IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) {/ w,wi -^ speed} reply. We are short of provisions and water, and cannot staj long here. I have the honor" to be, Sir, Your obedient humble Servant, P. B.V. BROKE, Capt, of H. B. M.'a Ship Shannon. N. 3. For the general service of watching your coast, it is requisite for me to keep another ship in com- j-ji.y, to support with her guns and boats when em- ployed 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 advantrge for this general service, by detaching my consort, vyithout an assurance on your part of meeting nee directly ; and that you will neither seek nor admit aid from 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 an- swering a formal challenge, you may yet oblige me by keeping my proposal a secret, and appointing any place you like to meet us (within 30() miles of Boston), in » given number of days after you sail ; as, unless you agree to an interview, I may be busied on other «er, vice, and perhaps be at a distance from Boston when you go to sea. Choose your terms— but let us meet. To (he commander of the United States frigate Civ sapcake. Superscription on the Envelope, We have thirteen american prisoners on board, which I will give you for as many british sailors, if you will send them out ; otherwise, being privateers' men, they must be detained. I 11 CAPTAIN BROKE'S ACCOUNT OF THE ACTION. SlB> Shannon, Halifax, Jtme 6, 1813. I HAVE the honour to inform you, that being close in H^ith Boston Light-house, in H. M. S. under my command, on the Ist instant, I had the plea- sure of seeing that the United States' frigate Chesa- peake (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 hove-to for him to join us. — The enemy came down in a very handsome manner, having three amcrican ensigns flying; when closing with us he sent down his royal yards ; 1 kept the Shannon's up, expecting the breeze would die away. At half past five P. M. the enemy hauled up within hail of us on the starboard 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 niizen- channels locking in with our fore-riggiug. I went for- ward to ascertain her position ; and observing that the ftnemy were flinching, from their guns, I gave orders to B 9 1 1 h prepare for boarding. Our gallant bands appointed to that service immediately rushed in, under their respec- tive officers, upon the enemy's decks, driving every thing before them with irresistible fury. The enemy made a desperate, but disorderly resistance. The firing continued at all the gangways, and be- tween the tops, but in two minutes time the enemy were driven sword in hand from every post. The ame- rican flag was hauled down, and the proud old british Union floated triumphant over it. In another minute they ceased firing from below, and called 'for quarter. The whole of this service was achieved in fifteen mi- nutes from the commencement of the action. I have to lament the loss of mc.iy of my gallant ship- mates, but they fell exulting in their conquest. My brave first lieutenant, Mr. Watt, was slain in the moment of victory, 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 small-arm men, was killed at his post on the gangway; my faithful old clerk, Mr. Dunn, was shot by his side. Mr. Aldham has left a 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 boatswain, Mr. Stephino, has lost an 1 13 arm. He fought under Lord Rodney on the 12th April. 1 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 twenty-three slain, and fifty-six wounded. 1 subjoin the names of the former. No ex- pivssioiis I can make use of can do justice to the nierits of my valiant officers and crew; the calm courage they displayed during the cannonade, and the tremendous precision of their fire, could only be equalled by the ardour with which they r-shed to the assault. I re- commend them all warmly to the protection of the com- mander-in-chief. Having received a severe sabre wound at the first onset, whilst charging a party of the enemy who had rallied on their forecastle, I was only capable of giving command till assured our conquest was complete, and then directing second Lieutenant Wallis to take charga of the Shannon, and secure the prisoners. 1 left the third lieutenant, Mr. Falkiner (who h .d headed the main-deck boarders), in charge of the prize. 1 beg to recommend these officers most strongly to the com- mander-in-chief's patronage, for the gallantry they dis- played during the acUon, and the skUl and judgment Ill II II! 14 Ibey evinced iu the .n«„u5 durie. which afterwards de- volved upon them. To Mr. Etough, ihe acting-master, I am much in- debted for the steadiness in v/hich he conn'd the ship into action. The Lieutenants Johns r Law, of Uie ma* nnes, bravely boarded at the head of their respective divisions. It k impossible to particularize every brilliant deed performed by my officers and men; but 1 must mention, yhen the ships' yard-arms were locked together, that Mr. Cosnahan, who commanded in our main-top, find- ing himself screened from the 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. Suitb, ^ho commanded in our fore-top, stormed the enemy's fore-top from the fore-yard arm, and destroyed all the •mericans remaining in it. I particularly beg leave to recommend Mr. Etough, the acting-master, and Messrs. Smuh, Leake, Clavering, Raymond, and Littlejohn ni.dsh.pmen. This latter officer is a sou of Captain L.ttlejohn, who was slain in the Berwick. The loss of the enemy was about seventy killed, and one hundred wounded. Among the former were the four heutenants, a lieutenant of marines, the master, and ma..y other officers. Captain Laurence is since dead of his wounds. 15 The enemy came into action with a complement of four hundred and forty men; the Shannon, having picked up some recaptured seamen, had three hundred and thirty. The Chesapeake is a fine frigate, and mounts forty- nine guns, eighteens on her main deck, two-and-thirties 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 only been exchanging a salute. I bave the honour to be, &c. P. B. V. BROKE. To Captain the Hon, T. Bladen Capel, ^c. Nali/a*. I'v f^ i! ^ 17 Mr. M. M. thinks it due to himself to de- clare, that he would never have sent this little piece before the public, had not a very imper- feet copy of it been published lately, under h's name, though entirely without his sanc- tion or knowledge, by a • London BookseUer. It was written during an accidental inter- val from service, and was not intended to be prmted; nor is it now made public but with great unwillingness, and only to supersede the above-mentioned defective copy. • E. Ketby, Stsfibtd Street, Bond Street. [ c ] VERSES UPON THE CAPTURE OF THE AMERICAN FRIGATE CHESAPEAKE BY THE BRITISH FRIGATE SHANNON. -■;! />, VERSES UPON THE CAPTURE OF THE AMERICAN FRIGATE CHESAPEAKE KY THE BRITISH FRIGATE SHANNON, JUNE 1st 1813, For twice ten years proud France, in vain. Had sought to overthrow the reign Of England on the sea, — For still, in her triumphal car, Britannia rode, and ruled the war. And scorned the weak " decree," The unrelenting foe then cast His eye across the wat'ry waste That parts the western world ; And, burning with his fell design, He hoped America would joiu Tt ne Danner he 'u unfurled. c a 4i 20 Impelled at length by french intrigue, And latent hate, to join the league That plotted England^s ruin. She basely raised her impious hand To overthrow her parent land,— Intent on its undoing. 4 She sent her vaunted cruisers out. Full manned with seamen bold and stout, A picked and daring band ; But mostly « traitors", sordid, base. Vile Britons of degenerate race. Whom infamy shall brand. By fortune favoured, as by might, Unmatched in strength, as swift in flight, Awhile they cruised unrecked ; And, England, with amazement, saw These vain marauders give the law Upon the sea, unchecked. SI She saw her * Guerriere's colours torn ; The *t" Frolic's too ; and heard, to mourn, Her drownhig + Peacock's knel. * The Guerriere, of 46 guns and 263 men, Captain James Rd. Dacres, was taken by the american frigate Constitution, of 56 guns and 476 men, Commodore Hull, on the 20th of Augast 1812, after a severe action of 1 hour and 30 minutes ; in the course of which she had 15 men killed and 63 wounded, and was totally dis- masted. She was found to be in a sinking state soon after being taken possession of by the enemy, when she was burnt. The Constitutio jstained comparatively but little injury. f The Frolic 18, Captain T. Whinyates, was captured on the 18th of October 1812, near Bermuda, by the Wasp 20, Captain Jones, after a hard contest of fifty minutes. The Frolic was in a great me^^ure crippled before the commencement of the action, having had her main-yard carried away, and suffered other damages, in a gale of wind the foregoing night. On the afternoon of the same day the Poictiers 74, Sir J. P. Beresford, fell in with them, took thv Wasp, and restored the Frolic to those who had so bravely tho* unsuccessfully defended her. Captain Whinyates has since been promoted to post rank. :j: The Peacock 18, Captain Peake, was sunk in action with the Hornet 20, Captain Lawrence, a few minutes after having ')een compelleu ' t strike to the very superior force of her antagonist, after a conflict of only 15 mi- 22 But most the § Macedonian's fate Britannia wept ; and scarce less great Her grief when || Java fell. The Guardian Genius of her fleet, All unaccustomed to defeat, Reverse but ill could brook : Indignant at the outrage new, Around that fleet her eye she threw, With eager anxious look. nutes. Captain Peake fell early in the action, besides whom 20 men were killed or drowned, and 30 wounded. This unfortunate fight took place off Demarara, Feb. the 24th 1812. § The Macedonian 38, Captain J. S. Carden, was taken on the 25th of Deer. 1812, by the United States, Com« modore Decatur, afler a bloody action of two hours and ten minutes. The Macedonian lost 36 men in killed, and hau 68 wounded, and was almost totally dismasted. The United States had but 10 killed, and 20 wounded. The great disparity of force will account for this unequal loss, and unfortunate result. The Macedonian mounted but 47 guns, and had only 310 men on board, while the United States mounted 55 guns, of much heavier calibre, and hud a full complement of 478 picked men. She was carried into New London U. S., and soon aflerwardg fitted out by the umerican government. It is not generally 23 8 And, gazing on the wooded main, With pride imbittered now with pain, While burst a rending sigh, — She thought on former triumphs gained By that proud navy she had trained " To conquer or to die." known that — Commodore Decatur proposed to Captain Garden to ransom the Macedonian; which, of course, was refused. II The Java 4-0, Captain Henry Lambert, on her pas- sage to India, with Lieutenant-General Hislop and his suite on board, was taken by the Constitution, Commodore Bainbridge, on the 29th of December 1812, on the Brazil coast, after a most desperate action of 3 hours and 40 minutes. She had 24- men killed and 100 wounded, among the latter her gallant commander, mortally ; and was totally dismasted some time before she struck. The americans found her so dreadfully cut up that they burned her as soon as the wounded were removed, which circumstance gave the greatest consolation to her dying Captain. The Constitution had but 10 men killed and 48 wounded, and was comparatively but little injured in her sails and rigging ; which cause will be found for in her immense superiority over her adversary, as in the last instance, she mounting 55 guns, with 480 men, and the Java but 46 of much less dibrc, and 377 men. The bravo and good Lambert expired on the 4th of January 4 £4 \ I i I 114 9 Dispelling then each painful doubt, A frigate fair she singled out, Of plain but warlike show : And while, to 1 ear the heav'nly maid, In silence warring winds obeyed, The waves were hushed below. 10 « SHANNON," said she, " on yonder coast" " The vain american makes boast" " He has my pow'r defied :" " Go, wreak upon the braggart foe" " A vengeance terrible though slow," " And humble low his pride." following; and next day was buried in the Fort San Pedro, Salvador, with all due military honours; con- signed to an honoured but premature grave amidst the tears of his cou' trymen and the admiration of his coun- try's enemies. The Conde Dos Argos, and Portuguese in general, contributed to pay every mark of respect on the melan- choly occasion. Lieutenant R. D. Chads, first of the Java, who so gallantly defended the ship after his captain fell, was pro- i . I f„^_ ii.- c-l !-•- o'»'»>~ »*'♦«» Wia rt»t>"'n •■'* Enff- niotcu iiiio luc cuiuiiiujo Dumi CT.-vvi Jt"^ 5^v„.ii — — jj land. 25 11 Tiie Shannon heard, attentive all, And, quick obedient to the call, Went forth without delay; For Boston Bay she boldly stood, Where, she had information good, A Yankee frigate lay. f" 1« As left the sun its orient bed. And o'er the wave new glories shed In beams of golden light, The Shannon stood close in, to throw The gauntlet to the haughty foe. And dare him to the fight. 13 Meanwhile the splendid orb of day Through cloudless skies pursued its way, Before the champions met : Ah ! many a brave, but fated one, Now marks the course of that bright sun Who ne'er shall see it set I ar<5 14 Elated with their late success, Nor now anticipating less, The foe at length came out ; Right down upon the Shannon steered, ' In dread array, with quarters cleared, And crew complete aad stout. IS As onward to the fight they bore, Slow moving from their native shore By every tie endeared. From crowded quay, and peopled beadi, As far as loudest tongue could reach. Their countrymen them cheered. Ill i 16 Nor wanted now our gallant Tars A record bright of former wars To cheer them in the fight ; Yet, better far than brightest story. They had, to spur them on to glory,— *' An enemy in sight/^ «r 17 It was of June the glorious first The fight was fought : By France how cursed ! The memorable day On which great Howe, in ninety-fcu The beaten fleet of Gallia bore To british ports away. IS Th' undaunted Shannon marked his aim. As full before the wind he came To seek the bloody strfe ; And laying-to, all well prepared, Her foe she to the combat dared To end alone with life. 19 Streamed from his peek, and tall mast-head, The mingled * stripes of white and red. As nearer still he came ; * The american national colours are — " Seventeen stripes, alternately red and white ; and seventeen stars, on a blue field, in the upper quarter next the staff;" de- noting the number of United Sutes. .28" While from the Shannon's proudly flew The pennant of unfading blue, Her ensign of the same. 20 And, as they floated on the breeze In wanton sport, with careless ease, And woo'd the ambient air, Th' intrepid Tar who bade them fly, With eyes uplifted to the sky, Thus breathed his mental praycr,- 21 « Almighty GOD ! as good as great," " Whose will is sure, unerring fate," " Vouchsafe to hear my pray'r," — " This day may victory be mine," " But thine the praise, the glory thine ;*' " And these brave scanen spare." " Yet should thy will divine be so — " " To give the battle to the foe," " Resigned that will I '11 own ;'* ** But never,^ never, while I live," " (So help me, and my sins forgive !)" " Will haul these colours down." 25 Now, while the fierce opponents closed, In deepest silence all reposed ; And still, as they drew nigh. Each sailor shook his messmate's hand, And thought upon his native land. And checked the rising sigh. 9A But this alone a transient thought : The moment nobler feelings brought To warm each Briton's breast ; Such ardour now their bosoms fired As though by honour's self inspired To fill her hieh behest. 30 ^ Enthroned flmid the conscious sky, Britannia's Genius from on high Beheld th' approaching war ; And, hanging o'er the dread event. Yet of the issue confident, ^««« -'# Thus spoke each dauntless Tar,—- £6 " My true-born sons, if still the same," " Now prove your title to the name" * Held heretofore so glorious ;" " Fifteen short minutes will decide" " If triumph still with you doth side," — " If England itill victorious." Ha ! mark the first loud-pealing gun The dreadful conflict has begun. And shakes the atmosphere ; Thick volumes of convolving smoke, By flasi)nig gleams of fire broke. Snronn thrniiirli tV\a li>ri giant strength be wielded ! S(2 31 They rush,— the daunted foe retire ; The guns, deserted, cease their fire ; Huzzas now rend the sky : Loud cheers on conquest's wing are bome,- Down, dowp, the faded stripes are torn, And briiish colours fly ! O glorious day ! Transporting sight The hostile stars are set in night, Nor more insulting shine. No longer be thy hope deferred, Immortal BROKE ! thy pray'r is hea^d,- « The victory is thine !" S3 The hero heard the joyful sounds As, bleeding fast with ghastly wounds, All faint and pale he fell ; And, as his sailors bare him down, " Cheer up," said he, " the day 's your own ;" " My wounds will soon be well." a3 34 Exhausted nature sought relief: Let balmy rest restore the chief, And sooth his anguished pain. Meanwhile can * Wallis well supply His Captain's place ; and fFALKiNEE, by, His part as well sustain. 35 My song records, with not less pvide, The worth of :|: Johns, and § Law, who vied In bold undaunted spirit ; While pTouGH, f Smith, and |||| Cosn'han, showed Their hearts with manly courage glowed ; With more of equal merit. * Second, and senior surviving Lieutenant of the Shan- non. f Third Lieutenant. Both these gentlemen were, upon the receipt of Captain Broke's letter, promoted to the rank of Commander, for their meritorious conduct on this glorious occasion. 4 First Lieutenant of Marines. § Second Ditto. II Acting Master. «f Master's Mate. II II Midshipman. For an account of the manner in which these young Officers more particularly distinguished themselves, see £ 34 36 Go, vain Columbia! boast no more ; Go, weep your short-lived triumph o'er,- Your Chesapeake is lost ! This day our british Tars have shown, With skill and valour all their own. How poor, how false your boast : . 37 The " Infant Navy's" laurel boughs, That vaunting decked your shameless brows. Are withered all and torn ; Nor ever, while a Briton breathes. Shall leaf that twines in British wreaths By you again be worn. Sir Philip Broke's ofRcial statement of the action. They also have been promoted, to the rank of Lieutenants. Officers of the Marine Corps can only rise by seniority. ^ 38 The faithful muse now bleeds to tell What gallant Britons nobly fell Upon this bloody day : The setting sun shone on the grave Of five and twenty seamen brave ; While fifty wounded lay. S9 Brave • Watt, who, by his Captain's side. Had through the carnage death defied, At length in victory dies ; His flitting soul but stayed to note The british flag in triumph float, — Then sought its native skies. * First Lieutenant of the Shannon. This gallant young man followed Captain Broke close on the Chesapeake's decks ; and was killed in the act of hauling down her colours ; how, has not been ascertained. E fi 36 40 Fain would my song transmit to famd- Full many a Tar of lesser name, Who shared his glorious fate ; Of those the hapless * Aldham stands The foremost in the gallant band, — While weeps his widowed mate ! 41 Nor shall, these heroes' names among, Brave f LAWRENCE ! thine remain unsung, Who met an equal doom ; Though pale thy mangled corse is now, The laurel wreath around thy brow For ever green shall bloom. ♦ Purser of the Shannon. The purser is generally sta- tioned to assist the surgeon, or to take care of the Private signals, in action. But this gentleman, with a spirit worthy of a better fate, volunteered his services on the quarter deck. He was killed in the first broadside. t Captain of the Chesapeake ; who commanded the Hornet when she sunk the Peacock. He was mortally wounded in thrfee places, and lingered till the second day after the action. He was buritd at Halifax N. S. upon m 4t Of * ^UDLow too, the lay shall tell, Who bravely fought, and nobly fell,— His race too early run ! Of foemen full twice forty slain Sunk deep beneath the crimsoned main Before the set of sun. 43 Roll light the wave upon her dead !— • Their sepulchre is Ocean's bed, All fathomless and vast ! Their funeral knel the cannon rung; While soft a requiem was sung Upon the distant blast. the Shannon's arrival, with military honours, and every possible mark of respect, together with Lieutenant Lud- low. The Town of Boston soon afterwards sent for their bodies, which were accordingly given up, * First Lieutenant of the Chesapeake. I 38 44 The foe has fairn ! The fight has ceased ! Brave Peake ! thy manes now appeased May henceforth sleep in rest. — The retributive offering made, Go seek, with gallant Lambert's shade, Tlie mansions of the blest. 45 Now, homeward, with her prize in tow, Behold the happy Shannon go, Her trophies proud to sport : Ye gentle winds ! that round her play, Improve and guard her destined way, Within the shelt'ring port. 40 He comes, Illustrious Chief ! Prepare The splendid wreath 't is his to wear, Of never-fading bays : Prepare the bright perennial crown, While loud the trump of high renown Resounds the victor's praise. 39 47 Brave Tars ! what joy to you, returning, With anxious hope your bosoms burning, And wish no more to roam, — To meet again each well-known face, The cordial hand, and warm embrace, The friendly welcome-home. 48 A grateful countiy too will gree Your glad return, and ye shall meet Her daughters' sweetest smiles ; And, as ye tell th' inspiring tale, With conscious pride her sous will hail " The Guardians of her Isles." 49 Nor will the valour you have shown Contemporary praise alone Beget, — but deathless glory ; For history's recording page Shall tell to many a future age The animating story. 40 50 My muse would fain her theme pursue, To pay your worth the tribute due. But finds her efforts vain ; Some abler bard must wake the string, And, soaring high on bolder wing, Proclaim the lofty strain.. VERSES TO THE MEMORY OF CAPTAIN SAMUEL BLYTH. I VERSES TO THB MEMORY OF CAPTAIN SAMUEL BLYTH, OF HIS MAJESTY'S LATE BRIO BOXER, Who was killed (at the Age of Thirty-two Years) in action with the United States' brig Enterprise, September 5th 1813. H " Actii avU implet, non segnibus annis." Ovid. 1 OLL for the hapless brave ! The brave tliat are no more ; Sunk deep beneath tha wave, Far, on a hostile shore. 2 Toll for the valiant dead ! Twine for their brows a wreath : Laid low on honour's bed, They sleep the sleep of death ! f 2 I 44 'Yet, though the brave are dead, Forgot they shall be — never : Their souls alone are fled. Their names will live — for ever. For british seamen toll !— Who with their Captain fell, As though his daring soul Had warmed their hearts, as well. Now cold, alas ! those hearts, "Which valour's ' self inspired : Who nobly played their parts. By his example iired. 6 On proud Columbia's coast He sought the braggart foe, To end their empty boast. And humble them full low. 45 The vaunting foe he sought, His force though all unequal ; The bloody fight was fought, — Ah ! weep the mournful sequel. 8 Red rolled the frighted flood, While raged the furious war ; The ocean drank the blood Of many a dauntless Tar ! 9 With courage unavailing The desp'rate strife was held ; For might, at length prevailing, A vain resistance quelled. 10 He 's fall'n,— Ill-fated Chief! In death's cold arms he lies : Yet, lighter be our grief — A glorious death he dies. 4$ 11 Nor unavenged he died, Though force has overpowered ; Nor witnessed he the " pride " Of England's Union" lowered. 1ft Not all for him alone Tolled * Portland s passing bell,- It rung, midst deepened moan, His adversary's knel. 13 Now both, by fate subdued, One common grave they share ; Life closes o'er their feud, V/hile friendship sheds the tear. * The american commander, Lieutenant W. Burrows, was also killed in the action ; and was buried, together with Captain Blyth, at Portland, U. S., the second day after the action, upon the vessels' arrivfil. t 47 The battle's din is o'er,— \ i A But Britain's flag is torn : For heroes now no more, Indignant Britons, mourn ! 15 Lament your Cruiser gone ; V « But more lament her slain,— She yet may be your own, But never those again ! See yet a happier day. V i With triumph marked as ever. Another Boxer may, — But Blyth, alas ! can never. FINIS. * S. Gosnell, ftmter, litde Queen Streef, London. ^ ■ ... ■-- -~*~^ , ^■v" ■