composition, will be found in the Appendii^.
(Nos. I and 2.)

■'»-"? ^4*.

. «-|^Jf*>i- PT: .J=^*!^ 4f

F-sfj.'*

.'l! i

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

'! •*

On the 20th of August /ollowing, H. M. S.
Seine, Captain (now Rear-admiral Sir) David
Milne, fell in with, and after along and sangui-
nary action, captured, this same la Vengeance;
just from Curapoa, where she had been com-»
pie tely refitted. The Seine was much cut up;
and sustained a lossof 13 killed, and 29 wounded.
La Vengeance was shattered almost to pieces ;
and, when carried into Jamaica, was thought
not worth repairing. Her loss in the action,
though not exactly ascertained, was known to
have been very severe.

/The Seine (captured from the French, June
29, 1798) mounted 42 guns: twenty-eight long
18-pounders upon the main-deck, and fourteen
loi:^ 0-pounders upon the . quarter-deck and
forecastle. Her established complement con-
sisted of 284 men and boys; and she measured
1146 tons. ^iji

La Vengeance mounted 52 guns: twenty weight
long 18-pounders upon the main-deck ; sixteen
long 12-pounders, and eight carronades, 42*4
pounders, upon the quarter deck and forecastle.
Her complement was believed to be 453; butv
as 291 men only were found on board, 390
will be an ample allowance. Captain Milne
describes la Vengeance as " exactly of the di-
mensions of the Fisgard,*^ taken from the French
in 1797 ; and that ship was 1182 tons. n

firoadside-metal

in pbiinds, \

LaVengemnce*'.
391

189

580

390

1182

60 BTAVaL OCCURiiENCES BETWEElt

Comparative force 6fthe two shipi,

Seine.
1. gnns, 315

carr. 00

315

Compkment of tb^ tod boyi, 284'

SizeiDtoni, 1146

Here, evidently, a British frigate, of infenor.
force, captured a ship, which an American fri-
gate, of at least equal force, was unable to cap--
ture; demonstrating that British, was, in this,
instance, more potent than American '* thunder/'.
— ^*' Aye," say the Americans, " but la Ven*
geance struck her flag to the Constellation, only
our commodore did not happen to know it/'^-^'
Accordingly, it was so voted ; and the honors of
a conqueror,— a conqueror, too, over a ** far su-
perior forcCf^'^-were conferred upon the asto^
nished Commodore Truxton. Nay, to silence;
all doubts, and perpetuate the *' memorable
victory," a medal was struck ; of which an en-
graving may be seen in the first volume of the
American Portefolio. Two ships are there re-,
presented, dismasted and much cut up; one, a
complete two-decker, similar to the Majestic or
Saturn, razees ; the other, a small frigate. The
reader may conjecture which ship is intended
for the American. >.

As if to place this mock triumph in a still
more ridiculous point of view, the French first

ii^ilte
officei
the C
bad a
a few
in tim
ing uj
never
lost al
«^peri
station
ditring
her fbi
iO'winc
action^

If SI

their fi
being i
play o
cans, p
to exa
consol
unifori
from it
The
describ
Chesap
sfMiiati<
observs
altoget

' M

OllKAT ARIVAIM AND AMERICA. &I

ti^ilteltiant asrared a distSliguistiied British naTal
officer, that la Vengeance, when she encountered
the Constellation, was laden with sugar, and
iiad casks stowed between her main-deck guns ;
a few only of which could be cleared for action
in time ; that the American frigate kept hang-
ing upon the quarter of la Vengeance, and
never came iairly alongside ; that the latter
lost all three masts ; and, fVom having an in-
experienced crew, was compelled to remain
stationary for the best part of three days;
during whieh time the American frigate, with
her fOre and mizen-^kiasts standing, lay in sight,
ib-windwardy but made no attempt to renew the
action.

"' If silch is the behaviour of the Americans to
their friends the French, we cannot complain of
being unjustly dealt wil^. In the utmost die-
play of their exaggerating talents, the Ameri-
cans, perhaps, seek lesii to disparage others, than
to exalt themselves; and '1 ought to be some
consolation to us, that " the language of truth i#
uniform and consistent ;" and that " to depart
from it safely, requires memory and discretion/*
The editor of the " Naval History" cannot
describe even the ajBTair of the Leopard and
Chesape^ike, without his accustomed misrepre-^
seutation. After nearly a page of preliminary^
observations, he says: — " The Chesapeake was
altogether in an unprepared state ; her guns and

F 2

Iil

•ill-

(68

ITATAL OCCURRJSNCE8 BETWEEN

decks were lumbiered ^ith sails, cables, &c« and
her men were not at quarters till the commence-
ment of the attack. No opposition was made.
The British commander continued pouring his
broadsides into the undefended ship for about
thirty minutes; when the Chesapeake having
received considerable damage in her hull, rig-
ging, and spars, she struck. She had 3 men
killed, and 18 wounded.''
I Commodore Barron's letter is not noticed by
Mr. Clark ; although, on other occasions, Ame-
rican official letters are deemed unquestionable
authority. It bears date, June i23d, 1807;
states the Chesapeake's departure from Hamp-
ton roads; and then proceeds, as follows*.—*
" Some tim6 afterwards, we observed one of the
two Une-of -battle ships that lay off Cape Henry,
to get under weigh, and stand to sea."< — After
mentioning the coming up of the Leopard,
" one of the two line-of -battle ships," and tht
interchange of correspondence, the commodore
says :-— '* About this time I * observed some ap-
pearances of a hostile nature, and said to Cap-
tain Gordon, tha.^ ic was possible they were
serious, and requested him to have his men sent
to their quarters." Then, after a few excuses
about the lumbered state of his ship, he adds:
'' Consequently, our resistance was but feeble.
In about twenty minutes, I ordered the colours
to be struck." „

i y ■ I

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA. 00

Here, we see the reason why Mr. Clark
rejected this letter. First, the men were sent
to quarters before the commencement of the
attack; secondly, resistance was made; and
thirdly, the action did not continue ** thirty
minutes.'' .*'.o.i

Now for the veracity of the commodore him-
Belf. Captain Humphreys of the Leopard, in
his letter, says, — '* At the expiration of ten mi-
nutes from the first shot being fired,'' (between
which and the second, there was an inter?al of
two or three minutes,) '^ the pendant and ensign
of the Chesapeake were lowered." In another
part, he says,-— ;-^' a few shot were returned, but
none struck this ship ;" — and, by a letter from
one of the Leopard's officers, it appears,^*
*' three broadsides only were fired.''

These three broadsides,' according to the
items in the numerous " surveys" held upon
the Chesapeake, lodged twenty two round shot
in her hull ; irreparably injured the fore and
main-masts; badly wounded the mizen-most;
cut away thirteen lower shrouds and stays i
shattered the fore-sail, main-sail, main-top-sailj
and fore-top-mast stay-sail; injured and ren-
dered unfit for service a spare fore- top-mast^
and another spare spar; and damaged two boats.
— ^What a pity the Americans never gave such
surveys during the late war! — In addition, as
appears by her log-iiiinutes, the Chesapeake

NATAL OCCURRBNCBA BETWBBV

rflj

I: if!

had three feet and a half water in the hold.—*
Three more luch broadsides would ha?e sunk
hef. And yet, the '^ Naval Monument'' jeers
MS for having done so little ii^jurj to the ship;
^Although sixty years are now elapsed since
British 50-gun ships have been excluded from
the line of battle, Commodore Barron found it
convenient to make a '* line-of-hattle ship" of
the. Leopard, as the Flnench captain, L^oielU^
had a 74 of the Leander; which ship bap*
pened (odd enough) to be tke other **line-of-bat-
tie ship" mentioned in the oommodore's letter.

The Leoplird's armament, upon the lower
and .upper.*dcoks, was precisely the same as
. mounted by other ships of her class; for whieh
see p. 93. Upon her quarter-deck and fore-
castle, she mounted six carronades, 34-pouadierSj
an 18'pound launch-tcarronade, a^d two long
9-pounders ; total 53 guns : being six short of
her established number. The Leopard had her
full complement on board; consisting of 318
men, and 25 boys: she had also on board, as
passengers, 10 artillisry-men, and 3 midshipmen
belonging to some of the ships on the coast.
• The Chesapeake mounted, at this time^ twenty
^ght long ]$-pounders upon the main-deck,
fourteen carronades, 32<^pounders, (leaving a
vacant port on each side,) upon the quarter-
deck; two carronades, 3i2-pounders, and two
long 12-pounders,, (leavii^ three vacant ports on

OEEAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

each side,) opon the forecastle ; total 46 guns.
This was her peace-establishment. Her books
bore the names of 440; but, among those, were
25 runnings and discharges : consequently, her
actual complement con^tisted of 415; including
10 bojs or lads. There were also several pas-
sengers on board, going to the Mediterranean.
That the Chesapeake had, at least, five lieute*
nants, appears by the signature of her ** 6th
lieutenant" to several of the official documents
relating to the action. Nine men to every gun
in the ship, would be considered as an extraor*
dinary large complement, even in times of war.

Comparative force of the two ships.

Broadiide.metal in

Complement,

pounds, <

Leop«r4.
I. guns, 405

carr.

X men,
I boys,

405

331

356

1044

Chesapeake. ^^

256

520 ^

405
10

—'^' ..Is
1135

Si^e in tons.

Many ships may meet at sea, and not be so
equally matched as the Leopard and Chesa-
peake ; although the latter was a " 36-gun fri-
gate,'' and the former a '^ 50*gun ship:" which
agaia shems the fallacy of the old rating system.

About tour years subsequent to this event,
the Americans thought tit to retaliate upon us.
If a *' line-of^battle ship" could attack a fri-

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETT EBN

1?'

gate, why not a frigate attack a sloop of war?
The President therefore engaged the Little Belt;
and the Little Belt engaged the President; and
manfully too: which, added to a real and a very
great disparity of force, constitutes the distin-
guishing feature between the action of the Little
Belt and President, and that of the Leopard
and Chesapeake.

A proof of the accuracy and fairness with
which the Americans record transactions be-
tween themselves and other nations, will be
seen in the following extract from a Boston
chronological work: — ** October 11, 1811, offer
of reparation made by the British government,
and accepted, respecting the affair between the
Little Btit and President.''

The ** Naval History" details, very fully, the
operations before Tripoli, from l&Ol, to the
peace concluded in June, 1805, between the
bashaw and the president .of the United States.
Great credit is due to the officers and seamen
belonging to the American ships, for the gal-
lantry displayed on several occasions.

It is fresh in the recollection of many officers
of the British navy, how difficult it was, at this
period, to keep the seamen from deserting to
the Americans. The short peace of 1803 occa-
sioned many of our ships to be paid off; and the
nature of the service upon which the Americans
were engaged, held forth a strong inducement

i.y

ORBAT BHITAIN AND AMERICA.

to the manly feelings of the British tar. It was
not to raise his arm against his own country-
men ; but against barbarians, whose foul deeds
excited indignation in every generous breast.

The Americans cannot deny, that the com-
plements of their ships in the Tripolitan war,
consisted chiefly of British seamen; supplied by
a Scotch renegado at New York, and by nume-
rous other crimps in the different sea-port towns
of the United States : and that those complements
were afterwards filled up, by similar means, at
Cadiz and other ports of the xMediterranean. —
Was not Commodore Preble, on account of
being detected in some transaction of this
sort, obliged to shorten his stay at Gibraltar,
and to fix Syracuse, instead of Malta, for his
next rendezvous?

^, To such as know the facility with which,
either in the ships, or on the shores, of the United
States, a deserter, or an emigrant, can obtain
his naturalization, the term " American" re-
quires an epithet to render it intelligible. Id
recording the exploits of "Americans," it is but
to lop off the qualifying adjunct — ** adopted,"
and every native reader feels a hero's blood
flowing in his veins. On the other hand,
should disgrace be attached to the deed, Mr.
Clark, and his brother-writers, anticipating the
reader's wishes, seldom fail to state, that the
parties were not American, but British sailors.

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NATAL OCCURRBNCBS BCTWltlf

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«"«■;

-v>^HI^';a.;^;>^5 CHAPTER IV. ^im^..

Vntted States of America declare war against
Great Britain — Send a squadron in pursuit of
"^ the Jamaica-fleet — It falls in witht and chases^
the Belvidera — Engagement between that ship
'*^ and tfie President — Belvidera escapes — Squa^
^'^dron resumes its course after the convoy — Faih
■^ in overtaking it, and returns to Boston'^
^'Surprise of the Whiting in Hampton road^^^
^ ' Constitution is chased, and escapes — Capture
*^ of the Nautilus — Emulous and Gossamer--^
'[■Alert attacks the Essex — Is captured — Force of
■ the two vessels — Tar and feathering of a British
'^^^ seaman — Repotted challenge from Sir James
*^ Lucas Yea to Captain Porter — Essex and a
m*t, British frigat^"^-Essex and Shannon, "^ '

i 1

On the 18th of June, 1813, the United State$
of America declared war again&t Gr^at Brio
taio; and orders were imua^diately dispatc^e4
frow Washington, for the squadron that had
been previously asseuvbled :at ^ew York, to put
to sea) tor the capture or destruction of Britytli
vessels.; and particularly, in search of a home^
wardKbound Jaiuaica^fleet, of eighty ^ve $fal|

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

then known to be weakly conyojed, and not far
fk>in the American coast. • «

On the 21st, which was as eilrly as aiiexpresb
could arrive with the ordiers, sailed this Ameri-
can squadron ; consisting of the President, Cem**
modore Rodgers, United States, Commodore De»
catur, Congress, Captain Smith, Essex, Captsuil
Porter, Hornet, Lieutenant-commandaii't Law-
rence, and Argns-) Lieutenant-commandant Sin^
clatr; mounting, altogether, upwards ol 1150
guns, and manned with 2000 choice seamen.

The same American brig that ga^e Commo-
dore Rodgers intelKgence (App. No. ^) of the
Jamaica-fleet's being so near, had just been
boarded by the British frigate Belvidera ; whose
exact position, thereibre, was also pointed out.
Chase was instantly made, in full hopes toeflfect
these two important objects; and, on the morn-
ing of the 2dd, a *' large sail" was seen in the
N. E. standing to the S. W. This was H. M . S.
Belvidera, of 947 tons, mounting 43 guns;
namely, twenty six long 18s, fourteen carron-
Tides, 32s, and two long 9s ; and inanned with
230 men and boys; her established number
then being 274*

'' Captain Byron, at first, stood towards the
American squadron ; but, observing the ships
suddenly to take in their studding-sails, and
liaul up in chase of him^ frequently wetting

si.

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

their sails to profit by the lightness of the wind,
a suspicion of their hostile intentions caused
him to tack, and stand off. By way of assuring
the stranger, that they were the ships of ^friendly
power, the Americans hoisted their colours ; but
their evident anxiety to close had betrayed
them, and the Belvidera continued her course.

As the leading ship of the squadron was fast
approaching, Captain Byron, to prevent any
question about who fired the first shot, ordered
the priming to be wiped from every gun in the
ship. Soon afterwards, the President fired those
three well-directed shot, which occasioned the
only loss the Belvidera sustained. (App. No. 5.)
The Belvidera's guns were reprimed in an in-
stant; and the fire returned from her four stern-
chasers, two long 18s, and two 32-pound carron-
ades; the only guns that would bear, or were
fired at all: although the commodore's journal
mentions, that the Belvidera fired her ^' four
after main -deck guns on the starboard side.''
vThe full details of this interesting chase may be
seen in the British and American accounts
(Nos. 5. 6. and 7.) in the Appendix.

The fact of '' the long bolts, breeching-hooks,
and breechings, of guns and carronades, fre-
quently breaking" on board the Belvidera,
proves that there was some defect in the mode
of securing them. This was not the fault of the

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

oncers and men: they every time repaired the
accident as quickly as possible. Had the whole
of the broadside-guns come into use, a repetition
of such an accident would have been a serious
evil; as it was, the Belvidera's captain got
severely wounded. '.

. The guns of the Belvidera were mostly pointed
by her officers ; with what precision appears in
the commodore's account of the damages which
the President sustained. Her loss, exclusive of
the 22 by the bursting of the gun, was 6 killed
and wounded ; making 28 in all. For three
days, the ships were employed in repairing the
President's damages; a delay that, no doubt,
saved the Jamaica-fleet ; the loss of which would
have been a severe national blow.

The Belvidera's officers insist, that the Presi-
dent could have got alongside several times ; but
that, just as they were about to fire their broad-
side, she yawed across their stern, and fired her
broadside. This occasioned her to lose wsky,
until she resumed her course; when she gra-
dually advanced to the same spot, and then re-
peated the same extraordinary manoeuvre.

Comparing the force of the Belvidera, with
that of the President, (for which see her name
in the Index y) even alone, it is hard to conjec-
ture which party Captain Hull intended to com-
pliment, when, in his letter (App. No. 4.) trans-
mitting the log-extract, he said: ** I am confi-

ill

iff::

'i '' '

r*'

;5 i

iii

<»-^.L,

VP NATAL OCOVRRBNOBS BETWiSBN

dent, could the commodore h«ve got alongside
the Btdvidera, she would have been his in less
than one hmur." . " ^

After quitting the chase of the Belvidera, and
irepairing the damages sustained by her fire, the
American squadron proceeded in search of the
convoy. On the 1st of July^ a little to the east-
naard of Newfoundland-bank, the squadron fell
in with a fleet of *' cocoa-nut-shells, shaddock*
rkids, orange-peels, &c.'' and the commodore
and his officers promised themselves a West*
India desert to their next day's dinner. They
longed in vain ; and, after being thus tantalized
from the 1st to the 13th> they steered ibr Ma*
deira; thence for the Azores; and finally ar-
rived at Boston on the 99th of August. What
ehcreased the misfbrtnne of the cruize, the
scurvy broke out among tlie men ; and conferred
additional value upon the times that were knon^
to be in «uch profusion on board the Jamaica
ships. 1

To the discretion and prelnptitude of Captain
Byron, on his iirst falling in with the American
squadron ; to the skill of the Belvidera's oflicers
and crew in pointing their guns, and working
the ship ; «nd to their bravery and perseverance
in defending -her, during a long Aiid arduous
chase, while engaged with a force so greatly
superior, is the nation indebted for the little
mischief done to British commerce, by a formi*

,1-

*>■

OWLEkT BRITAIN AND AMBRICA*

^^.

dable American squadron ; possessing the fangiiM
hir advantlige of its hostile inttntioAS being
ivholly unknown. *"''*' "' »

On the 8th of July, H. M. schooner Whitings'
Lieutenant Maxey, from Plymouth, with dis-
patches for the American government, arrived
in Hampton roads, ignorant of the war. As
Lieutenant Maxey was proceeding on shore in
his boat, the Dash privateer, Captain Garroway,
bound on a cruize, got possession of hin ; and
then ran alongside the Whiting; and, haying
upwards of 80 men in crew, captured her«
without opposition. The dispatches had been
sunk. r

The Whiting, was only 75 tons, mounting four
oarronades, 1 2-pounders ; with a complement of
18 men and boys. Of these, a thiird were
absent in the boat ; and those in the schooner
had not the least suspicion of being in an
enemy's waters.

* The Dash mounted one heavy long gun upon
a pivot^carriage. This, and a suppression of
the principal circumstances, enabled the Ame-
rican editors to state, with some degree of ex-
ultation: —^" The British schooner mounts four
guns, the Dash only one." — ^The Whiting was
afterwards restored.

On the 12th of July, the U. S. ship Consti-
tution, Captain Isaac Hull, sailed from Chesa-

'"■

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

p-,|i

peake-baj. ' On the 17th, in a caldor, ilhe
fell in with H. M. ships, Africa 64, Shannon
and Guerriere 46, Belvidera 42, and iBolus 38,*
under the orders of Captain Broke, of the
Shannon. Two of the frigates, (one the Belvi-
dera,) assisted by the boats of the squadron,
got, for a short time, within gun-shot ; but the
Constitution, by hedging, and other skilful ma-
nceuvres, effected her escape, after an anxious
chase of sixty four hours. The Belvidera's
situation, when chased, was far more critical ;
owing to Captain Byron's ignorance of the war,
and his having to sustain the fire of a ship of
nearly double his own force. *.-. *»iiui^

On the 16th of July, the U. S. brig Nautilus,
Lieutenant Crane, of 14 guns, and 106 men^
was captured by H. M. S. Shannon, and others.
She was afterwards fitted with sixteen 24-pound
carronades, and commissioned as a cruizer. >

On the 30th of July, the American privateer*
brig Gossamer, of 14 guns, and 100 men, sur-
rendered to H. M. brig Emulous, Captain Mul-»
caster, without firing a shot. This is introduced
by way of illustrating the following remark of
an American editor: — '* Instances of the bold
and daring intrepidity of the crews of the pri-
vate-armed vessels of the United States, are so

* All according to the new 'rates ; which will be obserVed
thl'oughout the work* #

i:!i

4IRBAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

nutneirous, that the recital of them would swelL
^he work, &c." ■^•'-^

A$ y " '.*■■. Ti^afr^T--? -t.^T

* _i ■ '

^ On the Idth of August, 1812, H. M. S. Alert,
Captain T. L. P. Laugharne, bore down upon
the U. S. frigate Essex, Captain David Porter;
mistaking lier for a vessel of less force. An ac-
tion ensued, which continued, the American ac-
count sajs, eight minutes; when the Alert,
having seven feet water in the hold, and three
men wounded, surrendered. Captain Porter
sajs the Essex sustained no loss. 1 he British
official account not having been published, these
facts rest wholly on the American statements.

The Alert mounted, according to the Ameri-
can papers announcing her capture, twenty car-
ronades, IS-pounders; and, according to the
number paroled out of her, had a complement
of 86 men and boys.

■Mr. Clark first gives the Alert '* 00 guns;*'
but, in a subsequent page, she appears a»-^
** ship Alert, guns mounted 26.^' And as to her
complement, the *' Naval Monument,^' and the
** Sketches of the War/' have both made it 130.
Although Captain Porter could not find room
in his letter, to give the force of his prize, either
in guns or , men, he could, to make the false
assertion, that '* the Alert was out for the
purpose of taking the Hornet."

4 The Essex, when subsequently capti|red,

li I

$t NAVAL OCCDfi|l£>C£8 JPPTWBEIf

liiomit^d twenty four carronades, d2-poui|deni,
and two long Id-pounders, upon the main-deck;
sixteen carronades, 92-poundeFR, and four )ong
12-pounders, upon the quarter-deck apd fore-
castle ; total 46 guns : a tolerable armament for
a **32-gun frigate/'

^ Captain Porter, in his *' Journal of a Cruize,'^
8;iy8 the Essex had, when lying in the Delaware,
in October, 1812, a complement of 328 mei^;
of whom eleven only rated as landsmen. ^r-T'

< The Alert was originally a collier, named the
Qxfqrd, purchased by government in 1804.
Whether her original enaployment were not that
for which she was best calculated, may appear
from the following fact. The first time the
*f y. $. ship of war Alert" was trusl^d at se<^^
YfuSg after the pe^ce ; w^en, as a store ship, she
accompanied the frigate Uniti^d States to, the
Mediterranean. The Anaerica^i papef^ jpc9fely
remarked, that the Alert required every stf tch of'
canvass set, to enable her to keep way wit|i. the
IJj^it^ States, under hep* three top-saili^ During
tfie fv^ur, h\ke remained as ^ block-ship ^t NevK>
York; yet Mr. Clark, to give iinportaiice to h^v
capture, says: — '''The Alert, upon herrieturntq.
the United States/' from Newfoundland, whitheK;
she had been sent by Captain Porter, as a c^rtel»
*' was fitted out as a government- vessel." t^r^f

%i Along with ih§ dino§nsiioiew pf the 41«rt ^n^d

Uhti

ORBAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

Essex, will be giTen the Southampton's, because
Captah) Porter's friends have contrived to con*
nect her, in some degree, with the transactions
of the Essex. . i .

■ {»<i.vUint. I^ii^MfisioTM of the three ships*

hm^fm.r^^ ,4«<r X ^ , Alert.

Ft. In.

Length of lower-deck^l i^- ^

froni rabbit to rabbit, / '"* "

Breadth, extreiM, £9 4

•. - ; ■. <■ j>-.-j f » .■ . I . • ' !• ! ■ T .

The Southampton's armament has been fully
described at page 24. Her force, for the rea-
sons just given, will appear in the same state-^
ment with that of the Essex and Alert. , , , ^

5«i* Campardtive force of the three ships, ♦•

i^k&h'^m:

Essex.

Fr.

In.

138

Southampton.

Ft. In. »

124 4 i

35 >

Alert.

Essex.

SoutharoptOQ.

'68 ^.^

640

132 ^.'♦^^

— 676

— 300 J

325

200 ,

ir "^

— 328

— 221 it

867

671 »

Broadside-metai C I. guns,
in pounds'^ I cAtr, ISb

Kf-'VVittn^ ifrj. -—180

c,»pi.».„., {?;"; 'I

im. .— 86

Size in tons, ^,|^^., 393

' rifire i^S^ti the TSlue of the exploit whtoh
Captain Porter did perform, as well as of that
which he wotlld faaTC performed, had the Essex
met, and capttired, the Southampton. ^^

Shortly atfter the declaration of war, Captain
Ported iHliised a Biitish snbject, for refiisihg to
Aght ijS^ittst his cdtintry. A New^ Yoidt p^|)er^

y**

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

of June 27, 1812, gives the following account
of the transaction :— • *

^t ** The deposition states, that John Erving
was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England;
that he has resided within the United States
since 1800, and has never been naturalized;
that on the 14th of October, 1811, he entered
on board the Essex, and joined her at Norfolk ;
that Captain Porter, on the 25th of June, 1812,
caused all hands to be piped on deck, to take
the oath of allegiance to the United States, and
gave them to understand, that any man who
did not choose to do so should be discharged ;
that when deponent heard his name called, he
told the captain, that being a British subject
he must refuse taking the oath ; on which the
captain spoke to the petty -officers, and told
them they must pass sentence upon him ; that
they then put him into the petty launch, which
lay alongside the frigate, and there poured a
bucket of tar over him, and then laid on a quan-
tity of feathers, having first stripped him naked
from the wai>t; that they then rowed him
ashore, stern foremost, and landed him. That
he wandered about, from street to street, in this
condition, until Mr. Ford took him into his
shop, to save him from the crowd then begin-
ipg to gather; that he staid there until the po-
lice-magistrate took him away, and put Lim in
the city-prison for protection, where he was

k* »

J '

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

8.1

cleansed dnd clrtthed. None of the citizens mo-
lested or insulted him. lie says he had a pro-
tection, which he bought of a man in Salem, of
the same name and description with himself,
for four shillings and sixpence, which he got re-
newed at the custom-house, Norfolk. He says
he gave, as an additional reason to the captain,
why he did not choose to fight against his coun-
try, that, if he should be taken prisoner, he
would certainly be hung." ' "*

- This, having been copied into other papers,
met the eye of Sir James Lucas Yeo, command-
ing the Southampton, then attached to the Ja-
maica-station. Persons acquainted with that
officer, can judge of his feelings upon reading
an account of the ill-treatment of a British
sailor. ; Some expressions, marking his abhor-
rence of the act, and his contempt for the au-
thor, did very likely escape Sir James; and that,
in the hearing of some of the American pri-
soners then on board the Southampton.**
Through this channel, which was none of the
purest, the words probably became what they
appeared in the '* Democratic Press," (a Phila-
delphia paper,) of the 18th of September, 1812.
Thus :— ** A passenger of the brig Lion, from
Havannah to New York, captured by the fri-
gate Southampton, Sir James Yeo, is requested
to present his compliments to Captain Porter,
eommander of the American frigate Essex,

'i'

NATAL OCCURRBNGBS BBTWBEM

vW».

■%.■

•:i*l

il! i!

liiji.

1 1

would be glad to have a Ule it Ute, any wbeire
between the cape» Delaware and the Uavaonab,
where he would h^ve the pleasure to brefik his
own sword over his damned head, and put him
down forward in irons/^ ?Ha?^« <♦*

^ ,'' Captain Poster, of th^ U. S. frigate Essex,
present^ his copiplijnents to Sir James Yeu,
comn^nnding his B. M. frigate Southampton,
' find accepts with pleasure his polite i»vitation.
If agreeable to Sir James, Captain Porter would
prefer meeting near the Pelaware, where Cap-
tain P. pledges his honor to Sir James, that no
American vessel shall interrupt their Ute ^ Ute,
The Essex may be known by a flag, bearing the
motto, *' Free trade and sailors' rights;" and
^fcen this is t»truck to the Siouthampton, Captain
Porter will deserve the treatment promised by
Sir James.'' ,

«, I^eaving Captain Porter's deserts out of the
question, the whole of this farrago has been
AClcribeiJ to some of the war-party, who wished
to give the " gallant captain" an opportunity
of publicly testifying his readiness to engage
*' an equal force/' Although no such message
was sent by Sir James Yeo, he cruized, for se-
veral weeks, along the southern coast of the
pnited. States, in hopeti of falling in with the
^sex, thjB nature of whose armament was fully
knpwn to him. The Southampton was well
m .nned, and all that her officers and crew

MiXT BkfTAYk- AND AMEIli^A. i^

i^ahfecTj t^a^ the wexther-gsigd, oi^ an oppbriH'
fifty of getting on board thte American, e^rly iii
itke SLCtion,- ^'^-'''*^-^'*^ -^*-^- ■• ■ - '^^^^*^-' '"''
' ' Captain Porter being a great fiivorite at Wasb-^
ington, Mr. Clark could do no less than giv^
insertion to anj little tale he might vrish to see
recorded in the '' Naral History" of his coulitryl
One of them is as follows :—

^* On the 30th of Aiigust, the Essex beings iii
likt. 36" N. lotig. m" W. k British frigate was
discovered standing towards her, Undef a^ presd
of sail. I^Orter stood for her under easy sailj'
witlrhis ship prepared for aetion ; and, dppre-
B<^i^sive that she might hot find the Essex during
the night, he hoisted a light. At 9, the British
vessel made a signal : it consisted of two flaiihes,
and a blue light. She was then, apparehtlyV
iibout four miles distant. Porter stood for the
point where she was seen until midnight, when^
perceiving nothing of her, he concluded it #ou1d
be best to heave-to fbr her ^.itil morning, <)oii-i
eluding she had done the same; but, to hist
great surprise, and the mortification of his offi^
cers and crew, she was no longer in sight. Cap-
tain Porter thought it to be not unlikely that
this vessel was the Acastn, of 50 guns, sent out,
accompanied by the Ringdove, of 22, to cruize
for the Essex."

It did not, perhaps, occur to Mr. Clark, that
ships usually carry log-books, in which are en-

NATAL OCCCRRENCES BETWEEN

tered every day's proceedings, with the latitudf ,
longitude, &c. ; and that these can, at any time,
be referred to, in case the false assertions of any
historian, or paragraph-writer, may be worth
the trouble of disproving. li

Considering what a formidable man Captain
Porter was« nothing less than the '' Acasta^ of
50 guns,'' and ** Ringdove, of 22," could be
*' sent out to cruize for the Essex/' Unfortu-
nately for her commander's fame, on the 30th
of August, 1812, the day mentioned, the Acasta
was cruizing in lat. 43^ N. long. 65** 16' W. ;
and the Ringdove lying at single anchor in St.
Thomas's. Was not the '* British frigate," thcs
Rattler, of 16 guns ? .^

The next occasion upon which Captain Porter
was bs^ulked of a battle, is recorded thus :-— ^^

'•^ On the 4th of September, the Essex being
off the tail of St. George's bank, two ships of
war were dii>covered to the southward, and. a
brig to the northward. The brig was in chasA
of a^i American merchant-sl^ip. Porter imme-
diately cjiased the brig, which attempted to
pass, and join the rest of the squadrqn. This
he prevented, and compelled her to stand to
the northward. He continued in phase of h^r»
until a-breast of the American ship; when, the
wind becoming light, she escaped by means of
her sweeps. On shewing American coloi\rs,
several signal- guns were fired by the ships to

1 i;

* " ■

O-^BAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.'

the southward. All sail was made by them in
chase. At 4 P.M. they had gained the wake
of the Erscx, and were coming up with her
very fast. Calculating on making his escape
by some manceu?re, during the night, he fired
a gun to- windward. The two ships still conti-
nued to gain on the Essex. The largest was
considerably to-windward of the other, and
about five miles a-stern of the Essex. Captain
Porter determined to heave about, as soon as it
grew dark ; and, in case he sht>uld not be able
to pass her, he determined to fire a broadside
ifkto her, and lay her on board. Every prepa- '
ration was made for this purpose. The crew,
as soon as the plan was proposed to them, gave
three cheers, and were iu high spirits. At 20
ipinutes after 7, the Essex hove about, and
stood S. E, by S. until 30 minutes after 8, when
she bore away S.W. without seeing any thing
ipore of them. This was the more extraordi-
nary, as a pistol was fired on board the Essex
wh<in nearest to them. The Essex arrived safe
ip the Delaware a few da^s afterwards." (Nav.
Hist. vol. i. p. 180.)

The same event finds a place in the '' Sketches
of the War." There the port, from which Cap-
tain Porter was '* cut off by the two large ships
of war," is mentioned to have been New York.
The intention to lay one of the British ships on
board is deservedly noticed ; and, it is added*

■1'

;.i i

UtiLTAt 6«0«ll]CB»diS WktW&iW

tkat the E^sex eflfoot^d lier eseape into the hay
tit ]>Olawar^,- *< Wilhojit i\ie loto df a man.'*

One of the alM^ye *' tw6 ibips of war*' wjii*
th# Shaiinoii, Captain Broke; thre other the
ftanter, a re-captured West IndiartidD, her
priae, and bj no means a vessel to be niistak^ii
for a *• »hip of war.** But the beit way to ex-
pose the Essex, and her gallant commander,
will be, to detail the occurrence in the ietf
words of one of the Shannon's officers. ^ '^' *

** At noon, on the 4th of September, 181^, hi'
lat. 39* 11' N. long. 7(f 22' W. the Shannon had
in company the re-captured ship Pfiattter, wheii
we saw a warlike-looking ship to the eastward,
and Phased towards her under all sail before the
wiiid ; but it headed us ffat a^back. We ob-
served a merchant- ship close to this chase, as if
in the act Gif speaking. The two ships then,
having a fresh breeze aft, came doWn upon us,
the merchantman close a-stern of the ship bf
war ; which, at 4. 80. P.M. then about 10 or 13
miles distant, hauled up, atid inside private sig-
niile ; too far to be comprehended', had she been
a friend. The strange ship then made every
exertion to escape, leaving her merchant-ship
behind, as we did our's ; and having fbimd, by
keeping her wind some time, that she sailed
nearly equal to us, she slanted off free, a point
or two, so as to bring us into her wake, without
allowing us to gain upon her in distsmce, or but

6RSAT BRITiilir AN]» AMKEICA.

very slightly. Her object appeared to be, to
get in between us and the land. On our losing
sight of her at dark, she was still above 10
miles off. Being well aware that she would
alter her course in the dark, and seeing her good

^tailing, there appeared no chance of getting
hold of her; and her merchant-ship being now
near us, we tacked and seized her, ilfitending to
burn her directly, that the fugitive ship might
see the flames ; but it became so <lark and
squally, that Captain Broke would not risk the
boats in getting out her people ; consequently

*the ship was not burnt till next mornings Syhe
was a light American ship, from Cadiz> named
the Minerva ; and her people informed us, that
the ship we had been chasing was the U. S. fri-
gate Essex, Captain Porter, whom they had
spoken the same day. During the night the
ships lay-to ; and, to prevent separation, each
kept bright lights up, and several blue-lights

. were burnt."

One of Mr. Clark's good-natured critics
describes the object of such a work as his to be
— '* to commemorate the glories of the Ameri-
can age and nation ; to place some of its most
illustrious heroes out of the reach of oblivion ;
Htid'to consecrate their actions to imperishable
fume." (N. Hist. vol. i. p. 1.) ! ! ! ^

iiii '

MW' ■|J

92 NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

CHAPTER V.

^ ^^•'■ifti^l^. H-tr^ll*

VjUf-Jf-f-iJIf^

O-.mpjI'f »« W:«f1^

w«'-k#ti t*

Inactive state of the British navy since the battle of
^ Trafalgar — Its effects upon the officers and men
I, "-^Polishing system reprobated — Scarcity of oak^
I timber and seamen-^Contract-ships — Impressed
I crews — Foreigners and ineffective hands^'Atne-
i rican navy considered — Their ships easily manned
tr ^^Practical gunnery — American marines — Op-
i posite feelings of British and American officers
I towards each other — Guerriere falls in with^
4 and engages the Constitution — Details of the
,i. action — Guerriere surrenders — Her damage^-
I Final destruction — Loss of men-^Constitution's
^ damage — Loss-— 'Force of each ship particular*
I ized — Statement of comparative force — Remarks
^ thereon — British and American frigates — Their
, comparative dimensions and forced—The latter
,«, compared in force with other classes of British
I ships — French frigates — Concluding remarks. .

From the battle of Trafalgar to the peace
of 1815, three-fourths of the British navy, at
sea^ were constantly employed in blockading
the fleets of their enemies. Of the remainder,
such as escaped the dull business of convoying,
cruized about; but the only hostile ships that

«.

OR EAT BRITAIN AND AMIRICA.

in general crossed their tracks, were disguised
neutrals; from whom no hard knocks could be
expected. Once a year or so, the capture of a
French frigate by a British one, gave a momen-
tary fillip to the service. m

A succession of insipid cruizes necessarily be-
gat, among both officers and men, habits of
inattention. The situation of gunner on board
our ships, became almost a sinecure. A twenty
years' war, of itself, was sufficient to wear out
the strength of our seamen; but a laxity of
discipline, in all the essentials of a man-of-war's-
IQan^ produced a much more sensible effect.
;^ Instead of the sturdy occupation of handling
the ship's guns, now seldom used but on sa-
lutes, the men were taught to polish the travers-
ing-bars, elevating-screws, copper on the bits,
&c. by way of ornament to the quarter-deck.
3uch of the crew as escaped this menial office,
(from the unnecessary wear it occasions, lately
forbidden by an order of the board of admi-
ralty,) were set to reeving and unreeving the
top-sails, against time, preparatory to a match
with any other of his majesty's ships that might
happen to fall in company.

Many were the noble exceptions to this, and
many were the commanders who, despising
what was either finical or useless, and still hop-
ing to signalize themselves by some gallant ex-
ploit, spared no pains^ consistent with their

: ill,

^ 111

;;iiy.;

li: ili'ii

:i*!

ill

If;''

iitttited iHeiafls, aAd iM ^straints of the s^i^vicf^;
tty hfttie th«ir ^Mp»; a^ dt times, as men of weir
ihodW b*, ih ftkri^r^ <Wifi. ^^ * .biiiHfxt

^'\A9 Na|>ol^e^^ e^en<^d his sway over th6 Eu-
ropean continent, the British navy; that per^
p«tiNll blight iip6^ hi^ hopes, i^nired to be
ejitehided also, ^itish Oak, and Britishr sea-
Mi^; ^like' i^oA^e^ cohtraet-shi ps w^ve hastily
bttitt t^, with S6ft wood and tight frames ; aiid
^h, ttkanned With ati ititpressed crew, chi^fl/
6f rkw hatidd and' small boys, sent forth to
assert th^ rights, and miinitaiiY the chafracter of
Britenft^ tipoti th« Obtoii. In Jtiii^, 1S12, whcfn^
tlie war u4th Amerit!! commenced, the British
na^y consisted of 746 ships, in oommissioii.
Hild thes^ bcfeti cleared of all the fbreigners and
iiiefl^^etive hafiids^ hownMiily ships would the
retnttitid^ hate properly msntied ? '"' ' ' >^'
i'T^ th«f lotlg dtiratiOB df the war^ and th6 ra-
])i^^ilcreai>(e of Ihe il«Vy, ilhay be added a third
cdtts^ of^ tliig s«fardity of seaiii^ii: the eiiormocis
eticrease of the atmy. Iii December, 1812, We'
bad, kit ihegttlars alone, 2^9,149 men. How
many frigates could have been manned, and well
manned too, by draughts from the light dra-
goons, and the light infaiitry regiments ? Nor is
there a question,-~so inviting were the boun^
tiei»,^'-^hat prime seamen have enlisted in botb.*^
Tlie crews of our ships experienced a fourth
redttCti^ft in- strength, by the establishment^

sho
ipai
abo
t^e
«ed

, GREAT BfilTA IN AND AMBHICA* 1||L,

about six years ago, of tbe buttalion-mariiies:
a cQrps f mbodiecl for the purpose of acting on
shore, i^ coiy unction with the seamen find
marines of the ships. The battalion-marines,
about apoo in q umber, consisted of the pick of
t^e royal marines; which accordingly became
ceduced to weak, under-sized men, and ?ery>
young recruits. Marines ought to be among the
s^piatest men in the ship; because, until engaged
in close action, their station is at the guns;
where great physical strength is required. Ex*
cept on a few occasions in Canada, and the
Cl^esapeake, the battalion-marines, although as
fine ^ body of men as any in the two services,,
l^^ye remained comparatively idle.

. The Clinker- worm that, in the shape of neg?
lect, had so loiig been preying upon the vitals of
tlie British navy, could not exist among the few
8|iips composing the navy of the United States^ ,
America's half a dozen frigates claimed, the
i^l^ole of her attention* These she bad con-f:
strupted upon the most approved principles, both
fqr ss|iiii^, ^nd |or war. Considering that thit:
ramparts of a battery should have, for one ob?;
j^t, the shelter of the men stationed at it, sh*^
had built up the sides of her ships in the moiil$
coiv^>^ct manner; and the utmost ingenuity had
been exerted, apd expense .b^towed» in their.,
final equipment. :u:iii

J With respect to seamen, America hiid> fotii

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWI^Efr

f^:

•J ''

many yeain previous to the war^ been decoying
the men from our ships, by every artful strata-
gem. The best of these were rated as petty-
officers. Many British seamen had entered on
board American merchant-vessels; and the nu-
merous non-intercourse and embargo bills, in
existence at different periods, during the four
years preceding the war, threw many mer-
chant-sailors out of employment. So that
the U. S. ships of war, in their preparations for
active warfare, had to pick their complements
from a numerous body of seamen.

Highly to the credit of the naval administra-
tion of the United States the men were taught
the practical rules of gunnery ; and ten shot, with
the necessary powder, were allowed to be lex-
pended in play, to make one hit in earnest. ' ?'

Very distinct from the American seamen, so
called, are the American marines. They are
chiefly made up of natives of the country ; and
a deserter from the British would here be no
acquisition. In the United States, every man may
hunt or shoot among the wild animals of the
forest. The young peasant, or back-woodmanj
carries a rifled-barrel gun, the moment he can
lift one to his shoulder ; and woe to the duck or
deer that attempts to pass him, within fair
range of his piece. To collect these expert
marksmen, when of a proper age, officers are
8«nt into the western parts of the Union; and

ORBAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

to embody and finish drilKng them/ a marine-
barrack is established near the city of Washing-
ton : from which depdt, the ships are regularly
supplied. • ''^

No one act of the little navy of the United
States, had been at all calculated to gain the
respect of the British. First, was seen the
Chesapeake allowing herself to be beaten, with
impunity, by a British ship, only nominkljy su-
perior to her. Then, the huge frigate Priesident
attacks, and fights for nearly three Quarters of
an hour, the British sloop Little Bblt. And,
even since the war, the same President, at the
head of a squadron, makes a bungling btisiness
of chasing the Belvidera. '^^ *• ^ » -^^^ ^ * i'*^^^-*

While, therefore, a feeling towards America,
bordering on contempt, had unhappily possessed
the mind of the British naval officer, rendering
him more than usually careless and. opiniative,
the American naval officer, having been taught
to regard his new foe with a portion of dread,
sailed forth to meet him, with the whole of
his energies roused. A moment's reflection
assured Iiim, that his country's honour was
now in his hands; and what, in the breast
of man, could be a stronger incitement to ex^
traordinary exertions ? "

Thus situated were the navies of tl^e twa
countries, when H. M. S. Guerriere, with da-
maged 'masts, a reduced complement, and in

NATAL QCCURRSNCBft BETWBBIf

absolut^ need of that thorough refit, for nvbioh
she was then, after a very long cruize, speecli^g
to Halifax, encountered the V* Sf ^h^P Cpnsti*
tut ion, seventeen days only from port, manned
^ith a full complement ; andi in <^11 r^p^cts,
^tted for war.

.^,^n aption ensued, the full details of which
are given in the different o0jci^l papers to be
foiind in the Appendix. (Noe. 8. 0. 10. II.
and IS^.) Captain Oacres s^s, the Constitu-
lipn commenced returning his fire ** at twenty
minutes past four;'' the American *' Particu*
l^rs*' say, ^* at twenty miputes past five;" and
that the Constitution hqvn that time *^ conti-
nued to fire occasionally,'' until she closed the
Guerriere ^ at Aye ifiinutes past six." Captain
H^U says:—'' At five minutes before six P. M.
being alongside, within pistol-slpot, we ^om'
mmoei a l^avy fire from all our giins ;"— and he
bus had art enough to compMte th« duration of
the action from that time. Were his long
!^4-p9UBders, wfiich, during the preceding thirty
^ve Qiiniftes, he *' continued to fire occasionally
^t the Guerriere,'' loaded with blank-cartridge?
Why, if the Americfiii commander had no desire
to keep at long shot until h^ had disabled hid
opponet, did he not bear down sooner; he had
the<weather-gage ?

^he early fall of the Guerriere's mizen-»mast
Vronghl t^e ship up in the wind;^ and expose^

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

ber to a dreadful raking fire, a» well as to the
riflemen in the Constitution's tops, who levelled
^ tlieir pieces, with full effect, at the Guerriere's
officers and men. — It may be necessary to ex*
plain how the loss of the mizen-mast could
bring the ship up in the wind. The wreck of
the mast hung over the weather-side ; the top,
from its position, acting as a complete back*
water, so as to bring the ship's head up to the
wind, in spite of every effort of the helmsman.
By those acquainted with the peculiar construc-
tion of French-built ships, about the fore-foot
especially, this will be readily understood.

Upon the Guerriere's bowsprit getting foul of
the Constitution's larboard quarter, the Ameri-
cans attempted to board, but were driven back ;
and it was not till after the two ships had got
clear, and some of the Guerriere's bow-guns
were brought to bear, that the fore and maiot
masts fell over the side. Yet the '* Particu^
lars," rather than state what might shew, that
the Constitution's men were afraid to board
the Guerriere, say thus:—** We prepared to
board, but immediately after, his fore and
main-masts weirit by the board, and it was
deemed unnecessary." The "" Sketches of the
War" explains this by stating, that the Ameri-
can Hentenant of marines who headed the party,
was killed by a musket-shot. Captain Hull is
silent about the boarding ; but, iji stating that

H 2

100

STAVAt OCCUailENCB» BRTWBEN

the Consttitution *' ceased firing^' upon the fall*
ingf of the Guerrie^e's fore and main-masts, ta^
citly admits, that the two ships were, at that
moment, clear of each other; and consequently,
that the boarding-opportunity had already
passed. The 'American crew, therefore, were
not restrained from boarding, because,— -owing
to the falling of the Guerriere's fore and main-
masts, ** it was deemed unnecessary." — They
made the attempt, and were repulsed, with the
loss of their boarding-ofiicer.

Several of the Guerriere's guns and carron-
ades broke loose, owing to rotten breechings,
as well as the rotten state of the timbers, through
which the long-bolts passed. The Guerriere
had suffered so much from bad weather, and
cruized so long without renewing her stores^
that there was no rope left, wherewith to repair
the loss of breechings. Those of the guns and
carronades that escaped breaking loose, were
completely disabled by the fall of the fore and
main-masts. The Guerriere, now a complete
wreck, was rolling her main-deck guns in the
water, when,^' at 6. 45.'^ by the British account,
the jack was lowered from the stump of the
mizen-mast ; and, at seven o'clock, the Constitu-'
tion took possession of her prize.

Taking the mean of the two accounts, as to
the time when the Guerriere commenced firing,
the duration of the action was two hours and

"*;

CIRBAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

101

twelve minutes. Yet Mr. Clark, putting his
own construction upon the obscure paragraph
in Captain Hull's letter,—" so that, in thirty
minutes after we got fairly alongside the enemy,
she surrendered," — informs his readers, that the
Guerriere was captured ** after a very short
action .''

Among other passages in Captain's Hull's
letter, which are not very clear, may be noticed
the following: '* But, on our coming within
gun-shot, she gave us a broadside, and filled
away, and wore, giving us a broadside on the
other tack, but without effect, her shot falling
short." — ^This can only be explained by the cir-
cumstance of the Guerriere's powder being much
deteriorated by damp and long-keeping. Robins
says the action of damp powder is diminished,
" according to the degree of moisture with
which it is impregnated;" and that powder, to
produce itn proper effect, must be '' in good
condition at the time of using." Some very late
experiments have also shewn, that the powder
used by our ships in general will not project a
shot, by any means so far as powder taken out
of Walker's patent-barrels. That the Constitu-
tion's powder was of the very best sort, and in
the most perfect state, the pains taken in her
equipment, and her recent departure from a
home-port, place beyond a doubt. Having also
24'pounders opposed to 18s, ** within gun-shot"

I i.

lOii

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

to her, might hate been a trifle " out of gun-i
shot" to the Guerriere.

1^ The Guerriere was greatly shattered in her
I^dD ; so mueh so^ that, in spite of all the efforts
of the Americans^ she, at daylight on tke
morning suceeeding the action, was in a sinking
condition. The people were removed fl^m het^
as quickly as possible; and, at a quarter past
three in the afternoon, the Guerriere bkiw up:
an irrefragable proof, that Captain Dacres, his
officers and crew, hsid defended her to the last
extremity.

. The Guerriere's lore-mast fell from the Con-*
stitution's shot ; aided perhaps by the absence
of most of the shrouds on one ^id^. It was noty
altogether, Captain Hull's '* round and grape,"
that led to its fall; hut a brass swive}^ fired
from one of the Constitution's ferecastw guns.-^
The main-mast had been struck by lightning
some months previous to tlie action; and fell
by the m^re weight of the fore-mast. It was
comparatively uninjured by shot; but, as seen
by the crews of both ships, was perfectly rottem
in the centre. When it is added, that the bow-^
sprit had long b^en sprung, it will not be too
much to say, that the Guerriere, at the time she
engaged the Constitution^ was, if not crippled,
defective at least, in her masts and rigging.

The Guerriere's loss in the action was severe.
One lieutenant out of two, and 14 men, wer^

kiH^d; It tticnii (i^iigftrotii^lj, het coitiifidtld«rj
master, two mates, and 15 ndetr, set^r^, and
the first lieuieiiaiit, A midshipman, 15 meh and
one boy, slightly wounded; total, killed atid
wbuhded, 78. About six died of their wounds.
Mr. Clark has made no scruple o£ placing op-
posite to the Guerriere's name, '* British loss,
105;'^ including, perhaps, the "missing" aft
the end of Captain HulPs letter. As if to put
the matter beyond a doubt, he has also taken
«are to have represented, in the brilliant iricw
of the action fortning the frontispiece to his
work, several men struggling upon the Guer-
riere's spars, as they float in the wslter; although
not a tnan was oh either of her mdsts, when they
f^U, or ira^ lost in anjr other way than by the
fireof the Cdit^titkition.

Captain Hull mentions, in hi^ letter^ having
sdni a " report of the datfiftges" sustained by
i^t Cotistitutioii ; but his gevernitH'nt has not
thought fit to ^tibiish it. Thfe *' Particular^*'
adttiit that the estbin^ had taken fire from the
Gui^rriere'is shM; arid the «* Sketches of the
War,'' that the Constitution ''had some spard
shot Awsly." Captiiin Dacres states, that the
Constitution's stern was muc'h shattered, and
her lower-masts badly wounded. At all events,
the moment the Gucrriete blew up, Captaiti
Hull, instead of continuing his crui^, bent l;i$

104

NATAL OCCURRENCES RETWEEN

!'i:i'-:iWlK<M;i ':

course for Boston ; where the Constitution ar-
rived on the 30th of August.

The Americans acknowledge a loss of only
7 killed, and 7 wounded; yet several of the
Guerriere's officers counted 13 wounded; of
i^hom 3 died after amputation. Captain Dacres
computes the Constitution's killed and wounded
at about 20. An equal number of killed and
wounded, as expressed in Captain Hull's list,
scarcely ever occurs; except in cases of ex^
plosion. In our service, every wounded man,
although merely scratched, reports himself to
the surgeon, that he may get his smari'tnoney, a
pecuniary allowance so named. No such regu-^
lation exists in the American service; conse-
quently, their returns of loss in action, are
made subservient to the views of the commander
and his government, - >

The Guerriere's established armament con-,
sisted of twenty .-eight long 18-pounders upon;
the main-deck ; sixteen carronades, 352-pounders,;
a 12-pound launch-carronade, and two long;
9-pounders, upon the quarter-deck and fore-;,
castle ; total 47 guns. The Guerriere, like most
French ships, sailed very much by the head;.
Lqd, to assist in giving her that trim, as well as
to obviate the inconvenience of a round-house
which intervened between the foremost and
bridle ports on each side, and prevented the.

< '

CABAT BRITAIN AVD AMERICA.

1<95

gun stRtioned at the former port from being
jBhifted to the latter, when required to be us^d
4n chase, two additional IS-poundors, 88 stand*-
jng-bow-chase guns9 were taken on board at
lialifax. These guns, not acting upon the
broadside, will not be estimated as part of the
bropxlside-force ; nor will the launch-carronade,
because, owing to its own defects, or the want
of some of its appendages, no use whatever was
made oi it. When Captain Skeiie had the
Guerriere, he had ports fitted upon her quarter*
deck for two brass IS-pounders, given to him
by the Duke of Manchester. Upon quitting
the Guerriere, Captain Skene, of couilse^ took
with Jiim his brass guns. The vacant ports led
some of the Constitution's officers to suspect,
that the Guerriere's people had, between the
time of surrender and of taking possession,
thrown two of her guns overboard. «{

< It is singular that Captain Hull's letter does
not mention the force of the Guerriere. The
^' Parti^iulars'^ state, plainly enough,—-*' mount-
ing 49 carriage-guns;" — ^but that was not in
the official letter. The people, therefore, had a
right to indulge their imaginations on the sub-
ject; bearing in mind, no doubt, that the com-
mander of their frigate Constitution, whqse size
and ^irce they well knew, hdd spoken ofr— *^ so
fine a ship as the Guerriere." Had the citizens,
in general, given the Guerriere 60 guns, little

\ ,

s .}.

f '

'M6 ilMAV MMRCrMCB §Ktifkiii

I'i li

mm--&

•tit^se t^iikl hikfii beeit crated; but ^bftt
ibidl We tkf to '' tb^ sMate and boiisd of h^pre-
•0etitatm»of tb« Uiiiied States ^f AmCJrica^ th
congress assembled,'^ pmsiag a i^soliitidn, ex-
'presfling, tbat the Constitutiofn of "44 gunSf* ^
bad succeeded '* in attacking, tanqiiisbing, and
capturing, tbe British frigate Guerriere, mount-
ing 54 oarrtage-guns"?--^Tbe honorable moVer of
this fHtming resolution prefaces it with,—*** Far;
very for, be it from m^ to boast" ; — and then
grcrely assures the hoase^ that '^ the facts stated
in the resolution have been ascertained at the
proper department, and the proofs are on the
table"!!

Of men and boys, the Guerriere had, origi-
nally belonging to her, 903. The purser's stew-
ard (whose business it is to iserre out the rations
ef the ship) declares, that Lieutenant Pullman^
a lieutenant of marines^ three niidshipmen, and
83 seamen and marines, were absent from the
ship in prizes; thai the Guerriere yictualled, on
the morning of the action, exclusive of four of
five women, and some prisoners, 264; that seven
of these were Americans who had been in the
ship some years; that Captain Dacres (highly
to his credit) gave orders that they should go
below; that they all did so, except one, sta^
tioned forward, who, not having heard the word
pass, remained at his quarters; that 10 df the
crew were boys ; most of them very young..-. •»•

,■■»

-t'

■IS,-

GaSAT BRITAIN AND AHBBICA. IM

This account lUlows the Guerriereto have had
at quarters, Sd9 officers and men, and 19 boys »
but, as Captain Dacres has staled the absent
men at 24, and the number of men at quartera
at 244, his account will be deemed the most
correct. Captain Hull prefers the number bn
the '* quarter-bill"; and the <' Partieulars,^'^
without any ceremony, state,--—'' manned with
302 men." 1-

The Constitution's officers used ev^ry art to^
inveigle Iha Guerriere's men into their semrice.
Sixteen or eighteen, Americans and other fo-
reigners, and about eight British, who had;
been pressed in their way out to the United
States, remaided at Boston, when the cartel
sailed. Mo6t of the former, and two of the
latter, had previously entered on board the Con-)
stitution. With the above exception, the Guer-
riere's surviving crew, and a fine set of men they
were, returned to Halifax N. S. Several of them
passed into the Shannon; where they found
ample relief for their wounded pride, in the
subsequent achievement of that ship.

Captain Dacres, in his official letter, says:
*: 1 feel it my duty to state, that the conduct of
Captain Hull and his officers to our men, has
been that of a brave enemy ; the greatest care
being taken to prevent our men losing the
smallest trifle.'' — Unfortunately, Captain Dacres
had Uiade this declaration before he discovered

108

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

the insidious attempts of the American officers
upon his men ; or that, when the latter, on re-
moving fVom the Constitution, called for their
bags, they were delivered up, nearly eihptied of
their contents.v..-^.^

i'' The armament of the Constitution consisted
of thirty long 24-pounders upon the main-
deck, twenty four carronades, d2*pounders, and
two long English 18s, bored to carry a 24-pound
shot, (and therefore considered as 24s,) upon the
quarter-deck and forecastle; total 66 guns.
Except as to the improvement in the 18-pound-
ers, this account of the Constitution's force is
confirmed by the editor of the ** Naval His-
tory ,'' as will be seen presently. The Constitu-
tion had eight ports of a side upon her quarter-
deck, a gangway-port, fitted to receive a shift-
ing long gun or carronade, and five ports of a'
side upon her forecastle. Between the quarter-
deck and forecastle, were breech ing-rings and
bolts, calculated fo|r four guns of a side ; if ne-
cessary to mount them: which guns, by the ac-
counts of her ofiicers, she mounted, when em-
ployed in the Mediterranean.

Although the Constitution did not, like the
President and United States, carry guns in her
tops, a deliberate contrivance for destruction
Was resorted to, of which man^ were the victims
onboard the Guerriere. Seven men werestrfi'
tioned in each top; six of whom were employed

GREAT BRITAIIf ANO AMERICA^

109

in loading fbr him that was the b^t tnarkflman.
Captain Dacres was wounded in the back hj
one of these riflemen ; and, had the ball passed
half an inch more in front, he, too, would have
been numbered among the dead. ^

i The employment of nfied-barrel pieces in
naval warfare, is certainly a great improvement.
We use them in the army, but not in the navy.
Robins, speaking of rifles, says: — ** The ex*
actness to which those who are dexterous in the
use of these pieces, attain, is indeed wonderful ;
and that, at such distances, that if the bullets
,were fired from the common pieces, in which the
customary aberration takes place, not one in
twenty of them could ever be traced.
> The Constitution's complement, when she
sailed from Boston on the 3d of August, was
about 476. On the 17th, Captain Hull re-cap-
tured, from the Avenger sloop of war, the Ame-
rican brig Adeline ; on board of which he placed
a prize-master, and, it is understood, seven men.
This leaves 468 ; the number stated by her own
purser's steward to have been victualled, exclu-
sive of a few prisoners, on the morning of the
Rction, Among them, scarcely one was to be
seen that would rate us a boy in the British
service; yet three boys will be allowed. A
' great many of the Constitution's crew were re-
cognized by Captain Dacres as British seamen,
principally Irishmen. The Guerriere's people

1 T

« . )

aio

GREAT BRITAIN AN» AMERICA.

! *

ibund amoog them seyeral old acqaRintaiices
•ad vk\pmt^ie9. One fellow, who, after the ac-
tion, was sittiqg under the half-deck, busily
employed in making buck-shot cartridges to
mangle his honorable couotrymen, had served
iind«r the first lieutenant. He now went by a
Jiew name ; but, on seeing his old commanding
jofiMXir standing before him, a glow of shame
over-spread his countenance. Were it possible
ihat the Constitution'is ship's comiiaoy could,
At thk time, have been inspected by the officers
of tha British navy, generally, how many, be-
sides the oommissioned officers and the riflemen,
would have proved to be native Americans ? «
The Guerriere was captured from the French
on the 10th of July, 1806, by the Blanche, Cap-
l»in Lavie. The following was the force of the
two ships :— Guerriere, ttventy-eight long 18-
poimders, and two 68-pou&d carronades (in the
bridle-ports, iand therefore of no use in the
broadside,) upon the main-deck, ten long 9-
pounders, and tela carronades, d^-pounders,
upon the quarter-deck and forecastle ; total 50
guns. Broadside-weight of metal, (allowing
for difference between French and English cali-
Her,) 514 lbs. ; oompliement of men and boys, in
Rction, 317 ; i»ze in tons, 1084. — Blanche, twen-
ty-^ht long 18-pounders upon the main-deck,
leo long 9-pounder8, and eight carronades, 32*
pounders, upon the quarter-deck and forecastle;

the
the

NATAI< OCOflRiilffOVa BETWBUf tit

total, 46 guns. Bro«dside«w«ight of metal'
49d |)>8. ; fompievienC of men aad bojs, in ao*
tion, 244; size in tons, 1036. — ^This it iotro**
duoed, merely in answer to several statements of
the Americans, to the effect, that the Guerriere,
when c^ur^d from the French, was of much
grei^ter forpe than we admitted her to be, when
she was captured by the Constitution.

The Constitution was built at Boston, and
laifuched on the 81st of October, 1797, Shll
cost 3031,718 dollars, 84 cents ; or, 6$,1U/* 14«r
sterling. Her full dimensions, in hull, spars,
and sails, were fbund in a small IVf.S. n^«oran->
dum-book, taken out of the Chesapeake frigate,
(n prpof of its correctness, the dimensions of the
President and Chesapeake, as there also given,
agree exs^ptly with the measurements since taken
of those ships. The only apparent difierence,
except a triple in the height of decks, between
the dimensious of the Constitution, and of the
President, appears in the " length of gun-deck ;"
which, in the former, is stated at " 175 feet,'',
in the latter ** 174 feet, 10| inches :" a dilfer*
§Qce, in fact, not worth noticing! Mr. Clarke
stales the " gun-deck" of the three '' American
44>gun ships," to be *' about 176 feet ;" and, it
is understood, they are all as nearly of one size,
though dilTeriug somewhat in model, as their
builders could make them. The Constitution
having the same ^* keel for tonnage," and

110 ORBAT BRITAIN AND AMBRICA.

'* breadth of beam" as the President, (lee p^ 31,)
her tonnage, both American and EngKib, must
be the same.

Dimentiant of the two »htpi,

*' Ouerriere,

Ft In.
Length of lower-deck^ from aft-part >
of rabbit of Htem to fore part of 1 155 9
rabbit of uteni-post, J

Breadth/extreme, 39 9

/length, ' 9fi

2 3i

* (.diameter.

: 'ft

Cofutitution*
Pt In. o

173 3

44 4

104

. 3 5

1 9

;(

The Guerriere's spars are taken from those
served out to the largest frigates of her class:'
the Constitution's, partly from the assertions of
her own, and partly from the observations of
British officers. Her main-mast was 2 feet 10
6r 11 inches, in diameter, at the partners ; but
it had four quarter-fishes, each 3^ inches thick,
reaching from a little above the main-deck to
the top ; hooped on after the mast was made :
of course, adding to its strength, as well as
bulk. The reader, therefore, may well conceive
what impression the Guerriere's shot could make
upon her opponent's masts. ^*

Between French ships built in the Mediterra-
nean, and in the ports of tlie Chami^l, there is
nearly as much difference as between our oak

ORBAT IIIITAIN AUD AMBRICA.

lid

and fir-built Hhips. The Guerriere was built at i^.
FOtient, upon a sudden emergencj ; and there*
fore haitiljT run up, with halfoseasoned wood.
Her timbers were, at last, in so decayed a state,
that, hbd the Constitution succeeded in towing
her into Boston, she would not have been worth
the cost of repairing.

By «* a fine ship" is meant, a ship possessing
A>me extraordinary qualification, either of size
or force, or of both. '* Fine'* is not an abso-
lute, but a relative term. How, then, are we
to judge of the officer who, sitting in the cabin
of,' truly, so fine a ship as the Cohstif^ition,
writes home to his government, that, with that
ship under bis command, he has captured — ** sq
Jine m thip ^9 tht GuerrieiiB?^ — Hitd the Guer-
M0te captured the Constitution, then, indeed,,
the' expression would have been correct ; nor^
could Captain Dacres well have said moreiv

Comparative force of the two ships.

Querriertf.

CpnsUtutioD.

Bh«diide.mettlin poundB,{J:j;;*'' If^

364

384

— 517

— 768

Co-.pt.ment, {«-; ^

465
3

-^263

— 468

Siae in tops, 1084

15SS

Three to two in weight of metal and si^, and'
nearly double in men t A reasonable man w^ttl^l*

114

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

i^ 1 !

at least, have divided his praises between the
stronger party, which had conquered, and the
weaker party, which had so bravely resisted.
Not so the Americans; yet, from the excuses
they make, when their Mps are captured, it ii
evident they do not deny the principle. ^

'* When we say to an American, — " Our fri-
gates and your*s are not a match.'' — He^ very
properly replies, — *' You did not think so once.-*':
But what does this amount to ?-— Admitting we
knew the force of the American 44-gun frigates,
before the Guerriere's action, (which was only
partially the case,) and yet considered that our
38-gun frigates were able to fight them, all that
can be said is,<— we are now convinced, that an
American and a British ship, in relative force as
three to twe,.nre not equally matched. The
facts are the same : it is the opinion only that
has changed. Man. the Constitution wit^h 470
Turks, or Algerines ; and even then, she would
hardly be pronounced, now that her ibrce is
known, a match for the Guerriere. The truth
is, the nsLme frigate had imposed upon the pub-
lic ; and to that, and that only, must be at-
tributed, the angry repinings of many of the
British journalists, at the capture of the Guer-
riere.. They, sitting safe at their desks, would
have sent her, and every soul on board, to the
bottom, with colours flying ; because her anta-
gOBi»t Was-^*' a frigate" : whereas, had the Con-

^i'"

0RBAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

115

stitution been called ** a 50-gun ship," a de-
fence only half as honorable as the GUerriere's
was, would have gained for her officers and
crew universal applause.

-Captain Hull, and the officers and crew of
the Constitution, deserve much credit for what
they did do ; first, for attacking a British fri-
gate ikt all ; and next^ for conquering one, a
third inferior in force. It was not for them to
reject the reward presented by the ** senate and
house of representatives/* because it expressed
to be, for capturing a ship, '* mounting 54
carria^e^guns" ; when, in reality, she only
mounted,' at most, 49. They, no doubt, smiled
at the credulity of the donors ; and, without
disputing the terms, pocketted the dollars. But
are we to sit still, and hear our gallant seamen
libelled, because it may suit the Americans to
invent any falsehoods, no matter how flagrant,
to force a valiant character upon themselves ? —
Let him, who thinks so, pack himself off to the
United States, and there join in defaming his
countrymen.

The editor of the "Naval History," who,"
seemingly, delights in mysterious language, says
thus of the Guerriere's capture : — ** It has mani-
fested the genuine worth of the American tar ;
and that the vigorous co-operation of the coun-
try is an 'he requires, to enable him to meet,
even under disi^dvantageou^ circumstances, and

i2 .

((

: I

T J

fv r:- mil- m

isr

:i; *!•'

^10 NAVAL OCCURRFNCES BCT^i^JSlSlf

to derive glory from the encouiiter wit|i, tb^
naval heroes of a nation which has so k>^ tnM^
the waves." In the midst of all this flummery)
how came Mr. Clark to stumble upon 'Vdisadr
vantageous circumstances"? On which tjido
were they? Hf'

f The Americans had reai^n, indeed,, to exult
at the capture of a Qritish frigate. Wken,
,too^ it is known that, at the t^m^ of tj^e lijttl^
ffelt's aflfair, that shi^ and the Guerriere be-
longed to one station, and were actuary seeking
each other ; and that the Guerriere's O0icers, by
language of defiance, and otherwise, subset
quently made themselves extremely oboftl^99
to the Americans, the reader will readily i*on*
ceive, that no frigate in the navy p,ou)d ^^*~
been so desirable a trQphj as the Pl^ they did
take.

There is no qi^estion, that our vanity re-
ceived a wonnd ii| the loss of the Querriere,
3ut, poignant as were the national feeliogf^, re*
ilecting men hailed the lS|t|i of August, I919,,a«
the commencement of an sera of renovation to
the navy of England. Through such a nia^s of
^hips, however, the progress of amendment
would necessarily be slow. A real scarcity oi
seaipen retarded tl^e operation ; and, finlortur
nately, the clasu of ships, the least iii^^rested in
prepa,rations to meet t^e Ameri^anf|> ihi^d th^
^rst pick of the men. So that, eveiii|t,t|i|| cpn-

• i

COtEAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

lit

elusidn o^ peace with tbe United States, not
more than half our fngates had improtred in
men, gunnery, or appointments -, and as to our
18-gun brigs, it would have taken another three
yeada* war, to render them as effective, as their
Implied Ibrce^ the character of the officers, and
the lives of the men, imperiously demafided.
, All author, whose book, says one of his cri-
tics, '' owes nothing to fictioii, nothing to artful
disposition of drapeiy, to affected attitude, or to
gaiidy, over-heightened colouring, but is all
matter of autlientic history,'^ — ^has subjoined to
his account of the Guerriere's action, a disser-
tation upon the comparative force of the old
British «;8, (now 46,] and the American 44*gua
ships. As it may be no less amusing than in-
struotiire' to learn, by what species of logic the
Americans have persuaded themselves, and
would persuade the w^rld, that the force ol
^ the Americati 44-gun frigates an^ of the Bri*
tish 39», is very nearly equal," Mr. Clark^s
highly-applauded arguments upon the subject
are here given in his^ own'' words : **"*•

1 «« Much having been said on the, disparity of
force between the American 44-gun frigates and
the Britii^ 38, the rates of the Constitution and
Guerriere, it will, perhaps^ not be out of place
here, to give a comparative view of the force of
each* Both the American 44-gun ships and the
British d8-gun ships are constructed on the

^v-

■f:

lis

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

same principles, and their guns are placed in the ^
same relative position, forming batteries of a -
similar nature. The guns in each ship are
placed on the main or gun-deck, the quarter*
decH, and the forecastle. The gun-deck; which
may be considered as the line of defence, is ^
about 176 feet long in the American 44-gun
ships, and about 160 feet in the £nglish d8-gun
ships. The line of defence, therefore, in the
Anierican 44-gun ships, exceeds the English by
about 16 feet. But, it is to be observed, that
, the length of the liiie of defence by no means
implies strength. This essentially consists in
the number of guns that can be placed in bat-
tery, with advantage in a given line, and the
strength of the ramparts and parapets, in which
light the sides of the ship may be considered.
A line of defence of 200 feet, mounting 90 guns
in battery, would b^ about one-fourth weaker,
and produce an effect one-fourth less, than a
line of defence of 150 feet long, mounting the
iF.ame nuipber of guns. The. American 44-gun
ships mount thirty 24-ppunders on the gun*
deck, twenty four df^-pounder carronades, and
two 18-pounders, on their quartertdeck and fore-
castle, or upper deck^. The British 36*guii ships
mount twenty eight 18-pOunderi5 on" their gun-
deck, eighteen d'2-pound carronades, and two
18-pounders, on their quarter-deck' and fore-
castle, besides a 24-pounder shifting gun. In

((

GREAT BRITAIN AND AiMlBRIOA.

119

an engagement between ship and ship, the effect
produced is by the broadside, or the number of
guns placed in battery on one side of the ship ;
so that only half the number of guns in a ship
can be considered as placed in battery, in its
length or line of defence. The number of guns,
therefore, of the American 44-gun shipft, placed
vin battery. in its line of defence, of 176 feet,
will be 28. The number of guns in the English
38-guniihips, placed in battery in its line of
defence, of idO feet, will be 24 ; but, a^ they
carry a shifting gun, which may be placed in
battery on either side, the number will actually
be 25; so> that the number of guns in battery
in the American 44-gun ships, will exceed those
in the English 38-gun ships only one-tentb.
But the Aiiierican line of defence is one-tenth
longer, and consequently would be one-tenth
weaker tban the English, if it had only the same
number of guns in battery ; consequently, the
force of each, when the line of defence, and
number of guns placed in battery are consi-
dered, is very nearly equal. • • - i
# ** The American 44-gun ships carry 24-
pounders on their gun-decks ; the English, 18-
pounders. But, are not 18-pounders of suthcient
weight of metal for the service of large frigates,
and fully calculated to produce every effect that
may be required in an engagement between fri-
gates? — It has, moreover, been asserted by tha

190

KATAL 0CCUARBNGE8 BETWBBIT

- I

-i n

officers of the Constitution, that the shot of the
Java's 18'pounders were onlj three pounds
lighter than those of the American 24-pounderB,
after accurately weighing them both ; so that,
consequently, the difference in weight of metal
was only one-eighth. ' ' ^

L 'Mt has been asserted in the British news-
papers, that the American frigates were 74s in
disguise. It has also been asserted by an Eng-
lish naval commander, in his official letter, that
the American 44-gun ships were built with the
scantling of a 74. If, by this assertion, he
meant to insinuate that the American 44-gun
ships were of the same nature with a 74, or
Uiips of the line, he has manifested an extreme
want of candor, or want of professional know-
ledge. 74-gun ships are all of the line; that is,
they have guns moimted on two gun-decks»
extending th«^ whole length of the ship, or its
line of defence, besides those on the quarter*
deck ard forecastle ; and, in addition to these,
there are guns on tl^ poop. The length of the
line of a 74 is about the same as that of the
American 44-gun ship. A 74-gun ship mounts
aboi|t 88 guns; consequently, the number of
guns placed in battery in her line of defence,
will be 44 guns ; and, in the American frigate
of 44. guns, only 28 in the same line of de&nce;
consequently, the strength of the line of defence
of a 74, is not very far from <kublf{ that of ayt

't'

«RBAT BfLTTkin AND AMERICA.

Idl

American 44-gun ship, considered in respect of
the number of guns, without taking into consii
deration the difference in weight of metal, and
the compactness and strength of sides;

'* This, we believe, sufficiently demonstratea
the illiberality and absurdity of comparing the
American 44-gun frigates to British 74s, with a
view to disparage the rising glory of the Ame*
rican navy, and to depreciate the noble exploits
of her gallant tars/'

Although this elaborate performance purports
to have been drawn up by no less a man than
the *' United States' topographical engineer,'*
it shall not escape such an examination, at leasts •
as will serve to expose its most important faU
lacies.

That *^ the American 44*gun ships, and the
Brkish 38-gun ships, are constructed on tho
saiae principles," is an assertion that might be
easily disproved; the latter having a wide waist,'
that leaves no room for the use of guns along*'
the gangways ; and the former, an entire upper'
deck, reaching from stem to stem. (See plate 3.)-
But, as the British have built ships of a similai^
construction, and called them frigates ; and, a*
th« reader has ?ilready been put on his guard,
against drawing any conclusions as to relative
forcejinerely because two ships are classed under
one denomination, (see p. 36,) the above »tate-^
mcnt of Mr. Clark's may be allowed to pass. •

Mr. Clark's 44-gun frigate being *' one tenth >

^^i
)

' !■

r'i|

f !

12d

.NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEB19

longer" than the d8-gun frigate, has occasioned
Mm to say a great deal in depreciation of a long
?* line of defence." Among salt-water engineers,
^or navy -men, a long ship is considered to have
an advantage over a short, one, as well from the
additional room upon . her ■ decks, as from her
ability to bring one or more guns, at either ex-
treme of her ** line of defence," to bear diago-
nally across her opponent. Of course, it is not
meant to carry this principle ad injimtum^ but
to confine it to ships, or floating batteries in
general. Agreeably to Mr. Clark's doctrine, our
old first-rates, of 165 feet gun-deck, were pre-
ferable ships to our present first-rates, of f205
feet gun-deck ; and the old three-decked 80s,
of 1 56 feet, to a two-decked 80, of 197 feet.
' In moderiate weather, the ship with most
decks, or '* lines of defence," is certainly en-
abled lo throw her shot more in a mass; and
therefore with more destructive effect. On the
other hand, blowing weather and a heavy sea,
may compel her to. shut her lower-deck ports;
and at a time, too, when a large frigate, from
the additional height of her ports, could fight
every gun she mounted. So that, tiaking all
circumstances into consideration, the question
of comparative force still resolves itself into —
the relative broadside-weight of metal. — Does
the editor of the " Naval History" pretend to
say, that American ships do not carry *' shifting

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

13d

h After Mr. Clark hsLS proved that the forte* of
the American 44 and the British 38,^ is **Tei7
nearly equal/' he asks: — ** Are not l^-pounders
of sufficient weight, of metal for the service of
large frigates; and fully calculated to produce
every effect that may be required in an engage-
ment between frigates?" If, by " large fri^j
gates," Mr. Clark means the American 44s, the
answer to the first question is — ^o/ because the
deck-beams, sides, and timbers, of the 44, are
calculated to bear i24-pounders. - If, by ** large
frigates," he means the preseiit British ,46s j
(old38S)) the answer is, — i/es; because the'diecki
beams, sides, and timbers of ^the latter, are cal-
culated to bear only IS-poDnders.* This will api
pear clearer by stating, that, while th^ 30 loi%
24-pounders, with their carriages complete^
placed upon the 44's main-deck, weigh 88 tons,
2 cwt, the28 long 18-pounders, With their car-
riages complete, placed ^on the 38'8 or 46*s
maifl-deck, weigh but 67 tons, 18 cwt. '»5

As to the second question, that is already an»
swered f unless Mr; Clarke means to say, that
the effect produced by an IS-pounder, is equal
to the effect produced by a 24-pounder; or that
the *^ effect required to be produced in an en*^
gagement between frigates" does not consist of
destruction at all, but of something else ; which
something he has not ventured to explain.'' '^'
- With respect to the Java's shot weighing more,

■i

li4

NAVAL OCCUSRHKCIS ■ETWIBIV

or the CbnstiftutroB's len^ Ihan the •noilAnal
weigbt»» tJiat bas been ^lly aiisnvtvefl m i prei-
eediog fagSe. (p. la.) WherieVer Mr. CJark
can provev that Britisli 18, anil Atnerioan 24,
pound shot, ftppreaich minrer, in diameter, tha*
S.04& to Si »5^1, (inches atid decimal parts,) hit
arguments will merit attention. A French
|8-pound shot tveighs SO^ poands» English ;
ivhieb is only a trifle beyond ^' three pounds
lifter" thain a shot Weighing 24 poaMb £ng-
lisbi and the Javat from which the shot in; ques-
tion waiB taken, had been a French ship, and
then recently fitted out for the first time. Might
not some o^ the Ffenoh shot have be^n left oil
bourd? lii that case, the reason for sielecting^
t0 be ** accurately iii^eighed/' one of thiem, in
prefhrenoe to one of the £ngHsh IBs, is obvious.
As to the American shot selected to be placed
in the opposite scale, who knows but that the
American commandeii order to be set apart, for
this important service, one particular shot,— -the
fisaalUst in the ship. -^^* ^^-^^

Insteaf* of proceeding to disprove Captain
Carden's assertion that '' the American 44*«gun
ships were built with the scantling of a 74,'^ Mr.
Clark shifts his ground to the '' nature'^ of a
74 ; and gives his readers a happy definition of
"a- ship of the line."

The force of the American 44-gun frigates,
will now be fairly compared with that of several

classes
Americ

possible
mankii
by Am(

fieca
rpnade^
dent, ^
of an I
stitulio
ers; ai
Guerrii
32-poa
other 1
gates, t
a^sTwe]
class.
44s, th
the full
gatfe ca
nate p

Th^
•tandai
becausi
na.vy^
session
have ai
st^tem<
m^as^l

OBEAT BRITAIN AND AMBRICA.

classes t>f British ships ; and, if to dianye th«
Americans, be a hofMeless task, it maj yet be
possible to convince the unprejudiced part of
mankind, iha^ our three frigates were captured
by American shipp;, equal in foripe to Biitish Q4s.

Because the Constitution carried lighter car-
ronades than either the United States or Presi-
dent, Mr. Clark has selected her as his standard
of an American 44-gan frigate. But the Con-
stitution it as able as they are, tp ^ar^y 4d-ppb]|d«
ers ; and the new Americaii<4l-gifl%^ frigate«»,
Guerriere and Java, are 8ta|i|(lit0 ^fljii^ kong
32-pounders upon their iil^Biid«<9||ift. ^^B 1^
other haiiid, neither of our t^nM
gates, the Guerriere in particuvu*) wi6 ail'llf|ctiTe
a$^well^manned, fuUy-e^uijqiieA^g^ipf t|^^^
class. As a mean in ^j0Bi ef the if tr^^^liperiGlii
44s, the United Staw ivjIU jfciff^^^j^^
the full dimensions or^iy||^ <^^
gate can jbe given, witti ^liuracy, by ear forfa-
nate possession of the President.

The Aritish 38-gun frigirte, selected as the
standard of size, will be the Macedonian ; first,
because she was one of the finest in the British
navy^ and next, because she is now in the pos-
session of the Amjsricans: who will therefore
have an opportunity of submitting the folknving
statement of her dimensions, to jkhe test of aptual
m(^as|ireii|i^lit.

«•

>^'

■■y4

.«

106

NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

m.'

:^ 1 i I

m li'

1 1

1 ^'

/ *

r^:

Comparative dimensions of the British 38, (or
t new-rated 4QJ and the American ^i-gun frigate,

44. ;

Ft. In.'

38.

Ft. In.

'•VBT'M^ Whig from for© jwrl of \ ,„_ q
figure-head, to afl-parl of fifcrail,/ ^^ ^

•a

«*>.

.£

^^ JM'-****', being from «ft.p«rt of)
apron to fore-part of •tern-timber > 163 6
at the middle live, . J

> 158 4

extreme, beinr from fore-part of item
atheight of main-deck, lo aft-part
of itern-post, at height of wing-
transonoi

Iff lower-deck, being from aft-part of J .
rabbit of «tera, lo fore part of rab- > 1 54 Q
bitofttern-poit, - y

of arluttlkeH, being from fore part ^
of fore-foot, lo aft part of »lcru- V
post, J

overall, or to outside of main-inraili,

extreme^ or of frame, including the *>
plauk at the bottom, f

moulded, or of frame on\j.

179 7

173 3 .

Depth in hold, being from under-side of
lower-deck plank to limbei

}

of lower-deck, ^ midships,
t forward,
C quarter-deck, )
between main and ^ gangways, ^

•^ I forecastle,

'3 ^ from underside of false keel, lo up-\
3h per partof figure-hend, J

from ditto, lo upper-part of fife-rail,

from upper side of 'midship main
deck port-sill, to water's edge
load-watermark,

f afore,
Load-draught of water, i ^^^j^f^

t>.

204

182 9

140

156

' 44

4'^

»; . /»

S ^

] 6

I 6

.
,,4

8 ,

4'*

« •

GHBAT BRITAIN ANH AMERICA. 127

Maio-deck beami,
Ditto portf,

J broad, or $ldedt
\deep, or mouUeit

r width of,

\ distance between,

38.

till »IH»' "• '?

Topsidcfl, thickneu ( main>deckport-tilla,
®^» *' I quarter>deck do.

3
7
1

3
3

Main-uiait,
Uaiiijard,

92
{£ 3|
81 6

..._,.„.
«

44. I

Ft. In.

I
1

3
7
1
1

101
3

98
1

#•

f length,
^diameter,
r length,
^diameter,

Main- C Brit. frig. 7 pain, ") each in ciro
•hroudi, I Am. do. pairs, (cumference,]

In the diameter of the 44's main-tnagt, the
quarter- fishes are included ; inasmuch as they
contribule to the security of the mast in action.
The fore and main-masts of our ships have only a
small fish, or paunch, in front, to admit the yard,
in its descent, to pass clear of the mast-hoops.

The difference between these ships in the
quantity and stoutness of rigging, is an iiuport->
ant consideration. Were the American ship to
lose from her shrouds, a quantity of cordage
equal to the whole over the mast-heads of the
British ship, she would still have enough left to
support her masts. '* -

» I'he relative stoutness of top-sides cannot
be fully expresjsed by feet and inches; for,
while the timbers of the American 44 are placed
as close together as they well can be, there is a

»tf'

* Including the quarter.fishes, see p. 112.

"IT

HmVAL OCOVajtBNVBB BltWBMT'

. Jr ■ ■

fff::.'l!

I'Wil'i':;'!' '

':■■ Ji

■i'. - > u

coiiiiller^li]tJ^«pace between each timber of the
BhtMtMs'B. About three inches below the rnaMi-
4ick^poi»t^sil^, the Preaideiii's 8ic|ea«m t#enty-
ttiro ificheifi through. In faut, ani ^m^ncan shm
tiif'vrir istalmost a be<i of timber ;

Pl^te ^.represents the pl^ns, accuralety tB^kei,
of the gii^rtertdeck and forc|oa«tl^ of the Pren-
4«Qtiirig^, And a frigate bttilt from the same
4itMi|^t a» th^ Macedonian ;. aiii^l whiohv'««nse»
jqnentljr Agrees in dimensions^ with) tlw^3ft*|^9
|rijgafe ib the abore compamtivif 'stal^meni
%h«4|i^renee^^^|^ nanrofir patli oifgailgr

l^l^ifo^ tlie (»||iyenienoeof.waU(i|ig taililAfl^
l$^|fl|HerHd«dk, and abroad spi^i^t calaKlnteil
^k^Wf^^9 four gvinsi is readily s^^; m>mnf
iffiiia j%. 9. tibe rin^-bolts for flif bfoeahlogtof
llios^ glpus,. The reason th^ ringfr fHW >lwed
tjiere^^and not nt the regular ports^ ii»,that the
1br|||)iing pai^ round each port«>timber lit the
Ifif^; whUe^<at the former, there are tio porl^
timbers* tb^ hammock^staim^hions forming the
sides- of the p^rts* There is^ also, at the girnf*
w^ji or entnince on board the ship (^» ig. %)
a negular port; having an iron plate filled to m-
ceiyf the bf|t of a carrona^e^arriage* At a
fig^4* ie se^ir^the quarter-deck chace-port, iritb
the forwardioelination of its sides, and the i^tmt
of room for the gun to recoil, otherwise thaiirin
. an oblique direction. No gun is allowed for this
port; the foremost quarter-tdeek gmi (usuallj a

rv.

Tiff.

PLATE «

|''**»^

JtaU H* of an tnt/i

.^■t-

.^'

->.

m-^

€

:?&'

long gu
when ne
of the t^
that -fig
iig. 2.'s i
decks, t

The r
gate, is
the Ma
iiaving f
.ronade)
.by their
gate's c<
and 21 1

The P
subsequi
she hadr
actwr. tl

Compare

Broadside
in pouii

Complem'

Size in toi

What
this? I

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

1129

long gan) being intended to be shifted there,
when necessary. The reason of the upper decks
of the two ships diflfering so little in width, is,
that fig. 1. is, what is called, wall-sided , while
fig. 2.'s sides fall in as they rise. Upon the main-
decks, the due breadth of edch ship is preserved.
The regular armament of a 38 or 46-gun fri-
gate, is that of the Java. The armaments of
the Macedonian and Guerriere (except as to
Jiaving a 12, instead of an IS-pound boat car-
ronade) were the same as the Java's, till altered
.by their respective commanders. A 46<gun fri-
gate's complement may be stated at 294 men,
and 31 boys; total ^15.

I. The President's armament may be seen at a
subsequent page ; also the number of men which
she had on board, at the commencement of the
acti\/r> that placed her in our possession.

Comparative force of the British 38, {old rate J
and the American 44.

British, (old rate^) 38.

Broadside-metal f long guns, 26 1
in pounds, 1 carronades, £74

535

Complement. {-°; «|J

Size in tons.

315

1081

American 44.

408 '
462

' 900

472
5

477

1533

What have the Americans to urge against
this? Is it not clear, that the relative effi-

i' *

130

NAVAL OCCURRSNCES BBTWEBIf

¥'■ ill

;;

ciency or force of a British (old rate) 38, and
an American 4^1 gun frigate, instead of being,
as Mr. Clark sajs, '* verj nearly equal," is in
the proportion (taking no advantag;e of frac-
tions) oi two to three?

When the Guerriere was captured from the
French, she was pronounced, in reference to
ships like the Blanche, *•* of the largest class^of
frigates.'^ Take the Guerriere, as she then was,
for a standard of the French *' 44-gun frigate" :
her force was barely equal to that of the British
frigate in the above comparative statement.
What then becomes of the mass of groans and
lamentations to be found in British newspapers,
magazines, and registers, about the difference in
the result of actions between British and French
frigates, and British and American frigates ? It
now appears, clearly, that, in the one case, the
ships were about equally matched; in the other,
not so by a full third.

The relative force of the American 44-gun
frigate and the higher classes of his majesty's
ships, comes next to be considered.

In the year in which the American 44s were
built, (1797,) we had in commission, four or fiv^
two-decked ships, rating also of ''44 guns";
whi« ii, if the rate were any criterion, would be
about equal in force to the American 44-gun
frigates. But they were much inferior to the
-old 50-gun ship; whose force, as we have

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

131

gun

the

lave

Keen, (p. 71,) did not equal even that of an
American d6-gun frigate. .

The gnns of the British 64^ and the 74 and
76, of the present ratess are here given together.

British.

64.

Lower-deck^ 261ong£4-pr8.
Upper-deck, 26 — 18 —

Qr.-deckandC 2 — 9 —
forecastle,^ 12 carr.dS —

Poop,

Total,

5 — 18 —
71 guns.

74.

28 long 32-prs.
28 — 18 —

8 — 12 — -
I2carr.32 —

7 — 18 —
83 guns.

76.

28 long 32'-prs.
30 — 24 —

6 — 12 —
2carr.68 —

12 — 3*2 —

7 — 18 --

CIS

|85 guns.

If the " admiralty-office navj-list'^ is correct,
such of bis majestj^s ships as mount guns upon
the poop, are still under-rated. The force of the
above 74 is precisely that of the San Domingo
and Valiant, when on the American coast ; and
the force of the 76 is that of the Bulwark, when
on the same station. Deducting from the latter,
the two 68-pound carronades, which were the
captain's guns; and, from each ship one of
the 18-pound carronades, as being a boat-gun,
both the Valiant and Bulwark, to correspond
with the order in council, should rate as 82s.
The San Domingo, although built in 1810, is
not in the list, having been broken up this
twelvemonth.

In the springof 1814, the new Leander, built
of pitch-pine, and intended to match the large

K 2

r 14

132

NAVAL OCCURRBNCES BETWEEN

[ff :;iir:f^

m ^^

V '!

American frigates, arrived ou tlie Halifax sta^
tion. She then mounted thirty long 24-poimd<
ers upon the main-deck; and twenty-four car-
ronades, 42-pounders, and four long 24-pound-
ers, upon the spar-deck ; total 58 guns ; besides
an 18-pound boat-carronade. There was here
no disguise whatever : the ship had two complete
batteries of a side, reaching from stem to stern.
The Leander was not the sort of frigate to en-
tice the American 44s within gun-shot. The
Americans proclaimed both her and the New-
castle to be two-deckers; and who could say other-
wise? With the reduction of two of her 24s,
and two of her 42s; and using the remaining
two upper-deck 24s as shifting guns, one on the
forecastle, the other through the gangway-port*
the Leander might have been constructed as a
regular 54-gun frigate ; and yet fought the same
number of guns upon the broadside, within one,
that she does at present. The Leander still
mounts no more than 58 guns, and a boat-car-
ronade ; yet, in the ^' admiralty-office navy list"
for March last, the Leander, Newcastle, Java, and
ships of that class now building, rate of 60 guns ;
while, in the same list, the Saturn, razee^ of much
greater physical force, rates two guns fewer.
. What created the greatest surprise at Halifax,
when the Leander first arrived there, was the ap-
pearance of her ship's company. People natu-
rally expected to see a picked crew of British set-

men. '
old an<
very fc
Leande
tained
pea red
capture
iicers c<
a crew
tion's; J
of the F
board tl
topsidec
general]
rican ofl
the Con
Thin
It is sai(
the thin
grape, t
passage
Leander
is brou^
that str
without
than th
come tc
44s; she
determii
at least,

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

133

men. Instead of which, they saw tall and short,
old and joung ; and soon learnt that there were
very few seamen in the ship. Nominally, ^^^
Leander was well manned, for her books con-
tained the names of 485 ; but 44 of them ap-
peared as — boys. During her first cruize, she
captured the U. S. brig Rattlesnake ; whose of-
iicers could not help smiling at the idea bf such
a crew being sent out to oppose the Constitu-
tion's; a sample of whose men, in the late crew
of the Rattlesnake, 131 in number, was then on
board the Leander. The flimsiness of that ship's,
topsides, and the smallness of her scantling,
generally, also took the attention of the Ame-
rican officers ; most of whom had served on board
the Constitution. sir.

Thin sidesf however, have their advocates.
It is said that, when a ship is closely engaged,
the thinner her sides, provided they can resist
grape, the less destructive will be the shot in its
passage through. The case of this very same
Leander, when so gallantly engaged at Algiers^
is brought forward. There, most of the shot
that struck her, passed through both sides,
without splintering; leaving a hole no larger
than the shot itself. But, had the Leander
come to action with one of the American
44s; she having the weather-gage, and being
determined to preserve, for the first half-hour
at least, that distance, at which her skill it?

s I I

'I 1

134

NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN )

,' '"'' ill

iMl

l:'i i

\m i'l 111' !{'

1 i'*' r--

H 1'^ 1 :'-

®^

gunnery could best display itself, the latterV
24-pound shot would have found their way
through the Leander's sides, quite slow enough
to splinter; while her 24-pound shot, or the
greater part of them, would have lodged in the
sides of the American ship. — Had the Algerines
commenced firing when they ought, the Leander
would have had splinters enough*

Two other classes of newly -constructed fri«
gates were also sent out upon the Amevitan sta-
tion. The Severn, Liverpool, and Forth, dif-
fered from the 388, in carrying 24s upon the
main-deck, and four additional 32-pound car-
ronades upon the quarter-deck and forecastle.
They had about 350 men and boys; and mea-
sured a little under 1260 tons. It is difficult to
say, for what description of American fiig^te,
these ships were intended. For a comparative'
statement of their force, the £ndymion*s action
may be consulted. The other class alluded to,
consisted of the Majestic, Saturn, and Goliah,
razees, or cut-down 74s. The force of the first-
named of these newly-invented frigates has
been already given. (See p. 34.) In broadside-
weight of metal, they were far too formidable
to be esteemed a match for any of the American
frigates, except the new Guerriere and Java.
Theiif crews were tolerable: the Saturn's, in-
deed, was a remarkably fine one.

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

135

lean
lava,
iii-

Compar alive force of the American 44, with the
British 60, — 64,— 74,— awrf 76.

,MV '.

Britbh.

.4*fyfH>- American 44.

'm.

64.

74.

76.

Br. met. n.gun8^408
iopds. Icarr. 462

408

555

748

844

504

246

'264

332

900

912

— 801

— 1012

— 1176

Comple- i men, 472
ment, Iboys^ 5

441

462

55S

60S

29.

— 477

— 485

— 491

— 590

— 640

Size in tons, 1533

1571

1415

17J8

1925

Upon the face of this statement, the Ameri-
can 44-gun-ship is inferior in force to the
British 60. Nor, had the former met and en-
gaged the Leander, should we have been allowed
to say one word upon the quality of the men^
and the disproportion of boys, in the two com-
plements, nor upon the difference in stoutness
of scantling; of whivh the relative sizeyin tons
is here a most fallacious criterion.
,^The President and the Africa were, at the
first of the war, cruizing at no great distance
apart. Had they met and engaged, here would
have been a fair match. In broadside- weight of
metal, the 64 is a trifle inferior; and, in bad
weather, might, like the two-decked 44 or 50,
be compelled to shut her lower-deck ports. In
men, the 64 is also inferior, but has the advan-
tage in boys. In size, no great disparity exists.
It may therefore safely be atfirmed that^ except

=^,l M

Mil

136

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

the new 608, the only class of ship in the British
navy, to which an American 44-gun frigate is
equal in force, is the 64.

The 74 in the above comparative statement,
if the boys are dismissed from the two comple-
ments, does not appear to be so decidedly supe-
rior to the American 44-gun i^hip, as to warrant
the author of the " Naval History^' in exclaim-
ing againfit the *' illiberality and absurdity of
comparing the American 44-gun frigates to
British 74s."

It is believed that the American government,
in publishing Captain Stewart's paper, (see
p. 16,) wherein he states, that a 74-gun ship is
a match for " three large fri gates,'' had for one
object, to check the further progress of an opi-
nion, then becoming prevalent throughout the
United States, tliat an American 44-gun frigate
was, in truth, not very unequal in force to a
British 74. But Captain Stewart's 74 throws a
broadside of 1612, instead of 1176 pounds, the
force of the British 76, (with two 68-pound car-
ronades added to her established armament,)
and his *' large frigate," 680, instead of 900
pounds. So that the American estimate relates
to ships differing widely in force from those,
between which the present comparison is made. "
It may serve to illustrate the remarks made at a
preceding page (p. 17) upon Captain Stewart's
argument about the difference in scantling be«

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

137

tfreen 748 and frigates, to mention, that the top-
sides of the Independence 74, at the lower-deck
port-sills, are stated to be thirty one inches

. thick; while no British-built 74 measures, at
that place, more than twenty six inches. ly
n To complete the exposure of the Americans^
for having gasconaded so much at the capture of
our 38, by their 44 gun frigates, it remains
only to suppose a case, wherein an American
44 is captured by a British ship, as much supe-
rior in force to her, as she was to the 38.

The set of figures that would give that prov
portion are — ^broadside-weight of metal, 1514;
^-complement, 722;—- size in tons, 2173. As;
however, no ship in the British navy, except the
Caledonia or Nelson, throws a broadside equal
to 1514 pounds, the above-mentioned 76 will,

'V for argument's sake, be considered as possessing

A the required superiority in force.

Chance might have brought the President
and Bulwark within sight of each other. But,
where is the credulity to be persuaded, that the
former would have staid to fight ; much more,
have fought on, till her masts W6re all shot
away, her hull shattered to pieces, and a third
of her crew killed and wounded ? — Rather than
miss the comparison, probability must be vio-
lated, and such a case be supposed to have
happened.

138

NAVAL OCCURRENOBS BETWEEN

\ii^'.

' To finish the comparison, we must also tap*
pose, that the British, lost to all sense of shame,
— bereft of reason, in fact^^do actually publish
this capture of the American 44-gun ship by
their 76, as a ** glorious victory,"— knight the
conqueror, — make him free of cities, — escort
him on his journeys with a body of troops,-—
cheer him as he passes, — erect triumphal arches
to him, — weigh down his sideboard with plate, — >
strike ofT medals, adorned with emblematical
devices,'— set sculptors, painters, and poets to
work, to immortalize the ** brilliant exploit ;" — •
and, finally, hang up, by way of sign, at every
tenth public-house, a view of the action, re-
versing the size o5 the ships.— ^What would the
other nations of £urope say? — What would
America say? t

y k '.\ '

•

OBEAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA*.

139

h'^^r.

. S

»-<^^a i^i

GH.1PTER VL

y»,i' iith Ai*

Frolic leaves Jamaica for Horduras — Sails thence
with convoy — Hears of the American war —
Encounters, and is disabled by, a severe gale of
wind — Falls in with the Wasp — Sends convoy
O'head — Details of the action — Frolic surren-
ders — Re-capture of her, and capture of the
Wasp — Frolic's and Wasp's damages, loss, and
force — Statement of comparative force — Remarks
thereon — Macedonian sails from England —
Parts company witl her convoy — Falls in with
the United States — Sustains an irreparable acci-
dent at the onset — Details of the engagement —
Damage, loss, and force, of each ship — Their
relative size considered' — Commodore Chauncey's
opinion of the frigate United States^Statement
of comparative for ce-^^ Remarks thereon — Mace-
donian and French captured frigates,

XX* M. brig Frolic arrived in the West Indies
in 1807, and continued cruizing there till the
middle of 1812 ; when she left Fort Royal, Ja-.
maica, to collect the homeward-bound trade at
Honduras, and convoy them to England. She
was, at this time, very short of complement ;

'iimSt ^'fi

-t

140

NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

and the majority of her crew in a debilitated
state, owing to the length of time they had been
on the station. Upwards of 40 would have been
invalided, had the war with America been
known, or even suspected.

The Frolic left the bay of Honduras on the
12th of September, with about 14 sail under
convoy; and, when off the Havannah, Captain
Whinyates was infonned by a Guernsey ship,
,of the war with America, and the Iqss of the
Guerriere. On the night of Friday, the 16th of
October, the Frolic and her convoy encountered
a violent gale of wind, in which they separated,
and she had her main-yard broken in two places,
and her main-top-mast badly sprung; besides
much other damage. Her fore-top-mast also
had been previously sprung.

Six sail of the convoy had joined before dark
the next evening ; and, on the following morn-
ing, at daylight, whil« the Frolic's men were at
work upon the main-yard, a sail hove in sight,
which, at first, was taken for one of the missing
convoy. Upon her nearing the Frolic, and not
answering the signals, the main-yard was got /
off the casks, and lashed to the deck ; and the
Frolic hauled to the wind, under her close-
reeved fore-top-sail, and boom-main-sail, to let
the convoy get sufficiently a-head, to be out /of
danger.

Captain Whrnyates, having, two days beforci

♦ %*

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

141

passed a Spaiiibli convoy protected by a brig,
hoisted Spanish colours, by way of decoy. An
Koon as the stranger, which proved to be the
U. S. sloop of war Wasp, Captain Jones, disco-
vered that the ships of the convoy were ^ne
miles right to-leeward, under all sail before the
wind, she bore down upon thie Frolic.

The Frolic fired the first broadside, and con-
tinued to fire with such rapidity and precision,
that, in about four minutes, the Wasp'tf fore-top-
mast came down, and she received other consi-
derable damage ; but, at that instant, the Fro-
lic's gaff-head braces being shot away, and
having no sail upon the main-mast, she became
.unmanageable. The Wasp accordingly took a
raking position, while the Frolic could not
bring a gun to bear. After the Frolic had sus-
tained considerable loss by the W^asp's fire, she
fell on board the enemy; who, for upwards of
20 minutes, continued pouring in bis unre-
turned broadsides, and did still more execution
by his musketry. When resistance was quite
at an end, the Americans boarded, and struck
the Frolic's colours.

Mr. Clark gives a more circumstakiaal ac-
count of the action, than is contained in either
official letter. (App. Nos. 13 and 14.) He
begins by slating, that the merchant-ships were
•well manned^- and that four of them mounted
from 16 to 18 guns each ; but that, <' not with-

. i '1?

142

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

v •

llil

standing, Captain Jones resolved to attack
them. The convoy made their escape under a
press of sail. About 11 o'clock, the Frolic
shewed Spanish colours. The M asp immediately '
displayed the American ensign and pendant.
At 32 minutes past 11, the Wasp came down
to-windward on the larboard side of the Frolic.
When within about 60 yards she hailed. The
frolic then hauled down Spanish colours, hoisted
the British ensign, and opened a fire of cannon
and musketry. This was instantly returned by
the Wasp; and, nearing the enemy, the action
became close and spirited. About four oi* five
minutes after the commencement of the action^
the main-top-mast of the Wasp was shot away,
and having Mien, with the main-top-sail-yard,
across the larboard fore and fore- top-sail braces,
rendered her head-yards unmanageable during
the remainder of the engagement. In two or^
three minutes more, her gaff and mizen-top- ^
gallant-sail were shot away. She, however,
kept up a close and constant fire. The sea was
ML rough, that the muzzles of the Wasp's guns *
were irequently under water. The Americans
fired as the side of their ship was going down ;
their shot, of courst; either struck the Frolic's
<deck, or below it. The English fired as their
•vessel rose; their i-.alls, consequently, only struck
the rigging, or were ineffectual.. The W^sp,
having now shot a-head of the Frolic, poured a

[ 1 , "!'''-* ■'/■

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

143

broadside into her, which completely raked her.
She then took a position on the Frolic's lar-
board-bow. A most spirited fire was now kept
up from the Wasp : it produced great efiect.
The fire of the r<t>lic had slackened so much,
that Captain Jones gave up his intention of
.boarding her, lest both vessels might be endan-
gered by the roughness of the sea ; but, in the
course of a few minutes more, not a brace of the
Wasp was left : all had been shot away. Her
rigging was so much torn to pieces, that Cap«
tain Jones was afraid that her masts, being un-
supported, would go by the board, and the Frolic
thereby be enabled to escape ; he therefore re-
solved to board, and at once decide the contest.
With this intention he wore ship, and ran down
upon the enemy ; the vessels struck each otl;ier ;
the Wasp's side rubbed along the Frolic's bow;
the jib-boom of the latter entered between the
main and mizen rigging of the Wasp, directly
over the heads of Captain Jones and his first
lieutenant, Biddle, who were then standing to-
cgether, near the capstan. The Frolic now lay
in so good a position for being raked, that it
was resolved not to board until another broad-
side had been poured into her. So near were
.the two vessels, that while the men were load-
ing the guns, the rammers of the Wasp were
pushed against the Frolic's sides; and two of
her guns went through the bow-ports of the

Ill

iiti t'I

.! ti

ll>ri i

11 1. i! i

i ;hl 1

,144 NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

.Frolic, and swept the whole length of her deck.
About this time Jack Lang, a brave and intre-
pid seamanof the Wasp, and who had once been
.impressed by a British manM>f-war, jumped on
a gun with his cutlass, and was springing on
aboard the Frolic, when Captain Jones, desiring
.to fire again before boardin^^, called him down ;
but, probably, urged on by his impetuosity, he
did not heRr the command of his captain, and
was immediately on the bowsprit of the Frolic.
.Lieutenant Biddle, perceiving the ardor and
.enthusiasm of the Wasp's crew, mounted on the
lianimoclL-clcth to board; the crew immediately
followed ; but the lieutenant's feet being entan-
.gled in the rigging of the Frolic's bowsprit, and
Midshipman Baker, in his ardor to board, lay-
ing hold of hi& coat, he fell back on the W^asp's
deck; he directly sprang up, and, as the next
swell of the sea brought the Frolic nearer, he.
got on her bowsprit, where Lang and anothe-
seaman were already. He passed them on the
forecastle ; and was much surprised at not see-
ing a single man alive . upon the Frolic's deck,
except the seaman at the wheel, and three offi-
.cers. The deck was slippery with blood, and
strewed with dead bodies. As he went forward,
the captain of the Frolic, and two other officers,
/who were standing on the quarter-deck, threw
down their swords, and made an inclination of
;their bcdies as a sign of submission. The co-

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMBRICA.

)oai:s of the Frolic were Still flying; none of lier
seamen, probably^ dared to go into the rigging
tQ strike tbem, for fear of the musketry of the
Wasp. . Lieutenant Biddle, himself, immedi-
^!^^J jumpcyd into the rigging, and hauled down
the {iriti&h ensign. Possesssion was taken of the
Frolic 43 minutes after the commencement of
the action. She presented a most shocking
spectacle: her berth-deck was crowded with
dead,- wounded, and dying. Not above dO of
her crew escaped unhurt."
■,j\t was very good of Mr. Clark to suggest, that
Captain Jon^s resolved to?ittackthe ^^ four well-
manned ships, armed with 16 or 18 guns each.''
Captain Jones had no such intention; or he
would not have waited .till they were hull-down
to-leeward, before he closed upon the Frolic.
The mercantile knowledge of an American com-
mander, was sufficient to inform him, that those
ships would have forfeited their insurances, had
they not obeyed the Frolic's signal to make the
best of their way. There can be little doubt
that a disabled American sloop of war would
have called them to her protection, instead of
engaging single handed, under circumstances
so disadvantageous. i»<^

c^i The argument about the two methods of firing
is ingenious ; but the disabled state of the Fro-
lic before a < shot was fired, and her totally
tinmmnageable state almost immediately after-

> /

1 '

ili'i '

146 NATAL OCCURRENCES BEtWBBf^

wards, accounts for the little execution she 4MJ
Previous to the loss of Her boom-maiil-sai], b^
fire was very far fVom being *' ia^ifeotnal :'' iH
wfts such as, could it have beeil ebntinued^
w6ci^d have captured the Wasp, in a quattei' of
an hour more. Owing to the Fr<ylic's very K^ht
state, (she having scarcely any stores on boai^,)
and her inabiKty to carry sail, the heavy nta
^ing, caused her motion to be much rafore q>ifkk
and violent than that of the Wasp. Und6r siicb
circumstances, it was difficult to point the gunn
with precision ; but, highly to th^ credit 6f hef
officers, the Frolic's men had been esierdsed.

Mr. Biddle's family resides iu Phila^lphia^
within a doot or two of Mr. Clark^s publisher ;
who therefore eould do no less than insert hit
neighbour's aooount of the action» But, in
justice to a gallant young man, H is bnt fkit te
fttate, that Lieutenant Rodgers, of the Wasp-
Was the first American officer on IxHird th^
Frolic.

^ Neither Captain Jones nor Lieutenant Biddle
mentions a word about the crippled stat^ bf (he
Frolic, previous to tlie engagement. Tfaatj
among honorable men, it is customary, in offi-^
cial accounts, to do justice to an enemy, the
Americans themselves have had an instance, in
Captain Hillyar's letter, detailing the capture
bf the Essex. He there particularly notices
*' the very discouraging circumstance of her

9IIKAX BHITAIN ANjD AMI^lIC^.

147

kavang lost her main-tdp-mast.'' (ApjjK Np« 71.)
And Cdptain Tobin, of the Apdromache, in .hi«
letter, detailing iho capture of la Traave, .mag-
nanimously excuses her feeble resistance thus:--r
^' Indeed, such was the disabled state of hef
iaastft previously to our meeting, that any fur^
ther opposition would have bieen the- extreme of
rashpess/' (Nav. Chron. vol. xxx. p. 448.) ,{;

The Ffolio was much shattered in her i^^l|{
and bolli her masts fell over the side* in a f^^
minutes after she surrendered. She; lost 15 men
killed ; her first lieutenant and master, morr
tally, and her commander and second lieute*
nant, severely, wounded; also 43 of her men
wounded severely and slightly: some of whom
died afterwards. Not above 30 men remained
on the Frolic's deck, unhurt : the remainder
were below, attending the wouikled, and per-
formitfg other duties there. .The only Officer
not badly wounded was the purser. It was the
musketry of the Americans that so augmented
the loss, particularly among the wounded. Thf
second lieutenant, Frederick B. Wintle, had two
balls in him, besides being wounded by threes
others'.

The Wasp had a fttw shot in her hull, anc)
one passed near the magazine ; yet, according
to Mr* Clark, or Lieutenant Biddle rather, th^
Frolic fired too high. The Wasp's main-top*
mast was shot away, and her three lower-mastf

l2 '''■'

148

NAVAL OCCimRBUCES BETWBBIT

rr if ■-

I i?

were wounded ; but, owing to the goodness of
the sticks, thej remained standing. Captain
Jones says, lie had ** five killed and A\e
wounded ;" (A pp. No. 14 ;) but some time after
the Wasp and Frolic had been taken possession
of by the Poictiers 74, two men were found
dead in the Wasp's mizen-top, and one in the
main-top •mast-stay-sail netting. When ques-
tioned as to their loss, the Americans gave diffe-
rent accounts ; and it is not likely that Captain
Jones could speak positively on the subject,
considering that both his own vessel and his
prize were taken from him, in less than two
hours after the action terminated. V i

' It is fortunate, that Captain Jones and Lieu-
tenant Biddle did not apprize each other, how
they meant to sirm the Frolic, in their letters
home ; as the essential difference in their state-
ments made even Americans waver. The real
forc^e of the Frolic was sixteen carronades, 32-
pounders, two long 6-pounders, and a 12-pound
boat-carronade, mo^mted upon the top-gallant-
forecastle ; total 19 guns. Her people had,
somewhere in the West Indies, weighed up, out
of shoal water, a 12-pound carronade ; which,
during the action, remained lashed to the deck,
under the top-gallant forecastle. Captain Jones
converted the Frolic's two 6s, and this dis-
mounted carronade, into *' four 12-pouriders
upon the main-deck," and the single carronade

•>£ <i

i*'

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMr.RICA.

149

upon the top-gallant forecastle, into *' tW(>^12-»
poundeiv, carronades;" making the Frolic's
total force amount to *' 22 guns.'' Lieutenant
Biddle correctly enumerated the whole of the
guns, but made ** two long Os" of the 6s ; and,
what must have been a wilful mistake, repre«
sented the mounted and dismounted IS'-poiind
carronades, as '^ 32-pound carronades,'' by giv-
ing the Frolic 18, instead of 16, of the latter.

The Frolic's complement, on going into ac-
tion, consisted of 91 men, and 18 boy ; (most of
them very young ;) together with one passenger,
an invalided soldier ; total 110. Cuptain Jones
knew his interest too well, to toiich upon the
Frolic's complement. Her men, as stated be-
fore, had been for some years in a West India
clinlate; and upwards of 40 of them ought to
have been invalided : none, in short, were in
robust ' health. They, however, behaved eX'p*
tremely well ; and continued cheering during
the whole of the action. One of them, when
desired by Lieutenant Biddle to strike the Fro-
lic's colours, then lashed to the main-rigging,
very properly replied,—*" As you have posses-
sion of the brig, you may do it yourself.*'

The Wasp mounted sixteen carronades, 32-
pounders, and two brass long 12-pounders. She
had also on board, two brass 4 or 6-.pounder8,
which she usually carried in her tops ; but which
had been brought on deck in the gale of the

i96

NAVAL d€0URRBNCC8 BETWEEN

f !

I it

■

( t

ISih: They were mounted on small carriages;
but not, it is belieyerl, used in the action. Al*
lh<tugh Captain Jones could enumerate more
gutis than were any where lo be found in the
Pi^c, he takes eare that his own number shall
not include th«se 4 or 6-pounder8, by stating,
ihat the Fpolic, with her '* 23 gans/' was supe*
rior to the Wasp by *? four 12-pounders." o
•The mu8ter-ibook of the Wasp contained 148
natn«s ; but only 130 prisoners were received by
the agent at Bermuda. Captain Jones mentions
the loss of two meU) along with the jib-»booaB,
on the 15th; and *<N lies' prize-list" mentions a
rcM^apt tired brig, as sent into Boston by the
Wnsp. The date of the re-capture dees not
appear; btit^ it is probable, it occurried di| the
Wal»p's passage from France, whence she arrived
in the Delaware scmie time in Jkily. There
could not hslve been more than eight iki^n sent
in the re<^captured brig; which men, we will
iMppose, had not joined their ship previbns to
her sailing in October. Thus, fixing the niim-*
ber kiHed at eigiiit, we hate 1^ for the cdmf
plement of the Wasp on going into actios.. The
cause of truth would have bene&lted gveatly,
ba(d the 4inerican commanders taken ka^f as
much pains ta tix the complements of Bri*
tish ships. Never was a finer crew seen, than
was onboard the Wasp. Sfhe had: four kieute«
nants ; and, while the Frolic had only one mid*

mkBA:S OfllTAIlf AKD AMBHIQJW.

151

m4
rhe

me-

t»liipHiam and he a boy, the Wa«p had VI or 13
midfhipiiMn, chkflj nuMters and mates of nier-
thaBtmen: vtout able «ieii, each of whopi cQuld
take charge of a ship^ Their chief ^inplojuieiK
ill the Aotioot was as eaptains of the ^unft*
Among the crew, was one lad of 18 ; thA reT
matndel; wafe fwrn 20 to 06 years of age^: all
slant, telhietie fellows, in full health and \igon^
A great proportion of them w^re Irishman I a^
several, deserters from British ships.
' It is pow t^hat the reader can appreciate Mr.
Biddle'a vivid description, 6£ *' thtf ardor aad
enthusiasm of the Wasp's crew'' itfi boarding
the Frolic; whose originally debilitated erew
}iad then, become reduced in, number to sparceljic <
^ third of the assailants, an4 H^ere without an
officer in a situation to h^^d them. Captain
Jones's statement, that ** no loss was ^^istained
on either side after boarding," was calculated
to cast a slur upon the British. A vieiV' of the
relative numbers at the boarding moment, is all ^
that is required to dispel any such impression.
If wounding an already bounded man is to be
accounted a ** loss," Captain Jones is incorrect
in saying, ^' no, loss w^s sustained on either
side," for Mr. Biddle's friend, Jack Lang, on
his mounting the Frolic's forecastle, actually
lodged a masket-^bal) in LieUteaant Wiatle's
ri^ht thigh ; and this, while he was preventing^
one of the FrOlie'9< men from iringav Li^.uteuant;

15a

NAVAL OCOl^RRENCBS BETWBElf

'. »;-

!■ '

^*fl

'' If

Rodgers. ' Some one elite of the hoarding-liflrij;
at the same moment, fired at and wounded Cap-
tain Whinyates ; who, like his brave second
lieutenant, could scarcely keep the deck, from
the severity of the wounds he had previotisly
received. ;,? u. .

i- The Frolic was built in 1806; the Wasp in
1801. The principal • dimensions of the twa
vessels here follow : —

1 «><!'

Frolic, brig.

Ft. In.

Length on deck, from rabbit to rabbit, 100

5md^,^yitrfnie, ^^ , ^^ 7

Wasp, ship.

Ft. In.

105 lOf

SO 10

i: )

^^ The Wasp's scantling was as stout as a British
28-gun frigate's; especially - at her top-sides.
She was taken into the service ; but, unfortu-
nately, foundered at sea^ as is supposed, in the
spring of 1814.

^- Comparative force of the two veuels, ^t

Frolic.

Wasp.

Broadside-metal

■"^v^'^jm

256 '^

; — 274

— 268

Complement,

; men, 92
.boys, 18

137
1

n ; u — 110

— 138

Size in tons.

384

434

With Captain Jones^ official letter before it^
the American court of inquiry (App. No. 16)
could not say less than — '* the brilliant and

iff^niit

ORBAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

153

fluodeMful action with his Britannic M. S.
Frolic, of Muperior force to the Wa»p ; and even
the most moderate American, whilo he may be
brought to doubt the equality of force in some
of the naval actions, will exultingly remind
you that, '* in the action of the Wasp and
Frolic/' — using the words of Mr. Clark, — '* the
superiority of force, certainly, was on the side of
the British.*'

• Truly, there does appear to have been, in
broadside-weight of metal, a ** superiority'' of —
one forty 'Sixth part. — But have we not seen that,
while the British brig went into action crippled
by a gale, the American ship had her masts and
yards all perfect ; that, while the former began
the attack with 03 men, and 18 boys, chiefly de-
bilitated by sickness, the latter had 137 men,
and one nominal boy, all lusty and healthful P
—Let, then, the reader form his own judgment
of the comparative force of the Frolic and Wasp,
ft However disagreeable to the Americans, it is
but fair to mention, that, not many months pre-
vious to the capture of the Frolic by the Wasp,
the Alacrity, a sister-brig to the former, and
mounting the same number and description of
guns, but without having been crippled by a
gale, was captured off Bastia, in the island of
Corsica, after a close action of half an hour, by
the French brig of war Abeiile, of 20 guns; as-
serted by the French (and not denied by the

iff

154

^AV4i< oceuBUPKops ffBTweai^

• )\'-i 1

BritUh) aeoount to btiv0 b«en.a4«|»9u»dctMrffoiir
Adas: complenieot not mentioned* The AJt4i-
ttHtjrV l!«is is stated tabave bew i5ikiUed> Wid
00 waunded; the Abeille's» 7 killed,: .l^iid 112
iwounded. In the Naval Ciiron* >Yol»>xxxi. i pk;490,
,<wm be. found! the seaten«e of the eovrt^martial
^poa tb# Alacrity's surviving lolfiflers and er/eW.
iTbey were: all , aequitted ; a^t it need handiy be
added, were those of the Frolio, With des^rvitd
encitta^iunas upon the bravery displayed lA her
defence, - -ni

.< H. M. S. Maeedconian sailed from Engkupdon
;0r about the 29th of September, with an llidia-
man under convoy to a certain distance. Hay-
ing par red with her, and ivhile proctedulg: to
.the North American station, the Macedonian,
qn ^he 95/th of October,, fell in with tbeU. S.
ship Unit^ States, seven days f«om Boston ;
which port she had left along with the squadron
.under Commodore Rodgers. An action enslued ;
of which the Britisli and American details are
given in the official letters to be found in tbt.'
.Appendix. (Nos. 18. and 19.)

In bearing down to attack tbe American ship,
the whole of the Macedonian's carronadeson the
engaging side, had their ehoeks, which, in this
frigate, were fitted outside, cut away by the rak-
ing fire of the United States. Thus was disabkd
the entire upper-deck battery of the Macedonian,
before she had well begun tbe action, ftubse-

4lftBAT BRITAIlf AiNP AHUbMCM*

^beritljr, all the other oarrohades b«l two, wet^
disabled by the Mme means, Tb^ V Bfate^oe
of the eourt-martidr' doet not fail t0 • notice
that, *' previous to the oomnieaeeinent of ths
action, from ati Over/tanxietj to keep th^wen^
ther-gage, an opportunity wa> iost of closing
ivith the enemy; and that, owing to this cir-
cumstance, the Macedonian was unable to bring
the United States to close action, until tihe had
received matetial damage;'' but very justly ac-
quits Captain Garden, his officersand cK^w, of
^^ithe most distant wish to keep baok from the
engagement." (

Commodone Decatur's astertion* that the Ma«
cedonian was ''at no time within the complete
efibot Off his musketry and grape," is untrue:
ioFj hmg before the action ended, Mr. O'Brien,
tbe Maoedon^**i^s surgeon, extracted from the
right arm* pit of a midshipman, an icon shot,
weighing twelve ounces; which was either a
canister or '^ grape,'-' beyond dispute. AUhocigh,
'.' lor the first haU'-Hour," the United Staites *' did
not use her carronades," the disabled state of
the Macedonian, belbre «hat half-4iour had
elapsed, proves ihat she was within fair range
of the AflMrican 24s; and it is at long sliot,
chiefly, thai the ^' obvious superiority of gun-
nery" shews itself. At such a safe distance,
the *^ steady conduct" of the United States'

^'f

(

'Q^y-

156 NAVAL 0CCURRBNCB9 BETWEEN'

crew, might, as the comihandtsr says, w«il
*' eqoal the precision of their fire/' " «

Admitting that Captain Garden erred in the
distance at which he chose to engage the United
States, and the way in which he approached
her^* the disabled masts, shattered hull, and
slaaghtered crew, of the- Macedonian, -afford
ample proofs that she waS' not surrendered, till
all hopes were at an end. Captain Carden states
the action to have lasted '* two hours and ten
minutes ;" Commodore Decatur, ** an hour and
a half.'' Captain Hull has taught us how to
explain this. Commodore Decatur dated the
commencement of the action from the time his
opponent was within earronade-range : so that,
by adding to his account, ** the first half-hcur,"
in which^ as he says, he did not use his carron-
nades, we have two hours as the duration of the
action; only ten minutes short of the time
stated by Captain Carden.

The damages of the Macedonian are very
fully detailed in the British official account.
For rendering her sea-worthy, and for after-
wards conducting her home in safety, much
credit is due to the Americak^ officers and
crew. It is singular, no doubt, that the two
ships, during a six week's passage across a wide

♦ See Clerk's " Essay on Naral Tactics," p. 24.

1 ^11

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

147

rft
'I

extent of sea, should not have met one oat of
the many British cruizers a-float.
^,'The Macedonian lost in the action, 1 master's
mate, the schoolmaster, boatswain, 31 petty-
officers, seamen and marines, and 2 boys, killed ;
H seamen mortally, 5 petty -officers and seamen
dangerously, her first lieutenant, 1 midshipman,
23 petty-officers, seamen and marines, and 4
boys, severely; and her third lieutenant, 1 mas-
ter's mate, and 30 petty-officers, seamen and
marines, sUfhtly wounded: total, killed 36;
wounded 68.

The two accounts differ greatly as to the da-
mage sustained by the United States. While
Captain Garden sayp t *^ The enemy has suffered
much in masts, rigging, and hull, both above
and below water;" Commodore Decatur says:
*^ The damage sustained by this ship was not
such as to render her return into port neces-
sary." The manner in which the action was
fought, and the Macedonian's disabled state at
the early part of it, afford no reasonable ground
for supposing, that the damages of the United
States were very important. — One of the officers
writes as follows: — *^li is remarkable that, dur-
ing an action of one hour and a half, and a fire
which 1 believe was never equalled by any single
deck, not an accident occurred, nor a rope-yarn
of our gun-tackle strained. — All the guns on
the quarter-deck and foreca%>t]e of the Mace<*

' >v

I '

168

nxVXh «C0i;RR«lfCCS BETWeBW

doAiAti n^eve dismoutiUd, or rendered uni«r-
Ticeable.^' **

The loss of tk% United States is stated by
Commodore Decatnr at no more than 5 killed,
and 7 wounded. Among the latter is included,
^ Lieutenant Funk, wko died Anir hours after
tke action^'' Mr. Clark, also, notices one of the
seamen as having been mortally wounded ; which
coiacides with Ca^ain Carden^i statement, that
a lieutenant and six men had beeifr thrown over-
board. Acoovding to the proportions betweeii
the kilted and wounded, tbe American slightly
wounded cannot have been enumerated ^-a cir-
cumstance that receives confirmation from the
^t, that the American officers, when questioned
on the subject of their loss, told each a different
story.

4 The Macedonian's established armament wait
the same as the Guerriere's; but, owing to
some alterations made at the instance of her
coammnder, she also naounted 49 guns : twenty
eight lc>ng 18-pounders upon the main-deck,
eighteen (instead of the customary sixteen) car-
ronades, 32-pounders, a 13-pound launch-car-
ronadfe, and two French brass 9-pounders, upon
the quarter-deck and forecastle. The launch-
carronade, being usually mounted upon an ele-
vating carriage, to fire over all, becomes part of
the broadside-£orce.
.. So long as an enemy has a right to enumerate

ORlllL^ JfUlTAIN ANb AMdlllt)A.

Via

the gim# of his uidversar^ as a part of her fofc«',
h becomes of national iftiportanee that com-
manders should be restrained from mounting oiv
board their shif^^ any more guns than the
estriMidhment allows; without, at least, furnish-
hig and maintaining, at their own expensey the
requisite number of additional' hands.
"' The Macedonian vietualledy on the moro^
ing of the action, dOO souls^; consisting o|
270 men, 02 boys, and a band of eight fo"
reigners, then lately reoeiyed out o{ the prison-*
ship at Lisbon. The latter refused to %bt7
and were therefore put in the hold daring th»
action. i)£ course, they will be excluded froa»
the «$stimiate. No complement is given to the
Macedonian, iti Commodore Decatur*s letter.
i^ The band, as may be supposed, instantly de-»
serted to the enemy: whose triumph now be-
came a fit subject for the display of their mu-
sical talents. Some of the Macedonian's f%>
reigners, not of the band, also entered tne
American service. Nor is it surprising, that
many of the British deserted ; considering what
powelrful inducements were held out to them.
They were given sums of money; promised
grants of lan^', ; and kept continually drunk,
until carried into the country, beyond the coii->
troul of their officers. The law of honor I2
binding between nations, as well as individuals ;
and, surely, there cannot be a grosser infraction

100

Naval occuehbnoes between

I;:

of it, thtth insidious attempts to withdraw fram
tlieir allegiance the subjects of an honorable
^nemy.

4 The United States mounted thirty long 24^
pounders, described as English ship-guns, upon
the main-deck; sixteen carronades, 42-pound-
ers, upon the quarter-deck ; a 12 or 18-pound
carronade at her gangway-port on either side;
(see plate 2. fig. 2, a.) six carronades, 42-pound-
era, and two long 24-pounders, upon the fore-
castle; making, with three howitzers, 6-pound*
ers, one .in each top, 58 guns. It is probable^
owing to the conmiodore's complaint, that he
could not reach the Macedonian with his car-
ronades, that one of the forecastle. 24s, instead
of the shifting carronade, was fought through
the gangway-port, and the latter placed upon
an elevating carriage, so as to fire over all, in
the usual manner; thus presenting a broadside
of 32 guns. The force of the United States
has been so estimated at a preceding page;
(p. 129;) but, as the British officers, when
brought on hoard, found both the 24h stationed
upon the forecastle, (a reference to the plate,
will shew the^cility of transporting them from
one end of the deck to the other,) the number
of broadside-guns will, in the present instance,
not be encreased beyond 31.
^'The top-guns, being considered as a masked or
concealed battery, and the shifting carronade .as

CABAT BRITAIN AND AMfiRICA.

lei

a ** bottt^guB," are necessarilj excluded from
the American accounts. With tbo§e excep-
tiotts, a New York paper of May, 1^13, men-
tioiM the recent reduction of the frigate United
Slates' armament *' from 54, to 48 guns:'' which
conArme Captain Carden'a statement, 'as to the
numWr of his opponent's gune; and as to their
caliber, the correspondence, and other proceed^
ings, relatire to the New-London challenge, hare
since placed that beyond a doubt.

The complement of the United States was, as
admitted by her officers^ 479. Only four boys
were seen in the ship; and the Macedonian's
officers^ it will be recollected, were upwards of
•tx weeks on board.

* Tbo crew consisted of picked seamen, all
young and ¥ig<arou8. A great proportion were
known to be British sailors: which accounted
for many of the guns being named after British
ships^ and some of our celebrated na?al victories.
The Macedonian's men recognized several old
shipmates; and an oiBeer's servant, a young lad
from London, named WiUiam Heame, actually
found among the hostile crew^-his own brother I
— ^This hardened traitor, after reviling the
British, and applauding the American, service,'
used the influence of seniority, in trying to per^
suade his brother to enter the latter. The ho^
norable youth, with tears in his eyes, replied :-—

/!i«P;'i

102

NAVAL 0CCUR11ENCB9 BBTWBEIC

'* If you are a d— d rascal, that's no reason I
should be one.''

The Macedonian was built at Woolwich in
1810. Her full dimensions have appeared al-
ready. The United States was built at Phila-
delphia; 'and launched on the 10th of May,
1797. She cost 299;)36dollarb, or67,d50/. I4a, Id,
sterling. Ht>r dimensions are similar to those
of the President and Constitution ; although her
model may be somewhat different.

Two statements of the comparative size of
the Macedonian and United States, have ap-
peared in the American prints. Both make
the Macedonian's ** length on deck, 166 feet;''
that of the United States <' 176 feet." One
statement makes the Macedonian's ** breadth of
beam 42 feet 8 inches ;'^ and that of the United
States ** 42 feet:" the other Rtatemv:.nt makes
the '* Macedonian's " breadth of beam 48 feet
8 inches, tonnage 1325;* that of the United
States '*• 48 feet, tonnage 1405." Admitting
the '' 48" to be a typographical error, there are
few Americans who will^ot still insist, that the
two ships do not differ in length by more than
10 feet ; and that their extreme breadth is about
the same. One could almost imagine, that the
Macedonian had suddenly acquired the stretching
qualities of her new masters.

' * Tho Macedonian's true American tonnage is 1031. '

OREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

163

' ' If, during her stay at New York, that was the
case, she had, when subsequently seen at New-
London, shrunk to her original size. In Octo-
ber, 1813, the Macedonian, United States, and
Hornet, each painted black, were, by an Eng-
lisman, seen at anchor about five miles above
New London. Owing to the three ships lying
close together, and their being painted alike,
a spectator, standing on the banks of the ri-
ver, was enabled to form a tolerable idea of
their relative size. It required, truly, no very
steiidy gaze to discover, which was the late
British, which the American frigate. Upon
the same person afterwards seeing H. M. ships
Nymph and Newcastle, also painted alike, an-
chored, head and stern, in Halifax harbour,
he was forcibly struck with the same appearance
of disparity, in hull, spars, and rigging.

How are we to understand Commodore De-
catur, when he saysi '^ She (the Macedonian)
is a frigate of the largest class*'? — Suppose the
Newcastle, a frigate about the same size as
the United States, had captured the Congress, a
frigate about 50 tons larger than the Macedo-
nian. Would Lord Stuart, in his official letter,
have said : — ^* She (the Congress] is a frigate of
the largest class" ? — Perhaps Commodore Deca-
tur had some scruples about cousidering his ship
as a frigate; and meant only to compare the
Macedonian with some of the old British 38-gun

M 2

104

NATAL OCCUKAENCEI BITWEEV

clasH ; such as the Arethusa, Sea-horse, and le-
Teral others. He certainly has not, in any part
of his letter, styled the United States a '* fri«
gate"; asCuptains Hull, Bainbridge, and Stew-
art, in all their's, have not failed to style the
Constitution.

As a proof how much the Americans, in ex-
pressing their opiniors, are governed by circum-
stances, Commodore Chauncey, in a conversa^
tion respecting the capture of the President,
held with some British naval officers, since the
peace, declared, that he would much rather
fight a battle in the frigate United States, be^^
cause her sides were stouter than the President^
and she would, he thought, stand a longer
battering. Captain Carder therefore deserves
credit for his moderation, when speaking of his
opponent's scantling ; and the attempts of the
Americans to equalize the two ships, in site, %3n
now be lietter understood.

Comparative force of tht two 9hip$»

Broadjtide'inetsl in poun

I ■

» «
SisQ in tons.

Macedonian.

U. States.

,n. guns, 261
''^Icarr. 300

384

492

— 561

— 376

f men, 270
I boys^ 99

474

— 292

— 47(J

1081

1533

Here, another case of " very nearly equal

OREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

10A

Ibrce/' turnft out to be a superiority oh the
American side, of full one third. — Nay, a spe*
cial committee determined, that the Macedo-
nian was quii$ equal to the United States ; and^
an act of congress of the 28tb of June, 1798,
having provided that,-— ^* if a vessel of superior,
or equal force, shall be captured by a public-
armed vessel of the United States, the forfeiture
shall accrue wholly to the captors,^'— the amount
of the Macedonian's valuation, 200^000 dollars,
was paid over to Commodore Decatur^ his offi<*
cers, and crew.

The disparity in execution was, in this ac-
tion, about the same as in the Guerriere's,
Where ships are equal in Ibrce and gunnery, an
accidental shot may disable one ship; so that
she cannot manceuvre, nor bring more than a
few guDS to bear; while her fortunate adver-
sary plays round her; sweeping her decks at
everv broadside. The relative execution, after
that period, depends not more on the prowess of
one party, than on the fortitude of the other.
Should the disabled ship have been, fr<.vm the
fir&t, instead of equally matched, the weaker of
the two, her loss, both previous, and subsequent,
to her disability, will be proportionably greater.
If, not in force only, but in gunnery and equip-
ment for war, she is decidedly inferior, is it ex-
traordinary that, after a two hour's contest, the
disparity in execution should be as great, as it

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IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-S)

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23 WEST MAIN STtEET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) S72-4503

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166

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

'1^ i

¥■:

certainly was, in both this and the preceding
frigate-action ?

The Americans have admitted, that ''all the
guns on the quarter-deck and forecastle of the
Maced()nian, were dismounted/' while ''not an
accident occurred'^ on board the United States.
This forms the prominent feature of this action ;
and is of itself sufficient to account for the
inequality of loss.

The " Naval Monument/' upon the authority
of one of the officers of the frigate United
States, says of the Macedonian, •*—" She is just
such a ship as the English have achieved all
their single-ship victories in. It was in such a
ship that Sir Robert Barlow took the Africaine,
that Sir Michael Seymour took the Brune, and
afterwards the Niemen, that Captain Milne
took the Vengeance, Captain Cooke the la Forte,
Captain Lavie the Guerrlere, Captain Rowley
the Venus ; and God knows how many others.
She is in tonnage, men, and guns, just such a
ship as the English prefer to all others; and
have, till the Guerriere's loss, always thought a
match for any singie-decHed ship afloat.'' (Nav.
Mon. p. 24.)' ' '"^^^^ ■ ■• w^ ,imVf»m

The fact is, none of the ships here named,
carried 24-pounders upon the main-deck ; nor,
except the Brune, Forte, and Guerriere, mounted
more than 44 guns. If we deduct the ^* troops
and artificers^' from 1' Africaine, and the *' las-

■rni

eUEAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA:

167

cars'' from la Forte, none of the siiips had a
greater complement than 320. In point of size,
none, except la Vengeance (sed p. 65] and la
Venus, exceeded the Chesapeake ; and that by a

Had not the Americans, (and they were the
only nation,) in dread of *' just such a ship, in
tonnage, men, and guns,'' as the Macedo-
nian, constructed a class of ships, which they
called frigates, each, by their own account, ** su-
perior to any European frigate of the usual di-
mensions," — ''just such a. ship" as the Macedo-
nian would still be *' a match for any single-
decked ship afloat." — Let the Americans, for
the future, send to sea, frigates no larger and
heavier than the strongest we ever, '' in single-
ship victories," took from the French, or from
any other power; and we pledge ourselves, in
case of war, to serve those frigates, twice out of
three time$, as we did the Africaine, Brune,
Niemen, Vengeance, Forte, Guerriere, Venus,
and " €rod knows how many others," not for-
getting the U. S. frigate Chesapeake.

Mi Si ;. «* *a4^4

168

NATAL OCCURRBNCEf BBTWEBIT

iii iijiri.; iti.a.v^ CHAPTER VII. U|%.^-4?©- t'^rmti

■-T

i' W

Java commissioned, and fitted for an East India
Voyage — Departs from Spithead^^Captures an
Atnerican merchant-man'-^Falls in with the Con^
stitution and Hornet-'^Chases and engages the
former — Full details of the aetiow^-American
dismantling skot^^ava's damages and loss-^
Final destruction — Constitution's damages and
loss—^Force of the Java in guns, men, and size
''^Recapture of the Java's prize by the Homet^^

. American subterfuge exposed^^Foroe of the Con-^

i stitution in guns, men, and size — Dimensions of
the two ships — Statement of comparative force

• "^Remarks thereon •««' Amelia and VArethuse
French frigate, ,, = < . ,,. _ .; , . ,

About the middle of August, the French
prize-frigate, la Henomm^e, lying in Ports-
month harbour, was commissioned as H. M . S.
Java; and tile command of her given to Captain
Henry Lambert, a distinguished officer. The
Java was fitted for the East Indies ; and sailed
from Spithead for that destination on the 12th
of November; having on board a great quan«
tity of naval stores, together with the following
passengers: Lieutenant-general Hyslop, as go-
vernor of Bombay, two military officers of his

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMBR40A.

169

staff, seven persons (including servants) in civil
situations; also one master and commander,
two lieutenants, one marine-officer, four mid-
shipmen, one clergyman, one assistant surgeon,
and 76 petty-officers and seamen, chiefly marine*
society boys, for ships on the East India sta-
tion. Two outward-bound Indiamen took ad-
vantage of her convoy. '^ — - ^

On the 12th of December, the Java cap-
tured the American ship William ; and a mas-
ter's mate and 19 men were placed on board,
with directions to keep company. On the 24th,
being in want of water. Captain Lambert iitood
in for St. Salvador; and the two Indiamen, ra-
ther than go so far out of their way, proceeded
alone on their passage.

On the 29th of December, when about ten
leagues from the Brazil-coast, the Java, having
her prize in tow, fell in with the U. S. ships
Constitution, Commodore Bainbridge, and Hor-
net, Captain Lawrence; the latter having just
left St. Salvador in search of the Constitution,
which was away in the offing. Having cast oif
the prize, and ordered her to proceed to St. Sal-
vador, 'the Java went in chase of the large ship
to-leeward. The details of the action cannot be
so well given, as in the very words of the Java's
late first-lieutenant, when addressing the court-
martial upon his trial for her loss. Lieutenant
Chads' journal, ws|s verified on oath by every

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170

NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

witness examined upon the occasion. He pro-
ceeds, as follows : *? *ii«»ti mm o«in , uoy»(ij r^
' " My public letter is before this honorable
court ; ( App. No. 22. ;) but, being written im-
mediatelj after the action, and on board the
enemy, it does not, nor indeed could the com-
pass of a letter, contain the whole detail of so
long an action ; and which detail, therefore, I
now submit to this honorable court. ***^* f^^^'

*' At 8 A. M. close in with the land, with
wind at N. E. discovered a sail to the S. S. W.
and another off the entrance of St. Salvador,
cast off the prize in tow, and made all sail in
chase of the vessel to leeward. At 10 made the
private signal, which was not answered. At 11
hauled up, bringing the wind on our larboard
quarter, took in all studding-sails, prepared for
action, the stranger standing towards us under
easy sail, and apparently a large frigate. At a
little after noon, when about four miles distant,
she made a signal, which was kept flying about
ten minutes, when she tacked, and made sail
from us, under all plain sail, running just good
full; hauled up the same as the chase, but the
breeze freshening, could not carry our royals ;
we were going at least ten knots, and gaining
very fast on the chase. At 1. SO. she hoisted
American colours. At 1. 50. having closed with
the enemy to about two miles, he shortened sail
to his top-gallant-sails, jib, and spanker, and

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

171

luffed up to the wind ; hoisted our colours, and
put ourselves under the same sail, and bore
down on him> he being at this time about three
points on our lee-bow. At 2. 10. when half a
mile distant, he opened his fire from the lar*
board-side, and gave us about two broadsides
before we returned it, which was not done till
within pistol-shot, on his weather-bow, witli
our starboard guns. On the smoke clearing
away, found him under all sail before the wind ;
made sail after him. At 2. 25. engaged him
with our larboard guns, received his starboard ;
at 2.35. wore, and raked him close under his
stern, giving him the weather-gage, which he
did not take advantage of, but made sail free
on the larboard tack ; luffed up, and gave him
our starboard guns, raking, but rather distant ;
made sail after him. At 2. 40. enemy shortened
sail; did the same, and engaged him close to-
windward. At 2. 59. he wore in the smoke,
and was not perceived till nearly round, having
just lost the head of our bowsprit, jib-boom,
&c.; hove in stays, in the hopes of getting
round quick and preventing our being raked,
but the ship hung a long time, and we received
a heavy raking broadside into our stern at about
two cables' length distant ; gave him our lar-
board guns on falling off; the enemy wore im-
mediately ; did the same. |
..,*' At 2. 55. brought him to close action within

1 ''' '

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NAVAL OCOUftRENCES BETWEBU

pistol-shot, (at tkis time the master waswounded^
and carried below,) till 3. 5. ; when, finding the
daj evidently gone, from all our rigging being
cut to pieces, with our fore and main-masts
badly wounded. Captain Lambert determined
on boarding, as our only hope ; bore up, and
should have succeeded in laying him a-breast
of his main-chains, but from the unfortunate
fall of our foremast, the remains of our bow-
sprit passing over his stern, and catching his
mizen-rigging, which was a great misfortune,
as it brought us up to the wind, and prevented
our raking him. Whilst under the enemy's
stern, attempting to board, there was not a soul
to be seen on his decks ; from which circum-
stance, 1 am induced to believe there was a good
prospect of success. This manoeuvre failing>
we were left at the mercy of the enemy ; which
he availed himself of, wearing across our bows,
raking us, when our main^top-mast went, and
wearing again, at 3. 2. under our stern. At
3. 30. our gallant captain was mortally wounded*
and carried below. From this time, till our
mizen-mast went, at 4. 15. he laid on our star-
board-quarter, pouring in a tremendous galling
6re ; whilst, on our side, we could never get
more than two or three guns to bear, and fre-
quently none at all. After this we fell off, and
the enemy shot a-head, which again gave us the
chance of renewing the action, which was done

GBEAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

175

with good spirits, broadside and broadside, Java
very frequently on fire from firing through tht
wreck, which lay on the side engaged, till 4.96.
when the Constitution made sail, and got out
of gun-shot, leaving us a perfect wreck, with
our main-mast only standing, and main-yard
gone in the slings ; cleared the wreck, and en-
deavoured to get before the wind, by setting a
sail from the stump of the fore-mast and bow<*
sprit ; got the main- tack forward, the weather
yard-arm remaining aloft; cleared away th«
booms, and got a top- gallant-mast out, and
commenced rigging it for a jury fore-mast, and
a lower-steering-sail as a fore-sail ; but, bcf4»r«
we could get this accomplished, we were obliged
to cut away the main -mast, to prevent it» fall-
ing in^board, from the heavy rolling of the ship.
The enemy bore up to renew the actioft ; madt
every preparation to receive him ; i«-loaded the
guns with round and grape ; mastered at quaur*
ters, and found 110 men mtssiog, six quarter-
deck guns, four forecastle, disabled, and many
of the main-deckers, with the wreck lying over
them, the hull knocked to pieces; and the fore-
mast, in billing, had passed through the fore-
castle and main-decks ; all oujr masia and hor/"
sprit gone, the ship making water, with one
pump shot away, consulted now with lieute-
nants Nerringham and Buchanan, when it was
determined to engage him again, should he give

* *■

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174

WAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

US an opportunity of so doing with a probabi^
lity of disabling him, which was now our sole
object ; but that it would be wasting lives re**
sisting longer, should he resume a raking posi-
tion, which unfortunately wa' the case ; and
when close to us, and getting his broadside to
bear, I struck, and hailed him, to say we had
done so, at 5. 50. At 6, she took possession
of us, and proved to be the American frigate
Constitution. The next day I found our loss
was 22 killed, and 102 wounded: two of whom
are since dead. The Americans allowed they
had 10 killed ; but differed very much about
their wounded, which 1 found to be 44 severely,
and four mortally ; the slight wounds I could
not ascertain. ^ ^tt j*? t?

•*^ *' Having in the detail stated the number of
killed and wounded on both sides, and as my
account differs from the one in the public pa-
pers, and said to be the official report of Com**
modore Bainbridge, 1 beg leave to state to the
court the manner in which 1 obtained this know^
ledge. Being, of course, anxious to discover
the loss sustained by the enemy, I directed
Mr. Capponi, assistant-surgeon, to lend his as*
sistance in dressing their wounded ; this he did,
and reported to me the statement I have made.
It having also been stated in the papers, that
the Constitution was in a short time in a condi-
tion tp conuneuce a second action, I must beg

kl :

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OllBAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

175

to observe, thnt I do not think such a statement
could have been authorised by Commodore
Bainbridge, for her rigging was much cut, and
her masts severely wounded; so much so, as to
oblige her to return to America, which she cer-
tainly otherwise would not have done, for she
was waiting only to be joined by the Essex on
the coast of Brazil, when the further destination
of this squadron, 1 was given to understand,
was India. ni'. ' >?'

• '* 1 will trouble the court with but one more
remark. When the prisoners were removed from
the Java, she was set fir^ to, although but 12
leagues distant from St. Salvador, with mode-
rate weather ; the cause of which was, her shat-
tered state, and not from any fear of taking her
to a neutral port, as stated in Commodore Bain-
bridge^s letter ; for he repaired to the same port
with his own ship, carrying in a valuable prize,
the Eleanor schooner, from London.''
' Plate 1, displays a variety of the American
^' round and grape." (App. No. 25.) We all re-
collect what imprecations were hurled against us
by the American journalists, when they received
an account, that '^ combustible materials had
been thrown from the Shannon upon the Chesa-
peake's decks," Upon that occasion, a celebrated
paper, the *' United States Gazette," used the fol-
lowing language : — ^* Against such modes of as-
sault, no skill, no courage, no foresight^ c^n be.

176

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEBN

found to avail ; and it is no more dishonor thus to
be overpowered, than it is to be beaten down by
a thunderbolt. We speak with entire confidonce
and certainty on this point, that, if the Bonne
Citoyenne had accepted the challenge of Cap*
tain Lawrence, and he had obtained a victory
by the use of such means, we should have sick-
ened at the sight of his laurels/' — And yet, at
tbe very time of uttering this rhapsody, the
Americans, by the aid of their star, chain, and
barsliot, had crippled, and captured, three Bri-
tiflk frigates, and two sloops of war ;— nay, the
very ship whose capture they were thus trying
to excuse, bad on board, and actually used, the
very shot represented in the plate. -^Confronting
a man with his own words^ is an admirable me-
tbod ; for, if he is not past blushing, it shames,
as well as convicts him.

When ships engage at a short distance, less
depends on the precision, than on the rapidity
of firing; therefore, the ship, whose men are
practised in gunnery, finds it to her interest to
keep at long shot. Yet, as continually yawing
away in the smoke, and avoiding close action,
in the stronger «ihip especially, does not look
well on paper, the commodore did right to com-
plain of ** the enemy keeping at a much greater
distance than he wished." — So far, however,
from that having been the case, all the witnesses-
examined at the court-martial concur in stating,

ORBAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA. 177

that the Constitution avoided close action, till
the Java was disabled : then she approached ;
andj by successive raking fires, and the riflemen
in her tops, committed nearly all the slaughter
that occurred. (App. No. 22. and 26.)

If any could have saved the Java, it was
boarding ; and that was frustrated by the bow-
sprit getting foul of the enemy's mizen rigging;
and by the immediate fall of the fore-mast. The
men were ready : so was the heroic boatswain/'
with his one arm mutilated, the other bearing
his pipe, to cheer up his gallant comrades, that
they might ^'make a clean spring" upon the
enemy's decks.

' In the falling of the Java's fore-mast upon
the main -deck, and disabling the guns there,
we see, at once, the advantage possessed by a
ship having a sufficient space along the gang-
way, to cover the men stationed at the main-
deck gunS) over a ship having a waist, or large
open space, extending nearly from side to side.
(See PI. 2.)

Both the British and American accounts agree,
exactly, as to the time when the action com-
menced ; but Commodore Bainbridge fixes its
termination at the moment when the Constitu-
tion hauled out of gun-shot to repair damages :
who else would not have fixed it, at the striking
of the Java's colours ? — The whole continuance
of the action was^ three hours and 40 minutes.

178

NAVAL 0CCURRBNCB8 BETWKeiT

»ff

The damage done to the Java has been fuily;
detailed in Lieutenant Chads' address to the.
court. Her loss in the action, amounting to 39.
killed ; 2 mortally, 5 dangerously, 52 severely^
and 43 slightly, wounded, appears at the end of
the ofllcial letter. (App. Nq; 22.)

Captain Lambert fell by a l«fle-ball iired from.
the Constitution's main-top.' The bullet en*
tered bis left side, and lodged in the spin«. Ha:
languished till the night of the 4th of January ;
and, on the next day, was buried at St. Salva^
dor, with military honors. A mtdshipmao,
named Edward Keele, only 16 years of age^ who
was badly wounded, and had his leg amputated,
enquired, soon after the action was over, if the
ship had struck ; and, seeing a ship's colour
spread over him, grew uneasy^ until he was con-
vinced it was an English flag. This gallant youth
died on the following day. The circumstanct
of the boatswain, with a touniaquet on his arm,
(which he knew must be amputated, as soon as
the surgeon was ready,) returning to his quar-
ters, as if nothing had happened, is a strong
trait of heroism and devotion. ,^ <. v.^>-
^ Commodore Bainbridge, in his letter, says :<-^
*' The enemy bad 60 killed, and 101 wounded^
certainly ; but, by the enclosed letter, written
on board this ship, (by one of the officers of the
Java,) and accidentally found, it is evident that
the enemy's wounded must have been much

en*.

O&EAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

179

greater tlian as above stated, and who miiwl; hayt
died of their wounds previonslj to their being
removed. The letter states 00 kill<i<d, and 17a
wounded*" .'*"«l''' ',*

" The surviving officers' of the Java cor^sider
this letter, as the forgery of some one belonging
to the Constitution. Let us submit its merits
to the test of probability. It bears date on
board the Constitution ; and therefore was writ-
ten after the prisoners had been removed. Is it
Uk^fy, then, that the writer would have included
among the ** wounded," the men who had
*' died previously to their being removed"' ?—
would he not have included those among tlM
^ killed^' ? — Commodore Bainbridge's number
of the Java's wounded, agrees exactly with the
British return of wounded, signed by the Java's
surviving commanding-officer, and surgeon;
why not then have relied upon th^ veracity of
those officers, as to the number killed ? Were
there no persons among the Java's crew, not
even those that entered on board the Constitu-
tion, to whom the commodore could refer as
corroborating this extraordinary letter? — Ad-
mitting, for a moment, a British return of loss
in action to be a fictitious instrument, it would,
surely, in a case where it was necessary to shew
that the ship had been defended to the last ex^
tremity, be an over, not an under estimate. But
a British return of killed and wounded, cannot

N 2

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180

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BET1VEEN

be othfiririse than correct ; the wounded, and
the widows of the killed, having no other evi-
dence to appeal to, in support of their title
to relief. ' ■■(

'•^ Commodore Bt^inbridge's letter contains not
one word about any damage sustained by the
Constitution ; not even that the sails and rig-
ging were cut ; as usually inserted, if only to
jeer us for bad firing. There can be no doubt
that the American government has suppressed
the entire paragraph relating to the Constitu-
tion's injuries by the Java's shot: and that,
perhaps, because the commodore was obliged
to assign those injuries as an excuse (and, of
course, he would describe them all) for brea|i-
ing up his intended cruize to the South Seas ;
which, at that time, it was not expedient to
make public. AH the glory reaped from the
Java's capture, w^, in the opinion of the Con-
stitution's officers, a poor compensation for the
rich harvest they had long been anticipating
from their intended cruize. Reluctantly, they
quitted St. Salvador, on the 6th of January,
upoi their return to Boston ; where, immediately
upor. her arrival, the Constitution underwent
9 thor((>Mgh repair. Then the citizens, and se-
veral T^nglishmen also, saw clearly what she had
sufffred in the Java's action. Lieutenant Chads
mentions the damage done to her spars and rig-
g^ing; and, in direct proof of the advantage of

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

181

stout iiiRsts, the Java's 18-pound shot had passcfd
through two of the Constitution's lower-masts ;
yet they were deemed sufficiently secure, with-
out being fished. '^ '* f-.^ ■'*«*?4 ^^-^f*

Commodore Bainbridge states the loss of the
Constitution to have been '< 9 killed, and 25
wounded." That this is incorrect, appears as
well from what Lieutenant Chads has stated, as
from the following extract of a letter from Mr.
Thomas Cooke Jones, late surgeon of the Java : —

** The Americans seemed very desirous not to
allow any of our officers to witness the nature
of their wounded, or compute their number. I
ordered one of my assistants, Mr. Cs^poni, to
attend when their assistant weat round ; and he
enumerated 46, who were unable to stir from
their cots, independent of the men who had re-
ceived, what they called, *' slight hurtt'' Com-
modore Bainbridge was severely wounded in
the right thigh ; and four of their amputations
perished under my own inspection. I have no-
ticed these facts, that your readers may be con-
vinced of the falsity of their official dispatches ;
and to authorise their being received with some
degree of scepticism." (Naval Chron. vol. xxix.

p. 4l0.) -TS'JTi'SftJ T*- »

^ The American newspapers informed us that
Lieutenant Aylwin, of the Constitution, died of
his wounds on the 28th of January ; and it was
reported in Philadelphia, that two or three of

-■rk^iii:

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Fli

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IlllH

ist

irATl.L OCeOftRBVClt METWE^II

Ihe men hiad ako died in the piUNUige bome. > It
cannot escape the reader, that it is as much the
interest oi the Americans, in actions in which
they have been successfn], to under-rate their
own, as to over-fate the British loss. This it
wHs that suggested' to Mr. Clark the proprietor
of shewn^, in appropriate columns, the «<com^
parative loss in kilM aifd wounded.'^ Thiis
we have^ in the JavaV aetion :^** American
loss, 34,'^-^** British loss, 171 \" — ^when, if truth
had been consulted, we should have had, (ex-^
dtiding the British " slightly wounded,'^ be«
cauto the Americans^ with" ** slight hurts,*^
isannot be enilmerated,)^^'^ American loss, 55 ;^
*— ** British loss, 81 ;'^ a proportion abekit equals
as will be presently seen, io the <lomparalave
force of the two vesHels. But the Java's second
lieutenant says, that the greatest loss was sus-
tained, ** not in the early part of the action,''
but ** after the ship became unmanageable, and
the Constitution took a raking porition ;" (App.
No. 36 ;) and the " Journal" admits, that the-
Constitution's wheel *' was shot entirely away,"
within 30 minutes from the commencement of
the action ; when, also, as appears by the evi^
dence of Lieutenant Saunders, four out of the
nine men were killed. It is clear, therefore,
that, had the Java not been so soon, and so com*
pletely disabled, there would have been a mucll
less disparity in point of execution, than, under

OftEAT BEITAIN AND AMl^ICA.

183

aU the Jafa'$ disadvantages, did really ei^ist
betweea the tifH> ships : and, wlieo it is k;(iown
that the mea, owing to their awHwardaess^
inexperieooe, or some other ca^se, allowed
two or three raking opportunities to pass, with-
out firing more than h^U a dozen shot at the
CdnstitutidD* the only surprise will be,|hat there
wiks not a still greater disparity in the slaughter
«m board ttie: two ships. . 4

When the Java was fitted, she. received on
board, twenty-eight long IS^pounders upon the
inain-deck; . sixteen /earronades, dSrppunderSy
one launch-carronade, IB-pounder, and two
long Q-poondersy upon the quarter-depk and
£»recastle ; total, 47 guns. Not another gun of
any description had the Java, when captured ;
and the lavnch-carronade, owing to some accif
dent, was not even used. Fojr that reason, pror
bably, it was omitted in the statement of force,
subjoined to Lieutenant Chads' letter. Deterr
mined not to be out-done by Captain Hull,
Commodore Bainbridge made his pri^-frigate
of ** 49 guns" also; and the editors of the ^' Naval
History," *' Naval Monumient," and ** Sketches
of the War,^' have not scrupled to particularize
those' '^49 guns." The two first agree in adding
two to the sixteen 3f^>pound carronades, and in
substituting " one shifting gun, a 24-pounder,"
for the launch-carronade ; but the two 9s, . Mr.
Chirk (see p. 118) makes /^two 18*pounders,"

184

NAVAL OOCURRENOBS BETWEEN

; 1 .'

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ilil

Mr. Bowen *' two large las." So little, liowever,
is consistency studied by American historians,
that Mr. Clark, in another page of his work, says,
— *' Java, guns mounted, 48."— -But the most ex^-
traordinary statement of the Java's force, apr
pears in the '* Sketches of the War."^*' The
Java carried twenty eight S4'pounders on her
gunrdeck.'^ — And this, too, in a third edition 1-^
Was there no American honest enough to set the
editor right P'

The Java's complement, on leaving Spithead,
was 277 officers, seamen and marines, and 23
boys ; makinjg, with the 97 passengers, a total
of 397. The mate and 19 men, placed on board
the William, reduced this number to 377 ; which
agrees exactly with Lieutenant Chads' account
of '* ship's company and supernumeraries" prer
sent in the action. h

•' The whole number of prisoners received out
of the Java amounted to 356 ; subsequently re-
duced, by the death of the captain, one mid-
shipman, Keele, (who, having died previous to
the date of the surgeon's return, was included
among the ^< killed,") and one able seaman, to
353. Yet Commodore Bainbridge, after having
^' liberated and given up to the governor of St.
Salvador, nine Portuguese seamen," and allowed
^* to land, without any restraint, three passen-
gers, private characters," actually paroled *^38
officers, aqd 323 petty-officers, seamen, inarinea.

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

185

and boys;" total 361, instead of 341, the num-
ber of prisoners left, after deducting the 19 not
parolied. How is this?

' Commodore Bainbridge, apparently, was here
guilty of as gross a fraud as any to be found upon
the records of the admiralty-courts, wherein his
countrymen, during a \ongveig;no{ neutrality, had
HO often shocked honest men by their hardihood.
The only dilTereuce is, that the national officer
expects as much to be implied from his honor,,
as the merchant-captain or supercargo did from
his oath. ... •. ' >*

.. Now for the fact. The William prize-ship
was re-captured by the Hornet, on the afternoon
of the action ; arrived at St. Salvador on the
same day that the Java did ; and the prize-crew
were landed from the Hornet, at' the same time
that the prisoners out of the Java were landed
from the Constitution. The reader sees, then^
how it was. The Java's mate and 19 men were
added to the above-ementioned 341 ; and the
knowing commodore paroled, as he i^aid, 361 of
the Java's crew. Not a word is there, in his
letter, of any prisoners arriving from the Hornet,-
or of the Java's prize having been re-captured
at all ; although the William, at the date of the
commodore^s letter, was lying at anchor in St^
Salvador, in company with the Constitution and
Hornet. Aware that Captain Lawrence, in his
official letter announcing the capture of the

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NATAL OCdJR&BBTOSS BBTWEEIT

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Peacock, would vaeiitHNi tke re-capiure of an
American 'Sfaip o^QMtons, and therefore expose
the trick, it was contrived that his letter should
eomprise, onl^T' what occurred subsequently to
the 0th of January, the day on which, as i^tated
before, Ike Conetitutioa left St. Salvador for the
United States* /(^pp. No.:29.) So that, after
the commodora had^ by his ^* 00 killed," his
301 paroled) and la not paroled, proved thst the
Java had 433 men, his Ibrbearing to state, in the
oliicial letter^ that she had more than^' upwards
of 400," added to his scrupulous exception of
the '^ three passengers, pri^rate characiterB," es-
tablished^ beyond power of contradiction, the
modetty of the American officer^! >

But, in truthy who were these " three passen-
gers^ private characters," so generously ex-
empted ^m parole?— No other, it would ap-
pear, than three of the Java's seamen, who had
been fools enough to enter the American ser-
vice. To have deducted them froni the amount
of prisoners received, would be making Oie
Java's complement appear three men short of
what it could, otherwise, he proved to have been.
To have confessed the fact, would never do.
Therefore^ all the Java's passengers, naval, mi-
litary, and civil, were paroled as ^' officers,
petty^fficers, seamen, marines and bc^s,'^ and
the hiatus made by the three traitors, was cle-
Tevly^filled up three nominal *' passengers, pri-

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OEVAT BRlTAIfr A1I0: AMJBRKA.

187

fftte^eliiniot'ers, whom the «Oi«aiQ4of»'* (ge-
nerous man f) ** did not consider priionera of
war, and permitted to land without any re-
straint ;** and. of whom, of course, no farther
account was taken. . , .. ' *>•!'■)•??■/,'. .-lo'^'x^'-rf
*•*' Without searching the Java's crew for |)anes,
Swedes, Italians, l^aniardf, or viay other- fo*
reigners; or even regmrding the /' nine Portu-
guese seamen'^ so politically >* given up to the
governor at St. Salvador/^ it is still finr not to
include, as part of llie JaVa's complement on
going into action, the seven passengefs in/oivil
situations. That will reduce the number to
370; comprising ^80 of her proper. crew, the
three military officers^ and ail the supernume-
rary naval officers and seamen on board.
<^ To shew that the estimate is correct, the fol-
lowing recapitulation may be pecessairy :•—

7^, Javt's proper crcw> including boys, 300

Deduct men sent on board prize^ SO

- Add pusengen of eveiy description,

*^ Total number on board, during action,
^^ Deduct killed, (see p. «84,)

Total number landed from Java,
Add prize-crew.

€80
97

377
£4

353
20

. Total^o«aliveof the 397 originally on board, 373
. Deduct the ** 9 Porti^use and 3 private persons/' 1 2

¥{ ffotil No. paroled by Commodore Bainbridge, 361

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186

NATAL OCCURRBN0B8 BETWEEN

The manner in which the Java's men were
Created by the American officers, reflects upon
the latter the highest disgrace. The moment
the poor fellows were brought on board the Con-
stitution, they were hand-cuffed, (a thing un-
^ known in our service, except upon urgent ne-
cessity,) and pillaged of almost every thing.
Trae, Lieuteivant-general Uyslop got back his
valuable service of plate, and the other officers
were treated civilly. Who would not rather
that the governor's plate was, at t|iis very
time, spread out upon Commodore Bainbridge's
sideboard, than that British seamen, fighting
bravely in their country's cause, should be put
in fetters, and robbed of their little all? — What
is all this mighty generosity but a political jug-
gle, — a tub thrown to the whale? — Mr. Madison
says to his officers: *' Never mind making an
'Ostentatious display of your generosity, where
you know it will be proclaimed to the world.
If you lose any thing by it, I'll take care con-
gress shall recompense you, two-fold. Such con-
duct on the part of an American officer of rank,
will greatly tend to discredit the British state-
ments as to any other acts of your's not so pro-
per to be made public ; and will serve, besides,
as an imperishable rscord of the national mag-
nanimity and honor."*~One object the Consti-
tution's officers missed by their cruelty. Three
v»n^lyoftheJava's men would enter with them: the

GRBAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

189

remainder treated with contempt their re-iterated
promises of high pay, rich land, and liberty.

Courage is an inherent principle in Britons ;
but courage alone will not make a seaman, if
to know the duties of one, for the mere purpose
of navigating a ship, requires some experience,
how much more is required when a ship has an
enemy to contend with. That she may ma-
noeuvre with success, (a most important opera-
tion,) the sails must be trimmed with the utmost
nicety ; and hot a moment lost in looking for a
rope, or considering what to do. Great judg-
ment and presence of mind is often necessary,"
to repair a temporary damage by shot, or delay
the fall of a tottering mast* A proficiency in all
this constitutes the able seaman. Others of the
crew are required at the guns. There stand men
who, every one knowing exactly what he has to
do, load and fire their gun with quickness and
precision. Here stand men who, except a few,
mere novices at the business, are looking upon
each other for instruction ; and, when they have
succeeded in loading their gun, nine times out
of ten, discharge it at random. »' - r-

About forty or fifty of the Java^s men had
seen service ; and, no doubt, were tolerable sea-
men. At the head of these, was the gallant-
boatswain; and among them, were many who
eheered, while having their wounds dressed in
the cockpit. But the remainder consisted of

190

ftkVAL orcvRttftircii MsTwiBur

:!.fi

newly *{>rc88ed landimen, or of ill-dispoMMl,
weaklj bandt; the refuse of other ships. As to
her sopernumenuriesy they, as stated before, were
chiefly BNiriiie-society lads; rather an incum*
brance» than a use, on board a ship of war. Du*
ring the few weeks that intervened between the
manning, and the capture, of the Java, ditciplin*
ing theoiew at the guns was, in a manner, pre*
vented, bjr the lumbered state of the ship.

The miirines of the Java were not mnoh ern^
ployed itt the early part of the action, owing to
the distance maintained by her opponent ; and
towards the last, the ship's dismasted state con^
fined them toi her decks. Of the 34 marines there
stationed, '^ 18,'' says the officer commanding
thopi, ** w^re yety young recruits; the rest had
been to sea before." Of what use are marines,
acting ai sUch, unless good marksmen? A
musket-htillet will not peHbrate a ship's side*
To readi the enemy, (from the level of the deck,
at leasts) it must catch him at the fleeting mo*
ment of exposure ; as he hastily ascetids the rig-
ging, or incautiously shews his head above the
bulwarks. — Can *' very young recruits" hope to
succeed at this?

The Java's gallant commander, previous to his
leaving Spithead, made several applicaticos for
a more effective and better disposed crew ; fore-
seeing, as he did, the probability of falling in
with one of the lai^e American frigates. He

was

and

€»BAT BRITAIN AND AMBRICA.

101

WM reminded of tke dHRctiltj of proouring men ?
and told, that mi East India foyage would make
seamen I

The Java, thai manned, lefit England on tli«
13th of November ; and the official account of
the Guerriere'e capture had reached tlie admi-'
ralty mnce early in October. Let him who may
think there was, at this time, in the British- navy^
a scarcity of frigates of ttie Java'ft clase, turn t6
the list for November, 1812; where he will per*
haps be surprised to see, among the ship» in or*
dinary, the fine 24-pounder frigate Endymioa ; ,
a ship as nearly e(|nal in force to the American
frigate Constitution, as any Britoi^ could wish. -
True, the EndymioB, accerding to the papers
laid before parliament, in February, 1815, wtd
ordered to be fitted in <*July, 18111;'' but sh^
was not got ready till the <' 18th of May, 1818.'*
9' Doubtless, a voyvge to the East Indies alid ,
back, with occBsional drilling at the giins^^
wmddha^e greatly idtered the character of tki^
Java's men ; and, had the Constitution then met .^
that ship, even witliout her^iinety seven paseen^
gers, the disparity iti force would not have been ^
so great. .^

With the change of the Constitution's com-*
mander, a slight cbange occurred in her arma*
ment; a single shifting 18-pound carronade
having been substituted for two of her 338. This .
shifting carronade she fought on either eide^

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192 NAVAL OCCUR&ENCES BETWEEN

Ihproiigh the gangway-port, the same as the
United States. (See p. 160.) A& a proof that the
American commanders had the privilege of al-
tering, in some degree, the armaments of their
respective ships, the *' Report of a committee"
on th^ American naval estabtishment, dated in
January, 1B14, contains the following, as one of
the "causes of the abuses complained of:'^ —
VThe great latitude allowed commanders, in
altering, repairing, and furnishing their ships."
With the exception of the 18-pound carronade,
considered probably as a boat-gun, the " Sketches
pf the War" gives a similar account of the Con-
fititution's force to that contained in Captain
Chads' statement. But, most unaccountably,
accuses that officer of " largely overrating" the
Constitution's force. ** He reported,'' says the
editor, *^ her force to be-rforty two long 24-
pounders, sixteen carronades, 32-pounders, and
one carronade, 18-pounder; being in all d9
guns."— Whence did the editor extract this ac-
count ? Not an American newspaper that co-
pied the letter, but gives, the lie to his assertion.
, The Constitution, having none of her men
absent in prizes, had on board her full comple-
ment ; which, according to the statement of her
first lieutenant, consii^ted of 485.. Admitting
the regular establishment of the American 44-
gun frigates to be no more than 475, *' the great
latitude allowed the commanders in furnishing

GREAT BRITAIitr AND AMERICA* 103

ftlieir ships/^ enabled them to take on board
supernumeraries; and the Guerriere's cap-
ture, and Commodore Bainbridge's interest
at Boston, gave the Constitution, among the
seamen, ai decided preference. Only one boy
was seen on board of her, and he was 17
years old ; older, no doubt, than half the
Java's marines. However, to avoid as much as
possible an over-estimate, the Constitution's
complement, on commencing action with the
Java^ will be considered as 477 men, and 3 boys.
Some of the former had belonged to the Iphi-
genia ; others to the Guetriere ; and 40 or 50 were
recognised as English . It need hardly be addedy
that the men, generally, were prime seamen; and
the crew, altogether, a remarkably fine one.

The Java, as stated before, was originally a
French ship. She measured as follows :- —

, :Vfiih 'Mil 'l«V->in. in,^

Length of lower-deck, from rabbit to rabbit> 152 of
breadth, extreme, „ ^.;S9 H^

So trifling is the difference in size, between
the Java and the other two captured frigates,
that a reference to what has already appeared
on the subject of comparative dimensions, will
fully suffice. The circumstance related about
the slight effect produced upon the Constitu-
tion's masts by the Java's shot, can be better
understood, now that the relative stoutness of
the two main-masts has been shewn. (See p. 112.)

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NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEB1|

Comparative force of the two ships.

Java.

Broadside-metal in pounds^ ] ' 5""'*

f men,
Iboys,

261
274

— 535

347
23

— 370
1073

Constltutiml.

384
370

— 754.^
477

3 *»

— 480
1533 •

Complement^

Size in tons,

; The only material difTerence obserrable be*
tween the comparative force in this action,
and tlie Constitution and Guerriere's, is, in the.
corkplement ; but, when we consider that the;
Guerriere's was an old, the Java's a new ship's
company, with a much greater proportion of
boys than appears in tbe above statement, that
difference becomes merely nominiil.

Taking into view the loss and damage sus-
tained by the Constitution, and the obstinate
defence of the Java, against so superior a force,
such as may have been disappointed at fhe
result of the other two frigate-«ictiOns-.with the
Americans, will not deny, surely, thtit; in this
of the Java and Constitution, the honor of the
British flag was nobly maintained. ;i

HiBefore quitting the Java entirely, it will tend
to illustrate the subject, t6 bestow a few obser-
vations upon the action between H.M. S. Amelia,
Captain Irby, and the French frigate l'Arethuse»

This action was fought on the night of th^
7th of February, 1813, off VUks de Los, on tb^

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ORJBAar. BBlTAiN AND AMBEICA.

105

Africatl 0Q4st. Caplain fiouTet^n btitcial accoiint
has been received in England,, and a tmnslatiott
of; it has app^^red in print. (Nav/ iChrotii^
vol. xii^i p. 293.) 1 The British and Frendh i»c»>
dounts agrfee as to the time whentheaetion com-^
menced, but differ % trifle as ta the period of
its duratiob : the meftn of the two fteedunts ^iLeh^
^is at 3 hours and 26 minutes ; very little short
of the Java's. As to the manner in which the
action terminated, the two commanders d^Dsr
materiallj. Ciiptain Irby says :— ** She (I'Are-
thuse) bore up, having the adTartage> of being
able to do so^ leairing us in an ungovernable
state/^-4-Captain Bouvet fe^ :— '* We were no
lon'gerin good condition, and theeneiny^ oroud-
ing all sail, abandoned the field of battle to
u8."-^It may be cor<ddered, then, as a dtaujn
to//e. « iWbicbever ship had lost ,ber masts,
must hayestriick her flag. The Ainelia^s kilfi^d
amounted to 51 -; her v^ounded t!o 95. ' The two
ca^rtels having on board the surviving oi9i«er»
and crew of the Java, fell in with I'Arethuse,'
after her action with the Amelia. Lieutenant
Chads, having) while a prisoner at the isle of
France, known Captain Bouvet, who then com-
tnacd^d there, ami bore a very .high character,
went on board TArethuse ; and was shewn* a
list of 81 killed, and 74 wounded, in her action,
with the Amelia. It is probable, that most' of
the slightly wounded had^ by this time, reco^
vered; and were therefore not noticed. t^^»i>' ^1 **

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196

NAVAL OCCURRENCCS BETWCfSV

* It is due to the veracity of a British officer to
state, that " Captain Irby, in his dispatch to the
admiralty,*" does.no/ mention PArethuse's con-
sort, le Rubis, '' as being in sight just before
the commencement of the action/' (Naval
Chron. vol. xxix. p. dS3.) On the contrary, after
detailing the proceedings of the 6tb, he says :•—
'^ And the next morning, one of the frigates (I
believe VArethuse) was just visible from the

. The Amelia's armament was the same as the
Java's. The British officers who were on board
I'Arethuse, state that her main-deck guns were
French 18s, not '' 24-pounders," as Captain
Irby had been informed. The caliber of her
carrOnades was not known. The carronades of
la Traave, a fine44-gun frigate, captured in Oc*
tober, 1813, consisted of sixteen IS-pounders.-—
Admit I'Arethuse to have had the same ; and,
adding one-eighth for the difference between
French and £nglish caliber, her broadside- weight
of metal would amount to 445 pounds ; but, as
I'Arethuse's carronades may have been 24s or
32s, it is fair to consider the two ships as equal
in guns, or broadside-weight of metal. ^

. The Amelia, like the Java, had a number of
supernumeraries on board ; but, owing to the
general sickness of the men. Captain Irby says:
— >** We had barely our complement fit for dui^ ,
and they much enervated.'' A sickly old, and
'* healthy, n^w ship's company, are about equal

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GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

197

in effectiveness. Captain fiouvet admits that
he had in the action, an officer and boat's crew^
of le Rubis : say, in all, 340 men. Three dajs
after the action, he took out of a Portuguese
prize, in which the cUptain and crew of le Rubis
had embarked after she became wrecked on the
6th, half that ship's complement; and the offi-
cers of the Java have stated, that I'Arethuse
had, when they fell in with her, about 400
as fine seamen as ever sailed out of France, '
L'Arethuse, therefore, was not filled with con* -
scripts and raw hands, in number crowding each
other ; but had a fair complement of experienced
seamen, and good artillerists. Captain Bouvet
particularly designates one of her officers as-—* *
*' corpora] of marine-artillery."
f Referring to the relative numbers of killed on
board the Amelia, and even the Macedonian ^
instead of the Java ; and taking into considera-
tion the decided superiority of the Macedonian's
antagonist, and the equality in force between the
Amelia and I'Arethuse, we cannot but see how.
greatly the French crew excelled the American, i
in the *^ precision of their fire." (App. No. 19.)
Nor did Captain Irby's men perform badly ; as
the killed of I'Arethuse sufficiently testify.

The Amelia, like the Java, had been a French J
ship, (la Proserpine,) and measured within »
few tons of the Java ; and, as if still to continue
the similitude, Captain Bouvet stated I'Arethuse

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NAVAL OCCURRBTfCES BETWEEN

to be a sister^ship to la Renomm^e, taken in
1811; which ship, unknown to him, was th«
tdenticalJava. ':ti«^J^»

^ it is blear that the French captain, when he
engaged the Amelia, had heard nothing of tk^
Java's loss. Previous to his leading France, he
very probably; had of the Guerriere's. Withoot
consideriifg these things, the British journals
Were declaiming, at a fine rate, about the mvi
spirit infused into the French marine, by the
success of the Americans, ^ ,..u. ■ a

r-The action of the Amelia and I'Arethnse
should h^ve taught the Americans, not to OT^rw
fate their abilities ; not to deal so much in the
bombastic, when recounting their ^' brilliatil
exploits upon the water." They might httv^
g«eii that, had Captain Bouvet kept odf at filst,
and tried to fall his adv^sary*s masts ; or tveti
been provided with some of those curious shot
that felt out of the Java's foremast, the Amelial
would, in all probability, have beea his. But
l*Arethuse approached boldly, within pistof^
sbot ; slaughtered more, but disabled less, tMm
the Constitution. There was no mai^oeuviing
to avoid close action ; no yawing awsiy in thd
smoke ; no unusual shot employed ; no rifld«let$
/picking off the British officers:-*-*' all,-- sayii
CaptaiQ Irby^ "fell by fair fighdnjr '* -

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«1U:AT BRITAIN A.WD AM£RfOA. t09

i CHAPTER VIII.

T3^

British official account of the Peacock and tJot'

^ n^t^s action not published. — American details of

.-A it — Captain Lawrence* s time corrected — Peacock

sinks^^PEspeigle not in sight — American print

of the action — Peacock*s loss—rHome^s damages

^ and loss — Peacock's force in guns and men —

I Hornet's force in guns— ^Complement fixed—

^ Relative size of the Peacock and Hornet fully

^ considered — Statement of comparative force— ^

|. Hornet's challenge to the Bonne Citoyenne-^

Captair^ Greene's reply — Unhandsome behaviour

of the commanders of the Constitution antf

^^ Hornet upon the occasion*

Of the action between H. M . late brig Pea«-
cock, and the U. S. fihip Hofnet, no British
official accoiiilt has bfeen published, f^ortu-
nately, a gross misstatement which appeared
an the subject; in the New York " Commercial
Advertiser,'' of the 16th of April, 1813, called
fbrth a reply, in the same public manner, from
the Peacock's late first lieutenant. (A pp. No. 30.
This counter-st^ement must serve, in lieu of a
British official account, to contrast with th#

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NATAL OCCURRBNOES BETWEEN

official letter of Captain Lawrence. (App*
No. 29.)

The action was fought on the 24th of Febru-
ary, 1813, close to the entrance of the Demarara
river; and continued, according to Captain
Lawrence, '* less than 15 minutes;" but, '^ by
Peacock's time, for 25 minutes ;" when the Bri-
tish vessel, being totally cut to pieces, and in
danger of sinking, hoisted a signal of distress at
her fore-rigging. Shortly afterwards, the brig's
main-mast went by the boards

As a proof that the Peacock could do no
more, however well disposed her officers and
crew may have been, she sank, in a few minutes
after the action; carrying down, according to
Captain Lawrence, thirteen of her own, and
three of the Hornet's crew ; but, of the former,
four were afterwards saved by the enemy's boats.
Another four of the Peacock's crew took to her
stern-boat, just as the action ended ; and arrived
in safety at Demarara. ^

' Captain Lawrence states that H. M. brig
I'Espiegle was *' about six miles in shore of him ;
and could plainly see the whole of the action."
But Lieutenant Wright's letter is equally posi-
tive, '' that H. B. M. brig FEspeigle was not
visible from the look>outs stationed at the Pea-
cock's mast-beads, for some time previous to the
action." (App. No. 30.) A court-martial has
since been holden upon Captain John Taylor,

((

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GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

301

of TEspeigle, at the instance of the admiralty ;
and one of the charges was, for *' failing in his
dutj, when in pursuit of the Hornet American
sloop, after the capture of the Peacock." Of
this charge he was acquitted.

In the engraving of this action, given in the
'' Naval Monument," TEspeigle appears scarcely
two miles from the spot ; and, although the Pea-
cock is represented with part of her hull under
water, the remainder shews as many ports as she
had upon her whole side ! «

' Captain Peake, the gallant commander of the
Peacock, was killed at the early, not *' the
latter part" of the action. She lost, also, four
seamen killed; her master, a midshipman, the
carpenter, and captain's clerk, and 39 seamen
and marines, wounded; of whom three died,
soon after being removed to the Hornet ; total 38.

The damages of the Hornet are represented as
trifling. One shot went through the fore-mast,
and the bowsprit was slightly injured ; but her
hull suffered little or no injury. The American*
acknowledge a loss of only two men killed, and
three wounded.

^ The Peacock was originally armed with 32-
po'ind carronades ; but Captain Peake, consider-
ing her scantling as too slight to bear them,
got 248 in exchange. She had two long sixes
instead of *' nines"; and, admitting she had
*' a 12-pouiid carronadeon her top-gallant-fore;*

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909

VATAL OCeURRBNCBS B£TWBEll

castle/' and a swivel or two, it is denied %h^
sb^ kad *' one fqilr or six-pounder/' '• , r i*;
i: The Peaeook had long been the admiration
of her Bttinevous Ttaitoni, lor, the tasteful ar-
rangement of her.dei^ki and had obtained, j^
consequente, the natue of tho yatfhtd The
breechings of the earronndes were lined with
white oaHvans; the fthoMocker^ shifted fronfi
their usual places ; . and nothing could . exceed*
tn briltiancjj the polish upon the traversing-
bars and elevating screwy. If carronades, \^.
general, as mounted in the British sei^vice, are
liable to turn iiiTboiIrd or upset, what must hav$
been the state of the Peacock's ciun evades aftejr
the first broadside?-^ The captain of VE^peigle^
attached to the same station, wa$j at his.conrtr
martial, found gniltj of '' neglecting to exerr
cise the ship's comptany at tlie greUt guns." — A
single discharge frooi the Peacock's carironades,
ill exercise^ .would have betrayed the very defec*-
ttvie.stdte of their fastenings; and our feelings
might then have found some: relief in the skilly
lis well ns gallantry j etinced in her defence*

Captain Lawrence says: — " 1 find, by her
quarter-bill, that her crew consisted of 134
men, four of whom were absent in a prize." The
Peacock's officers declare that she had, " at th^
lime she engaged the Hornet, a complement of
132 men and boys;" which, without the four men
fbat were absent, was one above h^r established

GREAT BRITAIH AND AMERICA.

SR)^

number. Of these, iieveiiteen Were bojs. When
we consider that the Peacock had been long on a
West India station, it cannot be surprising, that
the chief part of the crew were convalescents ;
although it is so^ that she should have had her
full complement on board. > '^

Recording to the British lieutenant's letter,
the Hornet mounted eighteen carronades, 32-
pounders, and two long O-ponnders ; but several
American papers have stated her long guns as
twelves.

In fixing the Hornet's complement of men in
the action, there will not be much difficulty.
Lieutenaitt Wright says she had 170 men ; and
that is noir known to have been the establish-
ment, exclusive of supernumeraries, of United
States' vessels rating, like the Hornet, of " 18
guns." Captain Lawrence states, that his master
arid seven men were absent in a prize ; and that
h0 bustered, on the day aftei^ the action, " 370
souls, including the crew ()^f the American brig
Hunter, of Portland, taken a few days before by
the Peacock," ■ i>*HK m^o

^' -It Was very kind of Captain Lawrence to
give the number of souh mustered. Relying
ufion that, the^ following statement will shew,
clearly, that the Hornet must have had, in her
action with the Peacock, 165 men ; making,
with the eight absent, a complement of 173;
supernumeraries included. '^

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S04 NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

, Peacock's complement ofmen and boyi.
Killed in action, and died after removing, 8

Drownedj
Escaped in the boat.

— 21

Peacock's surviving crev7»
, Brig Hunters ship's company, exclusive )
„( of master and mate, 3

f. Hornet's original complement, 173

Absent in a prize, ' '§'

■ ) . r'i

101 t

^^*i*;^J^it<

;>■/»

Present in action.
Killed and died of wounds.
Drowned,

f I Hornet's surviving crew,

16^

2
3

^ 5

i\ «■' t?'

160

I i

Number of souls mustered, 270

The Hornet had three lieutenants, a lieute-
nant of marines, and a great shew of midship-
men. Her crew were all picked men ; many of
whom hiftd belonged to her from the time she was
commissioned. No boys were seen on board,
yet two will be allowed. The exclusion of all
men *' on the sick list,'' in both crews, would
be much more in favour of the Peacock than the
Hornet.

The Peacock was built in 1807; upon the
same model as the Frolic, and all the other

•REAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

doS

British 18-gun brigs. Captain Lawrence, sen^^
Bible that the Peacock would not rise up from
the deep to confront him, says: — ** I should
judge her to be about the tonnage of the Hornet.
Her beam was greater by five inches, but her
extreme length not so great by four feet." fw
The first question that arises is ; — if the Pea-

, cock sank so soon after the action, that several
men were drowned in her, what time had the
Hornefs people to measure her length and
breadth? — The dimensions which the Peacock's
carpenter, if asked for them, could have fur-
nished the Hornet's commander, would have
been precisely the same as those which will
be presently given.

. By dint of a little scrutiny into Americaa
statements, the dimensions of the Hornet can be
obtained with tolerable a^^curacy. Captain Bid-
die, who commanded her when, at a subsequent
day, she captured the Peng^uin, the Peacock's
sister-brig, stated his pri^e to be *' two feet
shorter upon deck," and to have *' greater
breadth," than the Hornet. Fortunately, the
American officers, anxious to shew what an ex-

i traordinary large brig they had captufed, pub-
lishr'^ in a New York paper, the Penguin's

. "length on deck," and ** breadth of beam;"
making the former *' 110 feet," the latter '' 31
feet 6 inches." — llie absurdity of this will be
shewn, when we arrive at the Penguin's action:

I :i

I 1

;. (

I
III [

I
t
I

$ ':

i^oe

NAY At OCCUftBEVCES BETWEEN

at present, th^ figores are ail we walit.*— The
Hornefs " length on deck," then, is admitted
td be 112 feet. Let us take Captain Lawrence's
ff five inches" as theidifTerence between the Hor^
net's breadth, and the **31 feet 6 inches," stated
to have been the Penguin's breadth; although
the expression '* greater breadth" would almost
imply, that the excess was so triflings as to be
ii6t worth computing. ; This would give for the
Hornet's breadth, 31 feet: 1 inch; on)y d inch^es
inore than that of the Wasp ; a ship six, instead
<^'^ two, feet shorter upondeok than the Hornet.^
97?These dimensions will make the Hornet 450
tbns onlj; whereas, one of tl^ lieutenants of
the late U. S. ship Frolic, who had served in
ithe same capacity on board the Hornet, de-<
fdribed her as very little inferior in size to the
Frolic ; and she is 539 tons.

3i:

iw^

Dimensions of the two vessels.

Peacock^ brig.

Ft. In.

Length of deck; from rabbit to rabbitj, 1 00 3
Breadth^ extreme^ 30 7

Homet^hip.

Ft.

112

In.

(^4

„(« Some opinion may be formed of the stoutness
of the Hornet's scantling by that of the Wasp ;
(see p. 152 ;) and the former's masts and yards
are described as very little inferior in size to
thof$e of the late American ship Frolic ; now the
Florida in our service. ^

« *

l^c

OREAT BRITAIN AND AMRRUCA*

^^^^'^'kT6mparativefdrde'^(tf the two vMieh4 > nfi

J »«««

, Feacock.

Broa^side-iJnletal l long giim^^ ' ' ' '*^
in pouudsj, 1 carronades, ]r99

<?on.pIame„., {*»; »°^

198

Size ill tonS/

122
$86

Hornet. *

/ g »

29?

)

163 ^'f*

« I

165 ,.

450 *

■ '*H iivn

The Americans, now, for the first time de-
clared, '* Ifmt d4-potinder8 were as good as
32^"; and' that, therefore, the twi» sloops^ (al<>
tho'agh iii relative br^adside-ttvetal, exabtly as
3 i6 2f;) Wei^ " teijiJally b^ched^"' imprbving
iipcin this, the editor of the " Naval Monuf
ment*' says, J)lumiply," the Hornet shivered her
^jl^en^or antagonist to atomsi*^ »^ >'f 'nU ir>ili brio
*" Previous to his actioil ' with ■ the Peacock^
Captain Lawrence ' fo6k advantage df amother
fortunate event th^ occurred to the Hometi
H. M. S. Bonne CitojenUe, Captain Pitt B;
Greene, with half a million sterling on board*
which she had brought fVom Rio de la Plata, was
lying in St. Salvador, at the time the U. S.ship^
Constittitibh and Hornet were cruizing oiF the
port. A king's packet, bound to England, was
also detained there, by the presence of those
ships. ^^' 1

^' The Constitution and Hornet anchored in the
harbour; and their respective commanders were
frequently at the house of Mr. Hill, the Ameri>-

!:• '4

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NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEBT

ifl '.*«

it!'

!0'

can consul; a man of notorious Anti-briiisti
feelings. The nature of the Bonne Citoyenne's
cargo was well understood by all the Uierchants
(of which the consul was one) at St. Sialvador ;
and both Commodore Bainbridge and Captain
Lawrence, as professional men, knew that the
British commander dared not engage in a diffe-
rent service, from that upon which he had been
ordered.

< The consul, and the two American command**
ers, laid their heads together, to contrive some-
thing that, without any personal risk to either,
should contribute to the renown of their com-
mon country. What so likely as a challenge to
Captain Greene? — It could not be accepted;
and then the refusal would be as good as a vic-
tory to Captain Lawrence. Accordingly, a chal-
lenge for the Hornet to meet the Bonne Citoy-
enne, was offered by Captain Lawrence, through
the American to the British consul, Mr. Frede-
rick Landeman. (App. Nos. «32. and 33.) ^
i Without making the unpleasant avowal, that
his government had, upon this occasion, re-
duced the vessel he commanded from a king's
cruizer to a merchant-ship, Captain Green trans-
mitted, through the consular channel, an ani-
mated reply; refusing a meeting ^^ upon terms
so manifestly disadvantageous as those proposed
by Commodore Bainbridge." (App. Nos. 34.
and 35.) Indeed, it would appear, as if thd

re-

GABAt BRtTAiN AND AMERICA.

009

coibmodore had pttrposely itiserted the words,
** or not interfering/' lest Captain Greene
should, contrary to expr tation, have accepted
the challetige. For, had the two ships met by
agreement, engaged, the Constitution looked
on " without interfering," and the British ship
been the conqueror, the pledge of " honor" on
the part of both American commanders, would
have been fulfilled: and can any one, for a ,
moment imagine, \hat Commodore Bainbridge
woulcl have seen the Bonne Citoyenne carry off
a United States ship of war, without attempting
her rescue ?---it was more than his head was
worth.— Where was the guarantee against re-
capture, which always accompanies serioui pro-
posals of this sort, when a stronger force, belong-
ing to either party, is to preserve a temporary
neutrality ?->— Let the commander of the Monta«
gue 74, have made the same proposal to the
Hornet, pledging his *' honor not to interfere-;"
and see, bow deservedly he would have been ridir
culed,.uot by Americans only, but by the whole
of his countrymen.

Commodore Bainbridge, in his public letter,
says: *' The Bonne Citoyenne is a larger vessel,
and of greater force in guns and men than the
Hornet." — She is, certainly, a trifle larger ; but,
it is believed, mounted tlie same number and
description of guns, with the addition of a
boatcarronade. Her complement was twenty-

I'.

At.
a,'

m W

Ml'

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i ■: ;,j

[iff f

in'

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NAVAL OCCURftENCes BETWEEN

■t five men le8» than the Hornet's ; but her crew had
been exefcised at the guns, were well disposed,
und commanded by a gallant officer.

Captain Lawrence's boast of his having block*
«ded the Bonne Citoyenne, and a packet, until
the Montague chased the Hornet oiT, was well
l»lculated to exalt him in the opinion of his
friends ; but what assurance had Captain Greene,
:^ that Commodore Bainbridge, as well apprized
bf the Bonne Citojenne's destination, as of the
nature of her cargo, was not cruizing in the

t offing. The British ship would have been a rich

t prize, indeed ; and her commander most justly
laughed at, had he become the dupe of so shallow
an artifice. The blockade of the Bonne Citoy«

, enne and packet by the Hornet, was a fine sub-

^ ject fwr the painter. Accordingly, the " Naval
Monument^' tx)ntains a clumsy wood-cut, repre-
senting the transaction in all its brilliancy.
That the American consul at St. Salvador

^ l^bonlil have been ungenerous enough to reduce

a British ol^cer to the necessity of refusing,

, under any circumstances, to meet a ship of his

^ own class, creates no surprise whatever. But
who could expect that two national officers,
sEiware of the delicate situation in which a bro-
ther-officer, though apolitical enemy, was placed,
would have urged the unhandsome request;
jsiuch more^ have triumphed aver the answer^
wiijcji they,k|iew it wa9 his duty to give?

■ Jr^^fT-:'x\f^

GREAT BEITiLIN AND AMERICA;

ftll

CHAPTER IX. . ,j

Shannon and Tenedos reconnoitre Boiton'-^Cheia*

. pea^egeis in tmperceived — President and Con».

V gress avoid ifie blockading ships, and fspape If

/ sea-^Captain Broke detaches the Tenedos-^B^

: cUves on hoard twenty two Irish labourera-'-'Chal^

i ienges the Chesapeake, and stands close in to

t Boston light-house— Chesapeake sails out, u^tlA-

. ^ut receiving the challenge — 7%€ two ships tfg*

gage — Details of the uction^-American specta*

tors — Lieutenant Budd's o^seial lett^r-^Sham

I non^s damages and loss-^Chesapeake's also-^

j Shannon's force, in guns and men — America^

. method of computing a ship's complement*^Che^

sapeake's force in guns — Names of her guns — •

. Dismantling shoU^Effects of her langri^ge om

•; the Shannon's wounded^^Cask of limc'-^a curi^

\ ous case on the subject — Chesapeake^ scomph"

merU'^Diffiadty of ascertaining it — The number

fivfid — Quafity of the drew — American remark^

i thereon— Dimensions of the two ships, in hull

, and sparp—StatemevU of comparative fqrce^^

,. JHemarhs thereon.

. %'

On the 3d of April, 1813, H. M. S. Shannon,
46, Captain Broke, accompanied hy the Tene«
40S4 46, Captain Parker, reconnoitered the har«

■ .

If. I

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7 !■

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NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN'

bour of Boston, and discovered lying there, the
V. S. frigate Congress ready for sea, President
nearly so, and Constitution under rt'pair.

On the 13th, the U. S. frigate Chesapeake,
Captain Evans, got into Boston, through the
eastern parage, unperceived by either of the
British frigates ; and, on the 1st of May, foggy
weather, ami a sudden favourable shift of wind,
enabled the President, Commodore Rodgers, and
Congress, Captain Smith, to avoid the Shannon
and Tenedos, and escape to sea. The American
accounts say, with a very grave air, that the
British frigates sailed from the coast, purposely
to avoid the commodore.

^ Having ascertained that the Chesapeake would
soon be ready for sea agaiii, Captain Broke, on
the fldth of May, took a supply of provisions
and water from the Tenedos ; and detached her,
with orders to Captain Parker, not to rejoin him
before the 14th of June; the earliest date, at
which, it was considered, the Constitution could
be got ready to accompany the Chesapeake,
should the latter wait in port for that purpose.

On the 26th of May, the Shannon recaptured
the brig Lucy, and on the 29th, the brig Wil-
liam; both belonging to Halifax. A meeting
with the Chesapeake being now Captain Brokers
sole purpose, nothing but the circumstance of
those vessels belonging to the port of Halifax,
could induce him to weaken the Shannon's crew^

^ i

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMBRIOA;

!I13 ^

by sendi tig them in. The master of the Lucy;
and five itecaptured men-of-war's-m^n, took her
in oharge; and a midshipman and ibupiof the
Shannon's meh^ the Williamw ^ja^ni^ Am., w^a
i .-On the afternoon of the 30th^t6e Shhnnon
fell in with the British privateer-brigi^ $|r Johii
Sherbrooke. This vessel had on board fifty two
Irish labourers, taken three days previoiib oot
of the captured American privateer. Governor
Plnmer; which vessel had captured the ship
Duck, from Waterford to Buriuy Newfoundllind ;
having on board these men as passengers. The
commander of the Sir John Sherbrooke had per-
suaded thirty of the latter to join his vessel;
and the remaining twenty-two were now pressed
into the Shannon. i'

'i^j■ Early on Monday morning, Captain Broke
addressed tO' the coinmanding^officer of the
Chesapeake, a letter of challenge; which, for
candour, spirit^ and gentlemanly style, hat
rarely been equalled. (App. No. 36.) This let*
ter was confided to a Captain Slocuni, a dis^
charged prisoner; who immediately departed
in his boat for Marblehead, a port a few
miles north of Boston. At the same time, the
Shannon, with c<dours flying, stood in close to
the light-house; and there lay-to. She had
been as near to Boston during several of the
preceding days; but thick rainy weather, had
obstructed the view of the harbour. 1^ JGlifsa^

«14

VAVJkh OCCVllBENCBS BETWEEX>

■■<: V
IS if

peak^i ^vte now seen tit anchor in President
Roads, with royal yards across ; and apparently
re^y for sea. She presently loosed her fore^top*
sail ; and, shortly afterwards, all her top«>sails,
mmI «bl»ct«d th^^m hoibe. But, from the wind
be!H%i perfectly fair, and the ship Aot getting
under way, the Shannon's people began to
fear that she was not inclined to come out. dm\i
•<oBetween twelve and one, while the men were
nt dinner, Captain Brcike went himself to the
inastrhead ; and there observed the Chesapeake
fiif6 a gun, and loose and set top-gaUant-siaiis.
She was soon under way; and made more
fiiil as she came down ; havitig a light breeze in
ber iavor. While aloft, Captain Broke saw that
Captain Slocum's boat had not reached the
shore in time for the delivery of his letter of
ehallenge to the commander of the Chesapeake;
-H Thfe Shannon now tilled) and rtood out from
th^ land under easy sail, till 4 o'clock ; wheni
the Chesapeake having hauled up, and fired ar
gun, as, if in defiance, the Shaiinon Irauled np
blso, and reeved toprsaiis^ Both ships, now
about seven miles distant, again bote away; the
Sbani^n with her fore-sail brailed up, and her
main*topHsail braced fiat, and shivering, that
tha Chesapeake might overtake her. At a few
minutes past 5, Boston light«house bearing
west, distant about six leagues, the Shannon
ugain hauled up, with her bead to the south*

GJi|SAT BflLITAIN ANP AAfBHiOAv

'2\^

ward and eastward ; and lay-to, under tep-sailDf
top-gailaiH-sail8,jib, andflipanker ; baviog baix'l/
steerage-way. .4t;«*. ' f ft; ->ir'jH->rf

: The Ch^apeake cameddwn upon Ibe ^haiif
noa's starboard-quarter, with threci ansigns fly-*
ing : one at tbe mizen-royal-matt-head, one at
the peak, and one in the starboard-main-riggmg*
She had, aiiM), ilying at the fore, a hrge whiti^
flag, ittsGiibed with the words; — '* Frbe tra.db
And SAiiLORs' BieHTS;" — apon a supposition,
perhaps, that that favorite American motto
ivonld paralize the efforts, ot damp the lergy,
ef the Sbsinnon's men.^^The Shannon bad only
an old rusty blue ensign at tbe peak ; nor was
her outside appearance at all calculated to in*
spire a belief, of the order and discipline that
reigned within. Captain Broke thought, at on^
time, that the Chesapeake would pass tuider his
stern, and engage hi«n upon tbe larboard^side ;
he therefore onlered his mem,, a( she passed^
to lay down Hat, so as to ar'oid, in some degree;,
the rakiog fire. But Captain Lawrenoe, either
overlodking or waving this advantage, at 3Q
minutes past 5, gallantly luffed up, within
half-pistol-shot, upon the Shannon^s starboard
(quarter.

The Shannon's men had received orders, to
fire as their guns would bear; and to aim prin*
cipally at the. enemy's ports. The first and
«3Bcond shot were discharged froin the aftermost

/■

316

NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

iK i

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t't

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H ■•■:

:' I

inaiii-deckguti,andquarter-deckcarronade;juKt
as the Chesapeake, while rounding-to, brought
her fore-mast in a line with the Shannon's mizen-
mast. These two shot were distinctly heard
before the Chesapeake commenced firing ; and,
by the American account, both shot took effect ;
killing and wounding several officers and men.
The Chesapeake discharged her whole broad-
side in return ; which was replied to by the
Shannon's guns, as fast as the men could level
them with precision. ■^-'- ;

. In about seven minutes from the commence-
ment of the action, the Chesapeake, having her
jib-sheet and fore-top-sail-tie shot away, fell on
' board the Shannon ; the fluke of the letter's
.waist anchor, (which, to assist in trimming the
ship, had been stowed in the main-chains,) en-
tering the former's quarter-gallery window.
The shot from the Shannon's aftermost guns,
now had a fair range along the Chesapeake's
decks ; beating in the stern-ports, and sweeping
the men from their quarters. The shot from
the foremost guns, at the same time entering
the ports from the main-mast aft, did considera-
ble execution. 4*
When about 10 minutes had elapsed, an open
cask of musket-cartridges, standing upon the
Chesapeake's ca|i)in-sky-light for the use of the
marines, caught fire and blew up ; but did no
injury whatever. Eren the spanker-boom, di«

ORBAT BRITAIN AND AMBRICA.

aiT

tectljT in the way of the explosion, was barely
singed. The Chesapeake's head had, by thi»
time, fallen off; so that she lay close along-
side the Shannon ; the latter's main^mast being^^
nearly in a line with her opponent's taiTrail . i i

Captain Broke now saw that the Chesapeake's*
quarter-deck division were deserting their guns^
He instantly called out— *^ Board !" and, ac»
companied by the iiret lieutenant and 20 men,
sprang upon the Chesapeake's quarter-deck.
Here not an officer or man was to be seen.
Upon her gangways, about 30 Americans made
a slight resistance. These were instantly driyen
towards the forecastle ; .where a few endeavoured
to get down the fore-hatchway, but in their
eagerness prevented each other ; a few fled over
the bows, and reached the main-deck through
the bridle-ports ; and the remainder laid down
their arms, and submitted.

Between 30 and 40 of the Shannon's marines
quickly followed the fir^c boarding party.
These kept dotvn the men who were ascending
the main^hatchway; and answered a spirited
fire, still continued from the main and mizen
tops. The Chesapeake's fore-top was, in the
mean time, stormed by Midshipman Smith and
his top-men, about Ave in number ; who either
destroyed or drove on deck, all the Americans
there stationed. This gallant young man had
deliberately passed along the Shannon's fore-

y r

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118

NATAL OCCURABNOBfl BETWBBW

wi\

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•f ' ■ !

lit* :•:■

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yard, wbick was braced up, to the Chesapeake*!,
also braced up ; artd thence into her tbp.

After those upbn tbe ferecaiitle had submitted^
Captain Broke ordered one of his men to stand
sentiy over them ; and sent most of the others aft^
where the conflict was still, going on. He was
in the act of giving them orders to answer the
fire from the Chesapeake's main-top, when, the
sentry called lustily out to him. Qn turning
round, the captain found hiouielf opposed by
three of the Americans ; who, seeing they were
superior to the British then near them, had
armed themselves a-fresh. Captain Broke par*
ried the middle fellow's pike, And woUnded him
in the face; but itistatitly redeived from the
man on the pikemam's right, a blow with the
butt-end o^ a musket, ^hibfa bared his scull,
and nearly stunned himL^ Determined to finish
the British commander, the third man cut him
down witb his broad-sword ; aad, at that very
instant, was himself cut. down by one of the
Shannon's seameh. Captain Broke and his
treacherous foe now lay side by side ; each, afk*
though nearly powerless, sirvggling to ivgaia
his sword ; when a marine dispatched the Ame-
rican with his bayonet. Captain Broke was not
the only sufierer upon this occasion ; one of hijB
men was killed, asid two or three were woimded.
Can it be wondered, if all that were concerned
in this breach of faith, fell victims to the indig-

•^i- '■*-*;,• -\^

« •

:'■ =i

ORBAT 9KITAI1I 41fB AIIBBlCAi

fll9

oatiop of the ShaDiion's men ? It was m itoucli
a« their commander could do, to save from their
fury a young midshipman, who, having slid
down a rope from the Che8apeake*s fore-top;
begged his protection. Mr. Smith, who had
ahio descended fVom the fore-top, and a seaman^
were at this time helping the captain on his
legs. The seaman, while tying a handkerchief
round his commander's head, called Out, (pointi-
ing aft,) — ^*' There, sir, there goes up the old
ensign over the Yankee colours." The captain
saw it hoisting ; and was instantly led to the
quarter-deck; where he seated himself upon
pne of the carronade-{didc8. ^ > - . (

The gallant first lieutenant of the Shannon
was struck on the head with a grape-i^hbt from
one of that ship's fore-mast guns, while in the
act of hoisting the British colours over the Ante^
ricanw Another gun was discharged, un4brtu«>
nately, before the otiicer commanding that di^
vision, knew of the Chesapeake's surrender ^
and three or lour o£ the Shannon's men shared
the lamented fate of Mr. Watt, liesides several
being wounded.

f. Even after the British colours were flying on
board the Chesapeake, some of her men ke|)t
firing up the main-hatchway, and killed a Eri4
tish marine. It was then, and not till then, that
Lieutenant Falkiner, who was sitting on the
booms, very properly directed three or ibuf-

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220

NATAL OCCtJRliENOES BBTWEBN

muskets that were ready, to be fired down.
Captain Broke, from his seat upon the carro-
nade-slide, told him to summon them to slir<-
render, if thej desired quarter. He did so:
they replied-^'^ We surrender;'* and all hostility
ceased. Soon after this, Captain Broke*s senses
failed him from loss of blood ; and, the Shan-
non's jolly-boat arriving with a supply of men,
(the two ships having separated, owing to the
Chesapeake's quarter-gallery giving way,) he
was carried on board bis own ship. "*

■ Between the discharge of the Hrst gun, and
the period of Captain Broke's boarding, 11 mi-
nutes only elapsed; and, in 4 minutes more,
the Chesapeake was completely his. Hundreds
of spectators from Boston, and the surrounding
neighbourhood, holding their watches in their
hands, were astonished at the ^eedy termina-
tion of the firing; and the fact of the Shannon's
first lieutenant having been killed^by a cannon-
shot, as he wiBs hoisting the colours on boaid the
Chesapeake, clearly proves, that the firing did
not cease till the very moment of victory. ' ^
V What a happy circumstance it was that,
during the whole of this doubly-auspicious day,
no British cruizer, public or private^ came in
sight. If we except a very numerous assem-
blage of American pleasure-yachts, and a few
gun-boats, the two frigates had the offing to
themselves. At about 8 o'clock in the evening,

en
th

/•^

' OREA.T BRITAIN ANp AMERICA. HHX

the prisoners , being divided, and properly se-
cured, the British ship, and her :fiiie prize, liient
their course for (lalifax ; where they amved in
perfect safety on the Sunday, ^flpwing ; being
the fifth day after the action.; ■> .,;;/ /;,. ,v ., > n^
. The " Report of the court of. inquiry on.thf
toss of the Chesapeake'' (^PP* No. 40) grounjds
a string of suppositious upon '' the cantious
manner in which the enemy c&joeon board.''—
Had the court tried to invest its proceedings
with an air of ridicule, could ;it possibly . have
succeeded better, than by making such an as-
sertion? iiBrn
' . Let us see how the editor of the *' Naval
History" describes the boiarding-attempt. He
says : — ** The bugleman, who should have caUed
.the boarders, as ordered by Captain Lawrence^
did not do his duty. The Shannon had sus-
tained, so n^uch injury, that her commander^
Commodore Brooke, was preparing to repel any
attempt of boarding from theChesapeake ; but,
at this monientiBippke, perceiving the havoc, bis
iire had qi^asioued on the deck Of the Chesa-
peake, jumped on board her with about 2Q
men. They woiild soon have been driven back,
but all the officers on deck were either killed or
wounded. The second lieutenant, Budd, who
commanded the first division below, led up th^
boarders ; but only 15 or 20 men followed' him.
With these he defended the ship until disabled

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«fAYAL OCCURRENCES BBTWEEBT

by a lyyHiiid. Lieatenant La^ow, thoagli
^vottoded, honied on deck, where he soon re^
ceiTed a mortal sabre-wound; 60 additional
men beidg^ thrown on board from: the Shannon,
the crew of the Chesapeake, who had no ofiicer
to direct and rallj them, were overpowered.
The Chesapeake, however, was not surrendered
by an act of submission, but was taken posses^
tion af by ft force that overwhelmed all opposi-
tion." (N. Hist. vol. i. p. 205.)
- ^^ Jumped on board her with about 30
men/^ — ^This is a specimen of the '* cautious
manner'' in which the British boarded^ After
confessing that *^ the crew of the Cheiapeake,''
then consisting of, at least, 340 men, quite un-
hurt, '* were orerpowered" by 80 British^ Mr.
Clarke gravely adds :-^** The Chesapeakej how^
ever, was not surrendered by an act of submisi-
sion, but was taken possession of by a force
that overwhelmed all opposition'' \
'^ Aware of this inconsistency in Mr. Clarke's
statement, the *' Sketches of the War*^ makes
the 80 British ** 200." The same work assures
its readers, that Captain Broke bearded, because
he was <* apprehensive of the Shannon's sink-
ing'* ; and ascribes the Ckcsapeake's not captur-
ing her ** superior enemy" to the blowing up of
the arm«chest.

'< Mr. Budd, the Chesapeake's second lieutenant,
iia^^ made his official letter nearly as short as

OHBAt BRITAIN AND AMBftICA;

^fi3

die actibn. (App. No. 30.) H« givei bolli
** A, Ms. an^ '* P. Ms. before the oombat
began ; but, afterwards, finds it his interest to
be less precise. His assertion that the arm'^
chest *' was blown up by a band-grenade thrown
from the enemy's ship/' is ntterly false. No
band -grenade whatever wa» thro>vn from the
Shannon ; aithoagh she had on board about a
dozen in all, Mr. Budd wrote his letter- fifteen
days after the action ; and most have made tho
assertion, knowing it to be false. It is proba-
ble, he to<^ the hint from the paragraphs about
the *^ infernal machine/' ^. contained in the
Boston papevs describing the action ; which pa-
pers had* reached llalifax about two days before
tbe dateof his letter.

^' The <^ court of inquiry'' makes a fine story
of th4 firing down the hatchway. Not a word
is there of the '^ magnanimous conquer^ foe'*
having fired from below, in the first instance,
and killed a British marine. Captain Broke
will long have cause to remember the treatment
he experienced firom this ** magnanimous con-
quered foe.*' So far, indeed, from the conduct
of the British being *' a most unwarrantable
abuse of power after success," Lieutenant Cox
0f the Chesapeake, in the hearing of several
English gentlemen, has since admitted, that he
owed his lile to the forbearance of one of the
Sbamnon's marines. When the American officers

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arrived on board thie Shannon, attd soque of them
were finding out reasons for being ;*V taken so
unaccountably/' their first lieutenant^ Ludlow,
a gallant officer, and who fought hard in repeU
ling the boarders, readily acknowledged^ th^%
the Shannon had bieaten thiem heartily vnkd/airfy;
>; Five shot passed through the Shannon; one
en)y oelow the main-deck: several struck^ and
most of them lodged in the starboard side, ranged
in. :a line just; above the copper. A long iron
bar was seen sticking out of her copper. Until
her shot-holes were stopped, th<3 Shannon ms^de
a good deal of water, upon the larboardi taotk;
but, upon the other, not mOre than usual. The
^V Report'^ actually states, that the Shannon
** was reduced almost to a sinking cpndition.''

The Shannon's fore and main^rmasts were
slightly injured by shot; her bowsprit* previ-
ously sprung, and mizen-mast were badly wound-
ed. No other spar was damaged. The Shan-
non carried a pole mizen top-mast; which, from
its shortness, may have given rise to the assertion*
among the boat-spectators, that her '^ mizen-
royal-mast was shot awiay.'' The' Shannon's
rigging was very slightly injured. Notwith-
standing these facts, the " Report" states the
Shannon to have been *' much cut in her spars
and rigging." ^

. The Shannon, besides her first lieutenant) lost
the purser, captain's clerk, SlO seaiiifi« mjariafs*

:1J

OliteAT BUlTAtN AND AMERICA.

5235

atad ftupernumeraries, and 1 boj, killed; her:
commander, boatswain, a midshipman^ and 56:
seamen, marines, and supernumeraries, wounded ;
of whom 24, including the captain and boat-
swain, (the latter since dead,) were severely
wounded ; total killed and wounded 83. Three
of the Irish supernumerarie.s fell in the action.
To say that these rough sons of Erin, amidst the-
new and awful scene they were exposed to, be-
haved gallantly, would be superfluous, consi-
dering the land they came from. Perhaps their
native valor received a slight stimulus, from the
harsh treatment they had experienced, while on
board the American privateer.

The- Chesapeake was severely battered in her
hull, on the starboard quarter particularly. A =
shot parsed through one of her transoms; (equal
in stoutness to a 64-gun ship's ;] and several shot
entered the stern-windows* She had two main-
deck guns, and one carronade, entirely disabled.
One S^'-pound carronade was dismounted ; and
several carriages and slides were broken. Yet,
says the " Report," — *' the Chesapeake was com-
paratively uninjured."

Her three lower-masts, especially the main
and mizen-masts, were badly wounded. The
bowsprit received no injury; nor was a spar of
any kind shot away. Her lower-rigging and
stays were a good deal cut ; but neither masts
nor rigging were so damaged, that they could

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NAVAL 0CCURRENCB8 VXTWJBSN

not have been repaired, if necessary, without
going into port.

; Dreadful was the slaughter on board the:
Chesapeake. She lost her master, a lieutenanlb^
of marines, 3 midshipmen, and at least 56 petty-
officers, seamen, and marines, killed ; her gallant
commander and first lieutenant, also her second^
third, and fourth lieutenants, 4 midshipmen, and
106 petty-officers, seamenand marines, wounded ;(
of whom, Captain Lawrence, Lieutenants Lud-'
low and Brome, one or two midshipmen, and)
several of the men, died of their wounds: totals
killed 61 ; wounded, (some of them very slightly,) i
115; which comprises every one that reported:
himself to the Shannon's surgeon, three days
after the action. This makes the gross number of
killed and wounded amount to 176. The Che-,
sapeake's surgeon^ without, of course, noticing
the very slightly wounded, writes from Hali-
fax : *^ The whole number killed and wounded
is estimated at about 160 to 170.'^ Lieutenant)
Bndd (without, it would appear, havingp. any,r
muster-roll in his possession,) gives the names of
47 killed, and 99 wounded. As the Americans
talked much of an *' explosion/' the Shannon's
surgeon was directed to examine their wounded : i
when he could find only one man at all burnt;:
and that was by the bursting of one of their .^
powder-horns at a forecastle gun ;-^ar enough
from the Txplosion upon the quarter-deck.

Afttrt Mr: Clatke has told ud of tbe Shafrindn's
'* destructive broadsides/' and of^ three tnen be<*
ing silocessiVely shot front the Chesapeake's
whe^l, he adds: — ^*» The Chesapeaike had evi-
dently the advantage.—- The gr^atei* part of the
Atdericans were killed and wounded by the
IBiritish boarders. The loss of the Shannon was
piriticipally occasioned by the cannon of the
Chteapeake."— And the " court of inquiry"
has decreed, '* that the fire of the Chesapeake
was much superior to that of the Shannon'' ! ^

The Shannon mounted twenty eight' long 18-
ponnders upon the main-deck ; upon the quar-
ter-deck, twelve carronades, 32'poanders, two
long 9-pounders, a 12-pound launch carronade
through the fore-most starboard port, and a
Idng brass 6-pounder through the opposite one;
alsb tSifti additional 12-pound carronad^s through'
the stei^-poHs ; and, upon the forecastle, four
can^otiades, 32-pounders, and two long 9-pound-
ers; total, as the **Iteport" says,-^** 52 carriage
gtnti:" besides a small swivel in the fore, and
another in the main-top. The two stern-chaso
catrotiaides had l^een frequently placed in the
hold; where, as they were utterly useless in the
broadside, and yet encreased the ship's nominal
force, they had much better have remained. The
Shannon, although she had, in all, 52 guns, (and
those of five different calibers,) mounted, there-

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338

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

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fore, no more than 35 guns upon her broadside,
including her boat-gun.

Captain Broke, in his letter of challenge, says,
** The Shannon mounts twentj-ibur guns upon
her broadside, and one light boat-gun ; 18-pound-
ers on her main-deck, and 33-pounder carron-
ades on her quarter-deck and forecastle.^' If
there is here any variation from the fact, it is
that, instead of having, without her boat-gun,
an upper broadside-battery of all *' 33-pound-
ers,'' as the statement implies, the Shannon had,
among them, two 9-pounders. Yet the editor of
the American *' Portefolio,'' has had the assur-
ance to complain of Captain Broke, for having
«* under-rated his ship's force.'*

The Shannon went into action with 376 offi*
cers, seamen and marines, of her proper com-^
plement, 8 recaptured seamen, 33 Irish labour-,
ers, who had been but forty eight hours in the
ship, and 34 boys ; of whom about 13 were un-,
der twelve years of age. 1 he. Irish supernum^-,
raries had never been at sea, till they took pas-
sage in the Duck ; ami only four of themi could
iqfteak English. We must, however, add them to
the Shannon's complement; which they there-
fore swelled up to :i30.

The Shannon's complement having been ori-
ginally made up of draughts from di^erent ships,
the men were^ at firbt^ very quaireibome among

!!!

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMBRIOA.

339

>»*

themseWes; but Captain Brokers judioious plan
^of discipline, aided by his fatherly conduct, toon
teconciled all parties, and made them, what in
truth they were, a fine ship's company.

The first Halifax account of the action esti-
mated the Shannon's full complement at 336;
including, by mistake, the midshipman and four
men sent away in the brig William ; and who had
re-joined their ship, upon her arrival in Hali-
fax. Now that fact is explained, we have another
instance of correctness in Captain Broke's letter
of challenge. He stated the Shannon's comple-
ment to consist of *' 330 men and boys:'' — yety
toy the Americans, " he under-rated his ship's
force."

Lieutenant Budd, in his letter, says: — *'The
Shannon had, in addition to her full complement,
an officer and sixteen men belonging to the Belle
Poule, and a part of the crew belonging to the
Tenedos.'' (App. No. 39.) — It appears that Mr.
Budd, while on board the Shannon, observed
three or four of the seamen's hats with *' Tene-
dos" written in front. I'his is easily accounted
for, when it is known, that the two ships had
been cruizing together for three months ; and
had, of course, kept up a constant intercourse by
i>oats. Suppose the U. S. frigate Congress, of the
same force as the Chesapeake, had, at a subse-
quent day, sailed out from Portsmouth, N.
Hampshire, to fight the Tenedos, (which ship.

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N4VA.L OCCURRENOfiS BETWEEN

fiipgljr, blockaded lier for some weeks,) such
another acute observer as Mr. Budd would, upon
fteeing some of the Shannou's hats on the sea-
men's heads, have declared that the Tenedos
had, 'fin addition to her full complement, a
part of the crew belonging to the Shannon/'-^
Admitting, also, that seven, not '* sixteen,^' of
the Shannon's men, originally came from the
Belle-Poule, what had that to do with the Shan-
non's complement in an action fought seven
years afterwards? So that, all the draughted
men a ship may receive on board, when manning
for sea, are — **^ in addition to her full comple-
ment."— The Americans have another curious
way of computing the complements of firitish
ships; best illustrated by an anecdote. An
American prisoner on parole near Halifax N. S.
had the following conversation with an English-
man of the neighbourhood: — *' Pray, what may
be that frigate's complement?" pointing to one
that had just anchored. '— ** About 302." —
*« What number of oflSicers has she?' — " In all,
about 63."—** Marines?"—*' About 50." The
American, then, after a short pause, turning to
one of his countrymen present, says, — '* They
tell us the British don't half-man their ships, but
1 guess, our government would not think of giv-
ing to a ship like that, a greater complement
than 415." — May not some calculation of this
sort have been submitted to the '* court of ii\-

OREAT tfHirAIN AlfD AMERICA.

231

i^diry on the loss of the Chesapeake"?— The
addition of the "03 officers/' without the ** ma^
lines/' to the Shannon's *' 330 men and boys/'
anionnts to very little short of *' ^96;" the num*
bet a^ppeatirfg in the '' Report,'' as the Shannon's
Complement. . .

After a wtiter in a Boston newspaper has in^
sisted, that the " native Americans*' on board
the Chesapeake fought like heroes, and that the
British part of the crew behaved treacherously,
be very naturally asks — ** Can any of your cor*-
respondents inform us, whether any Americans
were on board the Shannon ?*' — Yes ; there were )
some, — ^in her hold; though not so many, by
i^everal scores, as were in the Chesapeake's hold,
in & very few seconds after the Shannon's 20
boa/ders sprang upon her quarter-deck.

The Chesapeake mounted twenty-eight long
IS-pounders upon the main-deck; sixteen car-f
ronades^ d2-pounders, upon the quarter-deck;
four carronades, 32-pounders, and a long Im-
pounder, shifting gun, upon the forecastle.
Such an upper battery is possessed by no 18-
pounder frigate in the British navy. The Chesa-
peake hady also, a 12-pound carronade ; but it
is doubtful whether or not it was mounted in the
action. A very simple, and well contrived ele-
vating carriage, and another for boat-service,
belonged^ to it ; but the carronade itself, quite

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NAVAL OCCUBRENCR8 BBTWBBN

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perfect, was found disnfiounted ; and will not bt
eitimated. The Chesapeake's proper armament,
therefore, consisted of -50 guns; although, in the
action, she had only 49 mounted. Of these, she
fought 35 upon the broadside; the same as the-
Shannon. The Chesapeake had a spare port on
each side of her forecastle, between the bow-port,
and that through which she fought her shifting
18-pounder.

, The Chesapeake's guns had all names, en-
graven on small squares of copper-plate. To
give some idea of American taste in these mat-
ters, here follow the names of her guns upon one
broadside : — Main-deck ; '* Brother Jonathan,
. True Blue, Yankee Protection, Putnam, Raging
.Eaglet Viper, General Warren, Mad Anthony,
America, Washington^ Liberty for Ever, Dread-
nought, Defiance, Liberty or Death,'* — Forecastle ;
'*' United Tars,*' shifting 18-pounder, '* Jump-
ling Billy, Batler," carronades. Quarter-deck;
•** Bull'dog, Spit/ire, Nancy Dawson, Revenge,
Bunker's Hill, Pocohantas, Towser, Wilful Mur-
der,'* carronades; total 35.

An immense quantity of the dismantling

shot represented in the plate ; as well of single

iron bolts, crow-bars, broken marline-spikes,

. old iron, &c, were taken out of the Chesapeake.

. The whole mass, weighing nearly half a ton,

was sold at auction in Halifax; and the greater

" I

GEEAT BRITAIN AND AMBRIOA.

part has long since been converted into hone-
shoes, plough-shares, and other articles of inno-
cent utility.

A desire to torment, as well as to destroy,
must have influenced the Americans; or why
were the Chesapeake's canister-shot made up
with p.agular and jagged pieces of iron, broken
gun-locks, copper nails, &c. ? Many of the
Shanion's men suffered extremely by being so
wounded; especially, during the tedious opera-
tion of extracting such abominable stujff from
different parts of their bodies. Among the
Chesapeake's small-arms, were found several
rifle-guns ; an additional proof that the Ameri-
cans use them in their sea-flghts.

A large cask of lime, with the head open,
had been standing upon the Chesapeake's fore-
castle, but was knocked to pieces by one of the
-Shannon's shot. A bag of the same was found
in the fore-top. Long after the Chesapeake ar-
rived in Halifax, the remains of the lime were
to be seen about the forecastle. For what pre-
cise use this lime was intended, has never been
fully explained. The following relation of a

• circumstance, which took place before the use
. of gunpowder was known, may perhaps assist

• the reader in his conjectures.

*' The French having invaded England,

(Henry dd, 1217,) Hubert de Burgh, governor of

^ Dover Castle, discovering a fleet of 80 stout

-«■■.

99i

NATAL OCCURRBKCES BETWEVN

111

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flUfra standings over to tli« Icooit of Ki^, pttt^
«ea with 40 ships^ aUdhaTiiig gained iShe wiad
of them, ran down several of the smaller diips,
and 'closing with the others, <Ar^ onboard a qitan^
iity of quick'Ume; wkkk, blowing in their faceg^
hUnded them so effectually^ that they fovmd them-
aelves obliged to bear away ; but, being instantly
boarded by the English, they were all either
-taken or aunk^^-^Scomberg^s Nav. Chronol.
▼ol. i. p. 9.) That the Chesapeake's men made
no such wicked use of the lime, is true ; becauite
that on the forecastle, being scattered by the
isbot, could not well injure any others than thocte
«tanding round it; and Midshipman Smith,
and his gallant f6l]owers, came too unexpect-
edly into the foi«-top, to admit of the lime
-there placed, being used at all.

Now for the most difficult part in the esti-
mate of an American ship's forcfe : her comple-
ment of men on going into action.
9 Lieutenanit George Budd, the sunriving com-
manding officer of the Chesapedie, deposed, oh
the 19th of June, at the admiralty-office in
Halifax, as follows : — '' He does not know tlie
number of hands on board at the time of cap-
ture, but will procure a copy of the muster-roll.
He supposes there might have been about 340
hands on board at the time of capture.''

This gentleman's official letter bears date four
days previous to his deposition. In that letter.

O&JSAT BRITAIN AUD AMSBIOiL.

t95

he gives ]the names of '*47 liiUed ;'^ aad ^Hf,
before, as it would appear above, he bad *' pro-
cured a copy of the rauster-roU/' How hap-
pened Mr. Budd not to know, that the *' number
of hands'' late belonging to the Chesapeake,
mustered after the action, amounted to 993?
Even th^e number upon the books of the agent
for prisoners, at Halifax, after most of the mor-
tally wounded had died, amounted to 326. Tp
suppose him acquainted with these facts, at the
time that he made his deposition, woald be ac-
.cusing him of, at least, a wilful absurdity ; for,
his '< 47 killed,'' added to the 333 prisoners,
would make 380, instead of *^ about 340.'^ It
is thought that, by " hands," Mr. Budd meant,
** exclusive of officers ;" which amounted to 70,
at least. In that case, we should have 410 for
the Chesapeake's complement, on going into
action. Two muster-rolls were found: one
contained, after deducting the runnings and
discharges, the names of 389; the other,
written up to the morning of the action,
of 391 ^. Some of the discharges bore date on
the very day before the action. There can be no
doubt, therefore, that on the morning of the
action, the Chesapeake had a complement of
391.

It was currently reported at Boston, that se»
veral volunteers joined the Chesapeake, as she
was getting under way. $ome of the pettyi-

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336 NATAL OOCVRRBKCBS BETWEEN

officers, after their arrival at Melville-islaitd
' prison, confessed that 30 or 40 hands, prihci-
pally from the Constitntion, came on board ;
but whose names, in the hurrj and confusion,
were not entered in the purser's books.

In corroboration of several men hiiiving joined
the ship, a very short time before the acJtion, a
number of bags and hammocks were found lying
* in the boats, stowed over the booms ; and, in
direct proof that some of the Constitution's men
were on board the Chesapeake, three or four of
the Guerriere's Americans, who, after that ship's
capture, enlisted onboard the Constitution, (see
p. 107,) were among the prisoners taken out of
the Chesapeake ; and were immediately recog-
nised by their former shipmates, now, as stated
before, serving on board the Shannon.

Even 440, the number given as the comple-
ment of the Chesapeake in Captain Broke's let-
ter, was not founded on mere surmise. That
number was known to have been her comple-
ment on a former occasion; (see p. 71;) attd,
after the Chesapeake had been several weeks in
Halifax, a letter was found in one of her lockers,
dated in 1811, from Robert Smith, Esq. the
secretary of state at that time, to Captain Sa-
muel Evans, at Boston ; directing him to open
houses of rendezvous for manning the Chesa-
peake ; and enumerating the different classes,
to the amount of 443. This, too, was in times

I 1:1

OBBAT BRITAIN AND AMBBICA^

237

of profoand peace ;. wben no Shannon was cruiz-
ing, in defiance, off Ihe harbour.

Again, the Congress, of the same force as the
Chesapeake, arrived at Portsmouth, N. Hamp«
shire, with (according to a published letter from
one of her officers) 410 men of her crew on
board ; besides having lost four by death, and:
manned a prize with some others.

At the time the Chesapeake sailed ont, the
Constitution was Ijing in Boston, fully manned.
So were several gun-boats, and one or two large;
privateers ; and seamen were swarming in the
town. , Can it then, for a moment, be believed,
that Captain Lawrence, knowing an . enemy's
frigate was waiting outside for him, would not
take advantage of all this, and place on board
his own ship an ample and effective crew ?
However, let the real number of the Chesa-,
peake's crew have been what it may, the num- ;
her upon the last-found muster-roll, is all that ,
can, with propriety, appear in the statement of
comparative force ; and which number is thus
accounted for :— '

Killed in the action.
Died in the passage.

Prisoners received by the agent,

4
— 65
326

Number upon the last-found nmstcr-roU, 391
Among the prisoners, there were but ten dis-

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NvUriiA OtSCUftRBNdBB BfitWmiBP

tkigokhecl^by the American officers us boys;
and only three tbat Would come under thtft de«
nomination on board a British ship of war.
Seren, however, will be allowed.

The Chesapeake's gunner, Metthew Rogers,
was an Irishman ; the carpenter, George Miller,
a. native of Novia Scotia; audi there' were 34
others of the crew, recognized as British
saljects. One man was hanged at Spithead;
andsevera) were pardoned. By some misma-
nagement, the first-named notorious traitor,
]Viatthew Rogers, instead of being sent home for
trials was allowed to return^ laughing in his*
sleeve, to his athpied' country, A Boston joiiri->
nal*^ among other excuses for the Chesapeake^s^
loss) contains- some very amusing remarks about
•* the cowardice of some of the crew who were
not Americans.''-^'* There at-e no better sailors
in the world," says the A m#»rican editori ** than^
oilr own; and it seems }iard that the war should
bO' carried on for noth'ng^ but' British sailors:^
rights, (!!) and that those same sailors bhould'
desert us in the moment of conflict. Cowardice-
is a species of treason. If renegado English-
men are permitted to fight under our Ikig, it
becomes prudent not to mix our own people
with them to be destroyed ; — for, at the critical
moment when the boarders were called for, the
foreigners all ran be;ow, while not a natives
American shrank from the conflict." Yet the

ORBilT BEITAIN AND AMBBieA.

930

nlune of the poor panic-struck bugleman, '^ WiU
liam Brown/' does not appear in the agent's
*'-list of British subjects, late belonging to the.
Chesapeake." As, then, William Brown, unless
he had misnamed himself, was certainly not &
Portuguese, Dane, or Swede, the inference is
pretty clear, that he was a ''native American/'*

Another Boston editor attributes the success
of the boarding-assault to *^ the bugleui^an's^
being killed early in the action :*' when, a folL^
twelvemonf h aftewards, a court-martia}^ held at
New Lond'jn, '* on certain persons, officers on*'
board the U. S. frigate Chesapeake, at the time of
hercs^tureby the Shannon,'' finds — ^** William
Brown, bugleman, guilty of cowardice; and
sentences him to receive 300 lashes." (Nav.
Chron. vol. xxxiii. p. 70*) i

The Chesapeake's crew were reBafarkiibly^
stout, healthy young men ; especially when con* ^
trasted with the Shaiinon*s; most of whom were-
rather below the middle stature, and a great ^
proportion old or elderly men. As one proof f
of stoutness in the Chesapeake^s men, the hand<^v
cuffs that had been placed upon her deck, ready-
to secure the British crew, as soon as the Shan** -
non was captured, caused, when applied to ths^
wrists of the Americans, many of them to wince
with pain. »

It requires a stout heart as well as a stout
body, to bear the brunt of a boarding-assault^^

&40

NAVAL OCCURRENCES . BBTWEBlT

Meft may, as the '^Report'* says, *' behave well
at their quarlersj and fire on the enemy withv
great rapidity and precision ;*' but it is the per-
sonal conflict, the glittering broadsword, bran-
dished aloft, that tries a seaman's valor. ^^
The effect this had upon the Chesapeake's^
crew, is made one of the ^' causes of complaint'l^
in the said '' Report." Thus : '' Against the
crew generally ; that they deserted their quar •
ters, and ran below, after the ships were foul,
and the enemy boarded." Mr. Clarke, feeling,
it to be his province to rebut this serious charge,
says: — ;'^ Her (the Chesapeake's) commander
was but very slightly acquainted with his crew;
the greater part of whom were new recruits."
*' She, as has been already observed* was but an
indifferent vessel, and at the moment the Shan-,
non appeared, was not in, complete order for an
engagement. But Lawrence had himself chal- ■
lenged a British vessejl ; the sight of one riding
in defiance before him, was too much for his
pride: to bear* . He, in consequence, put to sea
on the l«t of June, having hoisted a white flag
with ' Free trade and sailors* rights,* — >He (Cap-
tain Lawrence) addressed his men ia a short
discourse, but it was received with no marks of^;
approbation. Discontent was apparent sjimong
a part of the crew, and complaints were mut-
tered of not having received their prize-money.
The boatswain, a Portuguese, was the principal

• n

GHEAT BRITAIN AND AMldnldA.

5U1

instigator of this dissatiifiictioii. Lawrend«»
unacquainted with his ctew, resolved to rdmove
the cause of their complaint* He ordered the
purser to ^ve prize-checks to those who had
received none.'' (Nav/Hist. vol. i. p.205»)

It is evident^ that Mr* Clarke attributes Cap-
tain Lawrence's "beitig but Very slightly ac-»
quaidtedwith his crew/' to the greater part of
them being *< new recruits*" — In the American
naval service, men enliiit for two years, and sign
articles, the same as' in the merchant-service.
We have seen that, in 1811, the Chesapeake re'*
cruited for, and no doubt obtained^ a comple-^
ment of 443. The men's tferms of service would
have about expired in April, 1813, when the
Chesapeake arrived from a cruize. An intelli-
gent English gentleman was at that time a resi^^
dent of Boston ; and the nature of his pursuits
gave him a full opportunity of witnessing the
manning and equipment of the United States'
vessels then iu port. He declares that the greater
part of the Chesapeake's crew, as was Very cus->
tomary in the service, re-entered; that) to fill
up her complement, four houses of rendezvous
were opened ; that the moment a man declared
himself a candidate, he received a dollar, and
accompanied an oiSioer to the ship; where he
was examined as to his knowledge of seaman-
ship, age, muscular strength, &c. by a board of
officers, consisting of the master, surgeon, and

«#

* I

♦^ •

04^

NAITAL OfiCVSLRWiQm BI^T^WIfSN

Qlhera ; that, i^ 4ppfo^, be signed th« $jrti-
dcNi, and remained wheie be wa^ ; if i^ti^Qt^
returned bome vitd a. doUair iiv liit pocket ; tbat
^re^uentlj, 04it o^ five Uoal-loads oif men tha^
would go off to the sbip, in the eeiafi^ oH the
day, three would come, back, not eligible. So
much for Mr. Clarkei's <* new r6cr«ite.'^^^Tbe
features of the American war Would have borne
a yerj diflTerent aspect, could British ships have
been manned in a similar way.

During her last cruize the Chesapeake sent itt
one prize, the Volunteer, '* said to be worth
150,000/. sterling." — It could, therefore, he only
among the men who. belonged to her in that for-
tunate cruise, that *' complaints were muttered
of not having received their prize-money."
And how could Captain Lawrence better " re-
move the cause of ^leir complaint,'^ than by
ordering *' the purser to give prize-ohecks to
those who had received none" ? AU this clearly
shews, that the nuyority of the Chesapeake's
crew were the same she had been manned witlp
since 1811 ; and, from the fastidiousness of her
officers in filling up the deficiencies, and t|ie
fine i^spearance of the captured men, it is highly
probable that the Chesapeake, under C^itein
Lawrence, haid full as good a crew as ehe ever
sailed with. a < '

Not a word is there in the ** Report" about
** new recruits;" but the s^me object is at>

was.

GftBAT VRITAIW AND AMERICA.

343

tempted bj a statement^ that *' most of the offi-
cers bad recently joined the ship, some only a
few days preceding the engagement/' — Captain
Lawreiftce ai^rived in the Hornet, from a ornize,
on the 39th of March ; and Mr. Clarke says he
was, *' shortly after his arrival at New York,
appointed to the Chesapeake.'' That ship, we
have seen, arrived at Boston about a fortnight
afterwards; and, therefore. Captain Lawrence
must have taken the command of her, within a
day or two of that period. He probably brought
with him some favorite officers. The Chesa^
peake's regular first lieutenant, Mr. Page, was
left on shore sick ; but still she had one lieu-
tenant more than the Shannon ; and where was
there a braver man, or better officer, than hei^
first lieutenant in the action, Ludlow? He,
poor fellow, died a few days after he was brought
to Halifax : previous to which it was hoped that
his valuable life would be saved.

Has Mr. Clarke the effirontery to call the
boatswain a Portuguese? — ^The Chesapeake'9
boatswain was brought in, mortally wounded ;
and his name in the agent's book, is, *' Peter
Adams." He was boatswain of the Constitu-
tion, when she took the Guerriere ; and so far
from being a *^ Portuguese," or even a British^
subject, was a native American.

Mr. Clarke says the Chesapeake *' was but an
indifferent vessel."-— ^Wouldibis government, had

R 2

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ffl

344

NAVAL OCCURRENCEti BETWEElT

■r

that been the case, have expended 150,000 dollart,
pnljr a few months before she was captured, in
thoroughly repairing her? — Captain Evans, in
a letter to the secretary of the navy, gave the
Chesapeake a very high character ; and the cap-
ture of the Volunteer, was considered to have
wiped off the " unlucky" from her name. Her
men, therefore, would naturally be stimulated
to make more " prize-money ;" and (what glee
they must all have been in !) the very object of
their wishes, ** the finert ship of her rate in the
British navy," was beckoning to them to come
and take her.

According to Lieutenant Budd's letter, the
Chesapeake *' proceeded on a cruize, a ship of
war in sight, believed to be the British frigate
Shannon." — Is Mr. Clarke aware of the re-
sponsibility he attaches to Commodore Bain-
bridge, the naval commanding-officer at Boston,
by declaring, that the Chesapeake *' was not in
complete order for an engagement" ?-— Fortu-
nately for the commodore, it is too well known
that, however different may be the case with
British, American ships of war never *' proceed
on a cruize," in ordinary cases even, till per-
fectly ready. It is known, also, that their men
are drilled at the guns, in harbour as well as at sea :
consequently, they cannot be out of practice.

The Shannon was built at Chatham in 1806.
Two Shannons had previously been lost. One,

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

245

a 32-gun frigate, was built in 1796 ; and lont by
shipwreck, in 1800. The other, of 30 guns,
was built in 1803 ; and, in the same jear, struck
the ground in a gale, and was wrecked under
the batteries of Cape la Uogue. The seamen,
in consequence, applied the term " unlucky'' to
the present Shannon ; and she was not manned
without the greatest difficulty ; and then only,
by draughts from other ships. The fact of the
Chesapeake, also, having been denominated ** an
unlucky ship," is a strange coincidence.

The Chesapeake was built in Norfolk, Virgi-
nia, in 1797 ; and cost 320,677 dollars, 80 cents,
or 61,209/. 8s. sterling. The American papers,
announcing her launch, highly commended her
model, strength, and workmanship.

Dimensions of the two ships.

Shannon.

Qtesaf]

teake.

Ft. In.

In.

Length of lower-deck, froml
rabbit to rabbit, J

150 2

151

Breadth, extreme.

39 n|

Depth in hold.

12 11

Main-deck beams, ^^^^>orstded 1
* I deep, or moulded, Q 11

1
1

Main-mast, | !?"«*;

* (.diameter.

92
2 3^

4
6

M.in.u,p.,„..t, {^^i„^

55 2
1 41

10
5i

**"-^'-' ISjer.

81 6
1 7i

9
7|

M.i„-,op.«il-y.rd, {J«;£J4,^

GO 9
1 Of

8
1|

246

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

'•n

\t appears, therefore, that whatever difference
existed between the two shipii, in point of size,
was ill favor of the Chesapeake; yet the Ameri-
cans would have had us believe, that the Shan-
non was by far the larger ship. The Shannon
is constructed somewhat differently frpm the
Macedonian and her class, in having seven, in-
stead of eight ports of a-side upon the quarter-
deck i which occasioned Captain Broke to fit up
the two gangways as ports, for the reception of
his boat-guns. The Chesapeake has eight ports
of a-side upon the quarter-deck, the same as
the President; and a much larger forecast^,
with an additional port on each side ; which
gives her, in all, the same number of broadside-
ports as the President. This may account for
the Chesapeake's having formerly rated of 44
guns.

Previous to her capture, the Chesapeake had
undergone a very complete repair: since which
she has returned from a long cruize off the Cape
of Good Hope ; and although, as Mr. Clarke
says, *' the worst ship in the navy of the United
States,'' is now considered as one of the finest
frigates of her class in the navy of Great Bri-
tain. Mr. Low, the editor of the '* History of
the War," was too well versed in figurative lan-
guage, not to be ready with the very best anti-
them to his friend's description of the Cbesa*
peake. He therefore clills the Shannon — *' the
best frigate in the British navy .^'

if :1* P

tfllBAT SRITAIN AND AMRAIfA.

C&if/kpafAtke force of the hint ships.

247

Shannon.

Broadtidcmetoi in pounds, [ J.'^*;"*' ^^

Complement,
Size in tons.

f nieiii
t boys.

— 538
3X)C)

— 330
lOGO

CtiesatMaVe.

J«0

— 690

384
7

— 391
113^

Yet, says the <* R»^H,"— <* the capture of
tile U. S. frigate Chesapeake, by the iupeirior
fmree of the British frigate Shannbtl" !-— Bat in
not this Itingttage quitte consistent vrith that
■Bed at the capture of our thl«e frigates? If
the Shatinoa and Cheftapeake were adihitted,
by Americans^ to have been equally matched^
it would be gifing the lie to all their former
assertioni ; and hUi-ling a host of '* faeces" front
the very pinnacle Of fatlie, doWn to the level of
ordinary men.

It was beneath the dignity of Ametricans,
after having captured so many British vessels
of *' superior ibree,'* to attribute their defeat,
in the present initance, to a ** superiority of
force". Therefore, the Shannon's ** superiority"
appears rather as a collateral circumstance;
While the causes of the Chesapeake's capture are
asserted to have been, ** the almoEtt unexampled
early fall of Captain Lawrence, and all the prin-
cipal officers; the bugleman's desertion of his
quarters, and inability to sound his horn.^*

■^'i§i^

348

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

yi'

r( ' (

I ^U

That <* all the principal officers" fell early, is
false. The first lieutenant received the wound
that disabled him, while making an effort to
repel the boarders ; and neither the second, nor
third lieutenant, was wounded, till the board-
ing took place. True, the Chesapeake's com-
mander was mortally wounded. In how many
of our naval combats with the Americans, has
that happened to us ? In using the word/' unex-
ampled," perhaps the court confined its view to
what generally occurred on board American
vessels: then, indeed, no one can dispute the
correctness of the expression. The excuse about
*' the bugleman's desertion of his quarters^ and
inability to sound his horn," wae a proper topic
for Mr. Clarke and Mr. Low to expatiate upon,
but cuts a very ridiculous figure in the solemn
decree of a *' court of inquiry."

The court first duly arranges some i/s^proha'
hl^Si and might haves^ and then designates the
whole an *' almost unexampled concurrence of
disastrous circumstances." Were any of the
Chesapeake's masts shot away ? Did either of
our three frigates surrender with their roasts
standing P—But, says the " Report,'*—" if the
Chesapeake had not accidentally fallen on board
the Shannon, and the Shannon's anchor got foul
in the after quarter-port of the Chesapeake, tht^
Shannon must have very soon surrendered or
sunk." Falling on board is then a " disastrous

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

949

circumstance"? It may be so, in the opinion of
Americans; but Britons always consider the
event that enables them to grapple and man^
fully oppose their enemy, as a fortunate, not a
'* disastrous'' circumstance. Nor, had the ships
kept clear, would the Shannon *' have very soon
surrendered or sunk." — It was in practical gun-
nery, wherein the Shannon's men so greatly ex-
celled the common run of British crews. lo
bravery, all are alike. Had the Chesapeake
hauled up sooner, and kept at long shot, she
would also have found her match. Masts might
have fallen ; encreased slaughter ensued ; and
the action been protracted to the length of the
Java's, still a succession of firing, such as the
Shannon's was, must have given her the victory.
Had the two ships been dismasted, the con-
queror might have been compelled to leave his
trophy behind ; nay, his own safety would have
been hazarded. The action took place within
easy signal-distance of Boston-light-house; and
there were lying in Boston, besides the Consti-
tution, several gun-boats, a brig, and some
.'jchooner privateers. The wind was fair. Even
the Constitution, half rigged as she was, could
have come out to the Chesapeake's rescue ; and
the gun-boats, already in the bay, might, with
their long 32s and 24s, (the wind being light,)
have considerably injured the Shannon, from the
moment she became disabled. Or, suppose that,

1. •

! IH

050

WATAL OCOtiyiRBUCES BBTWBEN

during tbe aotioii, the wind hadthopped rornid,
Mid blown m gale frooi the seaward ; one ship
woald have been in the Tery month of her own
harbour; which) without a stick standings she
might have reached in lafetj: the other, em-
bayed^ and cl<iiBe on bolnrd Mi enemj'^ ctiast ;
upon which she could, scarcely avoid being
stranded. Even had the gale commented after
possession, the only difference is, that both ships
mast have shared the same fate.

These were, dcmbtiess, some of the *^ favorable
circumstances,'* which Mr. Clarke says, in addi-
tion to a ** snperiority of fbree" attended the
Shannoli ; and the £ldlity with which the Chesa-
ptoke oould have procured the aid of her friends,
was, upon the same principle, among the ** parti-
cular disadvantages,'* under which she labored.
« In most of our unsuccessful actions, the nume-
ncal superiority of the Americans^has amounted,
by the time the flag was struck, to two, three,
four, and, in one instance, seven to one ; and, in
naval actions generally, the conquerors outnum-
ber their prisoners. But, if we take the whole
that were alive on each side, the reverse was the
fact, when the Chei>apeake surrendered to the
Shannon; the former having a'Jd, the latter but
307, hands on board, including a large propor-
tion of boys. The truth in, the destructive fire
of the Shannon came wholly unexpected. It
appalled the mnjority of the Chesapeake's crew ;

OaiAT BRITAIN AND AMIAIOA*

caused the men, at the *' Report" says, " almost
universally to desert their quarters ;** and then
the sudden appearance of Captain Broke and the
boarders, made the Chesapeake an easy conquest.

Although the Chesapeake's first lieutenant, at
Halifax, two days before the appearance of uti*
favourable symptoms, when his wotiiids were
perfectly easy, and he had no apprehension of
danger, said, in the presence of several gentle-
men : — *' When I thought myself supported by at
least twenty of the Chesapeake's creWf to Resist
the Shannon's boarders, 1 found they had all
run below r— -although the '^Report** has stated
that even a midshipman *< left his quarters;"
and has charged '' the crew generally, that they
deserted their quarters;" — ^yet the court-*^*' can-
not perceive, that the national flag has suffered
any dishonor from the capture of the U. S.
frigate Chesapeake'' !

Whatever ** superiority of force'' existed, was
clearly on the side of the Chesapeake. As Bri-
tons, that we scorn to estimate; and even the
American star and chain-shot, and hogshead of
lime, shall not be allowed to disturb the equality
and fkirness of the action. But Captain Broke
did something more than capture a frigate of
equal force : he sought and commenced the at-
tack, close to an enemy's port, filled with armed
vessels; and then, beat his ship in eleven^ and
captured her injlfteen minutes.

9d^ NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

'ii'mt>f>

<' ..<(*

CHAPTER X.

■ j.T , R -■.

fffK

,11!

Commodore Rodgerf^s account of his chase off the
North Cape^^The chasing ships identijied as the
Alexandria and Spitfire — Beneficial effects of

i( Captain CathcarCs gallantry — Dominica falls in

^with and engages the Decatur — No British offi-
cial account of the action — Enemy's details of
it-'^Loss and force of each vessel — Statement of
comparative force-'-Boxer encounters the Enter"
prize^-^Details of the action — No British official

^ account — Damage and loss of each vessel — Their
relative force, in guns^ men, and size — •American
accounts — Statement of comparative force -^
Remarks thereon,

\ i -

X HE U. S. frigates President and Congress, ,
left Boston upon a cruize on the 1st of May.;
The Congress parted company; and the Presi-^
dent, towards the latter end of June, put into
Bergen, in Norway; whence she departed on
the t2d of July. Commodore Rodgers, having,
gained information, that thirty sail of whalers^
under the protection of two brigs of war, would^
be at Archangel in the middle of July, bent his
course for the North Cape, in the hopes of inter-

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

053

ccpting them. The commodore cruized about,
till the 19th of July ; when, just as he expected
to fall in with the fleet, the President was chased
from her cruizing ground by—'' a line-of-battle
ship and a frigate.'^ — Here are the commodore's
own words, extracted from his official letter,
dated ** Newport, September 27, 1813/'

'* In this object the enemy had the good for-
tune to disappoint me, by a line-of-battle ship
,and a frigate making their appearance off North
Cape, on the 19th of July, just aa i was in mo-
mentary expectation of meeting the enemy's
convoy. On first discovering the enemy^'s two
ships of war, not being able, owing to the hazi-
ness of the weather, to ascertain their chariicter
with precision, I stood towards them, until mak-
ing out what they were, I hauled by the wind on
the opposite tack to avoid them ; but, owing to
faint, variable winds, calms, and euiire day-
light, (the sun in that latitude, at that season,
appearing at mjtl^^tght several degrees above the
horizon,) they were enabled to continue the
chase upwards of 80 hours; during which time,
owing to different changes of the wind in their
favor, they were brought quite as near as was
desirable. At the time of meeting with the ene-
my's two ships, ihe privateer Scourge, of New
York, which I had fallen in with the day before,
was in company; but their attention was so
much engrossed by the President, tliat they per*

-'1

^^^^^H
^^^^^H

^^^P

^^ff

iXgrf < '

ifi

1 J'

■]

i'li

ii i^

i:.

A i

If'

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4UiA

NATAI» OOCURRENCBS lETWBBIir

mitted the Scourge to eicape, without ajipearing
to taHe anj notice of her.*^ '^

( ^TheaboYe *' Une^of^biUttle fthip and frigate*'
wese no other than the Alexandria, an oM fir
frigate, of the same armament and size ae the
ScMithampton, (see p. 83,) and the Spitfire sloop,
(formerly a fire-ship,) armed chiefly with d4-
pound oarronades.

It may, perhaps, afford some satisfhetion to
those of the President's officers, who differed in
opinion from the commodore, as to the character
of the two chasing ships, to see an extract from
tho Alexandria's log-book, commencing at noon,
and ending at midnight, on the 10th of July.

Courses.

Dlst.

Lat.

Long.

Bearings, &e. at noon.

S.Ci^li:.

144

71" 46'

10»I9'E.

N.CapeS.72 £.117 miles

1 S

Do. weather. At «. saw a sail

8
3

3
3

S.B.lj>E.

to-windwacd { dbierved her to lie a
frigate, aud a large tchooner ia

coippaoy.

■

9 H

S. hy £.

VWe.

41 6. 40. wore.

6 2

6. tacked.

9 i

()

VV.iN.

9. 9II aail io cbaic*

10, 1

19. tloop ia companj.

Among the prisoners on board the President,,
at the time of the chase, were tlie master and
mate of the snow Daphne, of Whitby. Accord-
ing to the Journal of these men, published in

liliKAT VHITAIN AND AlfB|IU>A*

«M

tk9i newapi^rsy tbej, as wt 11 •• dmnj of the
President's officers and m^in, vert cQnvincedUiat
the chasing ships were a small frigate and a sloop
of war. Thejr d«9cribe» io a. ludicfons numoer,
the poeparatioot on board the President, to resist
the attack of thitt formidable squadron. Davisg
each of the three days, a treble allowaaioe of
grog was served out to the crew ; and an ivur
uiense quantity of star» chain, and other kinds
of dismantling shot, got upo« deck in readinesa
for the action. U appears, also» that when the
Eliza Swan, whaler, hove in sights a lew dayt
afterwards, she was supposed to be a large ship
of war ; aD4 the ceremony with the gf og jmd
dismantling shot was repeated* AAer a Yerj^
cautious approach, the commodore most gladly
discovered the chase to be a clump of a mer-
chantman, and made prize of her accordingly.
It wa^i then, indeed, the Alexandria and Spit-
fire, and not a line-of-battle ship and frigate/'
that, for 80 hours, cliased the U. S« ship Presi-
dent, Commodore Rodgers; and which were, al:
one time, *^ quite as near as was desirable'^ ! The
prom)>titude and gallantry of Captain Cathcart,
saved a fleet of 30 ships; but, considering that
the force of the Alexandria and Spitfire, united,
scarcely amounted to half the force of the Pre^
sideut, without reckoning the Scourge, with
10 guns, and at least 120 men, it must be pro-
nounced a very fortunate circumstance, that the

:: i 4:

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'.t

If
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iil;

dM NAVAL OCCURRENCES BBTWKfiN

gt^es on board the President possessed sucli
extraordinary magnifying powers.

On the 5th of August, H. M . schooner Domi-
nica, having under convoy the Princess Char-
lotte packet, from St. Thomas's, fell in with the
privateer-schooner Decatur, off the southern
coast of the United States. After a contest of
three quarters of an hour, during which the
boarders were twice repulsed, the Decatur's
*^ whole crew" succeeded in getting upon the
Dominica's deck. Here a desperate struggle
ensued^ and continued for several minutes : at
last, the British crew were overpowered by
double their number. No otiicial account has
appeared in ihe Gazette. The following details
are extracted from a Charleston paper.

** A third aitempt was made by the captain
of the Decatur to board. The jib-boom of the
Decatur was run into the main>sail of the enemy.
The fire from the artillery and musketry was
terrible, and well supported on both sides. The
Dominica, not being able to disengage herself,
dropped along-side ; and it was in this position
that Captain Diron ordered his whole crew to
board, armed with pistols, sabres, &c. which
order was executed with the promptness of light-
ning. Mr. Vincent Safith, first prize-master, and
quarter-master T. M asborn, were the two first
on board the enemy : in doing which the prize?-

tin

ORBAT RRlTAIIf AND AMBIlfCA.

master received three wounds. The orew of (he
enemj fought with as much courage and brttroiyft
as that of the Decatur did, with Talor and ihtfe*
piditj. Fire-arins now became useless, and the
crews were fighting hand to hand with cutlasses,
and throwing cold shot; when, the captain of
the enemj and the principal officers being killed^
the deck covered with dead and wounded, the
English colours were hauled down by the con-
querors. In consequence of the ci ders given by
the captain of the Decatur, the vessels were then
separated; the rigging and sails being in the
worst state possible.

'* During the combat, which lasted an hour,
the king's packet. Princess Charlotte, remained
a silent spectator of the scene ; and, as soon as
the vessels were disengaged from each other,
kbe tacked, and stood to the southward.

*' Killed and wounded on board the Decatur:
killed 3; wounded Id; one of whom (the car*
])enter) since dead. On board the Dominica:
killed 13; wounded 47; of whom 5 are since
dead of their wounds : total, killed and wounded,
60. Among the killed are, G. W. Barrett^, com-
mander; Mr. I. Sacker, master; Mr. D. Brown,
purser; Mr. Archer and Mr. Parrey, midship-
men. Wounded, Mr. I. Nichols, midshipman.
The sargeon and one midshipman were the only
officers on board who were not killed or wounded.
The lieutenant was left on shore sick.

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NAVAt OCCtRRBNCE'? BETWBElf)

te n

4'"

• V From the above statement," says the Charles^
toil editor, " it would appear, that this engage-
ment has been the most bloody, and the loss in
killed and wounded on the part of the enemy,
in proportion to the number engaged, perhaps
^he greatest, of any action to be found in the re-
cords of naval warfare. The surviving oflicers
of the Dominica attribute the loss of their vessel
to the superior skill of the Decatur's crew in the
use of musketry, and the masterly manceuvering
of that vessel, by which their carriage-guns were
rendered nearly useless. Captain Barrett^ was
a young man of not more than t\vi>nty five years
of age. He had been \younded < arly in the ac-
tion by two musket-ballN in the left arm; but he
fought till the Inst moment, refusing to surren-
der his vessel, although he was urged by the few
survivors of liis crew to do so; declaring his
deteruiinn^ion not to survwe her loss. One of
the lieutenants of the Decatur received a severe
sabre-wound in the hand from Captain Barrett(^,
a few moments before lie fell. Captain Diron
is a Frenchman, and most of the officers and
crew of his ves^i>el are his countrymen. They
have done themselves immortal honour by the
humanity and attention displayed towards their
prisoners after the victory ; which is spoken of
in h'vj^h terras of approbation, by the surviving
officers of the enemy's vessel.'* >

" The crew of the Dominica, with the excep-

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMBRICX.

250

tion of'eight or ten bojs, were iine-looking
young men; but, to see them in the mangled
state in which they arriTed, was enough to freeze
the blood of one not accustomed to such sights,
with horror. Among her crew is a small boy,
not eleven years old, who was twice wounded,
while contending for victory upon her deck.**

Poor child! it would have suited thee better

to be throwing dumps than " cold Khot,''-— to be
gamboling in the nursery, than ** contending
for victory" upon a ship's deck.

The armament of the Dominica was, by the
American account^ twelve carronades, 12-pound-
ers, two long 6-pounder8, and a 32-pound car-
ronade on a pivot ; total 15 guns ; together with
a brass swivel. Her crew consisted of 67 men,
and 10 boys. The Charleston paper gives 83 as
her complement ; but the sentence of the court*
martial expressly spates, that "" there remained
only 15 of the Dominica's crew that were not
either killed or wounded"; which number, with
the unwounded purser and midshipman, and
the enemy's airount of killed and wounded,
makes 77. ■ - '

The Decatur mounted, according to the
Charleston paper, six carronades, 12-ponnders,
and one long 18-pounder, on a pivot; *' witli
103 men." The sentence of the court-martial,'
relying upon the evidence adduced, declares slie
bad on board "140 men." The Americans ar«

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.NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

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in the habit of excluding the officers^ when com-
puting the complements of their own vessels.
Admitting the same plan to have been adopted
in this case, the diiferent prize-masters and other
officers of the Decatur, might easily amount to
37. But, to be below, rather than above the es-
timate, the mean of the two numbers will be
taken. Boys are seldom admitted on board
privateers; and in this vessel, in particular, the
crew consisted chiefly of desperate characters,
who had been enured to their business, on board
French West-India pickaroons. Two boys will
be an ample allowance.

-' Both these schooners were captured by British
cruizers, before the war terminated; and the
Dominica was again taken into the service. The
size of each vessel, therefore, is accurately oh*

tained.

Comparative force of the two schooners.

. -"T?*-

"mt

Dominica.

Broadside-metal S long guns, 6

, in pounds^ 1 carronades.

rmen.

Complement, ^^^^^^
Size in tons^

104

"67
10

110

77
217

Decatur.

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232

t Here, in weight of metal, the British vessel
was doubly superior; but the Decatur's long
IS-pounderhad caused considerable destruction,
before the Dominica's shot could reach ; and.

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OftEAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

261

subsequently, the latter's guns were rendered
nearly useless, by the privateer's excellent
manoeuvres. Boarding immediately fc^lowed.
Against such odds every human eflbrt was una-
vailable: still the enemy, with difficulty, cut
his way through the little band, to the colours
lashed in the schooner's rigging.
•ifi ^he gallantry evinced on this occasion elicited
praises from the enemy; but that enemy was a .
Frenchman. So careful is the American naval
historian not to indulge in this weakness, that
he has substituted, — ^' The resistance of the '
English was desperate,'' for all the commenda-
tory expressions used in the French details. Mr.
Clatke has also left out of his account, that the
Dominica had boys in her crew, as well as that ^
Captain Diron and most of his crew were French- #
men. Indeed, so fearful is the editor, lest his
readers should discover the first-published ac-
count to hare been a translation, that he has
substituted *' cannon" for " artillery," and made
other alterations, to place it beyond a doubt, . .
that an American commander and crew effected
the Dominica's capture. i

•'lifiut the editor of the " Sketchesof the War" has ^
proved himself the most able historian of any.
He calls the action of the Dominica and Deca-
tur—*' a brilliant attack made by a privateer '
upon Br^latge shop ofwar**/^^^^ No event," says
he, (p. 203,) " probably^ in the imval annals,

(

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]furnishes. evidence of a more brtlliant and
decisive victory, gained by a vessel, so infe-
rior in size, strength, and arnoament, to ber
antagonist/; >.) ^, a

;*; Captain Diron, to flatter the vanity of the
Americans, and suit his own convenience, named
his vessel the Decatur, and commissioned her
at the port of Charleston. It is for the latter
reason only, that the action appears in these

pages.j, ^,:^..,, ,^^4^^^^^j,s |^^:^j iftest.

' , On the morning . of the 5th of September,
while H. M. brig Boxer, was lying at anchor
near Penguin Point, a few miles to the.eastward
of Portland, in the United Stages, the Ameri-
can brig Enterprise made her appearance. Cap-
tain Blyth immediately got under weigh to
engage her ; leaving his surgeon, two midship-
men, and an army-officer, a passenger, oq
shore at a place called Manhegan, ''shooting
pigeons." -mm

The action commenced about a quarter past
3 P. M. and in the very first broadside, an 18-r

^pounder shot passed through Captain Blyth's
body, and shattered his left arm. The same
broadside killed a marine and a seaman ; and

. wpunded several others of the Boxer's crew.
Almost immediately after the loss of her gallant
commander, the Boxer's main-top-mast was shot
away. , Th^enaWeji the Enterprise ^^^^^^^ ta[ke a

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GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA. 263*

itiking position, and to maintain it till thie con-'
test ended. No British official account of this-
action has been published. y^n^yr \

f The Boxer was much cut up^iii hull and
spars; and lost, besides her commhhder, 3 men'
killed, and 17 men wounded, 4 of them mor-
tally; total killed and wounded 21. '
( The Enterprise suffered but little injury in
her hull and spars. Her rigging and sails were'
a. good deal cut. She lost 1 man killed, her
commander, a midshipman, and 11 men wound-
ed, the 2 first, and 1 man, mortally ; total
killed and wounded 14. The American official-
letter describes no ** slightly wounded." They
may have amounted to a few more. ^
i The Boxer arrived- on the North American'
station j with the usual armament of her class ;'
but her commander obtained, at Halifax, two'
additional carronades ; making her force; in the-
action, twelve carronades, 18-potinders, and two
long 6-pounders. Gun-brigs are not allowed'
boat-carronades ; consequently, fourteen were>
all the guns the Boxer mounted: The American'
official account gives her no more; but Mr.^
Clarke, depending more upon " Niles' Weekly
Register," quotes from that: — ** His Majesty's-
Jine brig of war Boxer, of 18 guns ;'' and again
says :-^^' Boxer, guns mounted 18." '^*
The Boxer had, on leaving St. John, N. Bruns-*
wick, a few days before the action, 71 men, 6'

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boys, and a passenger; total 78. Of these, 8
seaoien were absent in a prize ; and the passen-
ger, surgeon, and 2 midshipmen, as stated be*,
lore, on shore at Manhegan ; leaving a residue
pf 60 men, and 6 boys, ■'■ m

- The prisoners received from the Boxer, ac-
cording to the American papers, amounted^
including the mortally wounded, to 62 ; making,
with the 4 killed in the action, 66. To put this
beyond a doubt, some American gentlemen
sought for the party that had been left at Man-
began. An Eastern paper gives the following
^ the substance of their information : — *' They
(the party on shore) gave precisely the same ac-
count of the force of the Boxer as the other
officers, and without communication with them.
^The crew of the Boxer, at the time of the en^
gagement, according to their statement, con-
sisted only of 66."

The '* Particulars of the action," furnished a
newspaper-editor by one of the Enterprise's
officers, stated that, out of *^ 115 picked men^'^
the Boxer had, *' when the action commenced,
104." The official letter declared, that she had
*' between 20 and 25 killed." (App. No. 45.)
Captain Hull, next, wrote Commodore Bain-
bridge, that he, having *■' counted upwards of
90 hammocks," (two are generally allowed for
each man,) had no doubt she *' had 100 men
on board;" but found it '* impossible to get (it

OR£AT BRITAIN AKD AMERICA.

2e&

the number killed." To cbnTihce . the balk of
the Americans, that the Doxer had btit 66 men
and boys, ^as therefore a vain task. The few
moderate men who attempted it, were scouted
as traitors or lories ; and even Mr. Clailce, the
historian, takes the safe side. Althongh he
would not acknowledge Lieutenant M^CalPs
letter, as any authority for the number of guns
mounted by the Boxer, he considers it unques-
tionable, as to the number of her killed. I
The Enterprise mounted fourteen carronades,
IS-pounders, and two long O-pounders. One
American journal, besides giving that as her
ibrce, states the guns, complement, and tonnage
of the Boxer, with the utmost correctness. The
complement of the Enterprise cannot be &xeiA
with the same certainty as her guns. The com-'
mander of the British schooner Fly, captured by
the Enterprise about the 26th of August, and
carried into Portsmouth, N. Hampshire, say»
the latter sailed from that port in quest of the
Boxer, Captain Burrows having received intel-
ligence of her being On the coast, with part of
her crew absent ; that she (the Enterprise) then
added several volunteers to her original complex
ment, which consisted of 113 men, and 3 boys.
Some American papers stated the Enterprise's
complement as high as 125 ; others as low as
102. The latter probably meant, exclusive of
officers^ The U. S. brig Viper, of only 12 guns.

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had 03 men ; Nautilus, of 14 guns, 106 men ;
Vixen, of the same force, 130 men ; Rattlesnake
and Syren, of 16 guns each, 131 and 137 men.
The two last-named brigs had each 2 lieute-
nants, besides her commander ; and so had the
Enterprise. To avoid over-rating the latter's
complement, let it be fixed at, including volun-
teers, 120 men, and 3 boys. < -»
-^Tbe Enterprise was originally a schooner; and
her full dimensions, in hull, spars, and sails, as
a schooner, appear in the M.S. memorandum-
book, before referred to. (See p. 111.) Soon
after the late war commenced, the Enterprise
was cut in two, lengthened, (so as to have one
more port of a-side,) and altered to a brig, at
Washington. The Nautilus, captured by the
Shannon, was also originally a schooner ; and
was altered to a brig without being lengthened.
• By adding, therefore, to the Enterprise's origi-
nal length, the distance between the fore-side
of one of the Nautilus's ports, to the aft side of
the next port, which isS feet 6 incites, we have
the present length of the Enterprise. This
makes her 245 tons;^ but several British officers
who have seen the Enterprise, state that she is
about 260 tons. The Nautilus's top-sides are
nearly as stout as those of our first-class brigs :>
' while the Boxer had only one timber between
^ each port ; which made her top- sides pervious to
^ every grape-shot that ws^ firexl. The spars of the*

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GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

267

Enterprise.

Ft. In..t»

23 8 ''

1 10^
50 0- s

.Enterprisie'will be considered as no larger, tTian
those which .the Nautilus had, when capturedjt

n , Dimensions of the two inVs. . ,

to nr^aoMw ^n i .u. ..<•.,- *» •'

Ft. In.

Length on deck^from rabbit to rabbity b4 4
Breadth, extrenie, 22 U

M^ 5 length, 53 4

ain-mast, "i . ** ' i ei

' i diameter^ , • . I 5t

f ft This is the proper plaice to give an extract
from the American " Particulars :"— " At 3 P.M.
tacked* and bore up for the enemy, taking him
to be one of his majesty's brigs of the largest

size"!. >:;--:-n, (vj 'j' ; ■ T f r" ' 'inm^m 'Vf^l

ji None of the praises lavished upon the *'Jine
brig of war Boxer,''- could gain her a place
among the national vessels of the United States.
She was put up to auction, and sold as a mer-
chant-brig ; ibr which service only, (and that
in peaceable times,) she was ever calculated* >i>

Comparative force of the two brigs.

Boxer.

Broadside-metal in pounds, ] ' °""*

"^ ' L carr.

Complement,

Size in tons, p , ^ ^ x?.

, 6

108

y men,
1 boys.

60
6

m ^'^^■

]t4

66
179

Enterprise.

126

— 135
120
3

123

245

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NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

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. . The superiority in weight of metal is triflinj^ ;
that in number of men, two-fold. Gun -brigs
are allowed but one lieutenant, one master's-
mate, and two midshipmen. The absence of
the two midshipmen, the shameful defection of
the acting masterVmate, and three seamen,
(App. No. 46.) and the fall of her brave com-
mander by the first broadside, rendered the
Boxer's situation, at the very onset of the en-
gagement, peculiarly unfortunate. On the
other hand, the Enterprise, after her commander
was wounded, had still two lieutenants, and four
or five midshipmen, left, to carry on the action.
These circumstances considered, the disparity
between the two crews, wds even greater than
the numerical difference, already so great. "^^
' None but a novice in American history, will
be surprised at the following paragraph in Mr.
Low's book : — " The President of the United
States, having considered the Boxer as equal in
force to the Enterprise, has ordered her to be
delivered up for the benefit of the captors."

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269

n'lX h'. ■'' '

>t*-^f ' :v^' 'r.t'*Sv" ....-.:

tii

m.. CHAPTER XI.

■W

Pelican arrives at, and suddenly departs from Cork,

in guest of the Argus — Discovers, engages, and

^;. captures her — Damage and loss of each vessel-^

^ Pelican^s force in guns and men — American ac'

l^f counts of both — Argus's force in guns-^^Disman'

.:^f iling and other curious shot — Argus compared

in equipment with British gun-brigs and brig'

j.sloops — Complement of Argus — Depositions of

^^pher officers — Size of each vessel considered-^

. ff Arguses tonnage, by her officers' account — Cor-

j^ rected in their favor — Statement of comparative

force-^Remarks thereon. i|,

ilLT about 6 o'clock on the morning of the 13tk
of August, H. M. brig Pelican arrived at Cork
from a cruize. Before the sails were furled,
Captain Maples received orders to put to sea
again, in quest of an American sloop of war,
which had been committing serious depreda- .
tions in St. George's channel. By half-past 8,
the Pelican was beating out of the liarbour,
against a very strong breeze, blowing right in ;
accompanied bj a heavy sea : a proof of the.
earnestness of her officers and crew.
^^Fortunately, a fire of her own making disco«

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vered the U. S. brig Argus, at 4 o'clock on the
morning of the 14th, in lat. 52" 15' N. long.
5* 6(y W. She made no attempt to escape ; her
commander being confident, as it afterwards
appeared, of taking any British brig of war, in
** ten minutes.'*

•At A.M. the Argus fired her broadside ;
-which, with three cheers, was promptly returned
by the Pelicaii ; and the action commenced,
within range of musketry. (A pp. Nos. 42 and
43.) The firing continued with great spirit, for
45 minutes ; (the mean of the two statements ;)
when the Argus was boarded on the starboard-
bow, and instantly carried,' without even a shew
of resistance ; although the master*s mate of the
Pelican, who led the party, received his death
from the fore-top, just as he stepped upon the
enemy's gunwale. Of this no advantage was
taken ; but the colours of the American ' sloop
of war were immediately hauled down, by
the few of her own crew tbat had not run
below. ; '•>'^ .v».}.r .• . . ■ *<iiuijn|r;>

,t After having read the " Report of the court
of inquiry on the loss of the Chesapeake,'*
(App. No. 40,) the reader may naturally expect,
that the sentence upon the loss of the Argus,
contains a severe animadversion upon the pal-
pable misbehaviour of her crew: instead of which
we are told, (App. No. 44,) that ** every officer
and man of the Argus, (with the (exception of

ft '

ORBAi BRITAIN AND AMERICA. 971

one man, and one boy,) made iise of every prac^
tical exertion to capture the British sloop of war
Pelican*' ; and that ** every officer and man,
with the exception before mentioned, displayed
throughout the engagement, a zeal, activity, and
spirit, in defence of the vessel and flag commit-
ted to their protection".

'rjiThe American official account is remarkable
for its precision. We have, — " 6.-6. 4. — tt. 8. —
6. 12.~6. 14.— 6. 18.— 6. 25.-6. 30.— 6. 38.—
and 6. 47; and each of these trifling intervals is
so crowded with circumstances, that the reader,
unless he takes ihe trouble to sum up the figures,
rises with a conviction that this *' gallant de-
fence against superior size and metal,'* lasted
two hours, instead of 47 minutes. ^i*

i The writer's precision did not extend to the
manner of the Argus-'*s surrender; nor to her
force; nor to the Pelican's loss, or number of
men, in the action ; but the letter contains an
excuse for the'. capture, as novel as it is ridicu-
lous; no other than 'Hhe fatigue which the
crew of the Argus underwent, from a very rapid
suc([;ession of captures." — This " rapid'* work
consisted of twenty captures; all made on the
same cruizing- ground, during a period of thirty-
eight days. Nor was the labour of burning, an
unprofitable one; for the American govern-
ment allowed a compensation for every vessel
dtfitrayed. — The ** court of inquiry," in its over

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aaxietj to save the imtional honor, has made a
fiad blunder. Not satisfied with *' iatigae" only,
it must needs add, '^exposure" ; which was cer-
tainly very great, in the month of August. It
was March when the court sat ; which may be
regarded as some apology. 4

Lieutenant Watson particularly dwells on the
unmanageable state of the Argus, in consequence
of her " having tost the use of her after-sails."
The reader, if be has not alreadv done it, is re-
quested to apply this part of the American offi*
cial account of the Argus's capture, to the case
oi the Frolic, at the commenof ment of her en-
gagement with the Wasp ; marking well the dif-
ference, between what was carried away by shot
during the action, and what had been carried
away by a gale two days previous. (See p. 141.)

On board the Pelican, two shot passed through
the boatswain's and the carpenter's cabins. Her
sides were filled with grape-shot ; and her rig-
ging and sails injured mach. Her fore-mast,
and main^ top-mast, were slightly wounded, and
so were her royals; but no spar was seriously
hurt. Two of her carronades were dismounted.
She lost one seaman killed, besides the master*s
mate, Mr. Young; and 5 seamen, slightly wound-
ed; total 7: chiefly by the Argus's musketry and
langridge; the latter to the torture of the
wounded. Captain Maples had a narrow es-
cape; a spent canister-shot striking, with some

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

270

degree :o£ force, one of his waistcoat-buttons,
and then falling on the deck.

The Argus was tolerably cut up in her hull.
Both her lower-masts were wounded, although
not badly; and. her fore-shrouds v>n one side
nearly all destroyed: but, like the Chesapeake^
the. Argus had no spar shot away. Of her car*
roiiadesr several were disabled. She lost in the
•action, 6 seamen, killed ; her commander, two
midshipmeU) the carpenter, and 3 seamen, mor-
tally, her first lieutenant, and 5 seamen, severely^
and 8 others, slightly wounded ; total 34 : chiefly,
if not wholly, by the cannon-shot of the Pelican.

Like all the other brigs of her class, the Peli-
can originally mounted 19 guns : sixteen car-
ronades, 32-pounderSy two long 6-pouuders,
and a 12-pound launch-carronade ; but, when
at Jamaica, Captain Maples procured two brass
6s, as standing chace-guns. In the action, these
were pointed through the bow-ports; and there- ^
fore could not be sed upon the broadside.

Although that *^ faithful record of events,"
the.American **History of the War,*' was pub- ^
lished. three months after Lieutenant Watson's^
letter, giving the exact force of the Pelican in
guns, had gone the round of the American jourr
nals; and although the title-page of the work
assures its readers, that the contents have been
*' carefully compiled from official documents," /•
Mr. -Low states tb^e^^Pelican's guns at—** twenty -

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1 ; "

M I

■^ I J'

two 63-pound carronades, two long Os, and two
swivels." — Mr. Clarke had previouslj made the
Pelican's ** shot in pounds 660;'' but he had
seen nothing American to contradict it,
' The Pelican returned from Jamaica, in the
spring of 1813, with 116 men and bojs in
complement. On the 20th of June, she received
from the Salvador del M undo, at Plymouth, a
draught of twelve men and boys; but, depart-
ing suddenly the next day, left behind eight of
her best men, absent on leave. In the course
of July, while watering, and occasionally an-
choring, on the north-coast of Ireland, she lost
six more of her men by desertion ; and the se-
cond lieutenant, who had gone on shore, had the
misfortune to be absent, when the Pelican
sailed from the coast. Her arrival at, and sud-
den departure from Cork, upon the service
which, in less than 48 hours afterwards, she so
gallantly performed, has already been mentioned.
It was no proof of that '* newly-acquired'^ cau-
tion on our part, which the Americans, at this
time, fancied was due to their prowess, that
Captain Maples, with a complement (^ 101
men, (including only 1 lieutenant,) and 12 boys,
sailed out to engage an American sloop of war,
whose number of men, as re|>orted in all the
public prints, was 140; and those picked sea-
inen. On the day of leaving port, the Pelican
pressed 2 men out of a brig; and at a quarter

^■#

GkfeAt iiiititi^ Afrt) AfUBkitAi

Jl'?^

pusrt t dii the moriljti^ t>f tlie adtibh^ Wbieti #ai
about four hdnts befofts f b6 Afgud wa« iii hei!>
po^MSsi()i), th^ pt€s8^ k thii'd fHdn, fVditfi fitidf her
btig. The Pelktfll) ihitefttm, d6liiiift^tt<^cl ttcli^
With 104 tMn, ami Id b6y«! iU ^mtef ti( fi^
e:cttTt6rditiary qtl^Iity^ ftitd drf i^thet dittfilliliitir
size ; and tdost of tbe ^htiet dfid(^ Id j^^ifiHfi of age.
^ Mr. Low, detef milled f d mfiin the Pdicttri (^ijUfil
to th6 M-mnnfetit he hud glv6h her, iitdt^ ih^
she had '* 179 men, eleven Of them tOlUift^^'
for the otdttfltkrn, froift ships at CO^k.^-^Wii h^re
trace somo coftfUMd aceotin^, Of the drail^hi
trhreh the PellcaUi fecfilved frOiA' the giterd-sfirip
stt Plymotiih.

^The Argus ttootHited iSb gun^: e^k.^tlh cilr''
rotl^<le», 14.pOdrideftf, Md two lotfg IS^pcfu^dM
«iis. This i« coiiihnffed by the ddpositions of th#
two li^tvtetMiiits atid master of th« Argns, tilketf
before the proper odieet at PlyttiOuth. Yet Mr.
Low si^ys:— -*• Argo», nixteett i^4^poaiid carron*
^des, and two kmg 9^V* tend tbe editor Of thtf
'<NftVfll Histoty" callis *'htt shot in pOWtidtf
402^ ; whrtib amounts td the siHne thitig. AU
though, in thie action of tbe Peacock and Hornet,
the Americaftft advanced an opinion, that the
faeility with which ^-rpound carronades could
be worked and fired, rendered them aboot equal
to 328; yet tHo officiall letter adverts to tlie '' su«
perior metal" of the Pelican, and the *' court
of inqwity," Unds^ amon^ othefr •* foct»^'* that,
• T a

"276 NATAL OCCURRENCES BBTWEEI^^.

** in the number and caliber of. her guns, the
Pelican was decidedly superior to the Argus/'

When taken possession of, the usual descrip-
tion of American shot was found among the
Argus's stores; even bayonets lashed together
with rope-jarn, to be discharged at the enemy !
— ^The quantity of old iron (about 3 cwt.) and
copper nails, shewed, at once, what had caused
so much irritation in the wounds of the few.
British that suffered.

After the editor of the >* Sketches of the
War," could call the Dominica schooner a
'Marge sloop of war," he may be allowed to
contrast the ** American gun-brig Argus," with
the /* British «/o0/7 of war Pelican." This inge-
nious plan has suggested the idea of extracting,
from the '* Naval Pocket Gunner," a work sanc-
tioned by the office of ordnance, the proportions
of some articles of gunner's stores served out to
British gun-brigs, and brig-sloops of the Peli-
can's class, for '^ foreign service," in the way of
comparison with the gunner's stores found on
board the Argus, and sold at public auction..%> ^,

Br,

gun.brig.

Br. brig-«loop.

Argas.

Ho.

No.

Muskets

«5

Pistols

fiO

Swords

Strong pikes andl
Pole-axes j

After a steady action of three quarters of an

W J¥

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

377

hour, the Argushad more powder left, than, by
the above little work, was originally served out
to the Pelican; and the former's round, r grape,
and canister, exclusive of bars of iron, old irOn,
&c. weighed, at the sale, 22 cwt.

The Argus's books contain the names, exclu-
sive of runnings and discharges, of 157 persons;
comprising 149 in "' complement," and 8 ** su-
pernumeraries," 7 of them described as having
entered, in April, from the U. S. frigate Chesa-
peake; the other a ** deserter,*' at TOrient.
The Argus had carried thither from New York,
(which port she left on the 21st of June,) Mr.
Crawford, the minister to France, and his suite ;
but, as they all victualled themselves, their names
de not appear on the brig's books. Besides thtt
above 157 names, are those of 15 prisoners, taken
out of a brig the day previous to the action. Tho
Argus had captured twenty vessels; of which
Captain Allen destroyed all but five. He gave
up two to the prisoners; and manned in 3; of
which two were recaptured, and the third got
safe into France. The two lieutenants and mas-
ter of the Argus agree in deposing, that, at the
time of her '* capture," she had on board " 125
officers and mariners." The standing interroga-
tories of the court of admiralty, should be varied
a little, to apply to cases of capture after action.
Taking the officer's depositions in a literal sense,
the Argus commenced action with 131 men;

.■;«■

■or J

^Av^h occ;iiRii9ifcm npTwi^mi

lii
I

bOArd the thvf e yeswls (twq brigs suid 9 s«slH>Qiiep)

8«iit in, wUbout r^kooipg th« mep-stntad by the

^ritvsb i|ierch9i)tfi|l9«|er9 to hsive ei|ter^4 from
their vesKels; and ^hioh, s^ftcir the unsiiooQ^sfMl
19911^ qf tkp <l<:tipn, would mo^t lihelj be foupd,
i>ot 9inoi^g the creWjt but among the prisoners.
Hoivevi^r, the QMmber sworn to bj the American
Q^fDi^rs, fth^U be eonsidered ap referring to the
numbly on bostrd %t th« qommenoement of the
action. 1

Keeping pftO^ with bis other 98sertions on th^
Tflntive force of the Ai^ns und Pelican* Mr.
Ia^w describes the complement of thd ^rmer
thus: '♦ 94 men ^t for duty, 5 woh, the rent ^b-
ient in pri?es/'^t must b^ve been upon som^
f stimat^^ of thi9 sort) tb»t th^ ^^ court of in«
quiry*' declared, ** that the Pelican was de-
cidedly superior to the Argus in the number of
ber crew.*'-rNo men were found " sick" in the
Argus; but the whole IH w«re at quarters in
the a^ition ; and a Aner set of men never wa»
secut Very few were les9 than sia? feet high ; and
not a boy, in our way of rating them, wa» on
board ; but 3 wiU be allowed. About la or 12
were believed to be British suldects: the Ameri-»
4^n officer^, in theif depositions, swore the crew
t»9ntained none, to their hnowledge. This may
be one reason of the tenderneip evinced by the
eourt of intiuiry, 9» to the hehaviour of the men

', ).

•BEAT BRITAIN AND AMEBIOA.

879

Bi the moment of boarding. When the Argus'i

men were brought on board the Pelican, then

was seen the contrast between the bodil j strength

and appearance of the two crews ; to whkh partj

humiliating may be easily conceived.

V After the prisoners had been divided, and &

full third of the Pelican's cr^w placed on board

the Argus, a strong breeze, and the unsupported

state of the latter*s fore-mast, induced the pri^«

master to bear up for Plymouth ; while the Peli*

can proceeded to report her proceedings to tha

admiral at Cork. In her way thither^ she fortiH

nately fell in with the Leonidaa 46; which ship

relieved Captain Maples of about 30 of hi*

sturdy prisoners.

1 I'he Pelican was built in 18152 ; the Argus, at

Boston, in 1802 or 3, expressly for a government^

vessel. The dimensions of the two brig»liert

follow: . i

ArgUB.
Ft. Ip,

95 6

Length on decki from rabbit \

to rabbity
Breadth extreme^

Main-mast^

Pelican.
Ft In.

100

flengtbj,

. diametef^

f Iciigtbi
idiameteri

{length,
diameter^

Main-yard^

Main-top-mastj

68
I

M|
38 11
1

42
O 9i|

fl7

69
I

55
1

'M:

f. %

''1

>' 2^0

NAVAL OrrimRENCRS BETWEEN

' So much for Lieutenant Watson's account of
the " superior size'* of the Argus. It is true, she
was a trifle shorter, and full two feet narrower,
than the Pelican; but the tauntness of her
masts, and squareness of her jards, would make
her appear on the water, if any thing, the
larger vessel. As her tiller did not traverse on
deck^ as on board our brigs, she carried her ports
further aft than the Pelican; which enabled her
to fight, through them, one more gun of a side.
The age of the Argus, and the number of vessels
of her class in the service, prevented her being
purchased by government ; although her qualtii-
cations as a cruizer, called forth the following
exordium from the editor of the '* National In-
telligencer'' :-^'' She is admitted to be one of
the finest vessels in the service of her class ; and
the model of such a vessel, is certainly inesti-
mable.'^-— But this was previous to her capture.
After Messrs. Clarke and Low have shewn the
Argus to have been but 298 tons, (her American
measurement,) one makes the Pelican ** 485
tons," the other '* 584 tons." Mr. Lowe has
certainly improved upon Captain. X.6;W/<;.
(A pp. No. 3.) He thought of his opponent's
guns only : the former has exerted his ingenuity
upon guns, men, and size ; and not of one ves-
sel, but of both ; gaining as well by under-rating
joo one side, as by over^rating on the other.

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

981

'g' Captain Maples states the Argus at 360 tons.
So he must have been informed by some one
belonging to her ; for, what is remarkable, her
two lieutenants and master all swore, that she
was "'■ about 350 tons.'' Of this, no advantage
shall be taken, whatever surprise it may create
in America; but the actual tonnage of the Argus,
as measured by the dock-yard surveyors, be com-
pared with the Pelican's.

' To every efficient purpose, the Argus was
equal in size to the Pelican, and her top-
^ides were a trifle stouter; but the great addi-
tional breadth of the latter, swells her tonnage
far beyond the Argus*s. The reader must take
this into his consideration, when he comes to
the relative size in torn*

■4..

Comparative farce of the two brigs.

.1 u

Pelican.

Broadside-metal in pounds, j *J^ ^'

.Complement,
Size in tons.

/men,
Iboys,

6
268

104
12

-274

-116

385

Argus.

12
216

122
3

-.228

-125
S16

Upon the face of this statement, the Argus,
in broadside-weight of metal, was inferior to
the Pelican by one sixth ; but, in complement,
had rather the advantage : an advantage that
would be greatly encreased, could we estimate

,/"■

ill

NATAL OCOUKRBNCES VBTWEBlf

:l '•

*• ■: -If

:::' ff

^i ;;,

W. '^

fi ■

bj weight, instead of number. How, then, are
we to account for losing only one man killed,
during a close and furious cannonade of three
quartei^s of an hour ? The compliment paid to
the Argus's commander by Commodore Decatur,
is a proof it could not have been for want of
disciplining the crew. (App. No. 19.) It would
appear, then, that the Americans perform best in
gunnery, when they have high odds on their side.
How consolitary it is, to compare the con-
dition of the least damaged of our captured
aloops, with that of the U. S. sloop Argus. —
She had, to the last, every spar standing;
and, if we subtract the loss in killed and
wounded, and the boys, from each side, there
were, at the very moment when the Argus's
colours were struck to the Pelican, 98 young,
athletic Americans, * opposed to 99 Britons,
of various age and size. Nor was there, in
this case, any frightened *' bugleman'' to make
a scape-goat of; nor *' British subjects'' to ac-
cuse of treachery ; nor could a deficiency of
muskets, pistols, swords, or boarding-pikes, be
. alleged. Really, it would gratify us to be in-
formed, in what consists that ^' moral and phy-
sical superiority' of the American, over the
British sailor; the panegyrics upon which, for
nearly these four years past, have so occupied
the time, and so puzzled the brains, of the trans-
atlantic philosophers.

■' ? .,"!* * *

it$^

■? i

GREAT BRITAIN AMD AM BRIO A*

d93

r'|ij*ir''

CHAPTER XII.

.mfiu

Description of Lake Erie — Captain Barclaif np^
pointed to the eommand'^Liat of his vessels-^
Building of ike skip Detroit-^Difficulhf and
expense of equipping British vessels (m the lakes
''^Captain Barclay receives a small draught of
seamen^^Is forced to engage the Anurictm

. . Sfuadron-^Details of the action^-^Lawrence sur-^

tenders-^Tke American comnumder shifts hia

fhkg'-'Lasjvence re-hoists her eoloufs — British

squadron surrenders' — Damage and loss on each

side — Force in gunSy men, and size-r^Statement

;tixf comparative force — Effrontery of the Boston
citizem and American editors — Commodore
Perfy\and the engravers— -Description of Lake
Ontatio^^ir James Yeo and Commodore Chaun-*
eey—^Foroe of their respective squadrons'-^Sir
James captures the Growler and Julia — Ameri*
can officer*s account of that ev^it — Statement of
comparative force during each engagement —
Commodore Chavncey convinced of his mistake.

liAKE Erie is a lake of North America, situ-
ated between 40* 50' and 43* N. lat. and be-
tween 78^ 50' to 84'' W. long. It is about Qm
miles long from £. to W. and 40 to 60 niile»
'broad. Its waters enter Lake Ontario bj the

USA NAVAL 0CCURRBNCE8 BETW££N

I
'I-

■■ I
k

r- V

ili

M. , ^s
It "'

river Niagara ; but the immense cataract of that
name completely obstructs the navigation. The
boundary line -between the Canadas and the
States of America, runs through the centre of
the lake.

' in May, 1813, Captain Robert Heriot Barclay '
was appointed to the command of the Britii^h
flotilla on this lake ; an appointment which had
been declined by Captain Mulcaster, on account
of the exceedingly bad equipment of the ves-
sels. With a lieutenant, and 19 rejected seamen
of the Ontario squadron. Captain Barclay joined
his command, towards the end of June; up to
which date, the Lake Erie force consisted of the
following vessels :—

Gum.

Complement.

Toni.

Caoadiani.

Soldier*.

Total

110

^80

Sc.

120

Sc.

Sip.

Sc.

108

160

268

615

Queen Charlotte,
Lady Prevost,
General HunteK
Erie,*
Little Belt,
Chippewa.

Total,

. This was the state of his majesty's squadron
on Lake Erie, twelve months after the declara-
tion of war : not a seaman among them ; and, '
if we except the soldiers and provincial officers,

* Not afterwards heard of.

%■

I
I

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

28.1

(the latter included among the Canadian!,) not
one on board that could speak English! A
single sloop of war of the Americans would have
captured the whole. •«•

All the before-mentioned vessels had been
constructed to carry cargoes ; one was now built
solely for war. She was named the Detroit,
pierced for 18 guns, and measured 305 tons.
Although ship-rigged, as was also the Queen
Charlotte, she was many tons smaller than some
American privateer-schooners. (See p. 36.) 'i

The next difficulty was, to get guns for the^
new ship. . For this, a neighbouring fort (Am-
hertsburg) was stripped ; and 19, of four different
calibers, obtained. It will convey some idea of
the difficulty and expense of hastily fitting ves-
sels at this distance from home, to mention, that
every round shot cost one shilling a pound for
the carriage from Quebec to Lake Erie; that
powder was ten times as dear as at home ; and
that, for anchors, their weight in silver would be
scarcely an over-estimate. ,«^f

But, were the Americans on this lake any
better off? — In five days an express reaches
Wafiliington. It would, under the most favor-
able circumstances as to weather and dispatch
in office, take as many months to get an article
ordered from England, o^ even permission to
stir a peg out of the common routine of service.
The American ves,sels were, therefore completely

a95

NAVAL <l«CVRliENCeS ttlTWBMlV

-I
1 1

iil

at boine ; whiln the British tesMls w«re upwards
of 3,500 mites from home; penned up in a lak«
on the enem^'ii borders, inaccefisible hj water ;
and to which the land-carriage for lieavy artf-
eles, oiidmince and naral stores especially, was
most difficnit and tedious.

Eutty in l^ptember, Captain Barclay receir^d
a draught of seaowM from the Dover troop'^ship ^
and many of these wunld hate scarcely rated as
ffrdmwfie9 on board our regular sMps of war^
He had now 50 British seamen to d^tribute
among^ tw» tAips, two schooners, a brig, «t»^ a
sleep; armed, altogether, with 63 carriage*
guns. It m«9t h«ve been the inerediibility ^
Ibis^ that imdae^ some q4 the Biitisb joumalii,
in their accoants of the proceedings on this
Ifidte, to state ^ 160^'*^ instead' of 50* seamen. It
ie asserted, on the express authetity of Cap-^
tain Barclay hknself, that no more than 50
teamtfn were at any time oO' beard the Lake Erie
flotilla ; the compkments having been made ttp
by Canadian peasants and soldiers, — without
disparagement tO' eilher,-^sorry substitutes for
l^itish seamen.

The ships of the Americans, as their news-
papem informed ms wens equipped in the most
eempteat nwMMier ; and, thrcHVgl^ tile same chaa>-
fvel, we learnt, that large^hmughts of seamen bad
repeatedly marched to Lake £rie from the sea->
board. The best of riflemen were to be ob*

■*p

■w

ORBAT BRITAIN AND AMBRfOA.

967

tained on the spot. What else was required,
to render the American ships in these waters
quite as effeotiTe as the best appointed ships
on the ocean?

. On the 9th of September^ Captain Barclay
was Ijing, with his little squadron, in the port
of Amherstburg, anxiously waiting the arrival
of a promised supply of seamen. Almort smr*
rounded by hostile shores ; his people on half*
allowance of food ; not another day's fkwur in
store ; a large body of Indians, (whose lricnd«
ship would cease, with the least abridgement ia
their accustomed supply,) close in his rear ;«*•*
alike hopeless of succour and retreat,— Hirhat
was Captain Barclay to do ? ImpelM by dread
of famine, and, not improbable, of Indian trea-*
chery too, he sailed o»t in the evening, to risk
a battle with an enemy's deet, whose force ha
knew was nearly doable his own.

At day-light next morning, the enemy waa
discovered to-leeward. The British coflmxinder
bore up for htm. The wind almost instantly
changed, and brought the enemy to-whidward.
Tbuft had the American schooners, by a choico
of distance, the full effect of their heavy long
guns ; while the British carronadet dropped
thesr high-priocd shot uselessly in the water.

The Detroit, CapiMn Bar«ilay's ahip, wan
closely engaged, for two hours, with the Law-
rence, Commodore Perry's flag-ship, upportcd

,/"

k I . -'

.}'

II ■

J :\

f ,

! •

288

NA^YAL OCCURRENCES HETWEEN ^

by the schooners Ariel and Scorpion. The Law«
rence then struck her colours ; and the Detroit
ceased firing ; but, having only one boat, and
that cut to pieces, she could not take possession^
A short time before the Lawrence surrendered.
Commodore Perry abandoned her, and repaired
on board the Niagara ; which :brig, from keep-
ing out of range of the Queen Charlotte's car-
ronades, had sustained but little damage. As
«Qon as the Niagara advanced towards the De-;
troit, the Lawrence, which had now drifted out
of reach of the latter 's guns, re-hoisted her co-
lours. Commodore Perry, in his letter, attempts
to gloss this over ; but his countrymen are the
only persons who do not consider it as a shames
ful proceeding. m

The Detroit, Queen Charlotte, and Lawrence,
all suffered greatly, in hulls, masts, and rigging.
The other vessels of the two squadrons were not
materially injured.

Our loss was severe. "Every officer codi-
manding vessels, and their .seconds," says Cap-,
tain Barclay, *' wer^ either killed, or wounded
so .severely, as to be unable to keep the deck.''
Captain Barclay had his remaining arm dread-
fully shattered; and was otherwise severely
wounded. The British loss in killed and
wounded, amounted to 135.

Commodore Perry escaped without a scratch ;
and the only officers he lost, were a lieutenant

dftl^At BltlYAlN ANI> A]^£RI6A.

iB&^

of marines and a midshipman. His total los^'f
amounted to 123. (App. No. 55.) »

'*The guns of every vessel in the two fleets, are i
fully specifiedln the statement annexed to th^ 4
British official account. It will there be seen,^^
that we had 63 guns ; of Which 34, including
those on pivots, were fought upon the broadside; i

The Detroit and Hunter had each guns of fbuir t
different calibers. These guns were to be supplied^ t
with proper shot, and levelled at the enemy, by f
Canadians and soldiers, " totally unacquainted f
with such service ;'' the few seamen dispersed' >^
among the vessels, having enough to do vo attend^
to the navigation of them. < g^

-?The complements of the six British vessel^%
consisted of 50 seamen, (including officers and'i
boys,) 85 Canadians of all sorts and sizes, and^^
2lO soldiers of the Newfomidland and 41 st regi-
ments; total 345. How sensibly the loss of sea-
men was felt^ will appear by a reference to the ^,
evidence of the officers examined at the court-
martial. (App. No. 61.) There it also appears,
that the matches and tubes supplied lo tht^ships^'r
were so defective, *' that pistols were obliged lo't
hejired at the guns to set them o^.'^— Never before,*
surely, did any squadron go into action, so'
wretchedly fitted out as Captain Barclay's !

Commodore Perry, in his letter to General'^"
Harrison, says : — ** From the best information, *-
we have more prisoners than we have men '

-^^'i
%-iu

Kh|.

! 1

NAVAL 0CCUREENCE8 BETWEEIT

pn board our Tessels." (App. No. 57.) If this
*' best information'^ had not turned out wboUj
false, why, in a letter written two dsLjs after-
wards, and commencing, *' 1, have caused the
]jrisoners taUen on the 10th instant to bte ^nided
at Sandusky,'' has he omitted to specify the
number ? — Not a wor^4 appears beyond the ex-
torted admission, that there w^s " >0l nu^iber
of Canadians among the prisoners, many of
whom had families." (App. No. 69.)
V The American vessels mounted 54. guns; of
which 34, including those on pivots, were fought
upon the broadside. The description of th^se
guns, as given in Captain Barclay's statement,
agre<ps ^ith the American accounts published
a ffev^. days previous to the actjion. Commo-
dore Perry knew thfe fidvantage he should
derive from merely enumerating the guns of
tl^e two squadrons ; and, in his " statemei^t
of fojrce," (App. No. 59. j failed not to specify,
that three of our guns were on, pivot-carrijages ;
forgfstting, apparently, that no fewc^^r thap fouf-
te^n.^lf his own were similarly fitted. He had
t^ied the, relative weight of metal, and foiind
it, wa^ li!|iro to one against him. The coi|^mp-
^(>re, with, h^$_ skill in figiires, no doubt, ca^ de-
monstrate that, although an American schooner,
armed wi^h twelve long /t&o-poun^erSi wpuld
b^, in i^umber of guns.^ five times supei;ior to
a Frmch schooner^ armed, like the Porcupine,

If 5'

GREAT^ BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

with ^oni long d2.poundidr and' one 24-poand
eatrrdnadcf, each on a pivot-carriage, the French
vessel would, ill reality, be double the fbrceof the
American. What have the British done, that a
case of theirs, in prini^iple the same, should be
made aneiception?H "' ' *i!^ *«^ ^

'CbmtBodore Perry, in his second letter to
General Harrison, thanks him for the ** timely
re-infof cement" of the men he sent oti board
the squadron; and assures him that, '* without
those men, the victory could not have been
achieved." (^PP* ^^o* 60.) As the number of
these men cannot be obtained, the complements
of the American vessels must be estimated with-
out them. The Lawrence and Niagara were
each armed the same as the sloop of war Hot-
net ; and still rate the same in the navy-li^s.
Allow each brig to have had 20 men fewer thait
the Hornet ; and their rea|)ective complements
would be 150. The Growler and Julia schooners,
of two guns, taken from the Americans on Lake
Ontario, had 40 men each. Allow the Caledonia
brig, and the remaining sisc schooners of Com.
Perry's ^et, to have had no more than 40 men
each; and we have, for the united complements
of the nine American vessels, without reckon-
ing General Harrison's "timely reinforcement,"
560 men, chiefly picked sailors and riflemen. ^
< Tb« size of each of the British vessels has
already appeared. Some opinion may be formed
. u 2

d92 NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

of the size of AmenGan brigt of war, by Com^
modore Cbauncey's letter respecting those built -
under his orders on Lake Ontario. (App«'
No. 65.) When the Lawrence and Niagara were
launched, the American papers stated t^m to <
be of the same size as the Hornet. Allow them '
to have been a few tons smaller, and call them
450 each. Of two American Lake Erie
schooners, subsequently captured by us, one
measured '96, the other 66 toOs. An average of
90 tons, for ttie Caledonia brig, and six schooners^
will be a very moderate allowance.
^^The Detroit engaged her three opponents, thei
Lawrence, Ariel, and Scorpion, ' within pistols ^
shot distance ; so that the brig's heavy carro«
nades produced their full eiTect. By way of
excuse for that fine vessel, supported as she was,
(surrendering to a forbe so inferior, the Americafi'
commander says : — ** Finding their fire very de« ^
structive, owing to their long guns, and its
being mostly directed at the Lawrence^ &c."
(App. No. 58.) Who could infer from this, that
one ship only had engaged the Lawrence; or
that all the " long guns" in the British fleet, -^
except two 12s, and a few of smaller caliber,
were mounted on board that single ship?

It is not a little singular that, had the Somers
made a fourth against the Detroit, and the Nia-
gara, Caledonia, Porcupine, Tigress, and T iippe,
been lying quietly at anchor in Put«iQ-bay, th«

•.•

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

•broadside- weight of metal of the Lawrence, and
her three assistants, would have equalled that
of the whole of Captain Barclay's fleet ; and,
had the Lawrence and Niagara been the only
American vessels on the lake, a superiority, in
broadside-weight of metal, of nearly one thirds
would still have been on the American side. • %

Comparative force of the two squadrons.

Broadside-metal S 1* SW»
^ IP pounds, 1 canr. '

Complements^

Size in tons.

British.

195
fi64

— 459
f ofllcen, •eamcB ft boyi 5Q

\ Canadian! ft soldient g(^5

— 345
865

American*^

256
672

580

928

1-^

580
1530

Unabashed by this immense disparity, the
hectoring of the Americans exceeded all bounds.
Several years' experience had taught us, that
Americans were not over-scrupulous in the way
of commerce; that is, that, while they were,
ostensibly, fair neutrals^ the cargo they were
carrying would be enemy's property, their real
destination a prohibited one, and all their pa-
pers forgeries. But it was thought thac a state
of open war would improve their morals ; that
honor, or common honesty at least, would break
out by starts among them ; and that this work
of reformation would begin with the eastern
l^ple ; as they were notoriously of a grave and

394

KAYAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

I !

ll!;

N U

III ■)

It;

i|:

pious habit. That tw,o years of war had pro-
duced not the slighest effect upon the ** Boston
citizens," they themselves took care to ano
nounce, by presenting to Commodore P^rry, it
*\ mas^y service of plate,^^ engraven with the
following words :-^^* A very superior British
/orcet on Lake Erie, was entirely subdued by Com'
modore O, H. Ferty,^^ ! !

After this, nothing said by the southerrt peo-
ple, the government-editors, naval historians,
&c. can create any surprise. The '* Naval Mo-
nument'^ says :— " The victory of Commodore
Perry was the result of skill, courage and enter-
prise, against superior force. Both the quality
^nd amount of the force he had to contend with,
ought to have given a triumph to the other
side."— (Naval Mon. p. 89.) The ♦' preface''
out-americans even this. It tells us of *^ the bold
Nelsonian measure of breaking through the
line;'' and insists, that neither Ceesar in his
famed letter, nor Nelson in his (by us thought)
famed viotories, are at all to be compared with
the American Nelson, or the Nelson of all NeU
IBons, — Commodore Perry ! *%H

{t would be an injustice to the '* History of
the war j" pot to give equal publicity to Mr*
Low'is^ eloquence on this same interesting occa^
sion, He s»ys, at p. 119,—" Hitherto we have
seen the enemy beaten ship to ship, but now we
were to witness them fleet to ^eet ; and a more

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMRRIOA.

905

pro.
k>slon

an-
rry, fe
h tile
British
Com*

decisive or splendid yictory was never achieved.
Compared with this all fbhner naval victories
lose their splendour; evCn the great Nelsori,
were he Rliv^, must rank below Perrj. — Nelsoh
never captured aH entire fleet ; Pelry has, and
that with a fieH inferior in size, weight of metal,
and number of men/'— Does th6 facetious Mr.
-Low wslnt R precedent for the capture of ** afi
etitirc fleiet'^ ?— Let him turn to hiis frietid Gul-
iiver. Not one of his Lilliputian fleet eisoaped.
^ But Commodore Perry himself ; how has hfe
behaved ih this busihess ? He calls his vic-
tory a "signal" one. (App. Nb. 56.) Perhaps
that #ord, siihitar to " clever,^ Rnd some others,
has a different meaning in the United States
from What it hals in England. Let that pass.
Pa^s over alsd the concealment and equivocai<^
tion dbservabte in the commodore's details of
the actionv (Al>pl^ No. 58.) We come, next, tb
his letter to "Messrs. Murray, Draper, Pair^
man, and Webster.*' (App. Nb. 64.) These
engravers shewed him two views of the engage-
ment, wherein the British, are represented
much larger, and more fully armed, than the
American vessels ; yet he, Commodore Oliver
Hazard Perry, of the United States' navy, — the
man whose " modesty" has been as extrava-
gantly praisfd as his ** valor," — has " no hesita-
tion in pronouncing them a correct representa-
tion of the engagement." He does this, too, in
a common newspaper-puff! ! *

sv m

5296

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

* Lake Ontario is also a lake of North America ;
about 600 miles in circumference. On its south
side, it receives 'the waters of Lake Erie, by
means of the river Niagara; the navigation of
which is interrupted, as already stated. Near
the S.E. it receives the river Oswego ; and, on
the N.E. its waters. enter the river Iroquois:
which river, at Montreal, takes the name of St.
Lawrence, and flows into the gulf of that name.
The navigation of this river is effectually inter-
rupted by rapids and shoals, situate a few miles
above Quebec. Our principal port on this lake
is Kingston ; that of the Americans Sackett's Har-
bour. The statements in Commodore Chauncey's
long letters, respecting the operations on this
lake, (App. Nos. 50. and 52.) have given rise,
among the Americans, to very erroneous opi-
nions as to the relative merits of that officer
and Sir James Lucas Yeo, sent oai to command
against him, in the spring of 1813. Among
Britons, Frenchmen, Spaniards, and Portuguese,
gallantry and Sir James Lucas Yeo have long
been associated terms. The fears of his friends
were, not that he would decline fighting, but,
lest his restrictive orders should not have been
peremptory enough, to hinder him from attack-
ing a force double his own. His ardor, like
the gaHant Barclay's, required to be checked,
not stimulated. .a

The first enterprise in which Sir James engaged,
is fully detailed in bis letter to Mr. Croker.

V, ■

I" ,

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

097

(App. No. 48.) At this time, Commodore
' Chauncey, with a superior force, was lying in

Sackett*B-harbour ; waiting the equipment of
i the new ship General Pike. Towards the end
f of July, that fine ship being added to his squa-
ll dron, the commodore left Sackett*s-harbour ;
i and, on the 8th of August, Sir James discovered
^ liim, at anchor off Niagara. The occurrences
< that attended this meeting, will be better un«

derstood, when the force of each squadron is
^ known.

I British squadron on Lake Ontario; from the Sih
1^*4^ ^f -^^g^*^^ ^0 the end of 1813.

>i6a^./^i'iai*. ^

Leng fun».

Cam.

Gnm.

■
Compl*-

Tom.

m: ■

S4a

•1

♦l

18i

1S8

2
2

9»

68ft

4
2

SitiU

18i

^ Wolfe,
'Royal George,
K Melville, B.
. ^oira, Sc.
'^ ■ Sidney Smith, Sc.
^' Berevford, Sc.

10
16
12

23
21
14
14
12
8

200

175

100

425
340
186
175
144
115

1385

^^ Total,

48|l2

717

'^* Commodore Chauncey 's letter informs us what
\esse1s he had with him. Their force in guns,

' complements, and size, will be taken, partly from
the American accounts, and partly from the in-
formation of British officers serving on the lakes,
at the period of these operations. Sir James Yeo

* describes the enemy's squadron as '' consisting
of 13/' he should have said "' 14 sail.''

* On pivot-carriages. f One on ditto.

'.'.'•ji-i

ri I

20S

NATAL OCCURRBlfOBf BBTWBBlf

5 J

li,

»4

t American squadron on Lake Ontario^ on tlie Sth

0/ Avguti, 1^13, *

m Jii.'

:c*

'til'

General Pike^

Madison^

Oneida,

Long iiani.

1 Cam.

Gant.

Conp

Tom.

S9k

84t

18s

19i

Sit

«4«

I8i

§28

t.1

€

1
20

28
25
18

400
210
116

820
590
287

•l

10!

108

214

•T

♦4

•s

•2

»4

S60

810

114

1193

2721

Hamilton) Sc. \
Scourge, Sc. J
9 other schooners,

Total,

The Pike is described as a rematjiably fine
ship: the Americans themselves spoke of her,
vrhen she was launched, as equal in size to a
British d6*gub frigate. Sh^ carHed one of her
24s on the top-gallant fbreca^tte, the other on
the poop ; both mouitted lipon circular carriages.
Ohe of the Madisbn'il 18s tva^ similarly mounted.

An attentive perusal of Commodore Chaun-

cey's letter, (App. l^o. 50.) coupled with what

iSir James says in his, (No. 49,) will shew

which party was the most disposed to *' avoid

an action.'^ At all events. Sir James's ** long

and cowardly manoeuvring," as an American

.historian calls it, enabled him to capture two

schooners; having previously compelled two

.others to founder, in their over-strained efforts

to avoid his iire.

* On piTot-carriageS. + One on ditto. § Two on dittos

ms^;^mf im-t -t

■■imf^^^rm^'^o ^"»"*| %m^-

ORBAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

^Xt^

' Th« <^ United States' Gazette'' of September
0, 1813, gave a letter from one of the G^«>
neral Pike's officers. The writer, hafing pre-
viously stated the American force at tavo ships;
one brig, and eleven schooners, says :*~*' On the
10th, at midnight, we came within gun-shot, every
one in high spirits. The schooners commenced
the action with their long guns, Which did great
execution. At half past 12, the con^modore
fired his broadside, and gave three cheers, which
was returned from the other ships,-— Mtf enemy
closing fast. We lay by for our opponent, th^
orders having been given, not to fire until she
came within pistol-shot, though the enemy kept
up a constant fire. Every gun was pointed,
every match ready in hand, and the red British
ensign plainly to be descried by the light 6f the
moon; when, to our utter astonishment, Me
commodore wore, and stood S, E, leaving Sir
James Lucas Yeo to exult in the capture of two
schooners, and in our retreat; which was cer*
tainly a very fortunate one for him.^' "i

■'{ No wonder, an order soon atiterwards issued
from Washington, that no officer should write,
with the intention of publication, accounts of
the operations 'f' the fleet and army. Sir James
could not have had his assertions more ably
supported, than they were by the Pike's officer.
The latter Was mistaken, however, as to any
''execution" having been done by the American

1 ■

A -A

000

JfATAL OCCURREirCEt BETWBBIT

«quadron. The Growler and Julia eac^j mounted
a long 32 and 12-pounder, on pivot-carriages,
.with a complement of 40 men; which was under-
stood to be that of each of the other schc oners ;
except the two which had upset. The captured
Schooners of course made no resistance ; although
the American editors trumped up a story about
their desperate defence; how they tore and
ripped up the enemy, &c. .u,,a^ ,.

, The Pike's officer has described two other
chases; differing chiefly from the last, in no loss
having been suffered, or even shot fired. He
says: — " We proceeded directly for Sackett's
Harbour; where we victualled; and put to sea,
tHe next day after our arrival, August 14. — On
the 16th, we discovered the enemy again ; again
hurried to quarters ; again got clear of the enemy ^
hy dint of carrying sail; and returned to Sackett's
harbour. — On the 18th we again fell in with the
enemy steering for Kingston ; and we reached the
harbour on the 19th. I'his is the result of two
cruizes; the flrst of which, by proper guidance^
might have decided in our favor, the superiority
on the lake, and consequently in Canada.'*
, ^^.This is what many of the American editors
called,^ — *' chasing the British commander, all
round the lake." — Commodore Chauncey, al-
though he had lost four of his fourteen vessels,
appesired in September with eleven sail ; having
brought out with him, the schooner Elizabeth,

OftBAT BRITAIN AND AMBRICA«

301

of about tlie same force as the Growler or Julian'
and the new schooner S jlph ; mounting, at that
time, four long d2s upon pivot-carriages, and
four long 6s. This schooner was described by
the Americans as upwards of 400 tons. She was
afterwards converted into a brig. i

The details of the action of the 11th of Sep4
tember, will be found in Sir James's and Com<*^
modore Chauncey's letters; (App. Nos. fil
and 52.) The latter says: ** I got several broad**
sides from this ship upon the enemy, which must
have done him considerable injury, as many of
the shot were seen to strike him, and people
were observed over the sides plugging shot*
holes." — ^The only shot received by the British
fleet that wanted a plug, struck the Melville ;
and that so far under water, that Captain Spits-
bury had to run his guns in on one side, and
out on the other, to enable him to stop it. '^

Another engagement took place on the 28th
of September. Commodore Chauncey, having
the weather-gage, kept his favourite distance ;
and one of his shot carried away the Wolfe's
main-top-mast; which, in its fall, brought down
the mizen-top-mast and cross-jack-yard. It was
this, and not, as Mr. Clarke says, " a manoeu«
vre of the commodore's," that ^* threw the'
British in confusion.'' Even with this great
advantage, Commodore Chauncey would not
Tenture within ^sirronadft^range. Mr. Clarke, in

s -3

k- f ,

I*/ ^1 ,»

aoA

V4tliiti QfDOimiLBIiOSS SEirwBXW

i; *

^escribing this actiom, speaks of the >'' Brifish
frigate Wolfe^* ; upon whick he had preyioiisly
liioanted ''36 guns/'-r^Only two shot ^m the
Americans did any material damage ; the one
already mentioned, and another that strnok the
Royal George^s fbr^-top^mast ; which fell, upon
her iinchoring. Mr. • Clarke says : ** Prudence
forbad any further pursuit on the part of the
Americans;'^ and the editor of the ^* Hiistory of
the War*' adds: "The oommodore was obliged
to give up the chase; his ship was making water
so fast, that it required all his pumps to keep
her clear; and others of his Tessels were much
damaged. The General Pike suffered a consi-
dlerable loss of men ; among wh<Hn were 25^
killed: or wounded, by the bursting of a gun.*'
Other American accounts stated the commo-
dore's loss in men, at upwards of 00 killed and
wounded. -

i! It was therefore the dami^es and loss sustained
liytthe American squadron ; and not the '^ British
baitteries on Burlington heigh ts,^'-t—npoti which
not a musket was mounted, — >that ** obliged the
Qommodore to give up the chase J" The e&tct
produced by Sir Jamesfs £ew long g^ns, gave a
^ecimen of what bis carronades would have
49lie^ had hii» opponent allowed them to be used.

j, A3. Commodore Chauncey has asserted, thai
Sir James *^ was so much superior in point of
iarQ% both, in giins and men, andf heaves a

r<n-

GREAT BRITAIN AND ADfERICA*

90a

greater weight of shot/' the reader may desire
to see a statement of the comparative force of
tjbe two squadrons, in each of t^e actionis. The
Growler and Julia had been converted into transr
ports ; (and were afterwards re-captured as such ;)
and their guns mounted upon Fort Henry at
Kingston : they, therefore, became no accessioA
to Sir Js^ip^-s's force upon the lake. The Sylf>b
and Elizabeth, in Commodore Chaunoey's squar
drpqi, replaced, the Growler, Julia, Hamilton,
ajid Scourge. The force in guns of the two
first-named vessels han already appeared: the
Syjipli's complen^nt vs^tiy be stated at 70; the
Eliz^betli's at the number found in each of.
the captured schooners. dj

* Comparative force of the two squadrons. ^**

- • . . . . ^^It;

American. British. American.

Ill

lit action.

Broadside metal r 1. guns, 91 7
in pounds^ \cafr. 712

Complements,
Size m tons^

1699
1193
2721

British.

lit, 2d, and Sd
action!.

204
1170
JS74

, 717
1385

Sd and Sd
actions.

95Q. ,^^,.

640

— 1596
. 1115,
* 2817

^ This is "heaving a greater weight of shot'!
with a vengeance! — ^The immense disparity in
long guns, accounts for Sir James's endeavouring
to get the weather-gage; without which, his
wary opponent would have hammered the British
squadron to pieces ; and remained himself com-
paratively uninjured.

i i

fi 3

:,-

904

NAtAL dCCURRENCeS BtJTWIStSr

An event that occurred long subsequent tOi
these transactions, leaves it doubtful, whether it'
was Commodore Chauncey's wilful exaggeration, .
or the highly-magnifying powers of the American'
glasses, that occasioned him so far to over-rate,
the size and force of the vessels composing the'
British squadron.— A» soon as the proclamation^
of peace reached Sackett's Harbour, the com-
modore, accompanied by some of his officers,'
went to Kingston on a visit to Sir James. The '
latter was ill in bed ; but his first lieutenant, at ^
the request of Commodore Chauncey, took him'
on bo^rd the several vessels of the squadron. -
When he came to the Montreal, and was assured
that she was his old opponent the Wolfe, he and *
his officers testified their surprise, and appeared
almost to doubt the lieutenant's word ; the com-
modore himself declaring, that he took her for .
a vessel of twice the size and force. The Ameri-
cans were next, to their equal surprise, shewn
the brigs Melville and Moira ; then named the
Star and Charwell. Some one present, speaking !
of the events of 1813, observed, that the Pike
alone, with the weather-gage, was a match for'
the whole of the British squadron : — it could not
be denied. ^

*#^

«RBAT BRfTAIH AMD AMfeRlCA.

SOi

CHAPTER XIIL

FMbt Uitvii Enghnd-^h joined at Rio Jantiit^
t hi^ ike iloops Chirub and Racoon^^The ikipi
• mnrhm at Juan Fernandez — Captain HiHj^
ikife hears of Captain Porter*$ depredationo-^
Skhde the Racoon io the river Columbia; dmdi
■ with the Cherub, proceeds in search of the Esseat
and sfuadron-^Phahe and CherUb arrive of
Valparaiso: where thetf discover, and blockadei
the Essex and E^sex Junior — Both Americam
ehipstnake a feint of attacking the Fhsebe, when
ahne^-^Fhabe chases them to the anchorage**^
Essex sails out-^Is attacked and captured'^
Details of the action^^Damages and loss onbeih
sides-^Force of the respective vessels in gune^
men, andsize^—Statement of eomparatwe forec'^
Remarks on Captain Porter*s letter*^His iteai^
ment of Captain HilfyaP'-^Proceedings of the
Cherub — Phoebe and Essex arrive at PlymoMK
— Captain Porter's prizes.

In March, 1813, H. M. Ship Phoebe 42, ac
conoipanied by the Isaac Todd, letter of marque^^
left England, upon secret service ; which servicll
afterwards proved to be,-— to destroy the United
States' fur-establishment upon the river Cohim^

it
i.

r 1,1'

}i. It

■ A

300

JNAYAL aCOMIUl^N^fiS BEX^BBN.

bia, N. W. coast of America. Towards the
latter end of June, the two ships arrived at Rio
Janeiro: whence, each taking on board six
month's provisions; they sailed on the 9th of
July^ in company with the sloops of war, Cherub
and {UicoioD ; which had af rived there fr<»ni£ogt
laiid since FebruaKy,.and were qow bouiid round
Cup^ ljoro» ta protect the l^outhern whaler 6sh->
ery«^ The Isaac Todd parted company before
l[|«ichi^g ^he, Falkland islaqds; and the three
nHnaining ships arrived, in the middle of Sep-
tember, at the island <if Juan Fernandei;, .It
\r.9s here tUat Captain Hillyar £ri>t heard of. the
depredations of the Essex ; as well us of Capiain
Po^ter^s having armed three of the whale-ships,
his prices* This augmentation of force deter-
mined Captain Hillyar, not to allow/the Che^nb
and Bacoonto seek the Essex, as they had already
];iieen doing at th^ island of St, Catharine's s be
therefore provisioned and stored the Racoon* for
the.i$?]^viQe upon which the Phoebe had been or-
dered ; and, with h^r and the Che,rub, set sail;from
Jnf^n Fer^and^z, ^bo^Ut the 29tli of ^pten»b0r>in
quest of the Essex and ^er three conipanions.^

On the 2d of October, a short distance to«,
windward of Charles' kland, (ona of the Gali}
p^g^Qs,) the Racoon parted company for Co»^
lumbia; and the Pboeibe and Cherub, after ex«^
Iiloring the gulph of Quyaquel^ Arrived at l4in%;
for refresh men jtsi. in the middle. <^f pecemberij^ ^

dRiSAT SAlTAtN 4KD AMERICAN SOf

.i li waft Aot until ttie 7th of February, 18149
that Captaih Uillyar was so fortunate as to gain
a sight of the Essex. He found her, in company
with the Esse:!^ Junior j of ijd guns and 60 men,
and three of her prizes, at anchor in the port
ef 'Valparaiso, South America* Captain Portei^
arrtred there, for the first time^ in March, 1813|
tfad very month in which the Phtiebe left Eng'^
Ismdi-i-u most" satisfactory proofs that the lattet
was not ^* sent into the Pacific for the Wpress
purpose of seeking the Essex." (A pp. No. 73.)'
• At Valparaiso, Captain Hilly ar took on board
a Supply Y>f water and provisions; and conii
menced the blockade of the American shipsi
After he had lain off the port about a month ;
and at a time when the Cherub was between
three and four miles to-ieeward, the Essex, and
Essex Junior, sailed out of the harbour together|
and })ore down upon the Phoebe s weather-quar-
ter; the Essex ^rtng' at her. Captain Hillyar,
resolving to engage the two ships, instantly stood
for them ; when they both put about, and raif
for the anchorage : whither they were pursued
by the Phoebe. This is an answer to all Captaiif
Portef's hectoring about his having *^ endea-
voured to provoke a challenge'^ ; and explains
why the American officers forfeited the good
opinion of the inhabitants of Valparaiso ; many
of whom' witnessed the whole transaction. There
aredoouiaeiits in existence; proving, on the oatb

X 2

;" i

^■"v., . J

I r. ft

U'h . I

f: lis 1 ■■4

i U

90t HATAL OCCUmREWOBS BITWBBff

of many nspectable rtsidenits of the place# that,
when the Essex did so fire on the Phcabe, she
was nearer the port than when she was captured.
^ On the 38th of March, the two American
ships having appointed a rendesfoua at tha
Marqueses, and arranged evaij thing for escap«>
ing to sea the first opportunity, a fresh breeia
from the southward drore the Essex out of tha
harbour. To the surprise of the British conih
manders, whose ships were both under closo*
reeved top-sails, the Essex approached with top*
gallant-sails set, over single*reeyed top-sails.
On rounding the outer-point of the bay, she
braced close up, in hopes to weather the British
ships, and escape ; but, in the attempt, carried
away h^r main-top-mast. Captain Forter now
tried to regain the limits of the port: failing in
that also, he dropped anchor, so near the shore,
as to preclude the possibility of any ship pass-
ing a-head of him. ,
The wind blowing strongly from the direction
in which the Essex lay, the British ships, instead
of *' having the choice of position/' were obliged,
the moment they passed her stem, to wear, to
avoid going on shore. About this time, a shot
from the Essex passed through several folds of
the Phoebe's main-sail, as it was hauling up;
which rendered it unfit to set, with the strong
wind then blowing. The main-stay was also
out through by shot, and the jib-boom wounded*

ORIAT BRITAtK Air» AlfiRiOA*

teo

Tlie Pb«be, hating enereaied her distance, by
trearing, and lost th« use of her jib and main^
lail, did little- or no injury to the Esse v until
•he closed her at 85 minutes past 5. Then the
Mtion commenced, in earnest; and continued,
without intermission, until 00 minutes past 6;
When the Essex surrendered*
-M The Cherub, when the action commenced, wttl
ilMift the Phoebe's weather-beam ; and after*
Wflrds used every exertion against the baffling
windaand occasional calms, which followed the
iieavy firing, to dose near the Essex: withou :
which, her battery, conmsting, except <me six»
^ all carrdaadee, could produce no effect*
'As respects the duration of the action, Cap^
tain Hillyar, with true nobleness of mind, read
to Captain Porter, neariy the whole of his official
letter; teferring him to the fhinutes taken by
bis clerk, with a watch in his hand^ while the
Engagement was pending. Captain Por;er, ra«
ther than ayow this trait in his enemy, mentions
the fact as a discovery of his own, thns : ** Com-
modore Hillyar, as / am informed, has thought
proper to state to his government, that the action
lasted only 45 mmutes; should he have done

The assertion that the British fired for ^' about

ten minutes'' after the colours were struck, is the

^ basest of all Capt^ Porter's numerous falsehoods.

Themoment theflagoftheEssex was seen moving

ij,' -J i

\hl ■:

I -

Kir I

I) \

! i

i I

3ia

KATAL QCCURRBNCE9 BETWEBI^

Iron^ the mast-head, the Cherub ceased firing;
and Captain Hillyar ordered the Phcebci's fire to
^ase; and ran to the main-deck to see his order
enforced. Towards the head of the ship, Inhere
the" captain's order, owing to the confusion of
liattle^ and the de&fning i effect of qoixtinued
firing, was not immediately heard* threo oi? fonf
giips might haye been discharged. Tbia bap-
pens in almost all actions; and Captain pQfter*
converting /en ««conc^« into *^ten minutes/^ has
mode it the foundation of his libellous attaqk^ ,•
i The Phoebe's iiyuries were, trifling. $he had
a^ few shot-holes between wind and water ; wbicb
were got at without lightening. Her main and
miz^-masts, and her; sails and rigging,, w^re ra-
ther seriously ii^jured. Her first lieutenant and
^seamen killed; 4 seamen and marines^ severely y
and: 3,' dightly wounded, ^omprii^ed the whjoile
qf her l<yss. The Cherub's larbpaird fore-top-^
sail sheet Hfas shot away, and i:eplaced in fivc(
minutes; several of h^r lower i^hrouds were cut
throiigh, ^hoi th^ main-tpp^mast stay, and mt^t
of the running rigging; and thr^e pr ^ur shot;
struck her hall ^o other damage did ^he sms-*
taiju: although, in the engraving of thii action^
to be found both in Captain Porter's " Journal,"i
aiidthe ^^ Naval Momiment,^-' th^ Cherub, ap-
pears with her fore-yard falling on c?^c4//-7rQne
marine; killed ; her commander, severely, and ^
^narip^s, [^lightly wounded; is all the loss whi^h

tmiAt -toliiYArt^ X^b am*rica; Sil

tfciit #fiip sustained : inaking a total loss, npoil
the British side, of 5 killed, and 10 wounded. ^
* When the Essex was boarded by the British
tyflicers, buckets of spirits were found in all parti
ffi the main-deck; and most of the prisoners
were in n state of intoxication. This second
|)roof (se« p. 255) that ** American sailolv want
no grog/' accounts for the Phcebe and Cheru^i
hftfing sustained their principal injury- during
the three first broadsides. Afterwards, the firing
of the Essex became Tery irregular; Und nesLfif
all her shot went over th6 British ships. ' '*^ ^
/ The upper works, masts and rigging of th<^
Essex were much damaged ; but Captain MillyiH^
cbtisidered, that she might perform a voyage td^
Eurc^, far distant as it was, with perfect safety-/
** My ship,'' says Captain Porter, ?* was^ out up
in a manner which was perhaps nef^r beifertf
witnessed. The shattered state of the EsseM
will, I belieTe, prerent her erer reaching En^«'^
landw'' Vethis goTemment wasabtually «isbtuiie4
'to publish^' >'* the boatswain and oarpenter^s re-
pott of damages," which accompanied the letter.^
i' The loss of the Essexy by Cai>tain Porter's ac-
eoimt, consii^ed of >58 killed and mortally
wounded r 39; severely, and 27 slightly wounded f
and :31 missing: total 154» M'heri the Esstno
wsm taken posscssioti of, only Si3 skilled, and ^
wonii^deds w^re found oil her decka ; a loss per*
fectly r^con«il4Bfi¥le "jvith the injury^ hef 'hull hiul

■; J

II':-

^Id NATAL OCOURRBlfOES BETWBBIC

f^^^Uin«d in the action, according to Captain
Hill jar's, not Captain Porter*&, description.
,}^!!fhe Phcebe mounted twenty six long 18-
poundert^ upon the main-deck; twelve carron^
^des^ 33-pounder8, an 18 and a 13-pound, launcb*
^rronade, (one on each side,) upon the quarter*
^ck ; aiid two carronades, dS-pounders. and
four long 9*pounder8, upon the foreoistle; total
40 guns* She hud, also, one 3-pounder in the
fqre-topf two d-poundersy (one on each side,) in
tlie, mfiipi and one 8-pounder in the niizen<»top.
' The complement of the Phcebe, on leaving Engii
land, consisted of 995 men and boys. So far from
thes^ being ** picked men,'' the Phoebe, after het
«e(vere losses in the action off Madagascar in 1811,
9iid by the climate at the reduction of Java, was
eompleted, principally, with landsmen. In-
cluding the yi^unteers ftom the Emily and Good
Friends, tying at Valparaiso, the complement of
thoPhcebe, in the action with the Essex, consisted
^878 men, and 32 boyst making exactly 900.
^^Tho .armament of the Cherub consisted of
eighteen camonades, itS^iiounders, upon the
mainodeck; aix cartoniidet, 18-pounders, and a
l3rpound launch carronade, upon the quarter-
deck; and two long Oi^poundevs upon thefore-
Qfi»tle; total 37 gunl. Sfae had» on the day of
tlie action^ 103 men^ and 10 boys; whicb wae
bet full complement. Caplain Plorter has given
kera£oitt|il«fl»cntof 180/Apiiik«dnMa;" 4

#«Birr MIIVAIV A«P AMIIIiCA. SIS

Tlie JBmn^$ wrmtmtnt hu fimdy appe«r«4f
(fee p. 80:) itpnl^ ramwint to utatt, that a qiian*
titj of bor Aod chain-khot, and aeveral HAWf
w«re found on board of ber. Her conipkment,
as it was just previous to her leaving the Deia*
ware in October, l^ljt, bas also appeared. Ao*
fording to Captain Porter's '* Journal,'' be l«ft
behind, 9 men sick; wbicb reduced bis crew to
319. Upon ber arrival in the Pacific, the Esstx
re-captured the crews of some American wbale#
ships; and, during six months, captured tea
other whalers, under the British flag; but partlj
owned, and chiefly manned, by Americans. The
united crews of these Anglo>american ships,
amounted to '*S0!^''; many of whom, as the
^Journal" states, entered on board the Essex*

As soon as the near approach of the Phcebe
was bringing the engagement to a conclusion,
and '^ Lieutenant*commandant Downes** had
taken away, in his boat, all the wounded Briti$h
tuSfjectt of the erew, Captain Porter *' directed
those who could swim, to jump overboard* and
endeavor to gain the shore :" the distance of
which did not exceed three-quarters of a mile.
He gave tki* precipitate order, because *' the
flames were bursting up eaeh hatchway :" when
not a trace of fire could be discovered by tha
teptoni; except some slight marks about the
imuni-deek^ siiipposed to have originated from
th» M explosioiH'' not of *' a large quanUty of

• !|

) i

i, f

'•f-

$11 t^AtAt'i^cuRiliBlNriii Hisi^ieir

tiittitk! ediiseq|ti«ii<^^ of ft* <ditiiik«li^ ship's ^€(rtiiu

** Giiptkitt Pdi^'r describes the fjEite bf tlios#
thiit etidea^bured to ^ '^ih the shof e, thlis^:-'^
*^ ^om^ rl»i^hed It; sic^nfie W^rb tiik^h ; ditfti mtia
^shied ih thW attednjpYt %Ut iito^t preH^mtt
thairitig with me tbii lite of the sfai^.'^i^^^hii
httaiW ** taken,^' ikist ineaii the 16 e^ved b^
th^ ! iPhttbe's p^p1« t those that ^' pet ished kk
^« ^ttenipt^^ thd^^dl missing/' The only dif^
fidoltj is, abotft those that ^'reached the shoi^/^
€li|>tatii Hilhfiir b^Iielwd that l^y amoaiited 4#
SCI ok* 30 $ i>uti if the ^^Essex'^ a«w, in •g^nerali
lelt as great ft dislike to fall^intothci hands of
the British, as the «rew of the Hornet, mhen «^
was in dabger of being captured by the €dl:n->
wailis 74, there can be little ^donbt, that the
majority of the unwounded nlen that remtiiiiedi
in the Essex, Were sacb as either could fltot
swim, or " W6re incapacitate- by Kqtiori - ' *

^^ Captain Porter^ in his lettei^, written threi^
Unonlhs after the action, fixe^ the Bssex^s vdm*
plement lit 1155 ; but h^ inf<»riBed - ' Captaiar
Nillyan Within two days after his captur^l
that he had upwards of HGO Tictualled ; ancF|
Ht' a subsequent day, thht he went into actioa
with 26di 'His clerk furnished a list: of 9i&h
names ; but one of the > Essex's oncers «bseriied
10 Optaiii^ HiUyar,.4bat tbeie \i;emHMB[Tpal ineil

i P'l.

AHBAT BRITAIir AND AMttLt6M,

list, none such appeared. ^"^ <»^ ?iii*<}<»i£j

f>^lh thiit pare of Captain Pother's ktter, Wliere
4ie$ iff describing hi^ loss **' after th^ G<il6ilrs wen^
fllrfick,M he comMts himsdf completely; Hlf
«a^e^: >1 6^ev^^^tie mmy ^%ieitiding oJiaet^jW^t^
i^'tbat remained 4}f my whole trej^l'tifter ih4
justion, capable of doitig doty r and many dC
tkmm 8^ v.er«ly ] wooiided, i^me of Whc lit hilV^
since died. The enemy still contitilf^ his frre{
imdmy brave| thongli wnfortunate compattflons,
iumtedili falling 9}xintme,^i
posite gun to be fired, 4osiiew:theviiW«i4rt^^di^
no furthei' resistance : but they did not desist:
fiAir fnen viere killed by my fddje, .and pihert ii$
(liferent parts of t^e ship/'
^ > Without 'th« means of enumera^tfg fhbiS
<* sti|l fallings" or the "others killed, in^diifedr^t
pairts of the ship/' itiis account Jeayes^,?}, ^nd
.'^ many of them severely wounded /''as tlje nuni-,
tier of ** mien, including officers," remaining ia
the sliip, when possession was taken. But,
what were the niimber of prisoners' received ?^
LejQkviog.oqt the 16, saved from drowning, and
the 4% folund on board wounded, 103 men, with-
out a scratch about them, were taken from &il|»^
tain Porter's ship ! ' *

It is of little consequence, whether the creii^
of the Essex consisted of 20 men inore or less ;
l^ut^ aft some numbeit must be stated, Imt com*^

K;;! |i '

^ul

i' < 1

i *

T^F'

9l§ NATAt OCeiTRRWrClS BBTVBBII

pteineiit will be fix^d at 865 ; ineluding^^d bd|tii^
properly so called. t

According to ike representation o£ the three
sllipst in Captain Porter's drawing of the en^
gageinent, the Essex is about 400 tons less than
tbe Phoebe^ and about equal in size to the :€he*
vifb. Fortunately, baying the Essex in our poe*
session^ we have something better to trust to^
than the di$aU£rated pencil, or pen, of Captain
l^a^id Porter.

The dimensions of the Essex have appeared
alreadj. ; ($ee p. S3.) Those of the Phcebe and
Cberub areiiere giyen-:-*^

Lengiti of lower-deck, from nbbiti

'*•'

to rabbit,
Braadah, extremej

Fhabe*

Chemh. ^

tt, la.

Tom. ft. Za.

14t 9

108 4

311 a

4U .S9 7i

' Th^ Phoebe having been pronounced, in Ame-
tica, ** of superior force to the Essex," her force,
singly, will be shewn ; as well as that of herself
^ lUid the Cherub, jointly.

. CmnpofoiiVi forte of ike ships. tf

Phoebe. " Pfc«*e««"'

Br<M4n4e*iiietain.gu9t, 263
in pounds, I carr. ^2

Complemi^t;
liat 1%

iwam,
Ibojfv

•503

278
22

,■.» . ! . J' V*

-300
926

Etiex.

540

—676

262

— 265

Cherub, t

266 n

596
862 *

880
41
421

S^Keot necesMury.)

•MAT BSITAtH AJTD AMflftlCA.

•17

i^Baring the aetioo, the Esmx Jmim Ity at
Mieiior, aboyt four miles to^windward ; in vie#
of the whole. Had she. venturod ont^ in the
koipM to escape, and the Cherab been detached
in pnrsuit, a second British and American ifri**
gate, toleraUy matched, (the one with canro^
nades having the weather-gage,) would harO
been left to themselTes.

.: Captain Porter says :«^*( I must, in justifies*
tion to myself, obselrve, that with our six ld«
pounders'only^ we fought this action ; our carron«
ades being ahnoU useless/^ And this, although
he had preriousl^ told us, that he *^ not down
on both ships,, with the intention of la^imgth§
Fhmhe, an board ;^' and was ** enabled, for a short
lime, to cion with the enemy J^-^He then agans
forgets himself, by stating, that the Cheriib
'* kept Up a distant firing, with her long guiis;''
when, by his own description of the Cherub'a
force, she had only one long gun in broadside. "
In short, the American official account of this
action is become tlie scofi^Of all reasonable men^
Yet, Captain Porter's ends appear to have been
fully answered. Wheu he landed at New York»
he ** was welcomed by the cheering huzzas of
the populace, and conveyed to his lodgings, in
a coach drawn by his fellow-citizens;*' and Mr.
Madiiion, in his speech to congress, dated 2CHh
September, 1814, utters the following rhapsody
in his favour;-^.

t .

mP:

hi^

*■;: I

liiS!

;^is

nAVJ^C^OCCURRfiffCSt SETMrBBII

1" *^ Onihe.4kieaBi the pride of our naral ithns
lias been amply supported. A second frigatt
kas indeed fallen into the hands of the enemy;
but the loss is hidden in the blaxe of heroism
witli whieb shewas defended. Captain Porter^
mho commanded her, and whose previous carec^
kadi tiaJsn distinguished bj daring enterprise^
and by fertility of genius, maintained a sanguii
nai^ boiitest against two ships, (me cfth^n^tupe'
riaar to his owUi and other severe disadvantages \
till humanity tore down the colours, which valor
bad nailed io thd mast. This officer and his
comhides have added much to the rising glory
•f the American flag ; and have merited ali the
ftffusi<Mis of gratitude^ which their country is
cverready to bestow; on the champions of iti
rights, 'bud of its safety Z*^ { X*' - ' ^

^, Every honest ma^ must regret that this
H champion of rights^^ did not meet a British
officer who knew him, rather than the mild and
gentlemanly Captain Hillyar. The latter be«
lieved, that an American naval officer was go-
verned, like himself, by principles of honor;
and therefore became, in most of the transactions
that succeeded the capture, the dupe of the
finished hypocrite, his prisoner.
VI The Cherub sailed from Valparaiso on thtf
16th of Aprily bound to the Gallipagos and
Sandwich islands, in search of three of Captain
Porter's prizes. To-windward of Owhyhee*

iliJ

CttBAT SRlTAIir XWO XMMAtWHl

310

(one oi the Sfiiid\ii«h isfaiMb)) Caplaitt Tucker
iMstook the Sir Aadrew Hammond ; on board o£
which he found Lieutenant Gambler^ of th^
United States mariues, a midshipman, and snc
American seamen ; also upwards of 100 natifieil
of the islands of Wooho^ After landing tlM
latter. Captain Tucker cruized for Americaii
whalers ; and, on the 20th of June, captured th^
Charon, a north-west trader. In the beginninjf
of September, 1814, the Cherub again arrived
at Valparaiso ; and, on the 16th of October, waft
joined, by the Racoon; which bad completely
destroyed the American fur-establishment upon
the Columbia. On the 30th of November^ thm
Cherub, with her two prizes, arrived at Riot
J^eiro; and, on the 6th of May, 1815, at$
Spithead. * ,< h.^pjiii

"■ The Phcebe and Essex arrived at Rio early inl
S^tember, and at Plymouth, on th^a 13tb of
November. The Essex proved a fiister sailet •
thf^ .th€( Phcebe, espeeially in a strong breeze
and heavy sea ; and, in spite of Captain Forter'a^
predictions, both ships performed the' passage
home, through much bad weather, without the;
slightest accident. M

Let us now endeavor to trace what became o(
the 12 whale-ships captured by the Essex. On :
the 25th of July, 1813, Captain Porter disii.
patched heme the Georgiana, armed with 16
guns ; manned with a lieutenant and about 40

%'^

(MO lUVAt OCOlUkftBHeBS BBTWBBM^

tntti ; Had Jidfiii ^itb '^ a full cargo of spermM^
oeti oil, which would be worth, in the UDited
St»t^, about 100,000 dollars." She was cap^
titred in the Wi^t Indies, by the Barrosa 49.
TheiFolicy, laden also with a full cargo of ml,
Wiw reta(kea bj the Lmre; and the New Zea*
lander, having <m board ** all the oil of the other
pi}iziM»^' by the Behidera. The Rose and CharU
ton ! w^re |;iTen up to the prisoners. The MoU"^
t^Uaia, it isrbelieyed; was sold at Valpandsbj
The Hectoriaiid Catharine, with their cargoesi
w6re bnmt alt sea^ The Atlantic, afterward
calledrtfaeEssejir Junior, was disarmed by the
orders of Captain Hillyav^ and seat to America
as « cartel. The Sir Andrew Hammond was re^
takeik bf the Cherub ; the Greenwich burnt by
the orders of the American officer in charge; of
h0ri and the Seringapatam taken possession of
by her American crew. The mutineers carried
herrto New Soutb Wales; whance she was
brought to England, and delivered up to h«r
owners^ on payment of ,salTage» #

'■\;Thiis have we the «nd of all the **■ prkU
ta&en by the Essex, in the Facificj Tallied at
3,500,000 dollars ;" and, as another iteni oh the
debit side of Captain Porter's account, the Essex
herself now rates as a 42^guit frigate in the Bri«>'
tish navy. ^

si;

li4iH l>VMiJ;.:;!

mu^4

ORfiAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

.!».

«*»:'(•

CHAPTER XlV;

:i«iiu^

G^ross libel upon the qfie^rs and crevp of the Plan*
iagaf^ei-^Presideni and Loire — United States,
Macedonian, and Hornet ^ chased into New-
London by the Valiant and Acasta-^The port
hlockaded'^Challenge from the United States
4tntf Macedonian to the Endymion and Siatira-^
jfccepied a^ to the Macedonian and Statira-^
American Jinesse on the occasion — Boston ac-

• ^ount of the affair — Challenge between the Hor-
net and Loup Cermer—-Ballahou captured by
the Perry — Harlequin schooner — U, S, sloop
Frolic falls in with the Orpheus and Shelburne^-^
Surrenders without firing a shot-^Shartieful con-
duct of the Americans after surrender— ^Couri-
of enquiry on the officers and crew of the Frolic —
Americans blamed for excess of bravery — Their
opinion of the French and Spaniards — Three
€mes quoted^ where French sloops have acted
differently from the U. S. sloop Frolic,

X HE President sailed upon her third crilizc,
from Providence, Rhode island^ on the 5th of
December, 181 S ; and arrived at Sandy -hook, on
the evening of the 18th of February : a period
o£. T&d days. Commodore Rodsers dates his

■4

foi; mW'l

i t:

^K ',

3td

NATaI. OCOUHRAI^CIM^ BETWfiEN

official letter on the lOth, and the following is
its concluding paragraph : — '* From the Dela-
ware I saw nothing, until I made Sandj-liook,
when 1 again felf in with another of the enemy's
squadron ; and, by some unaccountable cause,
was permitted to «i»ter the bay, although in the
presence of a decidedly superior forctf, aAer
having been obliged to remain outside, seiFen
hours and a half, waiting for the tide.**

This ** unaccountable" story required some-
thing to back it. Accordingly, the foHbwtng
more circumstantial account appeared iii the
•* Naral Monument" :—

*' A private letter from an Ouieet cm boa»d
the President states :^** Situatio!*9 in which We
hUve been placed this cruiaee, will add lustre to
the well-established character of Commodore
Rodgers.** — *' After passtfig the light saw several
sail, one large sail to-windward; backed our
inain-top-sail, and cleared ship for actiOfK The
strange sail came down within gun-shot, and
hauled her wind on the starboard-taek. We
eon tin tied with our main-top-sail to the mast
three hours ; and, seeing no probability of the
74-gun ship's bearing down to engage the Pre-
sident, gave her a shot to-windward, and hoisted
our colours ; when she bore up for usy reluct*
antly. When within half gun-shot, backed hm
main-top-sail. At this moment, all hands were
called to muster aft ; and the commodoni said a

^ ;

ORIAV BMITAIK AITB AMEKltk,

{eWy ImM im)irass(v6 words, thodg^ it was uine<'^
CMsarf ; fbv, what otb«r iliiiMilMit cootd true
AmfeneatMi want, than fighting glbriousljF in the«
sight of their natvve shore, where hundreds linere
assembled to witness the engagement. Woiei^
Mp to engage ; but, at this moment, the cutter f
btfing diseovered coming back, baeked again to-^
take in the pilot ; and the British 74 (strange »r
it nHist apfiear) making sail to the sbnthwanft
an*4 enetward. Ovders were, giren to haul'^
7-beard the fere and main tacks, to nm in;>
fhe«e being then in sight, from oar deek, a fri*-
gate and gun-bHg. The commander of the 74^^
bsd it In his power, Ibi* five hours, to bving us, ^'
at any moment, to an engagement ; our main^f
top-isail to the mast during thnt time/' #

' f* Ir Was,?' says the editor of the Natal IVIo-
ituiinent, ** itftevwards ascertained^ ttmt thie skipl*
which deoMned the battle with the President,:
was tl ^^ Pkintagmiet 74, Captain Lloyd. Ther^
i^oson given by Captain Uoyd for avoidvng' an^
engagiement, was, that his crew were in a state
of rtw4?iny." (Nav. Mon. p. 231^.)

This is a most atrocious libel upon the officers
and erew of B. M. S. Plant-aganet ; which ship
had left Sandy-hook abcmt a fortnight previous
to the arrival of Cotnmodore Redgers. Scarcely'
a ship in the service was so weM manned as the
Plaivtaganet. In proof of this, Captain lioy#
had a boat's crew, of 27 men, taken in the Chesa*"

t* •■

>!•>-' , I

I-

324

NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

[iM

■■■'I .

W
m

ii II

Ii' ' .'-
'■• S ■

^illuilj

peake; and neither promises, threats, nor ill-
usage, could induce one of them to desert. So
sensible were the lords of the admiralty of the
good behavior of these men, that they had all
special leave granted ; and the coxswain was pro-
moted. This is the crew that the editor of the
*' Naval Monument'^ says, ** were in a state of
matiny/'— Nay, the editor of the " Sketches of
the War" clinches the whole, by stating, that
** Captain Lloyd, after returning to England,
accounted for his counduct, by alleging a mu-
tiny in his ship ; and had several of his sailors
tried and executed upon that charge'^ ! !
' , Although the world at large, and the reflect-
ing part of the American people, treat the thing
as a gasconading pufT, it still stands recorded
among the archives at Washington, that a Bri-
tish 74-gan ship declined engaging an American
frigate. What, then, was the British ship which
wa^ cruizing off the Hook, when the President
arrived there ? — ^The Loire, of 46 guns, Captain
Brown. This ship chased the President, till,
she got close in ; when Captain Brown, having
an eye to the batteries at Sandy-hook, and the
gun-boats which, he knew, were stationed within-
side, hove-to. The Loire's crew, at this time,
being reduced by manning prizes, to 130 men,
and 20 boys, — 40 of the former unable, from
sickness, to attend their quarters, — none but a
madfhan would have thought of fighting such a.

'■^t

*■
t

f* in

ORBAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

336

«bip as the President. Fortunately for the Loire,
Commodore Rodgeru, with all his boasting, was
less anxious to give battle, than to reach New
York in safety ,

?•' ■?'.'<» «

f <f-^:r.ni'

On the 31st of May, 1813, the U. S. ships
United States, Commodore Decatur, Macedo-
nian, Captain Jones, and Hornet, Captain .Bid-
die, all provisioned and stored for a cruize in
the £ast Indies, left New York through Lx>ng
Island Sound; the Sandy-hook passage being
blockaded by a British force.

On the 1st of June, just as the three shipjs
were clearing the sound, H. M. S. Valiant and
Acasta hove in sight, and chased them back to
New London : a little town situate on the river
Thames, about three miles from the Sound, and
containing from 5 to 6000 inhabitants. It. had,
at this time, one fort, and an excellent site for
another; but, no means of successfully opposing
the British 74 and frigate, could they have run
in with safety. The United States and Hornet
were compelled to start their water, and throw
over-board a part of their provisions, to lighten
them. ~ A few shot were exchanged between the
Acasta and United States. The British ships had
no pilots on board, acquainted with the sound.
Owipg to this, they chased with much less etfect ;
and were compelled to cast anchor oiT Gardner's
island, 12 miles from New London. _ , , , ^„

306

MAVAdb OCCUaRBVCBt BETWKBN

u ^

For several weekfl previoun to this evetft, tkm
Neiv York and Boston papers had heen filled wMk
panegyriofi on their ** naval heroes ;^ whose Ta^
lor, they had depicted as impetuous, amounting
almost to rashness. Some of the papers, as if a
little asliomed of what thej had said, added ** a
razee'^ to the two British ships : and gave that
BS a reason why the eommedore euifered his
•squadron to be chased into New London. But
A iMter, pablished in one Amencan paper, and
d«ted *^ Hartford, June t" says : — '* An express
arrived this morning to the governor, stating,
that Commodore Decatur, in the United States,
with the Macedonian and Hornet, were yestter-
day chased into New London, by a B^itM 74
and frigate."

After havritg blockaded the American squa-
dron upwards of six months, the Valiant and
Acasta were relieved by the RamiUies 74, £n-
dymion '50, and Statira 46, under the command
«f Sir Thomas M. Hardy.

Tired out at length with bis confinement, and
the force now before New London happily ex-
posing kim, in the opinion of all, from venturing
to cut his way out, Commodore Decatur resolved
to put in practke'a literary stratagem ; one that,
«ven in its ^lure,«hould redound to his advan>
tage ; by wiping off the impression of luke-
warmness, which so many naonths of forbearance
!iad,in some degnee, Attached to his character.

OAKAT BRITAIW AND AMBRICA.

as?

All excuse loon offered, ibr Mnding ii *' pro-
pesitton for a contest^ to the BritiMk conunand-
ing officer. (App. No. 67.) That it was beneath
both CoiKimodore Decatur's and Captain Jones's
dignitj, to challenge an equal force, is made to
appear opon the face of the ** proposition" itself.
This '^ bold meitsure,'' in all its ** rashness," was
hawJbed about tbe Union for months afterwards ;
nor did it escape the American public, how
scrupulous the commodore was, to notice his
own '* boat-gun," while he did not, seemingly',
(although be did, in truth,) compute the '' boat-
gun" of the £ndymion.

Persons, desirous to draw a parallel between
the challenge which Captain Broke transmitted
to Capuun Lawrence, and that sent six months
afterwards, by Commodore Decatur to Captain
Hope, will adk: — ** M here is the clear statement
of broadside-force in guns, which is given in the
former? — and why did Captain Broke enu-
merate, and Commodore Decatur wholly omit,
the complement of his ship ?" — The answer is
-obvious. Because it would then have appeared,
that the United States was, in guns and men,
mtirly one-fourth superior to the £ndymion ;
and no credit be gained by the challenging
party.

Anxious as Captain Hope was to meet the
United States, Sir Thomas Hardy would not
consent to it ; but had no hesitation whatever

Iff- 1

I
' 'I

::S?

I'lii

r'4

NATAL OCCURRENCES BBTWEISN

in permitting the Statira to> meet the Maciedo-
nian ; as they, were ^ sister^ships, ' carrying the
same number of guns, and weight of metal .r —
(App. No.68.)

Captain Stackpople's letter is written in the
. traa spirit of ^ British sailor.. He corrects the
commodore's, mistake about the Statira mount-
ing 5Q guns ; and adds : " In number of men^ I
am aware of having a. superiority to oppose : all
I request is, that both ships may quickly meet."
(App, No. 67.)

Tlie second paragraph of Commodore Deca-
tur's reply to Sir Thomas Hardy, is as artfully,
as it is. ambiguously, expressed. (App. No. 69.)
Why include the ^^ Statira" and ''Macedonian"
as a part of '^ the. proposition for a contest de^
clined" by. Sir Thomas ?-?rrAnd ** declined, in
consequence of,"-^not .'^ the decided inferiority
of the Endymion,** bi|t, ** your entertaining a dif-
ferent opinion on this subject from my own."— •
Thus virtually saying : ^^ 1 do not credit your
statement of the Endymion^s force; nor is that
you have given of my chip's force^ at all cor-
rect.'^

, ..It is amusing to see, hpiv warily the commo-
dore proceeds in |iis letter. He had, he says,
consented that the complements of theEndymion
and Statira should be made up from the Ramil-
lies and Borer ; and- *^ was induced to accord this
indulgence, from a supposition that their crews

GllEAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

309

.iJ

niighi have been reduced by maiiiliiig prizes,
and a hope that, as the selected men would be
divided between the two ships, the' advantage
would not be overwhelming." — What ** indul-
gence'' was there, in allowing the two British
ships to have their ** complements made tip''?
Were not the complements of the United Stat^
and Macedonian " made up*' ?•— The Endymion's
full complement, in men and boys, was 350 ;
that of the Statira, 315 ; including 45 or 50 boys
between them. The United States had a crew
of 480; and the Macedonian 440, at least ; in-
cluding not^lO boys between them. Here then
were 665 British, and 920 Americans ; and yet
Commodore Decatur only hoped *' the advantage
would not be overwhelming.''

His excuse about the Statira, alone, availing
herself of his ^' concession,^' can best be answered
by the following question. — Was not the Con-
stitution, with 475 men on board, lying in Bos-
ton, when Captain Broke challenged Captain
Lawrence ; and did the former make any stipu-
lation to prevent the latter, if he chose, from
taking on board the Chesapeake, in addition to
her regular complement, ih' who^e crew of the
Constitution ?

Commodore Decatur then cuts the matter
short, by objecting to the guarantee ; although
two British officers had pledged their honors in
support of it. (App. Nos. 67 and 70.) Perhaps

./"

900

X4V4A Oec URRENCES BETWfi^

i . '

b i'

tlieeoiiMnodope waatitdihe EndymioQ to W tent
lAto New London as a hostage. At all 9vtmtt,
bt flatly decliaed pemittiog ik» Maoedoiiiaii
to meet tte Statira.

Thus eaded tbis vaporing affair. It afforded
materials for manj swaggering paragn^lis.
Captain Jones, it is asserted, actually ha-
nogaed his men npo*^ the oceasion ; pretending
to lament the loss of so fine a ship ; which, be
assured them, would have been their prise in a
▼ery short time. He had likewise the hardihood
to t«U them, that it waa all owing to the refusal
of the British, who were afraid to contend with
Amerioanii^ttpon equid ternu/

This was preyious to the appearance in |m»t
of the whole correspondence. As lioon a^", by
the cotttiiFance of the Britisb officers, (who were
disgusted with the gross mistatements of the
Americans,) the letters were published in a Bos-
ton paper, the New London ^* heroes'' bit their
lips with vexation. Notwithstanding the publi-
cation of the letters, however, a Boston work,
entitled *' The Massachuset's Manual ; or, Po-
litical and Historical Register, for the Political
Year from June, 1814, to June, 1815,*' contains,
finder the head of *' Tablet of memory," the
/pliowing account of this challenge:—-

*' January 17, 1814. Tliiie British frigates
Statira and Endymion, off Ntew London, were
challenged by Commodore Decatur to fight the

OMMhT WITAIH MX1> AMBIUCA.

0S1

Umted StateB ]iimI Maeedonian AniMnc;*!! firi-

Fmm the Mtalititlied giiUuitiy «f Cm^^tmitk
Stackpoele, tbe ihigfa diactplino o£ the Statira's
«Mv* and their exeaafdar^rbdiavMnr at t%at sfaip^fi
Jofli, on a sebsequont day, tbeie oan be Uttle
doulit tlMt, had she and the Macedonian met
■a tingle jcomfoait, that fine frigate would not
now wmur at her peak the gtripcwi of America.

After this foulness «ras bvoken oC a TeriiAl
challenge paseed betweeo tliecomm&ndec&of the
llonvet and Loup Ceririer, late American Wasp^
Tibe iatt^r Tewel soaii Jifterwarda lbu«dei«d at
sea, and every «oal on board perished : nothing
respecting this challenge has therefore been
made pwblk; imi onr side. Tbe American ** Porte-
4blio/' £>r November, 1816, in which the '« Life
•f Captain James Biddle" is giif«n, contains some
account of it, it is there stated, that ** Captain
M«nds, of the Loup Cervier. said, that, if Cap-
tain fiiddie wo«ld inform him of the number of
souls he commanded. Captain Mends pledged
his honor to limit his number to the same ;" but
that '^ Commodore Decatur would not permit
Captain Biddle to acquaint Captain Mends with
the number of his crew, and meet him on the
terms stated ; because, it was understood that,
in tLat case, the Loup Cervier would have a
picked crew from the £riti«»li squadron.'' What
do we gather from this ?— Wbj., that the A«e«.

9m m

1-1 L

Ul:

NJL¥Ati OOOURRMNOM RBTWIIN

1 5

rlbani, with all *« picked iii«n'' on their tide,
were afraid to meet an iqual numbtr of firitiih,
biecauM they mighi have '* picked men" on their*!.

Commodore Decatur'n amended proposition
wae: **That the Hornet shall meet the Loup
Cervier, under a mutual and latisfkctory pledge,
that neither ship shall receive any additional
officers or men; but shall go into action with
their original crews respectively.'' Was this
fair, or not?—- The Hornet's ** original crew''
was 170, including about 3 boys; the Loup
Cervier's ** original crew," 131 men, including
IB boys.— So that, deducting the boys, the num-
bers would stand .—-Americans 167 ; British 103 ;
— an " overwhelming" superiority in earnest f

To shew the world how little disposed Ameri-
cans were, when contending with an enemy, to
have a superior force. Captain Diddle offered to
tuke awny 2 of the Hornet's guns, *,o mcke her*s
equal in number to the Loup Cervier's. Captain
Mends considered the 3 guns an an '* advantage"
not worth his notice : it was the immense supe-
riority in men, that he wished to have reduced.
The American account concludes with express-
ing a sur|>rise that, after such '* fair terms" had
been offered, the British vessel should quit the
station without fighting.

H. M. schooner Ballahou, Lieutenant Norfolk
King, in the early part of 1814, fell in with the

•»1AT SAITAIN AND AMBRIOAi

983

i*»

AmfrioMn privttMr tchooner Verty; and, tb«
Anuiricftn oooQunt layi, " after a chaiie of 00
minutes, 10 of which they closely engaaed/' Was
captured. No British official account o( this
action has appeaiwd ; nor is it known what loss
was sustained on either side. The prize was
carried into Wilmington, N. Carolina.

The Baliahou's original armament consisted
of six carronades, l?»-pounders ; but, according
to the American papers, only two of these were
mounted; the remainder having been plaued
in the hold on account of bad weather. In a
subsequent American prize-list, however, the
Uallahou appears with '* 10 guns." Her com-
plement consisted of 30 men and boys. The
Perry mounted 5 guns, one, a long 18 or 34-
pounder upon a pivot ; and had a complement,
us it is stated, of 80 men. The Ballahou was
only 74 tons: the Perry said to be 180, Ameri-
can measurement

What formidable vessels the Americans send
to sea, rigged as schooners, may be st^en from
the force and dimensions of a schooner carried
into Halifax N. S. towards the end of the war.

The Harlequin privateer-schooner, just after
leaving Portsmouth N. Hampshire, upon her
tirst cruize, mistook the Bulwark 74 for a mer-
chant-man ; and got too close to effect her es-
cape. She mounted ten long l3-i>ounderM, with
double sights to every gun ; and had a comple-

ii\

»APKh t^ec^MLwmrm nfetwMif

Mh;^

;' ■

4i'l

^-i

mtnt of 1 1^ mfMi, 9kim WM |^M«d fi>r 19 giiM^
ikAd ilNid bnifniriM af triii» ttotttfir, and 4 kitlle^
kigheft, tInMi tli09« <i>f oof firal^<}l«8» brigs;.

Had tike }iafle()[iiin bee» povclMued in!to> omp
serviee, and eanmilMrioMed at^ » king's 8oha«ii«r,
every eiie of ber potts (eHcept tke bow-povts)
would have bef ti- illled wi^ guiie; and ber oomw
ftement red^^id f mm 115 men, to 65>or TO^men
and boys. This fdtrtm fbe most essential d^e<-
renee in the regulations of the tvro navies.

Dimensions of the Harlequtny Am. schooner.

VU In.

Length on deck, from 1 ,-. p

rabbit to Fabbit, / *"^ ^

Breadth> extreme.

Depth ip hold^

M«n.»»it^ (If'**;

' \ diameter.

Fore-yard, length.

13 lit

sdstoiit.

There were, during the war, several Ameriean
privateer-schooners, larger, and of greater force
in men, than the Harle<}nin. Considering the
facility with which a schooner can gain the wind
of a square-rigged vessel, what gun-brig of the
Boxer's class, could have h(^d to capture such
a vessel as the Hhrlequin ; admitting that the
latter had been enterprising enough to engage?

The U. S. ship Frolic, Captain Joseph Bain-
bridge, sailed from Portsmouth, N. Hampshire,

OABAT BKWTAm hUD AMtltien^

om a ctmWi early in Febvitary 1814. The fyU
lowing extract ffom the journal of an officer of
H. M . seluMMier Sheiburne, gives a detailed ao*
cmMt of liev eapture.

*^ H« Ai* Mp Orphens and sebeoner SIM"
burne in eoinpany, in latitude 24* 12' N. longi-
tude sr 25* W. — ^At dajr-Iight on the morning
of tbe 20lb of April, 1814, being close-hauled
OH tbe larboard-tack, with a moderate breeze
from the eastward, obserFed'a strange sail on the
weather-bow, standing towards us. The cut of
her sails soon- shewed her to be a man of war;
and their whiteness, that she was American.
Both vessels made all sail in chase. At 6. 45.
the chase took in her studdiFng*saHs ; and hauled
to the wind on the starboard-tack; she shortly
afterwards tacked, crossed rojal yards, and
made signals^ with which we were unacquainted.
We immediate hoisted an American ensign and
pendant ; as did the chase, a short time after-
wards. At 9. 30. saw the N. £. part of the
island of Cuba, bearing about S. E. The chase
oontinued standing by the wind, with the hope
(as we afterwards understood) of gaining Ma-
tanza Bay; but, finding she was to-Ieeward of
her port, the' Orpheus well on her lee-quarter,
and the Shelbame on the weather, at 12. 20. the
chase again tacked ; passing to-windward of the
Orpheus, on opposite tacks, at a little more than
gun-shot distance; as appeared by the latter.

W\i

'!-

336

JTAYAIi OCCUKRBNCBS BETWEEN

when the cfiase ivas oi| her yveather-l»eam, iiriDg^
two shot; neither of which ^ quite reached hen
As soon as the chase had tiK^ked as above* the
wind considerably freshened; and she now threw
overboard h^r larboard gvns; tQ;enable her to
carry more sail. After the chase had passed the
Orpheus on the contrary tack, . the Shelburne^
having a decided advantage in sailing, kept
away to cut her off; which the chase, discover-
ing, kept away across the Orpheus's bows, and
set studding-^ails ; hoping, by that means, ta
reach the Ilavannah before the chasing vessels
could come up with her. But, finding that we.
had a much greater advantage free than by the
wind, and the chase having considerably closed,
the Orpheus, she, at 1. 45. P. M. hauled down,
her colours, without firing a shot."

The prize proved to. be the U. S. ship Frolic,,
commanded by Master-commandant, Joseph
Bainbridge. (App. No. 75.) She mounted,
when the two shots were fired at her by the Or-
pheus, twenty carronades, 32-pounder8, and two.
long 98s; but afterwards threw overboard ten.
carronades, and one long gun. She bad a conn
plementof 171 men; young, bale, and athletic.
She had three lieutenants, and a lieutenant of
marines; and is a sister-ship to the American.
Peacock, Wasp (2), Argus, (burnt at Washing-,
ton,) Ontario, and Erie. Her full dimensions,
will be given at a subsequent page» ....

.' . \

4IRBAT VRITAIir AND AMBEIOA.

337

# ' TIlit gintle jmrrender was, according to the
report of th6 British officers, attended with a
circanstance fMy as disgraceful to the Frolic's
officers and crew. The locks of the great guns
were broken, muskets, pistols, pikes, swords, bar
and chain shot, kc, were thrown orerboard; to-
l^ther with the pendant that was struck! A
Nassau paper, of the d5th of April, adds : '* The
purser's store-room was next sacked; then the
men got into the gun-room and the captain's
cabin, and pillaged them. In short, the ship,
we are toM, bore the semblance of a town
giyen up to the pillage of soldiery.''

Perhaps these gentlemen were determined
that, as their ship bad not behaved like a man
of war, they would destroy all appearance of her
having been one. Certainly, such a surrender
of a public vessel is unparalleled in the history
ef nations.

The American ** Naval Monument'' ascribes
the Frolic's not firing, to ** her armament hav-
ing been thrown overboard in the chase ;" and
adds:-^*' By this event, we have lost a fine ves-
sel, and a gallant crew, but we have lost no ho-
nor." (Nav. Mon. p. 238.)— Of the same way
of thinking, appeared the court of inquiry that
sat upon the Frolic's loss ; as her officers and
crew were *' libnorably acquitted."—'* Bravery
of enterprise," says the above American work,
(p. 0,) ** certainly belongs, in common, to all

1% ^

;-i,

N ■

338

NAVAL OCCURRENCES EETWBBN

oor captains; the oldest at their head, who
bearded the lion in his den. They have even
been blamed for excess in this particalar." ! )
.'f 'A reference to the innumerable instances in
^*ioar own naval records, where a much greater
^disparity of force than existed between? the
.American ship frolic and her captors, has nqjt
deterred a British commander and crew from
■doing their utmost to capture or cripple the
enemy, might be deemed ostentatious. Suffice
.it, that no solitary instance can be fojnd,. where
ia British ship of war has behaved like the
American ship of war Frolic. :,

' In the height of their zeal to praise them-
selves, the Americans have treated, in a manner
■bordering on ridicule, the naval character of
*the French and Spaniards ; thereby wishing to
bave inferred, that our victories at sea over the
two latter powers, were, at all times, cheaply
obtained.' Captain Schomberg'a vFork contains
many proofs to the contrary; and even, of
French national vessels having resisted bravely,
Against double their force. As niany as three
cases, all, in some respepts, similar to the, pre*
sent, will here be quoted: ^

r -Ist case. *' On the aoth (August, 1797,) Cap^
tain Thomas WooUey, in the Arethusa, of 38
(mounting 44) guns, on his pasisage from the
West Indies, tell in with, and after an action of
half an hour, captured la Gaiet6, French cor*

^RKAT JiRITAtN AN1> AMERICA.

SdO

vette, of 00 guns, nnd 180 imsn ; commanded by
M. Guiene, enseigne de vaisseau. A French
armed brig, TEspoir of 14 guns, was in com-
pany with laGaiete, but kept to-windward dur-
ing the action; wh^n, seeing the fate of her
companion, she made off*. The enemy had' 3
men killed, and 8 wounded. The Arethusa, 1
seaman killed, and 3 wounded." {Schvmberg't
Nay« Chronol. vol. iii. p. dOi) >

2d case« *' On the 23d (January, lt98,) Cap*
tain Graham Moore, in the Melampus of 36
(mounting 42) guns, being on a cruize to the
westward, fell in with, and after a short, but
close action, captured la Volage, French cor-
vette, fitted out by the merchants of Nantz,
mounting twenty O-pounders, two 18-pounders,
and 195 men ; commanded by M, Desageneau^r,
captain of a frigate. She had 4 men killed;
and 8 wounded. The Melampus, 2 mortally
wounded, and 2 more, dangerously." (Schom^
ier^, same vol. p. 06.) . . -..

I*. 3d case. " On the 5th of March, the Phcebe,
of 36 (then of 42) guns, Captain Robert Bar-
low, being on a cruize off* the coast of Ireland,
observed, in the morning, a ship bearing down
upon him ; which, on her arriving within musket-
shot, discovered her error, (having mistaken the
Phoebe for an East-lndiaman,*) and hauled her

* Ai tks Frolic did the Orpheus for a WeiUindiaman. ^

d40

KATAL OCCtJRRBNCBt aSTWBEIf

11^ ■'

.»;

wini ; opening at the same time a well-directed
mnd npirited fire, in hopes to disable the Phcsbe
in her rigging, and by that means effect her
escape. The enemy was, however, sOon com-
pelled to strike; pajing dear for his temeritj,
baring 18 men killed, and d5 wounded. She
was the Heurenx, mounted with ^twenty'two
lirass 13-poundera, and 230 men. The Phcebe
had 1 man killed^ and 5 wounded ; 3 of them
mortally.'' (SehmfUnrgt same vol. p. S6I.)

The last edition of the <« Naval History^' was
out too early, to enable Mr. Clarke to handle
the subject of the Frolic's capture; or, he would,
no doubt, have made it appear, that the ma»
jority of her ship's company were Britush
sailors, who had entered by choice, and yet felt
disinclined to 4ght; and that the native Ameri-
cans, with all their gallantry, were too few in
number to manage the guns. Happily, no
British sailor was discovered on board the
Frolic. Her crew consisted of native Americans ;
and, in appearance, a finer set of men, than
Aven the ships of war of the United States
usually sail with. The editor of the *' Sketches
of the War" has shewn his wisdom, in taking
no notice whatever of the Frolic's capture. We
JAave, in the bloodless surrender of this fine
American ship, another proof of the ** moral
and physical superiority of the American, over
the British tar" I !

■U-M

QEBAT BRITAIir AND AMBR1C4.

1141

CHAPTER XV. ' ^

Epervier eapturei the Alfred — Muiinoue ttait of
her crew repreeented — le ordered to the fVett
Indiee — Upon her return j falU in with and en*
gages the Peetcock — No British official account
of the action — Epervier* s carronades hreak loose
— Her crew refuse to board — She surrenders-^
Her loss of meth-^Peacock^s damage and l o s s «
Epervier^s force in guns — Her sorry ship^s eom^
pany . described — Peacock's force in guns and
men — Statement of comparative force — Full di»
mensions of Epervier and Peacock — Action of
the Reindeer and Wasp — >No British official
account of ii-^Desperate resistance of the Bein'
deer's officers and men — She surrenders — Is de»
stroyed'^Her loss — Wasps damages and loss-^
Force of each vessel in guns and men — ^tate^*
ment of comparative forced—Landrail and Sy-"
ren-^Wasp encounters, and sinks the Avon—-
Damage, loss, and force, of each vessel— ^tate*

\ ment of comparative force — Plymouth account

' of the action,

■His roajesty^s brig Epervier, Captain Wales,
on the 23d of February, captured, without op-
position, the American privateer-brig Alfred, of
16 gun6, and 110 men: the Junon frigate in

34d

NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

If]

Hi.

sight, about ten miles to-leeward. (See p. 80.)
On the £pervier*s arriving soon afterwards at
Halifax, N. S. to which station she belonged,
Captain Wales represented to the commanding
officer there, the insufficiency of her crew for any
service ; as well as his doubts of the loyalty of
part, owing to the discovery of a plan, con-
certed between them and the Alfred's late crew,
to rise upon the British officers. On the very
next morning, without a man of her crew being
changed, the Epervier was ordered to the West
Indies!

■' The Epervier was returning from Jamaica,
with a quantity of specie on board; when, on
the 29th of April, in lat 27* 47' N. long. 80* 9' W.
she fell in with the U.S. ship Peacock, Captain
Lewis Warrington. An action ensued ; of which
no British official account has been published.

The American official account (App. No. 76)
details the action ; and very fully describes the
injuries which the Epervier sustained by the
Peacock's fire: enough to shew, that the British
vessel could not have floated much longer. But
there were some important facts attending this
action, which it was the interest of Captain
Warrington and his officers to conceal. It
must strike the reader as singular that, with
so much damage done to the Epervier's hull,
not a gun appears to have been disabled. An
omission in Captain Warrington, it could not

ORBAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA. ^41^

Well have been; becaufie of his ^cci^i'acj in par-
ticularizing every rope that was injured^ as well ^
as in counting the shot-holes; distinguishing f
bow many were ''within a foot of the water-
liiie.^' If^ indeed, it had been an omission, his ^
second letter would have noticed it : ^n the con- ^
trary, the Peacock's commander wrot^ ^ve let-
tecs.iipon this action ; and yet, in none of them
is there 'a single word about the state of tha
£pervier*s guns. .^

> lathe very first broadside which the Epervier
fired, her three after-carronades were upshipped,
and thrown niearly out of the ports. . Wi^ile
tacking, they were replaced; and the larboard
earronades brought to bear. These, the moment
they got .warm, drew out the breecbing-bolts ;
and, in exchange for the Peacock's last broad-
side, the Epervier had actually but one carron-
ade to fire. Captain Wales now endeavoured to
get the brig routid, to present a fresh broadside
to the e^neipy ; but her disabled state rendered
that wholly impracticable. As a last resource,
and one Which British seamen are generally
prompt to execute, Captain Wales .called the
crew aft^ to follow him in boarding. These
dastardly wretches replied, — " She is too heavy
for us.*'-^There was no alternative, but to strike
the colours, to save the lives of the \ery few
remaining good men in the vessel.
. The sentence of the court-martial upon Cap-

IfATAL OCOURRBNOBS 1 tlTWBSlT

'J*

tf ,

•i[ '

Ma-'

fl; '

iiit '

'■^.

HkI

fr'i

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tain Wales and his officers, attributes the lou of
the Eperrier '' to the verj great saperiority of
the euemj, the insufficiency of the crew, and the
drawing of ihe hreeehing-bolU," — Of the fact,
then, there can be no question ; and the reader
now sees, what were Captain Warrington's rea«
sons for concealing the state of the Eperirier's
guns. Had he told the truth, it would have
appeared, that he had been engaging an almost
defenceless vessel ; a Tessel whose guns, for any
use they were, might as well have been made of
wood, as of iron.

If the Epervier's had been the best, instead of
the worst ship's company in the service, their
utterly defenceless state towards the end of the
action, would almost have excused them £ov
abandoning their treacherous guns. Had the
Epervier's carronades been previously fired, in
exercise, for any length of time together, the
defect in the clinching of her breeching-bolts,
would have been discovered ; and perhaps re«
medied.

'. The Epervier lost 8 killed and mortally
Wounded ; and 15 severely and slightly wounded.
Among the former, her gallant first lieutenant^
about the middle of the action. He had hi*
left arm shattered, (since amputated,) and a
severe splinter-wound in the hip ; but he would-
hardly suffer himself to be carried below.

.Considering the state of the Epervier's guns.

•RBAT BRlVAm kVD AMtftKil.

845

it is by BO mean^ sarprising thtl her opponent
ihonld escape with, the disabling of her ft^le*
ywtdt a few top<*nia8t and top-gallant baekstiiji
cut awaj, and a few shot through the sails.
Her fore-jard was disabled, Captain Warring-
ton sajs, from the Epenrier's ** first broadsiide^;
whioh clearlj points to the period at which the
latter^s guns produced their best effect. The
Peacock's loss, as might be expected, was— only
two men slightly wounded. 4^

1 The Eperrier was originally armed the sam^
as the Frolic brig, and others of that class ; but,
when at Halifax, Captain Wales procured, ill
exchange fer her two 6s and launch-carronade,
two 18-pound carronades: so that the Eperrief
mounted, when captured, sixteen 32, and two
18^ pound carronades; total 18 guns. Captain
Warrington was so much engaged in counting
the shot-holeuy that he did not discover the dif-
ference between an 18, and a 32, pound carron-
ade ; although one weighs 10, the other 17 cwt.
He therefore describes the Epervier as ** rating,
and mounting, eighteen 32-pound carronades.''
Lieutenant Nicholson, the prize-master, not
wishing, in a public letter, to contradict what
his superior officer had, no doubt, told him he
should state, gives the Epervier the same force.
But neither the captain, nor his lieutenant,
knew how to reckon^ according to the editor of
the " Naval Monument"*; for he makes the

if?

ni ■

f-:

•J

hi ;:

j;<T

840

NAVAL OCOURRBNCBt BETWEBM

Epervier's gUDS, in number **22:" that is, he
does so at tlie top of a page; (p. 131 ;) but, at
^be bottom, betrayed by a bad memory,-^that
potent friend to truth! — ^he unwittingly says:
*' She (the Eperrier) mounts 18 guns.'' u.. . . i
The Epervier was commissioned towards the
end of 1812; and her crew received on board at
the Npre. Bj far the greater proportion con*
cisted of landmen, and the waisters, after-guard,
and other refuse, of the line.of-batt1e ships
and frigates, sent on board the guard-ship for
disposal. Of what quality those men were, may
be easily conceived. The few seamen with which
the Epervier left England, had deserted, previ-
ous to January, 1814. M'hile the Epervier way
at Halifax, repairing the damages siustain^d in
the gale of the preceding November, so destruc*-
tiv6 to the shipping in that harbour, Captain
Wales (then victualling 86 men, and 16 boys)
received a draught of 14 men from one of his
majesty's brigs, about proceeding to England;
part of them landmen, and part rated A. B. or
able. W hy men should be rated as, and not be,
able-bodied seamen, is thus explained. A cap-
tain receives an order to draught out of his crew
into another ship, so many A. Bs. so many oro'i-
naries^ and so many landmen. Satisfied that his
complement is already as economically fixed,
as it well can be ; and knowing that, if, in his
siray across the Atlantic, he should chance to

eRBAT BRITAIN AKD AMERICA.

849

JKieet his match, the quality of his men is to 1}e
his chief 'dependence, he directs the purser
to rate so many ordinaries as A. Bs.- and flo
many landmen as ordinaries; and probably, to
complete the draught, a few of the oldest boys
are, by the purser's magick power, converted
into men. This is, literally, robbing Peter to
pay Paul; but who can blame the captain?
. The Epervier, at the time she engaged the
Peacock, had but three men in a watch, exclu-
sive of petty-ofiicers, able to take helm or lead;
and two of her men were each 70 years of age !
She had some blacks, several other foreigners,
lots of disaffected, and few even of ordinary sta-
ture : in short, a crew that was a disgrace to the
deck of a British man of war. Her full number
amounted, including one passenger from Ja-
maica, to 101 men, and 16 boys; although Cap-
tain Warrington, thinking the Epervier had not
enough of such ritT-raff on b-aard, gives her
"128 men."

Had the Epervier been manned with a crew
of choice seamen, equal in personal appearance
to those received out of the Chesapeake, and the
Argus, after they had been respectively carried
by boarding, we might have some faith in Cap-
tain Porter's assertion, — thaf: British seamen
wert not so brave, as they had been represented.
•<^But, shall we take the Epervier's ciev% as a
sample of British seamen? As well u.ight we

Fffj

54i HAtAt ^««iARSirc«i winwrnma

judge of the moral character of a nation by the
iilriiates of her jails ; or take the first deformed
object we meet, as the standard of the size and
shape of her people.

The Peacock mounted twenty carronades, 32^
pounders, and two long 18-pounders; total 23
guns. Of this there is no denial on the part of
the Americans: indeed, one American paper
stated that the Peacock mounted 24 guns ; which
was not the case* The Peacock had abundance
Of star and chain-shot on board ; and employed
them successfully against the Epervier's spars
and rigging.

The conduct of the Frolic'S men in throwing
Overboard her muskets, pistols, pikes, shot, kd
(see p. 337,) prevents us from giving, what would
hare been highly interesting, the quantity of
gunner's stores served out to American ships of
the Peacock's class.

The complement of the Peacock, including
supernumeraries, amounted to 185; all picked
seamen, without a boy among them ; although
two will be allowed. Seveiml of her men were '
recognized as British seamen, and others as hav«
ing served in the British navy. The Peacock's
proper complement was, probably, no more than
171 ; the rest being supernumeraries. The em-
ployment of the latter, to a great extent, on
board American ships, was proved by the mus-
ter-book of the Argus. (See p. 277.) The Pea-

«B||AT BRITAIN ABD AMBRICA. 84^

cock had 3 lieotenants, a. lieutenant of marines^
10 midshipmen, and other officers in propor-
tion ; and was, in every respect, a well-eqaipped
tesseL

The Eperyier was built in 1818, by ccmtraot,
as are nearly all the other vesseb of her clasp:'
the Peacock, at New York in 1813. The full
dimensions of both, in hull ami spars, will
appear presently. i ,:,

ComparaHve force of the two vessels.

* s

Epervier, brig.

Broadside-metal J long guns,

in pounds^ ( carronades, 274

CompleiBeDt, ^"^^^'^ ^%

Size in tons^

Peacock^ ship^

S74

117

382

18
320

183
2

338

185 :

This is one of the actions, in which, as Mn
Madison boasts, an American vessel captured a
British vessel ** of the same class.'' As an action*
therefore, between *' equal force,'' the 55,000
dollars, for which the Epervier sold, as well aa
the 118,000 found on board of her, became 4ue
to the fortunate captors, agreeably to the act of
congress; (see p. 165 ;) and Captain Warrington
and his officers, for their *^ most brilliant achieve-
ment," rank among the " naval heroes" of theix
country. No one will deny, that this is an easy
way of acquiring a martial name !

As, by the capture of th^ President, we gained

•:-i. T*

fir 51

NAVAL OC0URRBN0B8 BBTWBKHr

a knowledge of the American '* 44-gun frigate^,**
80 the capture of the corrette Frolic, has rc«
quainted us, thorough I j, with the Americail
" 18-gun sloops.'^ The American papers, at the
timethej announced the launching of the *^ U. S.
ship Peacock, of 509 tons, pierced for 24 guns,'*
stated that the Wasp and Frolic were precisely
of the san*e dimensions. Since which, haye
been built, from the same model, the Erie and
Ontario, at Baltimore, and the Argus (afterwards
burnt) at Washington.

The Wasp, a sister-vessel to the Peacock and
Frolic, having captured, successively, two brigs,
similar to the Epervier, a statement, shewing
the comparative dimensions of these British
and American vessels, *' cf the same class," will
at once discover, whether the implied equality of
tiie is real or nominal.

It!**?

i.' '.if

h'i

Comparative dimensions.

Epervier.

'ovfr*«//. being from fore part of head, 1
to aft- par I of fife-rail, . /

extreme^ being fronn fore*part of ftera ^
at height of main-deck, to aft- I
part of stern, at height of wing- j
traoioui, J

of main-deck^ being from aft-part of ^
rabbit of Ktem, to fore-part of rab-
bit ot'steru-poat,

of aclual keel, being from fore- part
of lor«»fuot, to alt part of stern-
post,

Ft.
115

101 8

100 3

Peacock.
Ft. In.

132 9
121 6

119 5f
105

ORttAT BRITAlIf AND AMMlteA.

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•o J extreme^ or of frnme, iacludiogl
-8 j plank tt botlonit j

|5. l^iMiMr^ o^ of frame ooljt

Depth in hold, from underr«ide of main-
aechf plank to limberstreak.

rlen^h.

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Fig. 1, plate 3, is a profile-view of the late
'YJ. S. ship Frolic, (now the Florida in onr ser-
vice,) as is fig. 2, of a British 18-gun brig. The
only variation between the latter, and any other
of the largest class of brigs in the navy, except
the Primrose, which is eight feet longer, is la
the form of the head; that usually correspond*
ing with the vesseFs name. It is believed, that
no variation whatever exists between fig. 1, and
the American Peacock and her sister-ships.
That the reader'^ attention may not be diverted
from the main object of the representation,
nothing but the naked hull of each vessel is
given.

All the first-class IS-gun brigs in the British
navy, except the Primrose before-named, were
inteiided tb be of tlie Epervier's dimensions.
Some indi%idual brigs are as much as three
inches brondf r, owing to an accidental falling
out of their sides ; but the builder is not paid
foe a single ton beyond what is specified in the

■ ^

95S

MATAt OCCURRBNGM MTWflN

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!''.

eontrftct. A patriotic writer from Savannab,
into which port the Eperrier haid been carried
bj the Peacock, furniiihed a newtpaper-«ditor
with her ** dimensions." He makes her ** length
107 feet/' withoQt stating what lengtli. Upon
applying the coropassei to fig. f j the reader will
at once perceive, that this officious ^iimg'thore
gentlemen (for he could not have been a sea*
man) ran his line from the upper and aft part
of the Epervier^s main«stem to the aft-part of
the fife-rail ; whidi measures just *' 107 feet/'
This he compares with the '* length on decl^* of
the Peacock. He next proceeds tc measure the
Epervier's ** breadth of beam ;" and, in making
jthat ** 32 feet," must have extended his line to
nearly the outside of each main-chain. The
brig's <* depth of hold, 14 feet,** he probably
guessed at ; as there was no possibility of mea-
suring that, while the hold wab full. Having
thus prepared a set of figures, the tyro-surveyor
sets about computing the tonnage. He takes
up his old school-book, *' Walsh's Mercantile
Arithmetic ;" and, from the directions there
given, soon produces ''467 75-95ths," as the
Epervier's tonnage. This he immediately con-
trasts with the Peacock's tonnage, which, about
a year before, was published in the newspapers
as 509. But, had this subtle arithmetician
been ignorant of the Peacock's tonnage, and
applied to her dimensions, as he had stated

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eaSAT BRITAIN AND AMERIOA>

853

them, the same rule, by which he had cosnpute^
the Epervier's tonnage, he would have made the
Peacock measure 537 63-95ths of a ton; or,
had he exaggerated the Peacock's *' length'^ and
*' breadth of beam,'^ as much as he had the
Epervier's, and then made the calculation, he
would have augmented the Peacock's tonnage
to 631 88-95ths ; which bears to 467 75-95ths,
about the same proportion as 535 to 33^, and
not so great as 509 to. 321 d-95ths ; which
was each vessel's true American tonnage, s^
Captain Warrington's carpenter cpuld have in*
formed him. .» a,./ i, ...:,i; ,.. i

However, a correspondent who coilld demon-
strate to ^ fraction^ that, between the size of th^
two vessels, there existed only the trifling dificr
rence of about 40 tons, obtained a ready inser-
tion for his paragraph ; and soon had the addi-
tional satisfaction of seeing it spread, like
wildfire, through every newspaper from Georgia
to Maine. Even the ** Naval Monumen^'' has
honored the writer, by finding room in its va-
luable pages for the flattering article. ^^ -^

Unfortunately, for at least 150 poor souls, th^
Epervier foundered at sea, ere she had completed
her first cruize in the service of the United
States. Any national American, therefore, who
may doubt that the Epervier's tonnage so greatly
^exceeded that of all other British brigs of the
$aiii» elass, has now lost the opportunity of

A A

1)54

I^AYAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEIT

; t"||

r :

■■ I

1 1

«-

asciertainiiig the fact; unless he has intemt
Enough at Washington, to procure a sight of the
original report of the builder^ who valued her

for the government.

I hrA

No British official account of the action be-
tween H. M. brig Reindeer and the U/S. ship
'Wasp, having been published, the details are
given, partly from the newspapers, but princi«
f ally from Captain Blakeley's letter to his go-
vernment,- and his minutes of the action. (App.
Nos. 78 and 79.)

The action was fought on the 28th. of June,
18145 in the chops of the channel ; and the ves-
'sels lay close alongside each other the whole
time, except for a few minutes at the first, while
the Reindeer was approaching her adversary^
Several attempts were made to board. the Wasp,
but failed, owing to the riflemen in her tops,
and the superior numbers upon her deck. In
One of these efforts, Captain Manners fell, having
received, according to a London newspaper, ^* 14
wounds.'' The calves of his legs were shot
away early in the action ; yet did he keep the
deck, encouraging his crew, and animating, by
his example,^ the few officers remaining on
board. A shot then passed through both. his
thighs. He fell on his knees; but quickly
sprung up ; and, though bleeding profusely, re-
solutely refused to quit the deck. Perceiving

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

35$

the dreadful slaughter which the musketry .ia
the enemy's tops was causing, he called out to
his men, ** Follow me, my boys, we must board
them." — While climbing into the rigging, two
balls from the tops penetrated his skull, and
came out beneath his chin. Placing one hand
on hii^ forehead, the other convulsively bran-
dishing his sword, he exclaimed — *V0 GodT'
and dropped lifeless on his own deck I ^

I One of the Reindeer's men was wounded in
the head by a ramrod ; which before it could be
extracted, required to be sawed off close to the
skull. The man, notwithstanding, recovered. Af-
ter receiving this desperate wound, he, like his
gallant chief, refused to go below ; saying to those
who begged him to leave his gun, — *^ If all the
wounded of the Reindeer were as well able to
fight as I am, we should soon make the Ameri-
can strike.*'

The loss on board the Reindeer, in officers^
was very severe, owing chiefly to the close po-
sition of the vessels, which enabled the numerous
riflemen in the Wasp's tops, to pick them off in
every direction. Mr. Barton, the purser, fell
early ; and among the badly wounded, were th«
only lieutenant, the master, a master's-mate, a
midshipman, and the boatswain. The total of
killed and wounded was 67 ; and that out of
118. It is stated, that the Reindeer was surren-
dered by the captain's clerk^ no higher officer

A A 2

.^'

^«-

iSa KATAL OC<::URRENCE8 BETWBE)^

De\i^ ink condition io execute ifieik^MAldholy
task. The shattered condition of the Reindeer*!!
hull caused the enemy to set fire to her, on th^
afternoon 6£ the day succeeding the capture. '*'*
*' The injuries which the Wasp sustained ih the
hull, sent her to TOnent ; where she remained,
repairing, and making up her compteiheint, from
the dth of July, until the ^Ttfh of August, mi
loss is given at the end of Captain Blaketey^skttet:
To judge by the proportion h'etWeen the killed
and mortally wounded, 11, and the severely and
slightly wounded, l5, all the latter hiive not
been enumerated.

The Reindeer originally carried 32-pdund
carironades ; biit her gireat age as a fif-built Ves<>
set, and general weakness, in consequence^ in-
Iluced Captain Manners, rather than be put ouit
of coinmission, to apply for d4si which, with
two 68, and a boat-carronade, she mounted iii
the iactioh. Captain Blakeley's letter Ittands a
soKtary instance of American cdrrectniets in this
particular. * ^

The Heindeer's complement had pr^viotfsl^
consisted of .123 ihen ifthd boys ; 'but,'her second
lieutenant, a midshipman, and 5 'seameh, being
absent, she had, in the action, oiily 98 ihen, aiid
20 boys. Hei'^e, again, thie Americ'ah commanded
deserves credit for his singularity. He statei
his opponent's complement at •' 118 men.'*

The Reindeer's crew had long si^rved tojBfe«

^' «, :^

QnBj^T 9ltlT4ll9 ANP 4MEEIC^.

357

ther ; ai)4 werfr at this time, under the cpiif-
mand of an officer, who was ^' the ic)ql fin4
delight of his ship's company/' Captain Bla^ie-
lej sajs, '* thej were said to be the pride of
Plymouth :'• — no doubt, they were ; and the
few survivors of them still are, and ^vcr >yill
be, the pride of Britain.

The Wasp mounted the same as the Peacocli:.
In Captain Blakeley's account of the Avon's
action, he mentions a 12-pound carrona^e, as
fitted upon the gasp's top-gallantrfprecastle.
But this carronade not appearing in thje British
ncwspaper-accp.unt of the Wasp's force, when
engaged w^th the Hcindeer, it may have bee^
subsequently added ; or, perhaps, w^s the very
12-pound carronade, which, froim the ]Reindee^'^
ipp-gall^nt-fprecastle, wajs so frequent^ fijred at
,the Wasp in t^e early part of the ^ction. ( App.
J^p. 79.) TN ,ujsu^l Ifsinds of extraordinary shot,
jfk gre^t abundance, were dischargjpd from the
Wasp's guns, and contributed greatly tow^riil/s
disabling the brig.

The complement of the Wasp was stated to
consist of 175 men. The Frolic, we have seen,
had 171, fill men ; and the Peacock, 183 men,
and >2 boys. In confirmation of the Wasp's
complement being 175, at least, one of her offi-
cers, s^b&jequently to .the Avon's action, writes
home tha^ she has, even then, a *' complement
^173 mjen." (Nav. Mon. p. 141.) <(;:ap^ai|L

958

NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

Blakelej extok the " firmness" with which his
men repelled the boarding- attempts of the Rein-
deer's crew. Considering the vast disparity in
numbers, towards the end of the action espe-
cially, he should have transferred his praise to
the gallantry of the assailants. Such acts of
justice are seldom omitted in the official letters
of British naval officers.

The Reindeer was built of fir, in 1804. The
Wasp was built at Portsmouth, N. Hampshire,
in 1813 : and one of the late U. S. ship Frolic's
bfficers declared, that it would puzzle any one
to discover the slightest difference between her
and the Wasp. The same dimensions as those
given of the Epervier ::nd Peacock, will suffice in
this case ; and the advantage possessed by the
Wasp's riflemen, while firing from her tops, upon
the enemy's decks, secure from being dislodged
'by boarders, on account of the Reindeer's tops
being so many feet lower, will also be made
evident by the relative length of the two main-
masts. (See p. 351.)

*V<

Comparative force of the two vessels.

Reindeer^ brig.

Broadside-metal in pounds, i 'K""*'

"^ ' Icarr. 192

ement.

/men,
tboys>

98
«0

19B

Size in t6n>.

-118
585

Wasp, ship.

18
S20

338

173 **

- i a. (fiii

—=-175
539

.*^'^>

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

.359

WO main-

' mi% is a disparity of force! and the weaker
|>8rtjr was the assailant. Still the British com-
•tnander cannot be accused of rashness ; because
both vessels were — *' sloops of war." The force
ieniployed by the Wasp, stationed upon a float-
ing body, varying a trifle in construction, would
hare entitled the Reindeer to seek her safety in
jflight. But, had she run from the Waap, Mr.
Madison would have exulted as much in an-
nouncing, that a British ship had been chased,
as captured, by an American ship '*of the same
class;" and even Britons would have consi-
dered the act, as a stigma upon the national
-character.

When the Americans " promptly" l^arded,
and '* all resistance ceased," the relative num-
bers of the un wounded, belonging to each vessel,
were 149 and 51 ; including, among the latter,
16 or 17 boys. What the numbers were at the
commencement, appears by the comparative
statement. ? i; ,^ jif

• . Yet, it is immediately after giving a summitry
of this action, that the *' New Annual Regis-
ter' for 1814" exclaims: — -"It would seem,
too, that when we were victorious over the Ame-
ricans by sea, we were generally indebted for
our success, to a greater superiority than eVen
they had when they were successful." — Could
an American editor, or Mr. Cobbett, h^ve:ut-
^tered a sw&vf - UkiblttiihiAg fal$ehood,:than Ji |pp-

#'i

800

HATAL OCCURRBNCSS BETWBBH

tained fn this effusion of spleen P And that,
too, from so respectable ^ work as the '* Annual
'Register ?" — a work, that is to hand down to
posterity, a true account of historical e?ent8 :>—
a work that will be considereu as the highest
authority, long after these pages are forgotten.
The American historian will gladly catch at the
passage ; nay, it is perhaps already transcribed,
to be cast in our teeth ; and, 50 years hence,
-who shall gainsay or deny it ?-^Neyer was there
a braver crew than the Reindeer's; — never a
ship more ably fought, or more determinedly
defended ;— never an officer that better deserved
a monument in Westminster-abbey, than the
•gallant^ the heroic Manners !

^ On the 12th of July, H. M. cutter Landrail,
Lieutenant Lancaster, in her way across the
British channel, with despatches, was chased by
the Syren American privateer ; with which she
maintained a running fight of an hour and 10
tninuiies, and a close action, within pitol-shot,
*of 40 minutes ; in all, two hours;

The cutter lost, in this hard-fought action,
7 men wounded, but none killed. Her sails,
when she arrived in Halifax, N. S. weve riddled
with shot-holes. The Syren lost 3 men killed,
(and 15 wounded, including some of her princi-
pal officers ; total 18. s t ii-i;jii;t-<
> The Landrail mounted four 12-pound carro-

eRBAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

'Ml

nadet; and had not even room for another gun.
Still the American editors, in the first instance*
gaye her *' 10 guns;" and afterwards, by waj
of amending their statement, ''8 guns;'' at
which the Landrail now stands in their prize-
lists. Her complement consisted of 19 men
and boys.

The Landrail was re-captured on her way to
the United States, and carried into Halifax,
N. S. The Syren*s officer, who had been placed
on board as prize-master, stated, that the
echooner mounted one long 12 (believed to have
been 18) pounder, upon a traversing-carriage,
four long 6-pounder8, and two carronades, 18*-
pounders: total 7 guns; that her complement
was 75 men; and that she measured 180 tons,
American; which is about 103, English.

Comparative force of the two vessels.

•yi-

Landrail.
;]|road«4e-metfa in P<m»»<1«» { ^S!"*' 84

Complement of men and boys^
i&izemtons,'

-24
19
78

Syren.

24
18

12
75
193

This action decidedly proves how much exe-
cution may be done, by oply two 12 pound par-
.rfOnades, if ^oirdll-pointed ; and reflects gre^
honor upon Lieutenant Lancaster, and hi9 little

hoat^S'Crew.

•11- ssw

i ■,.:,:

f
n

I: ■ ■ .

Ui!

; (

302 NATAL OCCURRENCIPS BETWEBH

i The IT. S. ship Wasp, after remaining 18 days
at rOrient, sailed from that port, thoroughly
refitted and manned, on the 27th of AugUNt ;
and, at about half-past 8, on the night of the
Isi of September, she fell in with H. M. birig
Avon, Captain the Hon. J. Arbuthnot.

An action ensued ; which continued, according
to our newspaper-accounts, (the only British
statement that has appeared,) two hours and tO
minutes ; and, according to Captain Blakeley's
letter, and minutes of the action, (App. Nos. 37
and 38,) 43 minutes only : when the Avon, hav-
ing lost her main-mast, and being actually in a
sinking state, from the Wasp's fire, surrendered.
:' At this moment, the Castilian brig, of the
same force as the Avon, hove in sight, and pre-
vented the Wasp from taking possession. Cap-
tain Bremer passed within hail of the Avon, and
stood for the American ship, then running be-
fore the wind. Just as the Castilian had got
up, and fired a broadside into her, signals of
distress were made from the Avon. Captain
Bremer instantly hauled up for his sinking com-
panion. He barely arrived in time to rescue
the surviving crew from a watery grave ; the
'Avon going down, just as the last boat reached
the Castilian. Chase was again given by the
Castilian, and continued, through the night, in
the supposed direction of the Wasp ; but she
was not again seen.

GRCAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

363

Captain Blakeley, although he admits that he
beard the enemy say, ** he was sinking," places
his own construction upon the Castilian's hasty
teturn to the Avon. That the latter did sink,
and that her crew would have perished, but for
Captain Bremer's timely aid, are the best answer*
to so illiberal a charge.

The Wasp fought more warily in this action,
than in the Reindeer's. She would not come
fairly alongside, so as to give the Avon an op-
portunity of boarding. Her long 18s assisted
her greatly ; and, by her star and chain shot,
she effected the complete destruction of the
brig's rigging ; the loss of which contributed
to the fall of the main-mast at an early part of
the action; Four of the Avon*s carronades were
disabled: chiefly by the usual defects in their
fastenings.

^- The Avon lost her first lieutenant and 9 men,
killed and mortally wounded; her commander,
second lieutenant, a midshipman, and 29 sea-
men and marines, severely and slightly wounded ;
(principally the latter ;) total 42. -

V" According to Captain Blakeley, the Wasp re-
ceived only four round shot in her hull; and
had but two men killed, and one wounded.
Some allowance is due, no doubt, for the usual
concealment of part of the woundf'd.

•** The Avbn mounted 18 guns: sixteen carron-
ades, 32-pounders, and two long 6-pounder8.

r^,.r

l>"i 9

't*

304 NATAL OCCURRENCES BBTWBBlf

Hei complemeDt, at the commencement of the
action, consisted of 104 men, and 13 bojrs;
total ;i7.

^ , The Wasp on this occasion n^ounted an addi»
tional 12*pound cs|rronade upon tl^e top-gallailt^
forecastle; as appears hj Captain Blake)ej'|i
letter and minutes of the action* Adding l^^r
3 killed to the 173 fuen, stated, by one of her
officers, to have been her copi^plement, a fe^
days after this action, we have that fixed beyond
dispute.

The lengtli of the Ayon fs exactly the 8^^^p
as that of all the other IQ^gun brigs^ with th^
exception already iioticed; (see p. 39^ ;) but,
being accidentally one inch broader, she inea-
fsures 9 tons mpre, than the ]Bp^rvier. C^ptaip
Blakeley speaks of her ''great Ijeugth'^; apd
one of his officers saw so indistinctly through
the moonlight, as to repres^njt the Avon, as
" longer apd ip^ore lofty thail the Wasp,'' apd
as having '* eleven ports upon l^jer sijde.^' Th|e
comparative ^V^ngth'" of the two vessels h^
been shewn already. (Se^ p. 95Q, ap4 l^ate 3.)
Like ^very otiier brig of jbier i^lass in ;thiB service,
the Avon has no ^ore than 9 ports, ^pd a boi^
or chase-port, of a side. ,Some cpinmfit^^^
thiiik it aijjds to the appearance of their vessel,
to represeiif^, by black paint, an additionsd poi;t
in the midst of the space bet^veen the fi^tf^rijnost
jiqrjt.an^ t|^e stern. Pthers agaipy Jt^av^ set t^

dnSAT BllItAiN AND AMfiRlCA. li68

4i^tpeikt^r td fixing k '^^^^' ^ri-muizte thei^
(Jaseur in 1815.) To put the best iconstructioii
upon the American officer's statement, we may
suppose the AvOn to have been similarly ortta-
Inehted. '^

Captaih Blakeley is the fir&t AmeHcliii coln-
mander who has officially announced, that, 6hk
bodrd the IJ. S. vessels, British and Ametiican
Bbot &fe carefully ^eighed^ and the difference,
if any, iiotfed down. Th6 alleged trifling dimi-
nution in weight of the Amerieata 32-p6'ttiid l^hcrr»
requires no additional observatiolis. (S^ p. 10.)

'Contpctrdtive force' fjf the' two vtsselt.

A?on^ brig.

' Broackide-metal f 1 . guns,
in poUiids^ 1 tin.

Complemcaitf
Ske in tr -vi,

S men,
I boys.

6
£56
— -fiG8
104
13
-^117
391

Wasp, aiiip.
— 350

539

k Plymouth pap^ concludes itis account olP
the AvOti's catptore, ivith : *< This action will for
ever rank among the most brilliant achievententti
recorded in the naval annals of this eventful
war.'* — ^This isjust the language of the " Boston
Gazette,** or *' New-England Palladium," when
recounting one of their naval victories. — Had
the Plymouth editor already forgotten the Rein-
deer's action?"— Did not that brig, with 34-

i '!

iCP!

pounders only, do five times as much executioi^
as tbe Avon, with her 32'pounders? — ^The edi-
tor was fulljr justified in commending the
bravery of the Avon's officers and crew ; although
their action with the Wasp was far from h^in^>
*^oi^e pf the most brilliant achievements of \he

^. The gunneiy exhibited by the Wasp was ad*
mirable. On the other band, the Castiliiin gaye
Q9 proofs^ that her men at all^ excelled the
Avon's, in that, with us, much neglected branch
of fi^aval tactics.

Although the American account makes Out
that three sail were in sight, when the Wasp
abandoned the Avon, the British ofiicers assert,
positively, that no other vessel than the Casti-
lian w^ in sight, or near the scene of action. ' ,

The same American officer who counted 11
ports upon the Avoh*s side, assured, his friend,
that, >' with her present commander and crew,
the Wasp could beat a 28-gun frigate." The
fvriter might have reserved his boast, till the
Wasp had beaten a ship of . acknowledge
equality.

iv...

V . . ■'•■.'■■.. ?

<]REAT BRITAIN AND AMBIIICA.

367

ri&d

A.:

CHAPTER XVI.

imyiHi

Gallant hoaUatlack at the mouth of the Rappa^

^ hanawck-^apture of four armed Schooners —

f. Actual force engaged — -American accounts of

1, the affair-^The Martin grounds on a shoal in

X the Delaware^^Is attached by a squadron qf

i American gun-'boats — Captures one if them

^i, •'^American accounts — Destruction tf Com"

f: modore Barney's Jtotilloir^Battle of Bla-

» densburg — Americans retreat through Washy

■^, ington-— British enter the capital of the

United States — Destruction^ caused there-^

j^ British squadroti ascends the Potowmae^^

Defeats the batteries — Compels Alexandria to

capitulate ^Shameful behavioitr of an American

naval commander to a British midshipman-'-'

Squadron descends the Potowmac with 2\prizes^^

Engages and defeats the newly-erected batteries

'—Demonstration upon Baltimore — Attack and

capture of the gun-boats at lake Pontchartrain,

On the 3d of April, 1813, a detachment of
boats, under the command of Lieutenant (now
Captain) James Polkiugthorne of the San Do-
mingo, after rowing 15 miles, attacked four
armed schooners drawn up in line, at the mouth
of the Rappahannock river^ in the Chesapeake

IK-

11 ■

f 1 1^

r
h

fit

ill f
<

'■

.■-'■■,

1. ^

iff '

^ it

■? •

fr!

t- '»••

bay. In his letter to Admiral Warren, Lieute-
nant Polkingthorne describes the issue of the
enterprise, as follows { — '* Arab, of 7 guns, and
45 men, run on shore and boarded bj two boats
^f the Marlbofough/ under Lieutenants UrmstoH
and Scott."-^'* Lynx, of 6 gunS) and 4a nen^
kauled her cc^ours down on my going alongside
in the San Domingo's pinnaoe.''^^" Raeer, of
6 guns, and 36 men, boarded and carried, after
k sharp resistance by the San Domingo's pin-
H^ce."-^*' Dolphm, of 12 guns, and 98 men.
The guns of the IRacer were turned upon her,
Mid ihen gallantly boarded by Lieutenant Bi-
thop, in the Statira*s large cutter, and Lieute-
llant Liddon, in the Maidstone's launch." *
" Thfe following is an accurate statement of the
l^ritish force employed :

4V«j

San pomingb's pinnace, 1
ineluding 2 officers, j
Jdaiditone'i launch, do.

Stiit»ra*8 cutter; do.

Men.

21
21
19
21

reach a 12-pound car-
C ronade.

Totals 105 men.

'*._'-- r ■ ■ • - • '

Thus were four American schooners, mount-
ing together 31 guns, manned with 319 men;
and whose united size exceeded 1000 tons ; cap-
tured by five British boats, armed with tw^
l2-ponnd carroftades, and manned .with only

OaSlkT BRITAIN AND AMBRIC^«

369

lj95 men, officers included. Our loss was, %
killed, and 11 wounded; the enemy's believech
to be, 6 killed, and 10 wounded. — Mr. Clarke,
with his usual address, leaves out the Arab,
Lynx, and Racer schooners; and even conceals
the force of the Dolphin. Thus : — *' The priva-^
teer Dolphin of Baltimore, was captured after a
long and gallant resistance, by a number of
barges and launches, belonging to the blockad-
ing squadron. The British finally succeeded in
capturing her, by boarding and overpowering
her crew by superior numbers."

The editor of the '' Sketches of the War"
seems determined that his zeal shadi not be
questioned. He states the 3ritish barges a.%
*' 17," containing " upwards of 40 men each" :
or 680 in the whole. To make the enemy's loss
propcMTtionate, he states that at ** nearly 50 in
killed and wounded"' t

In July, H. M. ships Junon and Martin, the
former a 46*gun frigate, the latter mounting
sixteen 24- pound carronades, and two long Os,
with 135 men and boys, were cruizing in Dela-
ware-bay. On the 29th, about 8 in the morn^
ing, the Martin grounded on the outer ridge of
Crow's shoal, within 2 ^ miles from the beach ;
and, it being a falling tide, could not be floated
again, before the return of fiood. The water
tan so shoalt that it became necessary to shore

B B

m !;?*■

14'

370 BTATAt bcCUR^ilTfCiS IfEtWiBll

the 8bip u}. ; and the same cause pitevented the
Junon from Afterwards anchoring nearef than
1 1 mile from the Martin. This afforded to the
squadron of American gun-boats and block-ves-
sels then in th^ Delaware, a fine opportunity to
destroy the British sloop of war. They accord-
ingly, ten in tiumbef, advanced, and deliberately
took up their anchorage, about 1 i mile distant^
directly on her bieam, on the opposite side to
the Junon, and so as to bring that ship in a
line with the Martin. Thus, by anchoring at
the distance of 3 miles from the frigate, which, it
was Weill known, could not approach nearer on
Account of the shoals, the American gun-boattf
hid no force but the Martin's to contend with.
^ All this while, crowds of citizens, on foot, on'
horseback, and in carriages, were hastening to
the beach, in the hopes to see verified, in the
speedy destruction of the Martin, the wonderful
accounts they had heard of American prowess
on the ocean. Captain Senhouse had got his
top-gallant-masts struck, and his sails furled ^
and, although he despaired of saving his ship
from so formidable a force, determined to defend
her to the last extremity. The gun-boats com<*
menced the fire; and the Martin returned it, at
first with her carronades; but, finding they
could not reach, Captain Senhouse had the two
0-pounders transported from their ports, one to
the topgallant-forecastle, the other to the poop..

eilBAT ARITAIN AND AMERICA.

871

With these two giins, and all the guns of the
flotilla, was the f^re kept up for nearly two
hours, without the slightest injury to the Martin.
About 2 o'clock, the sternmost gun-boat in
the line having sepsirated a little from the rest^
the Junon made a signal for the boats manned
pad armed. Accordingly, three boats were dis*
patched from the Martin, containing 40 officers
Kifd men, and four from the Junon, containing
ipp officers. a|i4 vaen, the whole under the or«
ders of the Junon's gallant iirst4ieutenant West-p
ph^lU On the approach of the boats^ the gun-
vessejU; turned their 6re from th^ Martin against
them, but at too great a distance to be effec<«
tivf. The gUQ-boat which was- the object of
attack, kept up a spirited iire, but was quickly
boarded and overpowered. The British boati$
lost, in this; aiTair, 3 killed and mortally
wounded, and 4 slightly wounded ; the gun-boat
7 wounded. The last discharge from the gun
mounted on board,.broke its carriage. That pre-*
vented the British from returning the fire of the
remaining gun-boats, which had dropped down
in line, hoping to retake the prize ; but which th^
captors towed off in triumph. As the gun-boats
passed the Martin's boWa to attempt to save their
conipanion, the Martin fired upon them with
effect; and the Junon opened her fire, but hejT.
shot scarcely fell beyond the Martin.
ij.jSome of the gun^boats having grounded, th«^

B B 2

■>-:Ma

!U^

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

ml
1 ,

I -I

iU I f
wi t' „

¥ • >>

"I;

1 I

|, >w

ft«?

Iremainder anchored for their mutual protection.
The tide had drifted the ships' boats, and the
captured vessel, to a considerable distance.
The gun-boats that had grounded, got off, and
the whole anchored, — as if to renew the attack
iipon the change of tide, — ^within 2 i miles of
the Martin, now weakened bj the absence of
40 of her best hands. However, at 5 o'clock, to
the surprise of the Martin's officers and crew ;
and, as it afterwards appeared, to the extreme
mortification of the spectators on shore, thii^ for-
midable flotilla weighed and beat up, between
the Martin and the shore, without molesting her
any further ; and arrived, in safety, soon after-
wards, at their station in the mouth of the river.
The force that attacked the Martin, consisted
of 8 gun-boats, and two block-vessels ; sloops
of 100 tons each, which had been coasters.
Their sides had been raised ; heavy beams laid
across ; and the whole planked in, on the top.
On each side, and at the ends ; leaving only loop-
holes for musketry, (through which pikes might
be used in repelling boarders,) and three ports
of a side. Here were mounted, six long 18-
pounders. The covering extended the whole
length of ibe vessel, and was large enough to
contain 00 men ; which was stated as the com-
plement of each. The gun-boats were sloop-
rigged ; averaging about 80 tons ; mounting
each a long 32-pounder, and a 4-pounder, on

eRBAT BRITAIN AND AMSRICA. d7f

travening-carriages ; and manned with 35 men
each, as found on board the one captured. Each
gun-boat was commanded by an experienced
merchant-master ; and the whole bj ** Master-
commandant'' Samuel Angus, of the United
States'navy. — ^Here, then, was a force of 34 gunfi
(one-third of them long 32s) and 400 men, op-
posed, for two hours, without success, to twp
gunSf 0-pounders, and 135 men !

There could not have been a fairer account of
the action, than was given hy the eje-witnesses
of it, upon their arrival in Philadelphia. They
expressed their indignation at, what they
termed, the cowardly behaviour of the guur
boats ; and the government-editors, failing ii^
their attempts to gloss the thing over, tried to
hush it up. This accounts for Mr. Clarke*s siy
lence upon the subject. At ^he end of two
years, however, the oral accounts of the specta-
tors were forgotten, while the official account
of the commanding-officei^ still shone in its
pristine brilliancy. This determined the editor
of the ** Sketches of the War" to give it inser-
tion, with such embellishments as he could col-
lect. The account is far too long to be inserted
at length : a brief extract will shew the spirit of it.

The attacking force is admitted to have beei^
" eight gun-boats, and two block-ships." — ^* Be-
tween both the enemy's vessels, Fuounting in all
69 guns, and the gun-boat squadron, a cannon^

ill!'

.^>-

&• t t

%74 I^ATAt OCCURRSlfCE^ tEJ^ttlf

ade followed, and continued about ond h6ur
and 45 minutes; in all which time, scarcely a
shot struck either of the gun-boatn, whilst at
nlmost every fire, the latter told upon the hulls
of the sloop and frigate. (! !) This difference of
effect in the firing being discovered by the Bri-
tiiihj they manned their launches, barges, and
Gutters, ten in number, &c. &c." — " In this aso
sault, (capture of gun-boat No. 121,) the British
lost 7 killed, and 12 wounded.*'
^^ But eveil this daring feat of the American
gun^boats, was exceeded by one recorded in the
same page ; where the gallant Captain AnguSj
livith ^* nine gun^boats, and^ two arnked sloops^
bonvoying three sloops laden with timber, en-
gaged the British frigates Statira and Spartan,
and compelled them to move from their anchor-
age to a situation out of reach of annoyance.''
In another page, the editor describes an action
in the Chesapeake, between 15 gun-boats and
three frigates, mounting 'M50 guns and up-
wards;'' in which he makes one of the frigates
to have been ** so much shattered, that the vessels
^hich came to her assistance, were obliged te
employ !*>'! their hands to repair her."
' These are the tales that contribute to iswell
Out a Work, whose publisher, by Way of account-
ing to his readers for the early appearance of
his third edition, informs them, '* that all the
fjppies of the secoi^d were engaged, lon^ before

I '^ il

ttBBAT BttlTAlKT AKD AMaHtCA.

UTS

^ey had escaped frum the pres8." — How vitiated
must be the taste of that public, whom such
balderdash can please !

On the 33d of August, Rear-admiral Cock-
bum, with a detachment of boats, in which was
a party of marines, under Captain Robjns,
proceeded up the Patuxent river, at nearly the
head of the Chesapeake-bay, in search of Com-
modore Barney's flotilla. (App. No. 81.) On
opening the reach above Pig-point, the Rear-
admiral discovered Commodore Barney's broad
pendant in the headmost vessel, a large sloop,
and the remainder of the flotilla extending in a
long line a-stern of her. The boats now ad-
vanced towards them as rapidly as possible;
but, on nearing them, the sloop bearing the
broad pendant was observed to be oit fire, and
soon afterwards blew up ; as did 15 out of the
16 remaining gun-boats. The one in which thi(
fire had not taken^ was captured. The Commo<»
dore*s sloop was a large vessel, armed, as ap-
pears by the American papers, with 6 guns;
the others were gun-boats, having, says the
Rear-admiral, *' a long gun in the bow, and a
carronade in the stern. The caliber of the
guns, and number of the crew of each, differed
in proportion to the size of the boat, varying
from d2-pounders, and 60 men, to 18-pounderS|
and 40 men.^'

370

NATAL OCOUERBNCBS BBTWBBN

A Boston paper of August 30, stated that
** Comnioclore Bamey'u ilotilla at Benedict, con-
sisted of about 36 gun-boats; besides 10 or 15
barges." It seldom happens that the Americans
over-rate their force; and it is probable, that
this ** formidable and so much vaunted flotilla,'!,
when it left Baltimore, in the preceding May^
did consist of *' 36 gun-boats." Two, we know^
were found by the boats of the Severn and
Loire, drawn up and scuttled on the shores of
the Patuxent; and others may have shared the
same fate, during the many chases and narrow
escapes which the flotilla had undergone, since
the Ist of June, when two British boats, dis-
patched by Captain Barrie, burnt an American
schooner in the very face of it. Rear Admiral
Cockburn found 13 merchant-schooners, which
had been under Commodore Barney's protection.
Of these, such as were not worth bringing away,
were destroyed ; the remainder, moved to Pig-
point, to reeeive on board the tobacco there
found.

The destruction of this flotilla secured the
right flank of the army under Major-general
Ross, which had landed at Benedict on the
19th, and since advanced to Upper Marlbo-
rough : whither the Rear-admiral proceeded,
over land, on the morning of the 23d ; and, after
a short conference, it was determined to make
an immediate attempt upon the pity of Washing-^

aSBAT BRITAIN AND AMBBICA.

377

ton; diitant from Upper Marlborough about
16 miles. (App. No. 8t.) In the afternoon of
the 23d, the nu^r •general, ha*^*ng left the ma-
rines of the ships under Captain Robjns, in pos-
session of Upper Marlborough, and directed the
marine-artillerj and seamen to follow, moTed on
with the army, and bivouacked before dark
about five miles nearer Washington.

At day-light on the morning of the 34th, the
marine-artillery and seamen having joined in the
night, the armj was moved towards Bladens-
burg: on reaching which place, with the ad-
vanced brigade, the enemy was observed drawn
up in force on a rising ground beyond the town,
and well protected by artillery. Only a small
proportion of the army had yet got up, and the
men were almost exhausted with fatigue, and
the sultriness of the weather. Without hesita-
tion, however, 'they were led to the attack by
their gallant general ; and, in spite of the galling
fire of the enemy, our troops advanced steadily
on both his flanks, and in front. The moment
they arrived on even ground with him, he fled
in every direction, leaving behind him ten 18^
12, and 6 pounders, a quantity of ammunition,
and 220 stand of arms, and a great number of
killed and wounded ; among the latter, Com-
modore Barney, and several other ofiiicers.

Many of the American papers stated their
own force, on this occasion, to have been 8000'

;iB!

578

NATAL OCCURRBNCBS HETWAKlf

/ '

men : and these were stationed on grouiid highly
ndvantageoiro ; while the division of the British
arm J that defeated them so quickly; amounted*
says the Rear-admiral^ to no more ^' than 1500
men ;" and they fatigued with their long march.
Our loss in this decisive affair, amounted to 64
killed, and 195 wounded. (App^ No; 83.) Mr.
Madison, the secretary of war, and the secreta-
ries of state and of the navv, are said to have
been present, at the commencement, at least, of
the Bladensburg action. The American troops
were commanded by General Winder. The vil«
lage of Bladensburg is situated on the left bank
of the eastern branch of the Potowmack, abo|it
iive miles from Washington. : -^y*

• Immediately after the action, the remains of
the American army retreated through Wash-
ington, and across the Potowmac, into Virginia;
and the British army, advanced upon Washing-
ton ; which they reached about 8 o'clock at
night. A fire was opened upon them from some
of the houses at the entrance. These were
stormed, and burnt ; and immediate possession
was taken of the capital of the United States,
, The Americans, on their retreat through the
town, had set fire to the dock«-yard and arsenal,
and the fort protecting them, to t-he frigate
Essex the second, (a sister-ship to the Guerriere
and Java,) just ready to be launched, the Argus
corvette, (sister-pvessel to the Wasp, Frolic, &c,)

Kft£AT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

379

•which had been launched since the 2dth.of Ja-
tidftry, and was then ready for sea, the - old fri-
*gat«s, New York, rated a 36, and Boston, a 32 ;
and also the entire frame, in pieces,, of a 74-guh
Mship. They also had destroyed the two bridges
'leading from Washington^ over the eastern
branch of the Potowmac, and nearly 9000 stand
-of arms. The troops, on taking possessioq, set
iire to the capital, including the senate-house,
'and bouse of representatives, the president's pa*
lace, the treasury, the war-office, and the great
bridge across the Potowmac. A large quantity
>of ammunition and ordnance stores in the arse^-
-nal, were likewise destroyed ; as were 104 pieces
of cannon, (App. No. 83.) more than half of
-them long 32, i24, and 18 pounders; and two
-extensive rope-walks, filled with tar-rope, &o.
situate at a distance from the yard. In short,
-public stores, to the amount, as the Aaiericans
have admitted, of upwards of seven millions of
-dollars, were destroyed at and near Washington.
t At 9 o'clock on the night of the 25th, the
British left Washington on their return. On
the 26th, in the evening, they again reached
Upper Marlborough, without a musket being
fired ; and, on the morning of the 27th, Not-
tingham ; where they remained till the next
^Ity. Here Rear-admiral Cockburn found H. M.
brig Manly, the tenders, and the boats. He
hoisted his flag on board thie former ; and pro-

f> !

980

KATAL OCCURRENCES BEtWEBR

ceeded with the flotilla, to join Admiral Coch-
raoe. On the evening of the 29th the troops
reached Benedict ; and re-embarked on the fol»
lowing daj.

Much has been said, both in England and
upon the European continent, about our " le-
velling with the dust the splendid palaces and
sumptuous edifices, by which the city of Wash-
ington was so liberally embellished/' — Passing
over this ludicrous description of the American
capitid, it is only necessary to ask-^whether the
destruction of Washington was more than half
a retaliation for the destruction of the British
villages of Newark, Queenstown, and St. Da-
vid's, in Canada ? — ^' Splendid palaces and
sumptuous edifices,'' there were none, in either
of those villages. They consisted of lowly cot-
tages, the poor inmates of which had no country-
houses to retire to, after their humble dwellings
had been '* levelled with the dust." They had
to quit their homes, not in a warm August even-
ing, but in a bleak December night; exposed
to a degree of cold, far exceeding that felt, at
any period, by the inhabitants of Washington^
Mr. Madison and his friends packed off their
valuables, and themselves, before the enemy ar-
rived. The poor inoffensive inhabitants of
Newark had barely time to fly from the devour-
ing flames, with the clothes upon their backs.
What bad the people of the Canadas done tp

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMBRIOA.

381

proToke the ire of the American govemmeiit ?—
Refus^ to listen to General Smjthe's procla-
mation, lihd become traitors to their country.-**
After General M^Clare's candid confession, that
the " proper*' act he ha^ committed *' was by
^rder of the secretary of war,'^ (Hist, of the
War, p. 156,) the ** disavowal on the part of
the American government'' could have been in-
tended only to amase us.

' Of the many expeditions up the bays and ^
rivers of the United States, during the late war»
none equalled in brilliancy of execution that
up the Potowmac to Alexandria. This service
was entrusted to that distinguished officer, Cap-
tain Sir James Alexander Gordon, of the Seahorso
46 ; taking with him, the Euryalus 42, Captain
Charles Napier, Devastation, JEtna, and Meteor,
bombs, Erebus, rocket-ship, and a small tender^
or despatch-boat ; and being afterwards joined
by the Fairy brig, of 18 guns. Captain Henry
L. Baker. (See A pp. No. 84.) f

The squadron proceeded into the river on the
17th of August ; but contrary winds, an intricate
navigation, and the want of pilots, prevented
the ships from reaching Fort Washington; the
destruction of which was the main object of
the expedition, till the 27th. After a slight
bombardment, the principal fort, (the garrison
of which had retreated after the bursting of

« '

i^f

I'-

38!^ NATAI. aCOURaBKOBft SETWEBIf^-

th^ first shell,) and three minor batterietrj
iBOmiting altogether 37 guns, were taken po84
session of. The guns had already been spiked;
and their complete destruction, with their car^
riageS) wasi ejected by' the seamen and marine's
of the squadron. These forts were ■ intended
for the defence of Alexandria; now compelled
to sarrender. : . ' i

One hardly knows which to admire moistytbtf
prudence of Captain Gordon, in postponing
giTing an answer to the common council -of
Alexandria, till> says he, ** 1 was enabled trj
place the shipping in such a position as would
ensure assent to the terms I had decided to en**
force," or the peremptory and humiliating con^
ditiotia which he did enforce. It was in ^ain
that they had sunk their vessels ; they must get
them up again; and put them in the state they
were, when the souadron passed the , Kettle
Bottoms ;-r-owners of vessels must send on board
their furniture without delay ; merchandize re-*
moved, must be brought back; and the mer-*
chants load their own vessels, which will be
towed off by the captors ! (App. Nos. 85. and 86.)

The last article of the capitulation provides,
that British officers are to see the teniis ^* strictly
complied with." — One officer sent on this ser*-
vice was a midshipman of the Euryalus, a mere
stripling. Having strayed alone to some dis-
tance from his boat, two American naval officers

«REAT* BRITAIN AND ABTBRICA.

S93

iroie ' at, as if to rnn of erl him : 6iie,> a vary
poweilfiil itiaii, caught the yobth by the shirts-
collar and dragged ^him, almost sufiboatiDg,
AcrosiB th^ poitiniel of the. saddle; galloping of[
with hiQi. forttinatelj,' the shirt-collar gave
way, and the lad fell to the ground. He was
quickly upon his legs again, and ran towards a
landing*place, where his boat was waiting ; th^
American pursuing him^ The boat and the men
in it were hid under a steep bank or wall; and^
on that account, could not level their carroilade
at the honorable gentleman, as he appro^ched^
The instant he saw the boat's crew, he turned
pale with fright; and rode off in a contrary di*
rection, as fast as his horse could carry him.
The American editors thought this a good joke;
and very readily informed us, that one of thes«
worthies was the famed Captain David Porter^
tlie other, and he that committed the atrocious
and dastardly assault, *^ Master-commandant
I. Orde Creighton," The first of these Amerip*
cap o&ers I»ad, for his ** brilliant deeds" at
Valparaiso, been appointed to the new frigate at
Washington ; whose name, to commemorate the
exploits of Captain Porter's favorite ship, .had
been changed from the Columbia to the Essex;
^ndhis gallant brother- horseman had been ap*
pointed to the new corvette Argus: both of
which ships were burnt, and their intended com-
mandersi thrown put of employ ment, by th^

!^ .

384

HATAL OCemLRWNCBB BBTWBBN

entry of the British into Washington, a few
days previoos. This is what infufiated the two
'* heroes,** and determined them to sacrifice the
first straggling Briton they could find. At the
time this outrage was committed, a flag of truce
was flying before Alexandria; whose inhabitants,
in a body, disavowed the act, reprobating it as
became them. Such conduct on their part, alone
prevented Captain Gordon from enforcing the
last article of the treaty.
' After the British had retired from Washing*
ton, the Americans recovered a little from their
panic; and took strong measures to oppose Cap-
tain Gordon's return down the Potowmac.
Commodore Rodgers, with a chosen body of sea-
men from the Guerriere at Philadelphia, Cap-
tains Perry, Porter, and other ^* distinguished
otRcen/' a party of ofiicers and men from the
Constdlation at Norfolk, the men that had be-
longed to Barney's flotilla, regular troops, rifle-
men, artillerists, and militia, all flocked to the
shores of the Potpwmac, to *^ punish the base
incendiaries.*'

Captain Gordon, with his little squadron, and
31 sail of prizes, left Alexandria on the 3lst to
run the gauntlet through this host of enraged
foes. The Devastation which had grounded,
was first attacked by some fire-vessels and row*
boats under Commodore Rodgerf:, But a party
of British boats quickly made the commodorre

QREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

iace about ; and fly, under as much alarm, to-
^artU, as he had once done/rom, an Alexandria.
(See p. 253.) .

The full details of the retreat of the squadron
idown the river, the opposition it experienced
from, and the complete dressing it g^ve to, the
^Various newlj-erected batteries on the shore^
one ct' which had constructed a furnace for
heating biiot, will be foUnd in Captain Gordon's
interesting letter. (A pp. No. 84.) The toil
and fatigue undergone by the officers and men,
and the deprivations they so chearfnlly submit*^
ted to« were equalled only by their gallantry iri
defeating the batteries on shore, and their skill
and perseverance in surmounting the difficulties
of a most intricate and dangerous navigation.
Happily^ the loss in this. daring enterprise^ idid
not exceed^ on board all the vessels, 7 killed,
and 35 wounded «

, The American tiewspaper-editors, for some
days, feasted their re^defrs with the anticipated
destruction of the British squadron* ^' It i»
impossible the ships can pass such formidable'
batteries, commanded by our naval heroes^ and'
manned by our invincible seamen.'*-^" We'll-
teach them lioiv.to draw up terms of capitula-^
t!on." — When news arrived that the ships had'
passed in safety, chagrin and disappointment
were marked in 6very countenance. It was'
liighly amusing to read the official letters of^

• « c

./*

•986

NAVAL OCCURRBKCES BETWEEN

Commodores Rodgera, Porter, and Perry;-^
After an admission that they ** did not succeed
in the destruction of any of the enemy's vessels^**
they boldlj^ recommend all their officers to the
notice of the iecxetary, if not for what they had
done, at least for what they would have done ;
and the three commodores omit not th« usaal
compliments to one another, such as:— *' my
gallant friend,"— ^'^ that excellent officer,'' — &c.

It being determined to make a demonstration
upon the city of Baltimore, which might be con<«
verted into a real attack, should circumstancdt
appear t9 justify it, the British squadron an«
chored off the mouth of the Petapsco, on the
}ltl| of September; and, at day-light on the
12tb, the troops under Major-general Ross were
landed, near North Point. The water-approach
to Baltimore was threatened by a squadron of
frigates and sloops, under Captain Nourse of
the Severn. (App. No. 97.) Rear-admiral Cock-*
burn, giving his usual preference to the post of
danger, accompanied the major-general and the
army. In the first skirmish, the gallant major-4
general was picked off by an American rifle*
man, and breathed his last on his way to the
water-side for re-embarkation.

After the death of their brare general, the
troops, accompanied by 600 seamen under Cap«r
tayi^ Edward Crofton, besides the marines of the

IfRBAT flRlTAIN AND AMBftK^A. 38^

ftqufidrdii, a^d the 2d battalion of marines,
pushed on with impetuosity; and obtained a
victorj over the Americans, 6 or 7000 strong^,
stationed on their own ground, and protected
by field-pieces. They fled in every direction,
leaving on the field of battle a considerable
humber of killed and wounded, and two pieces
ef cannon. The further particulars of this gal-
lant aifkir wiU be found in Rear-admiral Cock-
tram's letter. ^' The brigade of sailors from his
nifljesty^s ships'* are highly spoken of by Colonel
Brooke. (App. Nc. 98.) Fortunately, the loss
hi the naval and vuarine departments, did not
exceed 7 killed, 48 wounded, and I missing.
The loss of the Americans was very great, but
could not be correctly ascertained.

The troops and naval brigade remained on
the fielclof battle all night ; and, op the morning
6f the 13th moved on towards Baltimore; which
was discovered to be defended by extremely
ititmg works on every side, and immediately in
front by an extensive hill, on which was an en-
trenched camp, and great quantities of artil-
lery : it was supposed, also, that the Americans
had from 15 to 20,000 men within their works.
Vice-admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane did not
consider it prudent to attack the city ; and, on
the morning of the 15th, the British arrived at
their place of re-embarkation, " without,'' saya
the i^ear-admiral^ *' suffering the slightest mo-
•■* . c c 3

^.,5

■ ' r

W' t

I'i,

f ^ ' ■:

888

NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

lestation from the enemy ; who, in spite of bis
superiority of number, did not even venture to
look at us, during this slow and deliberate re-
treat." — The result of the demonstration was,
the destruction by the Americans, of a quantity
of shipping, the burning of an extensive rope-
walk, and other public erections. It is to be
regretted, however, that the water-attack could
not have been persevered in, till, at least, the
new frigate Java, and the sloops of war Erie and
Ontario, had shared the fate of their sister-
vessels at Washington. As the British did re-
tire, one cannot blame the Americisns for claim-
ing the victory. Nor was it at fA\ extraordi-
nary, that they should diminish their own, and
augment our force, till they made that victory
as brilliant as they could wish.

On the 13th of December, a most gallant at-
tack was made, by a detachment of boats, under
the orders of Captain Lockyer, upon a flotilla
of American gun-boats, moored in line, with
boarding-nettings triced up, and in every respect
fully prepared for an obstinate resistance. —
(App. No. 99.) The strength of the current;
and the great distance the men had to row, oc-
casioned a part of the boats to reach the enemy
first ; but nothing could withstand the attack of
the British. Our loss was not so severe as might
have been expected. A reference to Captairt
Lockyer's letter will fully shewj what a formid-
able American force he compelled to surrender.

ORB AT BRITAIN AND AMBRIOA,

389

CHAPTER XVII.

Lake Erie — British capture the Somers and Ohio-^
AUo Scorpion and Tigress — Launching of British
and American ships on Lake Ontario — British

' storm and carry Fort Oswego — Fail at Sandy
Greek — Sir James blockades Sackett's harbour-^
Returns into port for proviiofis-^Commodore
Chauncey sails out — Comparative force of the

' two squadrons — St. Lawrence launched — Ante"
ricans retire to Sackett*s Harbour-^ An Ameri»

- can editor*s ludicrous charge against Sir James
Yeo — Operations on Lake Champlain — Equip-
ment of the Confiance — State on going into act 'on
•--Promised cO'Operation not given — Action be-*
tween the fleets— 'Captain Downie's extraordinary

• death -^British fleet surrenders-^ Declaration

. of the American comnmnder-^Damage and loss
on each side—Force of the respective squadrons — '•
American painting of the action — Statement of
comparative force-^Remarks thereon — Charges

. against Sir George Frevost — His death before

'■ trial,

M. HC possession of Captain Barclay *s fleet, had
not only given to the Americans, the entire com-^
mand of Lake Erie, and the large lakes, Huron
and Superior, leading from it, but restored to

i,»

OfO

JfAJk%> OCOURRtVCBa BBTWBIK

'k^''*t5"*"".P

: i-t

them the immense territory of Michigan, and
gained over on their side, five nations of In-
dians,— our ]a^e allies. Had the spirit of the
Americans, indeed, kept pace with the apathy
and neglect, ao conspicuous in anothet quarte^«
the province of Upper Canada could not have
held out as it did. >

On the 12th of August, the three U. S. schoon-
ers, Somers, Ohio, and Porcupine, being stationed
close to Fort Erie, then in the possession of the
Americans, for the purpose of flanking the
British army in their approach against it, Cap-
tttin Dobbs, with a detachment of about 70 sea-
men and marines from the Lake Ontario squad-
ron, succeeded in getting his gig and five bat-
teaux (magnified by the editor of the '* Sketches
of the War" into '^ 9 large boats") across by
land from the Niagara river, a distance of eight
miles. Two of the schooners, the Somers and
Ohio, were presently oarried, sword in hand;
^'■and the third," says Captain Dobbs, '* would
certainly have fallen, had the cables not been
cut; which made us drift to-leeward of her
among the rapids.'' It is almdst impossibJe,
without having been on the spot, to form an
adequate idea of the rapidity, and of course
danger, of the Niagata-stream, as it approaches
the cataract.

The British Iqss was Lieutenant RadcliflSs of
ihe Netleyj (^^te Bejresford,) an^ oo^ smmMu

•SBAT BRITAtir AND AMERICA.

801

killed ; and 4 seamen wounded. The enemy'i
losM wa« one seaman killed ; 3 officers and 4
seamen wounded. The Somers mounted two
long IS-pounden ; the Ohio one long 12, all on
pivots. £aoh schooner was commanded by a
lieutenant ; and had a complement of 35 men.
The Somers had altered her armament, «ince
the action of the last year; and, although th«
Ohio was not present in that action, her name
appears in an American list of the preceding
summer. j

When we consider that, with the Porcupine^*
the Americans had a force of 92 pounds weight
of metal, and 105 men, to oppose against not
more than 75 men, without any artillery what«
ever, the exploit of Captain Dobbs and his brave
followers, deserves every commendation. It
proved that British seam#*n could find expedi-
ents, to capture two out of three fine American
armed schooners, in waters, where the *' gig and
five batteaux'^ of the conquerors, were the only
British vessels afloat.

Some time in August, the Americans dis-
patched the schooners Tigress and Scorpion,;
trith troops, to attack Fort Mackinaw on Lake.
Huron. It is believed the schooner Ariel also
accompanied the expedition ; as she is mentioned
to have foundered in some of the dangerous

W ., ^f

■i .;*

VI ft ,

'i V

ff i\

^l\

303

NAVAL OCCURRBNCES BETW£EII^

passages between those lakes. In their main
object the Americans failed ; but they compelled
the British to destroy the small pi'ovincial
schooner Nancy, of two 4s er 6s, and the trad^
ing schooner Mink, laden with furs. Lieute->
nant Worsely who had commanded the former,
escaped with his few hands; and soon set about
repairing his loss at the enemy's expense.
^ The Tigress had stationed herself at the De^
four near St. Joseph's, for the purpose of cutting
off all supplies from the garrison at Mackinaw,
pn the night of the 3d of September, Lieute-
nant Worsely, with a petty-officer and 17 sea-
men, and a detachment of the Royal Newfound,
land regiment, amounting with their officers,
and some Indian chiefs in company, to 70 men,
embarked in four boats; and afterwards at-«
tacked, and carried, by boarding, the schooner
Tigress. A body of Indians which had set out
with the expedition from Mackinaw, was left
three miles in the rear. Lieutenant AVorselj^^
sent the prisoners, under, a guard, back td
Mackinaw ; manned the Tigress with part of
the men he ha<l remaining; and made sail in
pursuit of the Scorpion. On the morning of
the 5th, the latter returned from a cruize off
French river. At day-dawn the next morning,
she was attacked by the Tigress; and, after one»^
broadside, also carried by- boarding.

fIR'CAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

903

The British loss was, 2 seamen killed, Lieute-
nant Bulger, (the commanding officer of the dcu
•tachmei)[t,) and 7 soldiers slightly wounded. The
'American, loss was 3 seamen killed ; all tlie offii-
cers of the Tigress, and 3 seamen, severely
wounded.

'^^The Scorpion mounted one long 24, and one
long 12 pounder, both on pivots; and ^ was com-
manded by Lieutenant Turner ; with a comple-
ment of 34 men. The Tigress mounted one
long 24-pounder, on a pivot; and was com-
manded by Saving-master Champlin ; with a
complement of 28 men. They were both very
iind vessels; the former measuring 68 1-, the
latter 60^ , feet on deck. ^^'»~^

• The f* result of the court of inquiry" which
sat upon the loss of these schooners, nearly fills
a column of an American newspaper. It is there
stated, that the Tigress' crew "was composed
of men of the most ordinary class.V This is a
candid confession, and was very probably the
lease ; yet we are never allowed to make the sam«
excuse. The court of inquiry magnifies t\i6
-British force that captured these schooners, into
t^ about 300 sailors, soldiers, and Indians, con-
veyed in five large boats, armed with a 6 and
3 pounder, and 19 canoes" ; and states that th^
British, besides mouoting[ upon the Tigress their
two guns, placed on board, a complement of
<♦ frpm 70 to lOp picked men.'^ - ti.i , ^ . j

Vd:;

.KAVACi OCOmiRBirCXS BBTWBXV

ffK

«^vOn tbd Idthvof April, 1614, were launched at
JBLingston, Lake Ootario, the Britisk frigates
JVince Regent and Princess Charlotte ; the iw-
•mer of 1310, the latter of 815 tons. The ar-
niamentofeadi ship here follows: >

"Spar-^ieck, <

•ef*

Prince Regeut.

28 long 24 pndrs.

4 24

4 carrs. 68 — —

22 32

Totals 58 guns.
Complement, 485.

PjincejBS Charlotte.

24 long 24 pndrs.

2 24 •

2 carrs. 68

14 32 — ^

42 guns.
Complement, 315.

^^ The 68-pound carronades are the same that
were mounted last year, on board the Wolfe and
iloj^al George. (See p. 297.) The latter, now
named the Nii^ara, had replaced the two 68s
with two long 18-pound»s ; die former, now the
Montreal, her four, with the same number of
d2-pound carronades. The schooners Moiraand
Sidney Smith were altered into brigs, and itheir
names changed to the Cbarwell and M^net; as
were the names of the Melville and Beresford to
the Star and Net ley; but, it is believed, no
alterations, beyond those already mentioned,
were made in the armaments of any of the British
vessels.

i, Befom the end of Mfirch, Commodore Chaun«
C9y bad succeeded. in equipping two large brig*
sloops, the Jones and Jefferson, of S3Q {XiO

«Ri;4T BRITAlIf ANP AMRRICIA<

Aai^HcMSin, App. No^ 650 tojiM»ea«h. It Ihis been
st9^d> that th^y carried 43-poifrnd carronades,
and mounted 24 gii^!^ each; but the/ wUl faia
co«if»idered a^ hayJQg mouttted the same as the
U. S. ships Frolic aod Pes^ock, (see p. 336 and
343,} with thie addition pf a long 24-poundei^
^^n a traversing carriage. The Sjiph, now a
brig^ (see p, 301,) mounted, ip lieu of her former
armament, fourteen carronades, 24^pounders».
and two long I2a, On the 1st of May, was;
launched at Sackett's Harbour^ the Superior, o£
about 1580 tons, pierced for 64 guns; (App*
No. 65.) and, on the 11th of June, the A^ofaawk^
of about 1230 tons. The following is stated as
the armaments of these two ships: '

■ MHV^^i^'S •#* Tti f»#H4v'

Superior.

Main-deck, S0loiig(Coli.*)S2 pndrs.
Spar.dpck,(3^— 1^— :

Total, 62 guns.
Gomplement^ 550.

Mohawk. ,|^

28 long 24-pndr«.

2 24

IScarrs. 42 ^~*

'""" -\

48 guns.

Complement, 460,

At the close of the operations of the last yeaiy
Commodore Chauncey bad eight schooners, be-
sides the Sjlpb. (See p. 303.) He appears, this
year, with only seven schooners; making, with'
his two frigates, a total of thirteen sail. The
deficient schooner will be considered to have

■I !-■■ r-^.'jR

i 4?

f . .. . :u'

l.M

' & f

> H

dOd

NATAL 0CCURRBNCE8 BETWEEM*

had the same amiainent as the Growler or Julia;
whose force as well as that of all the other yes-
sels of the last year's squadrons, both British
and American, will be found at p. 297 and 298;
^> Intelligence having been receiyed that, at
Oswego, on this lake, the Americans had, by
river^navigation, collected from the interior,
several heavy guns, naval stores for their ships,
and large depdts of provisions for their army, an
attack upon the fort and town was determined
upon; although the position was a very for-*
midable one. On the 5th of May, the Britiste
fleet, consisting of seven sail, (the Netley, late
Beresford, being absent,) appeared off the port?
but, just as the men were on the point of land^
ing, a heavy gale from the N. W. obliged the
ships to gain an offing: in which attempt, some
boats were necessarily cut adrift. The Ameri-
can editors, making a proper . use of this, as-
serted, that the " shore-battery compelled, the
^Wtish to retire to their shipping/' Early the
next morning, every thing being ready, 140
t^FOops^ 200 seamen, armed with pikes, under
Captain Mulcaster, and 400 marines, were put^
into 4he boats ; and, under cover of the ships,.'
the landing was effected; in spite of a heavy (ire
of Tound, grape, and musketry from the shore,
The men, having to ascend a very steep and long^
hill, were greatly exposed, but their gallantry
•vercame every obstacle* They threw them*

•REAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA*

997.

•elves into the fo8s6, and gained the ramparts;
and Lieutenant John Hewitt, of the marines^,
climbed the flag-staff, under a heavy fire^ and
struck the American colours, which . had beenL
nailed to the mast. — The British lost in this
afiair 22 killed, and 73 wounded. The Ameri-o
cans acknowledge a loss of 69 in killed,^
wounded, and missing. Mr. Low declares 6ur
loss to have been been 235 ; and that we landed
«« 2000 men.'* The editor of the ** Sketches of
the War" says, '* 3000 men;*' and bpeaktf of the
British vessels, thus: — ** Their principal ship^
and the other frigates^^' &c* ;

u^ The British carried away tiath them, seven
long guns, 32s and 24s, a great quantity of ord-
nance stores, and large rope, 2400 barrels of
provisions, and three schooners. They destroyed^
three long 24-pounder guns^ one long 12, and
two long 6s, a schooner, the barracks, and all;
the other public buildings. One of the schooners:
was the Growler, late Hamilton. Besides the
above, a quantity of cordage, and other naval,
stores, and three long 32-pounders, were sunk'
in the river by the Americans themselves. Mr*-
Low, the war-historian, comprises all this loss
in, — *' Eight pieces of cannon, and some stores,
worth about 100 dollars" ! ,

The guns and stores for the new ship Supe-
rior, had, unknown to the British, been removed

f*^:

y r ;

WJL'^kt cfC(ftiitiVi4^t» WtTVrtETlt

1 1

-M-

inhtt OBvregb^ j^tiouV to the attinck; ^9
teacked Sacketf s-harboar, ^kreify hy land-coti-
▼er^noe. After departing from Oifwego, S'tt
Jtfm^s atidbored oft Sackett's-harbour ; wMck
pott k« bkiekaded, tilt the early part of Jnlj ;
when it b^^ame necessarj io return to Kingston
lor provitioiM. The Americfan ship Stipetior
had cvrtavnfy b««n ready for several days; and
the Mohawk was eqttipping with great expe-
ditkm.

' On the 90lh of Mf^, the daring (spirit of the
Bfitish officers: and seamen, and their total
unacquaintance with ambuscades, led to an unfor-
tvmite failure. Ca^aihs Popbam and Spils-
biiry, with a detachment of seamen and marine^,
amounting to 181, pursued into Sandy*creek,
(aboat 18 miles from Sackett's-harbour,] a do-
ti^ of 18 boats, carrying a number of cannon,
find other stores, for the new vessels. The Bri-
tish landed ; and were-nnexpectedly assailed by
1110 ril^emen, 4 field-pieces, nearly 200 Indians,
and a numerous body of militia and cavalry.
The resistance of the British was noble. The
winding of the creek, and the thickness of the
wood on its borders, gave tlie enemy great ad-
"vantages. After a loss of 18 killed, and 50
dangerously wounded. Captain Popham and his
party surrendered.

On the 1st of August, the American coni^'

•KBAT RRlTAIir ANtf" AMtRftf A.

M»

milder, having hivseoofld frigate, the Mohaivrk^
ready for the lake, again ventiiTed out of port;
Here the British were onoe more accaMd of un^
witlliigiiei» to fight ^* on equal terms." How
fiir that was the case, at any time previotfs tcf
the launching of the St. LAwrence^ the foUowiog
•tatement will sLew :— ^

Comparative forc$ of ihe two squadfon^

BrifMh.

Broadside C 1. guns, 941^
metal m\
pounds, ' carr. 1810

Complements,
Size in tons.

American.

658^

The British column, compared with No. 1^
thews the relative force of the parties at tho
sacking of Oswego ; with No. 2, the same, for
some day^ before Sir James gavo up the blockadv
of SackettVharbour ; with No. 3^ until the ^<
Lawrence appeared on the lake.

Admitting.it was prudent not to be provoked
by the roaring of Sir James's cannon at Oswego^
(where he had one vessel short of the numbei^
comprised in the statement,) what reasonablo
excuse had Commodore Chauncey, for submit*
ing to the indignity of being blockaded ; and
that, too^ by an officer, whom he had boasted ^f

R I. i

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4Q(^ JfAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

having 80 often " chsised round the lake''?-^
^Vas he determined not to ri^k a battle, unless
he had three to two in his favor ? i

About the middle of October, when the seasoir
for cruizing on the lake was almost over^ the
British succeeded in getting ready their large*
ship St. Lawrence, of 2305 tons ; and intended
to mount 112 guns. A *' peep into Kingston"
by on6 of Commodore Chauncey*s small vessels,
gave him timely, notice of this ;, and .he retired
to Sackett's -harbour, to stir out no more. All
agreed in the propriety of this; but still the
preponderance of force was not so great, on Si^
James's side, as it had hitherto been (except at
the Oswego-attack) on the side of Commodore
Chauncey. ^ ' \

The Americans, however, declared the supe-
riority would be " overwhelming ;" and com-
menced building two 74s, (so to be fated,) eacb
of whose broadsides would have about equalled
that of the St. Lawrence. To meet this, on Our
part^ a 74 was commenced upon ; and a frigate;
like the Princess Charlotte, Constructed i but^
before th^ lakes wc^e open in the ensuing spring,
peace came ; otherwise, there is no saying whe-*
ther the building mania would not have Conti*
nued, while room remained on the lake for
working the ships. >

f The editor of the '' Naval Monument/' justly
apprehending greater difl^culty in composing »

6RBAT BRITAIN AND AMEIlICA.

401

Pfefacie, than he had experienced in compilfng
his choice collection of newspaper-scraps, hired
k scribbling zealot, or a *' literary gentleman/'
as he styles him, of Boston, to do it for hi^.
Sixteen close pages, where two would have suf-
ficed, render it probable, that the writer engaged
by the quantity, rather than the quality, of the
matter he was to furnish ; or, perhaps, he re-
cdved so much a score for the hard names he
could heap upon tbe British. He has honored
Sir James Lucas Yeo, by referring to him in the
following question : — ''/What perseverai e was
ever more indefatigable than Chauncey's in pur-
suit ;-— unless, indeed, that of his adversslry in
patience ? — an adversary, not only beaten, but
impossible to be made to fight; and he the sole
British commander, on his return from the
lakes, able to say even that.'' — It would be an
affront to the reader, not to allow him to make
his own comments upon this meat ludicrous
charge against Sir James Lucas Yeo!\> i ;ua lo

.■ . ;

Lake Champlain is a lake of North America;
dividing the N.E. part of the stslte of New York
from that of Vermont. It is 80. miles long, 18
where broadest, and the mean width abou^ 6.
This lake receives the waters of Lake George from
the S. by South river ; and sends its own waters a
N. course, through Sorrel river, into the St. Law-
rence ; to which, however, there is no navigation.

i> D

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40%

NAVAL OCCURKENCES BBTWJSBit

As early as the year 1776, two forqudable
British and American, flotillas appeared on thi»
lake. Between them, they mounted upwards of
180 heavy guns; and we could thenafibrd, **from
the king's ships at Quebec,, and tranqiOFts, 8
officers, 10 petty-offioc^, and 670 men.^'-^
{Schamberg's Nav.ChconoL VjoL, i?. p. 324.)

The first naval event of the late war, upon,
this lake, occurred on. the 3d' of June, 1813.
Two American sloops appeared in sight of the
British garrison at Isle an Noix. / Three gun-
boats immediately got under weigh to attack
them ; and the crews of two batiieaux and two
sow-boats, were landed, to annoy the enemy in
the rear; the channel being very narrow. After
a contest of three hours and a half, the two
sloops surrendered. They proved to^ be the
Growler and Eagle, mounting 11 guns, and
liaving a complement of 60 men, each ; both
under the command of Lieutenant Sidney.Smith,
of the United States' navy* We lost 3 men
wounded: the Americans, 1 man killed; 8 se-
verely wounded ; and, including the latter, 9d
prisoners. No British naval officer was present.
The feat was performed by detachments of the
XOOtb regiment, and royal- artillery, under the
direction of Mii|or Taylor, of the former. '

On the 1st of August, some officers and sea*
men having arrived from Qnebeo,^ Captain
Everan)^ (late of the Wasp brig«) with the two

I -w^

ARBA'T BRffAlM AVn AMBUf^A?.

403

{>rize-sloops, three gun-boats, and several bat-
teaox, entered Plattsburgh ; where he destroyed
all the enemy's arsenah, block-houses, barracks^
and stores of every description ; together with
the extensive barracks at SaranaC \,

Captain Everard, in his lettet, says : — '* Hav*
ing captured and destroyed four vessels^ without
any attempt on the part of the enemy's armed
vessels to prevent it ; and seeing no prospeet of
inducing him to quit his position, where it watf
impossible for me to attack him, 1 am now re-
turning to execute my original order/^ *

This enterprising officer proceeded afterwardtl
off Burlington- and Shelbnrne ; where he- seized
and destroyed several sloops laden with provi-
sions ; and did other considerable injury: At
this time, according to Mr. Low, *' the United
States troops at Burlington, under command of
Major-general Hampton, consisted of about
4000 men ;** and Mr. Clarke informs us, that, on
the 20th of August, *^ the American naval force
on Lake Champlain consisted of° —

'«' The President,
' Commodore Preble,
Montgomery,
Frances,

Two gun-boats, one 18-pounder,each,
Six scowsj one 12-pounder, each,

Guos,

Gttoi.

11
11

4%"

D D 3

h \

m '

1^04 NAVAL OrCURRRNCKS BETWEEN

. But, lest the American reader should enquiNi
ffhj Commodore Macdonough, with such a
force, did not attempt to capture or drive off
the British '* marauding party,'' Mr. Clarke de-
scribes the prize-sloops Growler and Eagle
(without naming them) as *' two large sloops
of war" ! (N. Hist. vol. i. p. 232.)

During the summer of 1814, each party strove
to out-build the other, in tiqae to commence
operations on the lake before the season closed.
The Americans, being quite at home, got a for-
midable force equipped, long before the prin-
cipal vessel of the British was even off the
stocks. This ship, named the Confiance, was
launched on the 25th of August. On the 3d of
September, Captain Downie arrived from Lake
Ontario, i ccompanied by his late first«lieuteuant
in the Montreal, to take the command of the
vessels upon this lake ; consisting, besides the
Confiance, of a brig, the two cutters or sloops
before-named, and 10 gun-boats.

Between the 25th of August, and the 10th of
September, a crew was got together for the Con-
fiance ; which vessel they had to mast and rig ;
and equip with guns and ordnance-stores. Cap-
tain Pring, in his official letter, says this crew
was made up of draughts from different ships.
That this was really the fact, will appear from
the following list, comiprising the names of the
ships out of .which they were draughted, &c.

f»

jj!>;

v*i.

■If

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA. 40S

Officers, including midshipmen, fiO '^'

Seamen, originally on the lake, .14

from H.M.S. Leopard, 67

Ceylon, £5

Ajax, 10

Warspite, 12

Vigo, 8

Indian,

Linnet, - I

' Cornelia, 1

> ^> Royal SoYeneign, 8

Montreal, 8
transports, (ent. for a limited time,) 2i»

Impressed men, 4

^Volunteers, 2

Taken out oi prison, 1
Marines, from battalion, and different ships, 65

Royal artillery, -9

Marine-artillery, > 8

39th regiment of foot, 10

Total of Confiance's complement, 270

If thift is not a motley collection, there surely
never was one ! Among the number, there were
19 foreigners, and 6 boys. The seamen wera
inen of inferior quality and character ; and who^
as it is termed, volunteered, or rather, were
forced from their respective ships ; where they
had been in disgrace. Some of them, indeed,
had been liberated from irons, for the very pur-^
pose of proceeding to the lakes ! None of the
,inai4nes joined earlier than the 9th of Septem*

I ■ •■.

'IV

*I1

r-,-5'

^406 NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

ber ; and a part of the seamen, only the night
before the action. Of course, time did not ad-
mit of the men becoming acquainted with their
officers, or with each other. Captain Downie
himself was acquainted with no officer on board
his ship but his first-lieutenant ; and the latter
with none of the other officers !

Ofk the 10th of September, his Excellency Sir
George Prevost, the commander in chief, called
for the instant co-operation of the naval force,
in a meditated attack upon the American fleet
and works at Plattsburg. It was solemnly
agreed, that the attack by land and water should
be simultaneous; and proposed, that Cap-
tain Downie, should give notice to the army of
his approach towards the enemy, by scaling the
guns of the Confiance.

.Captain I)ownie's situation wa« one of pecu-
liar delicacy. While he was fully, aware of
the unprepared state of his own ship, he knew
Ihat a powerful British army was anxiously
waiting to co-operate ; and that the season for
active warfare was rsipidly closing* The slight^
(BSt backwardness on his part might vaj^te th?
reputation of himself and tho3e placed ufider
his command ; and,-^had he not the most posif
tive assurance, that the enemy's works should b^
stormed by the troops, at the very mon^lit hi
was seen advancing to attack their fleet ? <?

Wheii the American people, in $hQ aiimmer of

eRCAT BRITAIN AND AMEftTCA.

idT

XSi4if wine blaming Commodore Chauticey fcft
not leaving Sackett's harbom', in the new ships
Superior and Mohawk, after the latter had been
lattnched nearly two, and the former npwardii
<of three months, that ijantious commander,
under date of the 10th of August, writes to thie
secretary of the American navy, thus : — <* 1 need
not Miggest to one ^f your eacperience^ that a
man xnf war may appear to the eye of a lauds^
man, perfectly ready for sea, when «he is deft-
cieirt in tn^ny of th6 fittost lissentiai points ctf
h«^ BtwkiWtmt i tior how nmi^orthy I should have
proved myself of the high trust reposed in me^
liaid I vtentAved to «ea in the iaee of an enemy
«f equal ioroe, wiihout being able to meet him
tn one hour after my anchor was Weighed."-^
How admirably this Hts the ease of the Coi^^
^awce ! And what BritOn does not regret, that
tt vfery small poftionof Commodore Chaunc^fyls
pmdenoe, was not bestowed upon the framed
of the expedition to HattsburgP

On the nh^rntng of the 11th, with the cafr&>
penters still working nt her^ and faalf-Htted as
she was, the Confiance, accompanied by thd
other British vessels, stood into the enemy's bay.
Captain Downie then acquainted the crews of
the different vessels^ with the promised co«
opemtion; and, juist before the action com-
menced, lieutenant Robertson went htnnelf
round the Confia«ice^ quarters, Rn4 explakged

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iu i

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'Hi.

--V

lihi

408

NATA.L OCCURRENCES BETWEEH

particularlj to the crew, the nature ofthiico^
operation, as he had understood it from Captain
]>ownie. The guns of the Confiance were
scaled seyeral times, as was agreed upon ; but
the signal was not answered from the army. To
the honor of the soldiers, and the officers in
general, they all panted to rush forward ; nay,
they had advanced to the Tery picquets of the
enemy ; when it was thought advisable to check
their glorious career. Two hours more would
have given a victory to both army and ni^vy,
instead of a flight to onc» and a d^at to the
other! . f^

Captain Downie now discovered, too late, the
mistake his confidence, had led him into. His
squadron was already in the enemy's bay ; where
were lying, moored in line, a ship, brig, schooner,
sloop, six rowogallies, and four guurboats, anx*
lously awaiting the attack. (App. No. 00,) Ser
veral British o0icers who, since the conclusion
of the war, have surveyed the Plattsburg bay
and works, are fully of opinion that, both squa»
drons were vitbin reach of the American bat«
terie«« on shore.

Unfortunately, as the British squadron ad*
Tanced to the attack, a very light air, amount-
ing almost to a calm, gave the American . row^
gallies and gun-boats an opportunity of com*
'mencing upon the Confiance, which was the
lr}ttding ship, a heavy and galling (ire. Having

¥;l

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMBRICA.

409

two anchors shot away from her bow, she was
obliged to anchor, not so advantageously as bad
-been intended. The Linnet bi^g, and Chobb
cutter, took their allotted stations ; but the lat?
ter presently had her main-boom shot away;
and, drifting within the enemy's line, was com-
pelled to surrender. The Finch had the misfori*
tune, while proceeding to her station, to strike
on a reef of rocks off Crabb-island ; where there
was an American battery of two guns, which
fired at the Finch, and wounded two of her men t
the only loss she -sustained. Not a word of this
appears in the American official^ accounts ''' "^^^

AH the gun-boats, except the Murray, Bere^'
ford, and another, ** abandoned the object as-
signed them ;** (App. No. 90 ;) that is, ran away^
almost as soon as the action rommeneed !^-Alt
surprise at this will cease, when it is known,
that not one of the gun-boats had more than
three seamen on board; their crews, with the
exception of a few marines in some of them,
being composed of a small detachment of the
d9th regiment, and of Canadian militia, who
spoke the French language only.

The American 42ommander, Macdonougb,
aware that the British official account would
forcibly dwell upon the hurried, half-finished
state of the Confiance, and upon the accidental
absence and defection of a part of the squadron^
takes care to be be£ore-hand, by stating thus i-^

■i :f

ti' <

i{ >=

410

NATAI. 0CCURRCNCC8 BETWEBH

'* For several daye^ the enemy wei^ on their way
to Plattsburg by land and waUr, In tliis sitaa^
tMMi» the whifk force en heith sides beoame en*
mi^ed.'' (Af>p. No. Oft.) ^

>>7 Within 15 minutes aiter the iconiiMencemeirt
of the action, fell the British icommanding offi^
«er, the brave, the lamcttited Captain Downie.
The way in wfttiioh hie met his death, is of too
•xtraovdibaiy m natore to be passed over. A
ihot irom the enemy stmdL one of the Confr-
anoe^ M-pouaders, and threw it completely off
ithie Cailiage, against Captain D6wme» who was
standing ahMe ihi the rear of h. He received
the Mow vpOH his right groia ; and, although
aignt of life Iwniained ibr a lew minotes,
never spoke afterwatlihi. No pint ibf his skin was
bfokdn : a black mark, about the circumference
of « sinafl plate, was the only visible injury.
HiAvralcli wasfonnd flattened, with the hands
pointing to the hour, teinute, and second, at
which the fatsd blow was given !

The circumstance of the Confiance not bein^
able, owing to the loss and damage she had sos-
tained, to bring a fresh broadside to bear, as the
Saratoga had succeeded in doing, was fatal to
the former. She had every gun on the 8tar»
board side loaded with two shot, besides
irattister; idso 17 of her guns disabkd; and
many of the others encumbered by wreck. The
marines were of no use^ l» the action was fought

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

411

oat of the range of miisketiy. In this nta»-
tion. Lieutenant Robertson, the Confianoe's tar-
yiving commanding officer, yery propetly nuida
the signal of sulMnission.

The Linnet brig foaght most gallantljr^ and
actually drove ker verj superior antagonist, tlio
•Eagle, for shelter^ between the Saratoga and
Ticonderoga. Commodore Macdonoogh assignb
a diil^rent reason for the Eagle's shifting ber
station, — her ''not being able to bring her guns
to bear.'' (App. ^o. 92.) It wim not till 15
minutes after the surrender of tho Confiaiic%
and, when left alone in ^m con^t, that tim
brave little Linnet bawled down her coknira
The Americans admit that the action lasteilb
without intermission, two hours and 20 tnialites.
«.« I Commodore Macdonougb> takii^ Lieutenant
Robertson, wfa^n presenting his sword, for the
British commanding offiiceiv spoke tO him as foK
|ows:-r^<^*f lybw mp^t^jir, to the shameful cotih
duct of yotif gun-hoaii and cuiterti that yim art
perforfmng this office to me ; fori had they ddni
their duty J yom must have perceived, from the ti»
Hiation qf ilks Saratoga^ that I could hold out nk
longer : and indeed, nothing, induced me io keep
up her colours, but seeing, from the united fire of
all the reot of my squadron on the Confiunce, and
hef unsupported situation, that she must ultimate^
surrender" — Here is an acknowledgment, can^
did and honorable in the extrenuu.'— Can this

./^

i'( ••

f'\ !;

1,
\

'i ^ '

r-.

11 . :'

p- I -I \i

I-

>ii

)

41ft

NATAL OCCimREIlCES BETWBiBir

be the «• T. Macdonough" whose signature api
pears to the two American official accounts of
the action?

The state ot the two squadrons after the
action, appears in the letters of Captain Pring,
and Commodore Macdonough. And Captain
Henley, of the Eagle, so long engaged with the
linnet, states that his vessel had thirty nine
round shot in her hull, and four in her lower*
masts. None' of the British gun-boats were
innk,or even injured. Commodore Macdonough,
disc6yering, with his glass, 10 gun-boats only,
when he had been informed therie were 13, wrote
down at once >-^*^ Three of their gallies are said
to be sunk.'' «r

The Confiance*s loss, as appears by Captaih
Pring's letter, could not at the time be accu-
irately obtained. That ship had 83, instead of
40 wounded. This makes the total loss on the
British side, 54 killed^ and 116 woundied. The
Chubb's loss amounted to half her complement.
The gun-boats sustained no loss whatever.

The loss on the American side appears not to
have been fully given. The ** list of killed and
wounded troops of the line, acting marines on
board the squadron,'' forwarded by Captain
Voungsof the 'a5th Infantry,*' (App.No.93,)
has beeii kept back. Besides, it is clear that
^* 58 killed," and only "58 wounded" are out
<af all propi^^ion. With nearly the same num«

CniBAT BRITAIN ASW AMBRtOA.

4f5

ber of killed, our wounded were just double the
American wounded. Consequently, exclusive
of the ''killed and wounded troops of the line,**
the slightly wounded, on board the Amerioan
squadron have not been enumerated.
. Commodore Macdonough sajs: — *'' The ene-
my's shot passed principally just over our headi."
r—The Saratoga's loss in the action proves, that
either the Confiance*s .guns were fired low
enough, or that 27 at least j of the Saratoga'i^
men, were of an extraordinary height. Let it be
recollected, that no. musketry was employed on
either side. — One tenth of the drilling which,
9s the commodore says. First-lieutenant P^riy
gave to the Saratoga's men, . would perhaps'
have saved the Confiance's newly arrived ship's
company from this intended reproach.

By admitting Commodore Macdonough's
statement of tlie guns of the American, (App/-
No. 92.) yie may be allowed to introduce Cap-
tain Pring*s statement of the guns of the Britisbr
squadron; (App. No. 90;) although the latter
should differ j in some points, from that which
the commodore has given to the public. .

The Coniiance mounted twenty-six long. 24-
pouuders upon the main or flush-deck; also two
carronades, 32- pounders, out of the bridle or
bow ports, and the same out of the stern-ports.,
Vpon the poop were mounted four carronades,:
24-pounders; and upoQ the top-gallant-fpre-

; ; ih 'l;M

Mi ' '

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^ H

NATAL OCCURABNCBS BBTWBBIf

castle, two caruonades, 24-pounder8, togetfaef
with a long 24opounder, upon a trarereing car*
riage. But, in conseqiMnce of there being
only a ridgeosope or rail round either the poo^
or top-gallant-forecastle, the guns, there sta-
tioned, were disabled after the first discharge.
Thejr will, however, be estimated as part of the
ship's force ; but not the cavronades out of the
bridle and stern porta, becauso they could not
b«: used in the broadside. Therefore, although
the Confiance mounted, altogether, 37 guns, she
fought 17 only upon the broadside. I'here were
alim in the hold, as part of the ballast, two long
ISipounders. These, Commodore Macdonough
has; shifted to the ** berth^deck," and actually,
in his statement of force, carried out, as part of
the Confiance's <« 39 guns'' !

Captain Downie, havings no gun-locks on
board, (they being in the Junon frigate^ which
had not arrived at Quebec in time,) attempted
to substitute = carronade-lock»; which he con-
trived to fasten to the guns by means of cop-
per hoops. But the plan waa not found to aB->
swer; and matches were resorted to. Deter-
mined that we^ should dertve> no advantage from
publishing this fact, an American -paper subjoins
to an exaggerated account of the Confiance'tf
force in guns,*-^'* with locks" Any thing of this
sort travels all through the United States^ as fast
as the mail can carry it.

dliJIAT BHITiilN AND AMERICA. 4\y

Commodore MacdoDong|i» in a second oflif^ial
tettar, Mys,^* The Saratoga was twice set pi^
fice by hot shot fired from the enemy's ship.'*—,
The hitter pact of this assertion is as gross a,
£dsebo6d as ever was uttered ; and, from thi|
notorious fact, that nother the Confiance, nor.
any other of the British, vessels, had a fumaco!
on board, the writer must (shame to say!) hayek
known, it to be a fidsehood. Had such, a disco*
veiy been made, there would have been para*
^raph after paragraph,^ and column after co<i>
lumn, of well-merited abuse! Lieutenant (ncm
Captain) Robertson* of the Confiance, has de-
clared, that the Saratoga certainly received somci
hot shot in ,the action, but that it must bavci
been froDLthe American batteries: — much more
likely places to find furnaces for heating shot,
than on board the just-launched, half-equipped^
Confiance.

'^The Linnet mounted sixteen long 12-pound-,
ers. Although Commodore Macdonough giveS]
her no mone, Sir George Prevost, in his ofiicial«
despatch, says :-^*' Linnet, 18 guns/' The cutter)
Chubb mounted ten carronades, IS-pounders,,
and one long 6-pounder ; the cutter Finch, six
oannnades, 18-pounders, and four long 6-pound-,
ers: the American account adds, '* one colum-
biad 16-pounder ;" which must be a mistake.
These two cutters are named, in Sir George's,
letter. Broke and Shannon.

pW'

'ill ;

^1 '

'PS ■'I
X

v -'■ ^

ii^

'ij

4ld NAVaL OC0UliftB!^CB8 BBTWRliltf'

' There were but ten gun-boats, instead of
twelve, as stuted by Sir George Prevost in bin
official despatch, and thirteen, as stated by Com-
itaodore Macdonough. Of the ten gun-boats,
two mounted a long 24, and a 32 pound carron-
ade, each ; one a long 18, and a 32 pound carrOn-
ade; four a long 18, each; and the remaining
three, a 32-pound carronade, each; total 13
guns. Commodore Macdonough's statement
diflTers much less from this than might be ex-
pected; considering that none of the gun -boats
^ame into his possession.

'"The *' Burlington Centinel/* an American
Newspaper, says : **• By the official accounts of
the Champlain action, it appears/ 37 officers,
and 340 seamen, were taken prisoners.'' The
*' Naval Monument,'' instead of this list, has
inserted one, containing the names of the paroled
British officers, as low down as the carpenter ;
amounting in ^U to 26: therefore the newspaper-
account of the number of officers, must be in-
correct. The ** Sketches of the Waf," states
thus: — *' The enemy's loss was, 84 men killed,
110 wounded, and 856 prisoners; who alone
amounted to a greater number than those by
whom they were taken." Typographical errors'
are much more frequent among figures than
words; and no two written figures are so often
confounded as the 3 and 8. Considering that
the Americans estimated the total of thef crews

OREJLT BRITA.IN AND AMERICA.

41V

of the captured British vessels at no more than
600, it will be but charitable to suppose, that
the. typographical error of substituting an 8 for
a 3, existed in the newspaper, pamphlet, or
whfiteyer it was, from which the paragraph had
beep copied. In that case, 356 would be the pum*-
befof prisoners; not so many by 10, as the list
of paroled officers, added to the '* 340 seamen''
frpm the ** Burlington Centinel/' would give.

Perhaps, the best way to establish the point,
will be to deduct from the actual compleipent^
of the captured vessels, the British return of
killed ; and then see what remains.

Confiance,
Linnetj
Chubby
Finch,

Deduct killed in action,

Actnal sorfipIemQnU

270

420
d4

_ .No. of prboners, in all, 366

After this exposition, it is surely unnecessary
to si^>pose a doubt can exist, as to the number
of men and boys composing the united comple-
ments of the captured Bntish vessels.

Two of the British gun-boats had 35 men and

boys each ; one 33 ; four, 29 each ; and the re-s>

maining three, 25 ekch; total 394 men and

boys: while the Americans gave the ^' 13 gun*

boats,*' 350 men.

s E

n 5 f j] i

Mi!

lip

tlB

IfAYAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

I The Linnet, and the two cutters, had their
complements chiefly made up of detachments of
the 30th regiment, and of Canadian militia who
could speak little or no English t mkI the gun-
t)oats, as stated before, bad only three seamen to
«ach. The number of boys is not exactly
known ; therefore, they will not be enumerated
in the estimate of comparative force.

The armament of the American vessels appears
in the statement subjoined to Commodore Mac-
donough's official letter. All the guns on board
the rowogallies and gttn-boaff», the same as on the
British side, will be brought into the broadside^

The following list comprizes the number of
men, which the American officers assured Captain
Pring, was the regular complement of each of
iber vessels.

•.

Men.

Saratoga^

«50

Eagle,

14£

Ticonderoga^

115

Pi^ble,

Six lateen-rigged gun-boats, or row

■}

£46

gallies, 41 men each.

Four lugger-rigged ditto, 25 each,

100

Total, 898

But the detachments of the 6th, 15th, and
33d U. S. infantry, ** acting marines on board
the squadron,'' are not included in the above
jBtatement. Admitting the draughts from the
three regiments, to have amounted to no more

•IkBAT BRiTAIIf AND AMERICA.

419

than a company, or captain'o command, the
Huitad complomentii of the American vesseU
would be, at least, 9.5^; which, therefore, will
be the number fixed.

The American newspapers, of dates nianj
weeks anterior to the action, announced that
their squadron on Lake Champlain, was com-
pletely m.mned by seamen, drafted from the
different ships on the sea-board. The gun-bomts
bad on board most excellent artillerists ; such
as, from their station between the large vessels
and the battenes, contrived to strike the Britisir,
between wind and water, almost every shot.
• The public has heard much of the *^ frigate*'
Confiance. She is no more a frigate than the
Ai erican ships General Pike and Madison on
Lake Ontario. Is extraordinary size to consti*
tiite a ^ frigate"? The American corvettes,
Adams and John Adams, were each larger thap
the Confiance ; and yet not called frigates. H. M.
late ship Andromeda (formerly the American
Hannibal) was broader, though a trifle shorter,
than the Confiance ; and yet she was not called
a frigate. The peculiar construction of a fri-
gate has been already defined; and, without
Commodore Macdonough can give the Confi-
ance a regular quarterdeck and forecastle, fitted
with ramparts and ports, neither his assertions,
nor the wishes of the American peopU, can make
Khat sbip a ♦* frigate."

E E 2

400

NAYAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEIT

' Having magnified the Confiance into a . ** fni*
gate,'' Commodore- Macdonough could do no
less than make '* sloops of war" of the cutters
Chubb and Finch. We have captured from the
Americans, many g^n-boats; none under 70,
and one exceeding 112 tons; being two tons
more than the largest of the commodore*s '* two
sloops of war." Would not Commodore Mac^
donough himself be one of the first to ridicule
lis, had we announced, in a public despatch,
the capture of the *' U. S. sloop of war No..
03*'? — Really, such artifices to gain public ap*
plause, are pitiful in the extreme.

To shew that we have something beyond de-
clamation to support us, when speaking of the
size of the British vessels on Lake Champlain,
here follow the principal dimensions of— as
the American newspapers denominated them—
<( four of the enemy's largest ships :"

. . .

Length.

llr#Ai1th

Drangbt
of water.

•

Gan<deck.

Actnal keel.

extreme.

Ttoit.

Ft. In.

Ft. lo.

Ft. In.

Confiance,

146 3

138

36 1|

7 10

831

Linnet,

82 Oi

^ 6i

7 6

260

Chubb,

Cut.

6 6

Finch,

Cut.

54 6

19 3

102

So that the gross tonnage of these **■ four large
ships" scarcely exceeds the tonnage of a single
American **36-gun frigate." (See p. 62.) —
This will be the proper place to introduce^ from

•

i do na
I cutters
from the
ider 70,
wo tons
*8 ''two
>re Mac«>
ridicule
lespatch,
war No.
iblic ap*

yond de-
ig of the
implain,
s of— as
them—

anght
water.

fttlt.

. In.

831
260
110
102

our large
' a single

I. ea.H

ice^ from

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

421

the '* Burlington Centinel," an American pa-
per published on the borders of Lake Cham-
plain, the following paragraph :

*' The British large ship taken by Commo-
dore Macdonough is repaired and painted. She
is undoubtedly oae of the finest ships of her
class in the British navy, mounting twenty eight
long double fortified 24r, with locks, and carry-
ing in the whole, 39 guns: she is 460 feet in
length, 40 feet in breadth; presenting a most
formidable battery, and which, if it had been
managed with the skill of a Macdonough, was
sufficient of itself, to have captured or destroyed
the whole of our fleet.''— Here, the reader dis«
covers a typographical error ; making the Con-
fiance more than double the length of the largest
ship that ever was built ! — This is from the same
paper, that over-rated the number of British
officers. The Americans are very happy in their
mistakes of this sort; seldom erring on the
wrong side.

The British gun-boats were very inferior ves-
sels of the kind; liot two-thirds the size of the
American ones, nor half so well equipped. An
average of 45 tons, ^'M be an over-estimate of
their measurement.

The size of the American vessels comes, next,
Ujider consideration. As far as the British
officers could judge, the Saratoga was of the
same length and breadth as the Confiance ; but

ri^j

\:'¥]

it ,

III

JII23

NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

lier draught of water, 12 feet and upwards, iiw
«tead of 7 feet 10 inches. The principal differ-
ence was, that the Saratoga had top-sides con-
siderably stouter than those of the Confiance,
and no useless po(^ or top-gallant forecastle^
Admitting a trifling superiority of siza in the
Confiance, 800 tons will be a fair estimate for
the Saratoga. We may judge through what a
false medium the Americans have viewed the
Confiance, by the following extorted confession
of a Boston reviewer, while remarking upon
Mr. Corney's painting of this " memorable
contest :" — ^* The artist has made use of a stra-t
tagem to flatter the public, in representing the
J£.ng\\sh frigate, which was commanded by Com-*
modore Downie, of disproportionate size, parti-
cularly in the second painting."

The brig Eagle is about similar in si'^ae to the
Lawrence or Niagara on Lake Erie, say 450
tons. As to the schooner Ticonderoga, the
American papers, at the time of her launch, an-r
nounced her as a fine vessel of about 400 tons ;
and the gallies or gun-boats, particularly the
six. new ones, were described as very superior,
vessels. These must have been, at least 85 tons
each ; while 70 tons may serve for the average of
the I'emaining four. The Preble is stated to be
a similar vessel to the Chubb and Finch. *

Thecutter Finch, having, while proceeding to
her station, got fast aground ; and then become

hf"

ORBA.T BRITAIN AND AMBRICA.

49S

engaged with the American battery on Crab
island, no more took part in the action with
Commodore- Macdonough's squadron, than the
American sloops Montgomery and Presidept, olT
10 guns each, deseribed by an American paper,
the ''^l^a/cAinan/' as having also formed part of his
force on that lake. As to the British gun-boats,
only three out qf the ten, engaged at s^U ; and
they, being unsupported, were 90on compelled
to retrefit. Although the American batteries oq
shore, it is believed, did not fire, except at the
Fiqch, (and yet, whence came the hot shot thai
struck the Saratoga?) they could completely
cover the American gun*boats, in case any atn
tempt had be^n mnde to carry them by board-
ingr; and Mr. C^orney's celebrated painting, ati<^
cording to the '' Key" of it, represents, besidei^
** Commodore Downie's big ship Confiance,"-- 1
*' American militia ready to sissist,'' in casQ
any of the British vef^ls h^d got on shore. lo;
this very painting, is also seen, the Americai\
sloops Montgomery and President, at anchors
close to the scene of action. Under all thesct
circumstances, neitheir the cutter Finch, nor.
more than half the united forcie of the British^
gun-boats will be considered as having had any
share in the action. At the same time, no notice
will be taken of the American sloops Montgo-
mery and President, the batteries on shore, or
the *' militia ready to a#sist."

j^'

!• ', . ;

••i

\ \

(lis 'I ■ ,

U A

424 NATAL OCCUARENCfeS BETWEEN

Comparative force of the two squadrons.

^roadside-metal C long guns,
in pounds^ 1 carronades.

Complements of men and boys.
Size in tons.

British.

507
258

— 765

537

1426

American*

588
606

1194

950
2540

Here, then, are the ^^ fearful odds " to which,
My the Americans, — '* our squadron was op-
posed.** — Had not the British the "better reason
to exclaim against ''fearful odds''?— and this,
without computing the unfitted state of the
Confianee, or the motley crews with which she
and the other British vessels were manned ?
' Having seen a whole year's adulation be-
stowed upon one *' illustrious hero," for making
free with Nelson's language. Commodore Mac-
donough resolved to begin his official letter in
the same strain. He knev/ ilktutt nothing would
stamp a falsehood with currency, equal to a pious
expression.-^He, too, must proclairii his fleet-
victory ' ' a signal" one. Then, the Conflance,
he calls a *' frigate," and the two cutters, ** sloops
of war**; his falsehoods equalling, in number,
the lines of his letter !

*< After the battle ceased," says an American
paper, *' some citizens went on board, to com- *
pliment the commodore, who very seriously re-
plied, that no praise was due to him, but to the
Almighty, who had decided the contest, contrary

n i

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

4S5

to his expectation, and — all human probability**
What consummate hypocrisy !

The sentence of the court-martial upon Cap-
taiti Pring and his officers, while it honorably
acquits them, points, clearly, to the source whence
the disaster originated. ( App. Nosi 94. and 95.)
Charges were preferred by Sir James Lucas Yeo
against his k\te excellency, Sir George Prevost ;
but the latter departed this life previous to the day
of trial. The following is a list of the charges:

*' 1. — For having, on or about the 11th of
September, 1814, by holding out the expecta-
tion of a co-operatioii of the army under his
command, induced Captain Downie, late of his
msyesty's ship Confianoe, to attack the Ameri-
can squadron on Lake Champlain, when it was
highly imprudent to make such attack without
the co-operation of the land forces, and for not
having afforded that co-operation.*^

«t 2. — For not having stormed the American
work on shore, at nearly the same time that the
said naval action commenced, as he had given
Captain Downie reason to expect."

*t 3.-»For having disregarded the signal for co-
operation, which had been previously agreed
upon." y

(( 4 — Por not having attacked the enemy on
^ore, either during the said naval action, or after
it was ended ; whereby his majesty's naval squad-
ron, under the command of Captain Downie,
might have been saved."

■*

> t

fMi

''"fijiat

43# NATAL OCOURRENCBS BETWBElf

* >

CHAPTER XVIU,

President, accompanied hy a iiareship, leaves Nevf
York for the bay of Bengal-Strikes on a mud'-
hankn — Gets off, and pursues her course — Falls
in with a British squadron^^Is engaged by the
Rndymion, singly^-Cuts away the latter*s sails,
and tries to escape— 'Endymion bends fresh sails,
and resumes the chase-^Pomone and Tenedos
eofne up with the President — Pomone fires^^*
President shews a light, and surrenders without
returning the fire-^Tenedos takes possessions^
American accounts of the affair-^^Endymion's
damages^Fore^sail shipped from theyard by a
chain'shot — Endymion^s loss-^^President's da^
mages and loss-^rNo one hurt by the Pomone's
fire — Endymion's force in guns and menft—Pre"
sident^s also — Commodore Decatur and the edi-
tor of the Bermuda Gazette'^Dimensions of the
two vessels — Statement of comparative force^^^
Remarks thereon, »

On the afternoon of the 14th of January,
1815, the U. S. frigate President, Commodore
Decatur, left New York upo^ a cruize in the bay
of Bengal ; the Peacock and Hornet to join her
at the island of Tristran d'Acnnha. The Pre-»

GREAT BRITAIH AND AMBRIOA.

4ST

•ident was accompanied by the armed brig Ma*
cedonian, laden with nayal Htores and supplies.
On going out, the President struck on a mud-
bank ; and, whatever the commodore, or the
court of inquiry, (App. Nos. 103 and 105,) may
have found it convenient to say, got off without
any material damage. The two vessels pursued
their course ; and, about an hour before day«
lig^t on the morning of the 15th, were disco-
vered by the British sqrciadroa that was cruizing
off New York.

Fortunately, an extract fnjm the Endymion's
log-book has appeared in print. This docu*
ment contains a circumstantial account of the
day's proceedings ; and bears upon the face of it
the clearest evidence of authenticity.

*'At day -light in the morning," says the ex^
tract, *' all sail set in chase of a strange ship
and brig in the east; wind N.W. andbyN.
Majestic, Tenedos, and Pomone, in company.
Passed a-head of our squadron fast. At 1 P.M.
all hands at quarters, gaining fast on the chase,
and leaving the squadron. At 1. 18. observed
the chase to throw over-board spars, casks, &c.

" At 2. the chase commenced firing from her
stern-guns. At 2. 30. returned the enemy's fire
from our bow-guns. At 2. 39. a shot from the
enemy came through the head of the larboard
fore-lower-studding-sail, foot of the main-sail,
through the stem of the barge on the booms,'

•WWf

t't If

4^6

NATAL 0C0UBRBNCB8 BETWEEN

<■!.]

and going through the quarter-deck, lodged on
the main, without doing any other damage.
The chase keeping up a quick fire from her
stern-guns, returned it as our bow-guns could
be brought to bear.

** At 4. 10. shot awajthe enemy's jib-halyards.
At 4. 20. shot away the enemy's fore-top-g^Uant-
sheet ; the enemy luffing occasionally» to bring
his stern-guns to beat*. Gaining fast on the
chase ; observed that our shot did considerable
execution, the enemy's shot passing over us. At
6. 10. gained the enemy's starboard-quarter, and
preserved the position ; evidently galling him
much.

'' At 5. 30. the enemy brailed up his spanker
and bore away, shewing a disposition to cross
our bow and rake us. Put the helm hard a-ii'ea-
ther, to meet this manoeuvre ; and brought the
enemy to close action in a parallel line of sail-
ing. At 6. 4. the enemy commenced firing
musketry from his tops; returned it with the
y;)arine-party. Hauled up occasionally, to close
the enemy, without losing the bearing of our
broadside ; enemy now distant half musket-
shot. Our sails and rigging much cut ; the ene-
my's fire slackening considerably.

** At 6. 40. the enemy hauled up, apparently
to avoid our fire. Succeeded in giving him two
raking broadsides, and then hauled up also ;
again placing ourselves on his starboard-quarter.

! 1

ORSAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

439

At 7. 15. the enenqy shot away our boat from
the larboard*quarter, and lower, and main-top^
gallant, studding-sails.

** At 7. 18. the enemj not returning our fire;
At 7. 35. the enemy kept more away, and re-
commenced firing. At 7. 30. the enemy shot
away the larboard main-top-mast-studdiiig-sail,
and main-brace. At 7. 33. the enemy hauled
suddenly to the wind. Trimmed sails, and
again obtained the advantage of giving him a
raking fire ; which he returned with on^ shot
from his stern-gun. The enemy much shattered.
At 7. 40. the enemy kept more away, firing at
intervals.

**" At 7. 58. the enemy ceased firing. Ob-
served him to shew a light ; called all hands to
bend new sails, &c. Conceiving that the enemy
had struck, ceased firing* At 8. 10. observed
two of our squadron coming up. At 8. 53. new
courses, main-top-sail, jib, fore-top-mast-stay-
sail, and spanker, bent, and sails trimmed^
ranging up with the chase.

'* At 9. 5. observed one of our squadron run
up on the larboard-beam of the enemy, and fire
into her ; which was not returned, but the light
hoisted higher in the rigging. The ship of our
squadron ceased firing, and shot a-head. At
0. 45. hailed by the Tenedos ; acquainted her
of our not having a boat that could be hoisted
wit, Tenedos took possession of the chase."

490

N4VikL OCCUEBBNOB0 BBTWBBIC

•^

f The- motionless state of the Endjmioo, while
bending six new sails, reeving fresh rigging, &c.
enabled the Pomone and Tenedos to pass a>head
of her: the latter within hail. Whan these
ships approached the President, she was stand*
ing to the eastward under a press of sail. The
Pomone fired a broadside ; which hurt no one,
and was not returned. The President shortened
sail, and luffed close up, shewing a light in her
mizen-riggtBg; at the same time, hailing to say,
«he had surrendered. The Peimcne, not hearing
this, and mistaking the object of the light, fired
a second broadside ; which, similar to the first,
neither hurt any one, nor was returned. The
President, after again hailing, that she hs&d sur-
rendered, hauled down the light; and the Po-
mone did not fire again. The Tenedos had a
fine raking portion a-stem of the President;
but Cs^ptain Parker^ believing she had struck
to the Endymion, did not fire a shot : he merely
sent a boat to take possession ; and his officer
was the first on board.

' This was at 11 o'clock at night. At three-
quarters past 12, the Endymion, nearly as fresh
as when she began the combat, got up to the
President ; but the Majestic, although the ships
were laying-to for her, did not join until 3 in
the morning.

The first American account of the President's
loss} published) was an extract of a letter frooa

4REAT B»ITAI|f AlfD ▲MBftlCA.

431

€>ommodore Decatur to bit wife. After detail-
ing hi9 action with the Endymion, be says :-^
<* In three hours the Pomone and Tenedos were
idongsidet and the Majestic and Endymion dose
to ««• All that was now left for me to do was,
to receive the fire of the nearest ihipf, and sur-
render ; for it was in Tain to contend with the
whole squadron.'^ — Commodore Decatur had,
no doubty the same reason for using the word
'•* ships" instead of ** ship/' that Commodore
Perry had, for substituting *' their'' for *' her ;"
when, in his letter, he was describing th^ effect
of the Detroit's fire, npon the Lawrence. (See
p. 1292.)

> Another published letter is from " an officer,
whose situation on board the President, gave
him an opportunity of witnessing every event
that occurred during the action.'' He, alone, hai
had the hardihood to say, — *' when, after reoeivt
ing and returning a broadside, our flag was
struck." Another officer says, *' after receii^ing
four br^ve broadsides from the Pomone, &c.''

At last, comes Commodore Decatur's official
letter, which is to clear up all disputed points»
(App. No^l03.)-'' We (the President and En-
dymion) continued engaged," says the commo-
dore, '* steering soutli, two hours and a half,
when we completely succeeded in dismantling
her. Previously to her dropping entirely out of
the action, there were intervals of minutes, when

■m

«. i ■ '■

if "

J*. rj[

li!; «

'ii' '■

m ' :

*:'

?:•■(

4dd

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

the ships were broadside, in which she did not
fire <t ^uii." — We have here an admission*
that the President and Endymion engaged for
*' two hours and a half." — " Dismantling'' s
ship, is far too extensive a term, for destroying
a few sails ; and which were all renewed in lestt
than an hour. When finding fault with the
Endymion's slow firing, had the commodore
seen the reports of the President's carpenter and
surgeon ? — Where vras his boasted ** head of in-
telligenpe/' at the moment he penned this para-
graph?

He next tells us, that he was compelled to
** abandon" the Endjmion. And Captain Lc"
joilie told us, that he was prevented, at the bat-
tle of the Nile, from taking possession of
the Bellerophon. (App. No. 3.) Which is the
most impudent assertion ? — ^The commodore
then says:—*' In resuming our former course
for the purpose of avoiding the squadron, we
were compelled to present our stem to our an-
tagonist ; but such was his state, though we
were thus exposed, and within range of his guns,
for half an hour, that he did not avail himself
of this favorable opportunity of raking us.''

*' Here is a charge against the British ship !
Although the Endyuiion, by her loss of sails,
was fixed to one spot for nearly an hour; during
which time the President, with every stitch of
canvass set^ and a tine breeze, had ** resumed

mmnx^ baitaiv kfio AMtmoji.

4»

IhP^^rm,'* and was ranniBg aira/, ftill th^
latter waii within range of tlie fbrmePt gun* for
** lialf an hour.** Preposterous as this asser-
tion' it, ' it fortds one of the ** proofs,^' upon
which the American court of inquiry hat decreed^
llkt'. ** the • findymioii wat subdued.'' (Appi
ftM^'kos.) The reason why the Endjmion did
tabt' fire at the President, at the motnent th^
letter's 'ttern was first presented to her, appears
in tlM'logi.extnict, thus :— *' At 7. 58. th^ ^nemy
ceised firing^. Observed hiin to shew a light;
called all hanidt to bend new sails, &c. Com
celting that the enemy had struck, eeasedjitmg"
^ We shall tee presently, that the Cyane shewed
a Kgfat, as a signal of surrender to the <Consti<-
tuition. ' The same bas been done by other Brii
iish' sbiiisc (NaT. Cbron. vol. xxv. p. 169.)>-a
Acoordtiig te the testimony of Mr. Bowi^, th^
President's late chool-master, taken upon oath
before the surrogate at Bermuda, Commodore
Decatur biHkself hoisted a light, as a signal -df
surrmderl ** When the two ships were coming
Up,!' «iy^ MK Bowie, '« a light was hoistiid in
the iuizen-^gging of the President, as this de«
ponent conceived, at the time, as ab ensign or
flag ; but, as be afterwards had reason to]be}ieve;
as a sign that they bad surrendered ; for this
deponent observed to the commodore, that, at
long as that light was hoisted, the ships would
fire^ upon which Commodore Decatur ocdered

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It to be taken down.''— The account of the Pr«^
■ident's Capture, published by the Pomone's
'* gun-room officers/' states: *VA few minutes
previous to our closing her, she hoisted a light
a-baft; which, in night-actions, subtftitntes the
ensign.** It can only be yaid, then, that, by th0
Pompne's officers and the President's schqolf
master, a light was considered as the substitul^
of an ensign, and by Captain Hppe und Comr
modore Decatur, as a signal of subip&isiion.
That a. light w^$ sficifn to the Endymion, has
not been denied. For, although Commodore
Decatur, full seven weeks after the action, piib*
lished a supplementary letter, (App. , No. 1(^,)
wherein he refers to some immaterial statementf
contained in the *' 3ermuda Gazettei" he passei
over, ifi silence, th^ editor's assertion, thi|t '* at
9 o*clock the President ceased ^ring, tLud shewed
alight:'

' The strongest evidence of the Pre8i4f|it'^, not
having struck tp the Gndymion, appffirs in Mr.
Bowie's deposition :-rT^^The President, h^ did not
consider as having surrendered exclusively to
thu Endymion, for from her they inigh^ have
escaped ; and with her, had she been alonif, they
should have engaged again."

Admitting, therefore, that the Endymion
dropped a-stern, on account of her principal
sails being cut away; and that the President^
having her sails entire, took that opportunity to

•miAT MfllTAIN AND AMERICA.

436

^ttlt ktt opponent ; to what «hip or ships, did
4iie president surrender ? The Pomone'a gun*
fOQm .officers say thus : ** At 11, being within
gun-shot of the President, who was still steering
to the eastward under a press of sail, with royal,
top-gallant, top-mast, and lower studding-sails
9et( finding how much we outsailed her, our
studding-sails were taken in ; and, immediately
aAer^n^ards; we luffed-to port^ and fired out star-
,board-broadside« The enemy) then, also liified
to-port, bringing his larboard-broadside to bear,
which was momentarily expcicted, as a few mi-
nutes previous to our closing her, she hoisted a\
.light a-baft ; which, in night actions^ substitutes
the ensign, Our second broadside was fired,
and the President still luffing up as if intent to
biy us on board t we hauled close to-port, bracing
the yUrds up, iAnd setting the main-sail. The
bioadside was again ready to fire info bis bows,
raking, when she hauled down the light; and
we bailed, demanding, if she had surrender^*
The reply was in the affirmative; and the firing
linstimtly ceased .''

This ifl confirmed by the President's school- .
master. He says : — '* When the Endymion
dropped a>stern, we were confident of escaping.
Shortly after, discovered two ships coming up,
Pomone and Tenedos; when Commodore De-
catur ordered all hands below to take care of
their bags. One of the ships commenced firing ;

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NATAL 0C0URk.liNCB8 B«VWt|ll»

and Commodore Decatnr called oat> ' Wb kmn
surrendered;* and gave this deponent the tmni^
petto haily and laj, they had surrendered. The
Pbnione*s fire did damage to the rigging; but
ntiihtr Jniied nor wimnded any person. The Pre-
cidei|t did not return the Pomone't fife ; but
hoisted a flag in the mizen-rigging, as a sign of
submission.''

- The Pomone's account states, that *' the Te*
jiedos, who was not more than three roile» off,
soon afterwards came up, and assisted the fo-
Bionc in securing the prize, and removing the pii-
«oners.*' But the American officer, who transmit-
ted the Pomone's hand-biU to the United States,
.sayfr: *' When the President struck, the Tenedos
was. on bur stem, and the Pomone on our bow,
-both within musket-shot. The ehip wasjirsi
homrdedbyiheboaieeftheTenedoe.'*-^*^ With these
exceptions,^' — ^the American officer adds, — **the
Pomone's account is essentially correct.''

Commodore Decatur, in his deposition, mjs;
*' 1 fought the Endymion u^ hours. After which
she dropped a-stern, and 1 surrendered only to
the Tenedos atkd Pomone." And, in another
part of the same deposition, he says: *' Resist-
ance was made against the Endymion for d4
hours, after which the Endymion dropped out
of the fight. The next ships coming up, ^
hours after the action with the Endymion^ were
ttie Pomone and Tenedos ; and to t][koie two

•ftlAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA^

489

MpB'ihe Prdsident was surirendered.' The Po-
mone had commenced her fire within musketr
ahot. The Tenedos did not fire at the time of
anch Burrepder. The Mtyeatic was in sight also;
the Endyaiion was then out of sight. No other
ships besides those named, were then seen from
the President.*'

Lieutenant John Gallagher, of the President,
swciai^, that " the President surrendered to Ma«>
jestie, Pomone, Tenedos, and Endjmion. It
was only because Commodore Decatur supposed
the Pomone to be the Majestic, that he surreur
dered, when he did.'' — And Lieutenant Levi
Twiggs, in his deposition, sajs : "^ We fought
the Endymion from 3t to 4r hours ; and sur^
rendered to Pomone, supposing her Majestic/' ;

Commodore Decatur, in the letter to his wife^
placeir the Majestic and Etidymion, at the mo*
ment of his surrender, close to him. In his
official letter, he describes the former as within^
and the latter as out of, gun-shot. In his de*
position before the surrogate, he removes the
Endymion *' out of sight " and speaks of the
Majestic, as merely ** in sight." And, while he
here swears, that ** no other ships" than the
Pomone, Tenedos, and Majestic, '' were then
seen from the President," he, in his official letter,
includes the *' Despatch brig," as part of the
it squadron** to which he surrendered. Here is
taccillation ! >

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The Majestio's distance from the Presidenft
when the latter surrendered, may be conceived,
from the fact (asserted in the Pomone's '* hand*
bill account,'^ and confirmed by the American
officer who enclosed it to his friend) of her not
joining the squadron till *^ three in the morn-
ing ;" and this, although the other ships were
waiting for tier to come up. Commodore De-
catur himself truly presaged a *^ dark night;''
of which the Endymidn's being '* out of sigfaf'
was the natural consequence. According to the
before-mentioned confirmed account, that ship's
absence from the squadron was not delayed be*
yond '* three-quarters past 12 ;'' although the
commodore has extended it to '* three hours
after the surrender of the President" ; which
would be 2 in the morning. And the sentence
of the court of inquiry, even assumes as a fact,
** that theEndymion did not join the squadron,
till many hours after -the President had been
iurrounded by the /our other ships, and had sur-
rendered tb them**

After all that has been said about the Presi-
dent's capture, it is confirmed, that the only
two ships, between which any firing was ex-
changed, were the Endymion and President.
Every captured merchant-ship, over whom a
«hot is fired to bring her to, — even theU. S. ship
Frolic, captured by the Orpheus, — has a right
to call her surrender — ^** a conflict," — "contest,**

iRREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA. 439

^'•engagement," — ^if Commodore Decatur, and
his court, are correct in calling so, — the two
harmless, unretumed broadsides fired at him bj
the Pomone. It is indifferent, whether or not
the FVesident struck, in the first instance, to the
Endjmion. It is not denied, that the two
ships, uninterrupted by any others, fought,
'* broadside to broadside," for two hours and a
half; and the plain tale of Mr. Bowie, the Pre-
sident's school-master, proves clearly, that, when
the American ship hauled up from the Endy-
mion, at 8 o'clock, her men— to use a familiar^
phrase — had had enough; and that the com-
modore was determined to surrender, without
further resistance, to the first ship of the squs.-
dron that should come within gun-shot.

In the commodore's waiting to deliver his
sword to *' the senior officer of the squadron./'
we recognize an old trick, frequently prac-
tised, when a second British cruizer has come
up, after the enemy had receiver! as hearty a
drubbing as the President got from the En^-
dymion. The commodore *» subsequent con-
duct, in trying to rob Captain Hope of the
merit of his gallant performance, proves, that
his 8^^ord*s being '•'• with politeness returned,"
only adds another to the many instances of mis-
application of British magi;animity.

Is not the commodore sufficiently well ac^'
quainted with the British prize-act, to know^

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WATAL OCOURRBNCBS BETWEEN

.that eyery one of his majesty'i ships, in sight at
the commencement of the chase, or the final
surrender, of a prize, is, whethei' she co-operates
or not, entitled to share ? For that reason, a04
si6t to prove that the President fought more thai|
one ship, the word '* squadron" was in^rte4
in that insignificant '* document,^' the common
dore*s ** parole."

- The Endymion's damages in the action werf
confined to the destruction of the onlj two boats
she had on board, and considerable iiyury to
her spars, sails, ^and rigging. An American
chain-shot cut away twelve or fourteen cloths
of her fore-sail; stripping it almost from the
yard. The commodore's first letter, although
written on board the Endymion, mentions no«
thing of that ship's damages from his fire, be-
yond his having '* dismantled" her. His se-
cond, or supplementary letter, states only that,
after the action, *' she bent new sails, rove new
rigging, and fished her spars." Yet the sentence
of the court of inquiry tells us of the " shat-
tered condition" of the Endymion. — ^^ Surely,
** tattered" must have been the word used, but
miscopied by the printer.

The Endymion lost 11 seamen and marines
killed, and 14 seamen and marines wounded ;\
total 35. No ofiicer was hurt. How easy it
was for Commodore Decatur, when desirous to
mention the Endymion^s loss^. to My: ** Her

^RB^t SRITAIN AND JkJfBftl^iU 44|

Aflpcert assert^that she lost eleven killed* and, fouVf
teen wounded'' s-rand tbep, if lie discredited |h#
statement, — *' but 1 think her loss was ^r^ater.*^
Instead of which, he set his countryinen to e^ed-
culf ting> how many dead men could be thrown
/overboard in the course of '* 36 hours;" how
many cubic feet there were in the space *^ be^
tweeu the cabin-bulk-head and the main-mastV
of a large frigate; and how many *' badly
wounded'' could be there stowed. Captain
Hope, much to his honor, chose to give his latd
gallant shipmates. Christian burial; and thi
season of the year justified him in deferring the
ceremony, till the crew were at leisure. . i

The damages which the President sustained
in her huUt are fully set forth in No. 107. in the
Appendix. This is what the court of inquiry calls
''little injury." . A ship, riddled as the Presi*
dent was, both aboye and below water, might
well havQ hi|d *' six feet water in the hold.'f
Five or six of her guns were completely disabled ;
and, although her spars were all standing, her
lower-masts were badly crippled.—rThese the
President lost, on the 17th, in a violent gale of
wind from the eastward. Several of her guns
wens then thrown overboard ; and, considering^
the battered state of her bull, it was a mercy she
did not founder. The Endymion. suffered by
the^itime gal^, losing her fore and main-masts, and
bowsprit ; the two tbrmer, owing chiefly to the

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44ft ITATAL OCCURRENOBt BBTWBBI^

rigging, where it had been knotted after th^
action, giving way. She also threw several of
her gum overboard.

The President's loss in the action, by the
acknowledgement of her officers when at Ber-
muda, consisted Of 3 lieutenants, and 32 seamen
and marines, killed; her commander, (verj
ilir^htlj,) master, 2 midshipmen, and 66 seamen
and marines, wounded; total 105. — Commodore
Decatur, writing his ofScial letter on board the
Endymion, was unable, as he states^ (App.
No. 103,) io give a correct return of his loss.

In his first letter, there is not a word of a
single man having been hurt by the Pomone'ib
fire. But, when the commodore returns to New
York, and mee;s with rather a cooler reception
than he experienced on his arrival there, about
two years previous, with the Macedonian,
British frigate, he finds it nece&jary, to give the
thing, if possible, a tinge of the brilliant. He
recollects that Mr. Henry Robinson, the Presi-
dent's chaplain, and a ** volunteer*' on her
quarter-deck, deposed before the surrogate at
Bermuda, that 'Vthe Pomone's fire, which con-
tinued about^/e<fi minutes, did kill some men."
The commodore therefore commences his supple-
mentary letter with, — ** In my official letter of
the 18th of January, I omitted to state, that a
eansiderable number of my killed and wounded
was from the fire of the Fomone."

ilRBAT BRtTAlW AWD AMBRIOA. AA

■ Let xut endeavour to inrestigate thii afteH
thought of the commodoreV That a ** chap-
lain'' should swear, or even speak, falsely, is
difficult of belief; but that the chaplain of an
American ship of war is not quite so sacred a
character as he ought to be, was made evident
in the case of the chaplain of the Essex frigate.
(Quarterly Review, vol. xiii. p. 358.) And was
it not the President's chaplain, who wrute to his
friends, that that ship returned th« broadside
iired at her just before she surrendered?—^ it
was stated in the American^ printii. On the
other handy in flat contradiction to the chaplain^,'
the schoolmaster swears^ that the Pomone's fire
*' neither killed nor wounded any person, nor
was returned by the President." Mr. Bowie»
too, was on the quarter-deck, as well as the
** volunteer.'' The fact of only one shot having
entered the President's larboard side, (App.
No. 107.) which was that opposed to the Pomone,
corroborates Mr. Bowie's statement, of no man
having been hurt. But, it may be asked,—
wht^re is the ** correct return" of the President's
loss, which was to be made out by Commodore
Decatur upon his arrival in port?-^And why
is the term *' considerable" preferred, to the
actual number of men, if any, killed and
woiiiifM by the Pomone ? — ^The interval between
8 aad 11 o*clock, was too long for any difficulty
•r confusion to arise, in separating the loss that

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VAVAI. OCCUBRBVCBS BBTWMM

bad been sustained by the £ndyniion*s, from
that said to have been sustained by the Po»
moneys fire ; and that Commodore Decatur, be*
fore he wrote his ofiicial letter, had received his
surgeon's return, whether correct or not, is evi-
dent, from his noticing the return, in that verj
letter. Under ail these circumstances, the Pre^
sident's severe loss in killed and wounded, will
be considered as having been wholly effected bj
the Endjmion's fire.

The Endjmion mounted twenty six long 34-
ponnders upon the main-deck; twenty two car*
xonades, d3-pounders, ono 13-pound boat-car-
ronade, and a long brass 18-pounder, upon
the quarter-deck and forecastle ; total, 50 guns.
The boat-carronade was mounted upon an ele-
vating carriage ; and could therefore be fought
upon the broadside. Not so the long 18. That
was run out at either of the be w-ports, as a
chase-gun; for wnich purpose only, it could be
used, the ship having no vacant broadside-port.

On the 31st of September, a few days before
she left Halifiix N. S. the Endyraion victualled
339 of ship's company, (officers included,) 60
marines, and 37 boys. She had 6 men absent in
aprize^ and one man sick at the hospital; mak-
ing, when they joined a complement of 3«I3 ;
about 17 short of her establishment. The num-
ber killed in action with the Prince of Neuf-
chatel American-privateer, in October, and the

f RBiLT BRITAIll AI90 AMBRieA.

woanded afterwardf lent on boftrd the Saturni
amottnted to 00 1 and those lent bj the Satorni
in return, (being one lieutenant, 4 midshipmetti
8 able seamen, 35 ordinary seamen and huid^
men, and 5 marines,) to 58. Consequently, td
make the Endymion^s complement what her
offieers state it to have been, when she com^
menl^ed action with the President, Captafi^
Hope must have pressed 15 men. She tliea
would have 319 men, and 37 boys; total 340. *

Commodore Decatur was on board the Endy^
mion upwards of a fortnight; and, in his int^r-
course with her officers, must bare heard of the
affair with the privateer, and the severe loss if
occasioned, as well as of the Endymion'swolinded
having been sent away in the Saturn, and of
that ship having sent a draught ttf men in lieir
of them. But, determined to act consistently, htt
conceals all his information, except that respect-
ing the Saturn's men; and then, in his supple*
mentary letter, tells the public, that *' the £n-
dymion had on board, in addition to her own
craw, one lieutenant, one master'^ mate, and 50
men, belonging to the Saturn.'' ^

The President mounted thirty long 34-pound^
ers upon the main-deck, fourteen carronades;
43-pounders, one long 34-pounder, as a shifting
gun, and a brass 8-inch howitsser, fitted on a
traversing carriage, upon the quarter-deck; and
%\% carronades, 42-pounder8, and one long 34^

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IfAYAL OCCURRENCEII BflTWEElC

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pounder, shifting gun, upon the forecastle; two
|>rass 4-pounders in h«r fore, the same in her
fuaiq, und one in her mizen, top, all on pivots:
making fk total of 58 guns; q£ ^bich 33 wer«
fpught upon the broadside,
^r Lieutepant Gallagher of the President, sWort
iha^ she mounted '* 59 guns''; and Commodora
Pecatuf, the same, *^ besides a boat-gun." — \
pretty '^ boat-gi^n" truly! — The same, nodoubti
the commodore would have called the greal
Turkish bomb in St. James's Park, had it been
on board the President.— Howitzers and mortarv
are i|ot described by the weight of the shot the^
can throw, but by their diameters in. inches^
(See p. 6,y The bore of a 68-poun4 carronada
is3 inches in diameter, so wasthebore of the Prei
sident's howitzer. And, if an irQU round shot,
weighing 68 pounds, were deemed more destfuc*
ti?e than a shell, filled with combustibles, weigh?
ing 49 pounds, the former would be discharge^}
from an 8-inch howitzer. Tjiat it is the diame-?
ter, rather than the weight of a shpt, tha$ ought
^o guide us in appreciating its efiecjts, has aU
ready been shewn. (See p. 11.) T}ie President's
8-inch howitzer, therefore, will be estimated as
a 68-pounder. The American officers appear tQ
exclude from the armament of their own ship,
not only the ** boat-gun," but the guns stationed
in the tops. Why so? — Are cannon less de*
^tructiTe, pointed directly 'jpon the enemy's

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GREAT. BRITAIN AND AMBRICA.

447

4eck from that eminence, than if fought thropigli
ports in the usual way? Iti every case, Britisl^
as well as American, where a ship's top-guns|
exceedy iik . caliber, a swipel, ot half-ppunder*
they will he estimated as part of .her brpi^^id^n

force. ;.:■..■;:;■• ii )....;[

. The prissoners receiyed from the President hf
the agent at Bermuda, amounted to 434; in<9
eluding 3 or 4 boy6. 3ome of the badly f^ounded
had died in the passage^ and pthers were not fit
to be removed; It was reported, that a midship*
man had poisoned himself ^ apd that Id seamenf
had, jumped overboard; in both cases, on ac-
count of their being British subjects, probably
deserters. Without computing them at all;
but, taking the 35 killed in action, 8 for sucli
an had died lincei or were not removable, and
the 434 prisoners: recfsivedy ^e have 477 for the
Pr0iiid6nt's complennQut. This corresponds ex-
actly -with the only paper found on board the
President, her '^Watch-bill;" which contains the
names of 477 periBons, as doing the duty of the
ship. The " New York Evening Post," of
January 36, 1815, speaking of the President's
loss, says : *' She had a picked crew of 500 men.*
It is seldom that American editors ov^r-rate the
crews of their ships.

Commodore Decatur and Lieutenant Gallagher
both deposed, that the President ^' had 450 men*' ;
#nd the former affected to be surprised a| t^f

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littBiber of prisoners in the hands of Mr. Miller^
the agent. Feeling how much it needed an ex*
}>lanation, the commodore made some excuse

/ about persons having come on boards without
his knowledge, us pofsengers; akhonghhe had
just done swearing, that " there were no passen^
gei^on board th^ Pr^sident.'^ — As todieatenant
Gallagher; an error of 30 or 40' uliits does not
lippear to trouble him. He, inth^ Mirae'depo<»
sition, swore the President was 1400^ ton»; al<l
though Comniodore Decatur had sworn to hef
being 1440; andsh^ really was 1444^ Amerioaoi'
* The" President's men werd tery taili|nd«tonti
ftnd, in the opinion of several' ^Britilh< officers
iwhOse isbips were lying in Bernradisi, there were

innMmg them many British seaniii^n. l^istakes^
however, may happen; and it is b4)tter jfbr'the

I guilty to escape, than the innoeentto snffer.

i Besides, it was then known sI'Bermiida that

V|)eacehad been signed ; which' pt^v^ted that
Scrutiny among the PresidentV men, that Others

^ wise would have taken plftce^l Conimodoi^
Decatur, in his deposition, certainly swore, that

' there were ^ no British subjects'^ on board the
President, when captured. No more there would
have been, had her whole crew consisted* of
British deserters, provided each man could have

f produced a "protection." He is then ycleped
" citizen of the United States of America'' ; and

« no American will refuse to swear, that such A

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«REAT BRITAIN AND AMBRICA.

440

man, although notoriously born in Gireat Britain,
i^ not a British subject. As applied to the Ame*
ricans, the registrar, or person puttitis the stand-
ing interrogatory, should have substituted *' na«
tives of the United Kingdom" for " British sub-
jeots'^ and then, if at all scrupulous about an
oath, the American officer would seldom an*"
swer by an unqualified negative.
• Commodore Decatur, in his supplementary
letter, after dw^elling upon the expression in his
** parole," as a proof that he *^ was captured by
the squadron," alludes to a statement in the
Bermuda (Gazette. — *' The fact" was, indeed,
" stated difTerently" in that paper; which gave
a similar account, in substance, to that contained
in the extract from the Endymion's log ; noi* was
the editor, either " compelled," or even asked,
'* to retTact"* what he had stated. But here was
the galling " fact." The Bermuda Gazette, of the
1st of February, had asserted that " 68 men were
discovered stowed away" on board the President.
Commodore Decatur gave his honor it was not
so ; and Mr. Ward was induced td apologize. •
The Bermuda Gazette of the 16th of March,
however, declared that the original statement
was correct ; and that the act had been author-
ised by Commodore Decatur himself. Upon
this, the governor of the island desired the editor
to retract what he had said in confirmation of
his first assertion. But, relying more upon the

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word of a British lieutenant*, than the hdnor of
an American commodore, Mr. Ward flatly re-
luaed; and was, in consequence, dii^missed from
his office of king's printer. — Upon receiving the
American paper, containing Commodore Deca-
tur's supplementary letter, the editor of the Ga-
ECtte made the following observations:

*' As to his reference to ourselves, we should
treat it with the contempt it deserves^ did he not,
by uttering as base a falsehood as ever was im-
posed upon the world, endeavour to induce a
belief, that our Original statement of the capture
of the President was incorrect.-^^It was in conse-
quence of some observations we had made, occa-
sioned by t^e concealmeni of sixty eight, men^ and
which contained some severe reflections upon the
officers of the President, that we were requested
to smooth it over ; nor cian Commodore Deca-
tur be so unpardonably ignorant, as to suppose,
that a British editor could be compelkd to re-
tract a statement founded on truth«r~We are con-
vinced it was never expected, that what was in-
tended as a mjbre palliative for the irritatied feel-
ings of men who were prisoners, would have been
produced as an argument in an official letter;
and, if a misapplied delicacy of sentiment^ im«
pelled Captain Hope to urge the step we took.
Commodore Decatur should bave jusly appreci«
ated the noble principle upon which he acted,

^ * Now Capt. tlis Hon. 6. L TetmrA

kUi

tftltiAt BRItAiN AKd AMERICA.

451

MiA should hare considered oar compliance, att
a well-meant edd^avoilr to render his situation
as comfortable as we could. But it appears to
have been his misfortune, that he could not feel
the delicate attentions which were paid him. —
As for ourselves, we never possessed, and we now
disclaim, the least degree of private animosity
against Commodore Decatur, or his officers. In
the discharge of our public duty, we obtained
the best itiformation relative to their capture;
and if, in telling a few plain truths^ we hurl
their feelings, " whi/ let the stricken deer go weep,**
The Endymion was built in 1707; and has
always been a remarkably fine sailer. She U
distinguished from all other frigates of her class^
(extffpt one or two 64-razees,] by having, upon
the main-deekf 36 I^U-ports only. She measures

asfoUows^: • !

Ft. !■.

Letigth of lower-deck, from nbbit to fabbit^ 159 S|

., Breadth^ extreme, 42 7^

! ThtfPresident was built at New York in 1797-8 ;
and cost, says Mr. Clarke, "230,910 dollars*
8 cents j** or 61«d69/. I89. sterling. She is finished
in a very superior style, with diagonal knees, Stci
has stouter scafHtling than a British 74-gun ship;:
(see p« 18;) and, if we except the American
Guerriere and Java, may be considered, in spito
of ike ** hogged and twisted appearance," given
her by tlMt«tt»teno« of ^e court of inquiry, an

Q q2

I'i

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1^'

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if

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1 1 i'i i!

45a

NAVAL OCCURRBNCBS BBTWEBN

dne of the finest frigates in the world. Het
full dimensions have already appeared. (See
p. 126.)

Comparative force of the two ships.

• Endymioo.
Broadside-metal in pounds, {J;;^^)*"'- ^^

Complement, .
Size in tons.

f men,
I boys.

-676

319
27

-346
1277

President.

408
608

916

472

5 , .;

47t

1533

The condition of the two ships after the ac-
tion, has already exposed Commodore Decatur*s
assertion of** having beaten" the . Endjmion.
A statement of the relative .force of the two
ships, now shews, whether or not the force pf
the Endjmion was ** equal" to that of the Presi-
dent. Nor has the commodore the excuse of
Ignorance to oifef, because he was on bo^rd the
' Endjmion for several days. His chal*acter for
« Teracity might be pronoUncied upon this alone,
had 'he left us no other proofs of his effrontery.
Seeing how superior the President was to the
Endymion, in gukis, men, and size; knowing,
also, that the former was commanded by an ex-
- periienced officer; manned i^ith a choiqe, well-
' trained crew ; and lavishly supplied wi th . every
f requisite appointment, it is not to be supposed,
that the Endymion's losd would have been so

GUSAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

453

^rifling, had she and the President met singly.
In that case, the latter weuld have had no other
object to divert her attention, or confine her
manoeuvres; nor would the spirits of her men
have been damped bj the conviction, that, if
^ thejr did not escape, thej must be captured.—
" That the Endjmion, however, would, even then,
have ultimately conquered; the dreadful pre-
cision of her fire, her quickness in working, and
evident superiority in sailing, added to the
f established bravery of her officers and crew, are

* strong grounds of belief.

It is worthy of remark, that Commodore De-
catur's letter, announcing the President's cap*
' ture, was written on board the very ship, which

* he once expressed himself so anxious to meet, in
the frigate United States; and it bears date pre-
cisely a year and a day after his ^' very rash"
letter of challenge. (See p. 327.) To complete
this, as it may be termed, retributive act, the
identical ships' companies which were parties to
that challenge, met, and fought, upon the present
occasion. No wonder, then, that the action of
the Endymion and President, should have caused
among the sticklers for ** superior prowess" in
the United States, emotions so pswerful; es-
pecially, after it became known, beyond dispute,
that the British^ was inferior in force to the
American vessel, by nearly a fourth.

The action between the Endymion and Presi*

•s-34a»-,^.

I^i

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It <

.; A ;

464 NATAL OCCURRENCES OETWBBIf

4ent has thrown some light upon the actions
between the sister-ships of the latter, and our
98, or present 46 gun frigates. The superiority
of 24, over 18 pounders is made evident. But
the Endymion, besides that advantage over the
Guerriere, Macedonian, and Java, possessed an
important one in the precision of her fire. Cap-
tain Hope, aware of the excellence of the Broke*
system, had long trained hiis men to the use of
both great guns and small-rarms ; and many ha4
been the anxious look-out on board the £ndy<»
mion, for one of the American 44-gun frigate8»«.
It would be an injustice to Captain Hope, not
to notice the peculiar modesty of his official
letter. He speaks of the cool and detenqined
bravery of his officers and ship's company on
the *^ fortunate occasion'^; says, truly, that,
*' where every individual has so conspicuously
done his duty, it wonld b^ injustice to particu*
kudze;'* and, in proof of his men^s exertion&and
abilities, appeals to *' the loss and damage siist
tained by the enemy's frigate." Captain Hayes*
in his letter, does aqiple justice to ike Endymion ;
corroborates every statement in her log-eKtiact ;
and emphatically adds: ^* When the effect pro-»
duced by her well directed fire upon the Presi*
dent is witnessed, it cannot be doubted, b^t
that Captain Hope would have succeeded either
in capturing or sinking her, had none of th«
squadron been in sight.^'

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5 • - ( >"^'

i H ¥■■' ?i

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA*

^et, that repository of American *^ honorw
•blei/*— " heroes/' — ** heroici," — ** heroisms/''^
"lustres,"— "stars," and " glories,"— the "re-
salt of the court of inquiry on the capture of
the frigate President,^ commences with alleging)
that "there has been a diversity of opinions
prevailing among the British commanders con*
eerned in her capture"! (App. Mos. 105. and
l06k]— We' cannot dismiss this tragi-comico^
farcical performance, without almost laughing
at the gravity with which it utters the exordium
upon Commodore Decatur and his " heroic
officers and crew/ for their design of " board-*
iiig the Endymion :" the execution of which, it
says, was frustrated, in the first instance, by her
*' shunning the approach^' of the President ; and
afterwards, by her "disabled state/'— This is
Captain Lejoiile all over! — Supposing, for a
moment, that Commodore Decatur had intended
to board, and that the President's men were
willing to make the attempt ^—^-was success so
certain? — He must, indeed, judge meanly of d
well-manned and well-disciplined British ship of
war, who would not pronounce such an at-
tempt, as the likeliest of any to have gained
^ the Endymion 's tars, those laurels, of which
the commodore, and his friends, have laboured
so hard to deprive them. /

Before quitting the subject of this interesting
action, it may be fair to ask, — Has Commodore

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466

IfAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEElf

Decatur evinced *^ the most determined resolu-
tion and heroic courage"? Has he made a
'* brave defence of the ship and the flag of the
United States*' ? -^ In short, was he justified^
(admitting that he had not struck to the Endyt
mion,) in surrendering to the Pomone and Te-i
nedos, without firing a shot?

Prudence will say that, having lost **one-*
fifth of his crew, his ship being crippled,^' and
hi^ escape very problematical, the commodore
was right, \ty surrendering as he did, to stop the
further effusion of blood. Boldness, on the
othe** band, will saj that, as the commodore had
men enough left, to work and 'fight his ship, a
well-directed broadside might have crippled the
Pomone ; then, with her ** royal, top-gallant,
top-mast, and lower studding-sails set,'' and the
advantage of a very dark night, the President
might have Jed off the Tenedos ; and, with a
force so superior to her's, would soon have
** thrown her out of the combat ;'' and, most
probably, effected her escape. But that, did
her first fire fail in crippling the Pomone, the
President should have engaged the two. frigates,
till the fall of her masts, and the loss of some-
thing more than a ^' fifth" of her crew, had
Inade her defei^ce as gallant, as her surrender
would then have b^en honorabl?.

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«REAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

.//

CHAPTER XIX.

Levant and Cyane sail from Gibraltar — Fall in

• with the Constitution — Determine to engage her-^
' No British official account of the action^-Detaih

of the action — Levant hears up to repair da*
' mages —Cyane surrenders — Levant y singly , re-
' commences the action — Tries to escape — Surren'
^ ders — Gross misstatement in the American official

account — Levant and Cyane*s damages^ and loss

• '^Constitution's also — Force of the British ships

• in guns and men — Shameful treatment of the
' British prisoners — Constitution's force in guns—'

• Extraordinary piece consisting of seven musket'
barrels — Dismantling shot — Furnace for heating
shot — Constitution's force in men — Dimettsione
of the ships-^Remarks on their relative tonnage
—Statement of comparative force — Remarks

ereon-^Constitution and her prizes arrive at
■* Si, Jago — Discovered and chased out by the
f* Leander, Newcastle, and Acasta — Escape of the
Cyane— Recapture of the Levant. — Escape of
" the Constitution — Meeting between the Constitu*
' iion and Pique^— American falsehood detected-^
"^ Exemplary behaviour of the Pique's ship's com*

• pany, >»

On the 20th of February, 1815, H. M. ships
Levant and Cyane were proceeding in company,

IBs

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.^1

45S

NATAL OfCURRKNCES BETWIBH

a few days out from Gibraltar, bound to the
'Western islands. About 1 o'clock in the afte'r-
noon, a strange sail was seen bj the Cyane,
upon her weatber^bow ; her consort, the Levant,
Captain Douglas, then hull-down to-leeward.
The Cyane stood on until about 4 o'clock ; when,
having ascertained the character of the stranger.
Captain Falcon bore up to speak the commo-
dore. At about a quarter past 5, the two ships
passed within hail- of each other. Captain
Douglas, the senior officer, resolved to engage
the enemy's frigate ; in the hopes, by disabling
her,' tl> prevent her intercepting two valuable
convoys, that sailed from Gibraltar about the
same time as the Levant and Cjane. Both
commaitders, at this time, ftilly believed that
she was tbe American frigate Constitution ;
having received intelligence, before leaving port,
of her being in tlieir intended track.

The two ships now Cried for the weather-
gage ; but, tindiug they could not obtain it,
they bore up, in hopes to prolong the engage-
ment until night ; when, by manoeuvring in the
dark, tbey might efiect their object. The supe-
rior sailing of the Constitution, however, de-
feated that plan also ; and, at 45 minutes past
5, the Levant and Cyane hauled to the wind on
the starboard- tack. No Bntish official account
of this action has been published ; therefore th^
details ave taken, partly from the American aci

ORBAT BRITAIN AKD AMBRICA;

45^

riean ac^

connts, and pBrtlj from the information of th«
British officers engaged^ ^

The Constitution had previouslj fired her
bow-chasers at the Cj^n^y without effect, her
•hot falling short » and now, haring iJie two
British ships '* under the command" of her
main-deck batterer, (they being, at a distance
from her of full three-quarters of a mile>) she
commencMl firing her broadsides* Both shifM
returned her fire ; but, baring only carronades,
their shot all fell short, while the CoiiBtitutkm^
ft4*pouBd shot, were cutting to pieces their sails
and rigging. As the British became gfradnally
disabled, the Constitution shortened her dis<*
tance; and, by her superiority in sailing and
working, frequently raked both her opponents.
f It is stated in the American ^* Minutes of the
action/^ that, when the firing commenced, the
contending ships were *' about dOd yards dis*
tant.^' According to th<3 positiire testimony of

''^e British ofiicers, examined at the court-mar*
tialy the di^ance was, as stated belbee, nearly
three-quarters of a mile. The object in framing
this assertion is evident. It is to shew, that the
British had the use of their carronades from the
first; and that the Constitution did not keep out
of range, until she had cri{^^ed both ships.

At about 3fi minutes past 6, the Cyane^was
without a brace jor bow-line, except the larboard

fore-brace« Yet, seeing her consort exposed to

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It ?

ill

.ill

KATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN'

a heavy raking fire, owing to the Constitutioii
having filled across her, she gallantly stood ib
between them, and received the broadside. The
firing continued at intervals for a few minntes
longer ; when the Cjane turned the hands up to
refit the rigging. Before that could be accom-
plished, the Constitution had taken a position
on hi^r larboard-quarter, within hail. Being
now totally unmanageable; with most of her
standing and running rigging gone; main and
mizen masts tottering, and other principal spars,
wounded; several shot in the hull, niine or ten
of which were between wind and water; five
carronades disabled, chiefly by the drawing of
tht bolts and starting of the chocks ; and the Le-
vant, Jhaving bore up to repair damages, since
6. 40. and being now two miles to-leeward, still
bearing away ; the Cyane fired a lee^gun, and
hoisted a light, as a signal of submission; (see
p. 43d;) and, soon after 7, was taken possession
of by the Constitution.

At 8. 15» which was as soon aa the Levant had
rove new braces, the gallant little ship again
hauled her wind, to ascertain the fate of her
companion, as well as to renew the desperate
contest. On approaching the two ships. Captain
Douglas, with a boldness bordering on rashness^
ranged close alongside the Constitution, to-lee-
ward, being unable to weather her; and the two
ships, op opposite tacks, exchanged broadsides.

ORBAT BRITAIN AND AMBRICAt lOi

iPhis, by the American adcount, was at half«-{Miit
8. The Cdnstitutioii imnlediately wore and^r
the l^vant's 9tern, and raked her with a s^ca^d
broadside. At 9. 30. Captain Douglas, finding
that the Cjane had undoubtedly struck her
colours, put again before the wind : in doing
which, the Levant received several raking broa4^
sides, had her wfheel shot away, and her lowfrr;
masts badly wounded. To fire her stern-chasi
guns, and steer at the same time, was impossible^
owing to a sad mistake in the construction of
this new class of vessels ! Seeing the Constitution
ranging up on the larboard-quarter^ the Levant,
at 10 P.M. by the American, and at 10. 40.
by the British accoi. t, struck her colours to
this ** gigantic enemy." ^

One could almost cry out, shame ! shame ! at
the Constitution firing successive broadsides
into such a ^hip as the Levant It is surprising,
that she did not sink her. Had the Levant, on
first bearing away, continued her course, shoi
might have escaped ; but that would have ap-
peared like deserting her consort ; and personal
consideration in battle, was never the charac-
teristic of a Douglas.

The reader has, no doubt, already discovered
the important variation between Capt. Stewart's
official letter, (App. No. 108>) and the '' Minutes

,^ * Captain Stewart's own words, in his reply to the addrtw
%l the eommoa.cottncU of Now York.

ijUl

461^

ITAfAI. bCdVfAttflKCIfir wtfwmifit

i ■

•f the action/' (No* 100,) by some onaecount-
Able bluik^r of the Americans, published' along
with it. Acoording to the lattef, the two ships
Were captured at suooessire periods^ three hours
and ten minutes apart, and the action, from first
to last, continued three hours and iifty-five mi<«
nutes ; yet, sajs the former, ** both of #hich,
after a spirited aetion of forty minuiei, surren^
dered to the ship under my command'' ! !^-After
this, a compliment to British gallantry could
not be expected ; yet the adyanee of the Levant,
tt half-past 8, and her ranging close up, and
exchanging broadsides, with such an adversary,
would have elicited admiration from the breast
Of a Turk!.

The Levant lost 6 seamen and marines, killed^
and an oflicer, and 14 seamen and marines, ^
wounded. The Cyane had 6 killed, and 13
wounded; total, 12 killed, and 29 wounded.
Captain Stewart, to make the complements of
the ships appear greater than they were, states
28 a» the killed of the former ship, and 12, the
latter. This is now become a stale trick ; and
scarcely deserves notice. The smallness of the
British loss in this action, shews clearly, that
the Americans had already began to I'elax in
their discipline. The Constitution's fire, consi-
dering the disparity of force, lalls far beneath
the very worst of our's.

*' Old Ironsides," as, from her strength aod^

«Ra\T. BfllTAIN ANI> 4k¥»RlCA.

46a

noiiipMttl^ss, she is vwy. properly called in the
United States, was too successful in .keeping out
of carronade-range, to allow many shot to reach
her. Some, however, lodged in her sides; and
8i^w others, it may be presumed, found .thaur
way through ; or we should not hear of 6 aMn,
killed and mortally wounded, and 6 otheia
wounded, severely and. slightly. That both
British commanders had drilled their, meii at
the guns, is proved by the precision of their fire^
during the short period that their carronadet
would reach. ., ^

i' The Levant mounted 31 guns : eighteen
earronades, 3d-pottnders, two long 9«pounders»
and a I2<*pound lannch-carronade* Her esta*
blished complement was 19S men and boys; but
she kadan the action 115 men, and Ifiboys ; total
181. Her marines were young raw recruits, that
icarcely knew bow to handle their muskets ;
and, although considered as men^ would aU have
rated 'as boyt in the American service* . ,
~ The Cyi^ne was a deep-waisted or frigate^
bnik ship; and mounted 33 guns :, twen^
two carvonades, 32-pouQders,. upon the main«
deck, eight carronades, 16-poonders, an 18»
pound, launch-carronade, and two long 9*
pounders, upon the quarter-deck and forecastle*
Not another gun did she mount ; yet Captain
Stewart kas given her an additional 18-^pound
carronade,. and two long 12s in lieu of 9s;

■ i,..'

464

!(AVAL <MD0IIAREN0i;8 BBTITEEir

f^ I ii a^

UnHI, in the '< Sketches of the War," all her
"* thirty four guns" are described as ** 33-pound
ilarronades" !

^'<^The established complement of the Cjan^
wait 101 men, and 24 (including iO supers
numerary) boys; total 185. But, on the
morning of the action, she was deficient^ iii
petty-officers and able seamen, 16, and had n
feurplits oi 2 boys ; making her complement, in
action, 145 men, and 36 boys; total 171. Of
this number, 4 men were sick, and not at qiiai:<<
ters. In computing his prisoners, Cstptain
Stewart has committed a mistake; which, added
to that respecting the killed of the two British
ships, makes th/eir united complements appear
greater than they were by f34 men. «i .> ir>ii^:XM
^u 'Three of the Cyane's men deserted' to! the
Americans; but, generally, the two crews ire-
sisted the repeated otfers made to.them to enlitt
with the enemy. It was stated by the'. British
officers, at the court-martial, that, the crews of
the two ships were, for three weeks, kept con-
stantly in the Constitution's hold, with both
hands and legs in irons ; and there allowed but
three pints of water during the 34 hours.-^-This,
too,' in a tropical climate ! — >It was further proved
that, after the expiration of the three weeks^
upon the application of Captain Douglas^ one
third of the men were allowed to be .on deck,
four hours out of the 34; but had not^ the jneans

!i:';i

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA. 46&.

of walking) b^ing still in irons ; that, on mus*
tering the . crews when they were landed at
Maranham, five o£ the Levant's boys were iniss^
ing; that, upon application and search for them,
two. were found locked up in the American cap-
tain of marine's cabin; that a black man at
Maranham was employed as a crimp, and enticed
one of. the Levant's boys to enter the American
service. — : — Upon these facts, let the reader em-
ploy his, own thoughts : if he possesses a British
heart, he will need no prompter.

With the second change of her commander,
the Constitution appeared with two carronades
fewer than she mounted in the Java's action ;
but on^ of her long 24s, as a shifting gun, was
made to supply the place of those carronades.
Two additional long S4-poutoders, and some
carronades, were seen in her hold. A similar
discovery on board a British ship of war, would
have been made a proper use of. No such ad-
vantage shall be taken. Upon her capstan, the
Constitution mounted a piece, resembling seven
musket-barrels, fixed together with iron bands.
It was discharged by a lock; and each barrel
threw 25 balls, within a few seconds of each
other; making 145 shot from the piece within
two minutes. The American officers said it was
intended to act against boarders. Every species
of dismantling shot was, this time, seen, in great
abundance, on board the American ship: a con-

'#^:ISi

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400

;

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

rmation of her having employed such artitl^rf
in her former actions. But, above all, the Con*
stitution now had on board, mfumacefor heating
shot/ — ^The American officers said it would heat
balls to a white heat in 15 minutes ; but that
hot shot were *' not to be used in action, unless
the ship was assailed by a superior force.**— What
an American officer would call *' superior force'%
may be partly imagined by the numerous Ame-
rican descriptions of '* equal force" to be found
in these pages. Nay, as the Levant and Cyane
were pronounced, by Captain Stewart himself,
to have possessed a *' superiority in weight and
number of guns," ('^PP* ^o* ^^») what, but
the certainty of capturing them, and the loss
that would be sustained by their destruction,
prevented the full employment of the hot shot?
On the morning of the action, the Constitution
victualled, in crew, according to the report of
lier officers, 409 men, and 3 )i)oys. An officer^
lind 7 or 8 men, were absent in a prize, which
afterwards arrived at New York : the Constitu-
tion's original complement, therefore, was 480
at least. Her men were provided with leather
caps, for boarding ; fitted with narrow plates of
iron, crossing at the top, and' beading upward
from the lower edge of the cap, to prevent a
blow from striking the shoulder, after having
glanced on the head.

The Levant was built of fir, in 1813; the

9REAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

467

Cyane, of oak» in 1804. Upon the latter's ar*
rival at New York, the rottenness of her timbers
was visible at every shot-hole. Indeed, it was
that which occasioned her breeching-bolts tp
draw. The Cyane formerly mounted long guns
upon the main-deck. (See p. 34.) When her
ports were altered for the reception of carron-
Rdes, fresh bolts were fitted, without the removal
of the old ones ; which, subsequently, were taken
out, and shifted to a sounder part of the timber; '
but, in the action, suqh was the general rotten-
ness of the timbers, all four breeching-bolt9
dfew!

The dimensions of the Constitution have been
given already. (See p. 111.) After her action
with the Java, she was in a manner rebuilt ; and
constructed with three quarter-deck stern-chaste
ports ; for which, her two additional long 24s^
along with the aftermost shifting one, were in-
tended: giving her a force, from her stern, of
five long 34-pounders. The dimensions of the
two British ships here follow :

Levant.
Tom. Ft. In.
116
Breadth, extreme, ' 462 29 10|

Length of main-deckel
from rabbit to rabbit,/

Cyane.

Ton«. Ft. [In.
of lowero ,,3 2

deck,

^39 Sfi Of

The *' Boston Gazette" contains the following
paragraph, respecting the size and force of these
two vessels : — *^ The Cyane is frigate-built ; and

H H 2

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468

NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

is of the saipe tonnage, and capable of the lame
armament, as the late U. S. frigate Essex. The
Levant is exactly equal in tonnage, and arma-
ment to the late" (meaning the new, now lost)
** U. S. ship Wasp ; both (independently of the
advantage which two ships have over one) being
decidedly superior to the Constitution.''

The impudence of this federal puff 19 beyond
anything. The Cyane's American tonnage is
630; that of the Essex, according to her very
builder's statement, 850. The only material
difference, as to dimensions, betiveen the " late
U. S. ship Wasp" and the Cyane is, that the lat-
ter was built up, so as to carry a quarter-deck
and forecastle : reduce them, and the two ships
would measure exactly the same. It is true, the
Levant, and about a dozen of her sister-vessels,
all run up in the same year, ought to have been
*' equal in tonnage and armament to the late
U. S. ship Wasp.** But, although mopnting 21
instead of 19 guns, they are far inferior vessels
to the brigs ; whose capture by the American
sloops, they were constructed to avenge.

It having been shewn, that the two British ships
mounted, in broadside, all carronades, except
two 9s, and that the Constitution mounted, in
broadside, seventeen long 24s, exclusive of her
carronades, the reader will see the propriety
of our deviating a little, from the usual way of
igihibiting the comparative force in guns.

'■IP

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

4eo

The united tonnage of the Levant and Cjane,
would affect the superficial extent, not the thick-
ness, of their sides: consequently, were the size
in tont to be introduced at all, it should be the
mean or average tonnage of the two British
yessels, 500; which bears to 1533, a much
smaller proportion, than existed, in point of
strength and compactness, between the top-
sides of the stoutest of the two British ships,
and those of the Constitution. We hai'e there-
fore thought it best, to exclude from the esti-
mate, altogether, the size in ions, "*

Comparative force of the ships.

Levant and Cyane.

Broadside-metal J long guns,
in pounds, ( carronades.

Complement, |^*"'

£60

18
742

302

Constitution.

469

4U8
320

472

• The " corporation of the city of New York"
declared, that the victory over the Levant
and Cyane, ought to be classed ** among the
most brilliant feats recorded in naval history' /—
On anchoring at Boston, '* this glorious yankee
vessel," says a Boston paper, **• was welcomed by
federal salutes. Captain Stewart landed under a
salute ; and was escorted to the Exchange coffee-
house, by troops, amidst the repeated cheers
of citizens 6f both sexes, who filled the streets,
wharves, and vessels, and occupied the houses.

.'M

470

NAVAL OCCURRENCES UETWEEIf

A band of music played national airs/* &c. &c. It
appears, also, by the same paper, that the manager
of the play-house knew hit interest too well, not
to crave leave to announce, that *' the gallant
Captain Stewart, and the officers of the Consti-
tution" (all, of course, ** in full regimentals'')
would honor the theatre with their presence.—^
To recount all the extravagances which this
event gave rise to, in different parts of the Union,
among i\ie federalists^ especially, would exceed
the limits of this work. Yet they had official
authority, in some degree, to warrant their re>-
joicings. Does not Captain Stewart assert, that
the enemy had a ** superiority in the weight and
number of guns/' besides the ** advantages de-
rived from a divided and more active force" ?

The same motive that induced Commodore
Perry to reject the weight of metal, in the Lake
Erie action, (see p. 290,) induced Captain Stew-
art to adopt it, in the action with the Levant
and Cyane. How ** active" the British ships
were, maybe judged from the well-known fact,
that, out of a fleet which the Cyane convoyed to
Newfoundland, every vessel, but one, ran by her
with ease; and her officers declare, that the
Levant could but just outsail her.

Respecting the advantages to be derived from
a ''divided force,'* Captain Stewart, upon ano-
ther occasion, expressed quite a different opi<^
nion from that contained in his letter. A

CiaEJkT BRITAIN AND AMBIUCA.

471

** Report/' signed by this gentleman, and ap-
proved by Captains Hull and Morris, has aU
read J been noticed. (See p. 16.) An estimate
is there given, of the comparative force of Ame-
rican ** ships of the line, say 74s, and large
frigates." ** Ships of the line," says Captain
Stewart, " are much stronger in scantling,
thicker in the sides and bottom, less penetrable
to shot; and, consequently, less liable to be
torn or battered to pieces, or sunk. 1 am aware
that some are of opinion, that a more divided
force is better calculated for action, from the
advantageous position that would be given to a
part. Suppose three frigates, of 50 guns" (the
*' round of shot** of each, . previously stated at
*' 1360 pounds") '' were to undertake to batter
a 74-gun ship ; (round of shot, '* 32S4 pounds" ;)
** and that two of them were to occupy the quar-
ter and stern of the 74, (this is placing them in
the most favorable position,) the other frigate
engaged a-breast ; every thing would then de-
pend on the time the frigate a-breast could main-
tain that position, to enable the other two to
act, with effect, on the stern and quarter. But,
it must appear evident to all acquainted with
the two classes of ships, that the frigate a-breast
could not withstand the fire of so heavy and
compact a body, many minutes; and, in all
probability, would be dismasted or sunk, the
first or second broadside. This would decide

i-M

472

NAVAL OOCURRBNCBS BETWEEN

the fate of the other two.*' (Nav. Chron. voL
xxix, p. 4G0,) ..J t : ,

^* From this we are to understand that, although
" some are of opinion that a more divided force
18 better calculated for action/' Captain Stew-
art, at the time he framed that '* valuable com-
munication," considered, that ** three large fri-
gates," placed *' in the most favorable posi-
tion," would be compelled to yield to a '' 74-
gun ship f owing to the latter being *' stronger
in scantling, ano thicker in sides.'*
^' Why, then, should there be an exception, be-
cause two, instead of three ships, are engaged ?
The Constitution has ** stronger scantling and
thicker sides" than a British 74; (see p. 127;)
and what were the vessels opposed to her? — ^Two
ships, averaging 500 tons! — If Captain Stewart,
in his supposititious case, can excuse three ships,
having a superiority '* in point of metal," of a
thirteenth, for yielding to one; why will he not,
in his real case, excuse two ships, having a supe-
riority in point of metal, (admitting, for arga-
ment sake, the equality of long guns and carron-
ades,) of only a twehtif fourth, for yielding to one?
Digressing for a moment ; suppose the U. S.
ships Peacock and Hornet, soon after leaving
New York together, had fallen in with the Endy-
mion, close to-windward of them ; and (the only
improbable part of the supposition) had staid
t0 engage her till finally captured.

URBAT BRITAllr AND ABffBRICA.

473

^ : How would the Americaii citizens have be-
haved on this occasion?— ^Why, they would have
received Captains Warrington and Biddle, pre-
cisely as they did Captain Stewart; — published

' accounts in every paper of the ^' heroic defence
against decidedly superior force :" not failing to
point out, as they did in the Essex's action, the
great disparity between carronades and long
guns, when the latter have the choice of dis-
tance. Mr. Madison, too, in his next speech to
congress, would have declared, that the two
little sloops continued the unequal contest, till
(as he said of the Essex) *' humanity tore down
the colours which valor had nailed to the mast.''
How would Captain Hope have behaved ? He
would have told a plain tale of his good-fortune,
applauding the American commanders, for hav-
ing so long maintained a contest; in which, from

> the nature of their armament, and from their

leeward position, they could not hope to succeed.

It need scarcely be added, that the surviving

' officers and ship's companies of the Levant and

•Cyane, were, at their several courts-martial,
most honorably acquitted for the surrender of
their ships, and justly applauded for the gallant

-defence they made, against an enemy's ship, so
decidedly superior.
The Constitution carried the Levant and

^Cyane into Port Praya, in the island of St,
Jago; where they all arrived on the 7th of

p ■ :

474

BTiiYAL OCCURRENCES BETWEBBT

March^ In his way thither^ Captain Stewart
planned a sort of deceptio visits upon his coontiy-
men at New York, by painting the Cjane so as
to make her resemble a d6-gan frigate. That
corresponds with his behayiour all through this
afikir. ^

On the 8th of March, in a thick fog, H. M.
ships Leander, Newcastle, and Aeasta, arrived
off the harbour, in quest of the U. S. ships Pre-
sident, Constitution, and Congress ; the master
of an American captured yessel haying informed
Sir George Collier, the British commanding
officer, that those three ships had left port in
company. The Constitution, and her two
prizes, cut their cables, and stood to sea. In a
little while, Captain Stewart made a signal for
the Cyane to tack. She did so ; and — no ship
foUfmed her* In two hours afterwards, the same
signal was made to the Levant. She tacked
also ; and, in seven minutes afterwards, *' the
whole enemy's squadron,'' says the Constitu-
tion's log-extract, (App. No. 110,) *^ tacked in
pursuit of the Levant, and gave up the pursuit
of this ship." — ^The Cyane and Constitution
were thus left to themselves; and the Levant,
with so many ships in pursuit of her, was of
course recaptured.

The feelings of the British officers on board
the Constitution, at the moment the three ships
tacked after the Levant, may be better con-

V 't

GRCAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

476

ceired than described. Nor were the American
officers slow in expressing their joyful surprise^
not unmingled with contempt, at the seeming
forbearance of the British frigates. When the
force of those ships, (each of two of which
threw a heavier broadside than the Constitu-
tion,) and the distinguished character of the
officers commanding them, come under consi-
deration, it absolves the British from any thing
like an unwillingness to fight: at the same
time, we must all regrei, that it should have
been deemed expedient to withhold from the
public eye, those " untoward circumstances"
which led to the Constitution's, — as it now ap-
pears, — most unaccountable escape. . -

According to the " Sketches of the War,"
Captain Stewart had, on a previous cruize m
the Constitution, done more than capture the
*' frigate Cyane" and her consort ; more than
effect his escape from a formidable British squad-
ron ; more, in short, than any French, Spanish,
or American commander of a frigate, could
boast of having done: — compelled a British
frigate to fly before him ! — Here are the words
of the American editor, extracted from p. 340,
of his book : — ** During her cruize, she captured
the British public schooner Pictou ; and fell in
with the frigate la Pique, Captain Maitland, who
0ed on the approacii of the Constitution. No

JH ''

^^^^^B ''' '

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Ki A .

^^^He^^^

}}i

V 1

'^ tl,

HAVAL OCOURREKCBS BETWEEN

effort was left untried by Captain Stewart, to
OFertake and bring her to action ; but she es-
caped in the night, after a long chase; and
Captain Maitland, on bis arrival in England,
'was complimented by the admiralty, for his
strict observance of his instructions, in flying
from an American frigate.*'

The latter assertion may accompany that al-
leging the trial and execution of the Plantaga-
net's men for mutiny: (see p. 324:] our atten-
tion is better bestowed upon the merits of this
extraordinary chase. — ^We shall first present the
reader with an extract from the Picjue's log-book :

Courses.

N.84W.

Courses.

Wind.

Dist.

142 M.

f i

11 SI N.WfW.

d| l| 4

4 1 ship's head

5 IfrotuN.W.to

6 JN.

N. W.

N.|E.

N. I W.

Lat.

18.1. N

hs. S.£.

E.N.E.

Remaike, &c. H. M. S. Pique, Feb. tS,
1814.

At nooa observed leTcral ttrangm,
on* «pparentl^ ■ man of war in chase.

Long.

67. 22.

Bearings at noon.

\1unaI«ldt.N.73W.19in.

P. M. Light ain— braced the jrardi
bf , to allow the chaw to come up.— 'At
4. light airi.— At 4. SO. observed chase
take in her main-itay-tail. — A« 4. SO.
obsenred her lake in rojralt top>gallant,
lower, and top-mast, studding'Sails.—
Hauled to the wind on larboard-tack,
and made all sail to close her ; hoisted
an ensign. Stranger shortened sail, in
1st reef top-sails, hoisted American co*
lours, and hauled her wind on oppo-
site tack ; appeared to be a large Iri-
gale, having 16 ports of a-side. Cleared
for action ; stranger S. E. by S. S mdes.
—At 5 Island of2«r*«^*^ by E. l«or
13 miles:— 8 cloudy, lo». jight of stran>
ger :— 10 in first reels : — It squally.

i "i'

<IREAT BRlTAiy AND AMSRIOA.

477

<.73W.!9iiu

The first symptom of the Pique's ** fljiog,"
was her bracings the yards by, '* to allow the
chase to come up ;" the second, her hauling to
the wind, and making all sail '' to close her.''
On the other hand, the Constitution evinced a
strong disposition *' to overtake and bring her
to action,'' when she took in all her sail, and
hauled to the wind, at a distance from the Pique
of full three miles. Had the Pique, in her
efforts to close, hauled upon the same tack as
the Constitution, the latter would have been
upon her weather-bow; and, by putting her
belm up, might have raked the Pique effectu-
ally, without a possibility of her bringing more
than three guns to bear. The Constitution
would have luffed-to again ; and might have
repeated this manoeuvre, till she had completely
crippled her adversary ; only that the narrow-
ness of the passage would have compelled her
to tack, before she had stood on much further.
About 1 o'clock in the morning, the Pique
gained the wind of the Constitution, crossing her
bow at about 1|- mile distance. The editor of
the ** Sketches of the War," no doubt, took his
account of this affair from Captain Stewart's
official letter. The latter could not be con-
tented with exculpating himself ; but, the odium
he had such an easy way of getting rid of, must
endeavour to cast upon the officers and crew of
a firitish frigate.

■^ ■ f.," '/TWWl

< *

\i ''-^

IS-'""

lHf;r

47$

NATAL 0C0U11RSNC1S4 BETWBBN

ii!!

•'

'i| i> ;

A British merchatit-master, who wa9 a pri-
•oner on board the Constitution wh«n she fell
in with the Pique, was as much surprised as
any of us, when he afterwards read in the
newspapers, that the Constitution had chased
that ship, and «ould not bring her to action.
He says, that the first- lieutenant saw, from the
number of her main-deck ports, that the Pique
was only a 42, or, as then rated, 36 gun frigate,
and was desirous to bring her to action ; but that
the captain seemed averse to it. In the night,
the Constitution bore up ; rounded the Square-
handkerchief fihoid ; and, in 48 hours afterwards,
was off Charlestown ; far enough from the Pique.
t It is true, tkajt'Captain Maitland bad received
secret orders, not to engage one of the large
class of American frigates. This was afterwards
complained of in the house of commons ; but,
certainly, without the slightest grounds. Before
the end of 1813, the American frigate Guerriere,
•carrying long, or columbiad 32-pounders, upon
the main-deck, was fitting; and, but for the
Majestic's appearance in the Delaware, would
.have got to sea. The Gnerriere shews the same
number of ports o£ a-side as the Constitution ;
and a reference to the Majestic's force, as given
At p. 34, and to the Phoebe's, at p. 316, will
shew, what would have been the disparity of
force between the Guerrici^ «md a frigate of the
Pique's class. As soon as th.e American fri*

«•'

•RBAT BRITAIN AND AMIUUCA«

47»

gate appeared in sight, and discovered her ** 16
ports of a-side," Captain Maitland could do
no less than read to his cubw, the instructions
he had received. — Ignorant how to set about
" fljing/' — ^the orders to do which, the Pique'*
men would have most relikctaittly executed,—
Captain Maitland hauled his wind, hoisted an
ensign, and cleared for action^ This order
needed no repetition. At about half-past 4, the
ship's compahj', as usual, were piped to supper ;
but, to a man, refused their grog, saying, thej
wanted none, while an enemy's frigate was in
sight : they could do their duty without ! When
we reflect i^K>n the relative numbers on board
the two frigates, this admirable trait in the
Pique's men, was certainly a very strong proof,
how much British seamen had been cowed, hj
the naval successes of the Americans !

.z'

luv'
1'

■',

480

NATAL 0CCURRENCB8 BBTWBBIf

i1'

11 ^'

in '■ ■ . ;

' ' ' .

9^4

rff?r?-»-r>--^'r:,'

CHAPTER XX.

': '>)?f2i

■ . • mi

hI
Si. Lawrence echooner, bearing despatches relating

— to the peace, is attacked and captured by the C/tas-
seur brig-^No British official account of the action
'--Damages and loss of each vessel — Their respeC"
f>^ tive force in guns, men, and size^^Statement of
m comparative force^^American accounts of actions
'^between their privateers and British ships of war
'—Penguin falls in with, and engages, the Hor-
net— No British official account of the action
published — Full details of it— Penguin surren*
adders — Her damages, destruction, and loss —
-'Homers damages and loss — Force of each vessel
in guns, men, and size — American method of
measurement—Statement of comparative force— ;•
Remarks thereon — Peacock falls in with the
E, I, C» brig Nautilus — Captain Warrington,
after a knowledge of pea/ce, wantonly attacks and
captures her — Lieutenant Boyce^s gallant beha-
viour, and dreadful wounds — Other loss sustained
— Force of the two vessels — The transaction fully
considered.

His Majesty^s schooner St. Lawrence, Lieu-
tenant Gordon, on the 26th of February, 1815,
while proceeding with despatches from Rear-
admiral Co<?kb urn, relating to the peace between

to
pr

i\^

< I

«BBAT SRITAIK AND AMBAtCA.

4ai

Gnsd Britain and the United States, fell in witli
•thie Aipeppan privateer-brig Chasseur.

The di|tter atteked the schooner, and an en-
gagement ensned; which, the Americans state,
lasted, a^ dose quarters, onlj 16 minutes, when
the St. Luvrence wair carried by boarding. No
Dritish official account has been published ; but
iinoffioial accorunits state, that the action conti-
•oued muoh longer. Owing to th^ nature of the
despatohM, it i& probable I hey were not sunk.
At all events, a great many private letterji firom
officers to theiv friends fell into the enemy's
Jiands; i|nd, shameful to say, were afterwards
publiabed in the American newspapers.

The St. lAWreace wf|s a good deal cut up ;
und, aocovding to a New iProvidence paper, lost
fi men^killed, and IS wounded. The Americans
made the killed, as they generally do, mucfe
greater. The Ch^s8eur wa^ also iiyurcd in her
hull and spars ; and lost, by the American re-
turns, 5 men killed, and 8 wounded.

The St. La^wreqce mounted t\velve carrQ;pa4cs,
12-pQunders, and one long 9-pounder. The
Americans g^ve her two more cairronjades. Her
complement, on, going into action, was 42 officers
and men, and 9 boys. She had also a few pas-
sengers. The A iPQricans stated; her qomplemen t
to be 75, eiccliisive of pajssengej-js ; ,but 61 com-
prise the mimber^ftf beiMjrew.

Thys American ac^oiints dWigr as tp the ^rma-

1 1

1 (•'

ii*'T

4 1

'If--
If '

482 NAVAL OCCUHRBNCB9 BETWEEN

ment of the Chasseur. As far as can b^ col-
lected from thenii she mounted six long 9 pound-
ers, ajid. eight carronades, 18-pounders, total 14
gMns ; : but had formerly mounted sixteen much
heavier guns. The New Providence paper states
Jier complement to have been 117 men. • The
American accounts do not admit so many* /uul
The St. Lawrence was formerly the American
letter of marque Atlas, of 240 tons, and>m6unt-
ing 10 guns; taken at Ocracock bar, on the 24th
of July, 1813. She was ^comparatively a mere
shell ; with scarcely any bulwarks. The^Chas-
seurwas pronounced one of the finest privateers
out of America ; and in point of sailing, hiad no
competitor. She was pierced for 18 guns ; had
regular bulwarks, stouter than those of our first-
class brigs; and measured 275 tons, Amencan,
or 287, English. i

Comparative force of the two vessels, , *

Chasseur brig.f

St. Lawrence schooner.

Broadside-metal ( long guns,
^ in pounds^ Icarronades^

Complement, {jj^

— 81
42

9
—'51
240

115
2

99f*if,

-117
2&7

Size in tons.

The principal disparity in this action, was in
number of men. The vessels being close to each
other, so that musketry could be used, that su-
periority was greatly augmented ; and the enemy,

It* ' '

itP

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA. 488

at last, boarded, with an overwhelmiog force. *
Men are not in the best trim for fighting, just
upon receiving the news of peace. Sailors ar«
then dwelling upon their discharge from servi* *
tude, the sight of long absent friends, and all '
the ties of their homes and families. Even that, <
though it perhaps contributed to weaken the '
efforts, could not impair the courage, of th^ ^
crew of the St. Lawrence: they defended her^ till/
neorly half their number were kiUed or wounded. '^

The Americans boasted, that the Chasseur^
upon a former cruize, ** fought" two sloops of
war. According to an extract from her log,
published in a New York paper, it appears,
she did *' exchange a few shots" with one of
our brigs; and^ on another occasion, *vas *^ fire^
at" by a brig; but, each time,— ^took to her
heels. How many American privateers, besides
the Chasseur, have *' fought" British ships in a
similar manner! , ,

f ... , . ■• •

While on this subject, it may be as well to
exhibit to the reader, without any order of date,
a few instances of the '* bold and daring intre-
pidity of the crews of the private-armed vessels
of the United States."

The Warrior, according to the American ac-
counts, was an extraordinary large brig, of be-
tween 4 and 500 tons, mounting 22 heavy guns,
and having a complement of 150 men. She was

I i2

.•*■' \

iiiTAt dcfcuARetrcyi AsTirBEA

^ lie

tb^refote a match for any of our 18-gan sloopfi.
'* An extract from tb^ Warrior** log-book/'
(alluding to a ship in chase) says: — '* Tbinkinj^
her to be a sloop of y^w, got all ready and clter
for action."—*' At 3. SO. lufTed-to to let the
enemy come np; when they took in all their
light satis, and luflTed'^to also; then discovert
her to be a frigate: — made all sail, &c.'**— Here
appeared an intention to fight '' a sloop of
war;" but, upon another vesselheaving rnidght,
we read: ** Shortly after, discovered her to be a
man of war brig, which gave chase to us ; out'
wiled her ^th £M«."^— Alid again : *' Was chased
by a sloop of war." — Not another word about
" getting dear for action," and ** lujfing-to to
let the enemy coialeup.''^-Wh^t is to be infbited
from all this, but ^)at these hectoiing j>ani-
graphs wier^ invented, either by thie captain of
the privateer, to get him and his vessel a brilli-
ant name, or by the newspaper editcfr, to make
a column of dry detail go down with his readers.
^Another editor gives ati extract from the log-
bdok dtfthe " private-aVhied Kchbouer Hoger, of
~t4 gtins and 75 men," in wbieh appears the fol-
lowing entry : *• April lath, lat. ^, long. 66. fell
in with, and chased , a man of war bri^" !
"' But *« Captain Guy ft. Champlin, of the pri-
t^te-armed scb6oner General Ai*mstrong, df
^New York," perfohUed a still gfeit^r eitploit.
^' a letter, dated "aiarleHton, April 5, 1^3,*'

IMt^AT BRITAIN AMD ^MIM^fCA. 4S5

lie ftatei that, .oi| the llth of March, «< ahoi^
6 IflBguef ^. ]g. of SuriDi^m/' he engaged ^
'* Brilieh fngate, moanting 99 guns on her gun-
deck, 6 or 8 on her qiDtrter-^eck, and 4 on the
forecastle." — Ife admits that the General Arm-
strong (mounting 18 guns) was seyerelj cut |uip
in hull ; lost 7 men killed, and 16 (^lcluding
himself) wounded; and with fiifl^cultj escaped.
The loss of the ** frigate'' he describes thus :
' ' We saw them throw over ma^y of tl^eir killed."
•^** The Sketches of the War" gives mu^h the
same account, oynly preferrjing ** a he^yy frigate"
to the particulars of the frigate's force, as stated
in the captain's letter. — ^The reader will scarcely
helieve that this ^' heavy frigate" was no other
than the Coquette, (now broken up,) a sister-
vessel to the iQherub; ,w,^se force in g^US, men,
and size, has ^eady appeared. (See p. 3.12.)
A lie js seldoHfi ^ well told, but some inconsis-
tency betrays it. WJbere is thei^e a British frigate
*' mounting 28 gun^ on her gun-^^eck," that
mounts no more than 6 or 8 on her quarter-
deck"?— Six is the precise number mounted by
the Coquette and her class.— A reference to the
Coquette's log-book, shews that she lost in the
^r.tion, 4 men wounded, but none killed. It is
irue, 2 died of .their wounds; but their bodies
were not committed to the deep till late in the
eveijiipg; whefi the privateer had been some

til

ui^.

i!'

;

' '1

■'■

(

1 •

•

T " -

-5.

1 ■? s

■Si

1 i . .

,|j ■•

ill

(■/

"486 NAVAL OCCURREfrcBS BETWBEW

.•^'ouw outof sightf yet, say the AitieHcatf^,-** we
'Saw them throw orer many of their kif led" I** **
The €fditOr of the '* Sketches of the \t'ar" has,
'however, left Cai]itain Champlin, and all other
American officei's, far behind him. Mr. John
Lewis Thomson was determined to have the
-course to himself. " The Charybdis," says he,
at pi 94, ** fell in with the privateer Blockude,
of New York, of 8 gunsj and, after an obsti-
nate engagement of 1 hour and 20 minutes, in
which the Charybdis lost 28 of her officers and
men killed and wounded, and the Blockade 8
men only, the latter was carried, and taken into
port'* ;— when, in truth, the Blockade was cap-
tured by H. M. brig Charybdis, without a shot
being fired, beyond, probably, one to bring her
to: she had actually thrown overboard 9 out of
her 10 guns, in her efforts to escape ! A reference
to Captain Clephan's official letter, (Nav. Chroh.

,'to1. xxix. p. 80,) is all that is required to. sub-
stantiate the fi^ct, 5wmf^

On the 23d of March, 1815, H; M. brig Pen^
guin. Captain James Dickinson, fell in with the
U. S. ship Hornet, Captain Biddle; and an ac-

' tion ensued. It maybe proper to mention that,
although the ratification of the peace had been
signed by Mr. Madison since February, the se-

icond article rendered captures made, at the

i | (|WWWi>T W » 1^ H» WW >P'

GREAT> BRITAIN ANB AMERICA. 487

^rent^t distance, legal till June. The American
officer heard of the peace, on the 20th, frOB& a-
neutral vessel; but the man of war in sight, on
the 33d, was evidently a brig; whose force, there-
fore, was known to be inferior to the Hornet's.

No British official account of this action has
been published ; but a copy of the letter of the
Penguin's surviving senior-officer, will be.found'
in the Appendix. (No. 111.) The two accounts
agree, within .5 minutes, as .to the time when the
action commenced; but, while the British > ac-
count fixes the period of surrender at 2. 25.
(40 minutes from the commencement,) the Ame-
rican • account, without giving the date of sur-
render, ■ declares that, "from the firing of the
first gun to the last time the enemy cried out he
had surrendered, was exactly 22 minutes by the
watch.*'^-In confirmation of the Penguin's time
being the most correct, an old man, a Dane,
whO) along with three or four other men, lives on
the island of Tristran d'Acunha,<and is called
the governor of it, held his watch in his hand
during the action; (which was fought in full
view of him ;) and declared to the officers of both
vessels, that, between the first and. last cannon,
shot, 41 minutes and some seconds elapsed.
• With respect to Captain Biddle's assertion,
that, when the Penguin got foul of the Hornet,
and lost her, bowsprit and fore-mast, her. first
lieutenant hailed ** that they had surrendered,'*

'k'!

! ■ ■•-

4Sd

NAVAL OGCURRENCEft BETWEEN >

I-

& ■ it

* ft*- !f fc

4t-

■!**

the American commander certainly mistook;
Lictttehant McDonald's words. Th^yw«re,ttc.
cordifi^ to the testimony of the Penguin's late
secon'd lieuiienani;, *' What ship is that ?''~^This
is iilftf»rial; because Captkin Biddle charges
the Penguin's people with firing- at hidd after
sui-render. " An officer of the U. S. ^loop of
U^ar Pea^dck,'^ in a lelterj published in the
'^ New £nglali4 Pallkdiirm^" hasndt scrupled to
ap^ly the term '* ruffians" to two of the Pen-
guin^i itiafines, who then fired; and one of whom
hit Cftptain Biddle iii th^chin or teck; but the
writeV ei^tiltingly adds : '^ They were observed by
two of Biddle's marines, who levelled, and laid
tbem dead upon the ddck, at the inslaiii/^

The t^ame ofilicer states, that, in a eonversa?
ttoil which Captain Biddle had with Lieutenant
M^Ddiiald, the latter ascribed the failure of the
boarding-attempt to the backwardness of his
men. This is considered as the invention Of
some of the American Officers. The Penguin'^
G^ew Weife chiefly landhi^ abd boys; unskilled
in gunnery ; ai!id, exdept « veiy small portion,
had jiever before beeti rnacti6n; but thiet^ were,
among them, many with British hesirts; and
who, i^hen the boarders we^e called, were only
prevented frbm springing on the Hornet's ded^,
by the fhll of the Penguin's boi^sprit arid fore-
ihast, a^d the immediate haulinig off* of the
American vessel. Captain Biddle, r^rring ta.

■'.<,
:«,?
&■

■>■•;

<W19A,T BRITAIN A.ND AMPRMfA* 489

the circamstance of bit being wounded aftar tli«
irat hail, adds: '* It wa6 with difficulty I could
restrain my c ew from firing into him again'* i
and yet the Peacock's officer has divulged to us,
that the *' two fellows'" who fired, were both
shot dead.

The Penguin was much shattered in her hull;
and, besides the loss of fore-mast and bowsprit^
her main-mast was completely crippled. Her
after-carronades on the side engaged, were ** ren*
dered useless by the drawing of the breechingr
bolts" (App. No. 111.) Previous to which, in-
deed^ the carronades had frequently, in their
recoil, turn^ half round ; and much labour and
loss of time ensued, before they could be re-*
placed. No accident of this sort occurred «)n
board the Hornet, owing to the superior manner
in which American carronades are fitted. Such
of the carronades upon the Penguin's larboard-
side as remaiaied fi^ed to the ports, "were covered
by the wreck of the fore-mast ; and the want of
masts and sails, rendered it impossible to bring
the other broadside to bear. The Penguin was
therefore perfectly defenceless ; ^d further re*
sistance would have been a waste of lives. Her
shattered state alone, led to her final destruction;
early on the morning of the HSih.

Captain Dickinson was first lieutenant <uf the
Amphioki, in the action off Lissa ; and was es-
t#em^d a very gallant officer. Besides her com-

nil

' '.'flit'' '

, 'fHP 1 ^ '

t 1 '1

. 1

^:|t:

4196

l^AlfkT, OCCtmRENCliS BETWEEN

mander, the Penguin lost her boatswain, and'4
seamen and marines, killed*^ 4 others monally
wounded; and her second lieutenant, (rerj se-
verelyi) purser's clerk, 2 midshipmen, (each of
whom lost a leg,) and 24 seamen and marines,
wounded; most of them slightly; total 38. One
of the wounded midshipmen died on his passage
to St. Salvador, in the U. S. brigantine Tom
Bowline.— Captain Biddle says: " Theyacknow-
l^ge a loss of 14 killed." The Penguin's first
and second lieutenants, and master, all agree in
stating, ' that except the midishipman, (whose
death was not known to lieutenant McDonald
at the date of his letter,) no £nore than 10 men
were killed, or mortally wounded.
' It is a very unpleasant task to be compelled
to contradict statement after statement in the
official • correspondence of a national officer.
Yet Captain Biddle's name is familiar to the
reader, as the man who, though himself the
prize-master, wrote home, on a former occasion,
a false account of a British man of war's arma-
ment. (See- p. 149.) He now ventures to say,
that the Hornet ** did not . receive a single
round shot in her hull.'' Why, several shot^holes
along the Hornet's quarter, stared the Pengnin's
officers and men in the face as they stepped
from the boat up her sides. Her round-house
was completely shot away, and she received one
shot under water, that kept the men constantly

IrftfeAT BRITAI!r AND AMeRICA. ^t^

at tlie pumps. All thw' was' li^owii to every
tAkn beh>iiging «6 the Pleh|rmtfi. H6w, indeed,
'^otild it be kiept secret ? Yet, says Mr. Biddle,
** thh iibip did hot receive a single round-shot
iitherhoH*^! ***<''' i-n^rrf u :^

^^■^After such a statement, we cannot be sur-
"prisedlfhatthe Hornet's loss should be made so
trifling as 1 killed, and It wounded; of whom
one died. Lieutenant M*Donald says, that the
"the Penguin ii^as not taken possession of, till 35
minutes afte* she surrendered. Even some time
then elapsed before the prisoners were removed.
Just as Mr. Kirk, oiie of the Penguin's midship-
.Tnen, and the very fii-st prisoner that reached
'"the Hornet, was stepping upon her /deck, the
.'crew were in the act of throwing a man over-
board ; but a struggle, or convulsive twitch in
r^he body, occasioned his being hauled in agaiti.
The poor wretch's lower jaw had been nearly all
.shot away; yet he lived, and was walking about
t the deck in the course of a few days. This
shews in what a hurry the American officers
-were, to get their killed out of the way before
f'the arrival of the prisoners ; and the time ne-
cessary to remove every appearance of blood
.and carnage, contributed to the delay in send-
'^ing for them. Even when the British did come
.'on board, buckets of Water were dashing about,
and brooms at work, on all parts of the deck.
'The Penguin's second lieutenant, counted 16 of

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If
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4M KArXh OCCUERVIfCpil SETWEUy

lbs Horpet'f mtii Ijing in thoir cots; and ^▼<^
rsl of her wf n told ao9i^ iq£ Ukbut fornjiei' «hipF
nalss, whom they discov^jred amppg the Pen-
guin's crew, that the Hornet had 10 |nen kilied
hy the first and second broadsides; and that
several of Hm dangerouslj wounded were thy own
overboard, because their surgeon was afraid tp
mnputate, owing to ^19 want of esi^perience 1
{See p. 181.)

The Penguin mounted the usual armament o^
her class; sixteen €arronades« 38*pQunder8^ two
long ^pounderst, and a 12-ponnd boat*carronade.
She had one swivel only; and that M^as mounted
itpon the capstai^j and shot away, tJbe first broad-
«lde. Captain Biddle places '^ swivels in her
lops;'' and has converted her long 6s into
'* 1^/' To ^<ve these double effoct, he adds :
'* She had a^pare port Ibrwasd, so as to fight
^both her long guns of a side." How happened
it not to occur to Captain i^iddle, ^hat she
>nught have.fought^one c^ her "'Si^iv<els" thsough
tthe km}90'hole! The fact is, the Amjeriqan cap^
<lain was sick 'in his cabin, with i^ crunk in his
jieck,; and fiaw litUe or /uothii^ of the Penguin,
after she steuck. But, had .he only read tba^t
.part of his!l0tter to ** Mr. Mayo, who had been
'in charge of the prize," that gentleman would
have told fhim, that the Penguin's lung guns
were not stationed forward, but in two 'midsip-
j^Tk^V whose carronades had beei} 4ibilted to

iti

MIBAT BftlTA.tN klXb kHtHtOh.

ihe foremost ones. Here was a blunder! firen
had the Penguin's long guns been in tb«r usiidi
places, does so experienced a navid officer as
Captain Biddle, venture to assert, that either of
those guns could be used out of die bew-port,
but as a chase-gun, pointed forwards. (See
plate 8. ISg. 3.) The Peacock's ofiioer^ in his
letter in the ** Palladtum,^ says thus: ** On
examining her {the Penguin's) |;ntis after lihe
action, a 834b. carronade on the «ide engi^ed,
was found, witSI its tompion, as nieefy pntt^ed
and stopped in, as it was the day alkt 1^ Spit-
heacl.'^-^1rhe Penguin's late second fieutenant.
Mi*. Elwin, (who commanded 4he fafe^^nast
guns,) andber late 'master, Mr. Atkinson, both
declare, 'u^ost 'sotemnly, that 'the eibove para-
graph is; in all its parts, a gross Msehood ; and
that the Penguin had not'evonnflliamorwooden
gan^iiiu2sle, (see p. 885^) as a pretext for -the
assertion. ■' •'^'' ■•^'■^ ^•'•'--'

The'Fengain was commissioned, for the first
time, in November, 1818 ; and waited at Sheer-
ness, for men, till June, 1814. Her complement
was then made up ; and consisted, with a full
allowance of boys, of very young and very Old
men ; 'the former, pressed men ; the latter, dis-
charged iUeiTeeti ves. Of her 12>1 men «nd boys,
13 only had ever-been in action. The^Pengutn
Was, in the September following, ordered to tlie
Cape oi Good -Hope. Tliere ^Bhe lost a ^great

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494

^AVAtt OCCiJRRBMCfiS $fitW££N

many of ber nifn bj sickness ; and, previous to
her sailing on the cruize in which she waM .cap*
tured, received a loan of 12 supernumerary ma*
rines ' from the Medway 74. Her purser was
left sick at the Cape. On going into action
with the'Uornet, she had, of her proper creWy
03' men, and 17 boys; making, with the 12 su-
pernumerary marines, 105 metty and^ 17 boys;
total 122. Captain Biddle says: ** The e)[iem)^
acknowledge a complement of 132.'' This gen-
tleman has enough to answer for;; let us, there-
fore, coniBider the error to have been the prin-
ter's, in the substitution of a 3 for a 2. But, there
is still a'mistf^ke in the number of prisoners re-
ceived. These amounted to 116,-— instead of
tV'illlS, including the 4 that died of their
wounds," — which, with the 6 killed in action,
makes 122 ; the total of the Penguin's comple-
ment. The New York account of this ** bril-
liant victory," published on the 4th of July,
(the best day in the year for embellishments of
this sort,) gave the Penguin ''a crew of 15S
men." i|

I i JThe Hornet, this time, mounted eighteen 32-
pound carronades, and two long 18, instead of
9 pounders ; which 18s, owing to their additional
length and weight, were fought through two
'midship ports, similar to the Penguin's 6s.
»The Hornet mounted, in her tops, swivels or
musquetoons, each throwing 50 buck-shot at a

«IIBJIT BRITAIN AND AMBRIOA.

4dfi

discharge ; and, upon her starboard-quarter^
two large swivels, fitted on chooks. Chain and
bur shot, old nails^ imo. in abundance; were fired
from her guns : the former contributed chiefly
td the fall of the Penguin's fore-mast and bow-
sprit; the latter afflicted 'the wounded, in the
usual manner. Captain Biddle says, that he
was *^ 8 men short of complement." In this so-
litary instance he appears to have been correct;
ior the British officers state, thai the Hornet

> commenced action with 165 men ; making, with
the 8 absent, 173 ; the numi r proved as that
ship's complement when she engaged the Pea-
cock. (See p. 204.) Lieutenant - McDonald
says, ' ** not a boy was amongst them ;" but

.Xieutenant Elwin 'saw^one, so called, a< servant
in the officer's mess-roohn ; and he was between
16 and 17 years old.— That some of the Hornet's
hien were natives of the United Kingdom, was
well known to several of the Penguin's ship's
company; and, if a still greater number were
not of that description, how are we to account
for the unmanly and frantic consternation, so
general on board the Hornet, when that ship
afterward^ expected to be captured by the Corn-
wallis 74? — ** Many of our men," says an ex-
tract from a private journal of one of the Hor- /
net's officers, '^ had been impressed and impri-
soned for years in that horrible service, and '

<v.

406

IVATAL OCOVJUaBIfOlM BETVBBV

■i.ii

■Ii'

,^!ii:
w.^

li«t«d tliem and thisir nation with the mait
daadlj ammoBitj; while the jest of the ciew«
horior-fltniek by the relation of the sufferings
of their ■hipniatfn, wlio had been in the power
ef the English, and now equally flushed with
rage, joined heartily in execrating the present
authors of our misfortune. Captain Biddletuiusr
terod the crew, and told them, he was pleased
with their conduct during the chase, laad hoped
still to perceive the propriety of conduct which
had always marked their diavacter, land th«t of
the American tar generally; that we might soon
cdcpect to be eapitured, &c. Not a di^ eye was
to be seen at the mention of capture/' (^a?.
Chron. vol. xxxiv. p. 379^) In another place,
we are termed ^' a cruel and^indkliTe enemy. ^
Mr. Biddle callls all ithis " pvopriety of con-
duct'' !— Qf whatever nation the Homet!s men
were, they, in ithe first instance, were picked
seamen ; and, h^ constant driUing at the guns,
during five or six years, might .well apquire that
&kill in gunnery, which theiy evinced in their
actions with the Peacock and the Penguin.

,So. much has appealed about :the size. of th^
British 18-^gun brigs, that, to , notice any thing
moneof what, the Americans have said upon;thc
aubject, may ibe deemed superfluous. To jet
-tiie question quite at ,rest; At mUI only be neces-
aavy to^ylaae japposite to >the Penguin's actual

'I J

^u.

OREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

497

dimensions, as taken by her builder, the dimen-
sions given to her by Captain Biddle, and since
published in a New York paper.

■Dimensions of H,M. late brig Penguin.

*\^ i

Wfun built.

Length of deck, from rabbit \
torabbH \

Breadth over both wiUls,

Pitto extreme, or for mea- }
■areitient, )

pitto noaldcd, or across tb^ ?
frane, >

Thickneat of top-iidci, at
'midthip port ••ill,

Do. do. at upper port-timbeir.

Height from water's edge to)
top of hammorks a-mid->
ships, when stowed, y

Distance bet weeocarronade- }
slides, S

Ditto from centre-line or
axis of one carronade, id
ceotr6>liae or axis of tl
jiext,

Ft.
100

»»

IWlun captured,
"Length on deck, 110 A.

■n

'^i }>«< Breadth of beam, 81| ft/*

so li

lU
H

7
S

" Thicknessof bulwarks, IS in.'*

*' Ditto at top of port, 10(10.*'

*• Height of bulwarks)
where hammocks are> IS ft.**
stowed, 3

" Distance between guns, 10 fl."

I I

In the Times newspaper, of September 3,
1315, is the following paragraph : — ** A Swiss **
paper observes, that there are in Switzerland,
no fewer than eleven different foot-tneasures, and
ao different kinds of weight." — Who knows but
this may be, in some degree, the case in the
United States? — Either the foot-measure em-
ployed npon the Penguin, by Captaiii Biddle's
officetv, differs materially from the English foot-
measure, or some errOr exists in the wording of
the items. For instance, fig. 3. pi. 3. will shew,

■} 't

K--I

, '^

H".

498

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

that, according to English foot- measure, the
Penguin was '* 110 feet" round the bottom and
inside of her bulwarks, and not ** on deck."
The Hornet's ** length on deck," measured in
the same place, and by the same rule, would be
at least 133, instead of 112 feet. — It is doubt-
ful, whether the '* 3l§ feet" may not have been
intended for 31 feet 1^, the breadth over
both wails. Any difference in the remainder
of the items is immaterial. The dimensions of
the Hornet have already been compared with
those of the brig Peacock ; a vessel of the same
size as the Penguin. (See p. 206.) ,

Comparative force of the two vessels*

Penguin, brig.
Broadside-metal in pounds, | ' ^ "** ggg

-274

Complement,
Size in tons.

fmen,
\boy8.

105
17

-122
387

Homet,8hip.

18
288

S06

163
2

165

450

As Britons, we should be ashamed to offer
this trifling disparity of force, as an excuse for
the Penguin's capture. The chief cause is to be
sought in that which cannot be made apparent
in figures, — the immense disparity between the
two vessels in the fitting of their guns, and the
effectiveness of their crews.

A ship's gun, cast adrift^ not only becon]i<e«^

^.-•«:

OECAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

409

utterly useless as a weapon of offence or de*
fence, but, in the very act of breaking loose,
maims and disables the men stationed at it ;
and, if the sea is rough, (as Captain Biddle
says it was in the present instance,) continues
to cause destruction among the crew, generally,
till again lashed to the ship's side. How much
is the evil encreased, if, as in the Penguin's case^
instead of one gun, several guns break loose.
In the midst of all this delay and self-destruc-
tion, the enemy, uninterrupted in his opera-
tions, and animated by the feeble resistance he
meets, quickens his fire ; and, conquering at
last, fails not to ascribe, solely to his skill and
valor, that victory, which accident had partly
gained for him. ^

On the 27th of April, the U. S. ships Peacock
and Hornet were so closely pursued by the
Cornwallis 74, that the first>named ship parted
from her consort, and afterwards proceeded
alone to the Indian seas ; the intended cruizing-
ground of the American squadron, when joined
by the President. (See p. 426.)

On the 30th of June, the Peacock, being off
Anjier, in the Straits of Sunda, fell in with the
honorable East India company's cruiser Nauti-
lus, commanded by Lieutenant Charles Boyce,
The British and American accounts of this ren-
contre, differ^ materially, as to one fact ; — the

K K 2

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1%,

J' '-

Iv-

i ' ■

■^•t^*' ■^■^r- -

600

NAVAL OCCURRBNCBS BETWEISN

knowledge of Captain Warrington, at the time
he approached the Nautilus with a hostile inten-
tion, that peace had been signed between Great
Britain and the United States. We will, in the
first instance, suppose the American officer to
have been unacquainted with the circumstance,
till, as he admits, (App. No. 118,) he was hailed,
and asked if he knew ofit^ by the Nautilus's com-
mander. After that, would not a humane man,—
would not a brave officer, have deferred firing,
till he had ascertained the fact ? — But Captain
Warrington says: *' I considered the assertion,
coupled with his arrangements for action, a
finesse on his part, to amuse us, till he could
place himself under the protection of the fort."
It was, then, an *' assertion,'^ as Lieutenant Boyce
states; — happy inconsistency! — ^and a most im-
portant assertion too, concluding with, *' I have
Mr. Madison's proclamation on board." — Had
not the Nautilus *' shortened sail," and '* hove-
to''?— Did that appear as if her commander
wished to ** place himself under tHe protection
of the ibrf' ? And that fort, instead of being
at '* a short distance,*' was five miles off.r~Wat
it not time for Lieutenant Boyoe to make " ar-
rangements for action," when he saw a ship like
the Peacock bearing down upon him, with ports
ready -opened ? — ^It never occurred to that officer,
that his vessel's being ** in an unprepared state,"
(see p. 67,) would serve for an excuse. Let v»

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMDItlCA.:

501

suppose, for a moment, that, just as the Ameri-
can commander was listening to the hail from
the Nautilus, she became suddenly transformed*
into H. M. ship Volage, a sister-vessel to the^
Cjane, (see p. 467,) and at that time cruizing
in the East Indies : — Captain Warrington would
then have promptly hailed in turn, with the
best speaking-trumpet in the ship; thanked;
Captain Drury for his politeness ; and been the>
first to urge the folly, not to say wickedness, of
wounding and killing each other, while any
doubt existed about peace having been signed.
But it was a vessel he could almost hoist on:
board the Peacock ; be therefore called out i
** Haul down your colours instantly." — This
" reasonable demand,'' (App. No. 117,) Lieute-:
nant Boyce considered, very properly, as an im-
perious and insulting mandate ; and, fully alive
to the dignity of the British flag, and to the:
honor of the service of which he was so distin-
guished an ornament, prepared to cope with a
ship, whose immense superiority, as she over-
shadowed his little bark, gave him nothing to
expect short of a speedy annihilation. — ^Then,'
says Captain- Warrington, (App. No. IIB,) '^one:
of the forward guns was fired at her, which was'
immediately returned by a broadside from the
brig: our broftdside was then discharged, and
his colours were struck, after having six lascarg?
lulled, and seven Or eight wonnded.^-^-The NsMi-

.^r"

*■

?J 'W

#'1 !£ '' O^

502

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

tilus's master, Mr. Joseph Bartlett, was on board
the Peacock, during the action, (App. No. 114,)
and swears positively, that *' two or three broad-
Mdes were fired ;' and that the American conti-
nued his fire, even after the flag, and, as it ap-
pears, until* the pendant, of the Nautilus was
hauled down. Nineteen of the crew have de-
posed to the same effect. Captain Warrington's
object in framing this falsehood, was evidently
to shew, what execution had been done hy his
one broadside.

. From the first gun fired, two of the Nautilus's
men were killed; and Lieutenant Bojce was
dangerously wounded : a grape-shot, measuring
two inches and one-third, in diameter, entering
at the outside of his hip, and passing out
close under the back-bone. This severe wound
did not, however, disable him. In a few mi-
nutes, a 32-pound shot struck obliquely on his
right knee, shattering the joint, splintering
the leg-bone downwards, and the thigh-bone a
great way upwards !— This, as may be supposed,
luid him prostrate on the deck. The first, and
only lieutenant, received a mortal wound : the
master, who would have been the next officer,
was on board the Peacock. It was then, and
not till then, that the gallant Boyce, lying
bleeding on the deck, ordered the Nautilus's
colours to be struck.
Of the ^* six iascars killed/ two were Euro-

•■¥■

< /

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

50a

Topean invalids, and one a seaman: of thei
** seven or eight (lascars) wounded,** two were sea-
men ; — and was Lieutenant Mayston a ** lascar"?
—was Lieutenant Boyce a ** lascar"? — ^That
Captain Warrington well knew he was uttering
a falsehood, is clear; because the Peacock's
surgeon had, at Lieutenant Boyce's request, at-
tended the Nautilus's wounded ; and his official
return would certainly have noticed a distinc-
tion so evident, as that of native and European.
Those who know in what low estimation per-
sons of colour are held by the government and
people of the United States, can readily under-
stand, why Captain Warrington used the word
** lascars/' What is killing half a dozen *' las-
cars," and depriving another of an arm, and
two others of a leg each?— It was not so,
when John Pierce, an " American citizen," was
killed, or said to have been killed, by an acci-
dental shot from the Leander. Captain Whitby
was proclaimed as a murderer ; and the Ameri-
can government was not satislfied till our's had
tried him for the crime. (See Nav. Chron.
vol. xxviii. p. 270.)

The Nautilus's first lieutenant, Mr. Mayston,
languished till the dd of December, — a peric/d
of five months! — when a mortification of his
wound carried him ofT. About a fortnight after
the action, Lieutenant Boyce suffered amputa-
tion, very near his hip, on account of the length

1 H'l

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' ifi ' ■ :

i '^,

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504

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

p.t

^ •!?

^^4

and complicatioQ of the fracture. The pain and
danger of the operation was augmented by the
proximitj of the grape-shot wound. His life
was subsequently despaired of; but, after a
long course of hopes and fears to his numerous
friends, this brave and amiable young. man (or
what Captain Warrington has left of him) stilL
nurvives.

The damage and loss of the Peacock, as stated
in Lieutenant Boyce's letter, was as much as,
from the shortness of the action, and the immense-
disparity between the two vessels, could rea-
sonably be expected.

Of course, the American captain, who had
himself escaped unhurt, the moment he was in-
formed of the casualties on board his prize,,
either visited, or sent a condoling message
to, her so dreadfully mangled commander? —
Reader! he did neither. — Captain Warrington, —
in the words of the poor sufferer, in his memo-
rial to the court of directors,. — ^*' proved himself
totsdly destitute of fellow-feeling and commise-.
ration ; for, during the time he retained posses-
sion of the Nautilus," (which was till 2 o'clock,
the next afternoon,) " he was not once moved to
make a common-place inquiry after the memo-
rialist, in his then deplorable condition.'' — In an
American officer, we had perhaps no right to
look for the politeness of a gentleman ; but wf t
did expect the feelings of a man* ;

OREA.T BRITAIN AND AMERICA*

505

; was in-

i-w

The armament of the Nautilus consisted of te«
carronades, 18-pounders, and four long 9-pound^
ers; total 14 guns. Her complement, composed
of European invalid- soldiers, natives of ladiai
British seamen, and boys, amounted to about
100 : equal, perhaps, to a regular man of war's
complement of 60 or 70. She measured about
180 tons. Lieutenant Boyce's account (App*
No. 118.) of the Peacock's force in guns, agrees
with that given at a preceding ps^e: (p. 348:)
that, her complement was now larger than there
stated, is not improbable. Perhaps, 'it was ta
strike terror into the minds of the lasoars- oii
board the Nautilus, as the- Peacock lay alongt
side, that Captain Warrington made hismen
wear their boarding-helmets or scuU-capsi (see
p. 466;) but it produced no such efTeet.

The reader is referred te the Boxer's force, as
stated at p. 267, and to the Peacock's, at p. 349,
as the best means of judging of the con^rative
force, in broadude^weight of metal, complement,
and size in tons, between the Nautilus and Pea*
cock. The disparity there shewn, and the gal-
lantry so conspicuous in the officers and crew of
the British vessel,, will remind him of the Little
Belt, and President v (see p. 73;) nor will he fail
to contrast Lieutenant Boyce's surrender of the
Nautilus, with Master^commandant Joseph Bain-
bridge's surrender of the Frolic, the PeacockV
sister-shipi (See p. 338.) We know not wherv

' Jll

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506 NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

^ refer the reader, for a parallel to the behai^iour
of Captain Warrington !

It now becomes necessary to consider the facts
attending this action, or more particularly the
commencement of it by Captain Warrington, as
they arise out of the statements of the British
officers, who had gone on board the Peacock,
and remained in her during, and long after, the
engagement. Captain Warrington admits, that
the master-attendant, an Anjier, came on baord,
'* a few minutes before coming in contact with
the brig." (App. No. 118.) Mr. Macgregor,
upon his oath, says: '* Rather more than a quar-
ter of an hour.**— The portion of credit due to
any assertion of Captain Warringtoif, may be
measured by the concealment and falsehood, so
conspicuous in his account of the Epervier's ac-
tion. (See p. 342, 345.) He was guilty of
falsehood fully as gross and illiberal, when he
subsequently charged the Epervier's officers,
with assisting the crew in embezzling the specie
that was on board; but the brig's first lieute-
nant, as soon as he recovered from his desperate
wounds, compelled Captain Warrington to re-
call his words. — Nothing appears in Captain
Warrington's letters, about the arrival on board
the Peacock of the Nautilus's master, Mr.
Bartlett ; and who was the '* officer of the
army*' that came in the second boat? — Cornet
White, a passenger on board the Nautilus, wha

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

50t

requested to accompany Mr. Bartlett, in the
gig, to obtain information. Captain Warring-
ton bad bis reasons, no doubt, for concealing,
in bis official despatch, tbat be bad any of tbe
Nautilus's officers or crew on board bis Teasel. —
Scarcely bad Mr. Bartlett stepped upon tbe
deck, than, without being allowed to ask a ques-
tion, be was hurried below. Happily, Mr.
Macgregor met with rather better success. Tbe
instant he arrived on board, he communicated
to tbe Peacock's first lieutenant, tbe most au-
thentic information of peace having been con-
cluded between Great Britain and America,
grounded on no less authority than Mr. Madi-
son's proclamation ; which Mr. Macgregor bad
himself received from an American ship, passing
the Straits on her wny to China. What eflfect
bad this communication?— Captain Warrington,
whom the single word *' Peace!" ought to have
made pause, before he proceeded to spill the
blood of his fellow-creatures, ordered Mr. Mac-
gregor *' to be taken below." — Had tbe master-
attendant no opportunity of communicating bis
important intelligence to any other of the Pea-
/ cock's officers ?^-ln his way below, Mr. Mac-
gregor met the purser, who was in superintend-
ance of the magazine, and repeated to him what
he had told his first lieutenant. The purser
jocosely said:~-" /</o not know how we can avoid
^ Utile brush,'' Almost ipnmediately afterwards.

% n

509

NATAL OCCVRRENCBS BETWEEN

■\i {

Mr. Macgregor (according to Lieutenant
Boyoe's memoriaL) heard orders given, to return
the ammunition into the magazine; wfaioli
diewed an evident relinquishment of the inten-
tion to attack the Nautilus. But, while the or-
ders wore executing, they were countermanded ;
and all hostile preparations resumed. It was
then that Mr. Maegregor was desired to retire
into one of the side cabins; and, very soon a^
forwards, the firing commenced. — Captain War*
rington, in his letter, to Mr. Maegregor, says :
1' la consequence of the information received
from you, and the several different sources i&om
which I have heard that a peace had been con-
cluded, &c.'' — Here it would appear, as if Cap-t
tmn Warrington- had reeeived information of the
peace, from other parties than those in the two
boats, which, he admits, came on board just pre^
viouB to the action. But ike official letter says :
*' The next'day, after receiving such intelligence
as th6y'' (the ^' master-attendant" an J " officer
of the army") '* had to communicate on the
subject, (part of which was official,) I gave up
the vessel, &c." This proves^ that the source of
all Captain Warrington's infor^nation on the
subject, arose out of the oommunication of those
"very persona, who, as-he saysy '*were, with their
Hien^passed' below;" and tiiatpart of such com-
fiumication consisted of a copy of Mr. Madi-
son's proclamation, is pretty evident, from tho

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

words, '* part of which was official/'— But,
says Captain Warrington, the master-attendant
and *' officer of the army,** ** very improperly,
omitted mentioning that peace existed/' in ad*
dition to the positive oath of Mr. M aegregor, as
to his previous conversation with the Peacock's
first lieutenant and purser, it may surely be asked,
— Would two officers, who had voluntarily en*
tered on board the ship of a nation, with whom
they knew a peace had just been concluded, have
acted so ** very improperly'' as to suffer them*
selves to be made prisoners, without some such
words as — ** Peace is signed" — bursting from
their lips ? Even the ceremony of gagging, hoW'*
ever quickly performed, could not have stopped
an exclamation, which their personal liberty,
and everything that was dear to them as men»
would prompt them to utter. The same motives
would have operated upon the two boats' crews ;
and there cannot be a doubt, that they all
gave some sort of intimation, that peace had
been signed. But Captain Warrington, as the
purser said, wanted to have a litiie brush with
the British brig. He saw, at once, what a di*
minutive vessel she was ; and, accordingly, or*
ordered his men to fire into her. They did so;
and how much in earnest, has already appeared.r
Fearful that these facts would come to light.
Captain Warrington had additional reasons for
endeavouring to lessen the enormity of his o^

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510

NAVAL OCCURRENCBS BETWEEN

Ft 1

f;ft

^tU

;a "

'T ?:

* * !•

n'l i

ill

, fence, in stating that " lascars*' were the bn\y
•ufferers. — Poor wretches! and were they to be
butchered with impunity, because their com-
plexion and the American captain's were of
different hues? — Whose heart was thtf blackest,
the transaction in which they lost their lives, has
already shewn to the world. — Had it been the
Vjt&age, as we said before, that was in sight to-
leeward, every man in the Peacock, in less than
three minutes after the master-attendant and
the other officers came on board, would have
been informed of the peace. Captain Warring-*^
ton- would have approached the stranger, if he

^ approached at all, without opening his ports, or

' displaying his helmets. In short, he that hec-.
tored so much in one case, would have fawned
as much in the other ; and the commander of the
U. S. sloop Peacock would have run no risk of
being, by his government, " blamed for ceasing"

. —or rather, for not commencing—'' hostilities,,
without more authentic evidence, that peace had
been concluded.'' (App. No. 118.)

The governor-general of India, the lieutenant-
governors of Batavia, and of Java, and the dif-^
ferent heads of departments throughout the
British dominions in the east, also the king's-
navy, and the king's army, serving there, have
^11 been unanimous in bestowing the tribute of
praise upon the noble behaviour of Lieutenants
Boyce. Nor b.aui less unanimity prevailed, as to.

GABAT BRITAIN AND AMBBIOA.

the opinion entertained 6f Captain Warrington.
The governor-general of India, sitting in coun-
cil, says : *< He contemplates Captain Warring-
ton's proceeding, as destitude of any possible
extenuation.'' — ^Captain John Hayes, master-at-
tendant at Calcutta, in his public letter, de-
scribes Captain W'arrington as *^ the ruffian who
has alike dishonoured himself, and disgraced the
Columbian eagle." — It was, indeed, a dastardly
act; an act, in all its circumstances, surpassing
the generality of those, which, when committed
by an Algerine pirate, — an acknowledged 6ar-
barian, — have so often made our blood boil with
indignation. The name of Warrington will
be held in execration by every man, no matter
of what country, upon whom the calls of hipma-
nity have been allowed to operate. — But tha
people of the United States boast of their civi-
lization; and, as to their navy in particular,
see what a celebrated Massachusett's orator, and
a federalist too, Mr. Cyrus King, — whether ia
earnest or burlesque it is difficult to deter-
mine, — has said of it: — '' A navy identified with,
glory itself; the heroes of which, if I may be
permitted the allusion, have fixed the stars of
our flag in the heavens, as a new and brilliant
constellation in this western hemisphere ; a sign
in which we conquer; our heavenly guide to
victory." — ^Truly, Captain Warrington himself,
(as the frontispiece to the *.* Naval MQmiment",

NAVAL OCCURRBN0E8 BBTWBBN

i; F

. r ^

a «

shews,) is one of these fustian *' heroes;*' his
slaughter of the Nautilus's crew, arose, no doubt,
from a '* heavenlj'' impulse; and his attaok
and capture of the little yessel,-— his behaviour
to his wounded prisoner, — his lies, — meanness,
and proceedings altogether, have added consi«
derable ** glory" to the American navy 1 ! 1

To view the affair in a national light, let us
reverse the case. A British, attacks and cap-
tures an American cruizer, under circunurtances,
as to force and otherwise, precisely similar to
those already related: — that it can be only a
Supposititious case, is a Briton's consolation.
The moment the news reaches America, the
whole eighteen United States are up in arms;
the lives of the British residents are put in jeo-
pardy; the vocabulary of abuse is exhausted
upon the British nation ; and a demand of repa-
ration, accompanied by a threat, is instantly for-
warded to the British government. That govern-
ment, with its known magnanimity, and more
upon principle than policy, disavows the act;
punishes its officer ; and, as in the Chesapeake's
case, offers to pension the wounded, and the
fiimilies of the killed.— -What either gorern-
BMBt will do, in the case of Lieutenant Boyca
and Captain Warrington, is difficult to say : —
what both governments ought to do, rises upper-
most in the breast of every honorable man ac-
quainted with the transaction.

GRBAT BRlTAIBr AND AMBRIOA.

W Vi

CHAPTER XXL

513

.ill!

American list of (he naval triumphs and capturei
on each side — Gross errors in. their prize*listi
detected — No account given hy Americans of

^^> their own captured privateers and nierchantmen
— True account of British and American ves* '
sets, of all sorts, captured or destroyed — Our

'' loss in national vessels much exaggerated'-^Amr.»
rican loss in the same grossly deficient^'TrUB
account stated.^-^American and British triumphi
tubmitted to arithmetical calculation — Remarks
thereon — Reason given for our triumphs having
been so few — Majestic and new Ouerriere*^
Nymphe and Constitutionr-^Tenedos and Con'*
gress-^Captain Brokers syitem of discipline--^ '
Practised on board many of the frigdtes and

« other vessels on the North American station-^

^Concluding remarks. ^

X HE editor of the *' American ^' Sketches of
the War/' winds up his account of the naval
transactions between the two countries, in the
following words : — " Thus terminated a war of
two years and eight months, in which the naval
arms of the United States were fifteen, and those
of Great Britain, four times, triumphant; and

L L

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[!!

l|i

#14 i»AfAf^ 9f;cu»|^Eirf fff tiTYJBSV

during which, the former lost 3 frigates, 7
sloops, and A smaller vessels, of war ; whilst
the latter lost 5 frigates, 19 sloops of war, (one
of which was |>JtGkwn pip \ty a land-battery,)
several gun-brigs and schooners, 2 brigs cut out

fiwm ^^^^v t^ f^um qf a ^rt ; and iipwurdu nf
J60P iif^rclij^i^t^nii^, (uapturi^ |>y pliv«t»r|inAed
Ties«?l^.''rrWe tkaul^ Mr. Tb4HI>s<Hi &» fnrnjbh-
IPg «9 g^Qod a ^^^^ fpr th^ piw#^9»^ ^9,^t»t ; And
di^l J^aaik^ ^^ 9f ?t 9^cordi9gly#

(UTerting his pr^er, \»t u# ^^Quvmence with
t\^ " 14^)0 |i^chai|$fP0fit'' Mrr QwUqi wJivse
lyc^rl^ w^ publi^hied on th« 34 of January,
J814, g^v^, pccupyMig 43 pugfi*, » UH ^ ««p-

tur^ Britisb vess^ln, mnamiting to 789 s ^ «x-
tractf4 from Nilci^'ci W^lUy P«gi«l«r."«*t^ tin^
miiicellwy wm» ke\i in high wtpei^'by the Anne-
rH;fi9s,Mr.Tb9i9iQii, ipp»it pr^b^y, (bpplifrom
it bis numiier ; wbi«b iigrw¥ wiib Mr. Cl^rWs,

fvbi^n wi^ ^pnsidiePy t^^t th^ P9# «qnipn»^ the
Cdp$ur^ fu^^ during tth« whokt, ^be Qtliar,
during about half, of the ^* imiQ y^Bam mid fight
months." — The general correctness of '* Niles's
WeeKly Register," 9^ ^ prize*)i^t, mvy h% tplf ri-
hly ^pp^ij^te^ by tbfi fallowing Mtraeta, whivb
9 vefy slight gUippe ha9 dis^vered i-m^

i<(

rP-l

' 866. Brig Union, from Ouem>
Hif for Qrenada, Mnt into Old
I'pim" (dopptpNewYor^i) "by
^e General ^mutrvof , pri?a*
leer,&c.*^

**87p. BrigUmoD.fronGaera*
•ey for St CbrlttopiMM^i,f«ni{a<e

•troR|.'*

I n

cmfiAT BllITAtN AND AMBRtCA.

516

*' tf 6. ^a^et TowDiend, from
Falmoath f«r Barbadoes, heaTily
armed, captured by the Tom of
Bdtimore, ftc."

** 618. Schooner Fame, of Bar-
badoes, ladeo with Madeira wbe,
captured by the Saratoga, &c.**

335.** The Britiih king's packet
Towniend, 9 gunt, and 88 men,
taken by the Tom of Baltimore,

1 15. " Schooner Fame, from
Barbadoea for Berbice, dec cap-
tared by the Saratoga."

There are several items which agree in every
thing but a slight difference in the name, as :
•• Brig Two Friends;" — " Brig Friends;''—
" Packet Ann ;" — ** Brig Ann ;** — no doubt re-
ferring to the same vessel. Even American ves-
sels are included in Mr. Niles'slist, thus: ** 698*
An American schooner from one of the eastern
ports, &c. for Halifax." — We read also: *' 116.
Brig Genenl Blake, under Spanish colours, SlcJ*
None of the captured British ships of war are
left out ; not even, *' 630. Hit Britannic ma-
jestj's gun^oessel burnt on Lake Ontario." Of
what description some of the merchant- prizes
are, will appear by this : — *» 704, 705, 706, 707,
708, 709, 710. Seven small-craft captured on
the St. Lawrence, &c.'* — As some allowance,
theintfoTe, for the double entries, and the vessels
not British, we may safely deduct, from Mr<
Thomson's l^«t of '' IdOO,"* dne-fifth ; which will
reduce it to 1200 ; and that including, not only
" merchantmen," but every description of vessel^
firom the frigate Guerriere down to '* a N6v»-
Scotia shallop." Mr. Thomson hat not thoughts
it worth his while, to state how numy American

L l3

516

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETM^EBN^

V'i

'. n

*' merchantmen*' were captured by the British,
during the ** two years and eight months.**—
According to a list laid before parliament, in
February, 1815, previous to the returns from Ire-
land, the East Indies, and the Cape of Cod
Hope being received, and net including captures
by privateers, there were, detained in ports of
the United Kingdom, and captured or de-
stroyed, 1407 American merchant-vessels. If
to this we add, " 228 American privateers;'*
and, as appears by list No. 120 in the Appen-
dix, 64 American national cruizers; and con-
sider the incompleteness of the parliamentary
list, for want of the full returns, as sufficient to
cover any inaccuracies to be found, in it, we are
thus enabled to shew, the relative numbers of
British and American vessels, of every descrip-
tion, captured or destroyed during the late war :

British vessels of^
every description^ j

No.

1200

No.

American vessels of\ .^^^
every description,/ ^^

< Let.those who consider the numbers as less
unequal than they ought to be, reflect that,
while the Americans had scarcely any unarmed
merchant-ships afloat, we had them darkening
every sea ; and that, although the force of the
Americans in national cruizers, was compara-
tively insignificant, their privateers amounted,
in number, to a third of our navy in commission.
Now for the separate consideration of the

< /

VDAEAT BRITAIN AND AMEUICA.

517

/-national cruizers, captured or destroyed, during
the ** two years and eight months.'' — Our " 5
frigates" include, of course, the Coniiahce and
Cjane; but the remainder of Mr. Thomson's
Hst is quite nnintelligible. The whole number
of British sloops and ^' gun-brigs" captured or
destroyed by the Americans, as well on the
lakeis, as on the ocean, amounts, excluding the
two • '^ frigates*' Confiance and Cyane, and in-
cluding the two recaptured sloops Frolic and
Levant, to 16. By adding Commodore Macr
donough's *^ two sloops of war," (see p. 420,)
and Mr. Thomson's ^* large sloop of war," (see
p. 264,) we have certainly his number, — '* 19
sloops of wat*." But how hai^ he scraped toge-
ther his "several gun-brigs" ? The ** two brigs,
cut out from under the guns of a fort," must
mean, the provincial vessel, Dftroit, captured
from the Americans, when General Hull surren-
dered, an<l the Caledonia, a trading-vessel be-
longing to the north-west company ; magnified
into a cruizer by the Anierican editors.

Mr. Thomson says, his countrymen lost but
"3 frigates" during the late war ; and yet, ac-
cording to his own book, besides the President,-
Chesapeake, and Essex, " a new tirst-rate fri-
gate at Washington," and the '' U. S. frigate
Adams, at Penobscot," were among the number.
It is singular, too, that, in his description of the
loss at Washington, he mentions not a word

PfSJ

mi '

61%

KAVAL OeCUHRBNCBi BBTWIBN

about the frame of the 74-gan«>liip, or tbe two
old frigates, New York and Boston. His M 7
sloops" should have been 9 ; and his ** 5 smaller
vessels," 48. (See App. No. 1^.) With such
lists before them., no wonder the people of the
United States firmly beliere, that they have h«d
the best of the war. Here follow the aggregate
numbers, in guns, men, and tons, of national
€ri:ti2ers, captured or destroyed on each side;
according to the lists Nos. 119 and 120 in the
Appendix.

Rational 1
cruizers.

British.
No. GuDij Men.
^ISG 5302751

Ton*.
10«73

American.

No.
Nadonah^
cruiz^rs^l

Gvni

Mca.

6602994

Ttom.
14848

This differs a trifle from Mr. Thomson's
statement. A full fourth of the loss on our side,
consists of the fleets on Lakes Erie and Champ*
lain. Had prudent, or promised arrangements,
been adopted by the commander-in-chief in the
Canadas, both tieets would hare gained Ticto*
ries ; and the proportion between the reopective
guns, men, and tons, inthe above statement,would
then have been, like that between the number of
vessels, fully as two to one. What other ad^ jn-
lages we should have gained by the undisturbed
possession, during the war, of Lakes Erie and
Champlain, it is painful to contemplate.

The capture of the gale- crippled Frolic, at
the first of the war, gave the Americans fuH in-

,<i

) .

^/msithiik Ht iike fbrctf, 9h ^^f pfMi^ttkr, of

ihAsii 6f M f^Mt ttre the ilrst ptrt SlMngvAOS^
ihfi i dttfd \t h tkotoHtftathat, d<iri£f^ the *^ tifi%
y«ars ^MtF 4ifht HMWAiy/' iM^ AtneiiieMi filooiy <»f
Wtfl- ierif terM i& stt^h Ik Bi^isH Aip^^ged
itcmp ti ifitti Id'Khott^iif tbfe hM«6r, US' majr 1^
m^hf tM €^eViib'«'&#ce,' (p. did, 814^;) #ilfe
l&iie inferior itf ^bm^tii^nt ilnd i\m, aMidy I'd

dulf , to iM Fe^oek amd «tM ^yihef Am^iitiMi
f>6tttBttes. 'FMsf ^ffoi^s ^ «<i9e¥lA^]e pt^tf t\m,
il dfiffetefeK^e of rig albii^,- iiv dne ^Msf of o«r
(5n]ri2f«M, i^ttM IMiv« caused tfs«li8%)eAdtfcti(0i
irt tiM Ikrt of Atii€frlc«i^ ^ tdaMfphfer.'' 4

Oiirittg to tito giJlaM ddbii<$eA iMdcf bj ««f¥
sftri]^, tfacf AmVrledM, ^1 ^ 1^ oai|i«ui«d (ex-
ehi^e of^ 1 «uiik, and* 3^ rc^eaptAred) BV^sk
ck'tfiiiedrflv a^ >t^i <iA^ti<e«l 01% 9hito port. If tv«
^cfdpt fktf V]x<$lilv WhkA wH^ 4)iip^fe«ked^ th«
wlioleof tfa^ 23 capttti^ And^iiicaiv cFaiiiew^ at
(Tea, were gMI safe ittto» p4Vt by the Bk-ifisb. (See
App. No. 121.) tbe ibilo^iAg ^ta«etnent shew»
the aggregate nutnber, iMy carrri^ in hy eacli
partj :— ^

British.

No.

«raizei'8j q
at 8ea,r ^
got' in, >

Guiu,

171

Men.

did

T-ou.

3^14

American.

No.

N«t(tMtan'
cruisers, I ^
at sea,(

got ito', i

Goo*.

Ilea.

Toai^

nfx

1-: 1'

?•

■4::

?'•'

^*1

600

NAVAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

io When we reflect upon the immense losses
Wihjch/Our navy annually suKtains, by ship-
jvreclf, ai|4.by that most destructive enemy, the
^If^-no/, the )oss of British national cruizers to
$be Americans, sinks into comparative insignifi-
cance. It is the question, — Which party was
most ''triMmphanf'P^T-that a Briton requires to
haye answered, Mr. Thomson boasts, that the
,ff nav>4 arms of the United States, were fifteen
times triamphant.'' — He must here include a)l
onr unsuccessful actions with American n^itional
vessels, and, no doubt, that in which ** a large
fHoop ■ of . war*^ wan captured by an American
privateer; (see p. 261;) but, as the conquerors,
in the latter instance, were Frenchmen, Ameri-
cans c^n have no triumph to claim. How came
Mr* TboiQson to omit the cases of the Landrail
and Syren, and St. Lawrence. and Chasseur? —
Those actions were not less^^. triumphant to the
naval arms of the United States,^' than any of
the fourteen he has. recorded. Let us, now, sub-
mit each of these boasted ** triumphs," to a
simple , arithmetical calculation. One action,
however,f— the Levant and Cyane's with the
Constitution, — cannot well be tried by that
test; because, there, carronades were opposed
to long guns, together with the weather-gage.
Taking from the comparative statement of force
in each of the remaining fifteen actions, the
sum-total of the broadside-nietal in pounds an^

mi ' ^

GBBAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA. 591

compljement, (size in tons omitted, because not
8Q generally applicable,) on each Aide, and com->
paring them together, we obtain— -giving up all
fractions to the Americans —the following results :

v::fTt

Americans ^^ iriumphant** over (he British,

©nee, ' 1
.once,
three times,
twice,
five tinaesi
once,
once, . ■ ^
once,

; .1 )

aqift.

^ when iuperior in force, as 19 to •*

sai</i

18.
10.
14.
13.
12.
10.
7.
L 5.

■ iiif

These are the "victories,"— these the " ««-
p^raliekd exploits," fh^t have turned the brains
of the An^rican people, and made ^* heroes"
(prostituted word I ]i more plentiful in the United
Stales, than in the oldest nation of Europe; and
theise^ are the "yictofie^/' too, which form the
basis of , that extraordinary discovery, — " the
moral and physical 'Superiority of ; the Amerii^
can,over the British tar" ! !

It is admitted by the American editor, that
the '^ naval arms of Great Britain have been
four times triumphant." One of the instances
alluded to, — that of the Endymion and Presi-
dents—shall be excepted ; because, although the
action was fought exclusively between those
sliips, the final surrender was made to asqu&dron.

if!

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II

Had tiM AioefitiMM «n bMrd tfte^rt«tCcf fni^,
Mt the MOM fegard l»r tHe hdndr 6f thcf fkigf iti
the British in tlif6 Hoiiidtftir, ol mmikir iltftri^
oritTf of forvtff w« ttiglM frtill bavi» becM ** i&vtt
times triumphant." As it is, we must be con-
tented; und, pursuing the same method 0t ex-
tractfig the relative force, as done id the Ameri-
ca» "triumphs," here follow the results of Otlr
three successful actions. *

Btitish " triumphant^* over the Afneriew/a^
* V when superior in force as 19 tb •{ .^*

otice
opce

once,

•■4

when inferior in force as 17 to 19*

As re!Spet!tft' arithnieticAi pru|iifrri<fA, ttw of
theM cases are alHed to some of thtf Ami0ft<^icn»
<' trfomphs;'* but, ffi tfac^ fifst, tfr« ISHtisIt hiid
an litfbriority in cdrnpfemi^t; which miotMfm
the cBSB on the part of thcr Amerircafttf. The tn6
first cases in their fist, approach nearest iirpoifrt
df proportion, t6 the ibrst case irr our'sT; but;
whenr we reflect npoif the brig FirdUc's previmM
disabled state,— the Pengnin'fitffteiBciimtcrew,—
the gallant defences made hf both' vessels, — the
ffumerical superiority of the Argus's crew, — her
easy capture, and whole-masted irtate, — ^«re havis
nothing tfi tfitemt. but that these imixKittfnt cir-
cumstances cannot be expressed in flgvres.

The second case of proportions, in the BritisBr,
has fbnv mnnerrcal parallels in the Amerietttf

OKBAT BRITAIN AN1> AMBEKTA.

id3

fist I yet it was the capture of the Essex wbidi
the editorof the *• New Annua) Regitfter"* brought
forward, to support his hamiKating position,
** thflt^ when we were victorious over the Anttf-
ricans by sea, we were generaHy indebted fbr
our success, to a greater superiority than even
they had when they were successftrf.'* (See
p. a'SP.)

' The last case in the British Hst, — and that
which, to the encreased shame of what has just
been quoted, was the first in pointof date,— •ranks
by itself. — Does any one believe, that the Ameri-
can government, than the whole fifteen tri-
umphs, would not rather have hud to record, one
such triumph as the Shannon's over the Chesa-
peake? — ^Then, might Americans have boosted,
with reason, of *^ the moral and physical supe^
riority*' of their seamen ; sndtnyented, if possible,
new forms of language, tor express the eostacy of
their feelings. So completely, however, has th«
American public been deluded, by the letters of
theofficefs, the speeches of the public orators, and
the stories of the naval-history and newspaper
editors, that it is a question if any alteration in
their fist of ^ triumphs," except encrease of num-
ber, could give to the American people, a higher
opinion of themselves than they now entertain.
Considering what a number of British ships,
after the first six ar eight months o£ the war,
were sent upon the American coast, it is not

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534

NAVAL OCCURRENCES B£TWBEN

unreasonable to ask^ — How happened it, that we
have so few victorious actions to record ? — did
we ever allow the Americans an opportunity of
meeting us at sea, in fair single combat ?^-ln
answering this, we will omit some few cases that
occurred (p. 207, 331) between the smaller classes
, of cruizer8,andpa8sto the frigates, of each nation.
One case, in which there was an equality of
force^ and another, in which a decided inequa-
lity was against us, have been already detailed.
(See p. 327, 255.) After Commodore Rodgers's
boast of his having sought an engagement with
a 74, (see p.. 322,) those who could not persuad^
themselves, that he bad previously run from a
32'gun frigate and sloop, were much surprised
when, in the fine new frigate Guerriere, all ready
for sea, he was prevented from leaving the Dela*
ware, by the presence pf the Majestic, razee; car-
rying the safne weight of nietal, though,, per-
l^aps, not so gr^at a i^umber of men.
'>/^ After Captain BrQke.left Boston Bay, with
the Chesapeake, for Halifax, the Nymphe, Cap-
tain Epworth, took his station, and cruized
there alone, for several weeks; the Tenedos,
which wais to have joined the Shannon on the
14th of June, having proceeded to watch the
liarbour of Portsmouth N. Hampshire. The
Nymphe was arnied like any other 46-gun frigate,
except as to having two long IBs, instead of 9s, .
upon the forecastle, and a shifting 68-pound

GREAT BRITAIN AND AMKEIGA.

53A

I darronade upon the quarter-deck. While the
i^jmphe was thus blockading Boston, the Con-
stitution frigate, Captain Stewart, lay in Presi-
dent Roads, with royal yards across, ready for
sea. The Boston papers all noticed the pre-
sence of the Nympbe; one of them adding :•-«
** She intends, if opportunity offers, to meet the
Constitution, as soon as she leaves port ; in which
case, the Nymphe will have a decided and im-
portant advantage, as the Shannon had over the
Chesapeake.*'— If the disparity of force, in this
case, made success improbable, more decidedly
, gallant was the Nymphe^s behaviour.
. For six weeks, during the autumn of 1813, did
Captain Hyde Parker, in the Tenedos 46, exert
his utmost to entice out of Portsmouth, the U. S.
frigate Congress, Captain Smith, then lyings
there, perfectly ready for sea ; but some *^ de-
cided and important advantage" possessed by
the former, kept the latter ship at her anchors ;
and the citizens of New Hampshire were not
doomed to be spectators of a similar scene, to
that so recently viewed from the hills of Massa-
chusetts. — Lest the reader's confidence, as to the
performances of a British frigate, should not yet
have, quite recovered from the shock it received
at the first of the war, it may be right to inform
him, that a British 46-gun frigate of 1813, was
half as effective again as a British 46-gun frigate
of 1812. Mot that the whole of the latter had

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Mktkh •CCURRBirCli HKTWBBir

■•glacted diflcipline, or wer« poorly nMnned:
there were aeveml exceptions ; and among them
the Shannon. Captain Broke, when the Shan*
mofk wae (irU fitted, in 1906, had her gnns laid,
(a moet important operation,) under his own
directions. He, next, had proper sights fitted to
tliem: in short, as Captain S.G. Pecliell, in his
rery useful little pamphlet, says,—**' nothing
saama to have escaped Captain Broke in render*
ing his goas effisctiTe."— By constant training,
the men were taught to manage them properly ;
and were frequently practised in firing at marke.
The guns, with the rammers, sponges, &c. placed
in readiness, ware coniadered as the brightest or-
■amenta of the Shannon's decks; and there,
abo, might be seen, shot and powder enough for
sereral broadsides. That the officer*s comforts
ware, by this, somewhat abridged. Captain
Baoke's cabin gave the strongest proof. The
Statirs, T en c d ae , Nymphe, Menelaus, Lacede*
■UMitao^ Nieasen, Armide, Seahorse, and several
aiher 46-gun frigates on the North American sta-
tion, would each have shewn, had an opportunity
offered, how well she could support the oharac^
Dar of a British frigate. Many of the 42-gun
alast, on the same station, were behind the
iMifter in nothing but physical force. Foremost
of the 74s, in gunnery, stood the St. ]>omingo,
Captain S. G. Pechell. Highly disciplined, also,
were the Ramilies, Hogue, Dragon, Superb, and

OJillAT 9lllT/^lir Ann AUmHk,

Biilwirk. Cach lenged for a laottiog with th#
ladependtnca; but mtkw of tlM tkrM last*
■ame4 onlj, fiai aMc to coiM with her.

The diiflf credit due to the Americant in
the naval conduct of the late war, is fbr tho
high atatc of preparation in which their hw
ihipa were, at its commeneement ; eepeoialif,
when compared with the generality of our own,
at the lame period. Considering the opinion
which the Americana then entertained of a
British frigate, Captain Hull deserved credit fbr
hearing down upon the Ouerriere: so would
Captain Jones for attacking the Frolic, as tho
first sloop, had the latter not been visibly dis«
abled. But, upon the whole, there does not
appear to he one American triumph detailed in
these pages, in which the Americans would nerl
have been chargeable with cowardice^ had they
declined to engage.

In which of those trioaiphs, were the British
not the assailants ?-i~in how many of them, had
they, from the moment they could distinguish
the force of their opponent, any reasonable hopea
•f success ^^To attack, then, is the mark of true
intrepidity ."^Next, come the boarding-assattltf
and the repulse of boarders : when did Ameri*
cans attempt the former, till, by repeated voUies
of great guns and musketry, the number of
their enemies had dwindled to a mere handful ?
How American seamen shine in repelling board-

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NATAL OCCURRENCES BETWEEN

en« the respective surrenders of the Chesapeake
and Argus, stand as lasting monuments.— *How
British seamen behave, as well in boarding, as in
repelling boarders, let the fate of the two last-
named vessels, and the blood-stained decks of
the Reindeer and Dominica, tell : there, indeed,
was bottom.— In proof of which party holds
most sacred the honor of the flag, take the sur-
render of the American ship Frolic, as a pro*
niinent (though not the only) example, on one
side ; on the other, — the seven killed, and four
grounded commanders, — the slaughtered crews,
and the shattered hulls, of our captured ships.

To conclude: the naval actions between
Qreat Britain and the United States, being now
freed from American dross, and brought fairly
|o the light of day, no events recorded in the
naviil annals of .our country, reflect a brighter
lustre upon the character of British seamen:
and, though our losses may have been severe, we
have this consolation,— that no American ship
of war has, after all, captured a British ship of
war^ of the same force; but that the reverse has
occurred, and might have occurred, again, and
again, — had Americans been as willing to fight,
as they still are to boast.

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THB END*

■n*.

APPENDIX.

No. 1.

J^OM Commodore Truxton to the American tecreiarjf of the

navy,

U. S. Ship ConstclUtioQ, at sea, Feb. 9, 1800.
Sir, V

On the aoth nit. I left St Christopher's with the Constella.
tion in excellent trim, and stood to- windward, In order to gain
the station for pyialf before the road of Gnadaloupe; and
at half past seven A.M. of the day following, I discovered a
sail to the S.E. to which I gate chase; and for the further
particulars of that chaie, and for the action after It, t must
beg to refer to the extracts from my JDurnal, herewith ; at
being the best mode of exhibiting a just and candid account of
all our transactions in the late business, which has coded in
the almoyt entire dismantlement of the Constellation ; though,
I tfast, to the high reputation of the American flag.

1 have the honor to be, &e,

THOMAS TRUXTON. *
Benjamin Stoddart, £m|. secretary of the navy. 4i

«##########*#»««#

No. 3.

Occurrencea on hoard the United States^ ship Constellatiotiy of
38 guHSy under my command^ February 1st.

Throughout these twenty.foitr hours, very unsettled wea.
ther: kept on our tacks, beating up under Gnadaloupe; and
at half-past seven A.M. the road of Uasietcrrc bearing E. five

APPENDIX.

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leagues distance, saw a sail in the S.£. standing to the S.W.
which from her situation I at first took fur a large ship from
Martinique, and hoisted English colours on giving chase, by
wajr of inducement for her to come down and speak me;
which would have saved us a long chase to*leeward of my in-
tended crnising-ground ; but, finding she did not attempt to
alter her course, I examined her more minutely as we ap-
proached her. and discovered that she was a heavy French
frigate, mounting at least 54 guns. I immediately gave orders
for the yards, &c. to be slung with chains^ tcp-iaiUsheets, &c.
stoppered, and the ship cleared, and eicry thing prepared for
action, and hauled down the English colours. At noon the
wind became light, and I observed the chase, that we had be-
fore been gaining fast on, held way with us ; but I was deter-
mined to continue the pursuit, though the running to leeward
I was convinced would be attended with many serious disad-
tantages ; especially if the objects of my wishes were not
(ratified.

Passed two schooners standing to the northward: one of
them shewed American colours, and was a merchant.vessel,
ind the other I supposed to be of the same description.

Feb, 2, at one P.M. the wind being somewhat fresher than
at the noon preceding, and appearance of its continuance, our
prospect of bringing the enemy to action began again to
brighten, as I perceived wn were coming np with the chase
fast, and every inch of canvass being set thut could be of ser-
ticc, except the bag.reefs, which I kept in the top-sails, in cast
the chase finding an escape from our thunder impracticable,
should haul en a wind, and give us fair battle ; but this did
not prove to be her commander's intention. 1 however got
within hail of him at eight P.M. hoisted our ensign, and had
the candles in the battlc-lanterns all lighted, and the lurge
trumpet in the loc-gangway ready to speak him, and to dcmant
the 8urr:.nder of his ship to the United States of America;
but he, at that instant, commenced a fire from his stern and
quarter guns, (Urcclcd at our rigging and spars. No parley

APPENDIX.

then being ntiCMSiiry, I sent ny principal atd.de-camp, Mr.
Vandyke, to the diffbrent officers commanding dlTiiions on the
main battery, to repeat itrictly my orders, before given, not
to throw away a single charge of powder, but to take good
aim, and 6re directly into the hull of the enemy ; and load
principally with two round shot, and now and then with a
round shot and a stand of grape, &c. ; to enconnge the men
at their quarters; to cause or suffer no noise or confusion
whatever ; but to load and fire as fast as possible, when it
could be done with certain effect. These orders being given,
in a few moments I gained a position on his weathot*. quarter,
that enabled ns to return effectually his salute; and thus a
close and as shnrp an action as ever was fought between two
frigates commenced, and continued until within a few minutes
of one A.M. when the enemy*s fire was completely silenced,
and he was again sheering off.

It was at this moment that I considered h\:u as my prize,
and was trimming in the best manner I could, my much shat-
tered sails; when I found my main-mast was totally unsup-
ported by rigging, every shroud being shot away, and some of
them in several places, that even stoppers were useless, and
could not be supplied with effect. I then gave orders to the
officers to send the men up from the gun-dcck to endeavour to
secure it, in order that we might go along>sido of the enemy
again as soon as possible ; but every effort was in vain, for the
main-mast went over Ihc side in a few minutes after, and car-
ried with it the tup-mcn, among whom was an amiable young
gentleman, who commanded the main-top, Mr. James Jorvis,
son of James Jcrvis, I'lsq. of New York. It seems this young
gentleman was apprised of the mast going, in a few minutes,
by an old seaman ; but he hud already so much of the princi.
])lc of an officer ingrafted on his mind, not to leave his quarters
on any account, that, he told the man, if the mast went they
must go with it, which was the case, and only one of thum was
laved.
I regret much his loss, as a promising young officer, and

I I'

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APPENDIX.

Amiable young man, as wall as on acconnt of a long Inttmarf
that has subsisted between hii father and myself, bat hate great
satisfaction in finding that I haTe lost no other, and only two
or three slightly woundM, out of S9 killed and woanded : 14
of the former, and 3S of the latter.

As soon as the main.htast went, every effort was made to
clear the wreck from the ship, as soon as possible ; which was
effected in about an honr. It being impossible to pursue the
enemy, and as her security was then the great object, I \mme*
diately bore away for Jamaica, for repair*, &c. finding it
impossible to reach a friendly port in any of the islands
to-windward.

I should be wanting in common justice, was I to omit to
journalize the steady attention to order, and the great exertion
and bravery of all my oflteers, seamen, and marines, in this
action ; many of whom I had sufficiently tried before on a
similar occasion, and all their names are recorded in the mutter.
ru'il 1 sent to the secretary of the navy, dated the 19th of
December last, signed by myself.

All hands are employed in repairing the damages sustained

In the action, so far as to get the ship into Jamaica as soon as

possible.

THOMAS TRUXTON.

-A.

No. 3.

The French capteUnU letter*

Corfu, September 8, 1798.
I have the pleasure to announce to you my arrival at Corfa»
I have been here for some days past, having brou^it in the
English ship Leander of 74 guns, which 1 met near the isles of
(fosa and Candia, about a league from the shore. This ship
bad becu tent to carry despatches from Jicquien * lload,
where the English had attacked us on the 1st of August. We

• Aboukir.

■'■ %

APPENDIX. f

were it anclior) but in a posilion certainly not yrerj secure for
our squadron ; of this bad situation thej took adrantage, and
baring placed us between two fires, a most dreadful slaughter
took placd, the ships not being nt a griater distance than
pistol shot, and at anchor. From the circum§tance of the
wind, with relation to the English ships, we should hare been
superior in the contest, if I'Orient, our admirars ship, had
not blown up in the air, which threw us all into disorder ; as,
to aroid the flames that had already reached le Tonnant,
crory rcssel was obliged to shift its station. Ilaving, howcTer-,
placed my ship in a situation faTourable to the direction of its
cannon, I fought her until three in the morning of the follow,
ing day to that in which, at ten in the CTening, TOrient
blew up.

i By a singular accident, I missed having a broadside at
Captain Darby, nho sailed with us in the ia^t war from the
Capa of Good Hope to Cadis. His shi^i, the B*>lierophun, of
74 guns, sailed past me about half-pist ten in the evening,
hating lost her ciain-mast and mizen.mast. I iired three of
our shots at her, whi'^h carried a'.vay the mast she was hoist-
ing, and struck away one of the lanterns off the poop.

I immediately ordered one of my officers to go in pursuit
of, and ^o bring on board of my ship the captain of this ship ;
but in half an 'inur afterwards, when I was about to send my
boat on board ii^^r, the fire from soTeral English ships being
directed agr>.inst me, compelled me rather to think of ankwcr-
ing their guns, than of taking possession of the other ship ;
and the slow manner in which the officer whom I had dcs.
patched, proceeded to execute my orders, was the cause of my
failing to take possession of tiMS other ship.

As to the Lcander, I was obliged to fight with her fov
nearly four hours and three-quarters. She carries 74 guns,
ti4 and SO-poundors on her lower deck, and 12.pounders on
her upper. I should hate made myself master of her in less
than an hour, had we been at close lighting ; dariug the en-

. it
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tl APPENDIX.

gagemcnt we boarded her, and I shoald hare sacceedcd in

making prize of her by boarding, if I had a more bcUyo

crew.

LEJOILLE, jun.

No. 4.

From Captain Hull to the American secretary of the navy,
U. S. Frigate ConititutioDi August 28, 1812.

SiH,

The enclosed account of the affair between the President,
Commodore Rodgors, and the British frigate Belvidcra) was
taken by an officer on board the Bclvidcra, and fell into my
hands by accident. It clearly proves that she only escaped
the commodore by superior tailing, after having lightened
her, and the President being Tery deep.

As much has been said on this subject, if Commodore
Rodgcrs has not arrived, to give you his statement of the
affair, if it meet your approbation I should be pleased to have
this account published to prevent people from making up their
minds hastily, as I find them willing to do.

I am confident, could the commodore have got alongside the

Belvidera, she would have boen his in lesii than one hour.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ISAAC HULL.
The Hon. Paul Hamilton, &c.

No. 5.

Jn account of the proceedings of his majesty's ship Belvi'
deroj Richard Byron^ Esq. captain, 23</ duyof June^ 1812.

A.M. at 4, 40, Nantucket shoal, saw several sail bearing
S.W.; made sail towards them ; at 6, 30, they boreS.W.byS.;

APPENDIX.

ttl

•mde them out (o be three frigates, one sloop, and one brig
of war, standing to the S.£. under a press of sail. Obscrrcd
them to make signals, and haul up in chase of us, hauling
down their steering.sails, in a confused and irregular mftnner*
Tacked ship, and made the priratc signal, which was not
answered ; made all sail possible, N.E. by E. At 8, moderate
and fine weather, the headmost ship of the chase, S.S. W. f W.
apparently gaining ground on us at times, and leafing her con-
sorts. At 11, 30, hoibted our colours and pendant; the
chase hoisted Aiiierican colours ; two of them hoisted com.
modore's broad pendants. At noon the commodore and the
second headmost ship of the chase S.W. } W. about 3| of a
mile, Nantucket shoal N. 4' E. 48 miles, moderate and fino
weather ; cleared ship for action, commodore of chase gaining,
the other ships dropping ; observed the chase pointing her
guns at us. At 3, 40, the commodore fired three shot, one of
which struck the rudder«coat, and came into the after.gun.
room } the other two came into the upper or captain'* cabin,
one of which struck the muzzle of the larboard chase*gun,
the other went through the beam under the skylight, killed
William Gould, (seaman,) wounded John Hill, (armourer,)
mortally, Joseph Lee, (seaman,) severely, George Maclcn,
(ship's carpenter,) badly, Lieutenant Bruce, James Kelly,
and James Larmont, (seamen,) slightly. At 3, 45, com.
menced firing with our stern.guns ; shot away her larboard
lower Bteer{ng>sail ; keeping our ship a steady course
N.E. and by E. At 4, the chase bore up, and fired her lar.
board broadside, which cut our rigging and sails much, th^
long bolts, breeching-hooks, and brccchings, of guns am. irar*
ronades, frequently breaking ; (by one of which Captain Hyl>^!jUt
was fCTerely wounded in the left thigh;) all of which was
instantly replaced. Kept up a constant fire, which was re.
turned by our opponent with bow-chase-guns, end at times
by her broadsides ; which, by her superiority of sailing, she
>\4M thiuMcd to do, till G, 45, when we cut away uur spare

>'*■

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APPENDIX.

•heet, aod small bowor anchors, barge, yawl, and jolly-boats^
ftnd started 14 tons of water. We then gained on him, whea
lie bore up, and fired three liroadsides, part of which fell
short of ns. At 7, opponent ceased firing, and the second
frigate commenced, but finding her shot fall short, ceased also.
Employed fishing our cross.jack-yard, and main.top.maat»
(both badly wounded,) knotting and splicing our rigging,
which was much cut and damaged. At 11, altered our course
to £. by S. \ S. and lost sight of our opponents.

No. 6.

^■*>»

Extract from the journal of Commodore Rodgert.

June «Sd.— Pleasant breezes from N.W. to W.N.W. ; at
8 A.M. spoke an American brig from Madeira, bound to New
York, the master of which informed me, that four days be-
fore, in lat. 30*, long. 67", he passed a fleet of British mer-
chantmen, under contoy of a frigate and a brig, steering to
the eastward. I now fwrceived that this was the conroy of
which I had recolTed intclligenoe, prior to leaving New York,
and shaped our course fast in pursuit of them. At 6 A.M.
Nantucket shoal, bearing N.E. distant 35 miles, saw a large
tail in N.E. standing to S.W. which was soon disooTrred to
be a frigate. The signal was made for a general chase, when
the several tcsscIs of the squadron took in their studding
■ails, and made all sail by the wind, on the starboard tack, in
pursuit. At a quarter before 7, the chase tacked, made all
sail, and stood from us, by the wind on the same tack. At
balf-past 8, he made signals, when, percetving we were comtog
up with him, he edged away a point or thereabouts, and set
his top-gallant studding-sails. At 11, cleared ship for ^c(ion,
in the expectation that we would soon be up with the chase ;
the breeze about this time, however, began to incline more to
<he westwatd, and became lighter, which I soon discovered

APPENDIX. Il

wit conparatif eljr an adrantage to our oppoMot. At f
quarter pait 1 P.M. the chaie hobted EoglM colours. At 9,t
ike wind veered to the W.S.W. and became lighter. At 90
ninutet put 4, having got within gunshot of the enenif»
when, perceiving that he was training his chase-guns, and ia
the act, as I supposed, of firing, that the breese was decrease
ing, and we now sailed so nearly alike, that to afford Mm aa
opportuuitjr of doing the first injury to our spars and riggiagy
would be to enable him to effect his escape, I gave orders to
eommence a fire with the bow.chase guns at his spars and
rigging, in the hope of crippling one or the other, so far as to
enable us to get alongside. The fire from our bow-chase gina
he instantly returned, with those of his stern, which was now
kept up by both ships without intermission, until 30 minittea
past 4 P.M. when one of the President's chase guns bunt,
and killed and wounded 16 persons, among the btter myself*
This was not, however, the most serious injury; as, by tba
bursting of the gun, and the explosion of the passing-boKy
from which it was served with powder, both the main and fote»
castle decks, near tlie gun, were so much shattered, as to pre-
▼ent the use of the chase gun, on that side, for some tim0*
Our main-deck guns being single ihotted, I now gave orders
to put our helm to starboard, and fire the starboard broai«
side) in the expectation of disabling some of her spars, bat
did not succeed, although I could discover that his rigging had
sustained considerable damage, and that he had received soaa
injury in the stern.

I now endeavoured, by altering course half a point to port,
and wettMig our sails, to gain a more effectual position on his
starboard quarter, but soon found myself losing ground.
After this, a similar attempt was made at his larboard quarter,
but without any better success, as the wind, at this time, being
very light, and both sailing so nearly alike, that, by making
an angle of only half a point from the course he steered, ena.
bled him to augment his distance. No hope was now l<^t of

I. r:i

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». f I

'i' "!

: 1

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« APPENDIX.

hringing him to cIoM action, except tliat derired from being

ti.windward, and the expectation the breeze might favour ut

first. I accordingly gave orderi to ateer directly after him,

aid to keep our bow.chase guns playing on his spars and rig-

gbg, until our broadside would more eflfectually reach him.

At fl, finding from the advantage his stern guns gave him, that

he had done considerable injury to our sails and rigging, and

b«iig within point.blanlc shot, I gave orders to put the helm

to starboard, and fire our main-deck guns. This broadiiide

di4 some farther damage to his rigging, and I could perceive

ihit his fore.top.sail.yard was wounded, but the sea was so

veiy smooth, and the wind so light, that the injury done was

not such as materially to affect his sailing. After this broad-

tide, our course was instantly renewed in his wake, under a

galling fire from his stern.chase guns, directed at our spars and

ri|ging, and continued until half.past ; at which time, being

wfthin reach of his grape, and finding our sails, rigging, and

idreral spars, particularly the main-yard, which had little to

support it except the lifts and braces, much disabled, I again

give orders to luff across his stern^ and give him a couple of

broadsides.

' The enemy, . t this time, ^.nding himself so hardly pressed,

and seeing, whi? in the act of firing, our head.sails to lift,

aid supposing the ship had, in a measure, lost the effect of

her helm, gave a broad yaw, with the intention of bringing

his broadside to bear; finding the President, however, an*

iwercd her helm too quick for his purpose, he immediately

resumed his course, and precipitately fired his four after

nain-deck guns, on the starboard side, although they did not

bear upon us at the time by S5 or 30 degrees, and ho now

commenced lightening hi^ ship, by throwing overboard all his

boats, waste.anchors, &c. and by this means was enabled, by

ft quarter before?, to get so far a^hcad, as to prevent our bow.

chase guns doing execution, and I now perceived, with more

mortification than words can express, that there was little of

APPENDIX.

no chance left of getting within gnn-shot of the enemy again.
Under erery disadvantage of disabled spartf sails, and rigging)
I, however, continued the chase with all the sail wo could
set, until half-past 11 P.M. when p.'^rceiving he had gained
upwards of three miles, and not the slightest prospect left of
coming up with him, I gave up the pursuit, and made the
signal ro the other ships as they came up to do the same.

During ihc lirst of the chase, while the breeze y%$k» fresh)
and sailing by the wind, I thought the whole of the squadron
gained upon the enemy. It was soon discorerablc, however,
the advantage he acquired by sailing large, and this, I cun.
ccived, he must have derived in so great a dogrce by starting
his water, as I could perceive, upwards of an hour before wo
came within giin-shot, water running out of his scuppers.

While in chase it was diflicult to determine whether our
own situation, or that of the other vessels uf the squadron,
was the most unpleasant. The superior sailing of the Presi.
dent was not such, off the wind, as to enable us to get upon
the broadside of the enemy. The situation of the others was
not less irksome, as not oven the headmost, which was the
Congress, was able, at any time, to get within less than two
gun-shots' distant, and even at that but for % very little
time.

*#**V#***N»##»*#***

No. 7.

From Captain Porter to the American secretary of the navy.

At sea, August 17, 1813.
Sir,
I have the honor to inform you, that on the 13th his Dri-
tannic majesty's sloop of war Alert, Captain T. L. P. Lang,
harne, ran down on our weather quarter, gave three cheers,
and commenced an action, (if so trilling a skirmish deserves
the name;) and after eight minutes firing struck her colours,

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

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Photographic

Sdences
Corporation

23 WIST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

'i i

APPENDIX.

with sercn feet vrater in the hold, much cat to pieces, and
three men wounded.

I need not inform you that the officers and crew of the
Essex behaved as I trust all Americans will in such cases, and
it is only to be regretted, that so much zeal and activity could
not have been displayed on an occasion that would hare done
them more honor. The Essex has not received the sUghtest
injury.

The Alert was out for the purpose of taking the Hornet !
. , I have the honor to be, &c.

D. PORTER.
Hon. Paul Hamilton, secretary of the navy.

*»»»**».»****»-»^**

Sir,

'-' ■ No. 8. ■ . ,

JVom Captain Dacres to Viceradmiral Sawyer.

Boston, September 7, 181^.

I am sorry to inform you of the capture of H. M. late ship
d uerriere, by the American frigate Constitution, after a severe
action, on the 19lh of August, in latitude 40° 20' N. and lon-
gitude 55" W. ^At 2 P.M. being by the wind on the starboard
tack, wo saw a sail on our weather beam, bearing down on
lis. At 3, made her out to be a man of war ; beat to quarters, '
and prepared for action. At 4, she closing fast, vrore to pre-
sent her raking us. At 10 minutes past 4, hoisted our co-
lours, and fired severiii shot at her : at 20 minutes past 4, she
hoisted her colours, and returned our fire ; wore several times
to avoid being raked, exchanging broadsides. At 5, she
closed on pur starboard beam, both keeping up a heavy fire,
and steering free, his intention being evidently to cross our
bow. At 20 minutes past 5, our mizcn-roast went over the
starboard quarter; and brought the ship up in the wind j the

I **
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APPENDIX.

tncmy then placed himself on oar larboard bow, raking us, % ,
few only of oar bow-guns bearing, and his grapo and rifle-
men sweeping our deck. At 40 minutes past 5, the ship not
answering her helm, he attempted to lay us on board ; at this
time Mr. Grant, who commanded the forecastle, was carried
below, badly wounded. I immediately ordered the marines
and boarders from the maia-deck ; the master was at this time
ihot through the knee, and I receired a severe wound in the
back. Lieutenant Kent was leading on the boarders, when
the ship coming to, we iM'ought some of our bow-guns to
bear on her, and had got clear of our opponent ; when, at
20 minutes past 6, our fore and main.masts went oyer th»
side, leaving the ship a perfect unmanageable wreck. The
frigate shooting a-head, I was in hopes to clear the wreck, and
get the ship under command to renew the action ; but just as
we had cleared the wreck, our spritsail-yard went, and tho
enemy having rove new braces, &c. wore round within pistol- .
shot, to rake us, the ship laying in the trough of the sea, and
rolling her main-deck guns under water, and all attempts to
get her before the wind being fruitless : when, calling my few
remaining officers together, they were all of opinion that any
further resistance would only be a needless waste of lives, I
ordered, though reluctantly, the colours to be struck.

The loss of the ship is to be ascribed to the early fall of thtt
mizen-mast, which enabled our opponent to choose his position.
I am sorry to say we suffered severely in killed and wounded ;
and mostly whilst she lay on our bow, from her grape and
musketry; in all, 15 killed, and 63 wounded, many of them
severely. None of the wounded officers quitted the deck till
the firing ceased.

The frigate proved to be the United States' ship Constitution,
of 30 ^-pounders on her main-deck, and 24 32.pounders^
and two 18-pounders on her upper deck, and 476 men. Her
lots in comparison with our's is trifling, about 20 ; the first
Ueutcnant of marines and 8 killed; and first lieutenant, and

■<i

APPENDIX.

master of the ship, and 11 men wonndcd ; her low^r mas^s
badly wounded, and stern much shattered; and very much
cut up about her rigging.

The Guerriere M^as so cut up, that all attempts to get her in
would have been useless. As soon as the wounded were got
out of her, they set her on fire; and I feel it my duty to
state, that the conduct of Captain Hull and his officers to our
men, has been that of a brave enemy ; the greatest caro being
taken to prevent our men losing the smallest trifle, and the
greatest attention being paid to the wounded ; who, through
the attention and skill of Mr. Irvine, surgeon, I hope will
do well.

I hope, though success has not crowned our efforts, yon
will not think it presumptuous in me to say, the greatest
credit is due to the officers and ship's company for their exer-
tions, particularly when exposed to the heavy raking fire of
the enemy. I feel particularly obliged for the exertions of
Lieutenant Kent, who, though wounded early by a splinter,
continued to assist me. In the second lieutenant, the service
has suffered a severe loss. Mr. Scott, the master, though
wounded, was particularly attentive, and used every exertion
in clearing the wreck, as did the warrant-officers. Lieutenant
NichoU, of the royal marines, and his party, supported thQ
honorable character of their corps, and they suffered severely.
I must recommend Mr. Snow, master's mate, who commanded
the foremost main-deck guns, in the absence of Lieutenant
Pullman, (and the whole after the fall of Lieutenant Ready,)
to your protection, he having received a severe contusion from
a splinter. I must point out Mr. Garley, acting purser, to your
notice, who volunteered his services on deck, and commanded
the after quarter-deck guns, and was particularly active, as
well as Mr. Bannister, midshipman.

. I hope, in considering the circumstances, you will think the
ship entrusted to my charge, properly defended. The unfor-
tunate loss of our masts ; the absence of the third lieutcnanti

APPENDIX.

lecond lieutenant of marines, thr^e midshipmen, and 24 men,
considerably weakened our crew,; aqd we only mustered at
quarters 244 men and 10 boys, on coming into action ; tho
enemy had such an advantage from his marines and riflemen,
when close, and his superior sailing enabled bim to choose bis
distance.

. I enclose herewith a list of killed and wounded ^pn.baArd.tbf.
Gucrriere; and have the hoiiQur; tp.be, &c. ' U

i, yice-pdmiral Sawyer. «j,i{ g*. JA5., R, DAC^RES. d

Xitsi of officers^ seamen^ aw3 marines, kttled and woundeS

on board JI. M. S. Guerriere, S^c. (of which the names are

'■' giveny comvrisingf)

.e,-.l...rti..t:..^-l...<

, iA.n». ^ ^ =«,*«

,-.14

Killed — The second lieutenant, 7 pctty-officers and able sea-
men, 3 ordinary seamen, 1 landman, 1 serjeant and 2 privates
of marines: — total 15. .^ ,. - .^ .^^ 1 ,

Wounded dangerouslj/ — 7 petty-officers and able seamen, 5
ordinary seamen, and 5 private marines :• total 17. ^

Wounded severely — The captain, master, 2 master's mates, &
petty-officers and able seamen, 4 ordinary seamen, 1 landman,
and 6 private marines :— total 19. ^^ ^j ,^ «, t .4

Wounded slightly — ^Tlie first lieutenant, 1 midshipman, 9
petty-officers and able seamen, 3 landmen, 1 boy, and 3 pri-
vate marines: — total, 18. ,. ^ ,, * i* . *

15 killed, C 3 wounded:— total 78. . * '^

, , . JAMES R. DACRES,

r^ W m. j^jj^ IRVINE, surgeon of the navy,

INo. 9.

From Commodore Hull, to the American secretary of the navy.

United States' frigate Constitution, oflF

Sir, Boston Light, Aug. 30, 1812. ■

I have the honour to inform you, that, on the nineteenth

instant, at two P. M. being in latitude 41" 42', and longitude

xt4

APPENDIX,

F !l

1 ' ,

,1';,

55" 4S'| with the Constitution under my command, a sail wa#
discoTered from the mast.hcad, bearing E. by S. or E.S.E. but
at such a distance we could not tell what she was. AH sail was
instantly made in chase ; and soon found wo came up with her.'
At 3 P. M. cOuld plainly see that she was a ship on the star-
board-taclc, under an easy sail, close on a wind; at half.pasf
3 P.M. made her out to be a frigate: continued the chase un-
til we were within about three miles, when I ordered the light
Bails to bo taken in, the •courses hauled up, and the ship cleared
for action. At this time the chase had baclied his main-top-
sail, waiting for us to comedown. As soon as the Constitution
was ready for action, I bore down with an intention to bring
him to close action immediately ; but on our coming within
gun.shof, she gave us a broadside and filled away, and wore,
giving us a broadside on the other tack, but without effect—^
her shot falling short. She continued wearing and manceuTer*
ing for about three quarters of an hour, to get a raking posi-
tion ; but finding she could not, she bore up, and run under'
her top-sails and jib, with the wind on the quarter. I immedi-
ately made sail to bring the ship up with her ; and 5 minutes
before 6 P.M. being alongside within half pistoUshdt, we com-
menced a heavy fire from all our guns, double-shotted with
round and grape, and so well directed were they, and sO warmly
kept up, that in 15 minutes his mizen-mast went by the
board, and his main-yard in the slings, and the hull, rigging,
and sails, very much torn to pieces. The fire was kept up
with equaH warmth for 15 minutes longer, when his main-mast
and fore-mast went, taking with them every spar excepting the
bowsprit. On seeing this, we ceased firing ; so that in 30 mi-
nutes after we got fairly alongside the enemy she surrendered,
and had not a spar standing ; and her huU, both below and
above water, so shatter red, that a few. more broadsides must
have carried her down.

After informing you that so fine a ship as theGuerricre, com-
waadcdbyanablcand experienced officer, bad been totally dis-^

APPENDIX.

Tl\\i

niastod, and otherwise cut to pieces, so as to make her not worth
towing into port, in the short space of 30 minutes, you can
have no doubt of the gallantry and good conduct of the offi-
cers and ship's company I hare the honour to command. It
only remains, therefore, for me to assure you, that they all
fought with great brarery ; and it gives me great pleasure to
say, that, from the smallest boy in the ship to the oldest
leaman, not a look of fear was seen. They all went into
action giving three cheers, and requesting to be laid close
alongside the enemy.

Enclosed, I have the honor to send you a list of killed
and wounded on board the Constitution, and a report of the
damages she has sustained ; also a list of killed and wounded on
board the enemy, with his quarter bill, &c.

I have the honor to be, &c.
The Hon. Paul Hamilton, Esq. &c. ISAAC HULL.

Return of killed and wounded on board the U. S. frigate
Constitution, Isaac Hull, Esq. captain. / ^
Killed'^1 lieutenant of marines, and 6 seamen : — total, 7.
Wounded-— 1 officers, 4 seamen, and 1 marine :«— total, 7.
Total killed and wounded, 14. . ,. ..,-,.,-., -, >; ^

List of killed and wounded on board the Guerriere. (Same as
given in Captain Dacres^ letter.)

Missing — Lieutenant John Pullman, Mr. Gaston, and 22
seamen and marines.

(Report of Constitution's '^ damages," and Guerricrc's
*' quarter-bill," not published.)

«^#«#<V«#«^«^««««^«'^

No. 10.

•ri^i

*' Particulars of the late action between ihe U. S. frigate
Constitution, and the British frigate Guerriere; communi.
catcd by an officer on board the Constitution." Ant. paper.

XTiH

APPEiNDIX.

Lat. 41" 42' N. long. 56° 33' W. Thursday, August 20,
(nauticaliime,) fresh breeze from N.W. and cloudy ; at 2
P.M. dittcoTerod a vessel to the southward, made all sail in
chase ; at 3, perceived the chase to be a ship on the starboard
tack, close hauled to the wind ; hauled S.S.W. At half-past
3, made out the chase to be a frigate ; at 4, coming up with
the chase very fast ; at a quarter before 5, the chase laid her
maiu-top-sail to the mast ; took in our top.gallant. sails, stay,
sails, and flying>jib; took a second reef in the top*sails ;
hauled the courses up ; sent the royaUyards down, and got all
clear for action ; beat to quarters, on which the crew gavo
three cheers. At 5, the chase hoisted three English ensigns;
al 5 minutes past 5, the enemy commenced firing; ; at 29
minutes past 5, set our colours, one at eacb mast-head, and
one at the mizen-pcak, and began firing on the enemy, and
continued to fire occasionally, he wearing very often, and we
manoeuvring to close with him, and avoid being raked. At 6,
set the main. top-gallant-sail, the enemy having bore up; at
five minutes past 6, brought the enemy to close action, stand,
ing before the wind ; at fifteen minutes past 6, the enemy's
mizcn-mast fell over on the starbdard-side ; at twenty minutes
past 6, finding we were drawing a-head of the enemy, lufied
short round his bows to rake him ; at twenty-five minutes past
6, the enemy fell on board of us, his bowsprit foul of our
mizen. rigging. We prepared to board, but immediately after
his fore and main.masts went by the board, and it was deemed
unnecessary. Our cabin had taken fire from his guns ; but
was soon extinguished without material injury. At half-past
6, shot a-hedd of the enemy, when the firing ceas '1 on both
sides ; he making the signal of submission by firing again to
leeward. Set fore-sail and main-sail, and hauled to the east-
ward to repair damages ; all our braces, and much of our
standing and running rigging, and some of our spars, being
shot away. At 7, wore ship, and stood under the lee of the
prize ; seut our boat on board, which returned at S, with Cap*

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APPENDIX.

xiz

tain Dacres, late of his Britannic majesty's ship Guerriere,
mounting 49 carriage-guns, and manned with 302 men. Got
our boats out, and kept them employed in removing tht
prisoners and baggage from the prize to our ship. Sent a sur.
geon's-mate to assist in attending the wounded; wearing ship
occasionally to keep in the best position to receive the boats.
At 20 minutes before 2 A.M. discovered a sail off the lar.
board beam, standing to the S. ; saw all clear for another ac-
tion; at 3, the sail stood off again. At day.light was hailed
by the lieutenant on board the prize, who informed ho had four
feet of water in the hold, and that she was in a sinking condi.
tion. All hands employed in removing the prisoners, and re.
pairing our own damage, through the remainder of the day.
Friday, the 21st, (nautical time as before,) commenced with
light breezes from the northward, and pleasant; our boats and
crew still employed as before. At 3, made the sigual of re>
call for our boats, (having received all the prisoners,) they im-
mediately left her on fire, and at past 3 she blew up. \Jler€
foliows the loss on each side, as given already.'] , ^ ^ ,

.fw . ■ . - . ^;\

V'i/vvi.-.<i4f rt.v -:■...: r-\. No. 11.

Captain Dacres^ address to the court on his trial.

' Mr. president, and gentlemen of the court, ' " »

By my letter to Admiral Sawyer, and the narrative of the
principal officers, I trust that you will be satisfied that every
exertion was used in defending the ship, as long as there was tho
smallest prospect of resistance being of any use. In my letter,
where I mention the boarders being called, it was my intention^
after having driven back the enemy, to have boarded in return;
and in consequence, I ordered down the first lieutenant on the
main-deck, to send every body up from the guns ; but finding
his deck filled with men, and every preparation made to re-
ceive us, it would have been almost impossible to succeed. X

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APPENDIX.

'3f I,

1,3 '

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orilorotl the men down to their quarters, and desired Mr. Kent
to direct part of his attention to the main-deck, the lieutenant
being killed. The main-mast fell without being struck by a
single shot — the heart of the mast being decayed, and it was
carried away solely by the weight of the foremast ; and, though
every thing was done, we could not succeed in getting the ship
under command; and on the enemy wearing round to rake us,
>vithout our being able to make any resistance, and after having
used every exertion to the best of my abilities, I found myself
obliged to order the colours to be struck , which, nothing but
the unmanageable state of the ship, (she lying a perfect wreck,)
could ever have induced me to do; conceiving it wai my duty
not to sacrifice uselessly the lives of the men, without any pros-
pect of success, or of benefit to their country.

On the larboard side, about thirty shot had taken effect,
about five sheets of copper down; and the mizen.roast had
knocked a large hole under her starboard counter ; and sht
was so completely shattered, that the enemy found it impossible
to refit her sufficiently to attempt carrying her into port, and
they set fire to her as soon as they got the wounded out. What
considerably weakened my quarters was, permitting the Ame-
ricans belonging to the ship to quit their quarters, on the enemy
hoisting the colours of that nation ; which, though it deprived
me of the men, I thought was my duty.

I felt much shocked, when on board the Constitution, to
find a large proportion of that ship's company British seamen ;
and many of whom I recognized as having been foremost in
the attempt to board.

Notwithstanding the unlucky issue of this affair, such confi-
dence have I in the exertions of the officers and men who be.
longed to the Guerriere; and lam so well aware that the suc«
cess of my opponent was ow ing to fortune, that it is my earnest
-wish, and Ivouid bo the happiest period of my life, to be once
more opposed to the Constitution, with them under my com-
nandj ia a friga'e of similar force to the Guerriere.

.►i

APPENDIX.

iSl

I cannot help noticing, that the attachment of the ship's com.
pany, in general, to the .vTvicc of their king and country, re.
fleets on them the highest credit ; for, although every art was
used to encourage them to desert, and to inveigle them into the
American service, by high bounties and great promises, by the
American officers, in direct contradiction to the declaration to
me that they did not wish such a thing, only eight Englishmen
have remained behind, two only of which number have volun-
teered for their service. . .. ,, . ,, .. .1 «.<. . . \

Leaving the characters of my officers and ship's company, as
well as my own, to the decision of this honorable court, the
justice of whose sentence no person can presume to question, I
close my narrative, craving indulgence for having taHen up
fio much of their time. , •. .

- ,iiA*'

, I I ii

l-'.f'ii

i^V

ji..'

Jd :

No. 12.

Sentence.

•t'l

Having attended to the whole of the evidence, and also to
the defence of Captain Dacres, the court agreed, — that the
surrender of the Guerrierc was proper, in order to preserve the
lives of her valuable remaining crew ; and that her being in that
lamentable situation was from the accident of her masts going,
which was occasioned more by their defective state than from
the fire of the enemy, though so greatly superior in guns and
men. The court do, therefore, unanimously and honorably
acquit the said Captain Dacres, the officers and crew, of his
majesty's late ship the Guerriere, and they are hereby honorably
acquitted according. The court, at the same time, feel them,
selves called upon to express the high sense they entertain of the
conduct of the ship's company in general, when prisoners, but
more particularly of those who withstood the attempts made to
shake their loyalty, by offering them high bribes to enter into
the land and sea service of the enemy, and they will represent
their merit to the commander in chief. , ,

.'•"''

, I

xxii

APPENDIX.

■»-i

- §

No. 13.

ri III

ivii hlVlt'l \

From Captain JVhinyatea to Admiral Warren,

.If::

i< J

It''

! '■• i. II. M.S. Poictiers, at sca^.

Sir, fir . » r • t . Oct. 23, 18ia.

* It is with the most bitter sorrow and distress I have to report
to your excellency the capture of II. M. brig Frolic, by
the ship Wasp, belonging to the United States of America^ on
the 18th instant. '1 ^i^fi *:- '?- '

' Having under convoy the homeward-bound trade from the
bay of Honduras, and being in latitude 36" N. and 64° W.
on the night of the 171 h, we were overtaken by a most violent
gale of wind, in which the Frolic carried away her main,
yard, lust her top>sails, and sprung the main.top-mast. On the
morning of the 18th, as wc were repairing the damages sus-
tained in the storm, and re-assembling the scattered ships, a
suspicious ship camo in sight, and gave chase to the convoy.

The merchant ships continued their voyage before the wind
under all sail ; the Frolic dropped astern, and hoisted Spanish
colours, in order to decoy the stranger under her guns, and
to give time for the convoy to escape. About 10 o'clock,
both vessels being within hail, we hauled to the wind, and the
battle began. The superior fire of our guns gave every
reason to expect its speedy termination in our favor ; but the
gaff- head-braces being shot away, and there being no sail on
the main-mast, the brig became, unmanageable, and the enemy
succeeded in taking a position to rake her, while she was
unable to bring a gun to bear.

After lying some time exposed to a most destructive fire,
she fell with her bowsprit betwixt the enemy's main and mizen
rigging, still unable to return his fire.

At length the enemy boarded, and made himself master of
the brig, every individual officer being wounded, and the

APPENDIX.

ixiii

l^reatcr part of ilic men either killud or wounded, (hero nut
being 20 persons remaining unhurt. . i. .^ > t

Although I shall ever deplore the unhappy issue of this
contest, it would be great injustice to (he merits of the ofTu
ccrs and crew, if 1 failed to report that their bravery and cool-
ness are deserving of every praise ; and 1 am convinced, if
the Frolic had not been cripplod in (lie gale, 1 should haye
had to make a very diderent report to your excellency. The
Wasp was taken, and the Frolic ro-captured the same after*
nooD, by II. M. S. the Poidicrs. 13eing separated from them,
I cannot transmit, iit present, a list of killed and wounded.
Mr. Charles M'Kay, the first lieutenant, and Mr. Stephens,
the master, have died of their wounds. i[. ,. ^

? rtHw jrjr'* it/i^ i i'^^e the honor to be, &c. it ■ ; ^ . ,

::-.U, :r.m i.if. .yrtH. T. VVIIINYATES.

To the Right Hon. Sir J. B. Warren, Bart, &c. /?i < k^Si

._;••• "-^^'^ ' '■'■ ^"-^No. 14.

From Captain Jones to the American secretary of the navj/.

vr,i, .rjf.i ,,r, ^>t,)v;j i New York, Not. 24, 1812.

Sir, una t i^tii i^ v i

1, I here arail myself of the Urst opportunity of informing
you of the occurrences of our cruize, which terminated in
the capture of the Wasp on the 18th of October, by the
Poictiers, of 74 guns, while a wreck, from damages received
io an engagement with the British sloop of war Frolic, of 22
guns, 16 of them 321b. carronadcs, and four 12>poundcrs on
the main deck, and two 12-pounders, carronadcs, on the top-
gallant.forecastle, making her superior in force to us by four
12-pounders. The Frolic had struck to us, and was taken
possession of about two hours before our surrendering to the
Poictiers.

We had left the Delaware on the 13th; the 15th, had a

nif'-f

x\\r

APPENDIX.

^1 ;

U .

heavy gale, in which we lost our jib-boom and (wo men.
Half.past 11, on the night of the 17th, in latitude 37" N. and
longitude 65° W. we saw several sail, two of them apparently
rery large ; we stood from them some time, then shortened
sail, and steered the remainder of the night the course we had
perceived them on. At day. light on Sunday the 18th, we saw
them a-head ; gave chase, and soon discovered them to be a
convoy of six sail, under the protection of a sloop of war;
four of them large ships, mounting from 16 to 18 guns. At
32 minutes past 11 A.M. we engaged the sloop of war, having
first received her fire, at the distance of 50 or 60 yards, which
space we gradually lessened, until we laid her on board, after
a well supported fire of 43 minutes ; and although so near
while loading the last broadside, that our rammers were shoved
against the sides of the enemy, our men exhibited the same
alacrity which they had done during the whole of the action.
They immediately surrendered upon our gaining their fore-
castle, so that no loss was sustained on either side after
boarding.

Our main-top-mast was shot away between four and five
minutes from the commencement of the firing, and falling to-
gether with the main.top.sail.yard, across the larboard fore and
fore-top>sail-braccs, rendered our head.yards unmanageable
the remainder of the action. At 8 minutes th') gaft and
mizen-top.gallant.mast came down, and at 20 minutes froni
the beginning of the action, every brace, and most of the
rigging was shot away. A few minutes after separating from
the Frolic, both her masts fell upon deck ; the main.mast goUig
close by the deck, and the fore-mast 12 or 15 feet above it.

The courage and exertions of the officers and crew fully
answered my expectations and wishes. Lieutenant Biddle'9
active conduct contributed much to our success, by the exact
attention paid to every department during the engagement)
and the animating example he afforded the crew by his intrepi-
dity. Lieutenants Rodgers, Booth, and Mr. Rapp, shewed^

^il

APPENDIX.

XXT

by the incessant fire from their diTisionSj that they were not
to be surpassed in resolution or skill. Mr. Knight, and every
other officer, acted with a courage and promptitude highly
honorable, and 1 trust have given assurance that they may bo
relied on whenever their services may be required.

I conid not ascertain the exact loss of the enemy, as many
of the dead lay buried under (he masts and spars that ha>T
fallen npon deck, which two hours exertion had not suffici-
ently removed. Mr. Biddle, who had charge of the Frolic,
istates, that from what he saw, and from information from the
officers, the number of killed most have been about 30, and
that of the wounded about 40 or 50. Of her killed is her
first lieutenant, and sailing-master ; of the wounded. Captain
Whinyatcs, and the second lieutenant.

We had fire killed and five wounded, as per list : the

wounded are recovering., lieatenant Clftxtoa^ who was con.

fined by sickness, left his bed a little, prefvioas to; the engage.

ment ; and though too indisposed to be at bis divisioQ» re.

mained upon deck, and showed, by his composed manner of

noticing its incidents, that we had lost by hb illness^ the sec»

vices of a brave officer.

I am respectfully your^s,

JACOB JONES.

Hon. Paul Hamilton, secretary of the navy. '

*#**•♦**#****###*

No. 15.

From Lieutenant J. Biddle, late of the Wasp.

H. B. M. ship Poictiers, 74, at sea, Oct. 21, 1812.
My dear father,
The fortune of war has placed us in the hands of the enemy.
We have been captured by thb ship, after having ourselves
captured his Britannic majesty's bri^ Frolic. ^

The Frolic was superior in force to ns ; she mounted 18

^;i

hi 1

f I

4l,

r (J

xxvl

APPENDIX.

32lb. carronadcs, dnd twd lolig nSnes. The Wasp, yvu kiiow,

has only IG carronades. The action lasted 43 minutes; we

had 5 killed, and the slaughter on board the Frolic was dread.

ful. We are bound into Bermuda. I am quite unhurt.

In haste, &c. i.

J. BIDDLE.

,^fff**»4^m**^^^*^^*

'»* p?*»ft^*"^

Sfinieme fj Qourt of inquiry on the commander of th«

Tfi6 court' hairing heard tni^ statement and eridence in thl^
case, and haying maturely considered the circnmstances at-
tending the surrender of the U. S. ship of war the Wasp, to
his Britannic majesty's ship of the line the Poictiers, of 74
guns ; particularly the crippled and disabled state of the Wasp
from the brilliant and successful action with his Britannic
majesty's ship the Frolic, of superior force to the Wasp,
about two hours before the Poictiers hove in sight, and the
force and condition of the Poictiers, which made it useless for
them to contend, and rendered them unable to escape, are
unanimously of opinion, that there was no impropriety of
conduct on the part of the officers and crew of the said ship
Wasp, during the chase by the Poictiers, or in the surrender ;
but that the conduct of the officers and crew of the Wasp on
said occasion was eminently distinguished for firmness and
gallantry', in making every preparation and exertion, of which
their situation would admit.

No. 17.

- * ■

fesyb^f- Vote of congress.

Congress voted 25,000 dollars, and their thanks, to Captain
Jacob Jones, officers, and crew of the Wasp; also a gold

APPENDIX.

nvit

Hiedal to Captain Jones, and silrer medals to each of the
officers, in testimony of their high sense of the gallantry dis.
played by them in the capture of the British sloop Frolic.

^»^*»***«»»**^*»»

/ ■

■iuii^.^:-- From Captain Garden to Mr- Croker,

>rR^flf^l/'» Jij] iir-fi' f' fi^rmfir

Sir,

No. 18.

U. S. ship United States, afsea, OH. 28, 1812.

It is with the deepest regret I hare to acqu^nt you, for the
information of my lords commissioners of the admiralty,
that H. M. late ship Macedonian was captured on the 25th
instant, by the U. S. ship United States, Commodore Decatur^
commander. The detail is as follows :—

A short time after 6'ay .light, sf?ering N.W. by W. with the
wind from the southward, in latitude 20° N. and longitude
29° 30' W. in the eJtecution of their lords* 'ns' orders, a sail
was seen on the lee-beam, which I immediately stood for, and
made her out to be a large, frigate, under American colours.
At 9 o'clock I closed with her, and she commenced the action,
which we returned ; but, from the enemy keeping two points
off the wind, I was not enabled to get as close to her as I
could have wished. After an hour's action the enemy backed,
and came to the wind, and I was then enabled to bring her to
close battle. In this situation I soon found the enemy's force
too superior to expect success, unless some very fortunate
chance occurred in our favor, and with this hope I continued
the battle to two hours and ten minutes ; wheq, having the
mizcn-mast shot away by the board, top-masts shot away by the
caps, main-yard shot in pieces, lower-masts badly wounded,
lower-rigging all cut to pieces, a small proportion only of the
fore-sail left to the fore-yard, all the guns on the quarter-deck
and forecastle disabled but two, and filled with wreck, two also
on the main.deck disabled; and several shot between wind and

iXTiii

APPENDIX.

Irl

I* ?

It" ?■

f»"

•J. I
1^ L

water, a rery great proportion of the crew killed and wound*
ed, and the enemy comparatively In good order, who had now
shot a-head, and was about to place himself in a raking posi.
tion, without our being enabled to return the fire, being a
perfect wreck, and unmanageable log, I deemed it prudent,
though a painful extremity, to surrender his majesty's ship ;
nor was this dreadful alternatiye resorted to till every hope of
success was removed, even beyond the reach of chance, nor
£11, I trust their lordships will be aware, every effort had been
made against the enemy by myself, my brave officers, and
men ; nor should she have been surrendered whilst a man lived
«n board, had she been manageable. I am sorry to say our
loss is very severe ; I find, by this day*s muster, 36 killed,
three of whom lingered a short time after the battle; 36
severely wounded, many of whom cannot recover ; and 32
slightly wounded, who may all do well :— total 104.
" The truly noble and animating conduct of my officers, and
the steady bravery of my crew to the last moment of the bat.
tie, must ever render them dear to their country,
e My first lieutenant, David Hope, was severely wounded in
the head, towards the close of the battle, and taken below,
but was soon again on deck, displaying that greatness of mind
and exertion, which, though it may be equalled, can never be
excelled. The third lieutenant, John Bulford, was also
wounded, but not obliged to quit his quarters ; second lieu,
tenant, Samuel Mottley, and he, deserve my highest acknow.
ledgments. The cool and steady conduct of Mr. Walker, the
master, was very great during the battle; as also that of Lieu,
tenants Wilson and Magill, of the marines.
ti On being taken on board the enemy's ship, I ceased to
wonder at the result of the battle. The United States is built
with the scantling of a 74-gun ship, mounting 30 long
34-pounders (English ship-guns) on her main-deck, and 22
42-pounder carronades, with two long 24-pounders, on her
quarter.deck and forecastle, howitzer-guns in her tops, and a

■f I

• i

APPENDIX.

ZXIS

traTelling carronade on her npper.deck, with a complement of
478 picked men.

The enemy has suffered much in masts, rigging, and hull,
above and below water ; her loss in killed and wounded I am
not aware of, but I know a lieutenant and six men have been
thrown overboard.

Enclosed you will be pleased to receive the names of th«
killed and wounded on board the Macedonian ; and

I have the honor to be, &c.
John W. Croker, Esq. J. S. GARDEN. '

List of officers and men killed andveounded on board H.MS.
, Macedonian^ Sfc. {of which the names are given, comprise

. Killedr-^\ master's-mate, the schoolmaster, boatswain, 23
pctty.officers and seamen, 1 boys, 1 Serjeant and 7 privates of
marines : — total, 36.

Wounded dangerously — 7 petty-officers and seamen ; (%
since dead ;) severely— \ lieutenant, 1 midshipman, 18 petty,
officers and seamen, 4 boys, and 5 private marines :— total,
dangerously and severely, 36.

i Wounded slightly ^\\\cwien?axi, 1 master's -mate, 26 petty-
officers and seamen, and 4 private marines : — total, 32.

J. S. GARDEN, captain.

.^Mv..?<#«!ih!?it

**»»■**» *^»*-r*»»*0'

No. 19.

Commodore Decatur to the American secretary of the navy.

Sir,

U. S. ship United States, at sea, Oct. 30, 1812.

I have the honor to inform you, that on the 25th instant,
being in latitude 29° N. longitude 2&« 30' W. we fell in with,
and after an action of an hour and a half, captured H. B. M/s
ship Macedonian, commanded by Gaptain Garden, and mount,
log 49 carriage-guns. (The odd gun shifting.) She is « frigata

! I

txz

APPENDIX.

t 'it

MP'

Ut'

Pi '«

4 ;

' M n, #

■!';

r;;

= ;• f

of the largest class, tM'o years old, four montlis out of dock,
and reputed one of the best sailers in the British service. The
enemy, being to- wind ward, had the advantage of engaging us
at his own distance, which was so great, that for the first half
hour we did not use our carronados, and at no time was he
within the compleat effect of our musketry and grape; to this
circumstance, and a^ heavy swelj, which was on at the time, I
ascribe the unusual length of the action.

The enthusiasm of every pfiicer, seaman, and marine, on
board this ship, on discovering the enemy, their steady conduct
in battle, and precision of their fire, could not be surpassed.
Where all met my fullest expectations, it would b6 unjust in
me to discriminate. Permit me, however, to recommend to
your particular notice my first lieutenant, William H. Allen.
He has served with me upwards of five years, and to his unre.
mitted exertions in disciplining the crew, is to be imputed the
obvious superiority our gunnery exhibited in the result of this
contest.

Subjoined is a list of the killed and wounded on both sides.
Our loss, compared with that of the enemy, will appear small.
Amongst our wounded, you will obserre the name of Lieu-
tenant Funk, who died a few hours after the action: he was
an officer of great gallantry and promise, and the service has
sustained a severe loss in his death.

The Macedonian lost her mizen-mast, fore and main-top-
masts, and main-yard, and was much cut up in her hull. The
damage sustained by this ship was not such as to render her
return into port necessary ; and, had I not deemed it im-
portant that we should see our prize in, should have continued
our cruize.

With the highest consideration and respect, -

I am. Sir, your's, &c.
Hon. Paul Hamilton. ^ ^^ ^. STEPHEN DECATUR.

\_tiere follow the names of Jive killed j and seven aoundedf
•n board the United States.'}. - ■ v. *; i. -< •'- * -^

APPENDIX.

.-. » . Jit

No. SO.

Vote of congress.

The national legislature voted their thanks to Commodore
Decatur, oificera, and crew, of the frigate United States ; also
a gold medal to Commodore Decatur, and siWer medals to
each of the officers, in honor of the brilliant Tictory gained by
the frigate United States OTer the British frigate Macedonian.

Jhs. nii f

No. 21.

Extract from the sentence of the court-martial upon Captain
•xicL'v* Garden, his officers and crezo,

HaTing most strictly iuTestigated eyery circumstance, and
examined the different officers and ship's company ; and having
very deliberately and maturely weighed and considered the
whole and every part thereof, the court is of opinion ;— that
previous to the commencement of the action, from an over,
anxiety to keep the weather-gage, an opportunity was lost of
closing with the enemy ; and that owing to this circumstance
the Macedonian was unable to bring the United States to close
action until she had received material damage; but as it docs
not appear that this omission originated in the most distant
wish to keep back from the engagement, the court is of opi.
nion, that Captain J. S. Carden, his officers, and ship's com.
pany, in every instance throughout the action, behaved with
the firmest and most determined courage, resolution, and
coolness ; and that the colours of the Macedonian were not
struck, until she was unable to make further resistance. Th«
court does therefore most honorably acquit Captain J. S. Car*
den, the officers, and company of H. M. late ship Macedonian^
and Captain Carden, his officers, and company, are hereby
most honorably acquitted accordingly.

xuii

APPENDIX.

S'' .'

:r :

/ .

Tho court cannot dismiss Captain Garden, without express*
ing their admiration of the aoiform testimony which has been
borne to his gallantry and good conduct throughout the action,
nor Lieutenant Darid Hope, the senior lieutenant, the other
officers and company, without expressing the highest approba-
tion of the support giren by him and them to the captain, and
of their courage and steadiness during the contest with an
enemy of very superior force; a circumstance that, whilst it
reflects high honor on them, does no less credit and honor to
the discipline of his majesty's late ship Macedonia.

The court also feels it a gratifying duty to express its ad.
miration of the fidelity to their allegiance, and attachment to
their king and country, which the remaining crew appear to
have manifested, in resisting the various insidious and repeated
temptations which the enemy held out to them, to seduce them
from their duty; and which cannot fail to be duly ap-
preciated. , —

V .inv.i

«»***»*«

^i£^-

•'■»*^

ft-?.-

.v'V'.vjr

No. 22.

From Lieutenant Chadsy to Mr. Croker*

United States frigate Constitution, off
i Sir, St. Salvador, Dec. 31, 1812.

It is with deep regret that I write you, for the information
of the lords commissioners of the Admiralty, that H. M. S.
Java is no more, after sustaining an action on the 29th inst.
for several hours, with the American frigate Constitution,
which resulted in the capture and ultimate destruction of
H. M. S. Captain Lambert being dangerously wounded in
the height of the action, the melancholy task of writing the
detail devolves on me. On the morning of the 2i)th instant,
at 8 A.M. off St. Salvador, (coast of Brazil,) the wind at
N.E. we perceived a strange sail; made all sail in chase, and
soon made her out to be a large frigate. At noon; prepared

APPENDIX.

xxxiil

for action, the chase not answering our private signals, and
tacking towards us under easy sail : when about four miles
distant she made a signal, and immediately tacked and made
all sail away upon the wind. We soon found wo had the
adr^titage of her in sailing, and camo up with her fast, when
she hoisted American colours; she then bore about three points
on our lee.bow, at 50 minutes past 1 P.M. the enemy shorten,
ed sail, upon which wc bore down upon her ; at 10 minutes
past 2, when about half a mile distant, she opened her fire,
giving us her larboard broadside, which was not returned till
we were close on her weather .bow. Both ships now
manoeuvred to obtain advantageous positions, out opponent
evidently avoiding, close action, and firing high to disable our
masts ; in which he succeeded too well, having shot away the
head of our bowsprit, with the jib-boom, and our running
rigging so much cut as to prevent our preserving the weather,
gage. *'■'•' w**

. At 5 minutes past 3, finding the enemy's raking fire extremely
heavy. Captain Lambert ordered the ship to be laid on board,
in which we should have succeeded, had not our foremast
been shot away at this moment, the remains of our bowsprit
passing over his taffrail ; shortly after this the main.top-mast
went, leaving the ship totally unmanageable, with most of our
starboard guns rendered useless from the wreck lying over
them.

At half-past 3, our gallant captain received a dangerous
wound in the breast, and was carried below ; from this time
we could not fire more than two or three guns until a quarter
past 4, when our mizen-mast was shot away. The ship then
fell off a little, and brought many of our starboard guns to
bear : the enemy's rigging was so much cut that he could
not avoid shooting a-head, which brought us fairly broadside
and broadside. Our main-yard now^ went in the slings; both
ships continued engaged in this manner till 35 minutes past 4,
we frequently on fire in consequence of the wreck lying on the

'.I''

!-■

fri i

'I n '

d ±.

Ai i-

xxxIt

appendix:.

side engaged. Oar opponent now made sail a-head out of
gun-shot, where he remained an Iiour repairing his damages,
leaTing us on unmanageable wrecli, with only the main.mast
left, and that tottering. Every exertion was made by us daring
this interTal to place the ship in a state to renew the action.
We succeeded in clearing the wreck of our masts from our

' guns ; a sail was set on the stumps of the foremast and bow«
sprit ; the weather-half of the main-yard remaining aloft, th«
main-tack was got forward in the hope of getting the ship
before the wind, our helm being still perfect; the effort unfor-
tunately proved ineffectual, from the main-mast falling over
the side, and from the heavy rolling of the ship, which nearly
covered the whole of our starboard guns. We still waited tho
attack of the enemy, he now standing towards us for that
purpose. On his coming nearly within hail of us, and from
his manccuvres perceiving he intended a position a-head, where
he could rake us without a possibility of our returning a shot ;
I then consulted the officers, who agreed with myself, that our
having a great part of our crew killed and wounded, our bow-
sprit and three masts gone, several guns useless, we should
pot bo justified in wasting the lives of more of those remaining ;
who, I hope their lordships and the country will think, ha^e
bravely defended his majesty's ship. Under these circumstan-
ces, however reluctantly, at 50 minutes past 5, our polours
were lowered from the stump of the mizen-mast, and we were
taken possession of a little after 6, by the American frigate
Constitution, commanded by Commodore Bainbridgc, who,

** immediately after ascertaining the state of the ship, resolved
OQ burning her, which we had the satisfaction of seeing dona
as soon as the wounded men were removed. Annexed I send
you a return of the killed and wounded ; and it is with pain I

' perceive it is numerous ; also ii statement of the comparativo
force of the twp ships, when I hope their lordships will not
think the British flag tarnished, although success has not at-
tended us. It vf ould be presumption in me to speak of Cap*

u f ■

APPENDIX.

x»?

tain Lambert's merits ; who, thongh still In danger from hit
wound, we still entertain the greatest hopes of his being
restored to the serrice and his country. i.gi ^r

It is most gratifying to my feelings, to notice the gallantry
of erery officer, seaman and marine on board. In justice to
the officers, I beg leave to mention them individually. I can
never speak too highly of the able exertions of Lieutenants
Herringham and Buchanan, and also Mr. Robinson, master,
who was severely wounded, and Lieutenants Mercer and
Davis, of the royal marines, the latter of whom also was
severely wounded. To Captain John Marshall, R. N. who
was a passenger, I am particularly obliged, for his exertions
and advice throughout the action. To Lieutenant Alpin, who
was on the main.deck, and Lieutenant Saunders, who com-
manded the forecastle, I also return my thanks. I cannot
but notice the good conduct of the mates and midshipmen,
many of whom are killed, and the greater part wounded. To
Mr. T. C. Jones, surgeon, and his assistants, every praise is
duo for their unwearied assiduity in the care of the wounded.
Lieutenant-General Hislop, Major Walker, and Captain
Wood, of his staff, the latter of whom was wounded, were
solicitous to assist and remain on the quarter-deck.

I cannot conclude this letter, without expressing my grate,
ful acknowledgments thus publicly, for the generous treat-
ment Captain Lambert and his officers have experienced from
our gallant enemy, Commodore Bainbridge and his officers.

1 have the honor to be, &c.
HENRY. D. CHADS.

P.S. The Constitution has also suffered severely, both in
her rigging and men ; having her fore and mizen-masts, main-
top-masts, both m%in-top-.sail>yinrds, spanker-boom, gaff, and
trysail-mast, badly shot; and the greatest part of the standing
rigging yery much damaged; with tdn men killed, the com.
mander, fifth lieutenant, and 46 men wounded, 4 of whom are
since dead.

4'^

'.'is

zxxtI

APPENDIX.

f^*

Force of the tvoo Ships,

I !l

'■~\

CONSTITUTION.

32 long 24- pounders
22 carronadcs, 32-pouitder«
1 carronadc, 18-pounder

JAVA. r-nvcTiTrTTl AV r 'f

28 long IS.poundcra
10 carronadcs, 32- pounders
2 long O.pounders

4« guns 66 guns

Ship's company and supernu. Crew, 480.

moraries, 377.

A list of killed and wounded of //. M. S. Java^ in aciionf Sfe.
'■■ (of zehich the names are given, comprising,)

Killed-—^ mates, 2 midshipmen, 1 supernumerary clerk,
7 petty officers and able seamen, 3 landmen, 4 marines, and 2
supernumeraries :— total, 22.

Wounded dangerously-^CvL^iskva. Lambert, (since dead,) the
boatswain, 4 petty officers and able seamen, (1 since dead, >
and 1 ordinary seamen :— total 7.

,"( Wounded severelif—'l master, 1 second lieutenant of marines,
3 midshipmen, 10 petty officers and able seamen, 8 ordinary
seamen, 6 landmen, 1 boy, 1 Serjeant of marines, 2 corporals
of ditto, 12 privates of ditto, 1 passenger, (Captain Wood,)
1 supernumerary mate, and 5 ditto seamen : — total, 62.

Wounded slightly — Lieutenant Chads, 1 midshipman, 10
petty officers and able seamen, 8 ordinary seamen, H landmen,
3 boys, 1 Serjeant and 5 private marines, 1 supernumerary
commander, 1 ditto lieutenant, and 4 ditto seamen : — total 43.

T. C. JONES, surgeon.

2d January. H. D. CHADS, 1st lieut.

^^■»^*^**^-»^»*»t*»

No. 23. J'-«

Extract of another letter from Lieutenant Chads.

St. Salvador, Brazil, Jan. 4, 1813. i
I am sorry to find the Americans did not behave with the

APPENDIX.

xiitU

tatnc liberality toward* the crew that the officers experienced ;
on the contrary, they were pillaged of almoit e?ery thing, and
kept in irons.

J. W. Crokcr, Esq. &c. &c.

C.l 1. rf '«

u u 1 K :

No. 24.

Trom Coumodore Bainbridge to the American secrclarif of

U. S. frigate Constitution, St. Salvador,
Sir, Jan. 3, 1R13.

I have the honor to inform you, that on the 29th ultimo, at
3 P. M. in S. latitude 13* 6', and W. longitude 30% and about
10 leagues distance from the coast of Brazil, I fell in with
and captured H. B. M.'s frigate Java, of 49 guns, and up-
wards of 400 men, commanded by Captain Lambert, a Tery
distinguished officer. The action lasted one hour and 55 mi-
nutes, in which time the enemy was completely dismasted, not
having a spar of any kind standing. The loss on board the
Constitution was nine killed and 25 wounded, as per enclosed
list. The enemy had 60 killed, and 101 wounded, certainly ;
(among the latter, Captain Lambert mortally;) but by the
enclosed letter, written on board this ship, (by one of the
officers of the Java,) and accidentally found, it is evident
that the enemy's wounded must have been much greater than
as above stated, and who must have died of their wounds pre
yiously to their being removed. The letter states 60 killed,
and 170 wounded. ^

I'or further details of the action, I beg leave to refer you
to the enclosed extracts from roy •journal. The Java had, in
addition to her own crew, upwards of 100 supernumerary
officors and seamen, to join the British sliips of war in the
ilast Indies ; also Lieutenant-general liislop, appointed to the
com(Qand,bf Uombay, Major Walker, and Cup tain Wood, of

•■)l''

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1

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XlXtiti

APPENDIX.

|iis staff, and Captain Marshall, master and commander in th«
British navj, going to the East Indies, to take command of a
sloop of war there. ''^

Should I attempt to do justice, by representatiouj to the
brare and good conduct of all ray officers and crew during thft
action, I should fail in the attempt ; therefore, suffice it to
say, that the whole of their conduct was such as to merit my
highest encomiums. I beg leave to recommend the officers,
particularly, to the notice of government ; as also the unfor-
tunate seamen who were wounded, and the families of those
brave men who fell in the action* . '

The great distance from our own coast, and the perfect
wreck we made the enemy's frigate, forbade every idea of
taking her to the United States ; I had therefore no alternative
but burning her, which I did on the SUt ultimo, after re-
ceiving all the prisoners and their baggage ; which was very
hard work, only having one boat left, out of eight, and not
one left on board the Java. -;»$.

On blowing up the frigate Java I proceeded to this place,
where I have landed all the prisoners on their parole, to return
%o England, and there remain until regularly exchanged ; and
not to serve in their professional capacities, in any place, or
in any manner whatsoever, against the United States of Ame*
fica, until their exchange shall be effected. ..^..^^^

V' I have the honor to be, &c. t4>

W. BAINBRID6E,

To the secretary of the navy, &c. ^ ^,^ ^

»*^*»*»»«-»

«t

jmT *i»V5a . «t ?3f s- X — ■ ■ No. 25.

JfSxtract^rom Commodore Bainbrid^e* s journal,

Tuesday, December 29, 1814. — At 9 A.M. discovered two
strange sails on the weather bow ; at 10 discovered the stranga
sails to be ships : one of them stood in for the land, aad th«

APPENDIX.

xniz

lAther stood off shore, in a direction towards us ; at 11 A.M.
tacked to the southward and eastward, and took in the royals ;
at 30 minutes past 1 1 made the private signal for the day,
which was not answered, and then set the main<.sail and rojals,
to draw the strange sail off from the neutral coast, and sepa-
rate her from the sail in company.

Wednesday, Dec. 30, (nautical time,) lat. 13* 6', S. long.
Zl' W. 10 leagues from the coast of Brazil, commenced with
.clear weather, and moderate breezes from the E.N.E. ; hoisted
■our ensign and pendant. At 15 minutes past meridian, the
ship hoisted her colours, an English ensign, having a signal
flying at the main.

At 26 mlnntes past 1 P.M. being suflGiciently from the land,
and finding the ship to be an English frigate, took in the main-
sail and royals, tacked ship, and stood for tJie enemy. At
50 minutes pest 1 P.M. the enemy bore down with an inten-
tion of raking us, which we avoided by wearing. At 2 P.M.
the enemy being within half a mile of us, and to>windward,
and having hauled down his colours, except the union-jack at
.the mizen-mast-head, induced me to give orders to the officer
;of the third division to fire a gun a-head of the enemy, to
make him shew his colours ; which being done, brought on a
fire from us of the whole broadside, on which the en^ny
hoisted his colours, and immediately returned our fire. A
general action, with round and grape, then commenced, the
enemy keeping at a much greater distance than I wished, but
could not bring him to a closer action without exposing our-
selves to several rakes. Considerable manoeuvres were made
by both vessels to rake, and avoid being raked. The follow-
Ing minutes were taken during the action :— •

At 10 minutes past 2 P.M. commenced the acti'>n within
gooti grape and canister distance, the enen>y to-windward ;
but much further than I wished. At 30 minutes past 2, our
wheel was shot entirely away. At 40 minutes past 2 deter,
mined to close with the enemy, notwithstanding his raking.

1:1

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APPENDIX.

Set (he fore and main.salls, and luffed up close to him. At 50
minutes past 2, the enemy's jib-boom got foul of our mizen.
rigging. At 3, the head of the enemy's bowsprit and jib-
boom shot away by us. At 5 minutes past 3) shot away the
enemy's fore-mast by the board. At 15 minutes past 3, shot
away his main-top-mast just above the cap. At 40 minutes
past 3, shot away the gaft and spanker-boom. At 55 minutes
past 3, shot away his mizen-mast nearly by the board. At S
minutes past 4, baring silenced the fire of the enemy com-
pletely, and his colours in the main.rigging being down, we
supposed he had struck ; we then hauled down courses, and
shot a-head to repair our rigging, which was extremely cut,
leaving the enemy a complete wreck. Soon after discovered
that the enemy's flag was still flying ; hove to, to repair some
of our damage. At 20 minutes past 4, the enemy's main-mast
-went nearly by the board. At 50 minuter past 4, wore ship
and stood for the enemy. At 25 minutes past 5, got very
close to the enemy, in airery effectual raking position, athwart
his bows, and was at the very instant of raking him, when he
most prudently struck his flag ; for had he sufliered the broad-
side to have raked him, his additional loss must have been
extremely great, as be laid as an unmanageable wreck upon
the water.

■0*^**9^r*»*-»***r*^

'Kw

No. 26.

Extracts from minutes of a court-martial assembled on board
H.M.S. Gladiator y at J*ortsmouth, 23rf Jpril, 1813, to
try the surviving officers and crezp of the Java, Sfc.
Lieutenant W. Allen Herringham, second lieutenant, sworn.

Q. Did you suffer much from the musketry of the Americans?

A. I believe there were a number of gun.shot wounds.
Captain Lambert was killed by a musket-shot.

Q. At what part of the action did you sustain the greatest
loss? -.

^ I

APPENDIX.

xfl

A. Not in tlio early part of the action. After the ship
became unmanageable, and the Constitution took a rakLing
position, our loss became considerable. " *"^ '^

William Batty Robinson^ the master, sworn.

Q. Do you remember if they annoyed you mnch by mni^
ktitry, whilst you were on deck ?
A. A good deal from the tops.

Lieutenant James Saunders, R. N. a passenger, sworn. -, •

Q. Did you suifer much in the forecastle from the enemy's
musketry ?

A. Very much indeed.

Q. Were you stationed there ? .d

A. Yes. ' A

Q. At what period of the action did you suffer most ?

A. When the bowsprit went.

Q. Did the Americans appear to avoid close action at the
first part of it ?

A. Yes.

Q. Did you understand ^hat the American lost her wheel ?

A. I afterwards found that she lost her wheel by the first
broadside from the Java, and that four men were killed. ^

James Humble, boatswain, sworn.

Q. How long had the action lasted when you were wounded ?

A. Better than an hour^ I bcliuvc.

Q. Did you suifer much from the musketry on the forecastle ?

A. Yes: and likewise from the round and grape.

Q. Did you come up again, after going below ?

A. Yes : I was down about an hour, when I got my arm
put a little to rights by a tuurnaquet being put on it — nothing
else ; my hand was carried away, and my arm wounded about
the elbow. I put my arm into the bosom of my shirt, and
went up again, when I saw the enemy a-head of us, repairing
his damages. I had my orders from Lientenant Chads, before

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APPENDIX.

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the action began, to cheer up the boarders with my pipc^
that they might make a clean spriog in boarding*

Q. Did the Jara receive much damage from the enemy,
before the Java returned any fire at all ?

A. Yes: -we received, besides what I have stated, much
damage in the rigging.

James Macdonald, boatswain's.mate, sworn.

Q. Did the Americans appear to you to avoid close action,
or not, in the early part of the action ?

A. They kept at long balls : they kept edging away until
the Java was disabled.

Q. Did you hear Captain Lambert order the Java to be
laid on board the American ?

A. Yes.

Q. What distance were yon then from the enemy's stern ?

A. Not quite a cable's length, upon our lee-beam j the
helm was put a-weathcr.

Q. Do you remember the bowsprit touching the mizen-
rigging?

A. Yes : it took the mizen< rigging, which appeared to me
to prevent our boarding at the time.

Q. Were the men all readv ?

A. Yes : they had all been called, and were all ready fur
jumping on board at the forecastle, marines and all.

Q. Did you see any of the enemy's men ready to receive
the boarders ?

A< No : I did not sec any of them at the time.

Q. Did you hang some time by the mizen-riggiog ?

A. Not long.

Q. Did they get their chasers out, and rake you ?

A. Yes. ^

Christopher Speedy, captain of the forecastle, sworn.
• Q. Did they annoy you much on the forecastle by musketry ?

A. More by round and grape, and double>headed ', 1 pickcil

AF?BNPIX.

iliii

up fire bar.8hot which fell out of the fore.mast in rolling : I
put three of them in oar ganS) and fired them back again.

Q. Did the Ajouericant appear to avoid close action ?

A. He did always aroid clo9e action>^he kept away ; when-
ever the smoke cleared away, we always found him yawing
from us. ,^^^.,^^ ,,

Q. Do you remember when the Java endeaTOnred to board
her? (J,

A. Yes : it was juit as the fore.mast fell.

Q. Were you all ready for boarding ?

A. They were called on the gangway and forecastle^ and
were all ready, boarders and marines.

Q. Did you see many of the enemy ready to oppose the
boarders ?

A. Not many on deck : I saw some men there, but there
vere a great many in the tops. ^„

Lieutenant Robert Mercer, royal marines, sworn.

Q. Had you any of your men at smali-anns ?
A. I believe 34 ; upwards of 30 on the quarter-declc, an^
10 on the forecastle.
Q. Did the enemy make use of their small-arms much ?
A. Yes, from the decks, and from the tops.
Q. Were your decks exposed to their tops ?
A. Yes, very. much : they, could see us to take aim.

Q. Do you remember when the Java attempted to lay the
enemy on board ?

A. Yes: Captain Lambert spoke to me about it; he said
it was his intention to board, and desired me to prepare the
marines on that occasion, which was done.

Q. Did the Americans appear to avoid close action ?

A. Yes, they evidently did : they continually kept afray» nu

Q. What sort of men were the marines ?

A. Eighteen of them were Tery young recrnita ; .the ren^
|lave been to sea before. . '^mh tjiit iUoi

.*■■

xHt

APPENDIX.

•t'.^v't.

hii.ikf'lA'-'f i»li'

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Sentence of the court-martial.

The court agreed, that the capture of his majesty's late
ship Java was caused by her being totally dismasted in a Tery
spirited action with the U. S. ship Constitution, of considera-
bly superior force ; in which the zeal, ability, and bravery of
the late Captain Lambert, her commander, was highly con-
spicuous and honorabIe,*being constantly the assailant, untii
the moment of his much.lamented fall; and (hat, subsequently
thereto, the action was continued with equal zeal, ability, and
bravery, by Lieutenant Henry Ducie Chads, the first lieute-
nant, and the other surviving officers and ship's company, and
other officers and persons who were passengers on board her,
until she became a perfect wreck, and the continuance of the
action would have been a useless sacrifice of Utcs ; and did
adjudge the said Lieutenant Henry Ducie Chads, and the
other surviving officers and ship's company, to be most ho.
norably acquitted. Rear>admiral Graham Moore, president ;
who, in returning Lieutenant Chads his sword, addressed him
nearly as follows :— »*' I have much satisfaction in returning
you your sword ; had you been an officer who had served in
comparative obscurity all your life, and nerer before heard of,
your conduct on the present occasion has been sufficient to
establish your character as a brave, skiful, and attentive
officer." .

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,';>H; ( i.

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ftifi- '

.H|«3 :s»'f ,L

■ f tmim^mi M'rf m^\ *i

No. 28.

Vote of Congress. , r. ,

The congress of the United States roted 50,000 dollars,
and thieir thanks, to Commodore Bainbridge, officers and
crew ; also a gold medal to Commodore Bainbridge, and
silvt-r medals to each of the officers of the Conr-UtutiOD^ with
suitable devices. _

i» it'ijf. \ri

»/

APPENDIX.

ilf

»'** ffl5*»«i

j!*^t!j-«?? tbi'r .*«3^ »i'

.!4<n!,fi Ji r*«W«T' « Ji«»Tt**oi;<;>j

From Captain Lawrence to the American secretary of th*

navy.

!/-•«***

<-$>«« J*! ; ii^tjJ-tiiw-tn.D* U. S. ship Hornet, Holmes' Hole, *
Sir, March 29, 1813. ^

I have the honor to inform you of the arriral, at this port,
of the U. S. ship Hornet, under my command, from a crt'"~
of 145 days, and to state to you, that after Commooo.
Bainbridge left the coast of Brazils, (January 6,) I continued
off the harbour of St. Salvador, blockading the Bonne Citoy-
enne, until the 34th, when the Montague, 74, hoTe in sight,
and chased me into the harbour ; but night coming on, I
wore, and stiod out to the southward. Knowing that she
had left Riu Janeiro for the express purpose of relieving the
Bonne Citoyenne, and the packet, (which I had also block-
aded for 14 days, and obliged her to send her mail to Rio
in a Portuguese smack,) I judged it most prudent to shift
my crusing ground, and hauled by the wind to the westward,
with the view of cruizing off Pernambuco ; and, on the 14tli
of February, captured the English brig Resolution, of 10
guns, from Rio Janeiro, bound to Maranham, with coffee, &:c.
and about 23,000 dollars in specie. I took out the money,
and set her on fire. I then ran down the coast for Maran-
ham, and cruized there a short time ; from thence run off Su-
rinam. After cruizing off that coast, from the 15ih until the
22d of February, without meeting a vessel, I stood fur De-
marara, with an intention, should I not be fortunate on that
station, to run through the West Indies ou my way to the
United States ; but on the 24th, in the morning, I discovered
a brig to.leeward, to which I gave chase, run into a quarter-
Jess four, and, not having a pilot, was obliged to haul off;
. the fort at the entrance of Demarara river at this time bearing
S; W. distant 2; leagues. Previous to giving up (he chase, I

i I

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APPENDIX.

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' * Z-M

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IJ^if

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discoTered a Teasel at anchor, without the bar, with English
colours flying, apparently a brig of war. In beating round
Caroband bank, in order to get at her, at half- past 3 P.M.
I discovered another sail on my weather.quarter, edging down
fur us. At 4. 20. she hoisted English colours, at which time
we discorered ner to b^ a large man.of-war-brig ; beat to
quarters, and cleared ship for action, and kept close by tho
wind, in order, if possible, to get the weather gage. At
5. 10. finding I could weather the enemy, I hoisted American
colours, and tacked. At 5. 25. in passing each other, ex.
changed broadsides, within half pistol-shot. Observing the
enemy in the act of wearing, I bore up, and received his
starboard broadside, run him close on board on the starboard
quarter, and kept up such a heavy and well-directed fire, that,
in less than 15 minutes she lurrendered, (being totally cut to
pieces,) and hoisted an ensign, union down, from his fore-
n^gixg, as a signal of distress. Shortly after, her main.mast
went by the board. Despatched Lieutenant Shnbrick on
board, who soon returned with her first lieutenant, who re-
ported her to be H. B. M. late brig Peacock, commanded by
Captain William Peake, who fell in the latter part of the
action ; that a number of her crew were killed and wounded ;
and that she was sinking fast, she having then six feet water
in her hold. Despatched the boats immediately for the
wounded, and bronght both yessels to anchor. Such shot-
holes as could be got at were then plugged, guns thrown
overboard, and every possible exertion used to keep her
afloat, until the prisoners could be removed, by pumping and
bating, but without effect, as she unfortunately sunk in 5|
fathoms water, carrying down 13 of her crew, and three of
my brave fellows. Lieutenant Connor, and Midshipman
Cooper, and the remainder of my men employed in removing
the prisoners, with difliculty saved themselves, by jumping into
a boat that was lying on the booms, as she went down. Four
men of the 13 mentioned, wore so fortunate as to gain the

APP£NDI1C.

xItU

fore.top, ftnd were afterwards taken off bjr onr boati. Pre.
vious to her going down, four of her men took to her item*
boat, that had been much damaged daring the action, who, I
fincercly hope, reached the shore. I hare not been able to
ascertain from her officers the exact number of killed. Captain
Peako, and four men, were found dead on board. The mas-
ter, one midshipman, carpenter, and captain's clerk, and 20
men wounded, most of them tery severely, three of which
died of their wounds after being remoTed» and nine drowned.
Our loss was trifling in comparison: J. Place, killed; S.
Coulson, and J. Dalrymple, slightly wounded; 6. Coffin,
and L. Todd, severely burnt by the explosion of a cartridge*
Todd survived only a few days. Our rigging and sails were
much cut. One shot through the foremast, and the bowsprit
slightly injured. Our hull received little or no damag^.

At the time I brought iUe Peacock to action, the fispiegle,
(the brig mentioned as being at anchor,) mounting 10 32-pound
carronandes, and two long nines, lay about six miles in-shore
of mc, and could plainly see the whole of the action. Ap-
prehensive she would beat out to the assistance of her con-
sort, such exertions were used by my officers and crew, in
repairing damages, &c. that by 9 o'clock our boats were
stowed, a new set of sails bent, and the ship completely ready
for action. At 2 A.M. got under weigh, and stood by the
wind to the northward and westward, under easy sail. On
mustering next morning, found we had 270 souls on board,
including the crew of the American brig Hunter, of Portland,
taken a few days before by the Peacock.

The Peacock was deservedly staled one of the fiucst vessels
of her class in the British navy. I should judge her to be
about the tonnage of the Hornet; her beam was greater by
five inches, but her extreme length not so great by four
feet. She mounted 16 24-pound carronades, two long nines,
one 12-pound carronade on her top-gallant-forecastle, as a
khiftiog guD, and one 4 or 6-poauder, and 2 swivels^ mounted

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xln» APPENDIX. «

aft. I find, by her quarte..bill, that her crew consUted of
134 men, four of whom were absent in a prise.

The cool and determined conduct of my officers and crew
during the action, and their almost unexampled exertions
afterward)!, entitle them to my warmest acknowledgments ;
and I beg leave most earnestly to recommend thorn to the
notice of government.

JAMES LAWRENCE.

• P. S. At the commencement of the action my sailing.master
and seren men were absent In a prize, and Lieutenant Stewart
and vix men on the sick-list.

Hon. William Jones, secretary of the nary. '* *"

^lilj)^~*i>{i:-^i-Sf4l-*i*i:'^i^'^t' No. 30.

From Lieutenant Wright to the editor of the *' Commercial

*»»**'**»*»*»*»»*^

Athertiser.**

Sir,

^^^■I wish yon to comtnunicate, for the information of G. C. K.
find those who may have read his ;,:.:iper, published in you^
last night's journal, that the force of II. B. M.*8 late brig
Peacock, at the time she engaged the U. S. sloop Hornet, was
16 24 pounder carronades, and two long fi-ponndeTS, with a
complement of 122 men and boys ; and that the Hornet car-
ried 18 32-pounder carronades, and two long 0-pounder guns,'
and 170 men. That the action continued, by Peacock's
time, for 25 minutes ; and that H. B. M.'s brig l'Espieg!e was
not visible from tho look>outs, stationed at the Peacock's
mast-heads, for some time previous to the action.

F. A. WRIGHT, senior lieutenant of

%,«mi« S«^ * ;' H. B. M.'s late sloop Peacock.

*^ i^e W torlc, AprH 17, 1 8 1 3.

APPENDIX.

xlli

No. 31.

Fote of eongrett,

Tho congress of the United States passed a resolution, that
the president be requested to present to the nearest male
relative of Captain James Lawrence^ a gold medal, and a
silver medal to each of the commissioned officers who served
him in the sloop of war Hornet, in her conflict with the Bri.
tish sloop of war Peacock, in testimony of the high sense
entertained by congress of the gallantry and good conduct of
the officers and crew in the capture of that vessel, &c.

*«*»*****»**»»»»»■

No. 32.

Vrom Captain Lawrence to the American consul at St. Sal-
vador, Brazils,

I (Extract)

*■■ "When I last saw you, I stated to you my wish to meet the

'• Bonne Citoyonne, and authorized you to make my whhes
known to Captain Greene. I now request you to state to
him, that I will meet him whenever he may be pleased to coma

« out, and pledge my honor that neither the Constitution, nor

e any other American vessel, shall interfere.

****»^**-^»^***»»»'

No. 33.

From the American^ to the British Consul,

(Extract.)

Commodore Dainbildge, of the Constitution frigate, con.
firms to me tlio request of Captain Lawrence, in these words : —
** If Captain Geeene wishes to try equal force, I pledge my
honor to give him an opportunity, by being out of the way,
or not interfering." .

•APPliNDI^.

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lVo.34.

Fz-om M« British, to the American contul.

Fort dc St. Pedro, December 20, 181S.
Sir,
' I transmitted your )<;tt«r'to tno of yetterday, to Oaptaki
P. B. Greene, to whom the substance is directed ; and, having
received his reply^ I herewith insert it verbatim.
■• I am, &c.

FREDERICK LANDBMAN.
— Hill, Esq. &C. &C. . „ ;

**»»»^»»^***»*^^*

TVo. 35.

' ;.*• >. ^from Captain Greene to the British consul. ^

I hasten to acknowledge the favor of your communication,
made to me this mornings from Mr. Hill, consul of the United
States of America, on the subject of a challenge, stated to
have been oifered through Mr. Hill, by Captain Lawrence, of
the U. S. sloop of war the Hornet, to myself, as commander
of H. B. M.'s ship the Bonne Citoyenne, anchored in this
port, pledging his honor, as well as that of Commodore Bain-
bride, that no advantage shall be taken by the ConHthation,
or any other American vessel whatever, on the occasion. I
am convinced, Sir, if such rencontre was to take place, the
result could not be long dubious, aud would terminate favor,
ably to the ship which I have the honor to command ; but I
am equally convinced, that Commodore Bainbridge could not
swerve so much from the paramount duty he owes to his
country, as to become an inactive spectator, and see a' ship
belonging to the very squadron under his orders, fall into the
hands of an enemy. 1'his teason operates powerfully on my
mind, for not exposing the Bonne Citoyenne to a risk, upon
terms so manifestly disadvantageous, as those proposed by

APPENDIX.

Coninodore Bainbridge. Indeed, nothiog con Id give me
i;reater Mtitfactioa tlian complying with (he wishes of Captaia
J^awrence ; and I earnestly hope, that chance will afford him
an opportunity of meeting the Bonne Citoycone under diAb-
Tent oircums^ces, to enalile him to distinguish himself in the
manner be is now so desirous of doing. I further assure you,
that my ship will, at all times, be prepared, whoreTcr she may
be, to repel any attacks made against her ; and I shall also
40t offensively, whenever I judge it proper to do so.
( I am, Sir, with great r^ard, ^c.

P. B. GREENE.

####»#^»#»#<^^^^*

>4t

:, .; No. 36.

From Captain Broke to Captain Lavarence,

H. B. M. ship Shannon, off Boston,
H Sifi, June, 1813.

As (heChesapei^ke appears now ready for sea, I request you
will do me the favor to meet the Shannon with her, ship to
, ship, to try the fortune of our respective flags. To an officer
of your character it requires some apotogy for proceeding to
.further particulars. Be assured, Sir, that it is not from any
doubt I. can entertain of your wishing to close Mith my pro-
posi|l,; but merely to provide an answer to any objection which
might be made, and very reasonably, upon the chance of our
receifiqg unfair support.

After the diligent attention which wc had naid to Coi.''mo-
doro Rodgers ; the pains I took to detach all force but the
Shannon and Tencdos to such a dis^ncc, that they could nqt
possibly jo* n any action fought in sight of the Capes, anfl
the yarious » .ual messages which had been sent into Bostop
to that effeet, .we were much disappointed to find the commo-
dore^ bad eluded us by sailing on the first change, after th,9
prcTMling fi%st)Brly winds had obligfid us to keep an ojBi^ f r,oift

6 2

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jli .

1 'M i

/ '

ir 1 '

APPENDIX.

the coast. He. perhaps, wished for some stronger assarancfr
of a fair meeting. I am therefore induced to address yon more
particularly, and to assure you, that what I write I pledge my
honor to perform, to the utmost of my power. ^

The Shannon mounts 24 guns upon her broadside, and
one lighi boat-gun ; 18-pounders upon her main.deck, and
32'pound carronades on her qnarter.deck and forecastle ; and
is manned with a complement of 300 men and boys, (a large
proportion of the latter,) besides 30 seamen, boys, and pas-
sengers, who were taken out of recaptured vessels lately. I
am thus minute, because a report has prevailed in some of
the Boston papers, that we had 150 men, additional, lent us
from la Hogue, which really never was the case. La Hogue
is now gone to Halifax for provisions ; and I will send all
other ships beyond the power of interfering with us, and meet
you wherever it is most agreeable to you, within the limits of
the undermentioned rendezvous ; viz. —

from 6 to 10 leagues east of Cape Cod light-house; from
8 to 10 leagues east of Cape Ann's light; on Cashe's
ledge, in latitude 43 north ; at any bearing and dii^tauce you
please to fix off the south breakers of Nantucket, or the shoal
on St. George's bank.

If you ^ill favor me with any plan of signals or telegraph,
I will warn you (if sailing under this promise) should any of
my friends be too nigh, or any where in sight, until I can
detach them out of my way ; or I would sail with you under
a flag of truce to any place you think safest from our cruizers,
hauling it down when fair to begin hostilities.

You must. Sir, be aware that my proposals are highly ad-
vantageous to you, as you cannot proceed to sea singly in the
Chesapeake, without imminent risk of being crushed by the
superior force of the numerous British squadrons which ara
now abroad ; where all your efforts, in case of a rencontre,
would, however gallant, be perfectly hopeless. I entreat you,
'Sir, not to imagine that I am urged by mere personal vanity {»

APPENDIX.

v^'

the wish of meeting the Chesapeake ; or that I depend only
upon your personal ambition for your acceding to this inyita-
tion: we have both nobler motives. You will feel it as a
compliment if I say, that the result of our meeting may be
the most grateful service I can render to my country ; and I
doubt not that you, equally confident of success, will feci
convinced, that it is only by repeated triumphs in even combats
that your little navy can now hope to console your country,
for the loso of that trade it can no longer protect. Favor m«
with a speedy reply. We are short of provisions and water,
and cannot stay Tong here. ^ -

I have the honor to be, Sir,

' YoUr obedient humble servant,

P. B. V. B??OKE- Captain of

H. B. M. ship Shannon.

N. B. For the general service of watching your coast, it it

requisite for me to keep another ship in company, to support

me with her guns and boats when employed near the land, and

particularly to aid each other, if either ship in chase should

get on shore. You must be aware that I cannot, consistently

with my duty, wave so great an advantage for this general

service, by detaching my consort, without an assurance on

your part of meeting me directly ; and that you will neither

seek or admit aid frdm any other of your armed vessels, if I

detach mine expressly for the sake of meeting you. Should

any special order restrain you from thus answering a formal

challenge, you may yet oblige me by keeping my proposal a

secret, and appointing any place you like to meet us (within

300 miles of Boston) in a given number of days after you

sail ; as, unless you agree to an interview, I may be busied

on other service, and, perhaps, be at a distance from Boston

when you go to sea. Choose your terms, but let us

meet.

To the commander of the U. S. frigate Chesapeake»

»> t

I . i 1

lit

APPENfi«.

t; -'»' . .^ EndorsetnetU on the envelope.

AV'e Bave l5 American prisoners on board, which I will
give you for as many British sailors, if you will send them
out; otherwise, being prirateersmen, they must be detained.

^^fm***^^^^*******

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No. 87.

JVom Captain Capel to Mt. CtSkeri'

Halifax, June 11^ 1813.

^ Sir,

It is with the greatest pleasure I transmit you a letter I
hare just received from Captain Broke, of H. M. S. Shannon,
detailing a most brilliant achieremcnt in the capfture of the
U. S. frigate Chesapeake, in 15 minutes. Captain Broke re-
lates so fuMy the particulars of this gallant affiur, tJiat I feel it
unnecessary, to add much to his narratire ; but I cannot fof«
bear' expressing the pieasnre I feel in bearing testimony to the
indefatigable exertions and persevering zeal of Captain Broke,
during the time he has been under my orders. Plaeing a firm
reliance on the valor of his officers and crew, and a just con-
fidence in his: system of dbcipline, he sought every opportiu
nity of meeting the enemy on fair terms ; and I have to fejoiee
with his country and his friends at Uie glorious result of this
contest. He gallantly headed his boarders in the assault, and
carried all before him. His wounds are severe, but I trust his
country will not be long deprived of his services.
I have the honor to be, &c.

J .4 THOMAS BLADEN CAPEL, captain

and senior officer at I|alifax,
J. W. Croker, Esq. &c. Sf,c.

Ki /

f '■'ih,l.^}^f. >*!fci4jef^'Vif';

APPENDIX.
No. 3&

-■wa? H *?■.

»ff

*»<"«

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.|Xi9 IHi

•.5*

Jprom Captain Broke to Captain Capel,

Sir,

Sbannon, Halifaji, June 6, 1813.

I have the honor tp inform you, that being close in with
Boston li^ht-house, ip H. M.'s ship under my command, on
the 1st instant, I had the pleasure of seeing that the U. S.
frigate Chesapeake (whom we had, long been watching) was
coming out of the harbour to engage the Shannon. I took a
position between Cape Ann and Cape Cod, and then hoye-toi
for him to join us. The enemy came down in a very hand-
some manner, having three American ensigns flying. When
closing with us he sent down his royal yards; I kept the Shan-
non's up, expecting the breeze would die away. At half.past
5 P.M. the enemy hauled up within hail of us on the star-
board side, and the battle began, both ships steering full under
the top-sails. After exchanging between two and three broad-
sides, the enemy's ship fell on board of us, her mizen.channels
locking in with our fore-rigging. I went forward to ascertaii^
her position ; and, observing that the enemy were flinching from
their guns, I gave orders to prepare for boarding. Our gal-
lant band, appointed to that service, immediately rushed in,
under their respective officers, upon the enemy's decks, driving
every thing before them with irresistible fury. The enemy
made a desperate but disorderly resistance. The firing conti-
nued at all the gangways, and between the tops; but, in two
minutes' time, the enemy were driven, sword in hand, from
every post ; the American flag was hauled down, and the
proud old British union floated triumphant over it. la
another minute they ceased firing from below, and called for
quarter. The whole of this service was achieved in 1 5 mi-
nutcs, from the commencement of the action.

APPENDIX.

^ 1

I hare to lament the loss of many of my gallant shipmates^
but they fell exulting in their conquest.

My brare first lieutenant, Mr. Watt, was slain in the mo-
ment of Tictory, in the act of hoisting the British colours :
his death is a severe loss to the service. Mr. Aldham, the
purser, who had spiritedly volunteered the charge of a party
of smalUarm men, was killed on his post s^t the gang.way.
My faithful old clerk Mr. Dunn, was shot by his side. Mr.
Aldham has left st widow to lament his loss : I request the
commander-in-chief will recommend her to the protection of
my lords commissioners of the admiralty. My veteran boat-
swain, Mr. Stephens, has lost an arm : he fought under Lord
Rodney, on the 12th of April. I trust his age and services
will be duly rewarded.

I am happy to say that Mr. Samwell, a midshipman of much
merit, is the only other officer wounded besides myself, and he
not dangerously. Of my gallant seamen and marines, we had
33 slain, and 56 wounded. I subjoin the names of the former.
No expressions I can make use of, can do justice to the merits
of my valiant officers and crew. The calm courage they dis.
played during the cannonade, and the tremendous precision of
their fire, could be equalled only by the ardor with which they
rushed to the assault. I recommend them all warmly to the
protection of the commander.in> chief. Having received a
severe sabre-wound at the first onset, whilst charging a part of
the enemy who had rallied on their forecastle, I was only ca.
pable of ^ving command till assured our conquest was com-
plete; and, then directing second lieutenant Wallis to take
charge of the Shannon, and secure the prisoners, I left the
third lieutenant, Mr. Falkiner (who had headed the main.deck
boarders) in charge of the prize. I beg to recommend these
officers most strongly to the commander-in>chiers patronage,
for the gallantry they displayed during the action, and the
skill and judgment they evinced in the anxious duties which
afterwards devolved upon them.

APPENDIX.

t shipmates,

in the mo.
ish colours:
Oldham, the

of a party

gang.waj.

side. Mr.

request the
rotection of
eteran boat,
under Lord
and services

nan of much
'Self, and he
nes, we bad
the former.

the merits
;e they dis.
precision of

which they
mly to the
received a
>g a part of
IS only ca«

was com.
is to take

1 left the
main.deck
nend these
patronage,
I, and the
lies which

To Mr. Etouch, the acting master, I am mnch indebted for
the steadiness with which he conducted the ship into action.
The lieutenants Johns and Law, of the marines, brarely
boarded at the head of their respective divisions. It is impos.
Bible to particularize every brilliant deed performed by my
officers and men ; but I must mention, when the ships' yard-
arms were locked together, that Mr. Cosnaghan, who com-
manded in our main-top, finding himself screened from tho
enemy by the foot of the top-sail, laid out at the main.yard-
arm to fire upon them, and shot three men in that situation.
Mr. Smith, who commanded in our fore-top, stormed the
enemy's forctop from the fore-yard-arm, and destroyed all
the Americans remaining in it. I particularly beg leave to re-
commend Mr. Etouch, the acting master, and Messrs. Smith,
Leake, Clavering, Raymond, and Litt*ejohn, midshipmen.
This latter officer is the son of Captain Littlejohn, who was
slain in the Berwick. The loss of the enemy was about 70
killed, and 100 wounded. Among the former were the four
lieutenants, a lieutenant of marines, the master, and many
other officers. Captain Lawrence is since dead of his
wounds.

The enemy came into action with a complement of 440
men ; the Shannon, having picked up some re-captnred sea.
men, had 330. The Chesapeake is a fine frigate, and mounts
49 guns ; 18's on her main.deck, 32's on her quarter-deck
and forecastle. Both ships came out of action in the most
beautiful order, their rigging appearing as perfect as if they
had been only exchanging a salute.

I have the honor to be, &c. -v

P. B. V. BROKE.^^
To Captain the Hon. T. Bladen Capel, &c. Halifax.

J(T>

[Then follows the names of the kiUedf 24 in all."]

.-''*a

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APPENDIX.

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Na. 39.

5* ,

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JFrom Ztteu/. "BuAd to the American secretari/ of tht naoyf

"^ Hblifbx, June 15, 181 3(

Sir,.

Tlie unfortunate death of Captain James Lawrence imd
Lieutenant Augustus C. Ludlowy has rendered it my duty ta
inform you of the capture of the Jute. U. S. frigate Chesapeake.

Qn Tuesday, June 1st, at 8 A.M. we unmoored ship, and
at meridian got under way from President's Roads, with a
lighti wind from the southward and westward, and proceeded
OQ a cruize. A ship was then in sight in the offing, which
had the appearance of a ship of war, and which, from infoiw
mation received from pilot-boata and craft, we believed to be
the British frigate Shannon.

We made sail in chase, and cleared ship, for action. At
halfwpaat 4 P.M. she ho?e to, with, her head to the southward
and eastward. At 5 P.M. took in the royals and top-gallant .
sails; and at half-past 5 hauled the courses up. About 15
minutes hefoie 6 P-.M. the action commenced within pistol,
shot. The first broadside did great execution on both sides ;
damaged our rigging ; killed, among others, Mr. W4iite, the
sailing-master, and wounded Captain Lawrence.

In about 1 3 minutes after the commenjcem^it of the action,
we fell on board of the enemy, and immediately after, one of
our arm-chesta on the quarter-deck was blown up, by a hand-
grenade thrown from, the enemy's ship. In a few minutes
one of the captain's aids came on the gun-deck, to in*
form me that the boarders were called* I immediately called
the boarders away, and proceeded to the spar-deck, where I
found that the enemy had succeeded in bQardiug us, and had
gained possession of our quarter-deck.

I immediately gave orders to haul on board the fore- tack,
for the purpose of shooting the ship clear of the other, and
Ihen made an attempt to regain the quarter-deck, but was

APPENDIX.

lit

wouBclcd and ftnowti down on the gnnkdedfl. I again made
an effort to collect the boarders; but in the meantime^ tiie
•deny had gained complete posKssion of the ahip. n

On my being carried down to the cockpit, I there (bund
Captain Lawrence and Lieutenant Lndlow, bodi mortaily
wounded ; the former had been carried bdow preriofvsly to.' tlie
ship's being boarded ; the latter waa wounded in attempting
to repel the boarders. Among those who feli eariy in the
action, was Mr. Edward J. BalUrd the fourth lieutenant, and
Lieutenant James Broom of marines. ^.

I herein enclose to you a return of the kilted and wounded ;
by which you will perceite that every officer upon whom the
diavge of the ship would derolre,. was either Iiilled or wounded
proTiottsIy to her capture. The enemy report the loss of
Mr. Wat-t, their first lieutenant; the purser, tiic captain's
clerk, and 33 seamen killed ; and Captain Broke, a midship-
man, and 56. seamen wounded.

The Shannon, had, in addition, to her full complement, an
officer and 16 nten belonging to the Belle Ponle, and a part of
the crew belonging to the Tenedoa.
. „ . I luiTC the honor to be, &c.

2^ -'i-' : - GEORGE BUDD. '■

Hon. W. Jones, secretary to the navy, Washington.

. [^Uere follow the name* of 47 kiUedy and 99 wounded, f

- :o?s.v

»»i»i#**»**#^**** * * '

No. 40.

Report of the court of inquiry on the loss of the Chesapeake,

The court are unanimously of opinion, that the Chesapeake
was gallantly carried into action by her late brave commander ;
and no doubt rests with the court, from comparison of the
injury respectively sustained by the frigates, that the fire of
the Chesapeake was much superior to that of the Shannon.

The Shannon being much cut in her spars and rigging, ani*
receiving many shot in and bciow the water-line, was reduc«d<

APPENDIX.

11 >

Us.

U r'

;-!'^

almost to a sinking condition, after only a few minutes can.
nonading from tlie Cbesapealce, wliile tlie Cliesapeake was
comparatively uninjured. And the court have no doubt,
if the Chesapeake had not accidentally fallen on board the
Shannon, and the Shannon's anchor got foul in the after,
quarter.port of the Chessapeako, the Shannon must have Tery
soon surrendered or sunk.

It appears to the court, that as the ships were getting foul,
Captain Lawrence ordered the boarders to be called; but the
bugleman, W. Brown, stationed to call the boarders by sound,
ing a bugle, had deserted his quarters, and when discovered
and ordered io call, was unable, from fright, to sound his
horn ; that a midshipman went below immediately to pass the
word for the boarders; but not being called in the way they
had been usually exercised, few came upon the upper deck ;
confusion prevailed; a greater part of the men deserted their
quarters and ran below. It appears also to the court, that
when the Shannon got foul of the Chesapeake, Captain Law.
rence, his first lieutenant, the sailing.master, and lieutenant of
marines were all killed or mortally wounded, and thereby the
upper deck of the Chesapeake was left without any command-
ing officer, and with only one or two young midshipmen. It
also appears to the court, that previously to the ships getting
foul, many of the Chesapeake's spar-deck division had been
killed and wounded, and the number stationed on that deck
thereby considerably reduced; that these being left without
a commissioned officer, or even a warrant-officer, except one
or two inexperienced midshipmen, and not being supported
by the boarders from the gun-deck, almost universally deserted
their quarters. And the enemy availing himself of this de-
fenceless state of the Chesapeake's upper deck, boarded and
obtained possession of the ship with very little opposition.

From this view of the engagement, and careful examination
of the evidence, the court are unanimously of opinion, that
ihe capture of the late United States frigate Chesapeake, was

APPENDIX.

occasioned by the following causes :— the almost unexampled
early fall of Captain Lawrence, and all the principal officers ;
the bugleman*8 desertion of his quarters, and inability to sound
his horn ; for the court are of opinion, if the horn had been
sounded when first ordered, the men being then at their quar-
ters, the boarders would have promptly repaired to the spar,
deck, probably haye prevented the enemy f . ^m boarding— >cer.
tainly have repelled them, and might have returned the board-
ing with success, and the failure of the boarders on both
decks, to rally on the spar-deck, after the enemy had boarded^
which might hare been done successfully, it is belioTed, from
the cautious manner in which the enemy came on board.

The court cannot, howerer, perceive in this almost unex-
am pled concurrence of disastrous circumstances, that the
national flag has suffered any dishonor from the c pture of
the United States frigate Chesapeake, by the superior force of
the frigate Shannon, of 52 carriage-guns, and 396 men. Nor
-do this court apprehend that the result of this engagement,
will in the least discourage our brave seamen from meeting
the enemy hereafter on equal terms.

The court bdng also charged to enquire into the conduct of
the officers and men during and after the engagement, and
thereupon having strictly examined and maturely considered
the evidence as recorded, do find the followijg causes of com*
plaint.

First. Against Lieutenant Cox; that being stationed in
command of the second division on the main.deck, he left his
. division during the action, while his men were at their quar.
ters, and went upon the upper deck ; that when there, and
the enemy boarding, or on the point of boarding, he left the
. deck to assist Captain Lawrence below, went down with him
from the spar-deck to the berth-deck ; did not return to his
division, but went forward on the gun-deck ; that, while there,
and the men were retreating below, he commanded them to go
to their duty, without enforcing his commands. But as a
court of inquiry allows an accused person no opportunity of

hdl

AfPPlENDl'X.

i':i;

HiadicAlmgihu conduct, <he memberi df (hif coart truit th«C
ihclr opinion lontthe conduct of I«ieutenant Cok may not be
deemed conclutivre againit him, without trial hy court^maitial.

Second. Against iVlidshfpinan ^Forreit ; that he left ^liis
^uartoTS during the action, and did not rotnrn to them, and
j»ow asiigns no reason for his conduct latisfaotory to thia
xaourt.

Xhird. Against Midshipman Freshman; that he behaved
lin^an .nn.oAecrvlike manner at HaliCuc, assuning a false/naaw
jit.'tlMoffiisei of the commissary of iprisonera when ob(aining:ius
iparole, and was paroled by the -name of WilHam Brown*

Fourth. Against the crew generally; that they deserted
•tfieir quarters, and :ran below afterthe ships /were foul, and
•vtfae enemy boAnded. But r it appearing > that, they; behaVed well
at their quarters before, >and fired >on the enemy with great
iiiapidity iand precision ; the. court ascribe their misconduct to
•ihe confusion naturally incident to the «arly fall of their
^officei s, ; Audi^the amission, of 'ihe call of boarders i in the lacous-
itomedimaancr.

Yet this court is very /ar f rem excalpattng -those who Ave
Ithus :crirainjil. 'It b i unable to. designate hy name all the
iindivkbals who thus ^abandoned their duty, ibec»ise most of
ithe'Odfioers had reocntly< joined the ship,- some only >» fow days
■> preceding the/ Qogageroent, ^ud of course' could not distinguish
the men. The court, therefore, respectfully submit to higher
^.•authority, theexpediency of withholding' the wages of the crew.
•The persons whom the c»urt are able to designate byname,
-as deserters from their stations, are William Brown, bugle-
iman, Joseph Russell, captain of secoud , gun, Peter Frost,
jand John J^iycc, seamen.

'The court further find, that the following persons entered
itheBritish serrloe at Halifax ; viz. Henry Ensign, Peter John,
/Andrew Simpson, :Peter Langrun, Magness Sparring, Joseph
-.Galla, Martin Anderson, Francis Paris, John White, boyy
Thomas Arthur, Charles Reynolds, John Pierce, jun. Andrew
^Denham, Thomas Jones, Charles Goodman, Joseph Antonio,

■,tSi ><r

1 !

AFFVrNDIK.

hiii

Christopher Stephens, Charies 'BowilMi, CIratlei We8teri>irr3r,
Jo8oi)h Smith, 'George Wlliiams, and G^orgo'Cordell.

The court' furtfiei* find «nd report, tlMlt>Wilii)iin*W«hiirrig1it,

William WorthingtoQ, and Janes iPttrlier, the lastofwiianiwaa

-born at Salem, Massachussets, \rere elaltnod by the taemy

^ BrStiHi 'Sttbjeds, and sent on board of the eneaiy't ihipi

•of war.

'This court respe^ifolly beg leare to sirperddd, thlt nnbhused
'by any illiberal feelings toward the enemy, they feel It their
idttty to state, that the cenduct of the enemy after boaidkig
>and carrying the Ghesopeaike, was la most unwarrantifoleicbaio
•of power after success.

The court is aware that, in earrying a ship by boarding, tho

'full extent of the oommaad of an officer cannot be readily

exercised ; and that improper riolence may nnaToidably ensve.

When this happens in the moment of contention, a magnani-

'mous conquered: foe will not complain. But the Cact has been

• dearly established befoce this coturt, 'that the enemy net with

littleoppesition on th&opperxieek, andtione on the.gun.detk*

'Y^t after they hsid carridd the ship, they fired from fthe|(nn«deek

< idown thehatchwayupon the berthodeekyand killed and woundad

: several of the .Chesapeake's ' crew, who had > retreated ' therf,

were 'unarmed and incapable ^ of making <any opposition : :that

■ iom^ balls >were fired even ' into: Ihe cockpit ; -ukA w^hat • excites

the (titmost' nbhorrence, this outrage was committed in tho

presence of a British 4>fficer9taniKng on > the ihatch way.

r W.:BAINBRU)G.£, President.

Sir,

No. 41.

From Mr. Croker to Admiral Warren,

Admiralty-office, 9th July, 1813.

.'I hare had the plieasure of receiring and communicating to my
lords commissioners of the admiralty, a. letter; fr^iu tCaptain

!|'l

Uiv

APPENDIX.

I i';

it. h.

the Hon. B. Capel, of H. M. S. la Hogae, enclosing a copy
of his letter to you, and of that of Captain Broke to him,
announcing the capture, in 16 minutes, of the U. S. frigate
Chesapeake, of 40 guns, and 440 men, by H. M. S. Shannon.

My lords hare before had occasion to obser? e, with great
approbation, the zeal, judgment, and activity, ¥rhich have
characterized Captain Broko's proceedings since the com-
mencement of the war ; and they now receiTe, with the highest
satisfaction, a proof of professional skill and gallantry in
battle, which has seldom been equalled, and certainly never
surpassed ; and the decision, celerity, and effect, with which
the force of H. M. S. was directed against the enemy, mark
no less the personal bravery of the officers, teamen, and ma«
rines, than the high discipline and practice in arms, to which
the ship's company must have been sedulously and successfully
trained.

My lords, io mark their sense of this action, have been
pleased to direct a medal to be presented to Captain Broke ;
Lieutenants Wallis and Falkiner, who, in consequence of the
ivound of Co ntain Broke, and the death of the gallant first
lieutenant. Watt, succeeded to the command of the Shannon
and the prize, to be promoted to the rank of commanders ;
and Messrs. Etough and Smith to that of lieutenants ; and
my lords will be glad to attend to the recommendation of Cap.
' tain Broke, in favor of the petty-officers and men who may
have particularly distinguished themselves.

•You will convey to Captain Broke, his officers and ship's
company, these sentiments of their lordships, with an expres-
sion of their satisfaction at hearing that the captain's wound
is not likely long to deprive his country of his valuable
services.

I am. Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,

J. W. CttOKER.
To Admiral Warren.

APPENDIX.

Is?

19, to which

No. 42.

iV From Captain Maplet to Admiral Thornborough. t

II.M.B. Pelican, St. David's Head, E. 5 leagues,
Sir, August 14, 1813.

I haTO the honor to inform you, that in obedience to your
orders to me of the l^th instant, to cruize in St. George's
Channel, for the protection of the trade, and to obtuin infor.
raation of the American sloop of war, I had the good fortunu
to board a brig, the master of which informed me that he had
seen a vessel, apparently a man of war, steering to the N.E*
At 4 this morning I saw a vessel on fire, and a brig standing
from her, which I soon made out to be a cruizcr ; made all
sail in chase, and at half.past 5 came alongside of her, (slio
having shortened sail, and made herself clear for an obstinate
resistance,) when, after giving her three cheers, our action
commenced, which was kept up with great spirit on both sides
43 minutes, when we lay her alongside, and were in the act of
boarding, when she struck her colours. She proves to be the
U. S. sloop of war Argus, of 360 tons, 18 34-pound carro-
nadcs, and two long 12-pounders ; had on board, when she
sailed from America, (two months since,) a complement of
149 men, but in the action IT7 ; commanded by Lieutenant-
commandant W. H. Allen, who, I regret to say, was wounded
early in the action, and has since sufiered amn'.tation of his
left thigh.

No eulogium I could use would do sufRcient justice to the
merits of my gallant officers and crew, which consisted of 11 (i ;
the cool courage they displayed, and the precision of their
fire, could only be equalled by thtir zeal to distinguish thenu
eelves ; but I must beg leave to call your attention to the con-
duct of my first lieutenant, Thomas Welsh; of Mr. W. Glan-
villo, acting master j Mr. W. Ingram, the purser, who voiun-

i .4

Ixtl

APPENDIX.

tcered his services on deck ; and Mr. Richard Scott, ih»
boatswain.

Our loss, f am happy to say, is small: one master's mate,
Mr. William Youngs slain in the moment of victory, while
animating by his courage and example all aronnd him ; and
one able seaman, John Kitery ; besides five seamen wounded,
who are doing well. That of the enemy I have not been able
to ascertain, but it is considerable; her officers say, aboat 40
killed and wounded.

I have the honor to be, &c.

J. F. MAPLES, Commander.
Admiral Thornborough, &c. &c.

»*^#»^^<»<s»##<^»#»

" .

No. 43.

From Lieutenant fVatson to the American secretary of the

navy,

Norfolk, March % 1315.
Sir,

Circumstances, during my residence in England, having

heretofore prevented my attention to the painful duty which

devolved on mc by the death of my gallant commander, Cip.

tain W. H. Allen, of the late U. S. brig Argns, I httT6 now

the honor to state for your information, that, having landed

the minister plenipotentiary (Mr. Crawford) and suite at

r Orient, we proceeded on the cruize which had been directed

by the department, and after capturing 20 vessels, (a list of

the names, and other particulars, of which, I have the honor

to enclose,) being in latitude 5^" 16' N. longitude 5* 50' W.

on the 14th of August, 1813, we discovered, at 4 o'clock

A.M. a large brig of war, standing down under a press of

sail upon our weather.qnartcr, the wind being at south, and

the Argus close-hauled on the starboard. tack. We immedi.

atcly prepared to receive her, and at 4. 30. being unable te

APPENDIX*

IxfU

fet the weaihtfr.gage, we shortened sail, and gare her an op.
portnnity of closing. At 6, the brig having displayed Eng.
iisk coionrs, we hoisted our flag, wore round, and gave her
the larboard broadside, (being at this time within grape-dis-
tance,) which was returned, and the action commenced within
the rangr of masketry. At 6. 4. Captain Allen was wounded,
and the enemy shot away our main.braces, main-spring-stay,
gaff and try.sail mast. At 0. 8. Captain Allen, being much
exhausted by the loss of blood, was taken below. At 6. 12.
lost oar •prit.siUl.yard, and the principal part of the standing-
ngging on the larboard-sido. of the foremast. At this time I
recdved a wound on the head from a grape-shot, which, for a
time, rendered me incapable of attending to doty, and was
carried below. I had, however, the satisfaction of recol.
lecting, 00 my recorery, that nothing which the most gallant
exertions could effect would be left undone by Lientanant W.
H. Allen, junior, who succeeded to the command of the
deck.

Lieutenant Allen reports, at 6. 14. the enemy, being on out
weather.qnarter, edged off for the purpose of getting under
our stem, but the Argus luffed close to with the main.top-sail
a-back ; and, giving him a raking broadside, frustrated his at-
tempt. At 0. 18. the enemy shot away our preventer main,
braces and main-top-salUtye ; and the Argus, having lost the
use of her after.sails, fell off before the wind, when the enemy
succeeded in passing our stern, and ranged up on the starboard
side. At 6. 25. the wheel-ropes and running-rigging of every
description being shot away, the Argus became unmanage-
Me I and the enemy, not having sustained any apparent da-
mage, had tt completely in his power to choose a position,
and continued to play upon our starboard-quarter, occasion-
ally shifting his situation, until 6. 30. when 1 returned to the
deck, the enemy being under our stem, within pistoUshpt,
where ho continued to rake us until 0. 38. when we prepared

f 2

i i

Ixfiii

APPENDIX.

to board, but, in consequence of our ihatterod condition,
were unable to effect it. Tiie enemy then passed our broad-
side, and took a position on our starboard* bow. From this
time until 6. 47. wc were exposed to a cross or raking fire,
without being f ble to oppose but little more than musketry to
the broadside of the enemy, our guns being much disabled, and
seldom brought to bear. . d

The Argus having now suffered much in hull and rigging, as
also in killed and wounded, among the former of whom, (ex-
elusive of our gallant captain,) we have to lament the loss of
two meritorious young officers, in Midshipmen Delphy and
Edwards ; and being exposed to a galling fire, which, from
the enemy's ability to manage his vessel, we could not avoid, I
deemed it necessary to surrender, and was taken possession of
by H. B. M. sloop Pelican, of 21 carriage-guns ; viz.-— 16
32-pound carronades, four long 6s, and one 12-pound car-
ronade. I hope this measure will meet your approbation, and
that the result of this action, when the superior size and metal
of our opponent, and the fatigue which the crew, &c, of the
Argus underwent, from a very rapid succession of captures is
considered, will not be thought unworthy of the flag under
which we serve. v

I have the honor to inclose a list of killed and wounded,
and feel great satisfaction in reporting the general good con.
duct of the men and officers' engaged on this occasion, and
particularly the zeal and activity displayed by Lieutenant Allen,
who, you will ol serve, foe a time commanded on deck.

I have the honor to be, &c. «

W. H. WATSON, late first lieutenant
U. S. brig Argus.
Hon. B. Crowninshield, secretary of the navy.

\^Htre follows ihe names of 6 killed; b mortally^ and 12

severely and sli^<;htlif wounded,"]

I. »'

APPENDIX.

hlx

UliAi'y %■

No. 44.

Court of inquiry on the loss of the Argus.

i lieatcnant

The court, in pnrsuance of the authority by which ihey
were coovened, haying carefully examined into the causes of
the loss by capture of the U. S. sloop of war Argus, under
the command of the late W. H. Allen, roaster-commandant in
the naVy of the U. S. ; and also into the conduct of the ofR.
oers and crew of the said sloop of war, before and after her
surrender to the enemy's ship Pelican, and having maturely
deliberated upon all' the testimony, they find the following
facts:— < • "^'"

« First: it is proved that in the numb«f of her crew, and in
the niunher and calibre of her guns, the Pelican was decidedly
superior to the Argus.

« Secondly: they find that the crew of the Argus was very
much exhausted by the continued and extraordinary fatigue
and exposure to which they had been subjected for several
weeks, and particularly for 24 hours immediately preceding
the action.

, Thirdly : they find that every officer and man of the Argus,
(with the exception of one man, Jacob Allister, and one boy,
Henderick,) made use of every practicable exertion to capture
the British sloop of war Pelican.

' They are therefore of opinion, that every officer and man,
with the exception before-mentioned, displayed thoughout the
engagement a zeal, activity, and spirit, in defence of the vessel
and flag committed to their protection, which entitles them to
the undiminished confidence and respect of their govern*
ment and fellow>citizcns, and do therefore honorably acquit
tiiem, . ' *■

14 -I- '

i
t i.

J t

n . ,1

•'11 'i

^4"

I ^1 f
, : i

1x3 APPENDIX.

No. 45.

From Lieutenant M^Cail to Commodore Hull,

U. S. brig Enterprise, Portland,
Sib, September 7, 1813.

In consequence of the unfortunate death of I^utenant
William Burrows, late commander of this Tessel, it deTohes
on me to acquaint you with the result of the ernize. After
sailing from Portsmouth on the 1st instant, we steered to the
eastward, and on the morning of the 3d, off Wood island,
discovered a schooner, which we chased into thb harbour,
where we anchored. On the morning of the 4th weighed an-
chor, and swept out, and continued our course to the east-
ward. Having received information of severtl privateers
being off Manhagan, we stood for that place, and on the fol-
lowing morning, in the bay near Penguin point, discovered a
brig getting under way, which appeared to be a vessel of war,
and to which we immediately gave chase. She fired several
guns, and stood for us, having four ensigns hoisted. After
reconnoitering and discovering her force, and the nation io
which she belonged, we hauled upon a wind to stand out of
the bay, and at 3 o'clock shortened sail, tacked to run down,
with an intention to bring her to close action. At 20 minutes
after 3 P.M. when within half pistol-shot, the firing com-
menced from both, and after being warmly kept up, and with
some manoeuvering, the enemy hailed, and said they had sur-
rendered, at 4 P.M. ; their colourtf being nailed to the masts,
eould not he hauled down. She proved to be U. B. M.'s brig
Boxer, of 14 guns, Samuel Blythe, Esq. commander, who
fen in the early part of the engagement, having received a
cannon-shot through the \foAy ; and 1 am sorry to add that
Lieutenant Burrows, who had gallantly led us into action,
fell also about the same time by a musket-ball, ^rhich termi-
nated his existence in eight hQurs.

I ;. '

APPENDIX.

Ixii

The Enterpriie suffered ranch in Rpars and rigging ; and tlio
Boxer in spars, rigging, and hull, haf ing many shots between
Irind and water.

It wonid lie doing injustice to the merit of Mr. Tillinghast,
second lieutenant, were I not to mention the able assistance I
receiTed from him during the remainder of the engagement, by
hii strict attention to his own dirision, and other departments ;
and of the officers and crew generally, I am happy to add,
their cool and determined conduct b^we my warmest approba*
tion and applause. J ■ &>

As ao muster.roll, that can be fully relied on, has come
into my possession, I cannot exactly state the number of killed
and wounded on board the Boxer ; but from information re.
ceired from the officers of that vessel, it appears there were
between 20 and 25 killed, and 14 wounded. Enclosed is a
list of the killed and wounded on board the Enterprise. %a
I have the honor to be, &o.

EDWARD R. M<C>LL, senior officer.
Isaac Hull, Esq. commanding navai-<^Ger
on the eastern station.

List of killed and wounded on board the U. S. brig Enter-

priscy ^c.

Killed — 1 ordinary seaman.

Wounded — William Burrows, Esq. commander, since dead;
^ervin Waters, midshipman, mortally ; 1 carpenter's mate,
i(ince dead; 3 quarter-masters, 1 boatswain's.mate, 5 seamen,
and 1 marine.

r»*^*»******

3 ■&,

«,♦>> I

No. 46.

Sentence of the court-martial on the surviving officers and

crew of the Boxer.

The court proceeded to inquire into all the particulars at-
tending the capture of II. M.'s brig Boxer by the enemy, and

!i :

, V

Uxii

appendix:

to>tr^ Lieqtenant David M^Crciy, her surviving officers And
comfiany, for ihe< same; and ■ having heard Lieutenant
IVl^Crery's ofTicial letter and narrative of the action, and
strictly examined the siaid lieatonantj' and the surviving offiobrs
and company^ produced to the court!, and carefully iaresti.
gated all the partidulars attending the capture of HwM.'s brig
Boxer, .by the U. S. vessel, of war Knterprise ; and having
very matticely , and deliberately weighed and ^ considered the
ivholfi;^Bd every, part thereof, the court is'of opinion that the
capture of H. M. brig Boxer, by the U. S.'tcsbcI of war
Enterprise, is to beattribhtcd to a superi^k'ityin the eaemy's
force, principally in the number ofmeny as well as to a greater
degree o£. skill in the direction of her fire, and the destructive
effects of her first' broadside* i/ i*Ui "n' «;ta''mu 'mU »uw4* /^jvid>
The coiiriis aliso of opiiiidn,'<t;bat'thi^: surviving officers and
company (with the eicdapiion heiieinafter made) appear to havd
done their utmost to capture the enemy's vessel, and to defend
H. M. brig Bdxei'; dtid to hAve coikducted themselves with
courage, and a determination not to surrender while any pros*
pect of success remained ; and the court will therefore adjudge
Lieutenont M'Crery, the surviving officers and company, to
be acquitted, with the exception of Mr. Hugh James, quarter-
master, doing duty as master's-mate, John Dod, James Jack,
son, and William Slattery, seamen; who have not appeared
before the court, and have been stated td have deserted their
quarters during the action ; and through cowardice, negli-
gence, or disaffection, to have withdrawn themselves from their
duty in the engagement; and the said Lieutenant M^Crery,
the surviving officers and company, are hereby acquitted ac.
cordingiy, with the exception of the said Mr. Hugh James,
John Dodd, James Jackson^ and William Slattery.

iU\i4 i i^J<i05i!

APPENDIX. ' ' hxifl

,-> .=» J,i.^i«Mj<k«* '.'J'i J^o. 47, ' ♦''€! »rf> «0 ...Iwikfliiri

'Ifcweiwwt fc oh'wlt \>{ ;i?:«{ ,. f\ma9 9Ai*^i 7t"»i>5 ,<Ur.d

The congress of the United States present^ to the nearest
male relatire of Lieutenant William Burrows, and to Lieu-
tenant M*Call of the brig Enterprise, a gold medal, with
suitable emblems and devices ; and a silver medal to each of
the commissioned officers, in honor of their gallantry and good

conduct in the conflict with the Boxeri'*'^' '^ »««*>^ ^

nmA tiiiM .:io^ r^'iwiU k^thin

.a-iQifco«?«4<&o

No. 48.

From Sir James Yeo to Mr* Croker.

H.M.S. Wolfe, Kingston, Upper Canada,
Sir, 29th June, 1813.

I have the honor to inform you, for the information of the
lords commissioners of the admiralty, that on the 3d instant,
I sailed with his majesty's squadron under my command from
this port, to co-operate with our army at the head of the
lake, and annoy the enemy by intercepting all supplies going
to the enemy, and thereby oblige his squadron to come out for
its protection.

At daylight on the 8th, the enemy's camp was discorered
close to us at Forty.mile creek. It being calm, the large vessels
could not) get in, but the Beresford, Captain Spilsbury, the
Sir Sidney Smith, Lieutenant Majoribanks, and Ihe gun-boats
under the orders of Lieutenant Anthony, (first of this ship,)
succeeded in getting close under the enemy's batteries, and by
a sharp and well-directed fire, soon obliged him to make a
precipitate retreat, leaving all his camp equipage, provisions,
stores, &c. behind, which fell into our hands. The Beresford
also captured all his batteaux, laden with stores, &c. Our
troops immediately occupied the post. I then proceeded
along to the westward of the enemy's camp, leaving our army

\v$'- i

4ft -1

Isxiv

APPENDIX.

I ;'

in front. On the 13th we oapturcd two schooners and som^
boats, going to the enemy with supplies ; by them I receiTed
information that there was a d6p4t of provisions at Gcnessee
rirer. I accordingly proceeded off that river, landed some
(eamen and marines of the sqnadron, and brought off aU the
provisions found in the government stores ; as also a sloop
laden with grain for the army. On the 10th I anchored off
the Great Sodas, landed a party of the Ist regiment royal
Scots, and took off 60Q barrels of flour and pork, which had
arrived there for their army.

1 have the honor to be, &c,

J. L. Y£0, commodore.

»»«»#»#»■*»###»##»»

No. 49.

'i?i

irxw

W . I .r I

From Sir James Vto to Admiral Warren.

H.M.S. Wolfe, on Lake Ontario,
Sir, August 10, 1813.

I have the honor to inform you, that the enemy's squadron
was discovered at anchor off Fort Niagara, on the morning of
the Bth instant, consisting of 13 sail ; that of his majesty of
6. They tflpmediately weighed, and stood out in a line of
battle ; but on our approaching nearly within gun>shot, ihay
$red their broadsides, wore, and stood undor thdr batteries*
JJght airs and calms prevented me from closing with them
again, until this night, when having a fine breeze, we stood
for them.

At 11, we came within gnn.shot of thdr line of schooners,
which opened a heavy fire, their ships keeping off the wind
to prevent our closing. At half»past 12, this ship came
within gun-shot of the Pike and Madison, when they imme-
diately bore up, fired their stern.chase guns, and made sail for
Niagara, leaving two of their schooners a'Stern, which wo

JkFPENDIX.

captured, tii« Growler and Julia, entk mauating om long 91»
and one loag 13, and 40 men.

From information obtained from the prtsonan, I kear tliat
tkeir new ehip, the General Pike, mouati 98 long 94-poan^
den, and hai 400 men ; and that all the^ loboonen non«t
fromi to 4 long S3-ponnders.

The enemy hare disappeared; I therefore inppoia they
havie gone to Sackett'i harbour to reft.

I am happy to add that (except in the Mdl« and rigging) his
majesty's squadron hare not snstidned any injury, and htTO
the honor to be, &c.

J. h, YBO, eo««M»dor«*
The Right Hon. Sir J. B. Warren, Bart.
Halifax.

*0'»9**»*-» ** **»

No. 50.

From Comtnmodore Chauncey to the American secretwy of

the navy.

U. S. ship General Pike, at Sackett's harbour,
,Siii, 13th August, 1813.

I arrived here this day ^vith these ships, the Madison,
Oneida, GoTomor Tomkins, Conquest, Ontario, Pert, and
Lady of the Lake : the Fair American and Asp I left at Nia*
gara. Since I had the honor of addressing yon last, I hare
been much distressed and mortified ; distressed at the loss of
a part of the force entrussed to my command, and mortified
at not having been able to bring the enemy to action. The
following movements and transactions of the squadron since
the 6th instant, will give you the best idea of the difficulties
and mortifications that I have had to encounter.

On the 7th at day -light, the enemy's fleet, consisting of two
ships, two brigs, and two large schooners, were discovered
bearing W.N.W. distant about 5 or 6 miles, wind at west.
At 5, weighed with the fleet, and mancevrcd to gain the wind.

if; ',9 ■'.

IttVi

APPENDIX.

At l^y ^ hating passed <o.Ieewttrd of the enemy's line, and
abreast of his van-ship, (the Wolfe,) hoisted oar colours, and
flred a ftW guns to ascertain whether we could reach him with
<Mr shot. Finding they fell short, I wore, and hauled upon
a wind on the larboard-tack ; the rear of our schooners then
about 6 miles astern. The enemy wore in succession, and
hauled upon a wind on the same tack: he tacked and made all
sail to the northward. As soon as our rear rcssels could fetch
his wake, tacked and made all sail in chase. In the afternoon the
wind became rery light, and, towards night, quite calm. The
schooners used their sweeps all the afternoon in order to close
with the enemy, but without success. Late in the afternoon
' I made the signal of recal, and formed in close order. Wind
during "the night from the westward, and, after midnight,
squally. Kept all hands at quarters and beat to-windward, ia '
hopes to gain the wind of the enemy. At 2, A.M. missed
two of our schooners. At day.light, discorered the missing
schooners to be the Hamilton and Scourge. Soon after, spoke
the Governor Tomkins, who informed me, that the Hamilton
and Scourge both overset and sunk, in a heavy squall about
2 o'clock ; and, distressing to relate, every soul perished,
except sixteen. This fatal accident deprived me at once of
the services of two valuable officers, Lieutenant Winter, and
Sailing-master Ogwood ; and two of my best schooners,
mounting together 19 guns. This accident giving to the
enemy decidedly the superiority, I thought he would take
advantage of it, particularly as, by a change of wind, he was
again brought dead to-windward of me. Formed the line .
upon the larboard-tack, and hove to. Soon after 6, A. M.
the enemy bore up, and set studding-sails, apparently with an
intention to bring us to action. When he had approached us
within about 4 miles, he brought to on the starboard-tack ;
I wore, and brought to on the same tack. Finding that the
enemy had no intention of bringing ms to action, I edged away
to gain the land, in order to hare the advantage of the land,
breeze in the afternoon. It soon after fell calm) and I ,

I'k i.

APPENDIX.

' IzxvU

directed the schooner to sweep up and engage the enemy.
About noon we got a light breeze from the eastward. I took
the Oneida in tow, as she sails badly : our schooners was within
1^ or 2 miles of his rear ; the wind shifted to the westward,
which again brought him to windward. As so«n as the breeie
struck him he bore up for the schooners, in order to cut them
off before they could rejoin me ; but, with their sweeps, and tha
breeze soon reached them also, they were soon in their station.
The enemy finding himself foiled in liis attempt upon the
schooners, hauled his wind and hoTe to. It soon after became
very squally, and the appearance of its continuing so during
the night; and as we had been at quarters for nearly 40 hours,
and being apprehensive of separating from some of the heary-
sailing schooners in the squall, induced me io mn in towards
Niagara, and anchor outside the bar. General Boyd very
handsomely offered any assistance in men that I might require.
I received 150 soldiers, and distributed them in the different
vessels, to assist in boarding, or repelling boarders, as circum»
stances might require. It blew very heavy in squalls during
the night. Soon after day-light discovered the enemy's fleet
bearing north ; weighed and stood after him. The wind soon
became light and variable, and before 12 o'clock quite calm.
At 5, fresh breezes from north, the enemy's fleet bearing
north, distant about 4 or 5 leagues. Wore the fleet in sue.
cession, and hauled upon a wind on the larboard-tack; at
sun.down, the enemy bore N.W. by N. on the starboard,
tack. The wind hauling to the westward, I stood to tha
northward all night, in order to gain the north-shore; at day.
light, tacked to the westward, the wind having changed to
N.N.W. Soon after, discovered the enemy's fleet bearing
S.W. I took the Asp, and the Madison the Fair American,
in tow, and made all sail in chase. It was at this time wa
thought of realizing what we had been so long toiling for ;
but before 12 o'clock the wind changed to W.S.VV. which
brought the enemy tcwindward: tacked to the northward.

IztTll

APPENDIX.

::V'-m

.ii^ll

\'i

At 3, (he wind Indiuing to the northward, wore to the lontH*
wud end weetwerd, end mode the signal for the fleet to nuike
nil tail. At 4) the enemy bore S.8. W. bore np, end itecred
for him. At 5, obeerred the enemy becalmed under the land)
nanring hla rery faat, with a fine breeie from N.N.VV. At
f, forawd the order of battle, within about 4 miles of the enemy.
The wind at thlt time very light. At 7, the wind changed to
SwW. and n freih breeie, which again placed the enemy to«
windward of me. Tacked and hauled upen the wind on the
larboard-tack nvder easy anil, the enmoy standing after ui.
At 9, when within about two gun-ihot of our rear, he wore to
the southwnid. I stood on to (he northward under easy sail ;
the fleet formed in two lines, a part of the schooners forming
the weatber«iioe, with orders to commence the fire upon the
enemy ae soon as their riiot would take effect ; and as the
enemy reached them to edge down upon the line to-leeward
and pass tikre«|^ the Interrali, and form to-leeward. At
about halfopoit 10, the enemy tacked and stood after us. At
11, the rear of oor line opened his fire upon the enemy. In
about 15 minutes the fire became general from the weather-
line, which was returned by the enemy. At half.past
11, (he Weather-line bore up and passed to>]ceward, except
the Growler and Julia, which soon after tacked to the south,
ward, which brought the enemy betweehi them aud me. Filled
the maio.top.sail, and edged away two points, to lead the
enemy down, not only to engage hfan to more advantage, bat
to lead him from the Growler and JuHa. He, howerer, kept
his wind, until he completely separated those two Tessels from
the rest of the squadron ; exchanged a few shot with this ship
as he passed witfiout injury to us, and made sail after our two
achooners: tacked, and stood after hira. At 19 (midnight)
finding that I must either separate from the rest of the
squadron, or relinquish the hope of saving the two which had
separated, I reluctantly gave up the pursuit, rejoined the squa-
dron then to leeward, and formed the line on the itarboard.tack.

APPENDIX.

InU

TH« firing WM continued between our two sdloonerf aad
the cnemy't fleet intil about 1 A.M. when, I presiine, they
were obliged to lorrcnder to a force lo mveh their inperior.
Saw nothing more of the enemy that night. Soon after day.
Mght, ditco?ered them close in with the north shore, with one
of our schooners in tow, the other not to be seen. I preenme
she may have sunk. The enemy shewed no disposition to
cosae dov'Mi upon nS) although to- windward, and blowing
kaary fro ^ W. The schooners labouring very much, f orw
dered tw3 of the dullest to run into Niagara, and anchoi^
The gale encreasing rery much, and as I could not go into
Niagara with this ship, I determined to run to Genesice bay,
as a shelter for the small vessels, and with the expectation of
being able to obtain provisions for the squadron, cs we were
all nearly out, the Madison and Oneida having not a single day's
on board when we arrired opposite Genessee bay. I found
there was every prospect of the gale's continuing, and if it
did, I could run to this place, and provision the whole squa-
dron with more certainty, and nearly in the same time that I
could at Genessee, admitting that I could obtain provisions at
that place. After bringing the breeze as far as Oswego, the
wind became light, inclining to a calm, which had prolonged
out passage to this bay. I shall provision the squadron for
five weeks, and proceed up the lake this evening ; and when I
return again, I hope to be able to communicate more agreea.
abte news than this communication contains. The loss of the
Growler and Julia, in the manner in which they have been
lost, is mortifying in the extreme ; and, although their com-
manders disobeyed my positire orders, I am willing to believe
that it arose from an error of judgment, and excess of zeal, to
' do more than was required of them ; thinking, probably, that
the enemy intended to bring us to a general action, they
thought, by gaining the wind of him, they would have it more
in their power to annoy and injure him, than they could by
forming to-lceward of our line. From what I have been able

■

Ixjuc

APPENDIX.

to disCofer of the moTements of the enemy, he h&s no inten.
tion of engaging us, except he can get decidedly the advantage
of wind and weather, and as his Tessels in squadron sail better
than our squadron, he can always avoid an action ; unless I
can gain the wind, and have sufficient day-light to bring him
to action before dark. His object is, evidently, to harrass us
by night-attacks, by which means he thinks to cut off our
small duU.sailing' schooners in detail. Fortune has evidently
favored him thus far, and I hope that it will be my turn next ;
and, although inferior in point of force, I feel very confident
of successs.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ISAAC CHAUNCEY.
Hon. secretary of the navy.

<^**»#»#'»^^#xy»**<»

PS { \ ^

•itf

No. 51.

From Sir Jamet Yeo to tniral Warren,

h i - i

y^'

H. M.'s ship Wolfe, off the Fa!se Duck islands,

Sir, on Lake Ontario, Sept. 12, 1813.

I have the honor to acquaint you, that H. M.'s squadron

under my command, being becalmed on Genessec river, on the

11th instant, the enemy's fleet of 11 sail, having a partial

wind, succeeded in getting within range of their long 24 and

32-pounders ; and from their having the wind of us, and this

dull sailing of some of our squadron, I found it impossible to

bring them to close action. We remained in this mortifying

situation five hours, having only six guns in all the squadron

that would reach the enemy ; (not a carronade being fired ;)

at sun-set a breeze sprang up from the westward, when I

steered for the False Duck islands, under which the enemy

could not keep the weather-gage, but be obliged to meet us on

equal terms. This, however, he carefully avoided.

APPENDIX.

Inxl

Although I hare to regret the loss of Mr. William Ellery,
tniddhipman, and three seamea killed, and seven wounded, I
cannot but conc«To it fortunate that none of the squadron
hare received any material damage, which must have been con-
siderable, had the enemy acted with the least spirit, and tftken
advantage of the superiority of position they possessed.

Inclosed is a list of killed and wounded.

Killed 3; wounded 7. J, h. Y£0.

No. 52.

,» «jif» .4.

From Commodore Ckauncejf to the American secretary of the

navy,

V. S. ship General Pike, off Duck island,
Sir, September 13, 1813.

On the 7th, at day-light, the enemy's fleet was discovered
close in with Niagara river, wind from the southward. Made
the signal, and weighed with the fleet, (prepared for action,)
and stood out of the riter af.er him : he immediately made all
sail to the northward. We made sail in chase, with our heary
schooner in tow ; and have continued the chase all round tha.
lake, night and day, until yesterday morning, when he sue.
ceeded in .getting into Amherst bay ; which is so little known
to our pilots, and said to be full of shoals, that they are not
willing to take me in there. I shall, however, (unless driven
from my station by a gale of wind,) endeavour to watch him
so close, as to prevent his getting out upon the lake.

During our long chase. <^ i freq ently got within one or two
miles of the enemy ; but our heavy .sailing schooners prevented
our closing with him until the 11th, off Gennessec river. We
carried a breeze with us, while he lay becalmed, to within
three-quarters of a mile of him, when he took the breeze, and
we had a running fight 31 hours, but by his superior sailing

Ixxxif'

APPENDIX.

"V t ; ,- - :

he escaped me, and run into Amherst bay yesteidaj
m orning.

In the course of our chase on the 11th, I got several broad-
sides from this ship upon the enemy, which must have done
him considerable injury, as many of the shot were seen to
strilce him, and people were obserred over the sides plugging
shot.holcs. A few shot struck our hull, and a little rigging
was cut, but nothing of importance. Not a man was hurt.

I was much disappointed that Sir James refused to fight me,
as he was so much superior in point of force, both in guns and
men, having upwards of 20 guns more than we have, and
heaves a greater weight of shot.

This ship, the Madison, and the Sylph, have each a schooner
constantly in tow, yet the others cannot sail as fast as the
enemy's squadron ; which gives him decidedly the advantage,
and puts it in his power to engage me when and how he
chuses.

I have the honor to be, See,

ISAAC CflAUNCEY.
Uon.- William Jones^ secretary of the navy.

*» » #<i»^ . »»^^»##»#»

'>»

'I * M.

m ■ I '

'i _

No, 53.

From Sir James Yeo to Sir George Prevott.

H.M/s ship Wolf, at Kingston,
Sir, November 15, 1813.

I yesterday received Captdn Barclay's official statement of
the ill-fated action on Lake Erie ; and as your excellency must
wish to be informed of every particular, I have the honor io
enclose a copy of the same. It appears to me, that though
his majesty's squadron were very deficient in seamen, weight
<of metal, and particularly long guns, yet the greater misfor-
tune was the loss of every officer, particularly Captain Finnis,

Vr^l

APPENDllir.

Ixxxih

whose life, had it been spared, would, in mj opinion, have
ffATed the squadron.^

I hare. the honor to be, &c.

JAMES L. YEO, Commodore.
Hia Ezeellenejr Sir George Prevost, Bart.
gOTernor and goneral-in.chief.

1 "»* r

'a*tf

No. 54.

From Captain Barctay to Sir James Yeo,

H. M.'s late ship Detroit, Put-in bay,
^tr Sib, Lake Erie, Sept. 12, 1813.

The last letter I had the honor of writing to you, dated the
4}tb instant, I informed you, that unless oert^n intimation was
received of more seamen bdng on their way to Amherstburg,
I should be obliged to sail with the squadron, deplorably
manned as it was, ta fight the enemy, (who blockaded the
poi;t,) to enable ns to get supplies of provisions and stores of
«Tery description. So perfectly destitute of proTisions was
tiM port, that there was not a day's flour in store, and the
crews of the squadron under my command were on half al-
lowance of many things, and when that was done there was
MO more. Such were the notives which induced Major-general
Proctor, (whom by your instructions I was directed to con*
suit) and whose wishes I was enjoined to execute, as far ai
irelaited to the good of the country,) to concur in the neces-
sity of a battle being risked, under the many disadvantages
which I laboured ; and it now remains to me, the most melartt
choly task, to relate to you the unfortunate issue of the battle,
as well as the many untoward circumstances that led to that
event.

' No intelligence of seamen having arrived, I sailed on the
0th instant, fully expecting to meet the enemy next morning,
as they \^iA bean seen among the islands ; nor was I mistaken.

1'':'^

Ixxxir

APPENDIX.

}

k \

u
4

^: t

Soon after day.light they were seen in motion in Ptit-in hnjf
the wind then south-west, and light, giving as the weather*
gage. I bore up for them, iu hopes of bringing them to action
among the islands, but that intention was soon frustrated by
the wind suddenly shifting to the south-west, which brought
the enemy directly to- windward.

The line was formed according to a giren plan, so that each
ship might be supported against the superior force of the two
brigs opposed to them. About 10, the enemy cleared the
islands, and immediately bore up, un ler sail, in a line a.breasty
each brig being also supported by the smalF ressels. At a
quarter before 19, I commenced the action, by firing a few
long guns ; about a quarter past, the American commodore,
ftlso supported by two schooners, one carrying four long
12.pounders, the other a long 32 and 24.pounder, came to
close action with the Detroit ; the other brig of the enemy,
apparently destined to engage the Queen Charlotte, supported
In like manner by two schooners, kept so far to-wisdward ai
to render the Queen Charlotte's 24.pounder carronades umu
less, while she was, with the Lady Prevost, exposed to the
heavy and destructive fire of the Caledonian, and four other
schooners, armed with long and heavy guns, like those I haft
already described.

1^ Too soon, alas ! was I deprivetl of the service of the noble
and intrepid Captain Finnis, who, soon after the commeaee-
ment of the action, fell ; and witi^ him fell my greatest sup*
port. Soon after Lieutenant Stok<js, of the Queen Charlotte^
was struck senseless by a splinter, which deprived the country
of his services at this very critical period.

As I perceived the Detroit hjid enough to contend with,
without the prospect of a fresh brig, ProvinciaUlieufenaak
Irvine, who then had charge of the Queen Charlotte, behaved
with great courage; but his exporienee was much (oo limited
to supply the place of such an cficcr as Captain Finnis, hence
she proved of far less assistance than I expected.

APPENDIX. ' Ixxit

^J*rileiiciion continued with great fury until half-past 2, wlien
I perceived my opponent drop a.stern, and a boat passing
from him to the Niagara; (which vesi^el was at this time per-
fectly fresh ;) the American commodore, seeing that as yet the
day was against him, (his vessel having struck soon after he
ioft her,) and also the very defenceless state of the Detroit,
Vhich ship was now a perfect wreck, principally from the
raking fire of the gun. boats, and also that the Queen Char-
lotte was in such a situation that I could receive very littla
assistance froui her, and the Lady Prevost being at th;'s time
too far to-leeward, from her rudder being injured, inade a
noble, and, alar ! too successful an effort to regain it, for he
bore up, and, supported by his small vessels, passed within
pfistoUshot, a^id took a raking position on our bow; nor could
! prevent tt, as the unfortunate situation of the Queen Char-
lotto prevented us from wearing. In attempting it wo fell on
boafd her. My gaSlant FirstJieutenant Garland was now mor.
tally wounded, and myself severely, that I was obliged to quit
the deck. Manned as the squadron was, with not more than
60 British seamen, the rest a mixed crew of Canadians and
soldiers, and who were totally unacquainted with such service)
rendered the loss of officers more sensibly felt, and never in
any action was the loss more severe : every officer commanding
vessels, and their seconds, were either killed, or wounded so
severely, as to be unable to keep the deck.

Uentenant Buchan, in the Lady Prevost, behaved most
nobly, and did every thing that a brave and experienced officer
conld do, in a vessel armed with IS.pound carronadcs, against
vessels carrying long guns. I regret to state that he was se-
verely wounded. Lieutenant Bignal, of the Dover, command,
ing the Hunter, displayed the greatest intrepidity ; but his
guns being small, (2, 4, and G.poundcrs,) he could be of
much less service than he wished.

Every officer in the Detroit behaved in the most exemplary
manner. Lieutenant Ingli^ shewed such calm intrepidity, that

■If
If

kuzTi

APPENDIX.

I was fully convinced that, on leaTing the deck, I lef^ the ship
in excellent hands ; and for an account of the battle after that,
I refer you to his letter, which be wrote me for your infor-
mation.

Mr. Hoffmeiiter, purser of the Detroit, nobly Tolunteered
his services on deck, and behaved in a manner that, reflects the
highest honor on him. I regret to add, that he i«. very severely
wounded in the knee.

• ProvinciaUlientenant Purvis, and the military officers, Lieur
tenants Gprdon, of the Royal Newfoundland Rangers, and
O'Kecfe, of the 41st regiment, behaved in a manner which
excited my warmest admiration. The few British seamen I
had behaved with their usual intrepidity ; and, as long as I
was on deck, the troops behaved with a calmness and courage
worthy of a more fortunate issue to their exertions.
«, The weather-gage gave the enemy a prodigious advantage,
as it enabled them not only to choose their position, but their
distance also, which they did in such a manner, as to prevent
the carronades of the Queen Charlotte and Lady Preyost from
having much effect ; while their long guns did great execution,
l^articularly against the Queen Charlotte.
.: Captain Perry has behaved in a most humane and attentive
manner, not only to myself and officers, but to all the
wounded.

I trust, that although unsuccessful, you will approve of the
motives that induced me to sail under so many disadvantages,
and that it may be hereafter proved that, under such circum-
stances, the honor of his majesty's flag has not been tar-
nished.

I enclose the list of killed and wounded.

I have the hon.nr to bo, &c. , jn^

R. H. BARCLAY, commander,
and late senior officer.
Sir Jamca Lucas Yeo, &c. &c.

APPENDIX.

Isxxvii

r\-ft''

No. 55.

From Lieutenant Inglit to Captain Barclay, ■

H. M. late ship Detroit, Sept. 10, 1813.
Sir,

I hafe the hon«r to transmit you art account of the termU
nation of the latip Mifortunate battle with the enemy** sqitadron.

Ou coming on the quarter-dcclc, after your being wounded,
the enemy's sedond bHg^ at that time on our weather.lxntm,
shortly afterwards toolc a position on our weather-bow, to
ralce us ; to prcTent which, f.n att<)mpting to wear, to get our
starboard-broadside to bear upon her, a number of the guns of
the larboard.broadside being at this time disabled, fell on board
the Queen Charlotte, at this time rilnning up to.le^ward of us.
In this situation the two ships remtiined for some time.

As soon as we got clear of her, 1 ordered the Queen Char-

lotte to shoot a-head of us, if possible, and attempted td back

our fore-top-sdl, to get a-stern ; but the ship lying completely

unmanageable, every brace cut awayj the mizen-top-ihast and

gaff down, all the other masts badly wounded, not a stay left

forward, hull shattered very much, a number of the guns dis.

ablcd, and the enemy's squadron raking both ships, a-head

and a.stem, none of our own in a situation to support us, I

was under the painful necessity of answering the enemy, to

say we had struck, the Queen Charlotte having prcriously

done so.

I have the honor to be, &c.

To Captain Barclay. GEORGE INGLIS.

A statement of the force of his majesty^ s squadron on Lake
Erie^ and that of the United States.

His majesty's squadron.

Detroit.— Two lont; 24.pottnders, one long 18> pounder on
pivot; six long 12.pounders, eight long Q'pounders, one 24-
poand carronade, one 18-pound carronade.

Ixntiii

APPENDIX.

It t '>

Queen Charlotte.— One long 12. pounder, on pivot; two
long 0-pounden, fourteen 34-pound carronades.

Lady PrevOst. — One long 0. pounder, on pivot; two long
0-pounderi, ten 13-pound carronades.

Hunter. — Four long S-pounders, two long 4-pounders, two
long 3«pounden, two 13<pound carronades*

little B«U,-'-One long IS-pounder^ oa pioot; two long
^.pouuden.
.' Cblppeway.-i-One long 9-pounder, on jpi'oo/.

United States* squadron.

Lawrence.— >Two long IS.pounders, eighteen 32.pound
carronades, ,

Niagara. —Two long IS-pounders, eighteen 33 pound car.
ronades.

Caledonia.—Two long 34-pounder8, one 32-pound carro-
nade, all on pivots, .

Ariel.— 'Four long 12>ponndcr8, on |)too/«.

Somers. — One long 34-ponnder, one S2-pound carronade,
both on pivots.

Porcupine.T-One long 33-ponnder, on pivot*

Tigress.— -One long 33-pounder, on pivot*

Scorpion.-— One long 32-pounder, one 24-pound carronfide,
}ioi\i on pivots,

Trippe.— One long 24-pounder, on pivot*

R. H. BARCLAY.

^ list of killed and wounded on hoard his majesty^ s ships and
vessels in an action tcith the American squadron on Lake
EriCy Sfc,

Three officers, 38 men killed; nine officers, 85 men,
wounded.

Names of officers killed and wounded.

8. J* Garden, Royal Newfoundland Regiment, killed.
))etroit.— Killed, First.lieutenant J. Garland.— Wounded,

MnvWK.

liidfc

Capttin ll. A. Bftrclajr,' tdtnferonsl/; J. II. Hoffmebtef,
pnner, dtmgtront\fi* < •«)*^ .nao** Hit M^iit t:y lU »*«ii

Queen Charlotte^— Rilled, Captain R. I'iniiii.— 'WonndM,
Firat.lieu tenant James Stokoe, severely ; Jcmei Foiter, - niM-
(hiproan, slightly.

Lady PreTOst. — Wounded, Lientenant Edward Buchan,
commanding, dangerously ; First-lieutenant F. Roulette| sij^-
tcrely.

Hunter. — Wounded, Lieutenant Cr. Bignell, commandingi
severely ; Henry Gatcshill, master's-mate, slightly. ■'*''

Chi ppc way .—Wounded, Master's.mate J. Campbell, com.
inanding, slightly.

R. H. B. commander, and lale senior officer.

^*»***^**'»***

No. 56.

JFVom Commodore Perry id the American ikcretarji of the navy,

UvS. brig Niagara, off the Western Sister,

SiA, Lake £rie, September 10, ItilS.

It has pleased the Almighty to give to the arms of the

United States, a signal victory over their enemies on this lake*

. The Britith squadron, consisting of two ships, two brigs, one

schooner, and one sloop, have this moment surrendered to tl^

fprce under my command, after a sharp conflict. ,,,

I have the honor to be, &c.

6. H. PERRy^ ,
Kon. W. Jones, secretary of the navy.

No. 57.

From Comjnodore Perry to General Harrison* -^

Dzia Sir, September 11, 1813.

We have a great number of pn^oners, which I wish to
land: will you be so good as to order a guard to receive

■j

.; '.

^^AJjttt^m

' .<

Ibcn, Uki infonir me 'af I|m p|pc«? - Clovsidirabtt nvmben

hate been killed and wounded on both sjdei* From the best

inforoutioD, we havei more priioMin than wo have men on

. board our TeMeli.

In great haite,

Your** ▼ery truly,

O. H. PERRY.

Genera] HarrUon.

tV-

f.
No. 58.

From Commodore Perry to the American secretary of the tuny.

,", U. S* schmHtner Ariel, Put-in bay,

Sir, September 13, 1813.

In my last I informed you that we had captured the enemy'i
fleet on this lake. I have now the honor to give you the most
important particulars of the action. On the morning of tlie
10th instant, at sun.rise, they were discovered from Put.in
bay, where I lay at anchor with the squadron under my com-
mand. We got under way, the wind light at S. W. and stood
for them. At 10 A.M. the wind hauled to S.B. and brought
us to windward ; formed the line, and bore lip. At 15 mi-
flutes before 13, the enemy commenced fiHng; at 5 minutes
"before 12 the action commenced on our part. Finding their
fire very destructlTe, ui*ring to their loifig gunS) and its being
mostly directed at the Lawrence, I made sul, and directed the
other Tessels'to follow, for the purpose of closing with the
enemy. Every brace and bow-line being shot away, she be-
came unmanageable, ndtwlthstaudlng the great eiertions of the
sailing-master. In this situation the sustained the action up-
wards of two hours, within canister-distance, until every gun
was rendered useless, and the greater part of her crew either
killed or wounded. Finding she could no longer ^nnoy the
enemy, I left her in charge of Lieutenant Yarnall, who, I was
c^njrioced) from the bravery already displayed by him, would

APPSNDIX.

Sil

do what would c^tvport wilh the honor of the itf* At
half-past 3, Um wind sprioging np, Captain fiUiptt twwi
enabled to bring hii Tewel, the Niagara, gallantiy into . il«B
action. I immediateljr went on board of her, whan ha antici-
pated my wiih by Yolunteering to bring the ichoonen, which
had been kept a-itern by the lightneti of the wind, into clow
action. It was with unspeakable pain, that I mw, loon after
I got on board the Niagara, the flag of the Lawrence come
down, although I wu perfectly lensible that she had fanen
defended to the last, and that to hare continncd to make a
shew of resistance, would hare been a wanton sacrifice of her
brave crew. But the enemy was not able to take possession
of her, and circumstances soon permitted her flag again to be
hoisted.

At 4ft minutee past 3, the signal was made for '* dose
action." The Niagara being yery littie injured, I determined
to pass through the enemy's line ; bore up and passed a-head
of their two ships and a brig, giving a raking fire to them from
the starboard^nns, and to a large schooner and sloop from ^ the
larboard-iide at half- pistol-shot distance. The smaller Tessels
at this time having got within grape and canister-distanoe,
under the direction of Captain Elliott, and keeping up a well,
directed fire, the two ships, a brig and a schooner, snrren.
dered, a schooner and sloop making a vain attempt to escape.
•' Those officers and men who were immediately under my
observation evinced the greatest gallantry, and I have no doubt
that all others conducted themselves as became American offi-
cers and seamen. Lieutenant Yarnall, first of the Lawrence,
although several times wounded, refused to quit the deck.
Midshipman Forrest, (doing duty as a lieutenant) and sailing,
master Tailor, were of great assistance to me. ^ I have great
pain in stating to you the death of Lieutenant Brooks of the
marines, and Midshipman Lamb, both of the Lawrence, and
Midshipman John Clarke of the Scorpion : they were valu.
able and promising officers. Mr. Hambleton^ purser, who

4U"

1 >•
U A

•A

sti

viii

seli

APPENDIIT.

ToluniMlvd Ml serrlcet on deck, wu Mvereljr wounded U^
In the totlon. Midshipman Claxton end Swartetent of the
Lawreilee, irere lOTcrely wounded. On board of the Niagara,
LlenteoanCs Smith and Edwarda, and Midshipman Webster,
(doing dotj ai sailing-master,) behared in a tery handsome
naonor. Captain Breeroort, of the army, who acted as a
Yolonteer in the capacity of a marine officer on board that
'Yesiel, ii an excellent and brave officer, and with his musketry
did great execution. Lieutenant Turner, commanding the
Caledonia, brought that Teisel into action in the most able
manner, and is an officer that in all situations may be relied
on. The Ariel, Lieutenant Packet, and Scorpion, Sailing-
master Champlain, uere enabled to get early into action, and
were of groat service.* Captain Elliott speaks in (he highest
terms of Mr. Magrath, purser, who hud been dispatched in a
boat on leryice previous to my getting on board the Niagara ;
and, being a seaman, since the action has rendered essential ser*
Tice, In taking charge of one of the prizns. Of Captain Elliott,
already so well known to the government, it would be almost
saperfluona to apeak. In tkia action he evinced his character,
istic bravery and judgment, and, since the close of the action,
Jiat given me the most able and essential assistance.
■ I have the honor to enclose you a return of killed and
wounded, together with a statement of the relative fore of the
equadruns. The captain and first lieutenant of the Queen
Charlotte, and the first lieutenant of the Detroit, were killed ;
Captain Barclay, senior officer, and the commander of the
Lady Prevost, severely wounded; the commanders of the
JHnnter and Chippeway, slightly wounded. Their loss in
killed and wounded I have not yet been able to ascertain ; It
must however«have been very great.

Very respectfully, &c.

O. H. PERRY,

Hon. W* Jones, secretary of the navy.

^ Assisted the Lawrence in engaging the Detroit*

.APPENDIX.

xcHi

No. 59. ■■'*,

Extract of a htterjrom Commodore Perry to the nme,

U. S. achooner Ariel, PiiUia baj^ >
Sim, September IS, 1813.

I have caused (he prisoners talien on the 10th instant to bt
landed at Sandusky, and hare requested General Harrison to
have them marched to Chilicothe, and there wait until your
pleasure shall be known respecting them.

The Liawrcnce has been entirely cut up; it is absolutely
necessary she should go into a safe harbour. I hare therefor*
directed Lieutenant Yarnall to proceed to Erie in her, with
the wounded of the fleet, and dismantle and get her orer the
bar as soon as possible.

The two ships in a henry sea this day at anchor lost their
masts, being much injured in the action. I shall haul them
into the inner bay at this place, and moor thorn for the present.
The Detroit is a remarkably fine ship, sails well, and is very
strongly built. The Queen Charlotte is a much superior vessel
to what has been represented. The Lady ProTost is a large
fine schooner.

I also beg your instructions respecting the wounded. I am
satisfied. Sir, that whatever steps 1 might take, governed by
humanity, would meet your approbation. Under this im-
pression I have taken upon myself to promise Captain Bar-
clay, who is very dangerously wounded, that he shall be landed
as near Lake Ontario as possible, and I had no doubt you
would allow mo to parole him. Ho is under the impression
that nothing but leaving this part of the country will save hia
life.

There ii also a number of Canadians among the prisoners^
many of whom have families. ^

* I have the honor to be, &c.

O. H. PtHlir.

Hon. William Jones, secretary of the navy.

•4 t^

':■■">'

•.! 'v

Statement of the force of the British squadron*
Ship Detroit . . . . 1& gans— •! on pirot, and 2 howitzers.

Queen Charlotte ..17 ditto— 1 ditto
Schooner Lady Prerost ....13 ditto— 1 ditto

Brig Hunter 10 ditto

Sloop Little Belt 3 ditto

Schooner Chippeway ldo.and2swiTeIs:totaI63gi.

ICet*.-- >The Detroit m » naw sbip) verj strongly built» and mounting long
t4i, 18i, Mid X%u

Statement of the force of the U. S: squadron.
Brig Lawrence . .30 guns.

Niagara.... 20 ditto

Caledonia . . 3 ditto
Schooner Ariel 4 ditto (one bunt early in the action. )

Scorpion ..9 ditto

Somcrs .... 3 ditto
Sloop Trippe .... 1 ditto
Schooner Tigress .... 1 ditto

Porcupine ..1 ditto— Total, 54 gum.
The exact number of the eneniys' force has not been ucer.
tained, but I have good reason to heliere, that it exceeded ourt
by nearly one hundred men.

List of killed and wounded on board the U.S, s^tadrony ^c.

( Here follow the names, then,)

Recapitulation.

Kilieil. Wounded. Total.
Lawrence 32 61 83

Niagara 4 25 27

Caledonia 3 3

Somcrs % i

Ariel I 3 4

Trippe « «

Scorpion 2 2

27 9fl 123

S, IIAMBLETON, puisor.
O. H. PKRRY, captain and senior officer.

trvii'iTi f-

No. 60.

From Commodore Fettj/ to Oeneral Harrhon*

U. Sk sohponer Ariel, Sept 15, 1813.

Sir, i

^Tbe Tery great awUUace in the action p( the lOth instant
derived from those men you were pleased to send on l>oaid the
squadron, renders it a duty to return you my sincere thanks
for so timely a re-inforoement. In fact, Sir, I may say,,
without those men the victory could not have been achieved 9
and equally to assure you, that those officers and men behaved
as became good soldiers and seamen. Those who were under
my immediate observation evincoJ great ardour and bravery.
Captain Prevort, of the 2d regiment of infartry, serving on
board the Niagara, I beg leave to recommend particularly to
your notice : he is a brave and gallant officer, and, as far as
I am capable of judging, an excellent one. I am convinced
you will present thtf merit of this officer to the view of the
honorable secretary of war, as I shall to the honorable
secretary of the navy.

Very respectfully, &c.
O. H. PERRY.
Major.General W^. II. Harrison,
commander-in-chief of the N. W. army.

»#«S»V»»»##I» *!##****

No. 61.

Extracts from the court-martial on Captain Barctajf,
(Parliamentary papers.)

Provincial Lieutenant Francis Purvis of the Detroit, examined.

Q. How many experienced seamen had you oa board the

Detroit when the action commenced ? ^^.

Matm i ,S!^

zcvi

APPENDIX.

A. To the best of my knowledge, not more than tettf oiBccri
iiicladed.

Q. Can you recollect how many of those ten sesjamn were
killed aiid wounded ?

A. To the best of my recollection, seren or eight were
killed or wounded.

'«<). How near were the enemy to yon at the early part of
the engagement ? ^'^

» A. The Detroit, in engaging the Lawrence, was within
pbtoUhot, andil^ithin pistol-shot of the Niagara. The latter
came down after the Lawrence had struck. '

Captain Barclay asked:—

Were the matches and tubes so bad, that were supplied to
me from Amherst bay, that I was obliged to prime without
the latter, and fired pistols at the guns to set them off? ^

A. Yes ; we fired pistols at the guns to set thom off during
He whole of the action.

Q. Why did you not take possession of the Lawrence
when she struck ?

A. We had only one boat, and thftt was cut to pieces ; and
the Niagara, another large brig, being to-windward, came
down too quickly upon us.

Q. Did the enemy's gun.boats do much damage?

A. More than any of their vessels : they had long two and
thirties.

Lieutenant Thomas Stokoe of the Queen Charlotte, examined*

Q. How many men had you on board the Queen Charlotte
that you could call experienced seamen? .

A. Not more than if^rty with the petty oiliccrs. We had
on board between VZO and 130 men, officers and all together.

Q. How many men had you on board that had been
accustomed to worV itie great guns with a ship in motion?

A. Only the men that came up from the Dover three days
before wc sailed. We had sixteen of them, boys included,

I . f'

M k:

se&mtxk were

he Lawrence

APPSNl»3t.

kevit

fi^dm the Dovor : the rest we had^ learnt oanelf et^ lince ouf
arrlTal oq-the Lake. . '<.f-r: --;!t;'Ttr:}{':-i !- :' "<-^-rr -■-■•^

^ ! Q. X>a yba know whe(h<r1lie ether tmsels that composed
the squadron ipf.Captaialkuiolay were equall/. deficient in
i^inen.?'i' . oi*'."! • ii ni (ii')'>\^i'.t *io ;•••""• •'^t ^o Itfil ■ ' i

f?-'A, Ail; the bthsr vesseis were equally deficient in point of
ieamin,' eiecpt the Detroit might hare a few more on account
of bdog a larger Tesscl. iiii\ ?<.-■ • ,f ♦«!!» -Jm^fi^: I

^ Q. At half an allowance, how many days' provisions had

you on board the Queen Charlotte when you went out? t

•^ A. We niight have had a week's, at half.allowance, of pro^^

visions, but not of spirits ; they were preserved for the action)

and ail consumed on that day. We had none served out for

several days before. j

*'''Q» Did you understand that the enemy's vessels were well

manned? '

A. Yes, they were remarkably well manned. I believe,

from the information I received from the American officers,

that the Lawrence had more able seamen on board, than we

had in our whole squadron. I was on board the Lawrence

about a quarter of an hour, and on board the Niagara two or

three days : she appeared to be very well manned ; they chiefly

manned the prizes from her*

qI j,,r Captain Barclay asked :—

^ Was I obliged to take from the Queen Charlotte stores of
various descriptions, even to sails^ cables, and anchors, as well
as a proportion of pistols to Jire the guns off uithj bcforo I
could make the Detroit at all fit for the lake ? ^

A* YsSf you were. ,

<ly»#«#^«^#v"«#^/Nr»

No. 62.

Sentefl'ie of tht court-martial on Captain Barclay,

, That the capture of his majesty's lato squadron was caused
by the very defective means Captain Barclay possessed to equip

VCTttI

ArmSNDIX.

* I

1 1

^emon Lake£rie; the WMtof a laffieient nimber of «ble
seamen, whom he had repeatedly and earnestly requested of
Sir James Yeo to be sent io him; the Tery great suj^rioiity
of the enemy to the British squadron ; and \ the ndfortanale
early fall of the superior officers in the action. ThM it ap-
peared that the I greatest exertions had been made by* Captain
Barclay, in equtSpping and gettfaig into order the tessels nnder
bis command; that he was fully justified, under the existisg
drcumstances, in bringing the ' enemy to action ; that the
judgment and.gallaotry of Captain Barclay in talcing his squa*
dron into action, and during the contest, were highly conspi-
cuous, and entitled him to the highest praise ; and that the
whole of the other officers and men of his Majesty's lata
squadron conducted themselves in the most.^lant manner;
and did adjudge the said Captain Robert Heriot Barclay, ^his
surTlTing officers and men, to be most fully and honorablj
acquitted.— Rear-admiral Foote, president.

No. 63.

Vote of congress.

The congress of the United States voted their thanks to
Commodore Perry, and through him to the officers, petty,
officers, seainen, marines, and ihfahtry serving as such, attached
to the squadron under his command, for the decisive and
glorious victory of Lake Erie ; also gold medals, &c. and
three months extra-pay to all the petty.officeri, seamen,
marines, and infantry, who were in the engagement.

APPEi^nnx.

xcix

No. 64.

Srom Commodore Perry to Me»trt. Murray^ Draper^ and

company.

Extracted from an American newspaper.

Newport, May 93, 1814.

Gentlemeit,

I have examined two views of the action on Lake Erie,
drawn by Mr. Sully, and Mr. Kearney, from information
given them by the commanding officers of the American vesieli
on Erie. I have no hesitation in pronouncing them a correct
leprcsentation of the engagement at those particnlar BMments.
,|, Wishing that your pecuniary success may viqual your exer-
tions in obtaining correct information of the Iwttle,
\Ki I am, Gentlemca, y^<>ur obedient servant,

O. H. PERRY.
Meiirs. Murray, Draper, Fairman, «nd Webster.

No. 65.

From Commodore Chauncey to the American secretary of the

M>v:t,

Sir,

Sacket^'s harbour, May 1, 1814.

I am happy to have it in my power to inform you, that
the United States ship Superior, was launched this morning
without accident. The Superior is an uncommonly beautiful
and v^ell-built ship, something larger than the President, and
could mount 64 guns, if it was thought advisable to put as
many upon her. This ship has bccn built ii the short space
of 80 days ; and when it is takcri into view, that two brigs
of 500 tons each have also been built, rigged, und completely
fitted for service, 9inco the first of February, it wfU be

•I

a t'!

PM ' I

u -. .

-I ..-. ■ ,.

i.*;5

I-

litix

APPENDIX.

acknowledged that the mechanics cmplojed on this station
hare done their duty*

I haro the honor to be, &c.

ISAAC CHAUNCEr.
Hon. secretary of the nary, &c.

****♦**####*#♦#**

No. 66.

From Commodore Decatur to Sir Thomaa M, Hardjf, ^

U. S. ship United States, New London,
4 Sir, 17th January, 1814.

^ Having been informed by Nicholas Moran, the master of
a sloop recently captured by his Brittanic Majesty's ship
Endymion, now lying before this port, that, whilst he was on
board the Ramillies, and in your hearing. Captain Hope of
the 'Endymion 4id ask him, .whether the frigate United Stater
would not avoid an action. He further states, that he heard
you declare it to be your wish, that the U. S. ship Macedo.
nian, should have a meeting with H. B. S. Statira; that you
would furnish men, and give room for such meeting; but
that you would not permit the challenge to come from your
tide.

The Endymion, I am informed, carries 24.pounders; and
mounts 50 guns in all. This ship also carries 24-pounders,
and mounts 48 guns ; besides a 12- pound carronade, a boat-
gun.

The Statira muunts 60; the Macedonian, 47; met^l the
same. So that the force on both sides is as nearly equal as
we could expect to find.

If Mr. Moran's statement be correct, it is evident Captains
Hope and Stackpoole have the laudable desire of engaging with
their ships, the United States and Macedonian : we sir, are
ready, and equally desirous for such meeting forthwith.

The only difficulty that appears to be in the way, is from

APPENDIX.

whom the totmil inTiUtion is to come. If, lir, 7011 idmit
Moran's statement to be correct, the difficaltj will be removed,
and 70a will be pleued to consider this as an invitation.
At the same time we beg you will assure Captains Hope and
Stackpoole, that no personal feeling towards them, induces
ue to make this communication. They are solicitous to add
to the renown of their country : we honor their motives.

Captain Uiddle, who will have the honor to deliver you
this, is authorised on our part, to make any arrangements
which may be thought necessary.

I have the honor to be, &c

S. DECATUR.

To Sir Thomas M. Hardy.

:„ ?

■»^*»»*^»»*»^*»»*»

No. 07.

From Capiain Siackpoole to Commodore Deeaiur,

H. M. S. Statira, off N. London)
SiB, January 17, 1814.

Captain Sir Thomas M. Hardy, Bart, and commodore off
New London, has this afternoon handed me a letter from you,
expressing a desire that the U. S. ship Macedonian, commanded
by Captain Jones, should meet H.M. S. Statira, under my
command ; and that the U. S. ship United States, bearing your
broad pendant, would embrace the same opportunity of meet,
ing the Endymion, commanded by Captain Hope. In the
event of Sir Thomas Hardy's permitting our joint acceptation
of this rendezvous, I, of course, must be the senior officer;
but, in the interim, 1 shall confine my reply to your obliging
letter, as to the future acts of H. M. ship I have the honor to
command.

It will afford her captain, officers, and crew, the greatest
pleasure, to meet Captain Jones in (ho Macedonian to-morrow,

Ill

U.H

41 APPENDIX.

ttext daf , or whcnerer rach a meeting maj salt hfi pvrpoM i
let him only be pleued to appoint the day and place. Say,
she or ten leagnes south of Mon tank point, or further if he
pleases ; my only object for selecting this distance from the
shore is to avoid any interruption. Little, I think, can be
apprehended, as all the captains commanding frigates, exeeptii
ing one, in these seas, are junior to me ; and, in the event of
chance, or by accident meeting him, I will hoist a flag of
truce, pledging the word and honor of a British officer, (fur->
ther I cannot offer,) to keep the truce flying, till the Macft.
donian i* out of sight ; and, in the event of a jtinior officer
appearing, the same guarantee shall be kept flying until I can
detach him.

In accepting this invitation, sir, it is not to vaunt, or, in
the most trifling degree, to enhance my own professional cha-
racter, or take from what is so justly due to Captain Jones ;
although I have been twice mortified, in being obliged to rc«
treat, on the ^^th and 28th of August, 1813, by six American
men of war ; and, for 1% weeks together, cruizing alone, it
bas never fallen to the Statira's lot to mee': one singly.

The honor of my king, defence >f my country, engaged in
H just and unprovoked war, ^dei. to the glory of the British
^ag, is all I hare in view.

i I perceive a statement in your letter, of the comparative
force of the two ships ; and, as I fear you have been led into
error, shall take this opportunity to say, the Statira carries
only 40 guns, rnstead of 60, with two little boat-guns, of
more utility in exercising the men, than any effect they might
have in the hour of battle ; and, without any external finery
to recommend her, is simply a British roan of war, of her
class : neverthelesp, a more fair and equal match, in ship and
guDS, m#y not soon occur. In number of men, I am aware of
)iaving a superiority to oppose : all I request is, that both
»hips may quickly meet,
iUving received your oommuaication by the hand of Sir

IS'

APPENDIXw

dil

T. M. Htrdf, Btrt. I thill eomty my reply throvgH ibe mum
flhtmiel, reqiMsting jom will be lo good m to hand II to tko
captain of tlie Maeedoniao.

I amj sir, with erery comideratioO) '"

Your obedient humble serrant^

HASSARD STACKPOOLE.
To Commodore Decatur, commanding the U. S. ''

ship United States, New London.

ri'

****0**>*^»*****»*

No. 68.

8h 71 JIf. Hardjf U Commodore Decahif.

»
Ramillies, off New LondoO| ^

Sir, January 18, 1812.

I hare the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of yesterday's date, by Captain. Biddle, signifying a desire on
your part, and that of Captain Jones, as commanders of the
ships United States and Macedonian, to meet H. B. M. ships
Eudymion and Statira, in consequence, of a converfation re«
ported tc you by Mr. Morau, master of a sloop recently
captured ; and, in reply, I beg to inform you, I haye no hesi-
tation whaterer to permit Captain Stack poole, in the Statira,
to meet the Macedonian, as they are sister-sldps, carrying the
same number of guns, and weight of metal ; but, as it is my
opinion, the Endymion is not equal lo the United States, being
^100 tons less, and carrying 26 guns on her main.deck, and
only 32.pound carronades on her quarter-deck aod forecastle,
whe«, I am informed, the United States has 30 guns on her
main^ck, and 42.ponnd carronades on her quarter-deck and
forecastle, I must consider it my duty, (though very contrary
tn the wishes of Captain Hope,) to decline the invitation on
his part.

The captains of U. B. M. frigates under my orders, as well

' \

elf

APPENDIX.

as myself, caonot too bighly appreciate the gallant spirit that
has led to the commuoication from you, sir ; and are equally
conTiDced, that no personal feeling towards each other can
ever influence a laudable ambition to add to the naval renown
of our respective countries.

I have the honor to enclose a letter from Captain Stack,
poolo, bearing your address ; and I pledge my honor to faci-
litate, by eTcry means in my power, the meeting on the ren-
dezvous pointed out by him, and that none of the captains of
H. M. ships, junior to me, shall interfere. Captain Stack-
poole's proposal amply proTidcs against that of a senior
officer.

Should success attend the Macedonian, I guarantee her pro.
ceeding unmolested to any port to the eastward of this an.
chorage; and I propose the sume from yon, sir, for the Statira
to proceed to Bermuda.

Captain Coote will have the honor to deliTer this letter, and
to make any arrangements that may be necessary.

I have the honor to be, &c.

T. M. HARDY.
Commodore S. Decatur, &c. &c. New London.

No. eo.

n ' ! "I

■.iiai

From Commodore Decatur to Sir T, M, Hardy,

U. S. ship United States, New London,
Sib, . January 19, 1814.

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your fuTor
of yesterday, with the enclosure from Captain Stackpoolc, by
the hands of Captain Coote.

The proposition for a contest between H. B. M. frigates
Kndymion and Statira, and this ship and the Macedonian, was
made by me in the full belief that their force was equal j but

APPENDIX.

€W

it hu been declined in conteqaence of your entertaining « dif«
ferent opinion on thii subject from my own.

I do not tliinlc myself autliorised to comply with the withel
of Captains Jones and Stackpoole, for a meeting in their
ihips.

This squadron is now under sailing-orders from the goTem-
ment ; and i feel myself bound to put to sea the first favorable
opportunity that may occur.

In my proposal for a meeting of the four ships, I consented,
and I fear incautiously, that you should make up the comple-
ments of the Endymion and Statira from the crews of the
Ilamillics and Borer.

I was induced to accord this indulgence, from a supposition
that their crews might have been reduced by manning prizes ;
and a hope that, as the selected men would be divided between
the two ships, the advantage would not be overwhelming. •

But, sir, if the Statira is to avail herself alone of this con.
cession, it must be obvious to you, and every one, that I
should be yielding to you an advantage I could not eieuse to
my goTurnment ; and in making the crew of the Macedonian
any degree equal to such a conflict, I should be compelled to
break up the crows of this ship and the Hornet, and thus ren-
der a compliance with my orders to proceed to sea utterly im.
practicable. I beg leave also to state, that the guarantee
against recapture, in case the Macedonian should prove sue-
ccssful, is very far from satisfactory.

You will have the goodness, sir, to inform Captain Stack-
poole, that his letter was shown to Captain Jones, according
to his request ; that Captain Jones is extremely desirous that
a meeting should take place between the Statira and Macedo-
nian, but is controuled by me for the reasons I have stated.

Whether the war we are engaged in be just and unprovoked
on the part of Great Britain, as Captain Stack poolu has been
pleased to suggest, is considered by us as a question exclusively
yvith the civilians ; and I am perfectly ready to admit, both my

^r^^x.

IMAGE EVALUATION
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ilf 1^ 112.0

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Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

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23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

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'1. i

4 - - ^4
1 *'

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AHPBNDISt

inoompetenM'Mid' unwilUngnew, to conffont Cftptain Sttok*
poole in its discuision* '»^ ^'^^ ^^* *' i

'v,i.,ii ,rti i^-mu^ }i:^ s. DEGATUR. '

To Commodore Sir T. M. Hardy, Bart. &c. ' i"'

" No. 70, >^ 1.-W-'' '*'^^>^'''"» ■ -S"

.^, .. JEVom 5'iV 7*. il/t IJardy to Commodore Decatur, j^> ;
(Si ta «^'-' RamilUes, off New London, Jan. 20, 1814.

Sin, .i'i:,ti*:i ^Jifl;!} ► -./\-STj»r,i.

I have the honor to acquaint yon, tlnit I will communicate
to Captain Stack poolo your letter of the 10th instant, which
I thit evening had the honor of receiving by Captain Biddle;
and 1 ha.vo> nothing further to offer, in addition to my former
lott«)r, on the subject of tiio meeting between the. ships of the
United States, and those of his Britannio raajjesty, but that I
will give every guarantee in my power^ ini case of the Mace*
donian's success., should the- meeting ever take place.
< li beg to assure you^ sir, I shall 1»U with pleasure the re-
turn of an amicable adjuatment of the differences between the
two nations.. >,f , .. .,.. ■ .^ .v

■ '^v(, W' 4'«< -: , I ha^ie thehoBor to be, &c.

T. M. HARDY.

Commodore Stephen Decatur.

No. 71.

1* ■■ ■

'* From' Captain JiUUf&r to Mr, CroheTk

Valparaiso bay, March 30, 1814.
^' Sir,

^ I have the honor to acquaint you, for the information of

the lords commissioners of the admiral t}', that a little past 3

•'clock in the afternoon of t}\e ^th instant, after nearly fire

APPENDIX.

ItH

monlhi anxtonr loareh, and six weaki still moreamdooi \oollu»
out, for the Eiiex and her companion, to qnlt the port of VaU
paraiso, we saw the former under weigh, and immediately^
accompanied by the Cherub, made sail to cloie with lier. On
rounding the outer point of the bay, and hauling her wind for
the purpose of endeafouring to weather ut, and efcape, she
lost her maiii.top-mast, and afterwards, not succeeding in as
effort to regain the limits of the port, bore up, and anchored
so near the shore, (a few miles to the leeward of it^) as to
preclude the possibility of passing a.head of her, without risk
to his majesty's ships. As we drew near, my Intention of
going close nndi:r her stern was frustrated, by the ship break-
ing off ; and, from the wind blowing extremely fresh, our first
fire, commencing a little past 4, and continuing about 10 mi.
nutes, produced no Tisible effect. Our second, a fefur random
shot only, from having increased our distance by wearing^
was not, apparently, more successful ; and having lost the use
of our main'Sail, jib, and main.stay, appearances were a little
inauspicious. On standing again towards her, I signified my
intention of anchoring, for which we were not ready before^
with springs, to Captain 'J'ucker, directing him to keep under
weigh, and take a convenient station for annoying our oppo*
neht. On closing the Essex, at 35 minutes past 5, the firing
re-commcnced ; and, before I gained my intended position^
her cable was cut, and a serious conflict ensued ; the guns of
his majesty's ship gradually becoming more destructive, and
her crew,. if possible, more animated, which lasted until 20
minutes past ; when it pleased the Almighty Disposer of
events to bless the efforts of my gallant companions, and my
personal, very humble ones, mith victory. My friend. Captain
Tucker, an officer worthy of their lordships' best attentions,
was severely wounded at the commencement of the action, but
remained on deck till it terminated, using every exertion
against the baffling winds, and occasional calms which followed
the heavy firing, to close near the enemy. He informs me

^!**

"in

lis '11 H

•■! •■

f M'

f'' Is
I III*

ii r

' !

evlH

APPENDIX.

that his officers and crew, of whose luyaUy, zeal, and disci-
pline, I entertain the highest opinion, condacted themselves to
his satisfaction. .

f, I have to lament the death of four of my brave companions,
and one of his. With real sorrow, I add, that my first,
lieutenant, Ingram, is among the number : he fell early, and is
a great loss to his majesty's service. The many manly tears
which I observed this morning, while performing the last mo.
mental doty at his funeral on shore, more fully evinced the
respect and affection of his afflicted companions, than any
eulogium my pen is equal to. Our lists of wounded are small,
and there is only one for whom I am under anxiety. The
conduct of my officers and crew, without an individual exccp.
tion that has come to my knowledge, before, during, and after
the battle, was such as became good and loyal subjects, zealous
for the honor of their rauch-loved, though distant, king and
country. n .

./ The defense of the Essex, taking into consideration onr
superiority of force, the very discouraging circumstance of her
having lost her main-top-mast, and being twice on fire, did
honor to her brave defenders, and most fully evinced the cou.
rage of Captain Porter, and those under his command. Her
colours were not struck, until the loss in killed and wounded
was so awfully great, and her shattered condition so seriously
bad, as to render further resistance unavailing. _

I was much hurt on hearing, that her men had been encou-
raged, when the result of the action was evidently decided,
some to take to their boats, and others to swim on shore.
Many were drowned in the attempt ; 16 were saved by the
exertions of my people, and others. I believe between 30 and
40 effected their landing. I informed Captain Porter that I
considered the latter, in point of honor, as my prisoners ; he
said, the encouragement was given, when the ship was in dan-
ger from fire ; and I have not pressed the point. The Essex
|S completely stored and provisioned for, at least six months,

..,

Al»PENDI^, di

and, although much injured in'her lftpper.w)>rWif,' masts, and
rigging, is not in such a state as to give the slightest cause of
alarm, respecting her being able to perform a voyage to Eu»
rope with perfect safety. Our main and mizen>masts, and
main.yard, are rather seriously wounded. These, with a few
thot.holes between wind and water, which we can get at with*
out lightening, and a loss of canvass and cordage, which we
can partly replace from our well-stored prize, arc the extent
of the injuries his majesty's ship has sustained.

I feel it a pleasant duty to recommend to their lordships'
notice my now senior lieutenant, Pearson, and Messrs. Allan,
Gardner, Portner, and Daw, midshipmen. I should do rerf
great injustice to Mr. George O'Brien, the mate of the £mily.|
merchantman, who joined a boat's crew of mine in the har*
bour, and pushed for the ship, the moment he saw her likely
to come to action, were I to omit recommending him to their
lordships. His conduct, with that of Mr. N. Murphy, master
of the English brig Good Friends, were such as to entitle
them both to my lasting regard; and prove, that they wer«
ever ready to hazard their lives in their country's honorablo
cause. They came on board when the attempt was attended
with great risk, and both their boats were swamped. I hav^
before informed their lordships, that Mr. O'Brien was once s^
lieutenant in his majesty's service ; (may I now add, that
youthful indiscretions appear to have given place to great cor-
rectness of conduct ;) and as he has proved his laudable zeal
for its honor, I think, if restored, he will be found one of its
greatest ornaments. I enclose returns of killed and wounded;
and, if conceived to have trespassed on their lordships' time by
this very long letter, hope it will be kindly ascribed to the
right cause— an earnest wish that merit may meet its due
reward. ' ' ^^ • *-*-^«^%'-' 4^a^<-t.-'-i

^f , I have the honor to be, &c.

J^^* Ulii c . uw JAMES HILLYAR. J

P. S, There has not been found a ship's book, or paper of

i^in

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{I
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APPENDIX.

any description, (charts excepted,) on board tbe Essex, or
aqy docnment relative to the number serving in her pretious
to Ihe action. Captain Porter informs me, that he had up-
wards of 260 victualled. Our prisoners, bcluding 42 wounded,
amount to .161 ; 23 were found dead on her decks ; 3 wounded
Were taken away by Captain Downes, of the Essex Junior, a
few minutes before the colours were struck ; and, I believe,
SO or 30 reached the shore: the remainder were killed or
drowned.

' {^Here follow the mames of four killed and sevw xeoimied
on board the Fhwbe f and one killed and three wounded on

hQt^Hko Chcruk.']

^',. ; JAMES HILLYAK, captain.

J* W. Croker^ Esq. &c. ^c. ^ ,.

nimm *'ff^om'CapiainHillyario'Captain Porter. ; "

^; ' .., -{. ff} i'- ' ,'/• Phoebe, April 4, 1814. •

MY DEAE SIR, ,

Neither in my conversations, nor the accompanying letter,
nave I mentioned your sword. Ascribe m^y remissness, in the
first instance, to forgetfulness : I consider it only in my ser«
▼ant's possession, with my own, until the master may please to
call for it; and. Although I omitted, at the moment of presen-
tatipn, froni my mind being much engrossed in attending to
professional duties, to offer its restoration, the hand that re-
ceived it will be most gladly extended to put it in possession of
him, who wore it so honorably in defending his country's
cause.

Believe me, my dear sir, .i^Kwc.

Very faithfully your's,

J JAMES HILLYAR.

jPaptain Porter. .^^ ^ | .^:m^:^ ^:t>...M.

> All

APPENDIX,

«4

.-- ■' : -■ ■ ■ .'uiiA .:; ...:.■:. . . - . . ■ ^

JFhm'€»i^ain^Portifr^(o ike iinferiem ncretary of tht nmjf*

T>l)(v4»e; v/ oi dBsiez Jantor, at sea, July a,.lS14. ..

-;jf

Sir,

I hare done myself the honor to address you repeatedly
since I left the Delaware, but hare scarcely a hope that one of
my letters has reached you ; therefore consider it necessary to
l^irea brief ^history of my proceeding since that period, v.. t..i.,

I sailed from the Delaware on the 27th of October, 1812,
•nd. repaired, with all diligence, (agreeably to instruction from
Commodore Bainbridge,) to Port Praya, Fernando de No-
ronha, and Cape Frio, and arrired at each place on the day
appointed to meet him. On my passage from Port Praya to
Fernando de Noronha, I captured H. B. M. packet Norton^
and after taking out 11,000/. sterling in specie, sent her,
under command of Lieutenant Finch, for America. I cruized
off Rio de Janeiro, and about Cape Frio, until the 12th of
January, 1813, hearing frequently of the commodore by
vessels from Bahia. I here captured but one schooner, with
hides and tallow. I sent her into Rio. The Montague, the
admiral's ship, being in pursuit of me, my provisions now
getting short, and finding it necessary to look out for a 8^pplyy
to enable me to meet the commodore, by the Ist of April, off
St. Helena, I proceeded to the island of St. Catherine's, (the
last place of rendezvous on the coast of Brazil,) as the most
likely to supply my wants, and at the same time afford m9
that secrecy, necessary to enable mc to elude the British ships
of war on the coast, and expected there. I here could pro-
cure only wood, water, rum, and a few bags of flour ; and
hearing of the commodore's action with the Java, the capture
of the Hornet by the Montague, and a considerable augmen-
tation of the British force on the coast, and of several being

I ,4 i

WM. '

APPENDIlt*

M /.

!?■

In pursuit of mc, I found it necessary to get to sea as toon ai
possible. I now, agreeably to the commodore's plan, stretched
to the southwaid, scouring the coast us far as Rio de la Plata.
I beard that Buenos Ayres was in a state of starvation, add
could not supply our wants, and that the gOTernment of Mon-
ttvicdo wa« very inimical to us. The commodore's instruc
tions now left it discretionary with me what course to pursue,
and I determined on following that which had not only met
his approbation, but the approbation of the then secretary of
the navy. I accordingly shaped my course for the Pacific,
sind after suffering greatly from short allowance of provisions,
and heavy gales off Cape Horn, (for which my ship and men
were illy provided,) I arrived at Valparaiso on the 14th
March, 1813. I here took in as much jerked beef, and other
provisions, as my ship would conveniently stow, and run down
the coast of Chili and Peru. In this track I fell in with a
Peruvian corsair, which had on board 24 Americans, as pri.
loners, the crews of two whale.ships which she had taken on
the coast of Chili. The captain informed me, that as the allies
of Great Britain, they would capture all they should meet
vith, in erpectation of a war between Spain and the United
States. I consequently threw all his guns and ammunition into
the sea, liberated the Americans, wrote a respectful letter to
the vice-roy, explaining the cause of my proceedings, which
I delivered to her captain. I then proceeded for Lima, and
re>captured one of the vessels as she was entering the port.
From, thence I proceeded for the Gallapagos ibiands, where I
cruized from the 17th of April, until the 3d of October, 1813 ;
daring which time I touched only once on the coast of Ame-
rica, which was for the purpose of procuring a supply of fresh
water, as none is to be found among those islands, which are,
perhaps, the most barren and desolate of any known.

While among this group, I captured/the following Bri.
tifh ships, employed chiefly in the spermaceti whale-fishery ;

APPENDIX.

■]<:$ -,(r7r/;i ) Letters of marque.

J-rt.f '.) itiii^pi '"u/j/i ' Tom. Meii.

! ., , MontcsEUma 270 .... 2i .-

r Policy 175 26 ..

H Georgiana ...... 280 25 ..

Greenwich ...... 338 25 ..

^ Atlantic 953 .... 24 ..

' Ro^ ^. 220 21 ..

Hector 270 26 .,

Catherine 270 29 ..

i Seringapatam .... 357 .... 31 ..

Charlton 274 21 .,

-.. New Zealander .. 259 .... 23 ..
1^ Sir A. Hammond 301 31 ^.

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—

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■ * • «

• * «•

• • « •

• « a «

....

■ ■ • ■

• • • •

• B « *

V 3369 302 107

At «ome of those ships were captured by boats, and others
by prizes, my officers and men had serenil opportunities of
shewing their gallantry.

The Rose and Charlton were giren up to the prisoners ; the
Hector, Catherine, and Montezuma, I sent to Valparaiso,
where they were laid up ; the Policy, Georgiana, and New
Zealander, I sent for America; the Greenwich I kept as a
store-ship,, io contain the stores of my other prizes, necessary
for as; and the Atlantic, now called the Essex Junior, I
equipped with 20 gans, and gaT« command of her to lieutco
nant Downes. v . .a r

Lieutenant Downes had convoyed the prizes to Valparaiso^
and on his return brought me letters, informing me that a
squadron, under the command of Commodore James Hillyar,
consi^ng of the frigate Phc^be, of 36 guns, the Racoon and
Cherub sloops of war, and a store.ship of 20 guns, had sailed
on the 6th of July for this sea. The Racoon and Cherub had
been seeking me for some time on the coast of Brazil, and on
tlicir retom frank tfaelv cruise, joined the squadron seoi ia

■ i -

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APPENDIX.

search of mc to the Pacific. My ship, as it may be supposecf,
after being near a year at sea, required some repairs to put
her in a state to meet them, which I determined to do, and
to bring them to action, if I could meet them on nearly equal
terms. I proceeded now, in company with the remainder of
my prizes, to the island of Noaheevnh, or Madison island,
lying in the Washington groupe, discovered by Captain Ingra-
ham, of Boston. Here I caulked, and completely overhauled
my ship, made for her a new set of water-casks, her old ones
being entirely decayed, and took on board, from my prizes,
provisions and stores for upwards of four months, and sailed
for the coast of Chili on the 12th December, 1813. Previous
to sailing, 1 secured the Seringapatam, Greenwich, and Sir
Andrew Hammond, under the guns of a battery, wMch I
erected for their protection. After taking possession of this
fine island for the United States, and establishing the most
friendly intercourse with the natives, I left them, under the
charge of Lieutenant Gamble, of the marines, with 21 men,
with orders to repair to Valparaiso after a certain period.

I arrived on the coast of Chili on the 12th January, 1814;
looked into Conception and Valparaiso ; found at both places
only three English vessels; and learned that the squadron,
which sailed from Rio de Janeiro for that sea, had not been '
heard of since their departure, and were supposed to be lost in
cadeavouFing to double Cape Horn. i'f^li^'^ '>i^i fJite ; u> f;:l

I had completely broken up the British navigation in tha
Pacific: the ressels which had not been captured by me were
laid up, and dared not venture out. I had afforded the most
ample protection to our own vessels, which were, on my arri-
val, very numerous, and unprotected. The valuable whale*
fishery there is entirely destroyed, and the actual injury we
have done them may be estimated at two and a half millions of
dollars, independent of the expenses of the vessels in search
of me. They have furnished me amply with sails, cordage,
•ables, anchor, provisions, medicines, and stores of every

APPENDIX.

ex?

] the most

description ; ami the s' ps on board thorn have furnished cloth-
ing for the seamen. We hnve, in fact, lived on (lie enemy
since I have been in that sea, every prize having proved u
vreiUfonnd store-ship for me. I had not yet been under tho
neccsHity of drawing bills on the department for any object,
and had been enabled to make considerable advances to my
officers and crew on account of pay. ■ .,,,.>,

For the unexampled time we had kept the sea, my crew had
been remarkably healthy. I had but one case of the scurvy,
and ''had lost only the following men by death ; viz. — John S.
Cowan, lieutenant; Robert Miller, surgeon; Levi Holmes,
Edward Sweeney, ordinary seamen ; Samuel Groce, seaman ;
James Spafford, guuner's-mate ; Benjamin Gecrs, John Rod-
gers, qaarter-gunners ; Andrew Mahan, corporal of marines ;
Lewis Price, private marine.

1 had done all the injury that could be done the British
commerce in the Pacific, and sfill hoped to signalize my cruize
by something more splendid, before leaving that sea. I thought
it not improbable that Commodore Hillyar might have kept
his arrival secret ; and, believing that he would seek mc at
Valparaiso, as the most likely place to find me, I therefore
determined to cruize about that place ; and, should I fail of
meeting him, hoped to be compensated by the capture of some
merchant.ship8, said to be expected from England.

The Phoebe, agreeably to my expectations, came to seek me
at Valparaiso, where I was anchored with the Essex ; my
armed prize, the Essex Junior, xinder the command of Tiieu-
tenant Downes, on the look-out off the harbour. But, con.
trary to the course I thought he would pursue, CoiTimodore
Hillyar brought with him the Cherub sloop of war, mounting
twenty.eight guns, eighteen 32.pound carronadcs, eight 24s,
and two long 9s on the quarter-deck and forecastle, and a
complement of 180 men. The force of the Phoebe is as fol-
lows :— thirty long 18-pounders, sixteen 32.pound carronades,
one howitzer, and six 3-pounders in the tops: in all, fifty.thrce

'|.l* 1.

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guns, und a conipltuinciit of 3'ZO men ; making a force of eighty.
one guns, nnil dOU nu'O. In addition (o Mhich, Ihcy took un
board the crew of an ICngll.sli letter of marque, lying in port.
Both ships hare picketl crews, and were sent in the PaciGc, iu
company with the ilacoon, of 22 guns, aod a storc.!>hip, of
20 guns, for the cxpref^s purpose of seeking the Essex ; and
was prepared with flags, bearing the motto, ^' God and couiu
ti^^ ; British saiJors' best rights ; traitors offend both." This
was intended a^ a reply to my motto, '^ Free trade and sailors*
rights/' under the erroneous impcessioo that my crew tvere
chiefly Englishmen, or to counteract its cfiects on their own
crews. The force of the Essex was 46 guns : forty 32.pound
carronades, and six long lit ; and her crew, which had been
much reduced by prizes, amounting only^ to S55 men. Th(9
Essex Junior, which was intended chiefly as a store-ship,
mounted iO guns : ten 18-pouud carronades, and ten short 6s,
with only 60 men on board. In reply to their motto, I wrote
at my mizen, '^ God, our country) and liberty : tyrants offend
them." ,1 ;

I. On getting their provisions on board, they went off the port
for the purpose of blockading me, where they cruized for
netar six weeks ; during which time I endeavoured to pro-
voke a. challenge, and frcquentjy, but ineffectually, to bring
the Phuebe alone to action : first, with both my ships, and
afterwards with my, single ship, with both crews on board.
I wa$ several tm^a, under way, and ascertained that I had
greatly the. advantage in point of sailing; and once succeeded
iu closing within gunrshut of the Phqsbc, and commenced «
fire on her, when shf ran down for the Cherub, which was 2^
miles to-Iecwacd. This excited some surprize, aqd expressions
of indignation, as, previous to my getting under way, she
hove-to off the port, hoisted her motto-flag, and fired a gun
to-windward. Commodore Uillyar. seemed determined to avoid
a contest with me on nearly equal terms ; and from his extrem*.
prudence in keeping both bis ships ever after constantly within

APPENDIX.

«xtU

hail of each other) there were no hopes of any advantages to
my country from a longer stay in port, i therefore deter.
mined to put to sea the first opportunity uhich should oftVr;
and I was the more strongly induaed to do so, ai I had gained
certain intelligi-ncc that the Tagus, ratted 38, and t^b other
frigates, had sailed for that soa in pursuit of me; ahd 1 had
reason to expect the arrival of the Racoon, from the N.W.
coast of America, where she hud been sont for the purpose of
destroying our fur-establishment on (ht; Columbia. A rendez-
vous was appointed for the Essox Junior, and every arrange,
ment made for sailing ; and I intended to lot them chase me
off, to give the Essex Junior an opporcunity of cscskping. On
tho 28th of March, the day after this determination nai
formed, tho wind came on to blow fresh from the southward,
when I parted my larboard cable, and dragged my starboard
anchor directly out to soa. Not a moment was to be lost in
getting sail on the ship. The enemy were close in with the
point fbrrtiing tho west-side of the bay; but, on opening them,
I saw a prospect of passing to. windward, when I took in my
top.gallant-sails, which were set over singlc.rcefed top.sails,
aod braced up for this purpose ; but, on rounding the point,
a heavy sqoaU struck the ship, and carried away her main-top-
mast, precipitating the men who were aloft into the sea, who
were drowned. Both ships now gave chase to me, and I en>
dearou^ed, In my disabled state, to regain the p6rt; htt finding
I could not recover the common anchorage, I ran close into a
small bay^ about three-quarters of a mile to-leeward of the
battery on the east-side of the harbour, and lot go my anchor
within prstoUsh^ot of the shore^ where I intended to repair my
damages as soon as possible. The enemy continued to ap.
proach, and shewed an evident intention of attacking, regard,
less of the neutrality of the place where I was anchored ; and
the caution observed in their approach to the attack of the
crippled Essex, was' truly ridiculous, as was their display of
tfaieir motto.flags, and the number of jacks at all their mast.

i' «

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exTiii

APPENDIX.

heads. I, with as much cxpcditioa as circumstanres would
admit of, got my ship ready for action,. and endesLTOurcd to
get a spring on my Cuble; but had not succeeded, when the
enemy, ait 54 minutes past 3 P.M. made his attack : the
Phoebe placing herself under my stern, and the Cherub on my
starboard-bow ; but the Cherub, soon finding her situation a
hot one, bore up and ran under my stern also; where both
ships kept up a hot raking fire. I had got three long
13-pounders out of the stern-ports; which were worked with
so much bravery and skill, that in half an hour wc so disabled
both as to compel them to haul off to repair damages. In the
t;onrsc of this firing, I had, by the great exertions of Mr. Ed«
ward Barnewell, the acting sailing.master, assisted by Mr.
Linscott, the boatswain, succeeded in getting springs on our
cable three different times ; but the fire of the enemy was so
excessire, that, before we could get our broadside to bear,
they were shot away, and thus rendered useless to us.
. My ship had received many injuries, and several had been
killed and wounded; but my brave officers and men, notwith.
standing the unfavorable circumstances under which we wers
brought to action, and the powerful force opposed to us, were
no ways discouraged. All appeared determined to defend
their ship to the last extremity ; and to die in preference to a
shameful surrender. Our gaff, with the ensign, and the motto-
flag at the mizen, had been shot away ; but " Free trade and
sailors' rights," continued to fly at the fore. Our ensign was;
replaced by another; and, to guard against a similar event, an
ensign was made fast in the mizen-riggiog ; and several jacks
were hoisted in different parts of the ship. The enemy soon
repaired his damages for a fresh attack : he now placed him-
self, with both his ships, on my starboard.quarter, out of tho
reach of my carronades, and where my stern-guns could not
be brought to bear, lie there kept up a most galling fire, i
which it was out of my ppwer to return; when I saw no
prospect Qf injuring him without getting under way, and -

APPENDIX.

cxix

becoming the assailant. My top-sail sheets and haliards were
all shot away, as well as the jib, and fore-top-mast staysail
haliards. The only rope not cut, was the flying-jtb haliards ;
and that being the only sail I could set, I caused it to be
hoisted, my cable to be cut, and ran down on both ships, with
an intention of laying the Phcebe on board. The firing on
both sides was now tremendous. I had let fall my fore-top-
sail, and fore-sail, but the want of tacks and sheets rendered
them almost useless to us ; yet we were enabled, for a short
time, to close with the enemy; and, although our decks were
now strewed with dead, and our cockpit filled with wounded ;
although our ship had been several times on fire, and was
rendered a perfect wreck, we were still encouraged to hope to
save her, from the circumstance of the Cherub, from her
crippled state, being compelled to haul off. She did not return
to close action again, although she apparently had it in her
power to do so ; but kept up a distant firing with her long guns.
The Phoebe, from our disabled state, was enabled however, by
edging off, to choose the distance which best suited her long,
guns, and kept up a tremendous fire on us, which mowed down
my brave companions by the dozen. Many of my guns had
been rendered useless by the enemy's shot; and many of them
had had whole crews destroyed. We manned them again
from those whic^ were disabled ; and one gun, in particular,
was three times manned ; fifteen men were slain at it in the
course of the action ; but, strange as it may appear, the cap.
tain of it escaped with only a slight wound.

Finding that the enemy had it in his power to choose his
distance, I now gave up all hopes of closing with liim ; and
as the wind, for the moment, seemed to favor the design, I
determined to endeavour to run her on shore, land my men-
and destroy her. Every thing seemrd to favour m) wislu-s.
We had approached the shore within musket-shot, and 1 had
no doubt of succeeding, when, in an instant, the \>ind shifted
from the land, (as is very common in this port in the latter

■■»

i ^

part of the d^ij,) iind payiad oiir ^ad dowp on the Phcibe {
where we were again exposed to a dreadful raking $re. My
ship was now totally uqinanageable ; yet, as her head was
toward the ene{qy, and he to-!feward of me, I still hoped to
be able to board him. At this moment, Jjieutenant-command-
ant Downes came on hoard to receive my orders, under the
impression that I should foon be a prisoner. He could be of
no use to me in the then wretched Mate of the Esi^x ; and
finding (from the enemy's putting his (lelm up) that my last
attempt at boarding would not succeed, I directed him, after
he had been about ten minutes on board, to return to his own
ship, to be prepared for defending and destroying her in case
pf an attack. He took with him seTeral of my wounded,
leaving three of his boats' crew on bdard to make room for
them. The Cherub had now an opportunity of distinguishing
herself, by keeping up a hot fire on him during his return*
The slaughter on board my ship had now become horrible ;
the enemy continuing to rake us, and we unable to bring a
gui;i to bear. I therefore directed a hawser to be bent to the
9heet-ancbor, and the anchor to be cut from the bows, to
bring her head round; this succeeded. We again got our
broadside to bear ; and as the enemy was much crippled, and
finable to hold his own, I have no doubt he would soon havet
4rifted out of gun-shot before he discoyered we had anchored,^
had not the hawser un^fortunately parted. My ship had taken
fire several times during the action, but alarmingly so, forwarcl
and aft, at this moment. The flames were bursting up each
hatchway, and no hopes were entertained of saving her. Our
distance from the shore did not exceed thre^.quarters of a mile;,
^nd I hoped maay of my brave crew would be able to save
themselves, should the ship blow up, as I was informed the,
^re was near the magazine ; and the explosion of a large quan.
tity of powder below served to increase the horrors of our
situation. Our boats were destroyed by the enemy's shot, 1^
thcrefoie directed those who could swim to jump overboard,

/. ''^

APPENDIX.

and endeavour to gun the shore. Some reaehed it, some
were taken hy the enemy, and some perished in the attempt;
but most preferred sharing with me the fate of the ship. We
who remained, now turned our attention wholly, to extiaguisb-
ing the flames ; and when we had succeeded, went again to
our guns, where the firing was kept up for some minutes, bnt
the crew had by this time become so weakened, that they ^.M
declard to me the impossibility of making farther resistance ;
and entreated me to surrender my ship to save the woundec^
as all further attempts at opposition must prove ineffectual^
almost every gun being disabled by the destruction of their
crews. I now sent for the officers of divisions to consult
them ; but what was my surprise to find only Acting-lieutenant,
Stephen Decatur M'Knight, remaining; who confirmed tlM
report respecting the condition of the guan on the gun.deck ;
those on the spar-deck were not in a better condition. <«:$

Lieutenant Wilmer, after fighting most gi»lku)tly throvgbout
the action, had been knocked overboard by a splinter, while
getting the sheet-anchor from the bows, and was drowned.
Acting-lieutenant John G. Cowell had lost a leg ; Mr. Ed-
ward Barnewell, acting sailing-master had been carried below,
after receiving two severe wounds, one in the breast, and one
in the face ; and Acting-lieutenant Wm. H. OMenheimer, had
been knocked overboard from the quarter an instant before^
and did not regain the ship until after the surrender. I was
informed t^at the cockpitj the steerage, the wardroom, and
the birth-deck could contain no more wounded; that the
wounded were killed while the surgeons were dressing them ;
and that, unless something was speedily done to prevent it, the
ship would soon sink from the number of shot-holes in her
bottom. And oi\ sending for the carpenter, he inf(»rmed me,
that all hia crew had been killed or wounded ; and that he had
once been over the side to stop the leaks ; when his slings had
Iieen shot away,, and it was with difficulty he was saved from
drowning. The enemy, from the smoothnessi of. the water^

iff

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APPENDIX.

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and the ittpossibillty of our reaching him with our carronadeS)
and the ii(tle apprehension that was excited by our fire, which
had now become much slackened, was enabled to take aim at us
as at a target. His shot never missed our hull, and my ship
vr-A8 cut up in a manner, whiih was, perhaps, never before
-witnessed. In fine, I saw no hopes of sating her; and at
twenty minutes past 6, P.M. gave the painful order to strike
the colours. Seventy.five men, including officers, were all
that remained of my whole crew, after the artion^ capable of
doing duty ; and many of them severely wounded, some of
whom have since died. The enemy still continued his fire, and
my brave though unfortunate companions were still falling
about me. I directed an opposite gun to be fired, to shew
them we intended no further resistance; but they did not
desist; four men were killed at my side, and others in different
parts of. the ship. I now believed he intended to shew us no
quarters, and that it would be as well to die with my flag
flying, as struck ; and was on the point of again hoisting it,
wlien, about tea minutes after hauling the colours down, he
ceased firing.

I cannot speak in sufficiently h'^gh terms of the conduct of
those engaged for such an unparalleled length of time (under
such circumstances) with me in the arduous and unequal con-
flict. Let it suffice to say, that more bravery, skill, patriotism,
and zeal, were never displayed on any occasion. Every one
seemed determined to die in defence of their much.loved
country's cause, and nothing but views of humanity could
ever have reconciled them to the surrender of the ship ; they
remembered their wounded and helpless shipmates below. To
Acting.licutenants M^Knight and Oldenheimer, I feel much
indebted for their great excrt'ons and bravery throughout the
action, in fightiner and encouraging the men at their divisions,
for (he dexterous management of the long guns, and for their
promptness in re-manning their guns as their crews were
slaughtered. The conduct of that brave and heroic officer,

APPENDIX.

exxm

Actiog-lieutonant John G. Coweli, Who lost hit leg in the
latter part of the action, excited the admiration of every man
in the ship, and after being ivounded, would not consent to
be taken below, until loss of blood rendered him insensible.
Mr. Edward Barnewell, acting sailing' master, whose activity
and courage were equally conspicuous, returned on deck after
receiving his first wound, and remained , after receiving his
second, until fainting; with loss of blood . Mr. Samuel B.
Johnston, who had joined mo the day before, and^ acted as
marine-officer, conducted himself with great bravery, and
exerted himself iu assisting at the long.guns ; the musketry
after the first half hour being useless from our long distance.
i. Mr. M. W. Bostwick, whom I had appointed acting purser
of the Essex. Junior, and who was on board my ship, did the
duties of aid in a manner which reflects on him the highest
honour; and Midshipman Isaacs, Farragut, and Ogdep, as
well as Acting-midshipmen James Terry, James H. Lyman,
and Samuel Duzcubury, and Master's-mate William Pierce,
exerted themselves in the performance of their respective duties,
and gave an earnest of their value to the service : the three
first are too young to recommend for promotion ; the latter I
beg leave to recommend for confirmation, as well as the acting
lieutenants, and Messri^. Bamcwell, Johnston, and Bastwic.

We have been unfortunate but not disgraced. The defence
of the Essex has not been less honorable to her officers and
crew, than the capture of an equal force ; and I now consider
my situation less unpleasant than that of Commodore Hillyar,
who, in violation of every principle of ^honor and generosity,
^nd regardless of the rights of nations, attacked the Essex in
her crippled state within pistol-shot of a neutral shore, when
for sl^ weeks I had daily offered him fair and honourable
combat, on terms greatly to his advantage. The blood of the
slain must rest on his head ; and he has yet to reconcile his
conduct ta Ueavcn, to his coascieace, and to the world. The

M 4

Ri;

»;

<BII«

AFTONfinX.

Mineitd ektrfttt of a totteir from Commodore IliUytir, iv^ic)i
WM writton preioom to bit rfetvmhig 016 my si^ord^ Will Shew
Ikis opiniom of our condlreti »ii,$>i

My less has beecii dreadfiitty atyeH, 58 killed j Ot haTerinc«
died of thoir woaiidt, and among them Lleutenttnt Cowcl] ;
30 were sererely wounded, 37 slfghtly, and 31 tire missing ;
making in all 164 killed, wotinded, and missing, a list of wlios^
names is annexed.

The professional knowledge of Dr. Richard Hoffmati, aeting
Surgeon, and Dr. Alexander Montgomery, acting sargeon's
mate, added to their assiduity, and the beneTol en t attentions
and assistance of Mr. D« P. Adams, the chaplain, sared the
lives of many of the wounded. Those gentlemen hare been
indefatigable in thier attentions to them; the two first I be^
leare io recomnvend for confirmation, and the latter to thef
notice of the department.

I fflnit in justification of myself^ d/bserroj that with our sit
12'pounders only, We fought this action— ovr carronadc»
bcinf ahnost useless.

The loss in killed aifd wo«tided has been grciat With the
enemy ; among the) former is the first lieutenant of the Phovebe,
aid of tfaiBi lattef, Cftptain Tvcker of the Chtfrub, whote
wounds are sttverev Both the Essex and Phcebe were in a
sinking state, and it wa# with diffitiulty they could be kept
a^ftoat uatit they anchored in Valparaiso next morning. The
battered state of the Essex will, I befiere, prevent her ever
veaohing Enghnfd; audi also tirink it will be oot of their power
to repair (he dtmage^ of the Phoebe, so as to enable her to
doublet Cape Eern. All' the masts and yards of the Phcebe
an4 Chernfei are badly crippled, and their hulls much cat up ;
the form«r bad' eighteen IS-pound shot through her, below
her water-line, some three feet under water. Nothing but
(he smoothness of the water satred both the Phosbe and Eslsex. <

I hope, sWf t^at our conduct may prove satisfsttcny to our

APP^NM^.

■^li^f

country, zjnd it wiU t^tify \t, hy ol^tawiBg <m ipcedy ex-
ch^n^e, that we oMiy mg^ haTe U in ppr ppw«r tP prove ffn^

, Commpdore HtUyiir, | am iafonoed, bai thought prope? tp
state to hit goTerpient) tliat the actiep l(^t«4 only 4ft iniowtfip
Shoul4 he hav;e doDe ao) the iQjotiTe may bo eaaiLy- 4iacojre<ed ;
bmt the thousands of diAinter^sted vrUne$|i|«a^ wl^o eoTered thff
surrou^idMig hills, cao, testify that we faugh^ hia ships pear tif 9
hours (^pd a half. Upwards of 50 broadsiflei wei^ fired hgr
^e enemy^ agreeably to their pwn account^,, apd upwai;4p pf
75 by ourd. Except the few minutes they w.eie repairing dAr
mages, the firing was incessant.

^ Soon after mj capture I entered into an pgreemeilt wHh
{[^OQimpdoreHillyar to disarm my pri3(e,,the£iaej| Jpnipc, asd
proceed with the surTirors of my officers and. piew in her (p
the United Slates, taking with me aU l^r offipprf and Prev*
lie consented to grant her a passport, to. sppure her from, ro
capture. The ship was sipall, and we l^neyr wf had much to
suffer ; yet we hoped to reach our co^n^yiji, saf^t]f^, that WM
flight again have it in our power tp a^rTe itt "(his arfange-
inent ws^s attended with no additipnalexpepse^ at shA was abttnii*
an My supplied with provisions and stores for tbp f pyf^p.

In justice to Couimoflore HUl^rar I mPPt ob.ie.rvp» th^A
fklthough I can never be reconciled tp thp manner pChil-aHaAll
uq the Essex, or his copdupt l^fprp ^p acjUftn, he haf^ iMPpp
our capture, shewn the greatest, humanity to my. wPJDPde4»
whom he permitted me to land* on cpndi^on that the Ujiitp4
Sta,tes should bear their expenses; and has endea.Tpnred, «|
much a^ lay in hi|t ppwfr, tp aUeviatp the distresses of war^
by the mPSt generpus and delicate d^ortment towards myself^
my officers, and crew. He gave orders that the property pf
every person should be respected* His orders, however, werp
nat sp strictly attended tp, ai might have been psppcted'; be>t
li^^s- being deprived of books, charts, &$i, 4kci, b<Mh myftlf

I' '

|j 4

I a

exxtl

APPENDIX.

and officers lost many articles of our clothing : some to a con-
liderable amount. I should not hate considered this last circum.
stance of sufficient importance to notice, did it not mark a
striking difference between the na^y of Great Britain and that
t>f the United Status, highly creditable to the latter.
' By the arriral of the Tagus, a few days after my capture, I
was informed that, besides the ships which had arrircd in the
Pacific in parsuit of me, and those still expected, others were
sent to cruize for me in the China seas, off New Zealand, Ti*
mour, and New Holland ; and that another frigate was sent to
the river la Plata.

To possess the Essex, it has cost the British gOTemmcnt
near six millions of dollars, and yet, sir, her capture was
owing entirely to accident ; and if we consider the expedition
with which naval contests are now decided, the action is a dis.
honor to them. Had they brought their ships boldly to action
with a force so very superior, and having the choice of posi-
tion, thby should either have captured or destroyed us in one-
fourth the time they were about it.

During the action our consul-general, Mr. Poinsett, called
on the governor of Valparaiso, and requested that the batte-
ries might protect the Essex. The request was refused ; but
he i^romiscd, that if she should succeed in fighting her way to
the common anchorage, he would send an officer to the British
commander, arid request him to cease firing, but declined using
force under any circumstances, and there is no doubt a perfect
understanding existed between them. This conduct, added to
the assistance given to the British, and their friendly reception
after their action, and the strong bias of the faction which
governs Chili in favor of the English, as well as their hostility
to the Americans, induced Mr. Poinsett to leave that country.
Under such circumstances, I did not conceive that it would be
proper for me to claim the restoration of my ship, confident
that ", the daim would -: be lAade by my government to more

APPENDir.

ckitU

us m one.

effect. Finding lome difficulty in the sale of mjr prizes, I had
taken the Hector and Catherine to sea, and burnt them, with
•heir carffoes* • »i>«wi>i'/ ofc" u»ii* T^ci iw*.,' ,,^"<

1 exchanged Lieutenant M^Knight, Mr. Adams, and Mr.
Lvman, and 11 seamra, for part of the crew of the Sir An-
drew Hammond, and sailed from Valparaiso oii the 27th of
A|.tril ; where the enemy were still patching up their ships, to
put them in a state for proceeding to Rio de Janeiro, prerioui
to going to England.

Annexed is a list of the remains of my crew to be exchanged,
as also a copy of the correspondence between Commodore
Hillyar and myself on that subject. I also send you a list
of the prisoners I have taken during my cruize, amounting
to 343. .

r^.i mi^ I h^^^ t|»e hpnor to be, &c. - - -r-^ I
T . • ^ D. PORTER.

Hon. secretary of the navy of the United , ^^

. States, Washington. „ i, ..; ,_^ f^u^t

P. S. To give you a correct idea of the state of the Essex
at the time of her<6urrender, 1 send you the boatswain's and
carpenter's report of damages ; I also send you a report of
the divisions.

■■*jt ,

\Here folloic9 a return of killed, as alreadtf numbered;
but no ^' report of damages" sustained by the Essex : nor
** list of the remains of her crew."]

41 ^i^, ■'I'V^^I-i**-

^*»«t f ***********

No. 74.

From Captain Porter to the American secretary of the navy.

New York, July 13, 1814.
Sir,
There are some facts relating to our enemy, and although
not connected with the action, serve to shew his perfidy, aod
should be known.

4 '«w J

I •

[. i-

oixviU

APPENDIX.

< X>n Commodoro Hilljrar'* arri^il at VatpAraitO) he ran t1i«
Pliabe dose «loDgii4tf'th* £(jex, and enquirad politely after
my health, observing that his ship was cleared for action^ and
))4i men prepared for boardiof . £ obserfed, ** sir, if yoa,
by any accident, get on board of me, I assnre you that great
eonfusion will take place : I am prepared to receive yon, but
shall only act on the defensive." He observed, coolly and
ilidifierently, <* Ob, sir, I have no such intention.'* At tiili
instant his ship took a-back on my starboard-bow, her yards
naarly iocking with those of the Essex. I called all hands to
board the enemy, and, in an instant, my crew were ready to
spring on her decks. Commodore Hillyar exclaimed, with
great agitation, << I had no intention of getting on>board of
you— -I had no intention of coming so near you — I am sorry
I came so near you." His ship fell off, with her jib.boom
over my decks, her bows exposed to my broadside, her stern
to the fire of the Essex Junior, her crew in the greatest con.
fusion, and in 15 minutes I could hare taken or destroyed
her. After he- had brought his ship to anchor, Commodore
HiUyar, and Captain Tucker, of the Cherub, visited me on
shore ; when I asked him if he intended to resfwct the neu.
trality of the port. *' Sir," said he, '' you have paid such
respect to the neutrality of this port, that I feel myself bound
in honor to do the same."

I have the honor to be, &c.
Hon. secretary of the navy, &c. D. PORTER.

♦**»**»#>#■#*****#»

No. 75.

From Captain Pigot to Vice-admiral Cochrane,

H. M. S. Orpheus, New-Providence,
Sib, April 25,, 1814.

I, have the pleasure to acquaint you, that on the 20th instant,,
after a chase of 60 miles, the point of Matanzas, in Cuba,

APPENDIX.

exits

bearing S.S.E. five leagues, wp captured the U. S. ship Frolic,
commanded by Mastcr-commandant Joseph Bainbridge. She
had mounted twenty 32- pound carronades, and two long 188,
with 171 men ; but, a few minutes before striking her co-
lours, threw all her lec-guns overboard, and continued throw,
ing also her shot, smail.arms, &c. until taken possession of.
She 18 a remarkably fine ship, of 509 tons, and the first time
of her going to sea. She has been out from Boston two
months, and frequently chased by our cruisers. Their only
capture was the Little Fox, a brig laden with fish, which they
destroyed.

I have the honor to be, &c.

- H. PIGOT, captain.
The lion. Alexander Cochrane, .. .. < ..^

comnmndcr.in.chicf, &c. 'I' ; "; - '^ il.- . .rJ

•. 7>.: -M-j* -v! 7 •/•.^♦r.i

.H'j;

-'■*i'-

• .r \

No. 76.

From Captain Warrington to the American secretary of th«
'—'-'■ navy,

U. S. sloop Peacock, at sea, lat. 27° 47',
Sir, long. 80* 9', April 29, 1814.

1 have the honor to inform yon, that we have this morning
captured, after an action of 45 minutes, H. M. brig Epcrvier,
rating and mounting eighteen 32«pound carronades, with 128
men, of whom eight were killed, and 15 wounded; (according
to the best information we could obtain ;) among the latter is
her first lieutenant, who has lost an arm, and received a severe
splinter-wound on the hip. Not a man in the Peacock was
killed, and only two wounded, neither dangerously. The fate
of the Epcrvier would have been determined in much less time,
but for the circumstance of our fore-yard being totally dis-
abled by two round-shot in the starboard-quarter, from her

CISX

APPENDIX.

f! I dm i

l! A

first broadside, which entirely deprived ns of the use of our
fore and fore-top^sails, and compelled us to keep the ship
large throughout (he remainder of the action.

This, with a few top.mast, and top.galiant back-stays, cut
away, and a few shot through our sails, is the only injury the
Peacock has sustained. Not a round-shot touched her hull :
our masts and spars are as sound as ever. When the enemy
struck, he had five feet water in his hold, his main- top.mast
was over the aide, his main. boom shot away, his fore-mast cut
nearly in two, and tottering, his fore.riggtng and stays shot
away, his bowsprit badly wounded, and 45 shot<holes in his
hull, 20 of which were within a foot of his water-line. By
great exertion, wc got her in sailing order just as dark
camo on.

In 15 minutes after the enemy struck, the Peacock was
ready for another action, in every respect, but her fore-yard ;
which was sent down, fished, and had the fore-sail set again,
in 45 minutes : such were the spirit and activity of our gallant
crew. The Epervier had under convoy an English hermaphro-
dite brig, a Russian and a Spanish ship, which all hauled their
wind, and stood to the E.N.E. I had determined upon pur-
suing the former, but found that it would not answer to leave
our prize in her then crippled state, and the more particularly
so, as we found she had 120,000 dollars in specie, which we
soon transferred to this sloop. Every officer, seaman, and ma-
rine, did histluty, which is the highest compliment I can pay

them.
% I am, respectfully,

L. WARRINGTON.

P. S. From Lieutenant Nicholson's report, who was count-
ing up the Epervicr's crew, there were IT killed, and 15

wounded.

L. W.

The secretary of the navy, &c. v *■ ,

.«£.'

11 It

APPENDIX.

ciixi

ie, which we

.,*\ "Tl

V- (

. No. 77.

Vote of congress, ' •

Congress voted their thanks to Captain Lewis Warrington,
officers, and crew of the Peacock, for the skill and brarery
displayed in the capture of the Epervler. They also gate to
Captain Warrington a gold medal, with emblematic devices ;
to each of tlio cumniissioncd oflicers a silver medal, with like
devices ; and to each of the midshipmen and sailing-masters a
sword.

No. 78. '

'■ [ 'J-

From Captain Blakelejf to the American secretary of the navi/.

U. S. sloop Wasp, I'Orient,
Siu, July 8, 1814.

On Tuesday, the 38th ultimo, being then in lat. 48*> 36' N.
and long. 11<* 15' W. we fell in with, engaged, and, after an
action of 19 minutes, captured, his Britannic majesty's sloop
of war the Reindeer, William Manners, Esq. commander.
Annexed are the minutes of our proceedings prior to, and
during the continuance of the action.

Where all did their duty, and each appeared anxious to
excel, it is very difficult to discriminate. It is, however, only
rendering them their merited due, when it is declared of Lieu-
tenants Rcilly and Bury, first and third of this vessel, and
whose names will be among those of the conquerors of the
Guerrier and Java, and of Mr. Tillinghost, second lieutenant,
who was greatly instrumental in the capture of the Boxer, that
their conduct and courage on this occasion fulfilled the highest
expectation, and gratified every wish. Sailing. master Carr is
also entitled to great credit, for the zeal and ability w Uh which
he discharged his various duties.

k 2

!!«•

Itr'

'*.^-

CXXXIl

APPENDIX.

The cool and patient conduct of c?cry officer and man,
M'hilu exposed (o the fire of the sliiftiog gun of the enemy, and
without an opportunity of returning it, could only he equalled
by tho animation and ardour exhibited, when actually engaged,
or by the promptitude and firmness with which every attempt
of the enemy to board was met, and successfully repelled.
Such conduct may be seen, but cannot well be described.

The Reindeer mounted sixteen 24-pound carronades, two
long 6 or O.pounders, and a shifting 12-pound carronade, with
a complement on board of 118 men. Her crew were said to
be the pride of Plyinonlh.

Our loss in mm has bi^cn severe, owing, in part, to the
proximity of the two vessels, and the extreme smoothness of
the sea, but chiefly in repelling boarders. That of the enemy,
however, was infmitely more so, as will be seen by the list of
killed and wounded on both sides, * '

Six round-shot struck our hull, and many grape, which did
nut penetrate far. The fore-mast received a 24<pound shot,
which passed through its centre, and our rigf^ing and sails were
a good deal injured.

The Reindeer was literally cut to pieces in a line with her
ports : her upper.works, boats, and spare spars, were one
complete wreck. A breeze springing up next afternoon, her
fore-mast went by the board.

Having received all the prisoners on board ; which, from the
number of wounded, occupied much time, together with their
baggage, the Reindeer was, on the evening of the 20th, set on
fire, and in a few hours blew up.

I have the honor to be, &c.

J. BLAKELEY.

Hon. William Jones, &c.

APPENDIX.

cxxxm

cer and man,
le enemy, and
\y he equalled
ually engaged,
every attempt
fully repelled,
described,
rronades, two
arronade, with
were said to

I part, to the
smoothness of
of the enemy,
by the list of

ape, which did

:4-pound shot,

and sails were

line with her
)ars, were one
afternoon, her

^hich, from the
ithcr with their
he 2£)th, set on

&c.
F^AKELEY.

♦I r:

No. 79.

.,, . wit

>r"|

American minules of the action beticeen the U. S. sloop
''■ tVasp and 11. B. M. sloop Reindeer, on the 'iHth of Juncy
' 1814, in latitude 48' 36' N, and longitude 11° 16' ^V.

At 4 A.M. light breezes and cloudy ; at a quarter past 4,
discovered two sail, two points before the lee-beam ; kept away
in chase; shortly after [afterwards] discovered one sail on the
weather.bcam ; altered the course, and hauled-by, in chase of
the sail to.windward ; at 8, sail to-windward bore E.N.E.
wind very light ; at 10, the strange sail bearing E.N.E. hoisted
an English ensign and pendant, and displayed a signal at the
main, (blue and yellow diagonally.) Meridian, light air$> and
cloudy ; at half-past 1^, the enemy shewed a blue and white
flag diagonally at the fore, and fired a gun ; 15 minutes aftor

1, called all hands to quarters, and prepared for action; 2^
minutes after 1, believing we could weather the enemy, tacked
ship and stood for him ; 50 minutes after 1, the enemy tacked
ship and stood from us ; 56 minutes after 1, hoisted our co-
lours, and fired a gun to-windward, which was answered by
the enemy with another to-windward ; 2U minutes after 2, the
enemy sti'l standing from us, set the royals ; 25 minutes after

2, set the flying-jib ; 29 minutes after 2, set the upper stay,
sails; 32 minutes after 2, the enemy having tuck(<d fur us,
took in the stay-sails ; 37 minutes after 2, furled the royals ;
51 minutes after 2, seeing that the enemy would be able to
weather us, tacked ship ; 3 minutes aftor 3, the enemy hoisted
his flying^jib ; brailed up our mizen ; 15 minntis after 3, tho
enc7»y on our weather-quarter, distant "about GO yards, fired
his shifting.gun, a 12-pound carronade, at iis, r'>aded with
round and grape-shot, from his top.gallant.for. castle ; 17 mi-
nutes after 3, fired (he same gun a second time; 19 minutes
after 3, fired it a third time; 21 minutes after 3, fired it a
fourth time; 24minulub aflcr 3; a fiftli siiot, all from the same

I i

. i

cmiT

APPENDIX.

gun. Finding the enemy did not get sufficiently on the beam,
to enable us to bring our guns to bear, put the helm a.lee ;
and, at 26 minutes after 3, commenced the action with the
after.catronade on the starboard.side, and fired in succession ;
34 minutes after 3, hauled up the main.saii ; 40 minutes after
3, the enemy having his bow in contact with our larboard
quarter, endeavoured to board us, but was repulsed in every
attempt; at 44 minutes after 3, orders were given to board in
turn, ^hich were promptly executed, when all resistance im-
mediately ceased ; and, at 45 minutes after 3, the enemy hauled

down his flag.

J. BLAKELEY.

List of killed and wounded on board the U. S. sloop oj uar
JVasp, in the action with the Reindeer. '■- >,

Killed, and since dead (including 2 midshipmen) 11
Wounded severely ■.-..,.......-.. 6 A

slightly 10 15

*-^

Total

l« •^•«BMI

.. 26

Itist of the killed and uounded on board H, B. M. sloop

Reindeer.

Killed-— '"VfyWizxa. Manners, Esq. commander ; John Thomas
Barton, purser ; and 23 pet(y.officers and seamen.

Wounded— lihom2i'& Chambers, first lieutQpant; Richard
Jones, master ; and 40 petty.officers and seamen.

Recapitulation.

Killed -• 26

WDunded dangerously 10

.;■> ., severely 17 -****

"?i*t»i>ir— — —slightly 15 42

'^fcjfel.,'

^ QtftI •■..•^^..a^..... Vf

APPENDIX.

CZXIt

ir4-

No. 80.

Vote of Congress.

The president of the United Stales, at the request of con-
gress, presented to Captain Johnston Blakcly, of the sloop of
war Wasp, a gold medal, with suitable devices, and a silver
medal, with like devices, to each of the commissioned officers ;
and also a sword to each of the midshipmen and sailing-masters
of that vessel, in testimony of the high sense entertained by
the legislature of the nation, of their gallantry and good con-
duct in the action with the British sloop of war Reindeer.

^««5'S*^«l^T-.VfH- fi • :..^' ■■ ■ *»■»■"***•*"•»*•"* tty^i ■ ;

^4l»'Sftt

From Rear-admiral Cockburn to Vice-admiral Cochrane.

k,... ^^.,. On board the Resolution tender, off Mount-calvcrt,
k Sir, Monday night, August 1% 1814.

f* I have the honor to inform you, that after parting from you
at Benedict, on the evenir ^ of the 20th instant, I proceeded
up the Patuxent with the boats and tenders, the marines of
the ships being embarked in them, under the command of
Captain Robyns, (the senior officer of that corps in the fleet,)
and the marine*artillery, under Captain Harrison, in their
two tenders : the Severn and Ilebrus frigates, and the Manly
sloop, being directed to follow us up the river, as far as might
prove practLdble.

The boats and tenders I placed in three divisions : the first
under the immediate command of Captains Sullivan (the senior
commander employed on the occasion) and Badcock ', the se-
cond, under Captains Money and Sumerviile ; (he tlurd, under
Captain Ramsay ; the whole under the superintendence and
immediate management of Captain V\ ainwright, of the Ton.
nant. Lieutenant James Scott (first of the Albion) attending
as my aid.de-camp. . _^ •. v 4

t i

■ c <

■t

eixxvi

APPENDIX.

« I endeavoured to keep, Mrith the boats and tenders, as nearly
as possible a-breast of the army under Major-general Ros»,
that I might communicate with him as occasion offered, ac.
cording to the plan previously arranged ; and, about mid>day
yesterday, I accordingly anchored at the ferry-house, oppo-
site Lower Marlborough, where I met the general, and where
the army halted for some hours ; after which he marched for
Nottingham, and 1 proceeded on for the same place with the
boats. On our approaching the town, a few shot were ex-
changed between the leading boats and some of the enemy's ca-
valry ; but the appearance of our army advancing caused them
to retire with precipitation. Captains Noursc and Palmer, of
the Severn am! Ilcbrus, joined me this day with their boats,
having found it impracticable to get their ships higher than
Benedict.

The major-general remained with the army at Nottingham,
and the boats and tenders continued anchored off it during the
night, and, soon after day-light this morning, the whole again
moved forward ; but the wind blowing, during the morning,
down the river, and the channel being excessively narrow, and
the advance of our tenders consequently slow, I judged it
advisable to push on with the boats only, leaving the tenders
to follow as they could.

On approaching Pig.point, (where the enemy's flotilla was
said to be,) I landed the marines under Captain llobyns, on
the left bank of the river, and directed him to march round
and attack, on the land-side, the town, situated on the point;
to draw from us the attention of such troops as might be there
for its defence, and the defence of the flotilla. I then pro-
ceeded on with the boats ; and, as we opened the reach above
Pig-point, I plainly discovered Commodore Barney's broad
peqdant in the headmost vessel, a large sloop, and the remain-
der of the flotilla extending in a long lino a-steru of her. Our
boats HQW advanced towards them as rapidly as possible ; but,
on nearing tbem^ wc observed the sloop, bearing the broad

■M*

APPENDIX.

qpavii

pendant, to be on fire, and she, very soon afterwards, blew
up. I now saw clearly (hat they were all abandoned, and on
fire, with trains to their magazines ; and out of the 17 vessels,
which composed this formidable, and so much vaunted flotilla,
16 were, in quick succession, blown to a(oms; and the 17th
(in which the fire had not taken) we captured. The commo-
dore's sloop was a large armed vessel ; the others were gun-
boats, all having a long gun in the bow, and a carronade in
the stern. 'J'lic calibre of the guns, and number of the crew
of each, differed in proportion to the size of the boat, varying
from 32-pounders, and 60 men, to 18.poundcrs, and 40 men.
I found here, lying above the Uotilla, under its protection, 13
merchant-schooners ; some of which, not being worth bringing
away, I ordered to be burnt : such as were in good condition,
I directed to be moved to Pig.point. , Whilst employed taking
these vessels, a few shots were fired at us by some of the men
of the flotilla, from the bushes on the shore near us ; but
Lieutenant Scott, whom I had landed for that purpose, soon
got hold of them, and made them prisoners. Some horsemen
likewise shewed themselves on the neighbouring heights, but a
rocket or two dispersed them ; and Captain Robyns, who had
got possession of Pig.point without resistance, now spreading
his men through (he country, the enemy retreated to a dis-.
tance, and left us in quiet possession of the town* the neighs
bourhood, and our prizes.

A large quantity of tobacco having been found in the town
at Pig-point, I have left Captain Robyns, with the marines,
and Captain Nourse, with two divi»ions of the boats, to hold
the place, and ship the tobacco into the prizes ; and I have
moved back with the third division to this point, to enable nie
to confer on our future operations with the major-general,
who has been good enough to send hiii aid-de-camp to inform
me of his safe arrival, with the army under his conimund, at
Upper Marlborough.

In congratulating you, sir, which I do most sincerely, on

ww^ nji

1 1 '

enstiii

APPENDIX.

the complete destruction of this flotilla of the enemy, which
hai lately occupied so much of our attention, I must beg to
be permitted to assure you, that the cheerful and indefatigable
eiertions, on this occasion, of Captains Wainwright, Nourse,
and Palmer, and of Captain Sulliyan, the other commanders,
officers, and men, in the boats you ha^e placed under my or.
ders, most justly entitle them to my warmest acknowledgments,
and my earnest recommendation to your favorable notice. <>'

vw^i u.4-.^,5 ;:^^.. I have the honor to be, &c. ;.

■,m MbM ^^I^ .^ G. COCKBURN, rear-admiral.

Vice-admiral the Hon. Sir Alexander

V- ;- Cochrane, K. B. &c. / ' *

g**«i«i,:-fea;'/<:»'rftp/ l^o, 83. ■■^■"''^' ^

4t.Hi4. e^twji*^ i H. M. sloop Manly, off Nottingham,

*« Sift, M>- v */ Patuxent, August 27, 1814.

I have the honor to inform you, that agreeably to the inte n-
tiohs I notified to you in my letter of the 2Sd instant, I pro-
ceeded by land, on the morning of the 23d, to Upper Marl-
borough, to meet and confer with Major-general Ross, as to
our further operations against the enemy : and we were not
long in agreeing on the propriety of making an immediate
attempt on the city of Washington.

In conformity, therefore, with the wishes of the general, I
instantly sent orders for our marine and naval forces, at Pig.
pointy to be forthwith moved over to Mount. Caivert, and for
the marine-artillery, and a proportion of the seamen,, to be
there landed, and with the utmost possible expedition to join
the army, which I also most readily agreed to accompany.

The major-general then made his dispositions, and arranged
that Captain Robyns, with the marines of < c <jhips, should
retain pos$cs!»ion of Upper Marlborough, and that the marine.

APPENDIX.

cxnii

notice. •<«••■

artiHery and seamen should follow the army to the ground it
yrM to occupy for the night. The. army then moved on,
and biToaacked before dark about fire miles nearer Wash.

" la the night, Captain Palmer of the Hcbrus, and Captain
Money of the Traave, joined us with the seamen and with the
marine.artiilery, under Captain Harrison. Captain Wain-
Wright of the Tonnant, had accompanied me the day before,
as had also Lieutenant James Scott, acting first lieutenant of
the Albion. — - — i^— ', ,,.;:„ .^^; ,

* At day-light, on the morning of the 24th, the major-general
again put the army in motion, directing his march upon
Bladensbnrg ; on reaching which place, with the adTanced
brigade, the enemy was observed drawn up in force on a
rising ground beyond the town ; and by the fire he soon
opened on us as we entered the place, gave us to understand
he was well protected by artillery. General Ross, however, did
not hesitate in immediately advancing to attack him ; although
our troops were almost exhausted with the fatigue of the
march they had just made, and but a small proportion of our
little army had yet got up. This dashing measure was, how-
ever, I am happy to add, crowned with the success it merited;
for, in spite of the galling fire of the enemy, our troops
advanced steadily on both his flanks, and in his front ; and,
as soon as they arrived on even ground with him, he fled in
every direction, leaving behind him ten pieces of cannon, and
a considerable number of killed and wounded; amongst tho
latter Commodore Barney, and several other officers. Some
bther prisoners were also taken, thought not many, owing to
the swiftness with which the enemy went off", and the fatigues
bur army had previously undergone.

It would, sir, be deemed presumption in me to attempt to
give you particular details respecting the nature of this battle ;
I shall, therefore, only remark generally, that the enemy 8000
strong, on ground he had chosen as best adapted for him ia

',•'?

cxl

APPENDIX.

defend, 'where he had time to erect his batteries, and concert
all his measures, was dislodged, as soon as reached, and a vie
tory gained over him, by a division of the British army, not
amounting to more than 1500 men, headed by our gallant
general, whose brilliant achievements of this day it is beyond
my power to do justice to, and indeed no possible comment
could enhance.

The seamen, with the guns, were, to their great mortifica-
tion, with the rear-division, during this short, but decisive
action. Those, however, attached to the rocket-brigade, were
in the battle ; and I remarked, with much pleasure, the pre-
cision with which the rockets were thrown by them, under
the direction of First-lieutenant Lawrence, of the marine,
artillery. Mr. Jeremiah M'Daniel, master's.mate of the Ton-
pant, a very fine young man, who was attached to this party,
being severely wounded, I beg permission to recommend him
to your favorable consideration. The company of marines
I have on so many occasions had cause to mention to you,
commanded by First-Iieutenunt Stephens, was also in the
action, as were the colonial marines, under the temporary
command of Captain Reed, of the 6th West India regiment,
(these companies being attached to the light brigade,) and they
respectively behaved with their accustomed zeal and bravery.
None other of the naval department were fortunate enough
to arrive up in time to take their share in this battle,
excepting Captain Palmer, of the Hebrus, with his aid'de.
camp, Mr. Arthur Wakefield, midshipman of that ship; and
Lieutenant James Scott, first of the Albion, who acted as
my aid-de-camp, and remained with me during the whule time.

The contest being completely ended, and the enemy having
retired from the field, the general gave the army about two
hours rest, when he again moved forward on Washington. It
was, however, dark before we reached that city; and, on the
general, myself, and some officers advancing a short way past
the first houses of the town, without being accomj^anicd by

^' APPENDIX. cxli

the troops, the enemy opened upon «» a heary fire of mus-
ketry, from the capitol and two other houses ; those were
therefore almost immediately stormed by our people, talicn
possession of, and set on fire ; after which the town submitted
without further resistance.

The enemy himself, on our entering the tovi n, set fire to the
navy.yard, (filled with naval stores,) a frigate of the largest
class almost ready for launching, and a sloop of war lying off
it ; as he did also the fort which protected the sea-approach to
Washington.

On taking possession of the city, we also set fire to the
president's palace, the treasury, and the war-oflice ; and, in
the morning. Captain Wain w right went with a party to see
that the destruction in the navy. yard was complete; when he
destroyed whatever stores and buildings had escaped the flames
of the preceding night. A large quantity of ammunition and
ordnance stores were likewise destroyed by us in the arsenal ;
as were about 200 pieces of artillery of different calibres, as
well as a vast quantity of small.arms. Two rope- walks of a
very extensive nature, full of tar-rope, &c. situated at a con-
sidcrable distance from the yard, were likewise set fire to and
consumed. In short, sir, I do not believe a vestige of public
property, or a store of any kind, which could be converted
to the use of the government, escaped destruction : the bridges
across the Eastern Branch and the Potowmac were likewise des-
troyed.

^ This general devastation being completed during the day of
the 25th, we marched again, at nine that night, on our return,
by Bladcnsburg, to Upper Marlborough. ^

" We arrived yesterday evening at the hitter, without moles.
:^ation of any sort, indeed without a single musket having been
fired; and, this morning we moved on to this place, where I
have found his Majesty's sloop Manly, the tenders, and the
boats, and I have hoisted my flag, pro tempore) in the former.
The troops will probably march lo-morrow, or the next day

i. ' ■;

cxiii

APPENDIX.

lirr

Bt farthest, to Benedict for re-embarkation, and this flotilla
will of course join you at the same time.

In closing, sir, my statement to you, of the arduous and
highly important operations of this last week, I have a most
pleasing duty to perform, in assuring you of the good conduct
of the officers and men who have been serving under me. I
have been particularly indebted, whilst on this service, to
Captain Wainwright of the Tonnant, for the assistance he has
invariably afforded me ; and to Captains Palmer and Money,
for their exertions during the march to and from Washington.
To Captain Nourse, who has commanded the flotilla during
my absence, my acknowledgments arc also most justly due, as
well as to Captains Sullivan, Badcock, SomerviUe, Ramsay,
and Bruce, who have acted in it under him.

Lieutenant James Scott, now first of the Albion, has, on
this occasion, rendered me essential services ; and as I Uave
had reason so often of late to mention to you the gallant rnd
meritorious conduct of this officer, I trust yuu will permit
me to seize this opportunity of recommending him particularly
to your favorable notice and consideration.

Captain Robins, (the senior oflicer of marines with the fleet,)
who has had, during these operations, the maviites of the ships
united under his orders, has executed ably and zealously the
, several services with which he has been entrusted, and is
entitled to my best acknowledgments accordingly; as is also
Captain Harrison of the marine.artillery, who, with the offi.
cers and men attached to him, accompanied the army to and
from Washington.

Mr. Dobie, surgeon of the Melpomene, volunteered his
.professional services on thU occasion, and rendered much
assistance to the wounded on the field of battle, as well as to
many of the men taken ill on the line of march.

1 colonial marine killed, 1 master's mate, 2 Serjeants,
and 3 colonial marines wounded, are the casualties sustained
by the naval department; a general list af the killed and

APPENDIX.

cslUl

wounded of the whole army will, of courie, accompany the
report of the major-general. ^

,.-,>....; I have the honor to be, &c.

G. COCKBURN, rear-admiral.
Vice-admiral the Hon. Sir Alex. Cochrane, K. B. &c. ^^

P. S. Two long 6.pounder guns, Intended for a battery

at Nottingham, were (akcn off and put on board the Brune

and one taken at Upper Marlborough was destroyed.

Return of the killed, wounded, and missing,^ of the troops
under the command of Major-general Ross, in action with
the enemy, on the %Ath August, 1814, on the heights above
Bladensburg, • .

Washington, August 25, 1814.
Total— I captain, 2 lieutenants, 5 serjcants, 56 rank and
file, 10 horses, killed ; 2 lieutenant-colonels, 1 major, 1 cap-
tain, 14 lieutenants, 2 ensigns, 10 Serjeants, 155 rank and file,

H. G. SiMITH,
D. A. A. G.

8 horses, wounded.

'■r-^^lHii r<^h I.,

No. 83.

Return of ordnance, ammunition, and ordnance-stores, take^
from the enemy by the army under the command of Major^
general Robert Ross, between the 19th and i5th August,
1«14.

^Mg^M*/ 19.— One 24-pound carronade. •

August 22. — One G.pound field-gun, with carriage com-
plete. 15G stand of arms, with cartouches, Sic. &c.

August i-i, at Bladensburg. — Two IS-pounders, five 12-
poundcrs, three 6-poundcrs, with field-carriages. A quantity
of ammunition for the above. 220 stand of arms. ^

August 25, at Washington. -^Bt ass: six IS-pounderSy
mounted on traversing platforms ; five I2-poirnders, four

eillT

APPENDIX.

ui ■

4- pounders, one 5{ Inch howitzer, one 6^ inch mortar. Iron :
twenty.six Sll.poundcni, thirty.six 24-poundLr8, thirty.four
IS-poundcrs, twenty>BC?cn l^.poundcrs, two 18-pounden,
mounted on trarersing platforms ; nineteen IS.poundcrs, on
ship-carriagcs; three 13.inch mortars, two S.inch howitzers,
one 42 pound gun, five 33>pound carronadcs, five IS.pound
carronades, thirteen 12.pound guns, two 0-pound guns, two
0-pound guns.

Total amount of cannon taken, 206. 500 barrels of pow.
dcr, 100,000 rounds of muskct-ball cartridges, 40 barrels of
fine-grained powder, a large quantity of ammunition of dif-
ferent natures made up. .vv. ., .-

The navy.yard and arsenal having been set on fire by the
enemy before- they retired, an immense quantity of stores of
every description was destroyed ; of which no account could
be taken. Seven or eight very heavy explosions during the
night denoted that there had been largo magazines of powder.

F. G. J. WILLIAMS,
f , ,,, Lieut. Royal Artillery, A. Q. M.

; * ,_ J. MICHELL,

Captain commanding artillery.

N. B. The remains of near 2000 stand of arms were dis.
covered, which had been destroyed by the enemy.

*>»****»**■»

J, >t

No. 84.

; .' -From Captain Gordon to Vice-admiral Cochrane.

Seahorse, Chesapeake, Sept. 9, 1814.
Sir,

In obedience to your orders, I proceeded into the river

Potowmac, with the ships named in the margin,* on the

' * Seahorse, Eurynlus, Devastation, iEtna, Meteor, Erebas, and Aoua-
J^oria, dispatch-boat. . •

APPENDIX.

Cllf

17(h of Uit month ; but from being without pilots to tMiit ut
through that difficult part of the river called the Kettle. Uot.
tomty and from contrary windi, we were unable to reach Fort
Waihington until the evening of the 27 (h. Nor was thii
effected but by the leTcreit labour. I believe each of the
ship* was not leii than twenty dtifcrcnt times a-gronnd, and
each time wo were obliged to haul off by main strength ; and
we were employed, warping, for five whole successive days«
with the exception of a few hours, a distance of more than
fifty miles.

The bomb.ships were placed on the evening of the 97th)
and immediately began the bombardment of the fort ; it being
my intention to attack it with the frigates at day.Iight the
following morning. On the bursting of the first sheli> the
garriflon were observed to retreat; but, supposing some con-
cealed design, I directed the fire to be continued. At 8 o'clock,
however, my doubts were removed, by the explosion of the
powder-magazine, which destoyed the inner buildings j and, at
day-light on the 38th, we took possession. Besides the prin-
cipal fort, which contained two 33-poonders, (columbiads,)
two 32-pounders, and eight 34-pounders, there was a battery
on the beach of five 18-pounders, a martello- tower, with two
12-pouodcr8, and loop-holes for musketry, and a battery in
the rear of two 12, and six 6 pound field-pieces. The wholo
of these guns were already spiked by the enemy ; and their
complete destruction, with their carriages also, was effected by
the seamen and marines, sent on that service, in les than two
hours. The populous city of Alexandria thu.> lust its only
defence; and, having buoyed the channiri, I deemed it better
to postpone giving any answer to a proposal made to me for
its capitulation, un^-' the following morning, when I was ena-
bled to place the shiit/iug in such a position, as would ensure
assent to the terms I had decided to enforce.

To this mcas:ire I attribute their ready acquiescence, as it
removed that doubt of my determination to proceed, which

- V 1- •■--

CXlf(

APPENDIX.

had been raised in the minds of the inhabitants, by our army
having retired from Washington. This part of our proceed,
ings will be further explained by the accompanying documents.

The honorable Lieutenant Gordon, of this ship, was sent,
on the evening of (he 28(h, to prevent the escape of any of
the vessels comprised in the capitulation ; and the whole of
those which were sea-worthy, amounting to 21 in number,
were fitted and loaded by the 31st.

Captain Baker, of the Fairy, bringing ybur orders of the
S7th, having fought his way up the river, past a battery of
five guns, and a large military force, confirmed the rumours
which had already reached me, of strong measures having been
taken to oppose our return, and I therefore quitted Alexan*
dria, without waiting to destroy those remaining stores, which
we had not the means of brinsing away.

Contrary winds again occasioned us the laborious task of
warping the ships down the river, in which a day's delay took
place, owing to the Devastation grounding. The enemy took
advantage of this circumstance, to attempt her destruction by
three firc.vessels, attended by five row-boats ; but their object
'was dcfoated by the promptitude and gallantry of Captain
Alexander, who pushed off with his own boats, and being foU
lowed by those of the other ships, chased the boats of the
enemy up to the town of Alexandria. The cool and steady
(B9nduct of Mr. John Moore, midshipman of the Seahorse, in
towing the nearest fire-vessel on shore, while the others were
removed from the power of doing mischief by the smaller boats
of the Devastation, entitles him to my highest commendation.
■ The Meteor and the Fairy, assisted by the Anna-Maria dis-
patch-boat, a prize gun-boat, and ft boat belonging to the
Euryalus, with a howitzer, had greatly impeded the progress
bf the enemy in their works ; notwithstanding which, they
were enabled to increase their battery to 1 1 guns, with ft fur.
hace for heating shot. On the 3d, the wind coming to the
N.W. ih^^tna and £ rebus succeeded in getting down to tiieir

APPENDIX.

«exlTii

assistance ; And the whole of us, with the priiscs, were asscm.
bled there on the 4th, except the Devastation, which, in spite
of our utmost eirertions in warping her, still remained five
miles higher up the river. This was the moment when the
enemy made his greatest efforts to effect our diestruction.

The Erebus, being judiciously placed by Captain Bartholo*
mew, in an admirable position for harrassing the workmen
employed in the trenches, was attacked by three field.pieces,
which did her considerable damage, before they were beaten
off; and, another attempt being made to destroy the Dovas-
tatioD by fire-vessels, I sent the boats, under Captain Baker,
to her assistance. Nothing could exceed the alacrity with
which Captain Baker went on this service^ to which I attribute
the immediate retreat of the boats and fire-vessels. Ilis loss,
however, was considerable, owing to their having sought re*
£uge under some guns in a narrow creek, thickly wooded, from
which it was impossible for him to dislodge them.

On the 5th, at noon, the wind coming fair, and all my ar«
rangements being made, the Seahorse and the Euryalus an-
chored within short musket-shot of the batteries, while thtt
whole of the prizes past betwixt us and the shoalj the bombs,
the Fairy and Erebus, firing as they passed, and afterwards
anchoring in a favorable position for facilitating, by means of
their force, the further removal of the frigates. At 3 P. M.
having completely silenced the enemy's fire, the Seahorse and
Euryalus cut their cables, and the whole of us proceeded to
the next position taken up by the troops : where they had two
batteries, mounting from 14 to 18 guns, on a range of cliffs
of about a mile extent, under which we were, of necessity,
obliged to pass very close. I did not intend to make the at-
tack that evening ; but, the Erebus grounding within range,
we were necessarily called into action. On this occasion the
fire of the Fairy had the most decisive effect, as well as that of
the Erebus ', while the bombs threw their shells with excellent

.#-

^ifviii

appendix;

■y

¥r'

;

' > <

l'(

-i

precision, and the guns of the batteries were thereby cont"'
pletely silenced by about 8 o'clock.

At day .light on the 6th I made signal to weigh ; and so
satisfied were the whole of the parties opposed to us, of their
opposition being ineffectual, that they allowed us to pass with-
out further molestation. I cannot close this detail of opera,
(sons, comprising a period of 33 days, without begging leare
to call your attention to the singular exertion of those whom
I had the honor to command, by which our success waf
effected. Our hammocks were down only two nights during
the whole time. The many laborious duties which we had to
perform, were executed with cheerfulness, which I shall ever
xemember with pride ; and which will ensure, I hope, to the
whole of the detachments, your favorable estimation of their
•xtraordinary zeal and abilities. • " .^ -?• /■ >• . r ' r <
' To Captain Napier I owe more obligations than I hare
words to express. The Luryalus lost her bowsprit, the head
of her fore-mast, and the heads of all her top-masts, in a tor.
nado which she encountered on the 25th, just as her sails were
dued up, whilst we were passing the flats of Maryland point ;
and yet, after 12 hours work on her refittal, she was again
under weigh, and advancing up the river. Captain Napier
speaks highly. of the conduct of Lieutenant T. Herbert on
this, as well as on every other of the many trying occasions
which have called his abilities into action. His exertions were
also particularly conspicuous in the prizes ; many of which,
already sunk by the enemy, were weighed, masted, hove-down,
oaulkcd, rigged, and loaded, by our little squadron, during the
three days we remuined at Alexandria.

*" It is diflicult to distinguish, amongst officers who had a
greater share of duty than often falls to the lot of any, and
which each performed with the greatest credit to his profes-
sional character. 1 cannot omit to recommend to your notice
the meritorious conduct of Captains Alexander, Bartholomew,

6 ij

APPENDIX.

ezKz

fiaker, and Kcniih : the latter of whoin led us through manj
of the diOicuUies of the navigation ; and particularly to Cap.
tain Roberts, of the Meteor, vrho, besides undergoing the
fatigues of the daj, employed the night in coming the distance
of 10 miles, to communicate and consult with me upon our
further operations, preparatory to our passing the batteries.

So universally good was the conduct of all the officers, sea-
men, and marines of the detachment, that I cannot particula-
rise with justice to the rest ; but I owe it to the long.tried
experience I have had of Mr. Henry King, first lieutenant of
the Seahorse) to point out to you, that such was his eagerness
to take the part to which his abilities would have directed hihi
4>n this occaeioD, he even eame out of his sick bed to command
at his quarters, while the ship was passing the batteries ; *
nor fan 1 ever forget how materially the service is indebted to
Mr. A. Louthain, the roaster, for both finding and buoying
the channel of a navigation, which no ship of a similar draught
of water had ever before passed, with their guns and stores
on board ; and which, according to the report of a scamaii
now in this «hiP) was not asoomplished by the President, Ame-
rican frigate, oven after taking her guns out, under a period 6f
42 days.

Enclosed is a list of killed and wounded, and also of the
vessels captured. '

I have the honor to be, kc.

JAMES A. GORDON, captain.
To Sir A. Cochrane, commander-in-chief, &c.

Return of killed and mounded on board H. M. thipt employed
in the Potowmac river ^ between September 1 and 5, 1814.

Total— 7 killed ; 35 wounded. "^

J. A. GORDON, captain.*

* The fint two gnns pointed by Licateniiiil Xing disabled eacb • gon if
the eDcmjr. *'•>'

Mk:

APPENDIX.

ill

i \

■^f»«n'¥ ^m^^ii *»^^'^ fVesielt captured. ' 'I^#j>4 i»w -^^jfj^i

A gdn^boat, of two gans ; 3 ships, 4 brigs, and 13 other
vessels :•— totdl 21.

***^^^**.r»*»**^*»

No. 85.

Wrom Captain Gordon to the common-council of Alexandria.

fej^sit-ss!tt«l<»ii. H. M. S, Seahofse, oflF Alestandriaj .

Iq Gentlemen, August 39. ,

^, In consequence of a deputation yesterday received from the
city of Alexandria, requesting favorable terms for the safety
of their city, the under-mentioned are the only conditions in
my power to offer :—

1^1 The tovrn of Alexandria (with the exception of tho public
works) shall not be destroyed, unless hostilities are com-
menced oa the pftrt of the Americans ; nor shall their dwelling,
houses be entered, or the inhabitants molested in any manner
whatever, if the following articles are strictly complied with ;-r*

.^. Article I. All naval and ordnance stores (public or pri-
vate) must be immediately given up*

Art. II. Possession will be immediately taken of all ship-
ping ; and their furniture must be isent on board by their
owners without delay. .i i

Art. III. The vessels that have been .sunk must be delivered
up in the state they were on the 19th of August, the day the

'squadron passed the Kettle-bottoms.

Art. IV. Merchandize of every description must be instantly
delivered up; and, to prevent any irregularities that might be
committed in its embarkation, the merchants have it in their
option to load the vessels generally employed for that purpose,
when they will be towed off by us.

Art. V. All merchandize tfiat has been removed from Alex-
andria since the 19th instant, is. to be included in the ^bove
articles. ..- ., .< . , • "

APPENDIX.

'«fl

Art. VI. Refreshments of ewery description to be supplied
the ships, and paid for at the market price, by bills on thft
firitisb goTcrnmcnt. ^ m it-siryvir.:-

Art. VU. Officers will be ttppolated to see that articles,
Nos. II. 111. IV, and V. are strictly complied with; an^
evpry de?ia(ioo, or non-compliance on the part of the inha#
bitants of Alexandria, will render this treaty null and Toid.
^vi 1 have the honor to be, &c.

X?*8^i< . ti.i8 M j;. JAMES A. GORDON, commander of
.'i«$ *j0 no <^wt ii:. H. M. ship Seahorse, and senior officer

' " ' of H. M. ships before Alexandria.

7o the common-conndl of the town of Alexandria.

tif'yv'n,' -MCiu •$.. ifc ,:

ax aji

.(}fm(''bfaktif^m"-m^*>-"y^''. No. 86.

The common- counaVs answer,

-At a meeting of the common-council of Alexandria, on th^

39th of August, 1814:

The terms proposed to the common -council, by the com-

jnander of the squadron of British ships now off Alexandria^

|urt acceedad tu*

rAi' :m^ { .f, THOMAS HERBERT, president.

..18*. ....... ^tf^iU'i ., No.. 67. .^- -.;?

Tt'om Captain IBldketey to the American secretary of the nax>ij,

»hf '1' "^ '».!*'" fi#ft U. S. sloop of war Wasp, at sea, lat. 46° N.

;4|i Sir, t^-f long. 16° W. Sept. 11, 1814.

r^ 'After a prptracted and tedious stay at I'Orient, had at last
the pleasure of leaving that place on Saturday, 97th of Au-
gust. Ob tha 30th, captured the British brig Lettice, lienry
CocHbain, master; and, on the Slst of August, the British
brig Bon Accord^ Adam DumO;^ juastcr. In the morning of

I' '■

cUi

APPENDIX.

#t.

the 1st of September, discorered a conroy of 10 sail to.
leeward, ia charge of the Armada, 74, and a bomb.ship ;
stood for them, and succeeded in cutting out the British bri^
Mary, John D. Allan, master, laden with brass cannon, taken
from the Spaniards, iron cannon, and military stores, from
Gibraltar to England ; rcmoTcd the prisoners, set her on fire,
and endeavoured to capture another of the convoy, but was
chased off by the Armada. On the evening of the same day,
at half-past 0, while going free, discovered four vessels, nearly
at the same time, two on the starboard, and two on the lar.
board.bow, being the farthest to-windward. At 7, the chase,
a brig, commenced making signals, with flags, which could not
be distinguished for want of light, and soon after made various
ones, with lanterns, rockets, and guns. At 30 minutes after
0, having the chase under our lee-bow, the 13.pound carro-
nade was directed to be fired into him^, which he returned; ran
under his lee-bow to prevent his escaping, and commenced the
action. At 10 o'clock, believing the enemy to be silenced,
orders were given to cease firing, when I hailed, and asked if
he had surrendered. No answer being given to this, and his
fire having recommenced, it was again returned. At 12 mi-
nut 5 after 10, the enemy having suffered greatly, and having
made no return to our last two broadsides, I hailed him the
second time, to know if he had surrendered, when he answered
in the affirmative. The guns were then ordered to be secured*
and the boats lowered to take possession. In thtf act of lower,
ing the boat, a second brig was discovered, a little distance
a.stern, and standing for us. Sent the crew to their quarters,
prepared every thing for another action, and awaited his
coming up. At 36 minutes after 10, discovered twoiPdre sails
a.stern, standing towards us. I now felt myself compelled to
forego the satisfaction of destroying the prize. Our braces
having been cut away, we kept off (he wind until others could
be rove, and with the expectation of drawing the second brig
from his companions j but in this last we were disappointed.

f ^-

'^'

APPENDIX.

cliU

The Mcond brig continoed to approach ui, until she came close
to our stern, when she hauled by the wind, fired her broadsidty
which cut our rigging and fails considerably, and shot away a
lower main-cross.tree, and retraced her steps to join her con-
sorts, when we were necessitated to abandon the prize. He
appeared, in OTery respect, a total wreck. He continued for
t>ome time firing guns of distress, until, probably, delivered by
the two last vessels who made their appearance. The second
brig could have engaged us, if he thought proper, as he neared
us fast ; but contented himself with firing a broadside, and
immediately returned to his companions.

It is with real satisfaction I have again the pleasure of bear-
ing testimony to the merits of Lieutenants Reilly, Tillinghast,
Banry, and sailing>m aster Carr ; and to the good conduct of
erery officer and man on board the Wasp. Their divisions
and departments were attended and supplied with the utmost
regularity and abundance, which, with the good order main,
tained, together with the vivacity and precision of their fire^
reflects on them the greatest credit. Our loss is two killed, and
one slightly wounded with a wad. The hull received four round-
«hot, and the fore-mast many grape-shot. Our rigging and
eails suffered a great deal. Every damage ha^ been repured
the day after, with the exception of our sails. - ^^^

t' Of the vessel with whom we were engaged, nothing positive
can be said with regard to her name or force. While hailing
him, previous to his being fired into, it was blowing fresh,
(then going 10 knots,) and the name was not distinctly under-
, stood. Of her force, the four shot that struck us are all
32-pounds in weight, being a pound and three-quarters heavier
thui any belonging to this vessel.* From this circumstance,
the tiumber of men in her tops, her general appearance, and
great length, she is believed to be one of the largest brigs in
the British navy. <^i m I have the honor to be, &c.
m ^on. W. Jones, &c. ^^^ J. BLAKELEY,

^ii 'bi.-<mi^mi>M. ' • See p. 10. N _ ^i

^^M

Mi ■ ll

i£?| ■', sal i

III

eJ ' '

I1 1

flliv

APPENDIX.

Pi S. I an told the onomy, after liii surrender, aiked for
aniitance, and said he was sinkings. ■ The probability of this
is conirmed by his firing siugle guns for some time after his
capture. ..;

s^l '

Uiti ilii^tiii

»*>##i#s»»#^#»»#»»#

No. S8,.

HI ^i»«ii*v>';na

,) ia

American minutes oftheatlion betaeim the U. S. thtp fVaspy
^ J. Blukeljf, Esq, commander ^ and H, B. M. sloop of wary
' tat, 30% hng: 11% on the 1st September , 18 14;

'S*4

■ij:,:

. . At 7. o^clock, oadlod all hands t» (faarters, and prepared for
tction ; 7« 26. hoisted an American jack at the fore, and
pendant at the maia ; 7. 30. set the main.sail ; 7* 34. per..
ceived the chase making signals with lights, See. ; 7. 45. net the
miacn, and hoisted an American ensign at the peake ; 7. 48.
hoisted a light at the peake, and brailed up the mizen ; 7. 54.
set the mizen to come up with the chase ; 8. 3. the chase hauled
down his lights ; 8. 7. burned a blue*light on the fore-castle^
8. 17. set the flying.jib; 8. 34. hauled down the light at the
peake ; 8. 38. the chase fired a gun from his stern.port ; 8. 55.
hauled up the main.sail ; 0. 16. set. the main.sail; 0. 18. the
chase fired a gun to the leeward ; 0. 90. being thee on the
"Heather.quarter of the chase, be hailed and enquin^d *' What
ahip is that ir Not answered, bnt asked « What brig is a^i i^'
He replied, ** tin majesty's brig .— — ." Blowing fresh, the
natne was not distinctly understood. He again hailed, and
tuked, << What ship is that?" when he was told to heave to^
and.fae would be informed. He repeated his question, and was
answered to the same eflcct. Mr. Carr was then sent forward
to order him to>heavo to, which he declined doing; at 0. 25.
the enemy set hit fore-top-mast studding-sail ; at d. t6. fired
the 12-pound carronade, to make him heave- to, when the
enemy commenced action by firing his larboard g4ins. We then
kept away, ran under his lee, and at 9. 29. commenced the

APPENDIX.

action. At 10 o'clock) ordered the men to cease firing, and
hailed the enemy, to know if he had surrendered ; no answer
was returned to this, he resumed his fire, and ^we continued
ours; 10. 10. manned our starboard-guns, and fired three or
four of them, when orders were again given to cease firing ;
10. 12. hailed the enemy, ^VIIaTo you surrendered?" when
they answered in the affirmative. We were on th'' eve of
taking ponsession, when a sail was descried close on board of
us : orders were then given to clear the ship for action, which
were promptly executed. We were then on the point of wear-
ing, to engage the second, which we perceived to be a brig of
war, when, at 10. 26. discovered two more sails, one a-stern,
the other one point on our lee<quarter, standing for us ; or-
ders were then given to stand from the strange sails. The first
sail seen approached within pistol-shot, fired a broadside, and
cut away our lower main-cross-trees, and did other damage,
and immediately stood for the other two sails last discovered*
Continued on our course.

List of killed and wounded on board the U. S. sloop of rear
the fVaspf Johnson Dlakeli/, Esq. commander, in the action

with //. B. M. sloop of war , on the Ut of Septei^beff

1814.

Killed— 3 ose^ph Martin, boatswain ; Henry Staples, quarter,
gunner.

Wounded— J naes Snellings, seaman ; clavicl^ or collar-
bone, fractured by a wad.

»!atf*

Recapitulation.

2
1

(id» mi

Total

i':.»-
'::".

* 9 ^

W. M. CLARKE, surgeon..

■ -i

cWi

■ if

i :1

Ml*

IS:
TO

APPENDIX.

No. 89.

From Sir James Yeo to Mr, Croker,

II. M.S. St. Lawrence, Kingston^

Sib, September 24, 1814.

I hare the honor to transmit, for the information of the

lords commissioners of the admiralty, a copy of a letter from

Captain Pring, late commander of H. M. brig Linnet.

It appears to me, and I have good reason to belicre, that

Captain Oownie was urged, and his ship hurried into actioq,

before she was in a fit state to meet the enemy,

I am also of opinion, that there was not the least necessity

for our squadron gifing the enemy such decided advantages, by

going into their bay to engage them. Even had they been

successful, it would not, in the least, have assisted the troops

in storming the batteries ; whereas, had our troops taken their

batteries first, it would have obliged the enemy's squadron to

quit the bay, and given our's a fair chance.

, \ have the honor to be, &c.

JAMES LUCAS YEO, commodore,

and commander.in.jChivf*
J. W, Croker, Esq. &c. &c.

•Vi.

No. 90.

From Captain Pring to Sir James Yeo,

U. S. ship Saratoga, Plattsburgh bay,
SiE, lake Champlain, Sept. 12, 1814.

The painful task of making you acquainted with the circam-
stances attending the capture of H. M. squadron yvsterday, by
that of the Americans, under Commodore Macdonough, it
grieves m<s to sute, becomes my duty to perform, from the
erer-to-be- lamented loss of that worthy and gallant officer,
Captain Downie, who unfbr4onately fell early in the action.

APPENDIX.

•Wil

III cohiequence of the earnest solicitation of hii eicelleDcy
Sir George PrcTost, for the co-operation of the naral force
on this lalce to atlacli that of the enemjr, who were placed for
the support of their works at Plattsburg, which, it was pro-
posed, should be stormed bjr the troops at (he same moment
that the naTal action should commence in the bay, erery possi-
ble exertion was used to accelerate the armament of the new
ship, that the military movements might not be postponed, at
auch an advanced season of the year, longer than was abso-
lutely necessary.

On the 3d instant, I was directed to proceed, in command
of the flotilla of gun.boats, to protect the left-flank of our
army advancing towards Plattsburg ; and, on the day follow-
ing, after taking possession of, and paroling the militia of isle
de Motte, I caused a battery of three long 18-pounder guns
to be constructed, for the support of our position abreast of
Little Chazy, where the supplies for the army were ordered to
be landed.

The fleet came up on the 8th instant, but, for want of stores
for the equipment of the guns, could not move forward until
the 11th. At day.light wc weighed, and, at 7, were in full
view of the enemy's fleet, consisting of a ship, brig, schooner,
and one sloop, moored in line a-breast of their encampment,
with a division of five gun.boats on each flank. At 40 minutes
past 7, after the officers commanding vessels, and the flotilla,
had received their final instructions as to the plan of attack,
we made sail in order of battle.

Captain Downie had determined on laying his ship athwart-
hawse of the enemy's, directing Lieutenant M'Ghee, of the
Chubb, (o support me in the Linnet, in engaging the brig to
the right ; and Lieutenant Hicks, of the Finch, with the flo-
tilla of gun.boats, to attack the schooner and sloop on the
left of the enemy's line.

At 8, the enemy's gun.boats and smaller vessels commenced
a heavy and galling fire on our line. At 10 minutes after 8,

% :

clflU

APPENDIX.

;'JH

Uo Con fiance, havitg had two anchors shot away from her lar.
board-bow, and the wind baffling, was obliged to anehor,
(though not in the situation proposed,) within two cables'
length of her adversary. The Linnet and Chubb soon after-
wards took their allotted stations, something short of that
distance: when the crews on both sides cheered, and com.
mepccd a spirited and close action. A short time, however,
deprived mc of the valuable services of Lieutenant M*Ghee ;
vho, from having his cables, bowsprit, and Asin-boom shot
away, drifted within the enemy's line, and was obliged to
surrender. .

. From the light airs, and smoothness of the water, the fire
qn both sides proved very destructive, from the commencement
of the engngement ; and, with the exception of the brig, that
qif the enemy appeared united against the Confiance.

'). After two hours' severe conflict with our opponent, she cut
}ver cable, ran down, and took shelter between the ship and
schooner, which enabled us to direct our fire against the divi.
s^on of the enemy's gun-bon's, and ship, which had so long
annoyed us, during our close engagement with the brig, with-
out any return on our part. At this time the fire of the
enemy's ship slackened considerably, having several of her
guns dismounted ; when she cut her cable, and winded her
I{trboard-broadsidc to bear on the Confiance, who in vain en-
deavoured to effect the samo operation. At 33 minutes after
10, 1 was much distressed to observe the Confiance had struck
her colours.

.The whole attention of the enemy's force then became di.
rected towards the Linnet. The shattered and disabled state
q( the masts, sails, rigging, and yards, precluded the most
distant hope of being able to effect an escape by cutting the
cable : the result of doing so must, in a few minutes, have
been, her drifting alongside the enemy's vessels, close under
9ur lee ; but, in hope that the flotilla of gun-boats, who had
abandoned the object assigned them, would perceive our wants,

APPENDIX.

clix

and come to oar anistanco, which would afford a reasonable
prospect of being towed clear, I determined to resist the then
destructifo cannonading of the whole of the enemy*s fleet,
and, at the same time, dispatched Lieutenant Drew to ascertaia
the state of the Confiance. <>

At 45 minotes after 10, was apprised of the irreparable loss
she had sustained by the death of her brate commander,
(whose merits it would bo presumption in mc to eitol,) at
well as the great slaughter which had taken place on board ;
and, obserring from the manoeufres of the flotilla, that I could
enjoy no further expectation of relief, the situation of my
gallant comrades, who had so nobly fought, and were even
now fast falling by my side, demanded the surrender of H. M.
brig entrusted to my command, to prevent a useless waste of
Taluable lives ; and, at the request of the surviving officers
and men, I gave the painful orders for the colours to b«
struck. -■^ .--

' Lieutenant Hicks, of the Finch, had the mortification to
strike on a reef of rocks to the eastward of Crab island, about
the middle of the engagement, which prevented his rendering
that assistance io the squadron, that might, from an officer of
iuch ability, have been expected.

' The misfortune which this day befel us, by capture, will,
sir, i trust, apologize for the lengthened detail, which, in jus-
tice to the sufferers, 1 have deemed it necessary io give of tho
particulars which led to it ; and, when it is taken into consi*
deration, that the Confiance was 16 days before on the stbcks,
with an unorganized crew, composed of several drafts of men,
who had recently arrived from different ships at Quebec, many
of whom only joined the day before, and were totally un-
known either to the officers or to each other, with the nant of
gun-locks, as well as other necessary appointments, not to be
procured in this country, I trust you will feel satisfied of the
decided advantage the enemy possessed, exclusive of their great
•uperioriiy in point of force^ a comparative statement of which

fii

I* B

pi 1

r% f

i-r

c»* APPENDIX.

I have the honbr to annex.* It now becomes the most pleaSi*
ing part of my present duty, to notice to yon the determined
skill and bravery of the officers and men in this unequal con-
test ; but it gricTes me to state, that the loss sustained in main.<
taining it has been so great. That of the enemy^ I understand^
amounts to something more than the same number.

The fine style in which Captain Downie conducted the squa^*
dron into action, amidst a tremendous fire, without returning
a shot, until secured, reflects the greatest credit to his memory^
for his judgment and coolness ; as also for Lieutenants M'Ghee
and Hicks, for so strictly attending to his example and instruc-
tions. Theil' own accounts of the capture of their respective
vessels, as well as that of Lieutenant Robertson, who suc-
ceeded to the command of the Confiance, will, I feel assured,
do ample justice to the merits of the officers and men serving
under their immediate command ; but I cannot omit noticing
the individual conduct of Lieutenants Robertson, Creswick,
and Hornby, and Mr. Bryden, master, for their particular
exertion in endeavouring to bring the Confiance's starboard-
side to bear on the enemy, after most of their guns were dis-
mounted on the other.

It is impossible fur me to express to you my admiration of
the officers and crew serving under my personal orders. Their
coolness and steadiness, the effect of which was proved by
their irresistible fire^ directed towards the brig opposed to us,
claim my warmest acknowledgments ; but more particularly
for pArcserving the same, so long after the whole strength of
the enemy had been directed against the IJnnet alone. My
first lieutenant, Mr. William Drew, whose merits I have before
had the honor to report to you, behaved on this occasion in
the most exemplary manner.

By the death of Mr. Paul, acting second lieutenant, the
service has been deprived of a most valuable and brave officer :

* B^ some mistake, not forwarded with the despatcbei.

•«:

APPENDIX.

clzi

laiion in

he fell early in the action. Oreat credit is due to Mr. GilcS|
parser, for Tolanteering his serTices on deck ; to Mr. Mitchell,
surgeon, for the skill he evinced in performing some amputa.
tions required at the moment, as well as his great attention to
the wounded during the action ; at the close of which the
water was nearly a foot above the lower-deck, from the num.
ber of shot which struck her between wind and water. I
have to. regret the loss of the boatswain, Mr. Jackson, who
was killed a few minutes before the action terminated. The
assistance I received from Mr. Muckle, the gunner, and also
from Mr. Clarke, master's.mate, Messrs. Towke and Sinclair,
midshipmen, (the latter of whom was wounded in the head,)
and Mr. Guy, my clerk, will, I hope, recommend them, as
well as the whole of my gallant little crew, to your notice.

I have much satisfaction in making you acquainted with the
humane treatment the wounded have received from Commodore
Macdonough : they were immediately removed to his own hos.
pital on Crab island, and were furnished with every requisite.
His generous and polite attention also to myself, the officers
and men, will ever hereafter be gratefully remembered. In.
closed I beg leave to transmit you the return of killed and
wounded ; and have the honor, &c.

DANIEL PRING, captain, late of
H. M. sloop Linnet.
Sir James Lucas Yeo, &e. &c.

A statement of the enemy's squadron engaged with H, M, iat(^
squadron on lake Champlain, September 11, 1814.

Ship Saratoga, of eight long 94. pounders, twelve 33>pound
carronades, six 49.pound carronades.

Brig Eagle, of eight long IS-pounders, twelve S^-pound
carronades.

Schooner Ticonderago, of four long 18-pounders, ten Im-
pounders, three SS-pound carronades.

Cutter Preble, of seven long 9>pounders.

* i'-

I'l

't; lii

■ !'

1
i

^ 4

'■

' 1..;

4i ' 1 i

it"' 1

cUii

APPENDIX.

Six gun>boats, or one long 24'pounder) one: 18-pound«v

earronade. i < ^■7<t#«$i^T

Four gun-boats, of one long 13.poundcr each* *^ ^»mft4i'i

Impossible to. ascertain the number of men. ;>M>^,n«M

A return of the killed and wounded on hoard H. M, lat9
{ tquadron, Sfc,

Confiance — 3 officers, 38 seamen and marines, killed ; 1
officer, 39 seamen and marines, wounded.

Linnet — 9 officers, 8 seamen, killed; 1 officer, 13 seamen
and marines, wounded.

Chubb — 6 seamen and marines, killed ; 1 officer, 15 seamen
and marines, wounded.

Finch — 2 seamen and marines, wounded.— Total li9.

From the Confiance's crew harrng been Unded immediately
after the action, no opportunity has c^ered to muster. The
number stated is the whole as yet a^tcertained to have been
killed and Wounded.

j%|

->i¥ ,:

*»*»*****»

No. 91.

From Commodore Macdonough to the American tecretarg of

the navy.

" "^ U.S. ship Saratoga, off Plattsburg,

Sir, September 11, 1814.

The Almighty has been pleased to grant us a signal victory
on lake Champlain, in the capture of one frigate, one brig,
and two sloops, of war, of the enemy.

I have the honor to be, &c.

T. MACDONOUGH, commodore.
Hon. W. Jones, secretary of the navy, &c.

:'■' »

*: » J a « jf -i *..*""#.£ f I

APRENDIX. clxiil

■ , * :' . ^ ■•.■■.• ■. .:s}# .
JVont /i^e some l!o (Ae Mme* .

^m-m^imm . u. S. ship Saratoga, Plattsburg bi^.
Sir, September 13, 1814. ' *'*

I hare the honor to gire you the particulars of the action
which took place on the 11th instant, on this lake.

For sereral days the enemy were on their way to Platts*
burg, by land and water, and it being well understood that an
attack would be made, at the same time, by their land and
naral forces, I dteti^rmined to wait at anchor the approach of
the latter. At 8 A.M. the look-out boat announced the ap<-,
proach 6f the enemy. At 9, he anchored in a line a-head, at
about 300 yards distance from my lino ; his ship opposed to
the Saratoga ; his brig to the Esgle, Captain R. Henley ; his
galleys, 13 In number, to the schooner, sloop, and a division
of our galleys ; one of his sloops assisting their ship and brig,
the other, their galleys ; our remaining galleys with the Sara-
toga and Eagle.

In this situation, the whole force on both sides became en.
gaged^ the Saratoga suffering much from the heavy fire of the
Confiance. I could perceive at the same time, however, that
our fire was very destructive to her. The Ticonderoga, Lt.
Com. Cassin^ ^llantly sustained her full share of the action.
At half-past 10 o'clock the Eagle, not being able to bring her
guns to bear, cut her cable, and anchored in a more eligible
situation, between my ship and the Ticonderoga, where she
very much annoyed the enemy, but, unfortunately, leaving roe
exposed to a galling fire from (he enemy's brig. Our guns on
the starboard-side being nearly all dismounted, or not manage-
able, a stem-anchor was let go, the bower-cable cut, and th9
ship winded with a fresh broadside on the enemy's ship, which
soon after surrendered. Our broadside was then sprung (o
bear on the brig, which surrendered in about 15 minutes aft§r,

m 2

■* :' {

■'\

•hi?

APPENDIX.

The iloop that was opposed to the Eagle had struck soma
time before, and drifted down the Kne, the sloop, which was
with their galleys, haying struck also. Three of their galleys
are said to be sunk ; the others pulled off*. Our galleys were
about obeying, with alacrity, the signal to follow them, when
all the ressels were reported to me in a sinking state. It then
became necessary to annul the signal to the galleys, and order
their men to the pumps.

I could only look at the enemy's galleys going off in a shat.
tered condition, for there was not a mast in either squadron
that could stand to make sail on ; the lower rigging being all
shot away, hung down as though it had beeH just placed over
the mast-heads.

The Saratoga had 55 round-shot in her hull ; the Confiance
105. The enemy's shot passed principally just over onr
heads, as there were not 20 whole hammocks ia the nettings at
the close of the action ; which lasted, without intermission,
two hours and 20 minutes.

The absence and sickness of Lieutenant R. Perry, l^t m»
without the serTices of that excellent officer. Mvch ought
fairly to be attributed to him, for his care and attention in dis-
ciplining the ship's crew, as her first lieutenant. His place,
was filled by a gallant young officer, lieutenant P. Gamble,
who, I regret to inform you, was killed early in the action.
Acting.lieutenant Vallette worked the first and second dif i-
sions of guns with able effect. Sailing-master Brun's attention
to the springs, and in the execution of the order to wind tha
ship, and occasionally at the guns, meets with my entire ap-
probation ; also Captain Young's commanding the acting
marines, who took his men to the guns. Mr. Beale, purser,
was of great service at the guns, and in carrying my orders
throughout the ship, with Midshipman Montgomery. Master's-
mate Joshua Justin had command of the third division : his
conduct, during the action, was that of a brave and correct
officer. Midshipmen Monteath, Graham, Williamson, Piatt,

if m

>:-{'

APPENDIX.

dxf

Thwing, and Acting.roidshipman Balwio, all bchaTcd well, aad
gare eTidence of their making Taluable officers.

The Saratoga was twice set on fire by hot shot fro>m th«
enemy's ship.

I dose, sir, this commnnlcation, with feelings of gratitude,
for' tile able support I receired from every officer and man
attached to the squadron which I have the honor to command*

I hate the honor to be, &c.

T. MACOONOUGH.
Hon. W. Jones, secretary ef the navy.

P. S. Accompanying this is a list of killed and wounded ; n
list of prisoners ; (not published ;) and a precise statement of
both forces engaged. Also letters from Captain Henley, and
Lieut Com. Cassin.

:1IJ

Rec9pUulation of killed and wounded: (the names having beeh

first given :)

. ' ' Killed. Wounded.

Saratoga 38 .... 20

£agle 13 to

Ticonderoga .... 8

Preble 3

Borer 3 .... 1

Centipede .... 1

Wibner .... 1

ToUl

Gun.boats-^Nettle, Allen, Viper, Burrows, Ludlow, AI.
wyn, Ballard, none killed or wounded.

GEORGE BEALE, jun. purser.

eUti

APPENDIX^

V'i

f-f

-i-

r ^

B* '

f " -

Statement of the American force engaged 6n the Wih of

September^ 1814.

Ship Saratoga — eight long 24-poander8, six 42-poiuid car. , ,

^1 ronades, and twelve 32.pound carronades 2S

Brig Eagle— twelve 32.pottnd carronades, and 8 long 18- ^

|. pounders .-,.-.,-.- , 20

Schooner Ticonderoga — eight long 12.pounders, four long

18.pounder8, and five 32.pound carronades 17

Six row-gallies— one long 24, and one short 18.pDunder, \\

each 12

Four row.gaUies<—one long 12<pottnder 4

Sloop Preble— seven long 9-pounders ................ 7

hf- n mm^ Tbtal, guns 86

Statement of the enemy* t force, Sfc,

frigate Confianoe — twenty.gieiyen long 24-poQnders, foar '^
32-pound carronades, six 24.pound carronades, and
two long 1 8.pounders on the berth-deck 39

Brig Linnet— sixteen long 12-pounders.«....^.,.'^ 16

Sloop Chabb— ten 18-poand carronades, onf long 6.
pounder .i..... 11

Sloop Finch — six 18-pound carronades, one 18-pounder,
(col umbiad,) and one long 6-pounder ......w 11

Three galleys ; viz.— Sir James Yeo,. Sir George Prevost,
Sir Sydney Beck with, one long 24.po0nderj, and one

32-pound carronade, each 6

2
2

Broke — one 18-ponnder, and one 32.'pound carronade .
Murray— one 18-pounder, and one 18-pound carronade.
Wellington, Tecumseth, and one other, (name unknown,)'

—one 18-pounder, each 3

Drummond, Simcoe, and three others, (names unknown,)

one ^2-pound c&rronade, each ' .. 5

.,^, , Total, guns 95

APPENDIX. elxTii

List of British officers captured^ Sfc, and sent to Greenbuih :

cQtuisting of
(Besides Captain Daniel Pring, on parole:) 8 lieutenanti,
1 master, 2 surgeons, 1 assistant ditto, 2 master's mates, 4
midshipmen, 3 pursers, 1 captions clerk, 1 boatswain, 2 gun.
ners, and 1 carpenter :-> total 2S.

■»^»^«***»^»*»»^*r*

9i»

No. 93.

From Captain Youngs to Commodore Macdonough. ^^

U. S. ship Saratoga, Lake Champlain,
Sir, September 13) 1814.

I have the honor of enclosing to you a list of killed and
wounded troops of the line, (acting marines on board the
squadron Lake Champlain,) in the action of the 11th instant.
if^In attempting to do justice to the brare officers and men I
have had the honor to command, my feeble abilities fall far
9hort of my wishes. First Lieutenant Morrison, 33d infan^
try, stationed on board the U. S. brig Eagle, was wounded,
but remained on deck during the action, animating his men by
his honourable conduct. Second Lieutenant James Young,
6th infantry, on board the U. S. schooner Ticonderoga merits
my warmest thanks : I would particularly recommend him to
your notice. Second Lieutenant Wm. B. Howell, Idth infan-
try, in the U. S. ship Saratoga, rendered me eycry assistance ;
notwithstanding his haTing been confined for ten days of a fever,
yet, at the commencement of the action he wai^ found on
deck, and continued until the enemy had struck, when he was
borne to his bed. I would also recommend him to your notice.
The conduct of the non-coromissioned officers and privates
was so highly honorable to their country and themselves, it
would be superfluous to particularize them.
I have the honor to be, &c.

WHITE YOUNGS, captain 15th infantry,
commanding detachment of acting marines.
Commodore T. Macdonough, &c.

\_List referred to not made publicly

II'.

clxTiii

^ppi;nd|x.

; ).

i»*. \i»',..

No. 94.

js «1

Sentence of court-martial on Captain Fringe the aurviving
officers^ 4rc.— 28M August^ 1816.

The court having maturely weighed the eridence, is of opi^
nion, that the capture of H. M. S. Cohfiance, and the remain-
der of the squadron, by the American squadron, was princi*
pally caused by the British squadron having been urged into
battle previous to its being in a proper state to meet the
enemy ; by the promised co-operation of the land forces not
being carried into effect, and ,by the pressing letters of their
commander-in-chief, whereby it appears that he had qn the
10th of September, 1814, only waited for the naval attack to
storm the enemy's works : that the signal of the approach on
the following day, was made by the scaling of the guns, as
settled between Captain Downie and Major Cdote ; and the
promised co-operation communicated to the other qfficers and
crews of the British squadron before the commencement of the
action. The court, however, is of opinion, that the attack
would have been attended with more effect, if a part of the
gun-boats had not withdrawn themselves from the action, and
others of the vessels had not been prevented by baffling winds
from getting into the stations assigned them: that Captain
Pring of the Linnet, and Lieutenant Robertson, who sue.
ceeded to the command of the Con fiance, after the lamented
fate of Captain Downie, (whose conduct was marked by the
greatest valor,) and Lieutenant C. Bell, commanding the Mur-
ray, and Mr. Robertson, commanding the Beresford, gun-
boats, who appeared to take their trial at this court-martial,
conducted themselves with great zeal, bravery,' and abilityy
daring the action : that Lieutenant Yf. Hicks, commanding
the Finch, also conducted himself with becoming bravery:
that the other surviving officers and ships* crew, except Lieu-
tenant M'Ghie of the Chubb, who has not appeared here to take

APPENDIX.

cilia

his trial, also eondacte4 jthemielTM with brafery; and that
Captain Pring, Lieutenant Robertson, Lieutenant Hichs^
Lieutenant C. Qell, and Mr. J. Robertson, and the rest of the
BurTiving officers and ships' company, except liieutenant
M^Gbie, ought to be most honorably acquitted ; and they arp
hereby most honorably ac<j|nitted accordingly.

^i»»##»##>»»#^o»»»»

*.'■ No. 06.

fSentence on Lieutenant M^GhiCf on the ISth of Septemher^

1815.
»

Tlie court having heard the circumstances, determined, that

the Chubb was not properly carried into action, nor anchored

so as to do the most effectual service ; by which neglect, she

drifted into the line of the enemy : that it did not appear,

however, that there was any want of courage in Lieutenant

M^Ghie ; and therefore, the court djd only adjudge him to ba

severely reprimanded. i^

»j^-

f^^^^***^4

No. 96.

;^^

Vote of congress.

• . The congress of tbe United Slates resolved, that their thanks
be presented to Commmodore Macdonough, and through him to
the officers, petty.officers, seamen, marines, and infantry ser-
ving as marines, attached to the squadron under his command^
for the decisive and splendid victory gained on Lake Cham,
plain ; tbat gold medals be struck, emblematical of the action
between the two squadrons, and presented to Commodore
Macdonough, Captain R. Henley, and Lieutenant Stephen
Cassin; that silver medals^ &c.

Jkx

AFtENDlX.

^4lM IttouaiiMKi .r Nd. 07.

«»j ' i

'From 'Rear-admiral Cockburn to Ficemodmiral Cochrane.

4« Sir, H. M. S. SeTevD,iin the Patapsco, Sept. 15.

In furtherance of the iastructions I had the honor to re-
cciTe from you on the llth instant, I landed at day-light of the
12th, with Major-general Ross, and the force under his com.
mand, at a place the general and myself had previously fixed
upon, near to North Point, at the entrance of the Patapsco,
and in conformity with his wishes, I determined on remaining
on shore, and accompanying the arn^ to render him every
assistance within my power during the contemplated movements
MJtA operations ; therefore, so soon as our landing was com.
plated, I directed Captain Nonrse of this ship, to advance up
^e Pfttasco with the frigates, sloops, and bomb-ships, to bom-
bard the fort,.«nd threaten the water-af^roach to Baltimore;
and I moved on the army, and seaman (under Captun £.
Groftmi) attached to it, on the direct road leading to the
above-mentioned town. We had advanced abont il/e miles
without other occurrence than taking prisoners a few light,
horse-men ; when the general and myself being with the ad-
vanced guard, observed a division of the enemy posted at a turn,
ing of the road, extending into a wood on our left ; a sharp
fire was almost immediately opened upon us from it, and as
quickly returned with considerable effect by our advanced
guard, which pressing steadily forward, soon obliged the enemy
to run off "with the utmost precipitation, leaving behind him
several men killed and wounded; but it is with the most
heartfelt sorrow I have to add, that in this short and desultory
skirmish, my gallant and highly valued friend the major.gene-
ral received a musket ball through his arm into his breast,
which proved fatal to him on his way to the water-side for
re-embarkatton.

Our country, sir, has lost in him one of its best and bravest

APPENDIX.

clxoi

ipldien, and thoie who knew him, as I did, a friend moat
honoured and beloTed; and I trust, sir, I may be forgiren for
considering it a sacred duty I owe to him to mention here,
that whilst his wounds were binding up, and we were placing
him on the bearer, which was to carry him off the field, he
assured me, the wounds he had receired in the performance of
his duty to ^is country, caused him not a pang ; but he felt
alone, anxiety for a wife and family dearer to him than his
life, whom in the erent of the fatal termination he foresaw, he
recommended to the protection and notice of his majesty's
goTcrnment and the country.

Colonel Brooke, on whom the command of the army now
defolved, haiing come up, and the body of our troops having
closed with the adTance, the whole proceeded forward about
two miles further, where we observed the enemy in force
drawn up before us, apparently about six or seren thousand
strong ; on .perceiving our army he filed off into a large and
extensive wood on his right; from which he commenced a
cannonade on us from his field-pieces, and drew up his men
behind a thick paling, where he appeared determined to make
his stand. Our field-guns answered his with evident advantage,
and as soon as Colonel Brooke had made the necessary dis-
positions, the attack was ordered, and executed in the highest
style possible. The enemy opened his musketry on us from
his whole line, immediately that we approached within reach
of it, and he kept up his fire till we reached and entered the
wood, when he gave way in every direction, and was chased
by us a considerable distance with great slaughter ; abandon-
ing his post of the Meeting House, situated in this wood,
and leaving all his wounded and two of his field-guns in our
possession.

An advance of this description against superior numbers of
an enemy so posted, could not be effected without loss. I
have the honor to enclose a return of what has been suffered
by those of the naval department, acting with the army on

dtxU

APPENDIX.

-f-.i

thii occasion ; and it is, air, with the greatest pride and plea,
fure, I report to yon that the brigade of leamen with
small arms commanded hy Captain Edward Crofton, assisted
f>y Captains Sullivan, Money, and Ramsey, (the three senior
commanders in the fleet) who commanded divisions under him,
behaved with a gallantry and steadineu which would have
done honor to the oldest troops, and which attracted the
admiration of the array. The seamen under Mr. Jackson,
master's mate of the Tonnant, attached to the rocket-brigade,
commanded by the first lieutenant, Lawrence, of the marines,
behaved also with equal skill and bravery. The marines,
landed from the ships under the command of Captain Robyn's,
the senior officer of that corps, belonging to the fleet, behaved
with their usual gallantry.

'"' Although, sir, in making to yon my report of this action,
I know it is right I should confine myself to mentioning only
the conduct of those belonging to the naval department, yet I
may be excused for venturing further to state to you, gene*
rally, the high admiration with which I viewed the conduct
of the whole army, and the ability and gallantry with
which It was managed and headed by its brave colonel, which
ensured to it the success it met with. ' "* "'"•"' — >""•

The night being fast approaching, and the troops ranch
fatigued, Colonel Brooke determined on remaining for the
night on the field of battle, and on the morning of the 1 3th,
leaving a small guard at the Meeting House to collect and pro-
tect the wounded, we again moved forwards towards Balti-
more; on approaching which, it was found to be defended by
extremely strong works on every side, and immediately in
front of us by an extensive hill, on which was an entrenched
camp, and great quantities of artillery ; and the information
we collected, added to what we observed, gave us reason to
believe, there were at least, within their works, from 15 to
30,000 men. Colonel Brooke lost no time in reconnoitering
these defenses, after which he made his arrangement for storn-

li;;

APPENDIX.

dixltt

Ing daring tha eaittbg nigbC, with hit gtilant little army, tha
catrenched camp ia our front, notwithstanding all the difllical-
tict which U presented. The tubiequent coromunicationi
which we opened with yon, howcTer, induoed him to relinquish
again the ideai and therefore yesterday morning the army
retired leiiarely to the Meeting House, where it halted for
tome hours, to make the necessary arrangements respecting
the wounded, and the prisoners taken on the 13th, which
being completed, it madi a further short moTement in the
eyening towards the place where it disembarked, and where it
arrifed this morning for re-embarkation, without suffering the
slightest molestation from the enemy; who, in spite of his
superiority of number, did not even Tenturc to look at us
during this slow and deliberate retreat.

As you, sir, were in person with the advanced frigates,
sloops, and bomb* vessels, and as, from the road the army
took, I did not see them after quitting the beach, it would
be superfluonr for me to make any report to you respecting
them. I have now, therefore, only to assure you of my
entire satisfaction and approbation of the conduct of every
officer and man employed under me, during the operations
above detailed, and to express to you how particularly I con-
sider myself indebted to Captain Edward Crofton, (acting cap-
tain of the Royal Oak,) for the gallantry, ability, and zeal,
with which he led on the brigade of seamen in the action of the
13th, and executed all the other services with which he has
been entrusted since our landing; to Captain White, acting
captain of the Albion, who attended me as my aid-de-camp
(he whole time, and rendered me every possible assistance ; to
Captains Sullivan, Money, and Ramsay, who commanded
divisions of the brigade of seamen ; to Lieutenant James Scott,
of the Albion, whom I have had such frequent cause to men-
tion to you on former occasions, and who in the battle of the
13th, commanded a division of seamen, and behaved most gaU
batly, occasionally also acting as an extra aid-dc«amp to

I '

ChllT

APPlSNDIX^

myielf. Captain Robyns, who commandtsd the nmrines of the
fleet, and who wa» lererely wounded' daring tiie engagement,
I alao beg to recommend to your faTorable notice and consi-
deration ; ai well as Lieutenant' George G. Urmston, of the
Albion, whom 1 placed ia command of the smaller boats, to
endeavour to ikeep up a commanicatioa between the army and
Davy, which he eflected- by great perseTerance, and thereby
rendeied ut most essential service. In short) sir, erery indi-
▼idtt^ seemed animated with equal anxiety to distinguish him.
self by good conduct on this occasion; and I tmstj therefore,
the whole will be deemed worthy of your approbation. Cap.
tain Nourse of the Serern, was good enough to recoiTe my flag
for diis service: ho rendered me great assistance in getting the
•hips to thedifierent stations within the river; and when the'
storming of the fortified hill was contemplated, he hastened to
my assistance with a reinforcement of seamen and marine* ;
and I should consider myself wanting In candour and justice,
did I not particuhirly point out, sit, to you, the high opinion
I entertain of the enterprise and ability of this valuable officer,
not only for his conduct on this occasion, but on th-s very
many others on which I have employed him, since with me in

the Chesnpeake.

I have the honor to be, &c.

GEORGE COCKBURN.

Vi6e.admiral the Hon. Sir A. Cochrane^ K.. B.

commitfider.in-chief, &c. &c.

^****»9^^**»*»»»*

r,.'

No. 98.

i •

^rom Cohnei Brooke^ to Vice-admiral Cochrane,

Dear Sir,
I beg leave to be allowed to state to you, how much I feel
indebted to CapiaiaCrofton^ conmanding thf brigade of sailors

APPBI^DIX.

CIXXT

from liit> najflsCy*! sMpt undmr fonr eonmanif, as also to
Captains SolliTan, Moneys and Ramtaf, for tiiair rerj great
exertions in performing erery fSormation made by his majesty**
troops ; haTing seen myself those officers expose themselres is
the hottest of the enemy's ' fire, to keep their men in line of
march with the disciplined troops. The obedient and steady
conduct of tiie sailors^ b^ere me sir, etcited the admiration
of erery indiTidmd of the army, as well as my greatest grati-
tude.

Beliere me to be, dear sir, ke, ^

A. BROOKE, i*

Vice^miral the Hon. Sir A. Cochrane, K.B. ' --^^

eommander.in.ehief, &c. Ice. itff') i^»f ^ia

. . . y ■ ."^n'

ice/urn of kitted, tooundedf and missing, of navat and marine

brigades, ',

Killed, 7 ; wounded, 48 ; missing, 1 :— 4otal, 56* ^

I ■■

No. 99.

From Captain Lockyer to Vice.admiral Cochrane,

,r*

Al»

H. M. sloop Sophie, Cat-island roads, \p
Sxa, December 18, 1814.

I beg leaTe to inform yon, that in pursuance of your orders,
the boats of the squadron which you did me the honor to place
under my command, were formed into three divisions, (the-
first, headed by myself ; the second, by Captain Montresor,
of the Mauley ; and the third, by Captain Roberts, of the
Meteor,) and proceeded, on the nigii', oi the i3th instant,
from the frigate's anchorage, in quest of the enemy's flotilla.

After a yery tedious row of S6 hours, during which the.
enemy attempted to escape from us, the wind fortunately
obliged him to anchor off St Joseph's island, and nearing him
«a the morning of tha 14tb, I diicoTered hit forcjB to C9aii*l^

cIziTi

APPENDIX.

'f, i

of fire- gun-TMsels, of the largest dimeniloni, which wertf
moored ia a line a-breast, with iprings on their cables, and
boarding.nettings triced up, efidently prepared for our re-
ception.

Observing also, as we approached the flotiila, an armed
■loop endeavouring to join them, Captain Roberts, who volun-
teered to take her, with part of his division, succeeded in
cutting her off, and capturing her withoiit much opposition.
About 10 o'clock, having closed-to within long gun-shot, I
directed the boats to come to a grapnel, and the people to get
their breakfasts ; and, as soon as they had finished, we again
took to our oars, and pulling up to the enemy, against a
■trong current, running at the rate of nearly three miles an
hoar, exposed to a heavy and destructive fire of round and
grape. About noon I had the satisfaction of closing with the
commodore. In the Seahorse's barge. After several minutes*
obstinate resistance, in which the greater part of the officers
and crew of this boat were either killed or ivounded, (myself
amongst the latter, severely,) we succeeded in boarding, and
being seconded by the Seahorse's first barge, commanded by
Mr. White, midshipman, and aided by the boats of the Ton-
nant, commanded by lieutenant Tatncll, we soon carried her,
and turned her guns with good effect upon the remaining four.

During this time Captain Montresor's division was making
every possible exertion to close with the enemy, and with the
asaistanoeof the other boats, then joined by Captain Roberts,
in about five minutes we had possession of the whole of the
flotilla. . t

I have to lament the loss of many of my brave and gallant
companions, wiho gloriously fell in this attack ; but consider-
ing the great strength of the enemy's vessels, (whose force is
underneath described,) and their state of preparation, we have
by no means suffered so severely as might have been expected. •

I am under the greatest obligations to the officers, seamen ,•)
and marines, I had th(e honor to command on this occasion^ to>-

APPENDIX.

clxxvii

whoso gallantry and exertions the serTice is indebted for the
capture of these vessels : any comments of mine would fall
short of the praise due to them. I am especially indebted to
Captains Montrcsor and Roberts, for their advice and assist-
ance : they a^ o entitled to more than I can say of them, and have
my best thenks for the admirable style in which they pushed
on with their divisions to the capture of the remainder of the
enemy's flotilla. In an expedition of this kind, where so many
were concerned, and so much personal exertion and bravery
was di played, I find it impossible to particulari7<^ every indivi.
dual who distinguished himself, and deserves to be well spoken
of; but I feel it my duty to mention those, whose behaviour
fell immediately under my own eye.

Lieutenant George Pratt, second of the Seahorse, who com.
manded that ship's boats, and was in the same boat with mc,
conducted himself to that admiration which I cannot suffici-
ently express. In his attempt to.board the enemy he was
several times severely wounded ; and," at last, so dangerously,
that I fear the service will be deprived of this gallant and pro-
mising young officer.

I cannot omit to mention also the conduct of Lieutenants
Tatnell and Roberts, of the Tonnant, particularly the former,
who, after having his boat sunk alongside, got into another,
and gallantly pushed on to the attack of ti s remainder of the
flotilla. Lieutenant Roberts was wounded in closing with the

enemy.
I

I have the honor to be, &c.

NICHOLAS LOCKYER.

No. 1, gun-vessel— one long 24- pounder, four 12.pounder
carronades, and four swivels, with a complement of 45 men ;
Captain Jones, commodore. ^

No. 2, gun-Tcssel— one long 32.poundcr, six long 6.
pounders, two 5>inch howitzers, and four swivels, with a com«
plement of 45 men ; Lieut<)nant M^Ives.

elxzTlil

APPENDIX.

] .

Hi'

No. 3, gun.ressel— one long 24.ponnder, four long 6.
pounders, and four swivels, with a complement of 45 men. '^'

No. 4, gun.Tessel— one long 24-pounder, four 12.pounder
carronades, with a complement of 45 men. -^

No. 5, gun.vessel — one long 24-pounder, four 12- pounder
carronades^ with a complement of 45 men. ■■*%

No. 6, armed sloop — one long 6.pounder, two 12.pounder

carronades, with a complement of 20 men.

NICHOLAS LOCK YER.

jf. list of ihe killed and wounded in the boats of H» M. ships,
at the capture of 'the American gun-vesscts near Neu
Orleans, ..^^

Tonnant — 1 able seaman, 2 ordinary seamen, killed; 1 lien-
tenant, 4 midshipmen, 4 able seamen, 4 ordinary, 2 landmen,
3 private marines, wounded. »^

Norge— 1 quarter-master killed; 1 master's-mate, 4 able
seamen, 3 ordinary seamen, 1 private marine, wounded. %&

Bedford — 1 seaman killed ; 2 lieutenants, 1 master's-mate,
•2 seamen, wounded. »<>

Royal Oak— 1 seaman wounded. "^

Ram lilies — 4 seamen killed ; 9 seamen wouri^dsd.

Armide— 1 seaman killed. i^

Cydnus — 1 midshipman, 1 seaman, S ^^rivate marines,
wounded.

Seahorse — 1 midshipman, 1 volunteer of th.? first class, 1
able seaman, 1 ordinary seaman, 1 private ma:i-inc, killed ; 1
lieutenant, 2 midshipmen, 1 lieutenant of marines, 7 able sea.
men, 7 ordinary seamen, 1 landmah, 4 private marines,
wounded.

Trave— 1 volunteer of the first class, I captain of the fore.
top, killed; 1 private marine wounded.

Sophie— 1 captain wounded.

Meteor — 3 seamen wounded. ^

Belle Poule— 2 seamen wounded. ,|

APPENDIX.

clxxix

Gorgon— 1 master's-mate wounded.
.» Total— 3 midghipmen, 13 seamen, 1 private marine, killed;
1 captain^ 4 lieutenants, 1 lieutenant of marines, 3 master*s-
mates, 7 midshipmen, 50 seamen, 1 1 marines, vrounded.

Grand total — 17 killed, 77 wounded.

No. H)0.

" From Rear-admiral Hotham to Vice-admiral Cochrane.

<)ii ' Superb, at anchor, before New London,

tn Sir, January 23.

I have the honor to acquaint you with the capture of the
U.S. ship Prcttident, on the 15th instant, by the following
force ; Tiz.-.-the Ma^Jestic, Captain Hayes ; Tenedos, Captain
Hyde Parker ; Eudyuiion, Captain Hope ; Pomone, Captain
Lumley ; which I had collected off the bar of New York,
under the direction of Captain Hayes. She, and the Macedo-
nian armed brig, of 420 tons, loaded with provisions, sailed
on the preceding evenining, under the command of Commo-
dore Decatur ; but the present season of the year, and the
dark nights, of which he availed himself, have not enabled him
to elude the vigilance of Captain Hayes, and the commanders
of H. M. ships under his orders, who have well discharged the
important duty I assigned to them ; and I beg leave to offer
yon my congratulations on the design of the American govern-
ment being defeated.

Yo will perceive by the reports Captain Hayes has deli-
vered to me, (copies of which I do myself the honor to trans-
mit to you herewith,) the ardor displayed by Captain Hopt
in the pursuit, the intrepidity with which he brought the ene-
my's ship to close action, and the undaunted spirit with which
the Endymion's inferior force was singly employed, for the
•pace of two koura and a half, leaving honorable evidence of

n 2

clxxx

APPENDIX.

judgment in (he position she was placed in, and of the destroc-
live precision of her fire, in the sinking state of her antago.
nist, the heavy loss sustained by him, and his inability to make
further resistance when the Pomone arrived up with him; whilo
the loss sustained by the Endymion was comparatively small :
and although the distinguished conduct of Captain Hope, his
ufBcers, and ship*8 company, can derive no additional lustre
from my commendation, I cannot withhold my tribute of ap-
plause; nor can I refrain from assuring you, that the judicious
conduct of Captain Hayes, in the direction of the force en.
trusted to his orders, and the exertions exhibited by him, and
by Captains Parker, Hope, and Lumley, have justified the
confidence I had placed in their zeal, and have rendered them
worthy of your approbation.

I have the honor to be, Sec.

H. HOTHAM, rear.admiraK
To the Hon. Sir A. Cochrane, K. B. vice-admiral
of the red, commander-in-chief, &c. &c.

r#«4sr#«^

No. 101.

From Captain Hayes to Rear-admiral Ilotham.

.^i

Sir,

Majestic, at sea, January 17, 1815.

I have the honor to acquaint you, that notwithstanding my
utmost endeavours to keep the squadron committed to my
charge close in with Sandy Hook, agreeably to your direc-
tions, for the purpose of preventing the escape of the U. S.
ship President, and other vessels ready for sea atStaten island,
we were repeatedly blown off by frequent gales ; but the very
great attention paid to my orders and instructions by (he re-
spective captains, in situations difficult to keep company, pre-
vented separation ; and, whenever the wind did force us from

APPENDIX.

clxxxi

iho coast, I inTariably, on the gale moderating, placed the
squadron on that point of bearing from the Hook 1 judged it
likely, from existing circumstances, would be the enemy's
track ; and it is with great pleasure I have now to inform you
of the success of the squadron in the capture of the U. S. ship
President, Commodore Decatur, on Sunday night, after an
anxious chase of 18 hours.

On Friday the Tencdos joined me, with your order to take
Captain Parker, in that ship, under my command. Wo
were then in company with the Endymion and Pomone,
off the Hook, and in sight of the enemy's ships; but that
night the squadron was blown off again in i .levers snow-
storm. On Saturday the wind and weather became f ivorable
for the enemy, and I hud no doubt but he would attempt his
escape that night. It was impossible, from the direction of
the wind, to get in with the Hook ; and, as before stated, (in
preference to closing the land to the routhward,) wc stood
away to the northward and eastward, till the squadron reached
the supposed track of the enemy ; and, what is a little singu-
lar, at the very instant of arriving at that point, an hour be-
fore day.light, Sandy-hook bearing W.N. W. 15 leagues, wc
were made happy by the sight of a ship and brig standing to
the southward and eastward, and not more than two miles on
the Majestic's Mcather-bow ; the night.signal for a general
chase was made, and promptly obeyed by all the ships.

In the course of the day the chase became extremely intc.
resting, by the endeavour of the enemy to escape, and the
exertions (of (ho British commanders) to get their respective
ships alongside of him : the former, by cutting away his an-
chors, and throwing over.board every moveable article, with
a great quantity of provisions; and the latter, by trimming
their ships in every way possible to effect their purpose. As
the day advanced, the wind declined, giving the Endymion an
evident advantage in sailing ; and Captain Hopc\s exertions
enabled him to get his ship alongside of the enemy, and com-

^'!f

cluxii

APPENDIX.

mence closo action, at half an hour past 5 o'clock in tht
CTcning, Mrhich wai continued with great gallantry and spirit
on both sides for two hours and a half, when the Endymion's
sails being cut from the yards, the enemy got a-head : Captain
Hope talcing this opportunity to bend new sails, to enable him
to get his ship alongside again, the action ceased; till the
Pomone, getting up at half- past 11 at night, and firing a few
shots, the enemy hailed to say she had already surrendered.
' The ship, on being taken possession of, prored to be the
President, as above stated, commanded by Commodore Decatur.
' The Tesscl in company with her was the Macedonian brig, a
merchant.ship, laden with provisions, which made her escape
by Tcry superior sailing.

i And now, sir, a very pleasing part of my duty is, the bear,
ing testimony to the able and masterly manner in which the
Endymion was conducted, and the gallantry with which she
was fought ; and when the effect produced by her well-directed
fire upon the President is witnessed, it cannot be doubted but
that Captain Hope would have succeeded either in capturing
or sinking her, had none of the squadron been fn sight.

For your further information, I have the honor to enclose
Captain Hope's letter, with a return of killed and wounded
on board the Endymion. I have not yet been able to ascer-
tain the loss of the President, but I beliere it to be much
greater th'jii the Endymion's, and she had six feet water in the
hold wh'jn taken possession of. Both ships were very much
cut in masts and rigging ; and, had the present most severe
gale commenced twelve hours sooner, the prize would un-
doubtedly have sunk. As soon as the weather will permit a
communication, I shall procure further particulars, and then
send the Endymion and Pomone, with the prize and prisoners,
to Bermuda.

I have the honor to be, &c.

JOHN HAYES, captain.^
I^ear admiral the Hon. Sir H. Hotham. #

APPENDIX.

fflxuiU

P. S. The ships having parted company in the gale, no fur-
ther particulars have been obtained.

Number of persons of all descriptions on board the Prcu*
dent, previous to the action, about 490.

rti^ iii Number and calibre of her guns.

Main.deck : thirty long 24-pounders. Quarter-deck : four,
tccn 42> pounder carronades, one long 34.pounder, one 24-
pounder howitzer. Forecastle : six 42.pounder carronades,
one long 94>poundcr. Fore-top : two brass 6>pounders.
Main.top: two brass 6-pounders. Mizcn-top: two smaller
guns :— Total 59.

^*»»**»r*»^0»*^»m

No. 102.

From Captain Hope to Captain Hayes,

Sin, H. M.S. Endymion, at sea, January 15.

I enclose a return of the killed and wounded, and I have
great pleasure in bearing testimony of the very great assist,
ance I received from the senior lieutenant, Morgan, during
the whole day's proceedings : together with the cool and de.
tennined bravery of my officers and ship's company, on this
fortunate occasion. Where every individual has so conspicu.
onsly done his duty, it would be injustice for me to particula.
rize ; but I trust the loss and damage sustained by the enemy's
frigate, will shew Ihe steady and well-directed fire kept up by
H. M. ship under my command.

Although our loss has been severe, I am happy to state,
that it is trifling when compared with that of the enemy.

I have the honor to be, &c. '

H. HOPE.
To John Hayes, Esq. captain of H. M.S. Majestic,

and senior officer off New York.
- [^Uere fslloic (he names o/ 11 killed, and 14 Kounded."]

clixxiv

APPENDIX.

i f

Noi 103.

From Commodore Decatur to the American secretary t\f

the navy,

U, B. M. ship Endjrmion, at sea,
Sin, January 18, 1815.

The painful duty of detailing to you the particular causes
which preceded and led to the capture of the late U. S.
frigate President, by a squadron of H. B. M. ships, (as per
margin,) has devolved upon me. In my communication of
the 14th, I made known io you my intention of proreeding
to sea on that evening. Owing to some mistake of the pilots,
tho ship, in going out, grounded on the bar, where she conti-
nued to strike heavily fqr an hour and a half. Although she
had broken several of her rudder-braces, and received such
other material injury as to render her return into port desir-
able, I was unable to do $o from the strong westerly wind
which was then blowing. It being now high water, it became
necessary to force her over the bar before the tide fell. In
this we succeeded by ten o'clpck, when we shaped our course
along the shore of Long island for 50 miles, and then steered
S. E. by S. At 5 o'clock three ships were discovered a-head ;
we immediately hauled up the ship, and passed two miles to
the northward of them. At day-light we discovered four ships
in chase : one on each quarter, and two a-stera, the leading
ship of the enemy a razee ; she commenced a fire upon us,
but without eficct. At meridian, the wind became light and
bailing ; we had increased our distance from the razee, but
the next ship a-stcrn, which was also a large ship, had gained,
and continued to gain upon us considerably. Wc immcdi.
ately occupied all hands to lighten ship, by starting water,
cutting away the anchors, throwing overboard provisions,
cnblos, spare spars, boats, and every article t^at could be got
af, keeping (he sails wet, from the royuls down. At 3, wo

APPENDIX.

clxixr

liad the wtod quite light ; the enemy, who had now been joined by
; a brig, had a strong breeze, and were coming up with us rapidly.
TheEndymion (mounting 60 guna, 24 pounders on the main-
deck) had now approached us within gun-shot, and bad com-
menced a fire with her bow.guns, which we returned from our
Btern. At five o'clock she had obtained a position on our
starboard-quarter, within half point-blank shot, on which
neither our stern nor quarter-guns would bear ; wc were now
steering E. by N. the wind N.W. I remained with her in
this position for half an hour, in the hope that she would
close with us on our broadside, in which case I had pre-
pared my crew to board; but from his continuing to yaw
his ship to maintain his position, it became evident, that to
close was not his intention. Every fire now cut some of our
sails or rigging. To hare continued our course under these
circumstances, would have been placing it in his power to
cripple us, without being subject to injury himself; and
to have hauled up more to the northward to bring our stern
guns to bear, would have exposed us to his raking fire. It
was now dusk, when I determined to alter my course south,
for the purpose of bringing the enemy a-beam ; and, although
• their ships a-stern were drawing up fast, I felt satisfied I
should be enabled to throw him out of the combat before they
could come up, and was not without hopes, if the night proved
dark, (of which there was every appearance,) that I might
.still be enabled to effect my escape. Our opponent kept off
at the same instant we did, and our fire commenced at the
same time. We continued engaged, steering south, and &tecr.
.ing-sails set, two hours and a half, when we completely sue.
ceeded in dismantling her. Previously to her dropping entirely
out of the action, there were intervals of minutes, \^hun the
ships were broadside, in which she did nut fire a gun. At
this period, (half past 8 o'clock,) although dark, the other
ships of the squadron were in sight, and utmost within gun-
shot. We were of course compelled to abandon her. la

i ,"

cIiixtI

APPENDIX.

I '' - '

1-,

. k.

re.aMaming our former course for the pnrpoie of iToiding
the iquadron, wo were compelled to protcnt our stem to oar
Antagonist; but luch wai hi.i state, though we were thus
exposed and within range of his guns for half an hour, that
he did not afail himself of this favourable oportiinity uf raking
us. VVe continued this course until eleven o^clnck, ^hcn two
fresh ships of the enemy (the Pomone and Teniulus) had come
vp. The Pomone had opened her fire on the larboard bow,
within musket-shot; the other, about two cables' length
••stern, takoo a raking position on cur quarter ; and the rest
(with the exception of the Endymion) within gun-shot. Thus
situated, with about one fifth of my crew killed and wounded,
iny ship crippled, and a more than four.fold force opposed to
me, without a chance of escape left, I deemed it my duty to
iurrender.

It is with emotions of pride I bear testimony to the gallantry
and steadiness of every officer and man I had the honor to
command on this occasion ; and I feel satisfied that the fact of
their having beaten a force equal to themselves, in the presence,
and almost under the guns, of so vastly a superior force, when,
too, it was almost self-evident that, whatever their exertions
might be, they must ultimately be captnred, will be taken as
evidence of what they would have performed, had the force
opposed to them been in any degree equal.

It is with extreme pain I have to inform yon, that Lieutc-
tcnants Babbitt, Hamilton, and IIowoll fell in the action.
They have left no officers of superior merit behind them.

If, sir, the issue of this aflfair had been fortunate, I should
have felt it my duty to have recommended to your atten-
tion Lieutenants Shubrick and Gallagher. They maintained
throughout the day the reputation they had acquired in former
actions.

Lieutenant Twiggs, of the marines, displayed great zeal ; his
men were well supplied, and their lire inrompariihle, so Ion;;
as the enemy continued within musket range.

.-■. v.*

APPENDIX.

cliisvU

Midsbipman Randolph, ^rho had charge of (he forecaitlo
division, managed it to my entire latisfaction.

From Mr. Ilobinson, who war serfing as a Tolunteer, I
received essential aid ; particularly after I was deprived of the
services of the master, and serero loss I had sustained in my
officers on my quarter-deck.

Of our loss in killed and wounded, I am unable, at present,
to give }oa a correct statement ; the attention of the surgeon
being so entirely occupied with the wounded, that he was
unable to make out a correct return when I left the President;
nor shall I be able to make it until our arrival in port, wo
having parted company with the squadron yesterday. The
enclosed list, with the exception, I fear, of its being short of
the number, will be found correct.

For 34 hours after the action it was nearly calm, and the
squadron were occupied In repairing the crippled ships. Such
of the crew of the President as were not badly wounded, were
put on board the different ships ; myself and a part of my
crew were put on board this ship. On the 17th wc had a galo
from the eastward, when this ship lost her bowsprit, fore and
main-masts, and mizen.top-mast, all of which were badly
wrounded ; and was, in consequence of her disabled condition,
obliged to throw orerboard all her upper.deck guns : her loss
in killed and wonnded must have been very great. I have not
been able to ascertain tho extent. Ten were buried after I
came on board ; (36 hours after the action ;) the badly wound.
. ed, such as were obliged to keep their cots, occupy the star.
. board side of the gun.deck, from the cabiii-bulk.head to the
main.mast. From the crippled state of the President's spars,
1 feel satified she could not have saved her masts, and I feci
serious apprehensions for the safety of our wounded left on
board.

It is due to Captain Hope to state, that every attention
has been paid by him to myself and olTicers that have been

f'f

"•.

'i !

cliixflii APPENDIX.

placed on board his ship, that delicacy and humanity could
dictate.

I ha?e the honor to be, &c.

STEPHEN DECATUR.
The Hon. Ben. W. Crowninshicld,
secretary of the nayy.

British squadron referred to in the letter. '
^ Majestic razee, Endyniion, Pomone, Teriedos, Dcspatclibrig.

[llere follow the names of '24 killed, and 65 icounded.']

No. 104.

Extract of a letter from Commodore Decatur to the American
secretary of the navj/.

Sir, New York, March 6, 1815.

In my official letter of the 18th January, I omitted to state,

thai a considerable number of my killed and wounded was from

the fire of the Pomonc, and that the Endymion had on board,

in addition to her own crew, one lieutenant, one master's

mate, and fifty men belonging to the Saturn, and when the

action ccasrd, was left motionless and unmanageable, until

she bent new sails, rove new rigging, and fished her spars; nor

did she rejoin the squadron for six hours after the action, and

three hours after the surrender of the President. My sword

was delivered to Captain Hayes, of the Majestic, the senior

officer of the squadron, on his quarter-deck ; which he, with

great politeness, immediately returned. 1 have the honor to

enclose you my parole, by which you will perceive the British

admit the President was captured by the squadron. I should

have deemed it unnecessary to have drawn your attention to

this ducuuictit, had not the fuct boon stated ditlercntly in the

APPENDIX.

clxxiiz

Bermuda Gazette, on our arriTal there; which statement,
howoTer, the editor was compelled to retract, through the
interference of the governor, and some of the British oihceri of
the squadron.

No. 105.

New York, April 17, 1815.

From Commodort Murrajj^ to the American secrctarjf of the

navy.

SIR,

I herewith transmit to you the result of the court of inquiry,
respecting the capture of the frigate President, with the opinion
of the court.

We have been more minute in our investigation than might,
at first view, have been deemed necessary ; but, as there has
been a diversity of opinions prevailing among the British com-
manders concerned in her capture, it was desirable, in our
view, to lay before the world, in the most correct. manner,
a.yty circumstance which led to that event, which has afforded
another high proof of American heroism, and so highly ho-
norable to her commander, officers, and crew, that every Ame-
can citixen must feel a pride in knowing that our flag has been
so nobly defended.

The minutes of the court having been read and approved,
the court was cleared, and, after due deliberation, resolved to.
express the sentiments and opinions o^ the members, on the
matters submitted to them, as follows :— >

In execution of the orders of the honorable the secretary of
the navy, we have (with the exception of the two very young
midshipmen) examined every otTicer belonging io the Presi-
dent, within the reach of the court, who survived the late
glorious contest between the frigate President, aad a squadron
of hit Britannic majesty.

CIC

APPENDIX.

i.^k

Wa are of opuiioo, that the primary cause of the loii of
the President was her running on the bar^ as she was learing
this port. The violence and continuance of the shocks she
received f 9r an hour and a half, or more, considering she was
laden with stores and provisions for a very long cruize, could
not but have injured her greatly, and must have impeded her
sailing. Her hogged and twisted appearance, after she arrived
at Bermuda, must have been the effect of this unfortunate ac-
cident. We are convinced that it was owing to this, that the
enemy were able to overtake her.

The striking of the President on the bar cannot be imputed
to the fault of any officer who was attached to her ; on the
contrary, every possible precaution was taken, and the utmost
excrtiona were used by her commander and officers, to ensure
her safe passage over the bar, and to relieve her after she had
struck. The accident was occasioned by some mistake in
placing the boatk > which were to serve as* beacons for the Pre-
sident, through a channel always dangerous for a vessel of her
draught, but particularly so at such a time as she was obliged
to select for passing it, when the land-marks could not be
distinguished. ' i

From the time that the superiority of the enemy's force was
ascertained, and it became the duty of the President to evade
it, wo are convinced that the most proper measures wore pur-
sued, and that she made every possible effort to escape. No
means, in our opinion, were so likely of success, as those
which were adopted by Commodcre Decatur. Any sugges-
tions, that different measures would have been more proper,
or more likely to accomplish the object, we think, are without
foundation, and may be the result of ignorance, or the dic-
tates of a culpable ambition, or of envy.
» We consider the management of ^!ie President, from the
time the cliase commenced till licr surrender, as the highest
evidence of the e.xpericnco, skill, and resources of her com-
mander, and the ability and seamanship of her officers and

APPENDIX.

crew. We fear thtt we cannot ezpreii, in a manner that will
do justice to our feelings, our admiration of the conduct of
Commodore Decatur, and his officers and crew, while engaged
with the enemy, threatened with a force so superior, possessed
of adrantages which must hare appeared to render all opposi-
tion unavailing, otherwise than it might affect the honor of
our navy, and the character of our seamen. They fought
with a spirit which no prospect of success could have height-
ened ; and, if victory had met its common reward, the £ndy«
mion's name would have been added to our list of naval con-
quests. In this unequal conflict the enemy gained a ship, but
<he victory was our's. When the President was obliged to
leave the Eodymion, to avoid the other ships, which were fast
coming up, the £ndymion was subdued ; and if her friends
had not been at hand to rescue her, she was so entirely disa-
bled, that she soon must have struck her fl:ig. A proof of
this iS) that she made no attempt to pursue the President, or
to annoy her by a single shot, while the President was withhi
reach ; when, with the hope to escape from the overwhelming
force which was nearly upon her, the President presented her
stern to the Endymioii's broadside. A proof that the Endy-
mion was conquered is, the shattered condition In which she
appeared, while the Pressident in the contest with her had
sustained but little injury ; and the fact, that the Endymlon
did not join the squadron till mrny hoars after the President
had been surrounded by the other four ships, and had surren.
dcred to them, is a strong corroborative evidence of the disa-
bled state in which the President left the Endymion.

We think it due to Commodore Decatur, and hit heroic
officers and crew, to notice the proposition he made to board
theEndymijn, when he found she was coming up, and the
manner in «'hich this prnpositioa was received by h'u gallant
crew. Such a JeKign, at such a time, could only have bceu
conceived by a soul without fear, and approved with enthu-

cxcii

APPENDIX.

tWf

)'■; 1

ilastic cheerings by men regardless of danger. Had not the
enemy perceived the attempt, and availed himself of the power
he had, in the early part of the action, to shun the approach
of the President, the American stars might now be shining on
the Endymion. In the subsequent part of the engagement,
the cnemy*8 squadron was too near to permit the execution of
this dssign ; and the disabled state of the Endymion would
have frustrated the principal object which Commodore Decatur
had in making so bold an attempt, which was, to avail him-
self of the Eudymion^s superior sailing, to escape with his
crew from his pursuers. -^

. We conclude by expressing our opinion, that Commodore
Decatur, as well during the chase, as through his contest with
the enemy, evinced great judgment and skill, perfect coolness,
the most determined resolution, and heroic courage. That
his conduct, and the conduct of his officers and crew, is highly
honorable to them, and to the American navy» and deserves
the warmest gratitude of their country ; that they did not
give up their ship till she was surrounded and overpowered by
a force so superior, that further resistance would have been
unjustiGablc, and a useless sacrifice of the lives of brave men. ^
The order of the secretary of the navy requires us to ex-
press an opinion as to the conduct of the officers and crew of
the President, after the capture. The testimony of all the
witnesses concurs in enabling us to give it our decided appro-
bation. ^,, ^
^.,. , By the court,

ALEXANDER MURRAY, president.

True copy from the original,
CADWALADER D. COLDEN, judgc-advocatc.

Navy department, April 20, 1815.
Approved, W. B. CROWNINSIIIELD.

.■J t-'-^'

♦^sw

i.V^

ArPPBNDIX.

tidii

No. 106.

From the American secretary of the naojf to Commodore

DeatUur,

Sir, Navy department, April 20, 1815.

I. In the coarw of official duty, it is my highest satisfaction to
■eader justice to the gallantry and good conduct of the bra?a
offioeri and seamen of the U. S. na? y.

In giving an official sanction to the recent proceedings of
the court of enquiry, instituted at my request, to infcstigato
the causes of the loss, by capture, of the frigate President,
late of the navy of the U. S. while under your command.;
and to enquire into the conduct of the commander, officers,
and crew, of the laid frigate, before and after surrender to
the enemy, it would be equally unjust io your merit, as well
as to my sentiments and feelings, to pass orer this investiga-
tioQ with a mere formal approbation. 1 hare therefore, sir,
to ex|>ress to you, in the fullest manner, the high sense of
approbation which the president of the U. S. and this de-
partment, entertain for your professional character as an
officer, who, in every instance, has added lustre to the stars of
the anion : and whose brilliant actions have raised the na-
tional honor and fame, even in the moment ci surrendering
your ship to an enemy's squadron of rastly superior farc«,
over whose attack, singly, you were decidedly triumphant ;
andyou will be pleased tj present to each of your gallant
officers and crew, the thankti of your government, for their
brave defense of the ship, and the flag of the United States.

Th'' proceedings ui d opinion of the court of enquiry, of
which Commodore Aleiander Murray is [irCiUdant, are ap»
proved.

^^ ► » >j 1 am, very respectfully, &c.

B. W. CHOWNINSHIELD.
Commodore Stephen Decatur, U. S. navy, New York.

h :r

melt.

APPENDIX.

Pi '

'I'

No. 107.

Ptfecti of the Pre$identy by shot received in action teith the

Endymion,

(Not before published.)

Quarter.deckf itarboard.side. — After-port-sill, string, and
water-ways, shot to pieces. Second port from aft, timber
sho* through ; and between the second and third ports, tim"
bers and quick-work torn to pieces ; shot went through the
other side. The after.port-timbcr shot through at the fourth
port. One shot through, between the /our/A and jyth ports.
At the tiwth port, plank-sheer shot away, and two shots
through, between the sixth and seventh ports ; and part of
the quart<»r«deck and beams, ripped up by shot.
! Between the quarter-deck and forecuitte. — The wa(er.waySy
plaAk*tli«er, with two streaks of the gang.way, shot away. -^

Ara(ilMfo«l| Itirboard.side.— S'^cofif/ port from forward,
th« tpMMlldhl and water-ways shot. One shot between the
sedoHdutA third portty in wake of deck, which has injured
tiie water«ways. Fourth port, the after-port-timber shot
through. F^th port, fore-mast port.timber cut throngh.
Sixth pott, the sheer.streak and clamp shot through. Be-
tween the tenth and eleventh ports, the clamp and diagonal
knees shot. Taelfth port, the foremast port-timber and
qr.!ck-work shot. Thirteenth port, (he upper sill and eltmp
shot away. Fifteenth port, the upper sill and clamp skof.
Three shots in the buttock, one of which went into the after-
magazine. Several shot went through both sides, between tha
main and quarter-deck, waist, &c. Several shot through
f^etween wind and water, and some under water, which cut the
timbers and knees much. •■'« ><t

One shot through from larboard<side at the tenth port,
which carried away the upper cill. clamp, and diagonal

knees.

< '.'

.,U ii

pi' m-^'* Np^t* iiM

4 tl4 V ^'

* J.^ . .^ t

"^^^'f 5-

APPENDIX.
No. 108.

ezcT

•I

From Captain Stevsart to the American secretary of the navy.

Sib, U.S. frigate Conititution, May, 1815.

On the 30th of February last, the bland of Madeira bear-
ing about VV.S.VV. distant GO leagues, we fell in with H. B. M.
two ships of war, the Cyane and T^evant, and brought (hem
to action about 6 o'clock in the evening ; both of which, after
a spirited engagement of 40 minutes, surrendered to the ship
under my command.

Considering the advantages deriTod by the enemy, from a
divided and more active force, as also their superiority in the
weight ^nd number of guns, I deem the speedy and decistive
result of this action the strongest assurance which can be given
the government, that all under my command did their duty,
and gallantly supported the reputation of American seamen.

Inclosed you will receive the minutes of *he action, and a
list of the killed and wounded on board this ship. Aho in.
closed you will receive, for your information, a statement of
the actual force of the enemy, and the number killed and
wounded on board their ships, as near as could be ascer-
tained. .tT»rti V

CIIAULES STEWART.
Hon. B. W. CrowninshicUl, secretary
of the navy, Washington.

List of killed arid wounded on board the U. S. frigate Con.
stitution, of 44 gunsy (mounting thirtif.tvoo lUpoumlers^
and txcentjf 32-jwuud carronudes, ) on the iOlh of Fff>iu-
arj/y 1815, in action with li. U. M. ships Caj/ane and
Levant*

Killed^ and since dead— A sramen, ? marines.
Wounded — seamen and marines : — tot.-.l 15,

l'!i

cxevl

APPENDIX.

T-g

Statement of the actual force of II. B. M. ships Levant ,
Captain the Hon. George Douglatty commander^ and Ctfane,
Captain Gordon Falcon j commander { toith the number
killed and wounded on board each ship on the 30/A F0-
bruary, 1815, aa near at could be aicertained, while en-

■ gaged with the U, S. frigate CotutHuUon.

Levant.

f,'- ■ ).

18 thirty.two-pounderi, carroaadei. • r

1 twelve-ponnder, ditto. »

il nine-pounder>, loog gum. 'm<^

91 gum; 158 officers, seamen, and marincf.
Prisoners— -V6S officers, seamen, and marinei.
Killed, 23 ; wounded, 16 :~total killed and wounded 30.

Citant,

22 thlrty-two-ponnden, orronadea*
10 eigh teen-pounders, ditto.
3 twelTO-pounders, long gum.

34 gum ; 180 officers, seamen, and mtrinei.
. t 2 brasi swirels. '

Prisoners — 168 officers, seamen, and marines.
Killed, 12 ; wounded^ 36 ; total killed and woundod, 38.

No. 109.

American minutes of the action between the U. S. frigaff
Constitution, and U. M, ships Cyane and Levant, on the '
20/A February, 1815.

.Commences with light breezes from the east, and cloudy
freather. At 1, discovered a sail two points on the larboard*
bow ; hauled up and made sail in chaso. At a quarter past I,
made the sail to bo a ship. At three-quarters past 1, disco*

!»PENDIX.

cxctII

tered mother tail a-bead ; made them ont, at 9 P.M. to bo
both ships, standing cloie-hanled, with their starboard.taclct
on.board. At 4 P.M. the weathermoit ship made lignali, and
bore up for her contort, then about 10 miles to.lceward ; we
bore up after her, and set lower, top>mast, top-gallant, and
rojal itudding.fails in chase. At half-paat 4, carried away
our main.rojaUmast, took in the sail, and got another pre*
pared. At 5 P.M. commenced firing on the chase from our
two larboard bow-guns ; our shot falling short, ceased firing.
At half past 5, finding it impossible to prerent their J unction,
cleared ship for action, thun about 4 miles from the two ships.
At 40 minutes past 5, they passed within hail of each other,
and hauled by tlie wind on the starboard.tack, hauled up their
eoursesj and prepared to receire us. At 45 minutes past 5,
they made all sail, close-hauled by the wind, in hopes of
getting to-windward of us. At 55 minutes past 5, finding
theiliselres disappointed in their object, and wo were closing
with them fast, they shortened sail, and formed on a line of
wind, about half a cable's length from carh other. At 6
P.M. having (hem uadet command of our battery, hoisted
our colours, which was answered by both ships hoiiiting Eng-
lish ensigns. At 5 minutes past 0, ranged up, on the star-
board side of the sternmost ship, about 300 yards distant,
and conmenced the action by broadsides, both ships returning
Our fire with great spirit for about 15 minutes ; then the fire
of the enemy beginning to slacken, and the great olumn of
smoke collected under our lee, induced us to ceasi; our fire,
to ascertain their positions and cundiiions. In about three
minutes the smoke cleared awuy, wu found oiirselvcit a>breast
of the headmost ship, the sternmost ship liiiriiii> up fur our
larboard.quarter ; wc poured a broadside into the headmost
ship, and then braced a.back our main and mizeH-top-nails,
and backed a-stern, under cover of the smoke, a. breast the
sternmost ship, when the action was continued with spirit,
and considerable efcct, until 35 minutes past 6, when the

cxctUI

APPENDIX.

-: 1^

enemy's Arc again slackened, and we ducovercd the headmost
hliip bearing up ; fillcii nnr cop.iaiU, ihot a.head, and gav«
hur two Item raki!«. Wv then discufcred (he sternmoat ship
wearing also ; wore ship immediately afier, and gate her a
stern rake, she liilling.tn uii our starboard. bowi, and giving
u« her larboard. hruadsidu ; we ranged up on her larboard-
quarter, within hail, and was about to give her our starboard-
broaditidc, whrn she struck her colours, fired a gun, and
} ieldud. At 50 minutCH past 6, took posseskion of II. M. S.
Cyanc, Captain Gordon Falcon, mounting 34 guns. At 8
P.M. tilled away after her consort, which was still in light
to-leeward. At half-past K, found her standing towards us,
with her starboard-tacks close-hauled, with top-gallan (.sails
fict, and colours flying. At fiO minutes past 8, ranged close
alongside to-windward < f her, on opposite tacks, and ex-
changed broadsides ; woro immediately under her stern, and
raked her with a broadside ; she then crouded all sail, and
endeavoured to escape b) running; hauled on board our tacks,
set spanker and ilying.jib in chase. At half-paitt 9, coro-
uaenced firing on her from our starboard bow-chaser ; gave
her several shot, which cut her spars and r j(;ing considera-
bly. At 10 P.M. finding they could not escape fired a gun,
Ntruck her colours, and yielded. We immediately took pos-
session of II. M. ship Levant, the Hon. Captain George
Douglass, mounting 21 guns. At 1 A.M. the damages of our
rigging were repaired, sails shifted, and the ship Iq 0ghting
condition.

No. 110.

American minutes of the chase oj the U. S. frigate Consti*
tution, bif an English squadron of three shipsy from out
the harbour of Port Praj/a, island of St. J ago.

Commences with fresh breezes and thick foggy weathejr.
At 5 minutes puiit I'i. discovered ^ large ship through the log,

U \

APPENDIX.

cxelx

aUnding in for Port Praya. At ft minutes past \% diicovered
two other large iliipi a>stcrn of her, also standing in for the
port. From their general appearance, lupposed them to bo
one of the enemy's squadrons ; and, from the little respect
hitherto paid by them to neutral waters, I dt>emed it mont
prudent to put to nea. The signal was made to the Cynne and
IjOfanl to get under weigh. At 12, after meridian, with our
top^sails set, we cut our cable, and got undor way, (when
the Portugui'so opened a fire on us from several of their batte.
ries on shor^,) the prize-ships following our motions, and
stood out of the harbour of Port Praya, clove under Kast
Point, passing the enemy's squadron about gnn.ihot to-wind-
ward of them : crossed our top.gallant-yards, and set fore-
•ail, marn.sail, spanlicr, flying-jib, and top-gallant saIIs. The
enemy, seeing us under way, taclced ship, and made all sail in
chase of us. As far aa we could judge of their rates, from
the thickness of the weather, suppoaed them twp ships of the
line, and one frigate. At half-past meridian cut away the
boats towing a-stcrn, first cutter, and gig. At 1 P.M. found
0Or Bailing about equal with the ships on our lee-quarter, but
the frigate luffing up, gaining our walce, and rather dropping
a-ttern of us; finding the Cyane dropping a.stern, and to-
jeeward, and the frigate gaining on her fast, I found it impos-
aible to sare her if she continued on the same course, without
Aaving the Constitution brought to action by their whole
force. I made the signal, at 10 minutes past 1 P.M. to her
to tack ship, which was complied with. This manaMivre, I
conceived, would detach one of the enemy's ships in pursuit
of her ; while, at the same time, from her position, she would
be enabled to reach the anchorage at Port Praya, before the
detached ships could come up with her ; but it' they did not
tack after tier, it would aiford her an opportunity to double
their rear, and make her escape before the wind. They all
continued in full chase of the Levant and this ship, t.ie ship
OQ our lee-quarter firing, by divisions} broadsides, her shot

liiii

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

2.5
2.2

140

H2.0

1-25 III 1.4 1.6

►

Hiotographic

Sciences

Corporation

■^

23 WEST MAIN STRfiET

WEBSTER, N.Y. MSSO

(716) 872-4503

APPENDIX.

1:1

.,".
H

(11

falling short of ui. At 3 P.M. by our baring dropped tb«
Levant considerably, her situation became (from the positioa
of the enemy's frigate) similar to the Cyane. It became
necessary to separate also from the Levant, or risk this ship
being brought to action to cover her. I made the signal, at
5 minutes past 3, for her to tack, which was complied with.
At 13 minutes past 3, the whole of the enemy's squadron
tacked in pursuit of the Levant, and gave up the pursuit of
this ship. This sacrifice of the Levant became necessary, for
the preservation of the Constitution. Sailing-master Hixon,
Midshipman Varnum, a boats wain's-mate, and 12 men, were
absent on duty in the fifth cutter, to bring the cartel-bri{
under our stern. ff

No. 111. :,,X

• Lieutenant M^Dontdd's official letter. **

(Not before published.)

U. S. ship Hornet, oflF Tristan d'Acunha, W.S.Ww
Sib, three or four miles, April 6, 1815. *^

1 have the honor to inform you, that H. M. brig Penguin
arrived off the abore island on the 17th of March; and, rei.
cciving information of an American brig of war having beeH
off the day previous, Captain Dickinson determined, if possiL
ble, to intercept her ; and succeeded in falling in with her oh
the 20th, at 9 A.M. At noon, H. M. brig closing fast,
enemy shewed his colours, and commenced firing his sterni.
guns. At 1 P.M. enemy, with a fine breeze, at N.N.W.
Penguin becalmed. At 9 P.M. lost sight of him, being thick
■weather ; and, at midnight^ hauled up for the nland, which
we made on the 23d, bearing W.N W.
><^ At 11. 15. A.M. standing up for the island, a sail was seeti
!N. W.by W. ; all sail was immediately made in chase, and the
stranger being shortly after made out to be a ship, under easy

■^

^ !:■

APPENDIX.

Hil

sail, at 1 P.M. shortened sail, and prepared for action. Afe
1. 46. fired a shot, to induce him to shew his colours^ whichr
h« imiAediaftely did by hoisting American, and firing a broadw
tide. At ], fiO. the island S.W. three or four roilev, rounded^
to on the starboard-tack, within pistol-shot, when the action
became warm and brisk. At^. 15. enemy inclined to bear
away, orders were given by Captain Dickinson so l^y her oil
board. H. M. brig much cnt up in her sails and rigging,
several shots through both masts, all the officers at the fore^
mast quarters either killed or wonndcd ; and, at this time, f
legret much to say, a severe loss was felt generally by Captain
Dickinson receiving a mortal wound. I then conceived, ag
our masts were momently expected to fall, our only chance of
fuccess was to board, and, at 2. 25. succeeded in passing our
Bowsprit through his starboard-quarter. Bowfiprit and fore^
mast both fell at this instant; the latter on board, directly on
the larboard-gons. Vessels separating, every exertion was
then made to bring our starboard.broadside to bear, without
effect. H> M. brig a perfect wreck, and the larboard after,
guns rendered useless by drawing of the broeching.bolts, I
deemed it only sacrificing the lives of the remaining crew,
making further resistance ; I therefore, at 2. 25. hailed, to
say we had surrendered. At 3, was taken possession of by
the U. S. ship of war Hornet, mounting eighteen 32.pounder
carronades, two long 18-pounders, musquetoons, &c. in his
tops, and a complement of, at least, 165 men : not a boy
amongst them. I regret much the killed and wounded have
been severe : 10 killed, and 28 wounded. The enemy's I hav«
not been able to ascertain. Report says, 10 killed, but they
acknowledge only 1, and 11 wounded; among them their
captain and first lieutenant : the former severely ; the latter
dangerously. The Hornet is in a leaky state from our shot^
which, I trust, will shorten her cruize. I am happy H. M;
brig was not destined to bear American colours, or assist the
squadron of the enemy. She was destroyed, after taking out

!1ii

■if

I i

1 4

r.^'*

1^-

ecii

APPENDIX.

a few stores. Two sail hoTe in sight, shortly after the actioni
which proved to be the U. S. siiip of war Peacock, and a
store-brig. The one chased by us, we have since heard, had
a similar cargo ; and were both intended, by all accounts, for
the supplies of a squadron eipected for this island, consisting
of three frigates and two corvettes, sent out, I conjecture,
for the destruction of our East India fleet.

I cannot close this without noticing the exemplary conduct
of Lieutenant Eiwin, and Mr. Atkinson, the master : the for-
mer was most severely wounded, while animating his men ;
also Mr. Bond, master's-mate, who lost a leg, and has passed
nearly two years ; also Mr. Iloyes, who has also lost a leg,
and nearly served his time. Mr. £i|iott, the surgeon, and his

assistant, Mr. Joyce, deserve every praise for their attentioa
to the wounded. Thus fell H. M. brig Penguin ; and, I
triist, the defence made will meet your approbation.

I have (he honor to be, &c. t

1, JAMES M'DONALD, senior surviving officer i

late of H. M. brig Penguin. >

No. 112.

From Captain Biddle to Commodore Decatur.

U. S. sloop Hornet, off Tristan d'Acunha,
V Sir, Marched, 1815.

I have the honor to inform you, that on the morning of the
23d instant, at half.past 10, when about to anchor off the
north.end of the island of Tristan d'Acunha, a sail was seen
to the southward and eastward, steering to the eastward, the
wind fresh from the S.S.W. In a few minutes she had passed
on to the westward, so that we could not see her for the land.
1 immediately made sail to the westward, and shortly after
getting sight of her again, perceived her to bear up before the
wind. I hove-to for him to come down to ay. .When sh9

APPENDIX.

ctiui

had approtiched near; I filled the niain.top-sail, and continued
to yaw the ship while she continued to come down, wearing
occasionally, to prevent her passing under our stern. At
1. 40. P.M. being nearly within muskct-shot distance, she
hauled her wind on the starboard tack, hoisted English co.<
lours, and fired a gun. We immediately luficd-to, hoisted our
ensign, and gave the enemy a broadside. The action being
thus commenced, a quick and well-directed fire was kept up
from this ship, the enemy gradually drifting nearer to us;
when, at 1. 55. he bore up, apparently to run us on board*
As soon as I perceived he would certainly fall on board, I
called the boarders, so as to be ready to repel any attempt to
board us. At the instant, every officer and man repaired to
the quarter-deck, where the two vessels were coming in con.
tact, and eagerly pressed mt to permit them to board th«
enemy ; but this I would not permit, as it was evident, from
the commencement of the action, that our fire was greatly
superior, both in quickness and effect. The enemy's bowsprit
came in between our main and mizen>riggtng, on our star-
board-side, affording him an opportunity to board us, if such
was his design, but no attempt was made. There was a con*
siderable swell on, and, as the sea lifted us a.head, the enemy's
bowsprit carried away our mizen-shrouds, stern-davits, and
spanker-boom, and he hung upon our larboard-quarter. At
(his moment an officer, who was afterwards recognized to be
Mr. McDonald, the first lieutenant, and the then commanding
officer, called out that they had surrendered. I directed the
marines and musketry-men to cease firing ; and, while on the
taffrail, asking if they had surrendered, I received a wound in
the neck. The enemy just then got clear of us, and his fore*i
mast and bowsprit being both gone, and perceiving us wearing
to give him a fresh broadside, he again called out that he had
surrendered. It was with difficulty I could restrain my crew
from firing into him again, as he had certainly fired into us
#ftcr having surrendered. From the firing of the first gun, to

)()

edit

APPENDIX.

Si' I '

W ( ?l

*1 i '

the ]i»t time the enemy cried oot be had surrendered, was
•xactly 23 minutes by the watch. She proved to be H. B. M.
brig Penguin, mounting s.xteen 32-pouiid carronades, two
long 199, a l^.pound carronade upon the top.gallant-fore'-
distle, with swivels on the capstan, and in the tops. She had
a spare port forward, so as to fight both her long guns of
tsidew She sailed from England in September last. She was
shorter upon deck than this ship by two feet, but she had a
greater length of keel, greater breadth of beam, thicker sides,
and higher bulwarks than this ship, and was, in all respects, a
remarkably fine vessel of her class. The enemy acknowledge
a complement! of 132 : 12 of them supernumerary marines,
fifon.' the Medway, 74, received on board, in consequence of
their being ordered to crui%e for the American privateerj
Young WaS^. They acknowledge a loss, also, of 14 killed,
and 28 wonikded ; but Mr. Mayo, \lho was in charge of the
ffize, assureii me that the number of killed was certainly
greater. Among the killed is Captain Dickenson, who fell at
the ctose of the actioti, and the boatswain. Among the
woitndiedis the second lieutenant, purser, and two midship,
metf. Each of the midshipmen lost a leg. We received on
board, in all, 118 prisoners', four of whom have since died of
their wounds. HaTirig removed the prisoners, and taken on
board such provisions and stores as would be useful to us, I
scuttled the Penguin this morning, before day-light, .and she
went down. As she was completely riddled by our shot, her
fore-mast and bowsprit both gone, and her main.mast so crip,
pled' as to be incapable of being' secured, it seemed unadvisablej
at this distance from home, to attempt sending her to the
fJnlted States.

This ship did not receive a single round shot in her hull, nor
tny material wound in her spars. The rigging*- and sails were
tery much cut; but, having bent a new suit of sails, and
knotted and secured our rigging, we are now completely
ready, in all respects, for any service. We were eight men

APPENP^X. Mi»

short pf complement, and had i^ioiB men upo« ik» sick-lilt the
rooraing of the action.

Enclosed is a list of filled and wounded. I lament to state,
that Lieutenant Connor is wounded, dangerowsly. I feel great .
solicitude on his account) as he is an officer of much promise,
and his loss would he a serious loss to the service.

It is a most pleasing part of my duty to acquaint yon, tiiat
the conduct of Lieutenants Connor aqd Newton, Mr. Mayo,
Acting-lieutcnant Brownlovy, of the marines, Sailing-master
Romney, and the other oi&ccrs, seamen, and marines, I havft
the honor to command, was in the highest degree creditable ta
them, and calls for my warmest recommendation. I canaot,
indeed, do justice to their merits. The satisfaction which wa»
diffused throughout the ship, when it was ascertained that th*
stranger was an enemy's sloop of war, and the alacrity with
which every one repaired to quarters, fully assured me, that
their conduct io ictipp ir^uld be marked with coolness an4
Mrepijli^. : . T tr* .1
f(pj. 6^,%y/*ii5 'vA • I hate the honor to be, &c.

J. BIDDLE.

1 u.

Commodore S. Pecatur^i ^c, &c.

»}.„

'HJi-

No. 113.

•I^V.

1fr^tJ>^t-^:'A -t-ri: i-Ji. >■

From LieuUnant Bojfce to the secretary p/ th^ East Indigf
^ CQmpanji^s m^rine-bpunjf.

if Sib, . •

^1 beg leave to acquaint your, for the information of the
board, that the wounds received by me on SOth June last, im
a short but smart action with an American sloop of war, off
Anjier, in the straits of Sunda, have hitherto prevented my
tfansmitting an official report of the circumstances attending
that melancholy affair.
J am happy to state, that my health i« bow toLunMy n*

•"I

.'I

ccvi

APPENDIX.

!■::

^1 !

> i

established; and I think myself particularly fortunate, consi-
dering the nature of my wounds, that the honor of addressing
you on this subject has been reserred for my pen, although,
no doubt, public rumour has, ere this, put you in possession
of most of the facts which I now do myself the honor to
state, and request that you will do me the favor to submit
them to the honorable board.

On the 30th June last, being off Anjier, in the straits of
Sunda, on my passage to Bengal, in charge of public des-
patches from the Java government, about 4 P.M. a strange
sail hove in sight, standing with a fair wind to the north,
eastward; and, as the honorable company's cruiser Nautilus,
under my command, was working to the south. westward,
the two vessels approached each other rapidly ; and, when the
stranger was distant about three miles, I observed that she
had British colours hoisted, and knowing that universal peace
had been restored to Great Britain, I despatched a boat in
charge of my master, Mr. Bartlett, to obtain intelligence,
which reached the stranger nearly at the same time as the
mastir.attendant's from the shore ; and I observed, with my
spying.glass, that the officers had no sooner got up the ship's
side than the crews were forcibly taken out, and both boats
made fast a>stern. I prepared for action, and the stranger at
once opened her tier of ports, and bore down towards us. To
prevent her crossing our hawse I tacked, then shortened sail,
hove to, and soon afterwards hailed the stranger, ** What ship
is that ?" To which I received no reply, until repeated four
times, and then merely '^ Halloo!" About this period the
English blue ensign wa& hauled down, and American colours
hoisted. I then asked, '^ Am I to consider you in the light
of a friend or an enemy ?" The reply was, " An enemy."
I then informed the American captain that peace had been ra-
tified between Great Britain and the United States of America;
also, that I had the proclamation on board, and hoped that a
dufi consideration of this would induce him to spare' blood-

APPENDIX.

<ctU

fhed. I was then cbmiuanded, in a tery loud and peremptory
manner, to '* haul down my colourS)" which was immediately
repeated still louder, and with the addition of '< instantly ;'*
to which I replied, <' I shall do no such thing." The Ame.
rican then opened his fire on us, by which two men were killed
at the gun near me, and I received a grape-shot, in a slanting
direction, through the right cheek of my posteriors. A short
but brisk action ensued, and obserTing some casualties, my
first lieutenant, Mr. Robert Mayston, and several others,
wounded, and being myself disabled by a 32-pound shot,
which shattered my right knee-joint, and splintered my thigh-'
bone ; also considering the great disparit}' of force, I deemed
it my duty, although I must confess that it was with no small
degre« of reluctance, to strike the British colours to the Ame-
rican. Her first lieutenant, about dusk, took possession of
«8. She proved to be the U. S. sloop of war Peacock, Cap.
tain Warrington, carrying twenty 32- pound carronades, and
two long l8-pounders. Her crew is said to consist of 220 mien.

Both vessels anchored for the night about six miles off An.
jier, and in the morning I was permitted to be taken on shore,
as well as the rest of the wounded, in compliance with my
request to that effect.

About 2 P.M. on the day following the action, the honor,
able company's cruiser Nautilus was restored, and Captain
Warrington addressed a letter to Mr. Macgrcgor, master,
attendant at Anjier, stating, that in consequence of the inforl
mation received from him, and the several different sourctt
from which he had heard that a peace had been concluded
between the United States and Great Britain, he felt himself
bound to desist from hostilities, and regretted that his reason-
able demand had not been compUcii with by the commander of
Nautilus brig the preceding afternoon.

On the 4th of July the Nautilus sailed for Batavia, where
she arrived the day following, and was sent from thence to
licubang,' on the coast of Java; ill the temporary cliargcof;

coffiU

AFPENDdK.

acting H«tttenattt Barnes, (wJio was ordered on board from the
honoraUe company*! cruiser Malabar, by Captain Hepburn,)
to receive such jrepairs as the damages she had sustained re«
quired. In (he mean time I remained, on acooimt of my
wounds, on shore at Anjier, where I was most handsomely
xeceinrod and accoiamo^ed by the Icindness of Colonel Yule,
vesident, and attended by Mr. Hervey Thompson, surgeon of
th€ district. On the |4th July it was deemed necessary to
amputate ray right leg, I submitted to the operation, and it
was accordiogly talien off above the knee. On the 20th foU
lowing I was rcmored to the residence of Colonel Yule, at
Ceram, and there I remained, experiencing every mark of
hospitality, and the most unlimited attention, until the return
of the Nautilus from Rerobaiig ; at which period, finding my
kealth tolerably restored, I rejoined her on the S8d instaot.

I brg leave to subjoin a list of the killed and wounded on
board the honorable company's cruiser Nautilus, on the 30th
of last June ; and, in having to lament the loss of so many, I
regret that a fairer opportunity for their exertions was not
afforded them, and myself, with a vessel of more equal force, i
■ [Here fulloTot a list of 6 killed, and 8 wounded.'\ 4

What loss the American may have sustained I am not able
to say.' If report is to be relied oh, they had four or live
men wounded, and their bow.gun dismounted. 4

'■ The damage the Nautilus received in the action was consi-
derable both to her hull and rigging. The bends on the star*
board.side, (the side engaged,) were shivered from aft to the
fore-chains, and the bulwark, from the chess-tree aft, much
torn. The launch and cutter were both perforated with shot,
the lower masts and tiller slightly wounded with grape, and
the boom-main.sail shot through in many places. Two guns
were disabled by the enemy's shot, and the sheet-anchor com-
pletely so, by the loss of its iron stock, ring, and fluke.
Four 33-pound shot, that were found lodgeii;, have been
pi(;ked out of her : one was under the counter, verj nearly

APPENDIX.

ecii

leTel with the water* A great number of imall-artni and
f uaner'i stores were thrown overboard by the Americans, on
their taldng posienion, to clear the declt. The packeti, I am
jbappy to saj, remained on board without being touched, but
•Imoit erery thing below was ransacked.

It now only remains for me to do that justice to the conduct
of the officers and crew of the Nautilus, on the 30(h of last
June, which they so well dcserTc, by declaring my adruiratiot
.of their firmness, and thus publicly expressing my satisfactiQii
irith their conduct throughout. ^ - *^

The two seapoys and native servant, with amputated limbS|
liave, I understand, recovered, and been sent by Captain WiU
]iiaiA Eatwell, of the honorable company's cruiser Benares, ta
Calcutta, in the honorable company's cruiser Antelope. Lieu*
tenant Maystone's wound was once healed, but has broken
out afresh : he is however now, I am happy to say, again on
tiie recovery.* My own cure has been greatly impeded by two
unfortunate fistulas, in my stump, which have caused me to
suffer much. The rest of the wounded are all well.

I beg to subscribe myself, with the utmost respect,
Sir, your most obedient servant,

CHARLES BOYCE, commander.

H. C. eruiser Nautilus, 24th September, 1^15.
Jqhn Lowe, Esq. secretary to the
marine-board.

«####^##«^#«

.4<»

No. 114.

! Evidence qf Mr. Joseph Bartiett,

The commission appointed by the bench of magistrates,
consisting of the magistrate, Mr. Turr, and the magistrate and
acting-buliff, Mr. Cassa, proceeded on Friday morning, the

* The wtund labsequeotly mortified, And he died December 9, 1815. .

ecz

APPENDIX.

If, I

li )-
f* It

7th Jul^) 1815) on botrd of the honorable company's erniser
Nautilni, lying in Batavla roadi, and receircd the following
▼oluntary depositions of the officers and people of that Teewl.

Joseph Bartlett, roaster, acting commanding.officer, who
declared, that in the afternoon, about 4 o'clock, of the 30th
June, the cruiser Nautilus was working out to proceed on
their passage, when a strange sail was seen, and he was ordered
by the captain, C. Boyce, to proceed with the boat to see
what ship it was. That on his arrival on board, he was in-
itantly ordered by the commander of the yessel to go below,
not being allowed to ask any question. That a short time
after he heard say, ^* Strike your colours, or 1 will sink
you ;" and then, that orders were giren to fire the bow.gun
into the cruiser Nautilus, which did not bear : a second gun
was fired. That further, two or three broadsides were fired,
when he heard that the Nautilus struck her colours ; and after
thiS| three heavy guns and some musq|uetry were fired into the
Nautilus.

Vf '

No. 115.

Mvidence of Mr, Maogregou

(Extract.)

* Interrogated by (lie before-named F. E. Turr.

Q. Did you communicate to the officers of the enemy's ship,
before the action between her and the honorable company's
cruiser Nautilus took place, that peace had been concluded
between Great Britain and the United States, and ratified by
both parties } A. \ did ; I communicated to the first lieute.
Iiant, on his informing me that I was a prisoner of war ; but
I scarci said it, when the captain came forward and ordered
me to be taken below. I communicated the above also to the

:^i

APPENDIX.

ccxi

|[>ur8er of (he ihip) in the ward«rooin.— Q< What time had
you hern on board before the commencement of the said
action ? A. Rather more than a quarter of an hour.— ^
Q, Has any reply been made by any of the officers of the
American sloop of war on your communication ? A. Yes.-^
Q. By whom? A. The purser.— Q* What was the reply?
A. I do not know hoto tee can avoid a little brush ; — and the
purser ordered me to go out of the way into the side-cabin.

««<###««#«»###«##*

No. 116.

Ffom R. B, Macgregor, tna$ter-aiteiidant of Arijiefy to
Lieutenant-colonel Yule, resident at Bantam.

Sir,
1 have the honor to report for your information, that I was
this afternoon released, as a prisoner of war, from the U. S.
sloop of war Peacock, Captain Warrington, in consequenco
of the intelligence forwarded to him by me, which he deemed
perfectly satisfactory, that peace had been ratified between
the United States and Great Britain at Washington, by Mr.
Madison, on the 18th February, 1815.

Enclosed I have the honor to transmit a copy of a letter
from Captain Warrington, acquainting me that he would desist
from hostilities.

I haTC the honor to be, Sir,
-*•"''•■ your most obedient serrant,

ll.fi. MACGREGOR, deputy
Anjier, July 1, 1815. master-attendant.

i»-

vft

texii

appendix;

No. 117.

(Enclosure.)

■' ,3

From Captain Warrington to Mr, Maegregor, matter-'

attendant at Anjier, .^

^ Sir, Jul/ 1st, 1815.

' In consequence of the information receired from you, and
the scYoral different sources from which I have heard that a
peace had been concluded between the United States and
Gi'eac Britain, I feel myself bound to desist from hostilities,
and regret that my reasonable demand had not been complied
ii^ith by the commander of the Nautilus brig . yesterday after-
noon.

Respectfully your obedient servant,

L. WARRINGTON, captain U. S. navy,

^ com. the U. S. sloop of war Peacock.

u
w.

No. 118.

From Captain Warrington to the American iecrttary of tht--

navy, f

tm'--

<^t/i .

(Extract.)

U. S. ship Peacock, Nor. 11, 1815. -.

As it is probable you will hereafter see or hear son^e other
account of a rencontre which took place between the Peacock
and the East India company's brig Nautilus, on the 30th of
June last, in the straits of Sunda, I take the liberty of making
known to you the particulars.

In the afternoon of that day, when a-breast of Anjier, at
we closed with this brig, which appeared evidently to be a
Tcssel of war, and completely prepared for action, her com-
mander hailed, and asked, if I knew there was a peace. I

APPENDIX.

ecxiil ^8

that a
es and

1 ^

ttilities,

■

>inplied
f afteiw

^M .mkt«^}ii

. nay/,
ck.

;-^ka#i^^%

1 ■"''

?fH " »*.,; •

of thB

■ t .-■

315.,.* '

other

iacock

0th of

laking

er, at

be a

com-

e. I

■

replied in the negative, 'directing him, at the same time, io
hanl his colours down, if it were the case, in token of it ;
adding that, if he did not, I should fire into her. This being
refused, one of the forward guns was fired at her, which was
immediately returned by a broadside from the brig ; our broad-
side was thei. discharged, and his colours were struck, after
having six lascars killed, and sc^en or eight wounded. As we
had not the most distant idea of peace, and this vessel was
but a short distance from the fort of Aujier, I considered his
assertion, coupled with his arrangements for action, a finesse ^'""
on his part, to amuse us, till he could place himself under the
protection of the fort. A few minutes before coming in con-
tact with the brig, two boats, containing the master.attendant
at Anjier, and an o£Scer of the army, came on board, and as
we were in momentary expectation of firing, they were, with
their men, passed below. I concluded that they had been
inisled by the British colours, under which we had passed vp
the straits. No questions, in consequence, were put to them ;
and they, very improperly, omitted mentioning that peace ...^^
existed. The next day, after receiving such intelligence as
they had to communicate on the subject, (part of which was
official,) I gave up the vessel, first stopping her shot-holes, .^r;
and putting the rigging in order.

I am aware that I may be blamed for ceasing hostilities
without more authentic evidence that peace had been con*
eluded ; but, I trust, when our distance from home, with
the little chance we had of recdving such evidence, are taken
into consideration, I shall not be thought to have decided
prematurely.

I hare the honor to be, &c.

L. WARRINGTON.

1 ' t- i

MxU

APPENDIX.

'■■W'

^r^

ll'-

No. 119.

A list. of British nationtd cruizersy captured or destroyed by the
Americans during the late tear; excluding ^ from the former f
such as were re-captured in their way into port.

Date.

Ships' oamei.

181V.

Anr. IS

Oct. .85

Dec. 89

181S.
Feb. 84
April 86
Aug. 6
Sept. 5
9

1814.
Feb. 14
April 89

June 88

Sept. 1
11

.13
1815.
Feb. 80

86
MarchSS

Alert,
Gnerriere,
Macedoniao,
Java,

Peacock, B.

D.ofGlo*tter,B.f
Dominica, 8c. |
Boxer, B.

Higkflyer, Sc.
<Sqaad.of6TeMeb>
I onLakeErit, y

Pictoo, 8c.

Epervler, B.

Ballahou, Sc.

Reindeer, B.

Nancy, 8c.

Magnet, B.

Avon, B.

( Sqnad.of 4 vesseli^ >
{ ooL.Chaniplain,j

Hermct,

Cyane,

St. Lawrence, Sc.

Pengoin, B.

No. 10. Total,

«*

a
a

S9S

Cap.

86S

1084

Do.«

898

1061

Do.

sto

1073

Do.»

188

S86

Do.«

164

Do.

817

179

Do.

809

Do.

S45

805

Do.

811

Do.»

117

S88

Do.

118

S85

Do*.

Dest.

144

Do.

S91

Do.

480

ISOS

Cap.

518

Dest.

171

5S9

Cap.

840

Do.

188

387

Do.»

5S0

2751

10S7S

By What force.

Essex frigate.
Constitution do.
United States do.
Constitation do.

Hornet 80.

Com. Chauncey, on L. Ontario.

Decatnr privateer.

Enterprise 16.

President frigate.

Commodore Perry's squadron.

Constitation frigate.

Peacock 88.

Perry privateer.

Wasp 88.

Americans on Lake Hurun.

Commodore Chauncey.

Wasp8S.

Com. Macdonough's squadron.

American battery at Mobile.

Constitution frigate. ^
Chasseur privateer.
Hornet 80.

t Also a 80>gan ship in flraae, burnt.

X Re>captured, but not aa a cruiser.

^ Including two re-captured Americacn cotters.

* Destroyed immediately after capture.

II Saved by the Castilian.

f Do. by vessels in company.

List of J

Date.

1818.
July 16
August 3
88
Oct. 18
Nov. 88

1813.
Jan. 17
Feb. 88
June 1

July 4

,.-; 87

»He.

Aug. 10-

14
1814.

March 88
11

July 4 1
11
18

Aug. 12
88

Sept. 3

Oct. 5

Dec. 15

87
1815.
Jan. 15

APPENDIX.

ceit

cy, on L. Ootari*.
iteer.

ragh's squadroo.
ery at Mobile.

No. 120.

List of American national cruizer», captured or destroyed by the Britith
during the late war ; excluding^ as in the last list.

Date.

Sbipi' names.

i> •

u •

©•8

a
■

By what force.

't^

I81«.
July 16
Angatt 3

Oct 18
Nov. 88

1813.
Jan. 17
Feb. 28
Jane 1

July

Ang. 10 '

14
1814.
March 88

11
July 4

Aug. 12
88

Nautilus, B.

Com. Barry, R.C.

Js.Madison, R.Sc.

Wasp,

Vixen, B.

Viper, B.

Two gnn-boats,
Chesapeake,
Growler, Cut.
Eagle, Cut.

Surveyor, R. Sc.
Ran>boat,
Abp^ Sc.

Gun-boat, No. 181

8c.

^c.

Sc.

Growler,

iJulia,

Scourge,

Hamilton,

Argus,

Essex,

Frolic,

Two gun-boats.

B.
B.

Sc.

Sip.

Sept.

Oct.

Dec. 15<

87
1815.
Jan. 15

Rattlesnake,

Syren,

Somers,

Ohio,

Scorpion,

Fifteen gun-boats.

One gun-boat,
(Essex, (8,)
^New York,
^Boston,
(Argus,
I Gun-boat,
^Tigress,
i^ Adams,

Scorpion,

Gun-boat, No.160.

Eagle, K. Cut.

Seahorse, Sc.

Alligator, Sip.

Five gun-boats,
Nos. 5, 83, 156,
168, and 163,

Carolina, Sc.

President,
No. 64. Total,

Sc.

14
6
10
18
14

4
40
11
11

8
10

9
80 185

106

813

114

130

434

130

817

148

154

391

1135

110>

48
85

35
40
40

!(••«

865
171

131

137

102

100

88
78
94
86

Cap. Shannon and others. <^ ' ° .

Dest. Spartan frigate.

Cap. Barbadoes do.

Do. Poictiers74i *^

Do. Southampton frigate.

Do. Narcissus do.
Dest. Brit troops on L. Ontarloi, '
Cap. Shannon frigate. ^

Do. Br. troops on L.Champlain. •

Cap. Narcissus, frigate.
Dest. Brit, troops on L. Ontario. '
Do. Mohawk and Contest.
Cap. Junonaod Martin,
jj^ J On L Ontario, by Sir J. L. ^^
» eo.
In carrying sail to avoid Sir

James.
Pelican brig.

Phcebe and Cherub. ^ •
Orpheus anid Shelburne.
Severn and Loire.
Leander frigate.
Medway 74.

Capt. Dobbs, on Lake Erie. ^

Dest./ Rear-admiral Cockbarn,ia
Cap. J *•»* Peupsco.

Washington ; also the
" a 74, in pieces, ^

835

Upset j

315

Cap.

867

Do.

539

Do.

160

Dest.

305

Cap.

350

Do,

94>

87j

Do.

(ki Washii
:. '^ frame of
( &c. &c.

Seahorse frigate.

Lieut. Worsley, on L. Erte. •^

Br. at Castiae.

Lieut. Worsley, on L, Erie. ^

Lacedemonian frigate.

Despatch brig.

Captain Lockyer, at Lake j.
Pont-chartrain.

British tft New Orleaaf. -^
Endymion ; squad, ia sight.

tetti,.

APPENDIX.

No. 121.

List of Britifh and American national cruizertf captured at sea, zohich
the opposite partly succeeded in getting into port.

BRITISH.

AMERICAN

Ships* names.

Gnns.

Comp.

Tons.

Ships' names.

Guns.

Comp.

Tons.

Macedonian,

298

1081

President,

477

153S

Cyane,

ITl

5S9

Chesapealie,

391

1135

Alert,

SOS

Essex,

865

867

Epervier,

117

SS2

Frolic,

171

539

DomiDica,

8c.

817

Argns, B.

185

315

Boxer,

170

Wasp,

ISO*

434

St. Lawrence,

Sc.

840

Rattlesnako, B.

131

805

Highflyer,

Sc.

809

Syren, B.

137

350

Ballaheu,

8c.

Naatilns, B.
Viper, B.
Jas. Madison, Sc.
Gun-boat,
Surveyor, Sc.
Nine gun-boats,

14
18
10

6
34

106
93
65
45
85

267

813
148
114
118
100
549

No.
•. Tot&l,

No.

88. Total,

171

910

SS14

8430

6714

* Nnmber of prlionen received.

INDEX.

r '»,' u

•■*■

'dot sea.

» tchich

)ort.

IAN.

ID(.

Comp.

Tons.

4T7

1533

391

1135

865

867

171

539

185

315

ISO*

434

131

305

137

350

106

813

148

114

118

100

287

549

8430

6714

INDEX.

ASBILLBf Tntnch brig, her capture of the Alacritjft 153.

Aiertf capture of by the Essex American frigatCf 81—83. Waa
originally a collier, 82.

Alexandria frigate and Spitfire sloop, chase the American frigate Pre-
sident, Commodore Rodgers, off the North Cape, 253—4.

Alejeandriaf the town of, capitulates to the British squadron, under the
orders of Captain Gordon, 381 ; and App. No. 84, 85,86.

A^red and Epervier. See Epervier.

Amelia, her engagement with tlie French frigate l'Ar£thuse,in 1813,197*

American accounts of actions between their ppivaieers and British shipa
of war, 483—6.

American and British sMptf their size, construction, and tonnage, com*
pared, 16—22.

^American editors, their unfair concealment of important facts, 15. /L
remarkable instance of shameless effrontery, 893 — 5. 486.

American naval histories, their partiality, 1. List of several, and im«
plicit credit which these, and all American accounts, obtain in Ame-
rica, 2—4.

American navy considered, 95. Manned by British seamen, decoyed
from British ships, 96. Exercise of the men in practical gunnery, ib.
American marines, made up of natives, and how trained, 96, 97*

AndromedOf her dimensions, ^5.

Annual Register, the new, remarks upon the statements contained in,
359.523.

Arethuse (/*) her action with the Amelia, 194.

Argtis and Pelican. See Pelican.

ii American brig, her gunner's stores compared with British gun-

brig*s and British sloop's, 276. Her crew a fine set of men, 278.

Argus corvette, burnt at Washington, 378.

Avon encounters, and is sunk by the Wasp ; crew saved by the Cnsti-
lian, 362. Damage, loss, and force of each vessel, 36S->5. Ply-
month account of the action, 365. American official accouoyt,
App. Noi. 87, 88.

I (

INDEX.

Bainbridge, Commodore, hit oflScial letter, App. No. 94* Remarkt

thereon, 178—81. 185.
Ballahou schooner, captured by the Perry, 388.
Baltimore, demonstration upon, 388— 7 ; and App. Nos. 97, 98. De-
struction, by the Americans, of their shipping, &c. 388.
Band, the Macedonian's, refuse to fight, and afterwards desert, 159.
Barclay^ Captain, appointed to command the flotilla on Lake Erie,

884. 899 Lake Erie. -*

Bailey, Commodore, capture and destruction of his flotilla by Rear*

admiral Cockburn, 375. The commodore taken prisoner by Miyor-

general Ross, 377*
Barretli, Lieutenant, his gallant behaviour, and death, 858.
Barry f Commodore, though born in Ireland, styled and applauded as

an American hero, 51. Account of his conduct, when commanding

the Alliance frigate, in action with different British ships, as set

forth in the American Portefolio, 51—57.
Bartlett^ Mr. his deposition, App. No. 114. .

Belvidera, chase of, by the squadron of Commodore Rodgers, and her

engagement with the President. See Biodger$. ■ ■ *■

BiddUf Lieutenant, his letter, App. No. 15. Remarks thereon, 140. 148.
■ • Captain, his official letter, App. No. 119. Remarks, 487'«>97-.

Bladentbitrg, battle of, 377 ; and App. No. 88. Americans retreat

through Washington, into Virginia, pursued by the British arm^

378. See Washington,
Blakeley, Captain, his oflBcial letters, App. Nos. 78. 87. Remarks

thereon, 356 ~9. 363—9. «*

Blanche, her capture of the Guerriere, force, &c. 110. '

Blythe, Captain, of the brig Boxer, killed by an 18-pound shot, 868.
Boaltmain, the Java's, his intrepid behaviour, 177—8.
Bonne Citoyinne, Captain P. B. Greene, challenge to, by the Hornet,

Captain Lawrence, and Captain Greene's reply, 808; and App.

Nos. 39, 33, 34, 35. Unhandsome behaviour of the commanders

of the Constitution and Hornet on the occasion, 909 — 10.
Boston citizens, present a service of plate to Commodore Perry, beap*

ing a palpably false insdription, 994. Their reception of Captain

Stewart, 469.
Bouvet, Captain, his account of the termination of his action with the

Amelia, 195. Of I'Arethuse's complement and size, 197.
JBoxer brig. Captain Blythe, her encounter with the Enterprise brig, and

copture, 869, Damage and loss of eaeh vessel, 863—4; and App.

2:1 ti.

INDEX.

No. 45. Tlieir relative force in guni, men, and •iit, with renuuit
thereon, 3d5— 8.

Boy, eleven years old, wounded on board the Dominica, 859*

^Jf*t S''«Bt proportion on board Brititb ships of war, 15.

BoycCf Captain, of the £. I. company's brig Nautilus, gallant be-
haviour, and dreadful wounds, in a rencontre with the American
ship Peacock, 501—12.

Breeching'bulti, drawing of the, 76. 100. 344. 368. 460. 489.

British navi/, its inactive state after tlie battle of Trafalgar, and the
effects of that state on the officers and men, 92, 93. Polishing
system reprobated, 93. Scarcity of oak-timber and seamen, 94.

British prisoners taken, by furce, to man American vessels, 43. Ouer*
Here's and Java's crews plundered by the Americans, 108. 188.
'Shameful treatment of the Levant's and Cyane's crews by the
Ansericans, 464.

Broadside weight of metal^ definition of a ship's, IS, 13.

Broke, Captain, his challenge to the Chesapeake, App. No. 36. His
official letter. No. 38. His severe wounds, 318. His system of
discipline practised on board many of the frigates, and other vessel*!
on the North American station, 536.

Budd, Lieutenant, his official letter, App. No. 39. Remarks thereon,

.»'833— 3. 336. 239. 344. •

Bugktnan, the Chesapeake's, his defection assigned as one cause of her
capture, 331. 347> None on board the Argus, 2U3.

Bulwark, her force, 131. 135. Supposed meeting with the President, 135.

Ct^nnon, their various kinds, dimensions, denominations, and compare^
tive powers, 4—9. Advantage of shifting, 18.

Captures and triumph, naval American list of on each side, 513*
Gross errors in their prize-lists, 614 — 15. No account given of their
own captured privateers and merchantmen, 516. True account of
i-^ British and American vessels of all sorts cnptured and destroyed, ih»
and App. Nos. 119, 130, 131. British loss in national vesscU much
eiaggeratcd, and American loss in the same greatly under-rated, 5 17.
True account stated, 518 — 19. American and British triumphs sub-
mitted to arithmetical calculation, 520—3. Reasons assigned fur
our triumphs not having been more numerous, 534. Observations on
the Majestic and new Guerriere, Nymphe and Constitution, Tensdus
' and Congrfess, 534 — 5. Concluding remarks, 537—8.

Garden, Captain, Ids official letter, App. No. 18.

« 2

,. )

'Ay

INDEX.

C<fiToiM(/«t, wKjrM>nBni«d,5. Superior power of, 0, 7,

Caikcartf Captain, hit galUntrj the cauM of laving a fleet of tbirtj.

whale-ships, 955.
Chadit Lieutenant, his letters, App. Nos. 88 and 83. AddreM to the

court, on his trial, 170. L

ChamplatH, lake. See Lake Cfuimplain,
ChoMteur and St, Lawrence. See St. Lawrence,
Chaunceyf Commodore, his letters, App. Nos. 50. 58. 05. Remarkf

thereon, 298. 397—8. 301— S. See Lake Ontario,
Cherubf her cruixe with the Phoebe, 300. Her subeequent proceedings,

318. Her armament, 318.
Chesapeake and Leopard, See Leopard,

Shannon. See Shannon.

CockburUf Rear-admiral, captures and destroys Commodore Bamey'M

flotilla in Cliesapeake-bay, 375 ; and App. No. 81.
Complement of men, in a iship, a most essential point, 13—15* Ame*

rican method of computing, 830.
Confiance, improperly termed a frigate by the Americans, 419. Court-
' martini on the surviving officers and crew of, App. Nos. 94, 05.
Constellation and Insurgent. See Insurgent,
m la Vengeance. See Vengeance. I

Constitution, American frigate, chased by Captain Broke*4 squadron,

and escapes, 79.
Constitution and Guerriere, See Guerriere,
, I > I Java, See Java.

■ Levant and Cjfane, See Levant,
• Pique. See Pit^ne.

€onsuly American, at St. Salvador, bis unhandsome conduct, S08-«1(L

His letter, App. No. SS.
Contract ships employed in the British navy, in consequence of tha

scarcity of oak- timber, 94.
Coquette, eluop, called by the Americans a heavy frigate f 4f 5.
Cyane, See Levant and C^aae.
Crowninshieldt Mr. his letter, App. No. 100.

DacreSf Cnptain, his oflBcial letter, App. No. 8. Addtess on hit trial.

No. 11. Wound, 108. ■ .,

Decatsw and Dominica. See Dominica.

■ - ■ - Commodore, his official letters, App. Noi. 19. lOS. and 104.
Remarks thereon, 155—9. 103. 481—4. 448—5. 449. 4«3. Hif

INDEX.

,(. cliallenge, addrewed to Sir T. Hardy, for the United Stakes and Ma-

«r cedonian to fight the Endytnion and Statira, 927 ; and App. No. 06.

]} Accepted as to the Macedonian and Statira, S38; and App.Nos. 67.

^68. American finesse on the occasion, ib.i and App. No. 69.
Boston account of the affair, 330.

Deeki of ships of war, the difference in their number of decks forms a
general distinction, SO, 31. This difference not a true criterion of
force, as exemplified by various instances, 83—35.

Detertert and emigrant*, the facility of their naturalization in Ame-
rica, 73. American ships manned chiefly by them in their war with
Tripoli, ib. Inducements held out to British seamen to desert, 159.

Dklatuont Captain, his death, 489.

DitmantUng shot. See Shot,

Dobb$f Captain. See Lake Erie,

Dominica schooner, Captain Barrett^, engaged, boarded, and captured,
by the Decatur, Captain Diron, 256. Enemy*s account of the

<» action, S56-*-7. Loss and force of each vessel, 25T— 260. State-
ment of comparative force, 860. The Decatur's commander, and
most of the crew, Frenchmen, 258—260.

Douglas, Captain, his gallant hehavioor, 460.

Downie, Captain, his operations on Lake Cbamplain, and extraordi-

,^ nary death. See Lake Champlain.

R »

Emuloui brig, ci^ptures the Gossamer, 80.

Endtftnionf squadron in company, engages the President American
. frigate^ which surrenders to her, but is taken possession of by
the Tenedos and Pomone, 427— 'SO. American accounts of the
afiair, 431—- 40; and App. No. 103. Endymion*s damages and
loss, 440—1. President's damages and loss, 440—4; and App.
No. 107. Endymion*s force in guns and men, 444—5. Presi-
dent's also, 445 — 8. Commodore Decatur and the Bermuda
Gazette, 449. Dimensions of the two vessels, 451. Comparative
< fbrce of the two ships, with remarks on the President's superiority
in guns, men, and size, 452—6.

Endymion and Statintf challenge to, from Commodore Decatur. See
Decatur,

Enterpriu and Boxer, See Boxer.

Epervier brig, captures the Alfred, 341. The mutinous state of the
Epervier's crew, 342. Is ordered to the >^est Indies; and, on her
return, falls in with, engages, and is captured by the Peacock, ib.
American official account of the action, App. No. 79. Cause of the

INDEX.

Epcrv ier*9 surrender, 344. Her Iom in men, ib. Her force in guns, 945.
Her ship's company, 340—7. Peacock's damnge and loss, 845. Force

■ in gjns and men, 348. Statement of comparative force, 349. Full
,> dimensions of both vessels, 350—1. Epervier founders at sea, SAS.

Erie, Lake. See Lake Erie.

EueXf American frigate, and Rattler sloop, 87. Essex and Shannon)
88 — 91. Capture of, by the Phuebe, 309. See PAoto.

EurotoM, thickness of her top sides, 18.

F. V *

Foreignen employed to man British ships, 94.

France, naval occurrences between America and, 00. Capture of
rinsurgent by the Constellation, 61. Statement of their coropara-
live force, 61 — 63. The Constellation engaged and beat off by la
Vengeance, 64. Commodore Truxton's account of the engage-
ment, App. No9. 1 and 3. La Vengeance, being re-6tted, after-
wards encounters, and is captured by H. B. M. ship Seine, 65.
Comparative force of the ships, U>. Americans claim a victory for
Commodore Truxton, and the medal struck in consequence de-
scribed, 66. French account oi the engagement with the American
frigate, 67. Remarks thereon, ih, \.

France. See America f nd France.

French and Spaniards, American opinion of their naval character, S38.
Tliis opinion proved to be false, by cases cited, 3S8— 9.

Frigates, Britinh and American, with iheir comparative dimensions
and force, 11 4-^-30. French frigates, 130. American frigntes
compared in force with other clashes of British ships, 130—37.
Concluding remarks on tlie subject, ISB.

Frolic, brig of war, sailing from Honduras, with a convoy, bears of
the American war ; encounters, and is disabled by a severe gale ;
falls in with the American sloop Wasp ; sends convoy a*head, en-
gages licr, and is captured, 139—41. Details of the action,
141^45; and App. Nos. 13, 14. Re-capture of the Frolic, and cap-
ture of the Wasp, 1 48. Frolic's and Wasp's damages, loss, and force,
146—52. Comparative dimenMoiis and force, and remarks, 152<*4.

Frtlic, American ship, her chase by, and surrender to the Orpheus and
Sbelburne, without firing a shot, 835—6; and App. No. 75. Shame-
fi J conduct of the Americans after surrender, 337. Her officers
and crew honourably acquitted by a court of inquiry, ib. Cases
quoted, wherein French ships have acted diflferently from the Frolic,
338—9. Profile-view of the Frolic, Plate 3, fig. 1.

Furnace for beating shot on board the Constitution, 486.

INDEX.

» •

G«rifoiit C^ptMii, hit interesting letter, respecting his operations with •
squndroD in the Potowmac« S85 ; and App. No. 84.

Oo$aamer and EmuU>u$. See Emuloiu.

Gutrritre engages the Constitution, 98. Details of the action, ih. ;

. and App. Nos. 8, 9, 10, 11, 13. Guerriere*s surrender, damage,
final destruction, and lou of men, 100—3. Constitution's damage,
and loss, 103—4. Comparative force of the Ouerriere and Consti-
tution, and remarks, 104—13. Plunder committed on the Ouer-
riere's crew by the Americans, 108.

Gunt. See Cannon. American names of guns in the Chesapeake, SS9.

H.,

Vannibal, See Andromeda.

Hardy, Sir Thomas M. hi» letters, App. Nos. 68. 70.

Harlequin, American schooner, her capture and dimenuons, 333 -^O..

'* Butonf of the War, An impartial and correct," by Mr. John Low,
published at New York, 3. lu absurdities exposed, 346. 268. 373.
875. 880. 894.

Hornet and Bonne Citayenne. See Boane Citoyenne,

■ Lioup Ceroitr, See Loup Cervier,

• Peacock. See Peacock.

I Ptnguin, See Penguin.

Hull, Captain, his official letter, App. No. 9. Remarks tberewn, 98«
100—7. 1S6,

Impreued cremi, British ships manned with, 94..

Ingtit, Lieutenant, his letter, App. No. 65. See Lake Erie.

lu$urgent (/*), her capture by theCon8tellntion,CoromodoreTru&ton,61.

Xamakajleet, squadron under Commodore Rodgers, sent in quest of, 75.

Jfava frigate, commissioned, and fitted for an East India voyage, 168.
Departs frum Spittiead ; captures an American merchantman ; fails
in with the Constitution and Hornet; chases and engages the furnier,
169. Details of the action, with the Java's damage, loss, and final
destruction, 170 — 9;. and App. Nos. 33 and 36. Constitution's
damages and loss, 180—3. Force of the Java in guns, men, and
size, 183—93. Force of the Constitution in guns, &c. 191. Com-
parative force of the two ships, 194. Re-cnpture of tlie Java's
prize by the Hornet, 185.

Jpneit, Captain, his official letter, App. No. 14. Remarks Uicreon,,
146—8. 159. 153.

INDEX.

.• i \

Lake Chemplainf description of, 401. Operationa oa the Itkt, 40t.
Equipment of the Confienee, 404. Arrival of Captain Dowoie,
from Lake Ontario, to take the command, ib. Action hetween the
British and American fleets, 408 ; and App. Nus. 90, 09. Captain

< Downie's extraordinary death, 410. British fleet surrenders, 411.

* Declaration of the American commander, ib. Damages and lost on
' ieach side, 413. Force of the respective squadrons, 41S— fO.

American painting of the action, 499. Statement of comparative
force, and remaiks thereon, 424. Sentence of court*martial on the

*'Mirviviog officers and crew of the British flotilla, App. Nos. 04, 05.

Lake Erie, description of, 283. Captain Barclay appointed to com-
mand the flotilla on this lake, 984. List of the flotilla, ib. Build-
ing of the ship Detroit, 985. Captain Barclay, under great disad-
vantages, compelled to engage the American squadron, 387. Details

* of the action, and of the Lawrence striking, and afterwards re^
'hoisting her colours, 387—8. ' Surrender of the British squadron,

App. No. 65. Loss on each side, 988 ; and App. Nos. 55 and 58.
Force in guns, men, and size, 390. Statement of comparative force,
993. Capture of the Somers and Ohio by a British detachment,
under Captain Dobbs, 389. Also of the Scorpion and Tigress, by
Lieutenant Worsely, 391.

Lake Ontario, description of, 996. Sir James Yeo's first enterprise on,
App. No. 48. Commodore Cbauncey*s statements of operations on,
App. Nos. 50—3. Force of the hostile squadrons, 907. Growler
and Julia captured by Sir J. Yeo, App. No. 49. American officer's
account of that event, 399. Statement of comparative force during
each action, 303. Commodore Chauncey convinced of his mistake,
304. Launching of British and American ships on the lake, 394— 5*
Fort Oswego stormed and carried by the British, 396—7. Their

"failure nt Sandy*crcek, 398. Sackett's-harbour blockaded by Sir

*" James Yeo, 398. Comparative force of Sir J. Yeo*8 and Commo-
dore Chauncey's squadrons, 399. Launching of the St. Lawrence,
400. Commodore Chauncey retires to Sackett's>barbour, ib.

Lakes, the, difficulty and expense of equipping British vessels on, 985.

Lambert, Captain, mortally wounded, 178. His death and funeral, ib.

Landrail and Syren, action between, 360.

Lawrence, Captain, his official letter, App. No. 99. Remarks on, fiOO.
903--5.

■■■ , brig. Commodore Perry's flag. ship, strikes, and afterwards

re-hoists her colours, 987—8. See Lake Erie,

'' ll'

moBx.

Leandett (old,) «ngiig«d, for tii bourt, at cloM Mtion, le G6ii6rtas,

60gant, 93.
Leandert (new,) tbickness of h«r tupiidei, 18.
L^ipard and Cke$avtake, A mericau nccounti of the engagement between,

07—09. Steteiuert of the cumpanitive force of the two ahips, 70» 71.
L^lkf Captain, hit letter, App. No. S. Remarki thereonJO. t80. 489.
Lttter, attributed bj Commodore Bainbridge to one of the Jara'* oft*

cere, coniidered as a forgery, 179.
Levant mnd Cyane fall in with and engage the American frigate Con-

itltution, 458. Details of the action, 459. Surrender of the Cyane,

460. Levant tries to escape, 461. Her surrender, ib. and App.
Nos. 108, 109. Gross mistatement of American ofBcial accounts,

461. Levant and Cyane's damages and loss, with their force in guns
and men, 462—4. Shomcful treatment of their crews by the Ameri-
cans, 464. Constitution's damages and loss, 463. Her force m
guns, 465. Extraordinary piece, consisting of seven musket-barrels,
together with dismantling shot, and furnace for heating shot, seen oa
board the Constitution, 465—6. Her force in men, 466. Dimen-
sions of the ships, 467. Statement of comparative force, and re-
marks, 469—73. The Levant's and Cyane's surviving officers and
ship's companies honourably acquitted by the respective cour(8«mar-
tial, 479. Arrival of the Constitution and her prises at St. Jago, %b»
Discovered and chased out by the Leander, Newcastle, and Acasta,
474. Escape of the Cyone, and recapture of the Levant, ih,

Ume, cask of, taken on board the Chesapeake ; also a curious case re-
lated on the subject, S33— 4.
XtnR€(, the last vessel that hauled down her colours in the action on

Lake Champlain, 411.
Little Belt and Pmident^ engagement between, 73.
Lockyer, Captain, his attack and capture of gun-boats at Lake Port-

chartrain, 388 ; and App. No. 99.
Loire frigate, her chase of the President, Commodore Rodgers, inte

Sandy-hook, 321.
Loup-Cervier and Hornet^ challenge between, 331.

" M.

Macdonald, Lieutenant, his ofBcial letter, App. No. lit.
M'Callf Lieutenant, his official letter, App. No. 45. Remarks thereon,

263—4. See Boxer.
Macedonian frigate falls in with, and engages the United States, 154.

Accident that occurred to the Macedonian io the onset, t^.

Official details of the engagement, App. Not. 18, 19. Damage,

^ f^

INDEX.

f (

St, »

.i5

Jdn, and ariDaiDent of each ship, 156—61. Their compar^iUv*
size, and comparative force, 163—64. Commodore Cbawntiej's
opinion of the frigate United States, 164.
JMacgregoTf Mr., his letter, App. No. 116« Deposition, App.No. 115.

MajeUkf her blockade of the U. S. ship Guerriere, 534.

Malta, her force, complement of men, and size in tons, compared with
those of an old 50*gun ship, 33.

Mapleif Captain, bis official letter, App. No. 4<. His narrow escape,
978. See Pelican.

Jliarinei, thfir necessary qualifications, 95. 190.

" ■ American. See American Nai^,

Martin sloop, grounds on a shoal in the Delaware ; is attacked by a

^ squadron of American gun-buats, and captures one of them, 369—73.
American accounts, 373.

MostSt British and American ships', comparative dimensions of, 30.

Measurement^ American and British, the methods of computing,' 31.

^id$hipman, British, shameful behaviour of an American naval com-
mander to, 383.

Mortan and Howitzers^ their peculiar use, 5.

Murray f Commodore Alexander, his letter, App. No. 105..

_,/ ' N.

Nau*tiutf E. I. company's ship, fallen in with, and wantonly attacked
and captured by the American ship Peacock, Captain Warrington,
after a knowledge of the peace, 500 — 1; and App. Nos. 117'— IB.
Gallant behaviour, and dreadful wounds, of Captain Boyce, com-
mander of the Nautilus, 501—2. Other loss sustained, 503. Force

■^ of the two vessels, 505. The transaction fully considered, 506—13.

Naval Engagements. See the several Naval Actions, under the names
of the British ships respectively engaging, in their Alphabetical
order.

**N'ival Hittory," Mr. Clarke's, 3. Criticisms upon, 3. Its numerous
partial and false statements exposed, 13. 17. ST— 51. 69. 81. 87.
91. 116. 181—30. 136. 145—7. 153. 183. 232. 887. 841— 4. 8^.
850. 883. 274. 880. 869. 404.

*' Naval Monument f' Mr. Bowen's, published at Boston, 3. Ite modest
frouti^piece, ib. Statements examined, 81. 166. 188. 301. 810. 394.
310.383—4. 337. 345. 353. 357. 400. 416.

Naval occurrences between America and France. See France,

Navy, American, See American Navy.

New London^ Ametican ships chased into by the Valiant and Acast^
and the port blockaded, 335.

' ' INDEX. .

New Torkf populace of, their receptioo,of CapUin P<Mrter, 917* dor*
- poration of, their fulsome address to Captain Stewart, 469.
NymphCf her defiance of the U. S. ship Constitotiooy 534.

.0.. . , ' >H

OjUer$f British and American, their opposite feelings towards each

other, 97.
Official accounti, British, not published, 81. 199. 856. 263. iSS. 342*

3i4. 362. 458. 481. 487.
Ontario^ Lake. See Lake Ontario. '\

Orpheut and SheUntme capture the Frolic. See FroliCf American ship.
Oive^oFurt, stormed and carried by the British, 39&— 7. l

P.- . 'll

Feacockt brig, her action with the American ship Hornet, 199'>900.
American print uf the action, 201. Peacock's loss, ib. Hosnet's da>
mages and loss, ib. Peacock's and Hornet's force in guns and men,
SOI— 7. Dimensions of the two vessels, 205—6.
Peatack and Epervier. See Epervier,
I Nautilus. See Nautilus,

Pelkan brig, Captain Maples ; her engagement with the Argus, which
she captures, 269 — 71 ; and App. Nos. 42, 43, 44. Damage and
loss on board each vessel, 272 — 3. Pelican's force in guns nnd men,
and American accounts of both, 273—5. Argus's force in guns,
275* The dismantling and other curious shot found on board her,
t76. Her complement, 277. Depositions of her officers, ib. Size
of each vessel considered, 279. Argus's tonnage, 280. Compara-
tive furce, 281.
Pen^m brig, falls in with, engages, and is captured by, the Hornet,
487. Details of the action, App. Nos. Ill, 112. Penguin's da-
mages, destruction, and loss, 489—90. Hornet'(» damages and loss,
490—2. Force of each vessel in guns, men, and size, 492-5*
Statement of comparative force, and remarks thereon, 498—9.
Perry and Ballahou. See Ballahou.

Terry y Commodore, his official and other letters, App. Nos. 56, 57, 58,
59, 60. 64. Remarks thereon, 288—92. 295. Presented with a
service of plate hy the citizens of Boston, 294. The commodore and
the engravers, 295.
Phoebe frigate, Captain Uillyar, leaves England, 305. Arrives, in com-
pany with two sloops, at Juan Fernandez, and there hears of Captain
Porter's depredations, 306. Phoebe and Cherub arrive at Valpa-
raiso; where they discover and blocka''.' the Essex and Essex Ju-
nior, 307. Essex sails out; is attacked and captured by the PhcBbe

h;1 i

WKr.

• («inI Chtral^' MBakV. Dimagw mA \om on both sidet, S10-»lf.
. Force of 4ie Tamelt in goni, men, and size, S 1 9. St ntenent of com*

punitive foroe,S16. Their arrivel at Plymouth, 319.
Pigot fC9.^t, his official letter, A pp. No. T5. See fro/tc, American ship*
JKfae^ -meeting between her and the Comticution, 475. Amerieao

falsehood detected, 476. Exemplary conduct of the Pique's ship's
. company, 479.

Piantagenet, gross libel on the officers and crew of, 393.
Platttburg bay and works, attack upon, and its failure from the promised
.( [co-oporation not having been given, 406->8; and App. No«. 90. 92.
Po/MAtngtys/«%reprobated, 98. 202. O

PorUVf Captain, his letters, App. Nos. 7« 7S. 74. Remarks thereon,
. 81. SOT. 309. 811. 314— '18. His treatment of a British seaman, 86.
'« of Captain Hillyar, 818. Account of the priae-ships taken by him,

previoas to his capture in the Essexj 319. See Euex.
Potowmac river, the bridge across it burnt by the British troops, 379.

The river ascended by a squadron under the command of Captain

Gordon, 381. The squadron's return with twenty*one priaes, having
I ; defeated the American batteries, 384.

Awdler, to produce a proper effect^ must be in good condition, 101*
^r; Bad condition of the Guerriere's, ib.

President, American frii^ate leaves New York for Bengal Bay, and
,. islrikes on a mud->bank, 4S6— 7. Court of inquiry thereon, App.
t Noa. 103. 105. Gets oflf, pursues her course, falis in with a British
•/ equadron, and is engaged 1^ the British frigate Endymion singly, to

which ship she strikes, 427, and seq. See Endymion*
President and Alexandria. See Alexandria, . \;'

^^ I ■! Beividera. See BeMdera.
Endymion, See Endymion.
Little Belt. See Little Belt.
II Loire, See Loire,

— — — — Plan'agenet. See Piantagenet. .

Pretostf Sir George, charges preferred against his excellency by Sir

James Lucas Yeo, and his death previous to the day of trial, 425. .
Pringi Captain, his official letter, App. No. 90.
Prisoner tf British. See British Prisoners.
Privateers, Ata^eritMn, and British ships of war, American accounts of

actions between, 483 — 6.
Prize'listSf American, gross errors in, 514 — 15.

R.
Maceon sloop, destruction by her of the American fur-estalilisbment

upon the Columbia, 319.

INDEX.

Ibippahannockf gallant boat-attack at the tnootb of, and ca)tture of lour
armed schooners, 367—8. American accounts of the affair, 369.

iZafet of American and British ships; deception on the public in diis
matter exposed, and the difference shewn between the rate and tha
actual armament, 23— <26. The reason of this difference explained,
f 7. American secretary at war's report, for altering the dimeasiona
of ships of war without changing their rates, 28. British Order ia
Council directing that the rate shall in future corretpoad with th«
number of guns actually mounted, 29.

Rattlesnake^ American sloop of war, her fine crew, 183.

Reindeer and Watpf action between, and surrender of the Reindecr|,
after desperate resistance, and her subsequent destruction, S54— 5 ;
and App. Nos. 78, 79. Respective loss, damages, and force of each
Tessd, 355—360.

Re$olutumt a bombastical, of the senate and house of representatiYCi
of the United Stales, 106.

Retolutkmartf fFar^ naval history of, by Mr. Clarke, 37, and seq. Hii
aiajesty'9 ship Glasgow and an American squadron, S8, 39* Nimrod
and an American armed ship, 39, 40. Beaver and Oliver Cromwell,
40. Yarmouth and Randolph, 40—42. Cruel treatment of British
prisoners of war, 43. Ariadne and Ceres with the Raleigh and
Alfred, 44. Levant and General Hancock, 45. The Diligent and
Providence, 45, 46. Serapis and Scarborough with a squadron under
Paul Jones, 46. The Savage and Congress, 46 —49. South Carolina
American frigate, 49. Anecdote of Captain Manly, 50. Atalante
and Trepassy with the Alliance, 51—54. Sybil and Alliance, 55—58.
Total amount of British and American captures during the war, 59.

Rig of ships, not a true criterion of their size, any more than their
rate or number of decks of their real force, 35, 36.

Rodger$f Commodore, sent with an Anerican squadron in pursuit of
the Jamaica fleet, 75. Falls in with, and chases the Belvidera, ib,
and App. Nos. 5, 6, 7. Engagement between the Belvidera and
President, 75—77. Belvidera escapes, and the American squadron
resumes its pursuit of the convoy, but fails in overtaking it, and
returns to Boston, 77, 78. The commodore's account of the chase
of his ship the President off the North Cape, when in quest of a fleet
of whalers, 252. The chasing ships identified as the Alexandria
frigate and 3pitfire sloop, 254. The commodore's third cruize, 321.

RiJU'barrelled piece$, their evident superiority, 109. Employed by
the Americans, ib. 96. 177. 233. 313. 354.

li«f9,Miyor*Geaeral, his victory over the Americans at Bladen^HU'g,

INDEX.

y .

y i .

5-
4' U

•ecapation of WMhington, and destruction caused there, 387. Hiii
subsequent death, in a demonstration upon Baltimore, 386. See
Bladentburg and Wathington*

Socket f$ harbour. See Lake Ontario,

San DomngOf thickness of her top-sides, 18. Her force in guns, 131.
Superior discipline of her crew, 586.

SandyCrukf British failure in an attack on, 398.

Seamany a British, tarred and feathered, 84.

Stamen^ in what their proficiency consists, 189.

— ^— British, their scarcity ; its cause and consequences, 94. In-
ducements held out to them in America to desert, 159. The very
defective number on board the Lake Erie flotilla, 386.

Shannon frigate captures the American brig Nautilus, 80. The Shan-
non and Tenedos reconnoitre the hnrbour of Boston, which the Chesa-
peake enters unperceived, 311 — 13. The President and Congress
avoid the blockading ships, and escape to sea, 313. Captain Broke

' detaches the Tenedos, t6. Takes on board twenty two Irish la-
bourers, 313. Captain Broke challenges the Chesapeake, and stands
dose in to Boston light-house, 313; and App. Nu. 36. Chesapeake
Muls out without receiving the challenge, 314. The two ships en-
gage, 315. Detailsof the action, 316— SO. Captain Broke boards
ill person, 317. His severe wounds, and personal conflict with three
Americans, 318. Americans spectators of the engagement, 320.
Court of inquiry on the loss of the Chesapeake, App. No. 40. Lieu-
tenant Budd's official letter, App. No. 40. Shannon's damages and
loss, 894—5. Chesapeake's, 225 — 6. Shannon's force in guns and
men, 327 — 30. Ciiesapeake's force in guns, and names of her guns^
331 — 3. Dismantling shot, rifle guns,&c. taken in the Chesapeake,
233. Cask of lime found on board lier, with a curious case on the
subject, 333—4. Chesapeake's complement, 234 — 7. Quality of her
crew, and American remarks thereon, 329—242. Dimensions cf the
two ships in hull and spars, 245. Comparative force, and reraarkf
thereon, %47— 51.

Ship*9 complement. See Complement.

■'■ deckt. See Decks.

■ II rates. See Rates.

.. size or dimensions. See Size.

Sise o/ a s/iy, in tuns, of great importance in estimating the compara-
tive force, 15— 23. */. ,*w'i

Ji:

XNHDEX.

Skolf targe-iiMed, advantages of, 7 — f . V/eight of less consoqoence than
diameter, 10. The Americans of a contrary opinion, ib. That opi-
nion refuted, J6. British and American shot in use, 11. Amertcan

' disronntling shot, 175. Dismantling shot, &c. taken on board th«

Chesapeake, 333. The President prepared with similar shot wImb

chased by the Aleiandria frigate, S55. Also the Argus, 876. Same

thot used by the Wasp in her action with the Reindeer, 357. And

on board the Constitution in action with the Levant and Cyane, 406.

** Sketches of the tfar^ Mr. Thomson's, published at Philadelphia, 9.
Dedicated to the American secretary uf state, 4. Its gross mis-
statements corrected, 81. 89. 184. 192. 201. 876. 369. 873. 39T.
475. 485. 513—20.

Smithf Mr. one of the Shannon*8 midshipmen, his gallant conduct, 917.

Spaniards and Frenchf American opinion of their naval character, 338.

Stackpoole, Captain, bis letter, App. No. 67.

StaiiravoiA Endt/mion, challenge to, from Com. Decatur. See Hecatkr,

St, Lawrence schooner, with despatches relating to the peace, attadied
and captured by the American brig Chasseur, 480—1. Damages,
loss, and force of each vessel, 481— S.

Stewart, Captain, his official letter, App. No. 108. Remarks thereon,
461—2. 466. 470.

Sj/ren and Landrail^ action between, 360.

22a

Tarring nnd feathering a British seaman for refusing to take an oath of

allegiance to America, 84.
Tenedos, her fruitless attempt to bring to action the U. S. frigate Co»r

gress, 525.
Tonnage. See Measurement.

Tripoli, Americans at, 72. Crews made up of British seamen, 73.
Triumphs nnd Captures, naval, American list o(, on each side. Set

Captures.

Truxton, Commodore, his account of the engagement of the Consi«illa*
lion with la Vengeance, App. Nos. 1. 2. Victory claimed for tbf
commodore, and medal struck in consequence, 66»

United Slates and France. See America and France.
,■ Macedonian. See Macedonian,

Macedonian and Eornetf chased into port by the Valiant

and Acasta, i3£.

A <t

fo 1

I '

8? f I

INDEX.

Valiant and ilcai<a, their cbue of the Amencan thipi Uuited Stately
MacedoniRD, and Hornet, into New London, 335.

VfHgeance {la), her engagement with the American frigate Constel-
lation, 64; and App. Nos. 1. 2. French account, 67. Her subie*
quent capture bj the British frigate Seine, 65.

W. .

Wo9 declared by America against Great Britain, 74. A squadron under
Commodore Rodgers sent in pursuit of the Jamaica fleet, 75.

War of 1776, See Retolutionary War.

Warringtonf Captain, his official and other letters, App. Nos. 76. 117.

118. Remarks thereon, 342. 345. 500—18. His wanton and

. unjustifiable attack of the E. I. company's brig Nautilus, after being

apprised of the peace, ib. Considerations on this disgraceful trans*

action, ib.

Waihingt&Af the American capital, entered by the British army ; its
dock-yard, arsenal, shipping, stores, arms, bridges, &c. destroyed ;
senate-house, house of reprt.^'entatives, president's palace, &c. &c«
set on fire; cannon, storcs,&c. taken, 378— 9; and App. Nos. 89,83.

Wasp and Avon. See Avon*

I Frolic. See Frolic.

— >-— i-.- Reindeer. See Reindeer.

Wattonf Lieutenant, his official letter, App. No. 43. Remarks thereon,
371 — 3. SQP. See Pelican.

ITaff, Lieutenant, his death, 219.

WhakrSf fleet of, saved by the gallant conduct of Captain Cathcart, 355.

Whinyate$f Captain, bis official letter, App. No. IS. Wounds, 147.
See Fr<Uic brig.

Whiting schooner, surprise and capture of, 79.

WilUam, American ship, her capture by the Java, 169. Recapture bj
the Hornet, 185. Commodore Bainbridge*s behaviour on the occa-
sion, ib,

Wonele^t Lieutenant. See Lake Erie.

IFr^At, Lieutenant, his letter, App. No. 30. See Peacoc/c, brig.

Teot Sir James L. his official letters, App. Nos. 48, 49.61. 58. 89.
His reported challenge to Captain Porter, 85. Operations on Dike
Ontario, 397; and App. Ivn*. 48. 52. American editor's ludicrous
charge against, 401. Char{;es preferred by Sir James against the lat«
Sir George Prevost, 425. See Chauncey, and Lake Champlain,

i 1
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rttetcd by ioycc Gold, VU, ShM>laae, Londom.

t *