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AMERICAN 
 NAVAL BATTLES; 
 
 BEING A 
 
 COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE BATTLES FOUGHT BY THE 
 
 NAVY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNITED STATES, 
 
 FROM ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1794 TO THE PRESENT TIME; 
 
 INCLUDING 
 
 THE WARS WITH FRANCE AND TRIPOLI ; THE LATE WAR WITH 
 
 GREAT BRITAIN, AND WITH ALGIERS ; WITH AN ACCOUNT 
 
 OP THE ATTACK ON BALTIMORE, AND OP THE 
 
 BATTLE OP NEW ORLEANS. 
 
 EMBELLISHED WITH TWENTY ELEGANT ENGRAVINGS, 
 REPRESENTING BATTLES, &c. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY CHARLES GAYLORD. 
 1840. 
 
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, to wit: 
 
 District Clerk's Office. 
 
 Be it remembered, that on the twenty -ninth day of April, Anno Domini 1831, Horace 
 KiMBAUL.^ of the said district, has deposited In this office the title of a book, the title of 
 which is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 " Amanesa N^ava. B»tt es : being a complete History of the Battles fought by the Navy of 
 the Unitea States, from its establishment in 1794 to a.e present time ; inclnding the VVars 
 with France, and with Tripoli, the late War with Great Britain and with Algiers : with an 
 Account of the Attack on Baltimore, and of the Battle of New Orleans. With twenty-ona 
 elegant Engravings, representing Battles, &;c." 
 
 the right whereof he claims as Proprietor, in conformity with an act of Congress, entitled 
 " An act to amend the seyeral acts respecting Copy rights." 
 
 JNO. W. DAVIS, 
 
 Clerk of the District 
 
 C\'^- 
 
I 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Origix and establishment of the Navy - - 1 
 
 Naval force in 1801 - - - 10 
 
 Captain Truxton - - - - 1 1 
 
 Capture of the Insurgente - - - 11 
 
 Action between Constellation and Vengeance - 11 
 
 Captain Little — frigate Boston - - 13 
 
 Capture of Le Berceau - - - 13 
 
 Captain Sterrett - . - - 15 
 
 Action with a Tripolitan - - - 15 
 
 Schooner Experiment — lieutenant Stewart - 17 
 
 Capture of the Diana - - - - 17 
 Operations in the Mediterranean under commodore Preble 19 
 
 Commodore Preble's interview with the emperor of Morocco 22 
 
 Loss of the frigate Philadelphia - - 23 
 
 Burning of the Philadelphia - - - 25 
 
 Attack on Tripoli - - - - 27 — n 
 
 President and Little Belt - - - 42 
 
 President and Belvidere - - _ 45 
 Escape of the Constitution from a British squadron - 47 
 
 Capture of the Guerriere - - - 51 
 
 First cruise of the Essex and capture of the Alert - 58 
 
 Cruise of the Wasp and capture of the Frolic - 62 
 
 Capture of the Wasp - - - _ 67 
 
 Second cruise of commodore Rodgers - - 69 
 
 Capture of the Swallow - - - - 69 
 
 Cruise of the Argus - - - 70 
 
 United States - - - 71 
 
IV CONTENTS. 
 
 Capture of the Macedonian - - - 70 
 
 Java - - - - 75 
 
 Lieutenant Aylwin - - 80 
 
 Hornet and Bonne Citoyenne - - - 81 
 
 Capture of the Peacock - - - 85 
 
 Chesapeake and Shannon - - - 88 
 
 Letter of commodore Broke - - - 89 
 Death and funeral obsequies of Lawrence and Ludlow 94, 100 
 
 Blockade of New London _ _ - 101 
 
 Capture of the Eagle - - - - 102 
 
 Third cruise of the President - - 103 
 
 Cruise of the Congress - - - - 107 
 
 Argus and Pelican _ _ _ 108 
 
 Death and funeral of captain Allen - - 112 
 
 Enterprize and Boxer - - - 117 
 
 Funeral of lieutenant Burrows and captain Blythe - 120 
 
 Letter from captain Hull - _ _ 121 
 
 from lieutenant M'Call - - - 122 
 
 Captain Hull's card - - - 123 
 
 letter to commodore Bainbridge ,,, - 125 
 
 Cruise of the Essex in the Pacific ocean - 126 
 Action in the harbour of Valparaiso and loss of the Essex 133 
 
 Return of captain Porter _ _ _ 141 
 
 The Alligator - - - - 142 
 
 Commodore Rodgers _ « _ 143 
 
 Peacock and Epervier - - - . 143 
 
 Cruise of the Wasp - - - 146 
 
 Capture of the Reindeer - - - 146 
 
 Avon - - . 147 
 
 Loss of the President - - - - 148 
 
 Capture of the Cyane and Levant - - 151 
 
 Blockade of Chesapeake and Delaware bays - - 159 
 
 Schooner Lottery - - - - 160 
 
 Privateer Dolphin _ _ . - 160 
 
 Attack on Havre de Grace - - - 160 
 
 Crany island - - - - 161 
 
 Hampton - - - 162 
 
CONTENTS. V 
 
 Schooner Asp - - - - 162 
 
 Torpedo - - - - 162 
 
 Attack on Lewistown _ - - 164 
 
 Gunboat action " " " * ^^^ 
 
 Events on lake ICrie - - - - 165 
 
 Capture of the British fleet - - - 168 
 
 Events on lake Ontario - - - - 173 
 
 Events on lake Champlain - - - 187 
 
 Battle of Piattsburg - - - - 188 
 
 Letter of commodore M'Donough - - 193 
 
 Attack on Baltimore - - - - 198 
 
 Battle of New Orleans - - - 204 
 
 President and Plantagent - - - 215 
 Escape of the Constitution from the Tenedos andEndymion 218 
 
 Hornet and Penguin _ _ - 220 
 
 Escape of the Hornet - - - - 222 
 
 The Atlas - - - 224 
 
 The Young Eagle - - - 225 
 
 The Montgomery - - - - 225 
 
 The Dolphin - - - - 226 
 
 The RoUa - - - - 226 
 
 The Hazard - - - - 226 
 
 The Comet _ - - - 227 
 
 The General Armstrong , - - 232 
 
 The Young Teazer - - - 233 
 
 The Decatur . - - . 233 
 
 The Saratoga - - - . - 236 
 
 The General Armstrong - - - 237 
 
 Letter from captain Gamble - - - 243 
 
 Sketch of the Algerine war - - _ 253 
 
 Naval poetry _ - - _ 263 
 
 List of the American Navy - « . 279 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 The benefits to be derived from historical records 
 of noble achievements whether physical or moral are 
 universally acknowledged. The ambition of the 
 student, the warrior, or the statesman is stimulated 
 by the accounts transmitted in this manner ; and the 
 Patriotic of every age and nation have heard with 
 pride the heroic deeds of their countrymen recounted, 
 whether it be done by the faithful pen of the impar- 
 tial historian, or recorded in the page of Historical 
 Romance. It is with the desire of commemorating 
 some of the most remarkable exploits of our gallant 
 seaman that the following plain and unvarnished de- 
 scription of the Naval Battles fought by them since 
 the establishment of the American Navy is offered to 
 the public ; believing it will be useful to the whole 
 American People and especially to the rising genera- 
 tion, prompting them to emulate the Heroic daring, 
 and that high minded self respect which has uniform- 
 ly distinguished the American Commander. No one 
 can read these pages without being filled with admi- 
 ration at the vast majority of victories which have 
 crowned the efforts of our Gallant Navy. Indeed 
 
O NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 during the continuance of the late war with Great 
 Britain there are but two instances of the loss of an 
 American Ship where the forces were nearly equal, 
 viz. — the Chesapeake and the Argus ; and we cer- 
 tainly cannot consider the former as having been of 
 equal force with the Shannon, although the number 
 of guns were so nearly equal, (the Shannon having in 
 all 53 guns and the Chesapeake 49) on account of the 
 difference in the crews, the Shannon having been at 
 sea long enough to discipline hers completely, while 
 the crew of the Chesapeake were scarcely out of 
 port. Nor is the meed of praise due to our gallant 
 Tars for bravery in action alone, for we have abun- 
 dant evidence in the following pages of very superior 
 skill in Naval Tactics and Seamanship, as well as in 
 battle. There is not probably on the pages of histo- 
 ry a more brilliant illustration of these qualities than 
 in the escape of the Constitution from the British 
 Fleet in July, 1812. In every naval engagement 
 seamen alone can tell how much depends upon skill 
 and celerity in managing the ship. 
 
 The accounts are carefully selected from the best 
 authorities and uninteresting detail as much as possi- 
 ble avoided. It has been attempted to preserve a 
 connected narrative as far as the nature of the under- 
 taking would permit, and to make the work some- 
 thing more than a mere collection of official docu- 
 ments and extracts from log books. The limited 
 size of the volume does not admit of so complete a 
 history as som6 readers would wish, but it embraces a 
 aiore comprehensive view of the operations of our 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 Navy than any other publication, and the engravings 
 are done in a style of elegance which does honor to 
 the artists who executed them. 
 
 In the revolutionary war, which gave indepen- 
 dence and character to the United States of Ame- 
 rica, several armed vessels were in commission, and 
 performed exploits, that confer immortality on the 
 names of Barry, Manly, Jones, and others. Dur- 
 ing the latter years of the contest, from the want 
 of finances, the depreciation of paper currency, and, 
 perhaps, still more, from the alliance with France 
 supplying a naval force, little was done to augment, 
 or even to maintain, that of our own nation ; and, 
 shortly after the close of the war, the few ships, 
 that had constituted the navy, were sold by order 
 of Congress. 
 
 The depredations committed on our commerce 
 in the Mediterranean, by the piratical corsairs of 
 the Barbary powers, induced Congress, in 1794, to 
 undertake the formation of a naval force for its 
 protection. Four ships, of forty-four guns each, 
 and two of thirty-six, were ordered to be built. — 
 The act authorizing the construction of these ships, 
 passed the twenty-seventh day of March, which 
 may be considered as the day that gave existence to 
 
 the navy of the United States. 
 
 2 
 
10 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 The creation and establishment of a permanent and 
 efficient naval force, for the protection of commerce 
 and the defence of the seacoast in case of war, had 
 always been advocated by Mr. John Adams ; and 
 during the term of his presidency, from March, 1797, 
 to March, 1801, the object was pursued with great 
 zeal and energy. To no individual is the nation 
 more indebted, than to Mr. Adams ; and posterity 
 will hail him as the father of the American navy. 
 In 1798, there were in service twenty vessels ; in 
 1799, upwards of thirty. A law was passed, direct- 
 ing the building of six seventy-four gun ships, which, 
 however, was never carried into effect. In 1801, 
 the navy consisted of the following ships : 
 
 United States 44 guns 
 
 President 44 
 
 Constitution 44 
 
 Philadelphia 44 
 
 Chesapeake 36 
 
 Constellation 36 
 
 Congress 36 
 
 New-York S6 
 
 Boston 32 
 
 Essex 32 
 
 Adams 32 
 
 John Adams 32 
 
 General Greene 32 
 All ihe other public vessels were ordered by Con- 
 gress to be sold, and the building of those authorized 
 was suspended. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 1 1 
 
 CAPTAIN THOMAS TPJJXTON. 
 
 Was one of the first six captains appointed by the 
 President, at the organization of the naval establish- 
 ment, in 1794. He was directed to superintend the 
 building of the Constellation, of 36 guns, at Balti- 
 more, and to take the command of her when equipped 
 
 The commerce of the United States having suf- 
 fered much from the ravages of the French, both in 
 national vessels and privateers. Captain Truxton was 
 sent with a squadron to the West Indies for its pro- 
 tection. 
 
 On the ninth of February, 1799, at noon, the is- 
 land of Nevis bearing w. s. w. five leagues distant, 
 the Constellation being then alone, a large ship was 
 discovered to the southward, which proved to be the 
 French frigate Insurgente, of forty guns and four 
 hundred and seventeen men. Commodore Truxton 
 bore down upon her, and, at a quarter past three, 
 ranging along side, poured a broadside into her, which 
 was immediately returned. After a warm action of 
 an hour and a quarter, the French ship struck : 
 twenty-nine of her crew were killed, and forty-four 
 wounded. The Constellation had only one man kill 
 ed, and two wounded. 
 
 On the first of February, 1800, the Constellation 
 being alone in the road of Basseterre, at half past 
 seven a. m. Guadaloupe bearing eastward, about five 
 leagues distant, a sail was discovered, which, on ap- 
 
12 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 preaching, commodore Truxton ascertained to be a 
 heavy French frigate, of fifty-four guns. He im- 
 mediately prepared his ship for action. He con- 
 tinued the chase till one the next day, when a fresh 
 wind enabled him to gain upon her. At eight in the 
 evening, having got within hail, he hoisted his en- 
 sign ; had all the candles in the battle lanterns light- 
 ed ; and was in the lee gang way, ready to speak to 
 the French ship, when she commenced a fire from her 
 stern and quarter guns at the rigging of the Constel- 
 lation. Having repeated the orders he had before 
 given, commodore Truxton, in a few moments gain- 
 ed a position on the weather of the French ship, 
 which enabled him effectually to return her broad- 
 side. After a close and severe action of about four 
 hours, the fire of the French ship was completely 
 silenced, and she sheered off, at the moment when 
 Truxton considered her as his prize, and had ordered 
 the tattered sails of the Constellation to be trimmed. 
 It was then perceived that the main-mast was totally 
 unsupported by rigging, every shroud having been 
 shot away. All efforts to support the mast were use- 
 less ; it went over the side in a few minutes, carrying 
 all the top-men with it.* Before the ship could be 
 cleared of the shattered fragments, which was ac- 
 complished in about an hour, the French ship had 
 
 * James Jarvis, of New- York, a midshipman, commanded 
 the main-top. He was apprized of his danger by a seaman, but 
 had so high an opinion of the duty of an officer, that he replied, 
 " If the mast goes, we must go with it," This soon happened, 
 and only one of the men was saved. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 13 
 
 effected her escape. Her disappearance was so sud- 
 den, that, the people on board the Constellation sup- 
 posed she had sunk. She arrived at Curracoa, five 
 days after the engagement, so shattered, that all her 
 crew were continually employed at the pumps to 
 keep her from sinking. She had one hundred and 
 sixty men killed and wounded. Her captain stated 
 that he had twice struck his colours ; but, owing to the 
 darkness, it was not perceived on board the Constel- 
 lation. Believing it was the determination of the 
 American captain to sink him, he renewed the en- 
 gagement from necessity. The Constellation had 
 thirty-nine men killed and wounded. The French 
 frigate was the Vengeance. 
 
 CAPTAIN LITTLE— FRIGATE BOSTON. 
 
 The United States frigate Boston, commanded by 
 captain Little, being on a cruise, to protect the 
 American commerce in the West Indies, in latitude 
 22, 50, longitude 51, captured, on the 12th of Octo- 
 ber, 1800, after an action of an hour and forty min- 
 utes, the French national corvette Le Berceau. The 
 Boston mounted twenty-four 12, and eight 9 poun- 
 ders, and had two hundred and thirty men, of whom 
 six were killed, and eight wounded. Le Berceau 
 was commanded by captain Senes, had twenty-two 
 9, and two 12 pounders, on one deck, and two hun- 
 
14 NAVAL BATTLES, 
 
 dred and thirty men. She lost all her masts, and 
 was otherwise much disabled. She had been out 
 from Cayenne twenty-five days, during which she 
 had plundered two American vessels and made prize 
 of one. On a former cruise she had captured seve- 
 ral American vessels. A variety of circumstances 
 conspired to render this capture of much importance. 
 Le Berceau was considered one of the fastest sailing 
 corvettes in the French navy ; she served as a look- 
 out vessel to the French fleet for eighteen months, 
 had frequently been chased by British cruisers, but 
 never overtaken ; and had been very successful in 
 capturing British, American, and Portuguese vessels ; 
 and was bound on this cruise to intercept the Ameri- 
 can Indiamen, and South American ships. Captain 
 Senes had been post captain in the French navy for 
 many years ; was a midshipman in count D'Estaing's 
 fleet in the revolutionary war ; and was esteemed a 
 brave and intelligent officer. Le Berceau lost in 
 the engagement her first lieutenant, master, boat- 
 swain, master-gunner, and pilot, besides a number of 
 seamen. Captain Senes, and a commissioner, who 
 was in Le Berceau, after being in the Boston fifteen 
 days, were, at their request, permitted to go to Bar- 
 badoes, on their parole. 
 
 The Boston expended upwards of 27 cwt. of pow- 
 der, upwards of 1500 round shot, besides double that 
 number of chain, double-headed, and grape, during 
 the action. Captain Little arrived, with his prize, 
 at Boston, the 14th of November. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 16 
 
 CAPTAIN STERRETT. 
 
 In the month of August, 1801, Captain Sterrett, 
 commander of the United States schooner Enter- 
 prize, of twelve guns, and ninety men, fell in, off, 
 Malta, with a Tripolitan cruiser of fourteen guns and 
 eighty-five men. A desperate conflict ensued, and 
 had continued for nearly two hours, when the Tri- 
 politan hauled down her colours. The crew of the 
 Enterprize left their guns, and gave three cheers for 
 the victory. Upon this, the cruiser poured a broadside 
 into the Enterpize, hoisted her colours, and renew- 
 ed the action with redoubled vigour. Her crew, 
 brandishing their sabres, continually attempted to 
 board. They were again overcome by the skilful 
 crew of the Enterprize, and struck a second time. 
 Captain Sterrett then ordered the cruiser under his 
 quarter, and kept his men at the guns. But the Tripo- 
 litan had no sooner come to the position she was order- 
 ed, than she renewed the action the third time, by 
 pouring a broadside into the Enterprize. The Tripo- 
 litans hoisted their bloody flag, and attempted to board. 
 The indignant cry of " Fight on, and sink the per- 
 fidious villains to the bottom," was now heard from 
 every part of the American schooner. Every effort 
 was made by Captain Sterrett to ensure a complete 
 victory. His superior skill in the management of 
 his vessel enabled him to rake the corsair, fore and 
 aft. A number of shot between wind and water, 
 opened her sides for the sea to pour in. Fifty of her 
 men were killed and wounded. Her treacherous 
 
Id NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 commander, perceiving the destruction of his vessel 
 and crew inevitable, implored for quarters. Bending 
 in a supplicating posture over the waste of his ves- 
 sel, he threw his colours into the sea, to convince the 
 American captain that he would no more attempt to 
 resist. Captain Sterrett, actuated by the sentiment 
 of true bravery, stopped the effusion of blood, though 
 the treacherous conduct of the Tripolitans merited no 
 mercy. His instructions not permitting him to make 
 a prize of the cruiser, he ordered her crew to throw 
 overboard all their guns, swords, pistols, ammunition, 
 ^c. and then to go and tell their countrymen the treat- 
 ment they might expect from a nation, determined 
 to pay tribute only in powder and ball. 
 
 The Enterprize, in this engagement of three hours, 
 did not lose a man. Captain Sterrett, after paying 
 every attention to the wounded Tripolitans, ordered 
 the cruiser to be dismantled. Her masts were cut 
 down. A spar was raised, to which was hung a tat- 
 tered sail, as a flag. In this condition she was sent 
 to Tripoli. On her arrival there, the indignation, 
 excited by her defeat, was so great, that the bashaw 
 ordered the wounded captain to be mounted on a 
 jack-ass, and paraded through the streets as an ob- 
 ject of public scorn ; and then to receive five hun- 
 dred bastinadoes. The Tripolitans were so terrified 
 at this event, that the sailors abandoned the cruisers 
 then fitting out. Not a man could be procured to 
 navigate them.* 
 
 * History of the war between the United States and Tripoli 
 p. 91. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 17 
 
 SCHOONER EXPERIMENT.— LIEUT. STEWART. 
 
 In July, 1800, lieutenant Charles Stewart was ap- 
 pointed to the command of the Experiment, of twelve 
 guns, and ordered to cruise in the West Indies. He 
 arrived on that station the first of September, and the 
 same night fell in with the French schooner Deux 
 Amis, of eight guns, which he engaged and captur- 
 ed, without any loss, after an action of ten minutes. 
 
 Soon after, while cruising near the island of Bar- 
 buda, he discovered a brig of war, and a three-masted 
 schooner, standing for the Experiment, under a press 
 of sail, and displaying English colours. The Exper- 
 iment was hove to, and the British signal of the day 
 was made, which not being answered by the strange 
 vessels by the time they were within gun-shot, that 
 signal was hauled down, and the Experiment stood 
 away with all sail set. A chase was now commenced 
 by the enemy, and continued for about two hours ; 
 when finding they were outsailed by the Experiment, 
 they relinquished the pursuit, and bore away under 
 easy sail, firing a gun to windward, and hoisting 
 French colours. Lieutenant Stewart now manoeuvred 
 his schooner so as to bring her in the enemy's wake 
 to windward, when a chase was made on his part, 
 which continued the whole day before the wind, each 
 vessel crowding all her canvass. At eight o'clock 
 3 
 
18 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 at night, the Experiment closed with the three-mast 
 ed schooner, which was the sternmost of the hostile 
 vessels; and having taken a position on her lar- 
 board-quarter, opened a fire upon her from the great 
 guns and small arms, which in about five minutes, 
 compelled her to strike. She was immediately ta- 
 ken possession of, and proved to be the French 
 schooner of war Diana, of fourteen guns and sixty- 
 five men, commanded by M. Peraudeau, lieutenant 
 de Vaisseau. The detention occasioned by removing 
 the prisoners, enabled the brig of war to escape. 
 She mounted, as was afterwards learned, eighteen 
 guns, and had a crew of one hundred and twenty 
 men. The Experiment proceeded to St. Christo- 
 pher's with her prize. 
 
 On the 14th of December, she fell in with the 
 privateer Flambeau, of sixteen guns and ninety men, 
 with a prize brig, steering for Marigalante. The 
 breeze being light and the enemy to windward, it 
 was late in the afternoon before there was any pros- 
 pect of closing with him. Notwithstanding all the 
 exertions of the Experiment, the Flambeau escaped 
 in shore ; but her prize was retaken. This vessel 
 proved to be the Zebra of and from Baltimore, laden 
 with flour. During the remainder of this cruise, 
 the Experiment recaptured several American vessels 
 sometimes as many as two or three in a day, and 
 thus rescued American property to a considerable 
 amount. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 19 
 
 OPERATIONS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. 
 
 As every incident and anecdote connected with 
 the Tripolitan war has become extremely interest- 
 ing to the publick, we trust that the following cir- 
 cumstantial, though very imperfect, narrative of the 
 operations of the squadron under Commodore 
 Preble, will be read with satisfaction. 
 
 The Tripolitan cruisers continuing to harass the 
 vessels of the United States, Congress determined, 
 in 1803, to act with greater vigour against them, 
 and to fit out a fleet that should not only repel their 
 unprovoked aggression, but also chastise their in- 
 solence. The squadron consisted of the Constitu- 
 tion, 44 guns ; the Philadelphia, 44 ; the Argus, 
 18; the Syren, 16; the Nautilus, 16; the Vixen, 
 16; and the Enterprize, 14. Commodore Preble 
 was appointed to the command of this squadron, in 
 May, 1803. 
 
 On the thirteenth of August, commodore Preble 
 sailed in the Constitution for the Mediterranean. 
 On his passage he brought to a Moorish frigate, 
 which he suspected had been authorized to cruise 
 against American vessels ; but her papers not sup- 
 porting such a suspicion, he dismissed her. When 
 he arrived at Gibraltar, he found that our affairs with 
 Morocco had assumed a very disagreeable aspect. 
 
 Captain William Bainbridge, commanding the fri- 
 gate Philadelphia, had sailed in July ; and, on the 
 
20 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 twenty-sixth of August, had captured the Moorish 
 ship Mirboha, of twentj-two guns, and one hundred 
 and ten men. An order to cruise for American ves- 
 sels was discovered among her papers. There was 
 no signature to this order. The captain said it was 
 delivered to him sealed, by the Moorish governour 
 of Tangiers, who ordered him not to open it until at 
 sea. By the authority of this order he had captured 
 the American brig Celia, then in company. In IMay, 
 captain Rodgers had detained a vessel, under Moor- 
 ish colours, attempting to enter Tripoli, then actually 
 blockaded by him. On board of her were four guns, 
 and other contraband articles. The emperour denied 
 having authorized the latter ; and the governpur of 
 Tangiers disavowed having given any orders to cruise 
 for Americans to the former. Commodore Preble, 
 the day after his arrival, wrote to the American con- 
 sul at Tangiers, that peace with the emperour of 
 Morocco was desirable ; that since he disavowed the 
 acts of hostility, committed by his subjects, he should 
 punish as pirates all Moorish cruisers attempting to 
 capture American vessels.* 
 
 Commodore Rodgers, who, with the New York 
 and John Adams, frigates, was under orders to re- 
 turn to the United States, consented to remain a few 
 days on the station, and to proceed with commodore 
 Preble to Tangier bay, to effect an adjustment of 
 existing differences. 
 
 On the seventeenth of August, commodore Preble 
 appeared in Tangier bay, and hoisted a white flag 
 
 * Port Folio, vol. iii. p. 361. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 21 
 
 in token of peace. The American consul was not 
 permitted to go on board. Two sentinels were 
 placed at his door. 
 
 About this time another act of hostility was com- 
 mitted at Mogadore. It was an order given to 
 detain all American vessels. The brig Hannah, of 
 Salem, was actually seized. 
 
 This determined the commodore to take a more 
 decided course. He ordered his squadron to bring 
 in all Moorish vessels for examination. He despatch- 
 ed vessels to cruise off Mogadore, Salee, Zaraeh 
 and Tetuan, while he himself entered the bay of 
 Tangiers from time to time. The Philadelphia and 
 Vixen were ordered to lie before Tripoli. 
 
 On the 6th of October, when the emperour of Mo- 
 rocco was expected at Tangiers, commodore Preble 
 anchored the Constitution and Nautilus in the bay, 
 within half a mile of the circular battery. In the 
 afternoon of the 6th, he was joined by the frigates 
 New York and John Adams. The ships were con- 
 stantly kept clear for action, srad the nven night and 
 day at their quarters. The emperour arrived on the 
 Gth, with a great body of troops, who encamped on 
 the beach opposite the American squadron. The 
 coilimodore saluted the emperour with twemty-cne 
 guns, which were re,tured by an equal mirabeir from 
 the fort. A present of bullocks, sheep, and fowls, 
 was sent to the American squadron, as a token of 
 the emperour's good will. On the 8th, the emperour, 
 attended by a body of troops, came to the beach for 
 
22 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 the purpose of viewing the American squadron. The 
 Constitution again complimented him vi^ith twenty- 
 one guns, with which he was much gratified. 
 
 The next day the American consul informed the 
 commodore that the emperour had given orders for 
 the American brig, detained at Mogadore, to be re- 
 leased ; and that he would give audience to the 
 American commodore and consul on the following 
 Monday. 
 
 On the day appointed, the commodore, accompa- 
 nied by four persons, went on shore. He ordered 
 the officer, commanding the squadron during his ab- 
 sence, to fire upon the town, if he should be forci- 
 bly detained ; and not to enter into any treaty for 
 his release, nor be influenced by any considerations 
 for his personal safety.* When arrived at the castle, 
 they were conducted through a double file of soldiers 
 to the emperour. The commodore, on entering, was 
 requested to put away his side arms ; with this he 
 declined complying ; and was permitted to retain 
 them. The emperour expressed much sorrow and 
 regret that any difference had arisen ; for it was his 
 desire to be at peace with the United States. He 
 denied having given any hostile orders ; promised to 
 restore all American vessels and property, detained 
 by the authority of any of his governours ; and re- 
 newed and confirmed the treaty made with the Uni- 
 ted States in 1786. The commodore and consul, on 
 the part of the United States, promised that the ves- 
 sels and property belonging to the emperour, should 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 23 
 
 be restored ; and the orders for capturing them re- 
 voked. 
 
 Commodore Preble was now at liberty to direct 
 his whole attention to Tripoli. The season was, 
 however, too far advanced for active operations. 
 
 On the 31st of October, the Philadelphia, being, 
 at nine o'clock in the morning, about five leagues to 
 the westward of Tripoli, discovered a sail in shore, 
 standing before the wind to the eastward. The 
 Philadelphia immediately gave chase. The sail 
 hoisted Tripolitan colours, and continued her course 
 near the shore. The Philadelphia opened a fire 
 upon her, and continued it, till half past eleven ; 
 when, being in seven fathoms water, and finding her 
 iire could not prevent the vessel entering Tripoli, she 
 gave up the pursuit. In beating ofi", she ran on a 
 rock, not laid down in any chart, distant four and a 
 half miles from the town. A boat was immediately 
 lowered to sound. The greatest depth of water was 
 found to be astern. In order to back her off, all sails 
 were then laid aback ; the top-gallant-sails loosened ; 
 three anchors thrown away from the bows ; the water 
 in the hold started; and all the guns thrown over- 
 board, excepting a few abaft to defend the ship 
 against the attacks of the Tripolitan gun-boats, then 
 firing at her. All this, however, proved ineffectual; 
 as did also the attempt to lighten her forward by cut- 
 ting away her foremast. The Philadelphia had al- 
 ready withstood the attack of the numerous«gun-boats 
 for four hours, when a large reinforcement coming 
 out of Tripoli, and being herself deprived of every 
 
24 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 means of resistance, and defence, she was forced to 
 strike, about sunset. The Tripolitans immediately 
 took possession of her, and made prisoners of the 
 officers and men, in number three hundred. Forty- 
 eight hours afterwards, the wind blowing in shore, 
 the Tripolitans got the frigate off, and towed her into 
 the harbour. 
 
 On the 14th of December, commodore Preble 
 sailed from Malta, in company with the Enterprize, 
 commanded by lieutenant Stephen Decatur. On 
 the 23d, the latter captured a ketch in sight of 
 Tripoli ; which place she had left the preceding 
 night, bound to Bengaza. She was under Turkish 
 colours, and was navigated by Turks and Greeks. 
 On board of her were two Tripolitan officers of dis- 
 tinction, a number of Tripolitan soldiers, and about 
 forty blacks belonging to the bashaw and his sub- 
 jects. The commodore had at first determined to 
 release the vessel and men claimed by the Turkish 
 captain : and only detain the Tripolitans, about 
 sixty in number, as prisoners. But before this de- 
 termination could be put in execution, he ascertain- 
 ed, that this same captain had been very active in 
 assisting to take the Philadelphia. He had, on that 
 occasion, received on board his vessel one hundred 
 armed Tripolitans ; had changed his own colours 
 for that of the enemy ; had attacked the frigate ; 
 and, when she was boarded, had plundered the offi- 
 cers. TRis determined the commodore to retain 
 the vessel. As she was in no condition to be sent 
 to the United States, he forwarded her papers to 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 25 
 
 government. Soon after he had her appraised ; 
 and took her into the service as the ketch Intrepid. 
 
 When lieutenant Decatur was informed of the loss 
 of the Philadelphia, he immediately formed a plan 
 of recapturing and destroying her, which he proposed 
 to commodore Preble. At first the commodore 
 thought the projected enterprise too hazardous ; but 
 at length granted his consent. Lieutenant Decatur 
 then selected for the enterprise the ketch Intrepid, 
 lately captured by him. This vessel he manned with 
 seventy volunteers, chiefly of his own crew ; and on 
 the third of February sailed from Syracuse, accompa- 
 nied by the brig Siren, lieutenant Stewart. The 
 Siren was to aid the boats ; and, in case it should 
 be deemed expedient to use the Intrepid as a fire 
 ship, to receive her crew. 
 
 After a tempestuous passage of fifteen days, the two 
 vessels arrived off the harbour of Tripoli, towards 
 the close of day. It was determined that at ten 
 o'clock in the evening the Intrepid should enter the 
 harbour, accompanied by the boats of the Siren. 
 But a change of wind had separated the two vessels 
 six or eight miles. As delay might prove fatal, lieu- 
 tenant Decatur entered the harbour alone about eight 
 o'clock. The Philadelphia lay within half gun sho 
 of the Bashaw's castle and principal battery. On 
 her starboard quarter lay two Tripolitan cruisers with- 
 in two cables length; and on the starboard bow a 
 number of gun-boats within half gun-shot. All her 
 guns were mounted and loaded. Three hours werp, 
 in consequence of the lightness of the wind, Lon- 
 4 
 
26 
 
 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 sumed in passing three miles, when, being within 
 two hundred yards of the Philadelphia, they were 
 hailed from her, and ordered to anchor on peril of be- 
 ing fired into. The pilot on board the Intrepid war 
 ordered to reply, that all their anchors were lost. 
 The Americans had advanced within fifty yards of 
 the frigate, when the wind died away into a calm. 
 Lieutenant Decatur ordered a rope to be taken out 
 and fastened to the fore chains of the frigate, which 
 was done, and the Intrepid was warped along side. 
 It was not till then the Tripolitans suspected them 
 to be an enemy ; and their confusion in consequence 
 was great. As soon as the vessels was sufficiently 
 near, lieutenant Decatur sprang on board the frigate, 
 and was followed by midshipman Morris.* It was a 
 minute before |he remainder of the crew succeeded 
 in mounting after them. . But the Turks, crowded 
 together on the quarter deck, were in too great con- 
 sternation to take advantage of this delay. As soon 
 as a sufficient number of Americans gained the deck 
 they rushed upon the Tripolitans ; who were soon 
 overpowered; and about twenty of them were kill- 
 ed. After taking possession of the ship, a firing com- 
 menced from the Tripolitan batteries and castle, and 
 from two corsairs near the frigate ; a number of laun- 
 ches were also seen rowing about in the harbour ; 
 whereupon lieutenant Decatur resolved to remain in 
 the frigate, for there he would be enabled to make the 
 best defence. But perceiving that the launches kept 
 ct a distance, he ordered the frigate to be set on fire, 
 
 « * Now Captain Morris. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 27 
 
 which Avas immediately done, and so effectually, that 
 with difficulty was the Intrepid preserved. A favour- 
 able breeze at this moment sprung up, which soon 
 carried them out of the harbour. None of the Amer- 
 icans were killed, and only four wounded. For this 
 heroick achievement lieutenant Decatur was promot- 
 ed to the rank of post captain. His commission 
 was dated on the day he destroyed the Philadelphia. 
 
 After the destruction of the Philadelphia frigate, 
 commodore Preble was, during the spring and early 
 part of the summer, employed in keeping up the 
 blockade of the harbour of Tripoli, in preparing for 
 an attack upon the town, and in cruising. A prize 
 that had been taken was put in commission, and call- 
 ed the Scourge. A loan of six gun-boats and two 
 bomb-vessels, completely fitted for service, was ob- 
 tained from the king of Naples. Permission was 
 also given to take twelve or fifteen Neapolitans on 
 board each boat, to serve under the American flag. 
 
 With this addition to his force, the commodore, on 
 the 21st cif July, joined the vessels off Tripoli. His 
 squadron then consisted of the 
 
 Frigate Constitution, 44 guns, 24 pounders. 
 
 Brig Argus, 
 
 18 
 
 24 
 
 Syren, 
 
 18 
 
 18 
 
 Scourge, 
 
 
 
 Schooner Vixen, 
 
 16 
 
 6 
 
 Nautilus, 
 
 16 
 
 6 
 
 Enterprize, 
 
 12 
 
 6 
 
 Besides six gun-boats, carrying each a twenty-six 
 brass pounder, aud two bomb-ketches, carrying each 
 
28 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 a thirteen inch .mortar. The number of men engag- 
 ed in the service amounted to one thousand and sixty. 
 
 On the Tripolitan castle and batteries, one hundred 
 and fifteen guns were mounted : fifty-five of which 
 were pieces of heavy ordnance ; the others long 
 eighteen and twelve pounders. In the harbour were 
 nineteen gun-boats, carrying each a long brass eigh- 
 teen or twenty-four pounder in the bow, and two 
 howitzers abaft : also two schooners of eight guns 
 each, a brig of ten, and two galleys, of four guns 
 each. In addition to the ordinary Turkish garrison, 
 and the crews of the armed vessels, estimated at three 
 tliousand, upwards of twenty thousand Arabs had 
 been assembled for the defence of the city. 
 
 The weather prevented the squadron from ap- 
 proaching the city until the 28th, when it anchored 
 within two miles and a half of the fortifications ; but 
 the wind suddenly shifting, and increasing to a gale, 
 the commodore was compelled to return. On the 
 3'1 of August, he again approached to within two or 
 three miles of the batteries. Having observed that sev- 
 eral of the enemy's boats were stationed without the 
 reef of rocks, covering the entrance of the harboiu', 
 he resolved to take advantage of this circumstancQ. 
 He made signal for the squadron to come within 
 speaking distance, to communicate to the several 
 commanders his intention of attacking the shipping 
 and batteries. The gun-boats and bomb-ketches 
 were immediately manned, and prepared for ac- 
 tion. The former were arranged in two divisions 
 of three each. The first divison was under the com- 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 29 
 
 mand of captain Somers, on board the boat No. 1 ; 
 lieutenant James Decatur commanded the boat No. 
 2 ; and lieutenant Blake, No. 3. The second divi- 
 sion was commanded by captain Decatur, in No. 4 ; 
 lieutenant Bainbridge commanded No. 5 ; and lieu- 
 tenant Trippe No. 6. The two bomb-ketches were 
 commanded, the one by lieutenant commandant 
 Dent ; the other by Mr. Robinson, first lieutenant 
 of the commodore's ship. At half past one, the 
 squadron stood in for the batteries. At two, the 
 gun-boats were cast off. At half past two, signal 
 was made for the bomb-ketches and gun-boats to 
 advance and attack. At three quarters past two, 
 the signal was given for a general action. It com- 
 menced by the bomb-ketches throwing shells into the 
 town. A tremendous fire immediately commenced 
 from the enemies batteries and vessels, of at least 
 two hundred guns. It was immediately returned b}' 
 the American squadron, now within musket-shot of 
 the principal batteries. 
 
 At this moment, captain Decatur, with the three 
 gun-boats under his command, attacked the enemy's 
 eastern division, consisting of nine gun-boats. He 
 was soon in the midst of them. The fire of the 
 cannon and musketry was immediately changed to a 
 dpesperate attack with bayonet, spear, sabre, &c. 
 Captain Decatur having grappled a Tripolitan boat, 
 and boarded her with only fifteen Americans ; in ten 
 minutes her decks were cleared, and she was cap- 
 tured. Three Americans were wounded. At this 
 moment rantain Decatur was informed that the gfun- 
 
30 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 boat commanded by his brother, had engaged and 
 captured a boat belonging to the enemy ; but that 
 his brother, as he was stepping on board, was 
 treacherously shot by the Tripolitan commander, 
 who made off with his boat. Captain Decatur im- 
 mediately pursued the murderer, who was retreat- 
 ing within the lines ; having succeeded in coming 
 along side, he boarded with only eleven men. A 
 doubtful contest of twenty minutes ensued. Deca- 
 tur immediately attacked the Tripolitan commander, 
 who was armed w ith a spear and cutlass. In parry- 
 ing the Turk's spear, Decatur broke his sword close 
 to the hilt, and received a slight wound in the right 
 arm and breast : but having seized the spear he 
 closed ; and, after a violent struggle, both fell, De- 
 catur uppermost. The Turk then drew a dagger 
 from his belt ; but Decatur caught hold of his arm, 
 drew a pistol from his pocket, and shot him. While 
 they were struggling, the crew of both vessels rushed 
 to the assistance of their commanders. And so 
 desperate had the contest around them been, that 
 it was with difficulty Decatur could extricate himself 
 from the killed and wounded that had fallen around 
 him. In this affair an American manifested the most 
 horoick courage and attachment to his commander. 
 Decatur, in the struggle, was attacked in the reaf 
 by a Tripolitan ; who had aimed a blow at his head, 
 which must have proved fatal, had not this generous- 
 minded tar, then dangerously wounded and deprived 
 of the use of both his hands, rushed between him and 
 the sabre, the stroke of which he received in his head 
 
iSAVAL BATTLES. 31 
 
 whereby his scull was fractured. This hero, howev- 
 er survived, and now receives a pension from his 
 grateful country. All the Americans but four were 
 wounded. Captain Decatur brought both his prizes 
 safe to the American squadron. 
 
 Lieutenant Trippe boarded one of the enemy's 
 large boats, with only a midshipman, Mr. Jonathan 
 Henly, and nine men ; his boat falling off before any 
 more could join him. He was thus left either to per- 
 ish, or to conquer thirty-six men, with only eleven, 
 Though at first, the victory seemed doubtful, yet, in 
 a few minutes, the Tripolitans were subdued ; four- 
 teen of them were killed, and twenty-two taken pris- 
 oners. Seven of these last were severely wounded. 
 Lieutenant Trippe received eleven sabre wounds, 
 some of them dangerous. The blade of his sword 
 bending, he closed with his antagonist. Both fell. 
 In the struggle, Trippe wrested the Turk's sword 
 from him, and, with it, stabbed him to the heart. 
 
 Lieutenant Bainbridge had his lateen yards shot 
 away. This rendered all his exertions to get along 
 side the enemy's boats of no effect. But his brisk 
 and well directed fire, within musket shot, did great 
 execution. At one time his boat grounded within 
 pistol shot of one of the enemy's batteries. He was 
 there exposed to the fire of musketry ; but, by his 
 address and courage, he extricated himself from his 
 dangerous situation. 
 
 Captain Somers was not able to get far enough to 
 windward, to co-operate with Decatur. He, how- 
 ever, bore down upon the leeward division of the en- 
 
61 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 emy. With his single boat, he attacked five full 
 manned Tripolitan boats, within pistol shot. He de- 
 feated, and drove them in a shattered condition, and 
 with the loss of many lives, to take refuge under the 
 rocks. 
 
 The two bomb vessels kept their station, and threw 
 a great many shells into the town. Five of the ene- 
 my's gun-boats, and two galleys, composing their 
 centre division, stationed within the rocks, being re- 
 inforced, and all joined by the gun-boats that had been 
 driven in, twice attempted to row out and surround 
 the gun-boats and prizes of the Americans. They 
 were, however, prevented by the vigilance of the com- 
 modore, who made signal for the brigs and schooners 
 to cover them. This was properly executed by 
 these vessels. Their conduct was excellent during 
 the whole of the engagement, and they annoyed the 
 enemy exceedingly. The fire from the Constitution 
 did considerable execution, and kept the enemy's 
 flotilla in constant disorder. She was several times 
 within two cables' length of the rocks, and three of 
 the batteries. As soon as her broadside was brought 
 to bear on any of the batteries, it was immediately 
 silenced. But having no large vessels to secure 
 these advantages, the fire was recommenced as soon 
 as she changed her position. 
 
 At half past four, the wind having inclined to the 
 northward, and the enemy's flotilla having retreated 
 to a station which covered them from the fire of the 
 Americans, signal was made for the gun-boats and 
 bombs to retire from the action. This was effect- 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 33 
 
 ed, and in fifteen minutes the squadron was out of 
 the reach of the enemy's shot. The squadron was 
 more than two hours within grape shot distance of 
 the enemy's batteries, which kept up a constant fire. 
 The damage sustained by the Americans was by no 
 means proportionate to the apparent danger. The 
 frigate Constitution was struck in her mainmast by 
 a thirty-two pound ball, her sails and rigging were 
 considerably cut, and one of her quarter-deck guns 
 was injured by a round shot ; not a man, however, 
 was killed on board of her. The other vessels suf- 
 fered in their rigging, and had several men wound- 
 ed ; but none were killed, excepting lieutenant De- 
 catur. On the part of the enemy the effect of this 
 engagement was very different. The boats cap- 
 tured by the Americans had one hundred and three 
 men on board, forty-seven of whom were killed and 
 twenty-six wounded. Three other boats were sunk 
 with all the men on board of them. Numbers were 
 also swept from the decks of the other vessels in the 
 harbour. On shore, several Tripolitans wer# kill- 
 ed and wounded ; a number of guns in the batteries 
 were dismounted and the town was considerably in- 
 jured. 
 
 When the squadron was standing in for the attack, 
 the bashaw affected to despise them. After having 
 surveyed them from his palace, he said, " they will 
 mark their distance for tacking ; they are a sort of 
 Jews, who have no notion of fighting." The palace 
 and terraces of the houses were crowded with spec- 
 tators to behold the chastisement the bashaw's boats 
 
54 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 vi'ould give the American vessels if they approach- 
 ed too near. Momentary, however, was this exul- 
 tation. Scarcely had the battle commenced, when 
 no one was to be seen, except at the batteries. 
 Many of the inhabitants fled to the country : and the 
 bashaw retreated to his bomb-proof room. 
 
 On the 5th of August the commodore prevailed on 
 a French privateer, that had left Tripoli in the 
 morning, to return with eleven wounded Tripolitans, 
 whose wounds had been carefully dressed. The 
 commodore also sent a letter to the bashaw's 
 minister. The prisoners informed the prince, that 
 the Americans in battle where fiercer than lions, but 
 in the treatment of their prisoners, they were even 
 more kind than the mussulmen. The bashaw at 
 first misunderstood the motive of sending these men 
 but when informed that it was done through motives 
 of humanity, he professed to be pleased, and said that 
 if he took any wounded Americans, he should in 
 like manner, restore them : but he would not release 
 any olthe crew of the Philadelphia. 
 
 On the 7th the privateer returned with a letter 
 from the French consul, signifying, that the bashaw 
 would probably treat on more reasonable terms. No- 
 thing, however, definitive or satisfactory was pro- 
 posed. The terms intimated were considerably high- 
 er than the commodore felt willing, or thought himself 
 authorized to accept. He therefore prepared for a 
 second attack. The bomb-ketches, commanded by 
 lieutenants Crane and Thorn, were to take a station 
 in a small bay west of the town, where, without be- 
 
in^ much exposed, they might throw their sheila with 
 ifTeat effeet. The jran-boats were to attack a seven 
 jruji batter}'. The bTi^s and schoooers were to sup- 
 port them, in case the enemy's flotilla shoold yen- 
 tJire out. At half-past two, the actkn cwnmenced- 
 In the course of n-vo hounf. six of the seven gnns in 
 the battery were silenced. During the action, forty 
 eight shells and about fire hundred round shot were 
 thrown into the town and batteries. The Tripolitaji 
 galleys manoeuvred to sain a pofHion that mi=rht en- 
 able them to cut off the retreat of the American gun- 
 boats ; but the lar^e vessels defeated their design. 
 One of the American prize boats, taken in the first 
 attack, was blown up by a red-hot shot from the bat- 
 tery passing through her magazine. She had on 
 board twenty-eisht men, tA of whom were killed, 
 and six wounded : rmong the former were James 
 Caldwell, first lieuterant of the Siren, and J. Dorset, 
 midshipman. Mr. Spence, midshipman, and eleven 
 men, were taken up unhurt. When the explosion 
 took place, this youuT officer was superintending the 
 loading of a gun: having discharged the piece, he 
 with the survivers jumped into the sea. They were 
 soon taken up by another boat. 
 
 At eight in the evening of the same day, the John 
 Adams, Captain Chaimcy, joined the Squadron. By 
 him the Commodore was informed, that four frigates 
 were on their passage ; also, that by the appoint- 
 ment of a senior officer to one of the frigates, he 
 would be superseded in his command. The govern- 
 ment was highly satisfied vriih the conduct of the 
 
36 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 commodore ; but had not a sufficient number of cap- 
 tains juniors to the commodore to supply all the fri- 
 gates with commanders ; nor had information of his 
 brilliant success as yet reached America. 
 
 The John Adams having been sent out as a trans- 
 port, no assistance could, for the present, be received 
 from her. All her guns were stowed by the kelson, 
 and their carriages put away on board of the other 
 frigates. As these last were all to sail four days 
 after the John Adams, further operations were sus- 
 pended in expectation of their arrival. 
 
 On the 9th, the commodore reconnoitred the harbor, 
 in the brig Argus. Next day a flag of truce was seen 
 flying on the shore. The commodore sent a boat, 
 but which, however, was not permitted to land her 
 men. They returned with a letter from the French 
 Consul. By it the commodore was informed that 
 the bashaw would accept five hundred dollars for 
 the ransom of each prisoner, and put an end to the 
 war without any annuity for peace. The sum de- 
 manded amounted to about one hundred and fifty 
 thousand dollars. This the commodore rejected ; 
 but for the sake of the captives, and to prevent fur- 
 ther efl'usion of blood, he offered eighty thousand 
 dollars as ransom, and ten thousand dollars as pre- 
 sents. The bashaw, however, suspended the nego- 
 tiations, and said he w ould wait the result of another 
 attack. 
 
 On the night of the 23d, the bomb-ketches were 
 sent under the protection of the gun-boats, to bom- 
 bard the town. The bombardment commenced at 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 37 
 
 two A. M. and continued till day-break ; but without 
 much effect. 
 
 The weather being favorable on the 27th the com- 
 modore stood in for Tripoli, and anchored the Con- 
 stitution two miles n. by e. from fort English. The 
 light vessels kept under way. As a number of offi- 
 cers and seamen of the Constitution were employed 
 in the boat, captain Chauncy, several of his officers, 
 and about seventy seamen, volunteered their servi- 
 ces on board her. 
 
 The gun-boats, accompanied by the Siren, Argus, 
 Vixen, Nautilus, Enterprize, and the boats of the 
 squadron, anchored at three in the morning within 
 pistol shot of the enemy's lines. With springs on 
 their cables, they commenced a brisk fire on the ship- 
 ping, town, batteries, and castle. It was warmly re- 
 turned from the enemy's batteries. The boats of the 
 squadron remained with the gun-boats to assist in 
 boarding the flotilla in case it should come out. The 
 brigs and schooners kept under way, to harass the ene- 
 my, and to support the gun-boats. At daylight, the 
 commodore, apprehensive that the ammunition of the 
 gun-boats might be nearly expended, weighed an- 
 chor, and stood in under the direct fire of fort Eng- 
 lish, and of the castle, crown and mole batteries. 
 He made signal for the gun-boats to retire from ac- 
 tion. Having arrived at a good distance for firing 
 at thirteen Tripolitan gun-boats, and galleys, en- 
 gaged with the American boats, he discharged a 
 broadside of round and grape shot at them. One of 
 them was sunk ; two were disabled ; and the remain- 
 
38 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 der put to flight. The commodore then continued 
 running in until within musket shot of the batteries 
 He hove to, fired three hundred round shot, besides 
 grape and canister, into the bashavi^'s castle, town 
 and batteries. The castle and two of the batteries 
 were silenced. A little after six he hauled off. The 
 gun-boats fired four hundred round shot, besides 
 grape and cannister, apparently with much effect. 
 The result of this attack was serious on shore. A 
 thirty-six pound ball penetrated the castle, and en- 
 tered the apartment of the prisoners. Considerable 
 damage was done to the houses. Several lives were 
 lost. A boat from the John Ac:ims, with a master's 
 mate and eight men on board, was sunk by a double 
 headed shot, which killed three seamen and badly 
 wounded another. 
 
 [ The French consul, immediately after the attack, 
 renewed the negotiations for peace. They were, 
 however, broken off, in consequence, he thought, of 
 one of the vessels of the squadron approaching the 
 harbour as a cartel. This the bashaw interpreted as 
 a proof of discouragement on the part of the Ameri- 
 cans. 
 
 On the 3d of September, the bomb-ketches being 
 repaired, and also the damages sustained by the other 
 vessels in the action of the 27th of August, the com- 
 modore resolved on another attack. The action 
 commenced between three and four o'clock, and soon 
 became general. As the American gun-boats bore 
 down, the boats and galleys gave away, and retreat- 
 ed under cover of the musketry, on shore. The 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 39 
 
 brigs, schooners and gun-boats, pursued as far as the 
 depth of the water would permit, and within mus- 
 ket shot of fort English. The action in this quarter 
 was divided. The brigs and schooners, with one di- 
 vision of the gun-boats engaged the fort. The oth- 
 er division continued engaged with the Tripolitan 
 boats and galleys. 
 
 The two bomb-ketches, while throwing their 
 shells into the town were exposed to a direct fire from 
 the bashaw's castle, from the crown, mole, and sev- 
 eral other batteries. The commodore, perceiving 
 their danger, ran his ship between them and the bat- 
 teries, within musket shot. Seventy guns were 
 brought to bear on him from the batteries. But he 
 discharged eleven broadsides with so much effect, 
 that he silenced the principal batteries, and injured 
 the others, and also the town considerably. The 
 wind veering to the northward, and it beginning to 
 blow fresh, the commodore, at half past four p. m. 
 gave signal to retire from the action under cover of 
 the Constitution. Though the frigates and vessels 
 were much damaged in this engagement, not a man 
 was lost. 
 
 The bomb-vessel, commanded by lieutenant Rob- 
 inson, had all her shrouds shot away, and was §o 
 much damaged in her hull, as to be with difficulty 
 kept above water. The Argus received a thirty- 
 two pound ball in her hull. It cut away a lower 
 cable as it entered, which so completely destroyed 
 its force, that it fell upon the deck without doing 
 any injury. 
 
40 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 Commodore Preble had for some time contempla- 
 ted sending a fire-ship into the harbor, in order to 
 destroy the flotilla, and injure the town. Captain 
 Somers volunteered his services. He, with the as- 
 sistance of lieutenants Wadsworth and Israel, fitting 
 out the ketch Intrepid for the expedition. One 
 hundred barrels of gunpowder and one hundred and 
 fifty shells were placed in the hold. Fusees and 
 combustibles were so applied as not to endanger a 
 retreat. 
 
 On the evening of the 4th of September, captain 
 Somers chose two fast-rowing boats, in order to 
 bring off the people after the vessel should be set on 
 fire. His own boat was manned by four men from 
 the Nautilus and six from the Constitution, with 
 lieutenant Wadsworth. At eight they parted from 
 the squadron, and stood into the harbour. They 
 were convoyed by the Argus, Vixen, and Nautilus, 
 until arrived within a short distance from the batte- 
 ries. On entering the inner harbour, and near the 
 point of her destination, the fire ship was boarded 
 and carried by two galleys of one hundred men each. 
 At this moment she exploded with the most aw^ful 
 effect. Every battery was silenced. Not a gun 
 was fired during the remainder of the night. There 
 is every reason to suppose that captain Somers, on 
 perceiving no means of escape left, and that he should 
 inevitably be doomed to an ignominious captivity, 
 heroically resolved to die, and with his own hands 
 set fire to the train, 'when himself, his companions, 
 and the enemy, met a common death. 
 
NAVAL BAiTLJ!.S. 41 
 
 After this, nothing material occurred until vSep- 
 tember 9th, when the long expected squadron, under 
 commodore Barron, joined the one before Tripoli. 
 Here ended the command of commodore Preble, so 
 honourable to himself and his country. All joined 
 in praising his distinguished merit. The Pope made 
 a publick declaration, that, " the United States, 
 though in their infancy, had, in this affair, done. more 
 to humble the antichristian barbarians on that coast, 
 than all the European States had done for a long 
 series of time." Sir Alexander Ball- a distinguished 
 commander in the British navy, addressed commo- 
 dore Preble as follows : — " I beg to repeat my con- 
 gratulations on the services you have rendered your 
 country, and the hair-breadth escapes you have had in 
 setting a distinguished example. Your bravery and 
 enterprise are worthy a great and rising nation. If 
 I were to offer my opinion, it should be, that you 
 have done well not to purchase a peace with the 
 enemy. A few brave men have indeed been sacri- 
 ficed ; but they could not have fallen in a better 
 cause ^ and I even conceive it advisable to risk more 
 lives rather than submit to terms which might encour- 
 age the Barbary states to add fresh demands and 
 insults." 
 
 After the junction of the two squadrons, commo- 
 dore treble obtained leave to return home. This 
 he did wnth the greater pleasure, as it would give the 
 command of a frigate to captain Decatur. On his 
 return to the United States, he was received and 
 treated every where with that distinguished atten- 
 6 
 
42 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 tion, which he had so fully merited. Congress vot- 
 ed him their thanks, and requested the President to 
 present him with an emblematical medal.* 
 
 RENCOUNTER OF THE PRESIDENT AND LITTLE 
 
 BELT. 
 
 Pursuant to instructions from the navy depart- 
 ment, on the 10th of May, l^^ll, commodore Rod- 
 gers, commanding the frigate President, sailed from 
 Annapolis for New York. On the 16th, about noon 
 and within six leagues from land, a sail was discover- 
 ed to the eastward, standing towards the President. 
 The commodore perceived it to be a man of war ; 
 and supposed it to be the British frigate Guerriere, 
 which frigate, it was also supposed, had, a few days 
 before, impressed a boy from on board an American 
 brig, near Sandy Hook. Commodore Rodgers, 
 considering it his duty to know the names and 
 character of all foreign vessels hovering, on the coast 
 resolved to speak to her. He also hoped, that, if 
 she proved to be the Guqrriere, he might prevail on 
 her commander to relinquish the young man. x4.t 
 half past three, the commodore perceived his sfiiip to 
 be gaining upon the chase, but the wind decreasing, 
 he did not come up with her till it was too dark to 
 discover her actual force ; nor could he discover to 
 , * Clark's Naval History, vol. i. p. 148—163. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 43 
 
 what nation she belonged, as she declined showing 
 her colours. At fifteen or twenty minutes past sev- 
 en, the chase took in her studding sails, and soon 
 after hauled up her courses. She then hauled by the 
 wind on the starboard tack ; and at the same time, 
 hoisted an ensign or flag at her mizzen peak. It was 
 however, too dark to discover w^hat nation it repre 
 sented. Her broadside was now for the first time 
 presented to view. Though her appearance indicat- 
 ed a frigate, darkness prevented her actual force be- 
 ing ascertained. 
 
 At twenty minutes past eight, the President being 
 a little forward of the weather beam of the chase, 
 and distant between seventy and a hundred yards 
 from her, the commodore hailed, "What ship is that?" 
 To this no answer was given ; but the question was 
 repeated from on board the chase. After a short 
 pause, the question was repeated by the commodore 
 and immediately a shot was fired into the President. 
 Just as the commodore was about giving orders for 
 a shot to be fired in return, one was actually fired 
 from the second division of the President. This was 
 returned from the other vessel, by three guns in quick 
 succession, and, soon after, by the remainder of his 
 broadside and musketry. The commodore then gave 
 a general order to fire. The fire from the President 
 having, in a few minutes, produced a partial silence 
 of the guns of the other vessel, the commodore gave 
 orders to cease firing, judging that she must be a ship of 
 very inferiour force, or that some untoward accident 
 had happened to her. This order commodore Rodg- 
 
44- I^AVAL BATTLES. 
 
 ers soon had reason to regret. The fire was renewed 
 from the other vessel, and two of its thirty-two pound 
 shot cut off one of the fore shrouds and injured the- 
 fore-mast of the President. He therefore immedi- 
 ately ordered a recommencement of the fire. It con- 
 tinued for a few minutes, when the commodore, per- 
 ceiving his opponent'.* gaff and colours down, his 
 main-top-sail yard upon he cap, arnd his fire silenc- 
 ed, again ordered tht .umg to cease, to prevent a fur- 
 ther effusion of blood. After a short pause, perceiv- 
 ing his adversary was not disposed to renew the ac- 
 tion, the commodore again hailed, and was informed 
 that she was a British ship ; but, from the wind 
 blowing fresh, he was unable to learn her name. 
 
 Commodore Rodgers, having informed the British 
 commander of the name of his ship, gave orders to 
 wear ; to run under the lee of the British ship ; to 
 haul by the wind on the starboard tack ; to heave to 
 under top-sails ; and repair the little damage that had 
 been sustained in the rigging. 
 
 The President continued lying to all night on dif- 
 ferent tacks, with lights displayed, that the British 
 vessel might better discern her position, and com- 
 mand any assistance that she might require during 
 the night. At day light she was discovered several 
 miles to leeward. The commodore gave orders to 
 bear up and run down to her under easy sail. After 
 hailing her, he sent a boat on board, with lieutenant 
 Creighton, to learn the name of the ship and her 
 commander, with instructions to ascertain the damage 
 she had sustained, and to state how much he regret- 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. ' 45 
 
 ted, on his part, the necessity that led to so unhappy 
 a result, and to offer every assistance in his power, 
 in repairing the damages. Lieutenant Creighton, 
 returned with information that ihe vessel was his 
 Britannick majesty's ship Little Belt, captain Bing- 
 ham, of eighteen guns ; and that the captain declin- 
 ed accepting any assistance. The Little Belt had 
 nine men killed and twenty-two wounded. No one 
 was killed on board the President, and only a boy 
 wounded. 
 
 Captain Bingham's account differs materially from 
 the preceding statement. He denies having fired 
 the first gun ; asserts that the action lasted three 
 quarters of an hour ; and even intimates that he had 
 gained the advantage in the contest. Commodore 
 Rodgers's account, from which the one here given 
 is taken, was confirmed by all his officers and crew, 
 on their solemn oath, before a court of inquiry. The 
 court also confirmed all the particulars of his state- 
 ment, after a long and minute investigation.* 
 
 THE PRESIDENT AND BELVIDERE. 
 
 A FORMAL declaration of war against Great Bri- 
 tain was passed by Congress on the 18th of June, 
 1812, which was proclaimed by the President of 
 the United States on the following day. On the 
 * Clark's Naval History, vol. i. p. 168. 
 
46 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 21st, Commodore Rodgers, having received official 
 information of the event, set sail from New York, 
 accompanied by the frigates United States and Con- 
 gress, and the brigs Hornet and Argus, in search of 
 a British fleet of merchantmen, which had sailed 
 from Jamaica the preceding month. The following 
 night information was received of the convoy from 
 an American brig, which had passed them four days 
 before, and the squadron crowded all sail in pursuit. 
 The next morning, however, their course was al- 
 tered by the appearance of the British frigate Bel- 
 videre, to which the commodore immediately gave 
 chase. The pursuit continued from six in the morn- 
 ing, till past four in the afternoon, when the Presi 
 dent, having got within gun-shot, commenced a fire 
 with the bow chase guns at the spars and rigging of 
 the Belvidere, in hopes of crippling her so as to ena- 
 ble them to get along side. The Belvidere returned 
 the fire of the r resident with her stem guns, and the 
 firing was kept up without intermission for about tei. 
 minutes, when one of the President's chase guns 
 burst, by which unfortunate accident sixteen men 
 were killed and wounded ; among the wounded Was 
 commodore Rodgers, who had his leg fractured. By 
 the bursting of the gun, and the explosion ..of the 
 passing box, from which it was served with powder, 
 both the main and forecastle decks were so much 
 shattered as to prevent the use of a chase gun on that 
 side for some time. Orders were therefore given 
 to veer the ship, and a broadside was fired in the 
 bope of disabling the spars of the enemy ; but this 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 47 
 
 did not succeed. Considerable damage, however, 
 was done to the rigging and the stern. The utmost 
 exertion was now used on board the President, by 
 wetting the sails, &c. to gain ground of her oppo- 
 nent ; but without success. A constant firing was 
 kept up from both ships, until about seven o'clock ; 
 when the Belvidere, having cut away her anchors, 
 started a number of water casks, and thrown over- 
 board her boats and every thing that could be spar- 
 ed, got out of the reach of the President's shot. 
 The chase was continued till about midnight, when 
 it was given up as hopeless. One of the first shots 
 fired by the President killed one man and wounded 
 six on board the Belvidere ; and the captain was se- 
 verely wounded in the thigh by the breaking of the 
 breaching of a carronade. On board the President 
 there were three killed and nineteen wounded, the 
 greater part by the bursting of the gun as above 
 related. 
 
 ESCAPE OF THE CONSTITUTION. 
 
 The frigate Constitution, commanded by captain 
 Isaac Hull, had received orders to join the squadron 
 (under commodore Rodgers,) and, for that purpose, 
 sailed from Annapolis on the 5th of July. On the 
 17th, off Egg Harbour, four ships, apparently men 
 of war, were discovered from the mast-head to the 
 
48 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 Doithward, and in shore of the Constitution ; and, in 
 the belief that it was the American squadron, wait- 
 ing her arrival, all sail was made in chase of them. 
 At four in the afternoon, another ship was seen to 
 the northeast, standing for the Constitution, with all 
 sail set. At ten in the evening, being then within 
 six or eiglit miles of the strange sail, the private 
 signal was made bj the Constitution ; which not 
 being answered, it was concluded that she, and the 
 ships in shore, were enemy's vessels. Captain Hull 
 immediately laid his vessel in the same course with 
 the others, having determined to lie off till daylight 
 to see what they were. 
 
 Next morning, two frigates were seen from the 
 Constitution, under her lee, one frigate four or five 
 miles, and a line of battle ship, a frigate, a brig and 
 a schooner, ten or twelve miles directly astern, all 
 in chase, and coming up fast, they having a fine 
 breeze, and it being nearly calm where the Constitu- 
 tion was. Finding there was but little chance for 
 escape, being then within five miles of three heavy 
 frigates, the Constitution was cleared for action, and 
 two guns were run out at the cabin windows and 
 two at the ports on the quarterdeck. At eight 
 o'clock, four of the ships were nearly within gun- 
 shot, some of them having six or eight boats ahead, 
 towing with all their oars and sweeps out. 
 
 In this perilous situation a new expedient was 
 adopted, which was the means of saving the vessel. 
 Being in only twenty-four fathoms water, boats 
 were sent out ahead with anchors, and the ship 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 4a 
 
 JO 
 
 > 
 o 
 so 
 o 
 5?! 
 
60 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 warped up to them, by which they soon began to 
 get ahead of the enemy. They, however, adopted 
 the same plan, and all the boats from the most dis- 
 tant ships were sent to assist those which were near- 
 est. For two days and nights the Constitution was 
 thus chased by the British squadron, sometimes with 
 light winds, at others, warping and towing in a calm, 
 seldom much beyond gun-shot distance. On the 
 morning of the 20th, only three of the squadron 
 could be seen from the mast-head, the nearest about 
 twelve miles distant, directly astern. A light breeze 
 now springing up, the enemy was soon left far be- 
 hind, and the Constitution, not being able to find the 
 American squadron, arrived safe at Boston. 
 
 During the whole of the chase the gallant crew ot 
 the Constitution remained at their stations. It is re- 
 lated on good authority, that the officers of the British 
 ships expressed their admiration of the skill with 
 which Captain Hull manceuvred his ship and effected 
 his escape. 
 
 But however brilliantly the nautical knowledge 
 and professional adroitness of captain Hull were dis- 
 played on that occasion, his generous disinterested- 
 ness afterwards, is worthy of universal applause and 
 imitation. The publick notice taken of the affair, 
 and the praises bestowed on the commander, induced 
 him, on his arrival at Boston, to insert the following 
 card on the books of the Exchange Coffee House. 
 
 " Captain Hull, finding that his friends in Boston are 
 correctly informed of his situation, when chased by 
 the British squadron off New York, and that. they 
 
naVal battles. 51 
 
 are good enough to give him more credit for having 
 escaped it than he ought to claim, takes this oppor- 
 tunity of requesting them to transfer their good 
 wishes to lieutenant Morris and the other brave 
 officers, and the crew under his command, for their 
 very great exertions and prompt attention to his or- 
 ders while the enemy were in chase. Captain Hull 
 has great pleasure in saying, that notwithstanding 
 the length of the chase, and the officers and crew be- 
 ing deprived of sleep, and allowed but little refresh- 
 ment during the time, not a murmur was heard to 
 escape them." 
 
 CAPTURE OF THE GUERRIERE. 
 
 On the second day of August, the Constitution 
 again set sail, pursuing an easterly course. She 
 passed near the coast as far down as the Bay of Fun- 
 dy ; then ran off Halifax and Cape Sable ; and not 
 seeing any vessels for some days, captain Hull steer- 
 ed toward Newfoundland, passed the Isle of Sables, 
 and took a station off the Gulf of St. Lawrence, to 
 intercept the Canada trade. White cruising here, he 
 captured two merchant vessels. On the 15th, he 
 chased a convoy of five sail, captured one of them, 
 and prevented the prize ship of an American priva- 
 teer from being retaken. Having received informa- 
 tion that the British squadron were off the Grand 
 
52 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 Bank, ;md not far distant, he changed his cruising 
 ground, and stood to the southward. 
 
 On the memorable 19th of August, at two p. m. 
 the Constitution being in latitude, forty-one, degrees 
 and forty-two minutes north, and fifty-five degrees 
 and thirty-three minutes west longitude, a vessel 
 was discovered to the southward. The Constitution 
 instantly made all sail in chase, and soon gained on 
 her. At three p. m. it could plainly be perceived 
 she was a ship, on the starboard tack, under easy 
 sail, close hauled to the wind. At half past three, 
 she was ascertained to be a frigate. The Constitu- 
 tion continued the chase. At about three miles dis- 
 tance, captain Hull ordered the light sails to be ta- 
 ken in, the courses to be hauled up, and the ship to 
 be cleared for action. The chase now backed her 
 main-top-sail, and waited for the Constitution to 
 come down. As soon as the Constitution was ready 
 for action, she bore down, intending to bring imme- 
 diately .to close action the British frigate, which had 
 about this time hoisted three English ensigns in token 
 of defiance. As soon as the Constitution came with- 
 in gun-shot, the British frigate fired her broadside ; 
 then filled away, wore, and gave a broadside on the 
 other tack. They however, produced no effect, her 
 shot fell short. The British frigate manoeuvred and 
 wore several times for about three quarters of an 
 hour, in order to obtain a raking position. But not 
 succeeding in this, she bore up under her top-sails 
 and jib with the wind on the quarter. Captain Hull 
 immediately made sail to bring his ship up with her. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 53 
 
 H 
 
 a 
 
 H 
 
 o 
 
 a: 
 
 > 
 
 '31, 
 
 o 
 in 
 
 M 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 :e 
 n 
 
54 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 At five minutes before six, p. m. the Constitution 
 being along side, within pistol-shot, he ordered a 
 brisk firing to be commenced from al! her guns, which 
 were double-shotted with round and grape shot ; and 
 so well directed and so warmly kept up was the Amer- 
 ican fire, that, in fifteen minutes, the mizzen-mast of 
 the British frigate went by the board, and her main- 
 yard in her slings. Her hull was much injured ; and 
 her rigging and sails torn to pieces. The fire was 
 kept up, in the same spirited manner, for fifteen min- 
 utes longer, by the Constitution. She had now taken 
 a position for raking, on the bows of the British fri- 
 gate ; when the latter could only bring her bow guns 
 to bear on the Constitution. The grape-shot and 
 small arms of the Constitution completely swept the 
 dscks of the British frigate. Thirty minutes after 
 the commencement of the action by the Constitution, 
 the mainmast and foremast of the British fri2;ate 
 went by the board, taking with them every spar ex- 
 cept the bowsprit. She then struck her colours, 
 which had been fastened to the stump of the mizzen- 
 mast. The Constitution then set fore and main-sails, 
 and hauled to the eastward to repair damages. All 
 her braces, a great part of her standing and running rig- 
 ging, and some of her spars, were shot away. At 
 seven, p. m. she stood under the lee of the prize, 
 and sent a boat on board, which returned at eight 
 with captain Dacres, commander of the frigate. She 
 was the Guerriere, rating thirty-eight, and mounting 
 forty-nine guns. The hull of the Guerriere was so 
 much shattered, that a few more broadsides would 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 55'"'' 
 
 have sunk her. She had fifteen men killed, sixty- 
 one wounded, and twenty-four missing, who, it is 
 presumed, were swept overboard by the falling masts. 
 The Constitution had only seven killed, and seven 
 wounded. 
 
 The boats were immediately employed in bring- 
 ing the wounded and prisoners on board the Constitu- 
 tion. A^^ A. M. a sail was discovered off the 
 larboard beai-. ding to the south. The ship was 
 instantly cleared lor action. At three, the vessel 
 stood away. At day-break, information was received 
 from the lieutenant on board the prize, that the ship 
 was in a sinking condition, and had four feet water 
 in the hold. As soon as all her crew were removed 
 from on board of her, she was set on fire, and blew 
 up a quarter past three. 
 
 Captain Hull, in his letter to the secretary of the 
 navy, says : — " that, from the smallest boy in the 
 ship, to the oldest seaman, not a look of fear was 
 seen. They all went into action giving three cheers, 
 and requesting to be laid along-side the enemy."* 
 
 In the heat of the engagement, one of the crew 
 of the Constitution, perceiving the flag at the fore- 
 top-mast head had been shot away, went up with it, 
 and lashed it so securely, as to render it impossible to 
 shoot it away, unless the mast went with it. 
 
 The generosity of captain Hull and his crew was 
 
 equal to their bravery. Captain Dacres, in his official 
 
 letter, confesses their conduct to have been " that of 
 
 a brave enemy ; the greatest care being taken to pre- 
 
 * Clark's Naval History, vol. i. p. 175—176. 
 
oG 
 
 NAVAf, I5AITLKS. 
 
NAVA/. iiATXLKS. 57 
 
 vcjil the tdcn U)s]n<^ th'j slij^htcst arUcUi, and the 
 j^reatcst attention hein{: paid to iJjc svounded." 
 
 The Constitution arrived in Jioston harbour the 
 30th day of Auj^uht. When eapUiin JiulJ Jaiided, 
 he was received with every demonstratioii of affec- 
 tion and respect. 'J he Washinjiton Artilh;ry, posted 
 on the wharf, weh;ofned him with a federal salute, 
 which was returned from tlie Constitution. An im- 
 mense assemhlaj:e of citizens made llie air rin;; with 
 loud and unanimous huzzas, which were repeated 
 on his j>assaj£e up HviUt Street to the JCxchanjre Cof- 
 fee House. The street was heautifully decorated 
 with American flajiis. 
 
 A splendid enterUiinment was i;iv(;n to cajUain 
 Hull and his officers hy the citizens of Jioston, at 
 which commodore iiodf^ers and the officers of his 
 squadron ware, invited. i he CAXV/Aiiis of Philadel- 
 phia subscribed for two elejiant pieces of plate — one 
 to l'<' jv'csented to captain Hull, and the other to 
 Mr. Charles Morris, his first lieutenant. The lej^is- 
 lature of Sew York, the coujjcil of the cities of Al- 
 bany and Savannah, the (Ami^resH of the United 
 States, the House of ilepresentatives of MassachusettH, 
 and other public iKKJies, voted their thanks to captain 
 Hull, his ofIic«;rs and crew. The order of Cincinna 
 ti admitted him as an honourary member. Congress 
 voted fifty thousand dollars as an indemnification to 
 the captain, officers, and crew, for the loss sustained 
 by the destruction of the Guerriere. 
 
 8 
 
58 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 CAPT PORTER.— FIRST CRUISE OF THE ESSEX. 
 
 The Essex, commanded by captain David Porter, 
 sailed from New York the third of July, 1812, and 
 shortly after fell in with a fleet of transports, under 
 convoy of a frigate and two bomb-ketches, from Ja- 
 maica for Halifax, with troops. The Essex kept at 
 a distance until night, when she cut off a brig with 
 one hundred and fifty soldiers on board, which was 
 ransomed for a bill of exchange on London for four- 
 teen thousand dollars. The men were disarmed, 
 and an exchange receipt taken for them, and they 
 severally took an oath not to serve until exchanged. 
 
 The following day captain Porter captured the 
 brig Lamprey from Jamaica, by which he received 
 intelligence that the Thetis frigate, with specie and 
 a large convoy was about sailing for England. Every 
 exertion was made to get off St. Augustine in time 
 to fall in with them, but without effect, as fresh gales 
 prevailed from the southwest, which increased till the 
 19th of July, when, by the violence of the tempest, 
 they were compelled to run before the wind. 
 
 On the thirteenth of August, the British sloop of 
 war Alert, of twenty guns, ran down on the weath- 
 er quarter of the Essex. Her crew gave three cheers, 
 and immediately commenced an engagement. But 
 so spirited and well directed a fire was kept up from 
 the Essex, that in eight minutes after the commence- 
 ment of the action, she forced the Alert to strike 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 69 
 
60 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 her colours. She had seven feet water in her hold. 
 She ^vas much cut to pieces, and had three men 
 wounded. The Essex did not receive the slightest 
 injury. 
 
 Captain* Porter, being much embarrassed by the 
 number of his prisoners, amounting to about five 
 hundred, concluded an arrangement with the captain 
 of the Alert for sending them to a British port, in 
 the. Alert, as a cartel. 
 
 The Alert, on her return to the United States, 
 was fitted out as a government vessel. 
 
 On the 30th of August, the Essex being in lati- 
 tude 36 N. longitude 62 w. a British frigate w^as dis- 
 covered standing towards her, under a press of sail. 
 Captain Porter stood for her under easy sail, with 
 his ship prepared for action; and apprehensive that 
 she might not find the Essex during the night, he 
 hoisted a light. At nine the British vessel made a 
 signal. It consisted of two flashes and a blue light. 
 She was then apparently about four miles distant. 
 Captain Porter stood for the point wdiere she was 
 seen, until midnight, when perceiving nothing of her 
 he concluded it would be best to heave-to for her, 
 until morning, concluding she had done the same. 
 But to his great surprise, and the mortification ofj 
 his officers and cre'>v, she was no longer in sight. 
 Captain Porter, believed it to be not unlikely, that 
 this'vessel, was the Acasta, of fifty guns, sent out, 
 accompanied by the Ring Dove, of twenty-two, to 
 cruise for the Essex. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 61 
 
 On the 4th of September, the Essex being off the 
 tail of St. George's Bank, two ships of war were 
 discovered to the southward, and a brig to the north- 
 ward. The brig was in chase of an x\nierican mer- 
 chant ship. Captain Porter immediate! v chased the 
 brig, ^vhich attempted to pass, and join the rest of 
 the squadron. This he prevented, and compelled 
 her to stand to the northward. He continued in 
 chase of her, until abreast of the American ship, 
 when the wind becoming light, she escaped by means 
 of her swec^ps. On shewing American colours, sev- 
 eral signal guns were fired by tlie ships to the 
 southward. All sail was made by them in chase. 
 At four p. M. they had gained the wake of the ■ Es- 
 sex, and were coming up with her ver}'^ fast. Cal- 
 culating on making his escape by some manoeuvre 
 during the night, he fired a gun to windward. The 
 two ships still continued to gain on the Essex. The 
 largest was considerably to windward of the other, 
 and about five miles astern of the Essex. Captain 
 Porter determined to heave about as soon as it grew 
 dark, and, in case he should not be able to pass her, 
 he determined to fire a broadside into her, and lay 
 her on board. The crew, as soon as the plan was 
 proposed to them, gave three cheers, and were in 
 high spirits. Twenty minutes after seven, the Essex 
 hove about, and stood s. e. by s. until thirty minutes 
 after eight, when she bore away s. w. without see- 
 ing any thing more of them. This was the more 
 surprising, as a pistol was fired on board the Essex 
 when nearest to them. 
 
62 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 The Essex arrived safe in the Delaware a few 
 days after. 
 
 WASP AND FROLIC. 
 
 Of all the victories achieved by single vessels, 
 perhaps the most brilliant, and which will probably 
 long stand on record without a parallel, is that of 
 the Wasp, commanded by captain Jacob Jones, over 
 the sloop of war Frolic. 
 
 On the 13th of October, captain Jones left the 
 Delaware bay in the Wasp, on a cruise. On the 
 16th, she experienced a heavy gale, in which she lost 
 her jib-boom and two men. On the evening of the 
 next day, about eleven o'clock, being in the track 
 of vessels passing from Bermuda to Halifax, she 
 found herself near five strange sail, steering east- 
 ward. Some of them appearing to be ships of 
 war, it was thought better to get farther from them. 
 The Wasp, therefore, hauled her wind, and having 
 reached a few miles to windward, so as to escape or 
 fight, as occasion might require, followed the strange 
 sail through the night. At daybreak, on Sunday 
 morning, captain Jones found that they were six 
 large merchant ships under convoy of a sloop of 
 war, from Honduras to England. Four of the 
 ships were large and well manned, mounting from 
 sixteen to eighteen guns, and having from forty to 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 63 
 
 fifty men each. Captain Jones, however, deter- 
 mined to attack them. The convoy made their 
 escape under a press of sail. The sloop of war 
 alone remained, which proved to be the Frolic, 
 captain Whinyates, mounting twenty-two guns, and 
 having a crew of about one hundred and tw enty men. 
 There was a heavy swell in the sea, and the weather 
 was boisterous. The top-gallant yards of the Wasp 
 were taken down, her top-sails were close reefed, 
 and she was prepared for action. 
 
 About eleven o'clock the Frolic showed Spanish 
 colours. The Wasp immediately displayed the 
 American ensign and pendant ; and at thirty-two 
 minutes past eleven, came down to windward on the 
 larboard side of the Frolic. When within about 
 sixty yards she hailed. The Frolic then hauled down 
 her 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 or five minutes after the commence- 
 ment of the action, the main-top-mast of the 
 Wasp was shot away, and, having fallen, with the 
 main-top-sail yard, across the larboard, fore, and fore- 
 top-sail braces, rendered her head yards unmanage- 
 able during the remainder of the engagement. In 
 two or three minutes more, her gaff and mizzen-top- 
 gallant-sail were shot away. She however kept up 
 a close and constant fire. The sea was so rough, 
 that the muzzles of the Wasp's guns were frequent- 
 ly under water. The Americans fired as the side of 
 
64 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 their ship was going down. Their shot of course, 
 either struck the Frolic's deck, or below it. The 
 English fired as their vessel rose. Their balls conse- 
 quently only struck the rigging, or were ineffectual. 
 The Wasp, having now shot ahead of the Frolic, 
 poured a broadside into her, which completely raked 
 her. She then took a position on the Frolic's lar- 
 board l>ow. A most spirited fire was now kept up 
 from the Wasp, which produced great effect. The 
 fire of the Frolic had slackened so much, that cap- 
 tain Jones gave up his intention of boarding her, 
 lest both vessels might be endangered by the rough- 
 ness of the sea. But, in the course of a few min- 
 utes more, not a brace of the W'asp was left. All 
 had been shot away. Her rigging was so much torn 
 to pieces, that captain Jones was afraid, that her 
 masts, being unsupported, would go by the board ; 
 and the Frolic thereby be enabled to escape. He 
 therefore resolved to board, and at once decide the 
 contest. With this intention, he wore ship, and ran 
 down upon the enemy. The vessels struck each 
 other. The Wasp's side rubbed along the Frolic's 
 bow. The jib-boom of the latter entered between 
 the main and mizzen rigging of the Wasp, directly 
 over the heads of captain Jones and his first lieuten- 
 ant, Biddle, who were then standing together near 
 the capstan. The Frolic now lay in so good a po- 
 sition for being raked, that it was resolved not to 
 board until another broadside had been poured into 
 her. So near were the two vessels, that while the 
 men were loading the guns, the rammers of the 
 
NAVAL BATTLES, 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 65 
 
 Wasp were pushed against the Frolic's sides ; and 
 two of her guns went. through the bow ports of the 
 Frolic, and swept the whole length of her deck. 
 About this time, Jack Lang, a brave and intrepid 
 seaman, of the Wasp, and who had once been im- 
 pressed on board a man of war, jumped on a gun 
 with his cutlass, and was springing on board the 
 Frolic ; when Captain Jones, desiring to fire again 
 before boarding, called him down. But, probably 
 urged on by his impetuosity, he did not hear the 
 command of his captain, and was immediately on 
 the bowsprit of the Frolic. Lieutenant Biddle, per- 
 ceiving the ardour and enthusiasm of the Wasp's 
 crew, mounted on the hammock-cloth, to board. 
 The crew immediately followed. But the lieuten- 
 ant's feet being entangled in the rigging of the 
 Frolic's bowsprit, and midshipman Baker, in his ar- 
 dour to board, laying hold of his coat, he fell back 
 on the Wasp's deck. He directly sprang up, and, 
 as the next swell of the sea brought the Frolic near- 
 er, he got on her bowsprit, where Lang and another 
 seaman were already. He passed them on the fore- 
 castle ; and w^as much surprised at not seeing a 
 single man alive on the Frolic's deck, except the sea- 
 man at the wheel, and three officers. 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 inclina- 
 tion of their bodies, as a sign of submission. The 
 colours of the Frolic were still flying. None of her 
 
66 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 seaman, probably, dared to go into the rigging, to 
 strike them, for fear of the musketry of tlie Wasp. 
 Lieutenant Biddie himself immediately jumped into 
 the rigging, and hauled down the Bri4ish ensign. 
 Possession was taken of the Frolic forty-three min- 
 utes after the commencement of the action. She 
 presented a most sJiocking spectacle. Her birth-deck 
 was crowded with dead, wounded, and dying. Not 
 above twenty of her crew escaped unhurt. Captain 
 Jones immediately sent his surgeon's mate on board. 
 All the blankets of the Frolic were brought from 
 her slop-room for the accommodation of the wound- 
 ed. To increase the confusion, both the Frolic's 
 masts fell, soon after taking possession of her, and 
 covered the dead and every thing on deck. 
 
 In this action, the crews of the vessels were about 
 equal. The British vessel mounted four guns more 
 than the American. Tiie destruction on board of 
 the Frolic could not be exactly determined ; but, 
 from the observations of the American officers, and 
 the declarations of the English, there could not have 
 been less than thirty killed, and about fifty wounded. 
 The Wasp had only five men killed, and five wound- 
 ed. 
 
 Lieutenant Biddie was placed on board the Frolic. 
 A suspicious sail being perceived to windward. Cap- 
 tain Jones ordered him to ])roceed to Charleston, 
 or any other southern port in the United States. 
 The Wasp intended to continue her cruise. The 
 ships then parted. • The suspicious sail bore down 
 very fast. It was at first supposed she was one of 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 67 
 
 the convoy. The Wasp was immediately cleared 
 for action. As she approached, she proved to be a 
 seventy-four, the Poictiers, captain Beresford. She 
 fired a shot over the Frolic ; and, having passed her, 
 overtook the Wasp, the disabled state of whose rig- 
 ging prevented her from escaping. After she was 
 taken possession of, the Poictiers returned to secure 
 the Frolic. Both vessels were carried into Ber- 
 muda. 
 
 This action completely demonstrated the superior 
 skill and spirit of the American naval officers and 
 seamen. The superiority of force certainly was on 
 the side of the British. 
 
 On the return of captain Jones to the United 
 States, his gallant conduct was not passed unnoticed 
 by his grateful countrymen. The Congress of the 
 United Statfes voted him and his crew twenty-five 
 thousand dollars, in consideration of the loss they 
 sustained by the recapture of the Frolic, also their 
 thanks. They ordered a gold medal to be presented 
 to the captain, and a silver one to each of his officers. 
 
 This gallant exploit deservedly secured to cap- 
 tain Jones and his brave crew, the acknowledgments 
 of their grateful countrymen. The narrow limits 
 of pur work, forbid our entering into detail. We 
 shall therefore merely state that pieces of plate, and 
 swords were ordered for captain Jones, and thanks 
 voted to him and his crew, by the legislature of Penn- 
 sylvania — the legislature of the state of Delaware — 
 the legislature of New York^the house of repre- 
 
68 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 sentatives of Massachusetts — the citizens of Phila- 
 delphia, — the common council of New York, &c. 
 
 The order of Cincinnati at New York admitted 
 captain Jones into the Society as an honourary mem- 
 ber. 
 
 Captain Jones, in consideration of his merit, was 
 appointed to command the Macedonian, a thirty-eight 
 gun frigate, just captured from the British. 
 
 Lieutenant Biddle was promoted to the rank of 
 master commandant.* 
 
 SECOND CRUISE OF COMMODORE RODGERS. 
 
 On the 8th of October, commodore Rodgers sail- 
 ed again from Boston, in the frigate President, 
 accompanied by the United States, Congress, and 
 Argus. On the 13th, the United States and Ar- 
 gus parted from the others in a gale of wind. On 
 the 15th, the President and Congress captured 
 the British packet Swallow, having on board specie 
 amounting to nearly two hundred thousand dollars. 
 On the 31st they captured a South Sea ship, loaded 
 with oil, one of two ships under convoy of the Gala- 
 tea frigate, to which they gave chase, but lost her in 
 a fog. During the remainder of the cruise, they saw no 
 other British Vessel^cept the frigate Nymph, which 
 *Clark's Naval History, vol. i. p. 183—186. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES, 69 
 
 escaped in the night. On the 31st of December they 
 arrived at Boston, having been as far to the east as 
 longitude 22, and to the south as far as latitude 17 
 north. From longitude 22, they ran down the trade 
 wind to longitude 50, and passed to the north, one 
 hundred and fifty miles from Bermuda. In this 
 cruise, the space passed over was not less than eight 
 thousand miles ; and though the President and Con- 
 gress returned richly laden, their commanders could 
 not but regret that no opportunity was afforded to 
 try the spirit and discipline of their officers and 
 crews. The cash taken from the Swallow was car- 
 ried from the navy yard to one of the banks, in sev- 
 eral waggons, escorted by the crews of the frigates 
 and a detachment of marines, with drums beating and 
 colours flying, amidst the huzzas of a large con- 
 course of spectators. The specie and gold dust de- 
 posited in the bank were said to be worth nearly three 
 hundred thousand dollars. 
 
 THE ARGUS. 
 
 After parting from the squadron, as above noted, 
 the Argus, commanded by captain Sinclair, proceed- 
 ed to the coast of Brazil, sailed along the north 
 coast, from cape St. Roque to Surinam, thence to 
 the windward of the West Indies, and in every di- 
 
70 NAVAL BATTUES. 
 
 rection between the Bermudas, Halifax, and the con- 
 tinent. After a cruise of ninety-six days, she arriv- 
 ed at New York, having made five prizes, valued at 
 two hundred thousand dollars. She fell in with a 
 British squadron of six sail, two of which were of 
 the line, and one of them a remarkably fast sailer. 
 The chase was continued for three days and nights, 
 and under various circumstances, but, by unremitted 
 exertions, the Argus eluded the pursuit. Pressed on 
 all sides. by the number of the enemy, and often baffled 
 by the unsettled state of the weather, she was at one 
 time within gunshot of a seventy-four, and at an- 
 other nearly surrounded. While in this perilous sit- 
 uation, she actually captured and manned one of her 
 prizes. 
 
 UNITED STATES AND MACEDONIAN. 
 
 On the 25th of October, after being separated 
 from the squadron, the United States, commanded 
 by commodore Decatur, fell in with and captured, 
 off the Western Isles, after an action of an hour and a 
 half, the British frigate Macedonian, captain Garden, 
 mounting forty-nine guns, and carrying three hundred 
 and six men. The Macedonian being to windward, 
 had the advantage of choosing her distance, which 
 was so great, that for the first half hour, the United 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 71 
 
 States could not use her carroiiades ; and at no time 
 were they within musket or grape shot. To this 
 circumstance, and a heavy swell of the sea, was as- 
 cribed the extreme length of the action. In this 
 contest the superiority of the American gunnery was 
 strikingly obvious. The Macedonian had one hun- 
 dred and six men killed and wounded. She was total- 
 ly dismasted, and had nearly one hundred shot holes in 
 her hull. On board the United States there were 
 only five killed and seven wounded ; and so little in- 
 jury was done to the ship, that, in five minutes after 
 the action, she was fully prepared for another. 
 Shortly after the action commenced, such a torrent of 
 fire proceeded from the United States, that the crew 
 of the Macedonian supposed she was actually on fire, 
 and gave three cheers. 
 
 The Macedonian was a frigate of the largest class, 
 only two years old, four months out of dock, and re- 
 puted one of the fastest sailers in the British service. 
 
 All the private property of the officers and crew 
 of the Macedonian was given up to them ; that 
 claimed by captain Garden, amounted to eight hun- 
 dred dollars, and was paid for by the commodore. 
 
 An instance of the generosity, which is so predom- 
 inant in the breasts of American tars, must not be 
 omitted. John Archibald, one of the crew of the 
 United States, received a mortal wound, of which he 
 soon after died. He left three children to the mer- 
 cy of the world and a profligate mother, who had 
 deserted them. When the father of Archibald went 
 on board the frigate, to claim the wages and proper- 
 
72 
 
 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
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NAVAL BATTLES. 73 
 
 ty of his son, an inquiry was made into the circum- 
 stances of his family. A plan was immediately 
 agreed upon by the seamen for the relief of the or- 
 phans. Two dollars was subscribed by each of them ; 
 a sum of eight hundred dollars was made up, and 
 placed in the hands of suitable trustees, for the main- 
 tenance and education of his children. 
 
 Commodore Decatur arrived at New London 
 with his prize on the 4th of December. He receiv- 
 ed from all quarters the congratulations of his coun- 
 trymcn. A gold medal was presented to him by 
 Congress, in testimony of their high sense of his gal- 
 lantry, good conduct and services. The legislature 
 of Pensylvania voted him their thanks,' and an ele- 
 gant sword ; and various other testimonials of pub- 
 lic regard were bestowed upon him and his crew. 
 
 The news of this brilliant victory was received at 
 Washington on the evening of the 8th of Decem- 
 ber. It happened, that on that evening, a ball was 
 given in compliment to the officers and navy general- 
 ly, and particularly to captain Stewart, in acknowl- 
 edgment of his politeness to the citizens of Wash- 
 ington on a recent occasion. A large and respecta- 
 ble company was assembled, and the scene was 
 graced by the presence of all the beauty and fashion 
 of the city. The room in which the company were 
 assembled had been decorated with the trophies of 
 naval victory. The colours of the Guerriere and Alert, 
 displayed on the walls, roused the feeling of patriot- 
 ism, and revived in the mind the recollection of the 
 bravery which had won them. At this time lieuten 
 )0 
 
74 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 ant Hamilton arrived with the colours of the Mace- 
 donian, and despatches from commodore Decatur 
 He was received with loud acclamations, and escort 
 ed to the festive hall ; and the colours of the Mar. 
 edonian were borne into the room by captains Hull 
 and Stewart, and deposited with those of the Guer- 
 riere and Alert. 
 
 .CONSTITUTION AND JAVA. 
 
 On the arrival of the Constitution in Boston, after 
 the capture of the Guerriere, captain Hull received 
 permission to remain on shore to attend to his private 
 affairs, and commodore Bainbridge was appointed to 
 command in his room. After undergoing the neces- 
 sary repairs, she sailed on a cruise along the coast of 
 South America, accompanied by the Hornet sloop of 
 war, commanded, by captain Lawrence. In running 
 down the coast of the Brazils, they found the Bonne 
 Citoyenne, a British ship of war, loaded with specie 
 lying in the port of St. Salvador. Commodore 
 Bainbridge here separated from captain Lawrence, 
 leaving him to blockade the Bonne Citoyenne. 
 
 On the twenty-ninth of December, the Constitu- 
 tion, being in 13 degrees south latitude, and 38 west 
 longitude, about ten leagues from the coast of Brazil, 
 at nine a. m. two strange vessels were discovered on 
 her weather bow. At ten they were discovered to 
 
NAVAI PiTJIJ/i ' 7.'> 
 
 be ships. One of them stood in for the land ; the otnci 
 stood off shore towards the Constitution. At ten, 
 commodore Bainbridge tacked ship to the northward 
 and westward, and stood for the sail approaching 
 him. At eleven a. m. he tacked to the southward 
 and eastward, hauled up the mainsail, and took in 
 the royals. At thirty minutes past eleven, made a 
 private signal for the day, which was not answered ; 
 and then set mainsail and royals, to draw the strange 
 vessel off from the neutral coast, and separate her 
 from her company. 
 
 At twelve, the American ensign and pendant were 
 hoisted on board the Constitution. At fifteen min- 
 utes past twelve, the strange vessel hoisted an Eng- 
 lish ensign, and displayed a signal at her mainmast. 
 
 At a quarter past one, the ship in sight proving to 
 be an English frigate, and being sufficiently distant 
 from land, commodore Bainbridge ordered the main- 
 sails and royals to be taken in, to tack ship and stand 
 for the enemy ; who soon bore down with an intention 
 of raking the Constitution, which she avoided by 
 wearing. At two o'clock, p. m. the British ship was 
 within half a mile of the Constitution, and to wind- 
 ward. She now hauled down her colours, except an 
 union jack at the mizzen-mast head. This induced 
 commodore Bainbridge to order a gun to be fired 
 ahead of her, to make her show her colours. It was 
 succeeded by the whole of the Constitution's broad- 
 side. On this, the enemy immediately hoisted co- 
 lours, and returned the fire. A general action now 
 commenced with round and grape shot. The British 
 
76 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 frigate kept at a much greater distance than the com- 
 modore wished. He, however, could not bring her to 
 closer action, without exposing his vessel to be sev- 
 eral times raked. Both vessels for some time man- 
 oeuvred to obtain a position that would enable them 
 to rake, or avoid being raked. In the early part of 
 the engagement the wheel of the Constitution was 
 shot away. Commodore Bainbridge determined to 
 close with the British vessel, notwithstanding, in so 
 doing, he should expose his ship to be several times 
 raked. He ordered the fore and mainsails to be set, 
 and luffed up close to the enemy, in such a manner 
 that his jib-boom got foul of the Constitution's 
 mizzen rigging. About three o'clock, the head of 
 the British vessel's bowsprit and jib-boom, were shot 
 away ; and, in the space of an hour, her foremast 
 was shot away by the board, her main-top-mast just 
 above the cap, her gaff and spanker-boom, and her 
 mainmast nearly by the board. 
 
 About four o'clock, the fire of the British vessel 
 being completely silenced, and her colours in the 
 main rigging being down, she was supposed to have 
 struck. The courses of the Constitution were now 
 hauled on board, to shoot ahead, in order to repair 
 her rigging, which was very much cut. The Brit- 
 ish vessel was left a complete wreck. Her flag 
 was soon after discovered to be still flying. The 
 Constitution, however, hove to, to repair some of 
 her damages. About a quarter of an hour after, 
 the mainmast of the British vessel went by the 
 board. About three quarters of an hour after four, 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 77 
 
78 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 the Constitution wore, and stood for tl^e British ves- 
 sel ; and got close to her athwart her bows, in a 
 very effectual position for raking, when she prudent- 
 ly struck her flag. Had she suffered the broadside 
 to have raked her, her additional loss would have 
 been extremely great ; for she lay quite an unman- 
 ageable wreck upon the water. 
 
 After the British frigate struck, the Constitution 
 wore and reefed topsails. One of the only two re- 
 maining boats out of eight, was then hoisted out, and 
 lieutenant Parker, of the Constitution, was sent to 
 take possession of the frigate. She proved to be 
 his Britannick majesty's frigate Java, rating thiity- 
 eight, but carrying forty-nine guns. She was man- 
 ned by upwards of four hundred men ; and wa« 
 commanded by captain Lambert, a very distinguish- 
 ed naval officer. He was mortally wounded. The 
 action continued, from the time the firing commenc- 
 ed till the time it ceased, one hour and fifty-five 
 minutes. 
 
 The Constitution had nine men killed, and twen- 
 ty-five wounded. The Java had sixty killed, and 
 one hundred and one (certainly) wounded — but by 
 a letter written on board the Constitution, by one of 
 the officers of the Java, and accidentally found, it is 
 evident her loss must have been much greater. He 
 states it to have been sixty killed, and one hundred 
 and seventy wounded. 
 
 The Java had her own full complement of men, 
 and upwards of one hundred supernumeraries, for 
 British ships in the East Indies. Her force in num- 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 79 
 
 ber of men, at the commencement of the action, was 
 probably much greater than the officers of the Con- 
 stitution were enabled to ascertain. Her officers 
 were extremely cautious in discovering the number 
 of her crew. By her quarter bill she had one man 
 more, stationed at each gun, than the Constitution. 
 The Java was an important ship. She was fitted 
 out in the most complete manner, to carry lieuten- 
 ant general Hislop and staff to Bombay, of which 
 place he had been appointed governour, and several 
 naval officers for different vessels in the East Indies. 
 She had despatches for St. Helena, the Cape of Good 
 Hope, and for every British establishment in the In- 
 dian and Chinese seas. She had copper on board for 
 a seventy-four, and for two brigs, building at Bom- 
 bay ; and probably a number of other valuable arti- 
 cles. 
 
 The great distance from the United States, and 
 the disabled state of the Java, forbade every idea of 
 attempting to bring her to the United States. No 
 alternative was therefore left, but to burn her, Avhich 
 was done, after the prisoners and their baggage were 
 removed to the Constitution. Thej' were all landed 
 at St. Salvador, and paroled. The commander of 
 the Java, captain Lambert, died soon after he was 
 put on shore. The British officers paroled were a 
 lieutenant-general, a major, and a- captain, of land 
 service; in the naval service, a post captain, a mas- 
 ter and commander, five lieutenants, three lieuten- 
 ants of marines, a surgeon, two assistant surgeons, a 
 purser, fifteen midshipmen, a gunner, a boatswain, a 
 
80 NAVAl BATTLES. 
 
 master, a carpenter, and two captain's clerks ; like- 
 wise, three hundred and twent} three petty officers, 
 seamen, and marines — making all together three 
 hundred and fifty-one men; besides nine Portuguese 
 seamen, liberated, and eight passengers, private 
 characters, who were permu <5d to land with out re- 
 straint. 
 
 Lieutenant Aylwin, of the Constitution, was se- 
 verely wounded during the action. When the board- 
 ers were called to repel boarders, he mounted the 
 quarter-deck hammock clothit, and, in the act of fir- 
 ing his pistol at the enemy, he received a ball through 
 his shoulder. Notwithstanding the severity of his 
 wound, he continued at his post until the enemy 
 struck. A few days afterwards, when an engage- 
 ment was expected with a ship, which afterwards 
 proved to be the Hornet, he left his bed, and repair- 
 ed to quarters, though labouring under a consider- 
 able debility, and under the most excruciating pain. 
 He died on the 28th of January, at sea. 
 
 Commodore Bainbridge was received by his coun- 
 trymen on his return to the United States, with every 
 demonstration of joy and esteem that his gallant ex- 
 ploit merited. 
 
 The Congress of the United States voted fifty- 
 thousand dollars, and their thanks, to commodore 
 Bainbridge, his officers and crew. They likewise 
 ordered a gold medal to be presented to commodore 
 Bainbridge, and silver ones to each of his officers, in 
 token of their esteem. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. ^l 
 
 The legislatures of Massachusetts and New York, 
 -xc. voted their thanks to commodore Bainbridge, his 
 officers, and crew.* 
 
 HORNET AND PEACOCK. 
 
 The Hornet, of eighteen guns, commanded by 
 '^.aptain Lawrence, as stated in the preceding article, 
 ■mailed in company with the Constituti jn. Such was 
 me eagerness of captain Lawrenc to engage the 
 Bonne Citoyenne, though a much .avgrr vessel, and 
 having a greater force, both in guns and men, that he 
 sent, through the American consul at St. Salvador, 
 a challenge to her commander, captain Green, pledg- 
 ing his honour, that neither the Constitution, nor any 
 other American vessels should interfere. This 
 pledge was confirmea by commodore Bainbridge, who 
 to show his sincerity, left the Hornet before St. Sal- 
 vador, and sailed on another cruise. The comman- 
 der of the Bonne Citoyenne, however did not see fi 
 to accept of the challenge, >7Ut suffered himself to b 
 blockaded by the Hornet. Captain Lawrence con 
 tinned for fourteen days off the harbour of St. Sal 
 vador, blockading the Bonne Citoyenne. Two oth- 
 er English vessels were likewise in the same port, 
 namely, the Fox, of twelve guns, and an armed 
 schooner. 
 
 * Clark's Naval History, vol. i. p. 188—192 
 11 
 
82 
 
 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 83 
 
 On the 24th of January, the Montague of seven- 
 ty-four guns, hove in sight, and drove the Hornet 
 into the harbour — but night coming on, she wore, 
 and stood out to the southward. Captain Lawrence, 
 knowing that the seventy-four had come for the 
 purpose of relieving the Bonne Citoyenne and pack- 
 et Fox from blockade, judged it most prudent to 
 change his cruising ground. He therefore hauled by 
 the wind to the westward, with the intention of cruis- 
 ing off Pernambuco. 
 
 On the 10th of February he captured the English 
 brig Resolution, of ten guns, bound to Maranham, 
 from Rio Janeiro, laden with coffee, jerked beef, flour, 
 fustic, butter, and about twenty-five thousand dollars 
 in specie. As this vessel sailed dull, and as captain 
 Lawrence could not spare hands to man her, he took 
 out the money, and set her on fire. 
 
 He then ran down the coast for Maranham ; and 
 cruised there a short time. Thence he ran off Sur- 
 inam. After cruising off that coast from the fifteenth 
 to the twenty-third of February, without meeting 
 with a vessel, he stood for Demarara ; and intended 
 should he not be fortunate on that station, to run 
 through the West Indies, on his way to the United 
 States — but, on the 24th, in the morning, he discov- 
 ered a brig to leeward ; to which he immediately 
 gave chase. Not having a pilot on board, he was 
 obliged to haul off. The fort at the entrance of De- 
 marara river bore southwest, distant about two and 
 a half leagues. Previous to giving up the chase, 
 captain Lawrence discovered a vessel at anchor 
 
84 
 
 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 86 
 
 without the bar, with English colours flying. She 
 appeared to be a brig of war. In beating round Car- 
 obana bank, in order to get to her, at half past three 
 p. M. he discovered another sail on his weather quar- 
 ter, edging down for him. At twenty minutes past 
 four, she hoisted English colours. She was now 
 discovered to be a large man of war brig. 
 
 Captain Lawrence immediately ordered his men 
 to quarters, and had the ship cleared for action. He 
 kept close by the wind, in order if possible, to get 
 the weathergage of the approaching vessel. At ten 
 minutes past five, finding he could weather the ene- 
 emy, he hoisted American colours and tacked. 
 About a quarter of an hour after this, the ships pass- 
 ed each other, and exchanged broadsides within half 
 pistol shot. Captain Lawrence observing the enemy 
 in the act of wearing, bore up, received his starboard 
 broadside, and ran him close on board on the star- 
 board quarter. From that position he kept up a 
 most severe and well directed fire. So great was 
 its effect, that, in less than fifteen minutes the Brit- 
 ish vessel struck. She was almost cut to pieces, and 
 hoisted an ensign, union down, from her fore rigging 
 as a signal of distress. Shortly after, her mainmast 
 went by the board. 
 
 Lieutenant Shubrick was despatched on board. 
 He soon returned with her first lieutenant, who report- 
 ed her to be his Britannick Majesty's brig Peacock, 
 commanded by captain William Peake, who fell in 
 the action — that a number of her crew were killed 
 and wounded — and that she was sinking very fast. 
 
86 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 having then six feet water in her hold. The boats 
 of the Hornet were immediately despatched for the 
 wounded. Both vessels were brought to anchor. 
 Those shot holes in the Peacock that could be got 
 at, were then plugged, and her guns thrown over- 
 6oard. Every exertion was used to keep her afloat, 
 until the prisoners could be removed, by pumping 
 and bailing, but without effect. She unfortunately 
 sunk in five and a half fathoms water, with thirteen 
 of her crew, and three of the Hornet's. Lieutenant 
 Connor, midshipman Cooper, and the remainder of 
 the men employed in removing the prisoners, with 
 difficulty saved themselves by jumping into a boat 
 that was lying on the booms, as the vessel went 
 down. Four men of the Peacock's crew, who were 
 on board when she went down, and were so fortunate 
 as to gain the foretop, were afterwards taken off by 
 the Hornet's boats. Previous to the Peacock's 
 sinking, four of her men took to her stern boat, 
 which had been much damaged during the action. 
 There was littfe or no prospect of their reaching the 
 land. They, however, arrived safe at Demarara. 
 
 Captain Lawrence could not ascertain from the 
 officers of the Peacock the exact number of killed. 
 Captain Peake and four men were found dead on 
 board. The master, one midshipman, carpenter, 
 captain's clerk, and twenty-nine seamen of the Pea- 
 cock, were wounded ; most of them very severely — 
 three died after being removed — nine were drowned. 
 
 The' Hornet had only one man killed, and two 
 sl'ghtly wounded. Two men were also severely 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 87 
 
 burnt by the explosion of a cartridge, one of whom 
 died a few days after. The rigging and sails of the 
 Hornet were much cut. A shot passed through the 
 foremasj ; the bowsprit was slightly injured ; but her 
 hull received very little injury. 
 
 At the time captain Lawrence brought the Pea- 
 cock to action, the Espiegle, the brig mentioned as 
 being at anchor, lay within six miles of the Hornet, 
 between her and the shore, and could plainly see 
 the whole of the action. She mounted eishteen 
 guns. Supposing that she would beat out to the as- 
 sistance of her consort, great exertions were used by 
 the officers and crew of the Hornet, to repair her 
 damages. By nine o'clock her boats were stowed ; 
 a new set of sails bent ; and the ship completely 
 ready for action. 
 
 At two o'clock, A. M. the Hornet got under way 
 and stood by the wind to the northward and west- 
 ward, under easy sail. On mustering next morning, 
 two hundred and seventy souls were found to be on 
 board the Hornet. As the crew of the latter had 
 been for some time on short allowance, captain Law- 
 rence resolved to make the best of his way to the 
 United States. 
 
 The Peacock was deservedly styled one of the 
 finest vessels of her class in the British navy. She 
 was 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 sixteen four 
 and-twenty pound carronades, two long nines, a 
 twelve pound carronade on her top gallant fore-castle 
 
88 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 as a shifting gun, and a four or six pounder, and two 
 swivels aft. By her quarter bill, her crew consisted 
 of one hundred and thirty-four men, four of whom 
 were absent in a prize, besides four men and one boy, 
 who were not on her quarter bill. 
 
 Of the Hornet's crew, the sailing master and 
 seven men were absent in a prize ; and lieutenant 
 Stewart and six men on the sick list. 
 
 The conduct of the Hornet's crew towards the 
 British seamen, who, by the sinking of their vessel, 
 had lost every thing except what they had on their 
 backs, manifested much humanity and generosity. 
 They raised among themselves a sufficiency to sup- 
 ply these distressed seamen, with two shirts, a blue 
 jacket and trowsers each. The surviving officers of 
 the Peacock returned a public acknowledgment to 
 the captain and officers of the Hornet, for the hu- 
 manity and kindness wherewith they treated them. 
 
 Captain Lawrence on his return to the United 
 States was received with great distinction and ap- 
 plause. The same tokens of approbation and esteem 
 Avere conferred on him by public bodies, with which 
 other gallant and successful commanders had been 
 honoured.* 
 
 CHESAPEAKE AND SHANNON. 
 
 The Chesapeake frigate, commanded by captain 
 Evans, sailed from Boston about the middle of No- 
 * Clark's Naval History, vol. i. p. 202—205. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 89 
 
 vember, 1812 ; and after a cruise of one hundred 
 and fifteen days, returned to Boston. During the 
 cruise several captures of some importance were 
 made. 
 
 The Chesapeake continued in Boston harbour 
 until the first of June, the day of her mifortunate 
 rencounter with the Shannon. Captain Lawrence, 
 of the Hornet, had a short time previous been ap- 
 pointed to command the Chesapeake, and hardly 
 had he arrived at Boston, when the Shannon, com- 
 manded by captain Broke, appeared off the harbour 
 with the avowed purpose of seeking a combat with 
 her. 
 
 " Stung with the repeated disasters of the British 
 frigates, this officer resolved to make an effort to 
 retrieve them ; and when he deemed his ship per- 
 fectly prepared for that purpose, sent a formal chal- 
 lenge to captain Lawrence. 
 
 " ' As the Chesapeake,' his letter began, ' appears 
 now^ ready for sea, I request you will do me the fa- 
 vour to meet the Shannon with her, ship to ship, to 
 try the fortune of our respective flags. To an offi- 
 cer of your character, it requires some apology for 
 proceeding to further particulars. Be assured, sir 
 that it is not from any doubt I entertain of your wishing 
 to close with my proposal but merely to provide an 
 answer to any objection that might be made, and 
 very reasonably, upon the chance of our receiving 
 unfair support.' After observing that commodore 
 Rodgers had not accepted several verbal challenges 
 which he had given, captain Broke then proceeds to 
 12 
 
90 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 State very minutely the force of the Shannon, ana 
 offers to send all British ships out of reach, so that 
 they might have a fair combat, at any place within a 
 certain range along the coast of New England which 
 he specified ; if more agreeable, he offers to sail to- 
 gether, and to warn the Chesapeake, by means of pri- 
 vate signals, of the approach of British ships of war, till 
 they reach some solitary spot — or to sail with a flag of 
 truce to any place out of the reach of British aid, so 
 that the flag should be hauled down when it was 
 deemed fair to begin hostilities. ' I entreat you, sir,' 
 he concludes, ' not to imagine that I am urged by 
 mere personal vanity to the wish of meeting the 
 Chesapeake, or that I depend only upon your per- 
 sonal am'uition for your acceding to this invitation. 
 We have both nobler moti^ ts,. You will feel it as a 
 compliment, if 1 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 feel convinced that it is only by re- 
 peated triumphs in even combats, that your little 
 navy can now hope to console your country for the 
 loss of that trade it can no longer protect.' 
 
 " The style of this letter, with the exception of the 
 puerile bravado about commodore Rodgers, is frank 
 and manly ; and if the force of the Shannon were 
 correctly stated, would be such a challenge as might 
 well be sent from a brave seaman to a gallant adver- 
 sary. We, however, are but too well satisfied, that 
 captain Broke studiously underrated the number of 
 Ois gu .IS and crew ; or that, after his challenge, he 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 91 
 
 must have received additions to both. That the 
 Shannon had more guns than the number stated by 
 her commander, we learn from the testimony of the 
 surviving officers of the Chesapeake ; who also assert, 
 that she had three hundred and seventy-six men ; 
 that she had an officer and sixteen men from the 
 Belle Poule ; and that the hats of some of her sea- 
 men were marked ' Tenedos.' Such as it was, how- 
 ever, this letter, most unfortunately, never reached 
 captain Lawrence. If he had received it ; if he had 
 been thus warned to prepare his ship ; if he had had 
 an opportunity of selecting his officers, and disciplin- 
 ing his crew ; if, in short, he had been able to place 
 the Chesapeake on anything like equal terms with the 
 Shannon, the combat might have been more bloody — 
 there might have been such an engagement as has not 
 yet been seen between single ships on the ocean; 
 though we cannot suffer ourselves to doubt the result of 
 it. But he knew nothing of this challenge — he saw 
 only the Shannon riding before him in defiance ; he re- 
 membered the spirit with which he himself over- 
 awed a superior, and he could not brook for a moment 
 that an enemy, which seemed to be his equal, should 
 insult his flag. Although, therefore, the Chesapeake 
 was comparatively an inferiour ship — although his 
 first lieutenant vi'as sick on shore — although three of 
 his lieutenants had recently left her ; and, of the 
 four who remained, two were only midshipmen, ac- 
 ting as lieutenants — although part of his crew were 
 new hands, and all of them had lost some of their 
 discipline by staying in port — yet, as he would have 
 
92 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 gone to sea in that situation Bad no enemy appeared, 
 he felt himself bound not to delay sailing on that ac- 
 count, and throwing himself, therefore, on his cour- 
 age and his fortune, he determined at once to attack 
 the enemy. It was on the morning of the 1st of 
 June, 1813, that the Chesapeake sailed out of the h'l»- 
 bour of Boston, to meet the Shannon. As soon as she 
 got under way, captain Lawrence called the crew to- 
 gether, and having hoisted the white flag, with the 
 motto of ' free trade and sailor's rights,' made a 
 short address. His speech, however, was received 
 with no enthusiasm — on the contrary, signs of dissat- 
 isfaction were evident ; particularly from a boat- 
 swain's mate, a Portuguese, who seemed to be at 
 the head of the malecontents ; and complaints were 
 muttered, that they had not yet received their prize 
 money. Such expressions, at the eve of an action, 
 were but ill-bodings of the result of it; but captain 
 Lawrence, ignorant as he was of the characters of 
 his sailors, and unwilling at such a moment to damp 
 their spirits by harshness, preserved his accustomed 
 calmness, and had prize-checks, at once, given by 
 the purser to those who had not received them. 
 Whilst this scene was passing, the Shannon, observing 
 the Chesapeake coming out, bore away. The Chesa- 
 peake followed her till four o'clock in the afternoon, 
 when she hauled up and fired a gun, on which the 
 Shannon hove to. They manoeuvred for some time, 
 till, at about a quarter before six, they approached 
 A^ithin pistol shot and exchanged broadsides. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 9d 
 
 " These broadsides were both bloody ; but th.' 
 fire of the Shannon was most fortunate m the de- 
 struction of officers. The fourth lieutenant, Mr. 
 Ballard, was mortally wounded — the sailing master 
 was killed, and captain Lawrence received a musket 
 ball in his leg, w^hich caused great pain, and profuse 
 bleeding, but he leaned on the companion way, ane 
 continued to order and to animate his crew. A se- 
 cond, and a third broadside was exchanged, with 
 evident advantage on the part of the Chesapeake ; 
 but, unfortunately, among those now wounded on 
 board of her was the first lieutenant, Mr. Ludlow, 
 who was carried below — three men were successive- 
 ly shot from the helm, in about twelve minutes from 
 the commencement of the action ; and as the hands 
 were shifting, a shot disabled her foresail, so that she 
 would no longer t her helm, and her anchor 
 
 caught in one of the after ports of the Shannon, 
 which enabled the latter to rake her upper deck. 
 As soon as captain Lawrence perceived that she was 
 falling to leeward, and that by the Shannon's filling 
 she would fall on board, he called his boarders, and was 
 giving orders about the foresail, when he received a 
 musket ball in his body. The bugleman, who should 
 have called the boarders, did not do his duty ; and, 
 at this moment, commodore Broke, whose ship had 
 sufT-'r.vl so much that he was preparing to repel board- 
 ing ; perceiving, from this accident, how the deck of 
 the <^nesapeake was swept, Jumped on board with 
 about twenty men. They would have been mstant- 
 Iv repelled ; but the captain, the first lieutenant, the 
 
94 I'AVAL BATTLES. 
 
 sailing-master, the boatswain, the lieutenant of ma- 
 rines, the only acting lieutenant on the spar-deck, 
 were all killed or disabled. At the call of the board- 
 ers, lieutenant Cox ran on deck, but just in time to 
 eceive his falling commander, and bear him below. 
 Lieutenant Budd, the second lieutenant, led up the 
 boarders, but only fifteen or twenty would follow him, 
 and with these he defended the ship till he Wits 
 wounded and disabled. Lieutenant Ludlow, wound- 
 ed as he was, hurried upon deck, where he soon '•e- 
 ceived a mortal cut from a sabre. The marines who 
 were engaged fought with desperate courage ; but 
 they were few in number ; too many of them having 
 followed the Portuguese boatswain's mate, who ex- 
 claimed, it is said, as he skulked below, ' so much 
 for not paying men their prize-money ' Meanwhile 
 the Shannon threw on board sixty additional men, who 
 soon succeeded in overpowering the seamen of the 
 Chesapeake, who had now no officer to lead or rally 
 them, and took possession of the ship ; which was 
 not, however, surrendered by any signal of submis- 
 sion, but became the enemy's only because they were 
 able to overwhelm all who were in a condition to 
 resist. 
 
 " As captain Lawrence was carried belovv^, he per- 
 ceived the melancholy condition of the Chesapeake, 
 but cried out, ' Don't surrender the ship.' He was 
 taken down into the ward-room, and as he lay in ex- 
 cruciating pain, perceiving that the noise above had 
 ceased, he ordered the surgeon to go on deck, and 
 tell the officers to fight on to the last, and never 
 
1\AVAL BATTLES. 95 
 
 strike their colours. 'They shall wave,' said he, 
 ' while I live.' But it was too late to resist or to 
 struggle longer ; the enemy had already possession 
 of the ship. As captain Lawrence's wounds would 
 not allow of his removal, he continued in the ward- 
 room, surrounded by his wounded officers, and, after 
 lingering in great pain for four days, during which 
 his sufferings were too acute to permit him to speak, 
 or, perhaps, to think of the sad events he had just 
 witnessed, gr do more than ask for what his situation 
 required, he died on the 3th of June. His body was 
 wrapped in the colours of the Chesapeake, and laid 
 on the quarter deck, until they arrived at Halifax, 
 where he was buried with the highest military and 
 naval honours ; the British officers forgetting in their 
 admiration of his character, that he had been but 
 lately their enemy. His pall was supported by the 
 oldest captains in the navy then at Halifax, and no 
 demonstration of respectful attention was omitted to 
 honour the remains of a brave, but unfortunate stranger. 
 
 " In this sanguinary engagement the Chesapeake 
 lost her commander and forty-seven men killed, and 
 ninety-seven wounded, of whom fourteen afterwards 
 died. Among these were lieutenant Ludlow, first 
 lieutenant of the ship, and lieutenant Ballard, the 
 fourth lieutenant, both excellent officers. 
 
 " On the part of the Shannon captain Broke was 
 dangerously wounded, though he has since recover- 
 ed ; the first lieutenant, the purser, captain's cler/ 
 and twenty-three seamen killed, and fifty-seven per 
 sons wounded, besides captain Broke. 
 
'NAVAL BATTLES. 97 
 
 " The captuie of the Chesapeake is to be ascribed 
 wholly to the extraordinary loss of officers (a loss 
 without any precedent, as far as we can recollect, in 
 naval history ;) and to her falling accidentally on 
 board the Shannon. During the three broadsides, 
 while the officers of the Chesapeake were living, and 
 she was kept clear of the enemy, the superiority was 
 manifestly with the Americans. The Chesapeake 
 had received scarcely any damage, while the Shan- 
 non had several shots between wind and water, and 
 could with difficulty be kept afloat during the suc- 
 ceeding night. It was only when accident threw 
 the Chesapeake on board the Shannon, when her 
 officers were unable to lead on the boarders, that 
 captain Broke himself, contrary, we believe, to the 
 regulations of the British navy, left his own ship, and 
 was able, by superior numbers, to overpower the 
 distracted crew of the Chesapeake. 
 
 " We have heard many accounts, which we are 
 very reluctantly compelled to believe, of improper 
 conduct by the British after the capture, and of bru- 
 tal violence offered to the crew of the Chesapeake. 
 As, however, some allowances are due to the exas- 
 perated passions of the moment, something too to the 
 confusion of a bloody and doubtful struggle, we are 
 unwilling to prolong the remembrance cJf imputations 
 which may be disproved, and perhaps have been ex- 
 aggerated. 
 
 "But we should wrong the memory of captain 
 
 Lawrence, we should be unjust to the officers of the 
 
 American navy, with whose glory all the aspiring 
 13 
 
98 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 ambition of the country is so closely blended, if we 
 omitted any opportunity of giving the last and fair- 
 est lustre to their fame, by contrasting their conduct 
 with that of the enemy, or if we forbore, from any 
 misplaced delicacy towards our adversaries, to repoit 
 circumstances connected with the fate of the Chesa- 
 peake, which throw a broad and dazzling light on the 
 generous magnanimity of our countrymen." 
 
 Our readers cannot have failed to observe the li- 
 berality which was extended to the officers and crews 
 of the Guerriere, Macedonian, and Java, and the 
 still more striking instance of the Peacock. " When 
 the Chesapeake was taken by the Shannon, the key 
 of captain Lawrence's store room was demanded 
 of the purser. It was given ; but the purser observ- 
 ed at the same time, that in the captures of the Guer- 
 riere, Macedonian, and Java, the most scrupulous re 
 gard was paid to the private property of the British 
 officers ; that captain Lawrence had laid in stores for 
 a Ions cruise ; and that the value of them would be a 
 great object to his widow and family, for whose use 
 he was desirous, if possible, of preserving them. This 
 request was not merely declined ; it was haughtily 
 and superciliously refused. 
 
 " However we may mourn the sufferings of that 
 day, the loss of the Chesapeake has not, in our esti- 
 mation, varied the relative standing of the marine of 
 the two countries ; nor does it abate, in the slightest 
 degree, any of the loftiness of our naval pretensions. 
 The contest was wholly unequal in ships, in guns, in 
 crews, in officers, in every thing. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 99 
 
 " The Shannon was a better ship ; she had not 
 upon her the curse of that ill-omened name, the 
 Chesapeake. The Shannon was a stronger ship ; she 
 mounted twenty-eight eighteen pounders on the main 
 deck, twenty-two thirty-two pound carronades, and 
 two long brass nine or twelves, on the spar deck, and a 
 larg^ carronade amidships, in all fifty-two guns, be- 
 sides this last heavy carronade ; while the Chesapeake 
 mounted twenty-eight eighteen pounders on the main 
 deck, and twenty thirty-two pound carronades, and 
 one eighteen pounder, chase gun, on the spar deck, in 
 all forty-nine guns. ' 
 
 " The Shannon had a better crew. Besides her 
 complement she had seamen from two other ships. 
 That crew, too, had been long at sea ; long in the 
 ship ; were known ; were tried ; and as commodore 
 Broke sent a challenge, were, of course, men on 
 whom, if they were not picked for the occasion, he 
 knew he could confide. The Chesapeake had, on 
 the contrary, in part, a new crew, unknown to their 
 officers, not yet knowing their places or the ship. 
 The ship had not been more than a few hours at 
 sea, and the landsmen and the landsw omen had been 
 dismissed from her on the very day of the engage- 
 ment. The ofticers, too, although we should be 
 the last to detract from their merits, and although the 
 manner in w^hich they fought their ship does them 
 the highest honour, the officers were young and few 
 in number, and had as yet hardly any opportunity of 
 disciplining or knowing their seamen ; yet, under 
 all these disadvantages, the great damage sustained 
 
100 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 by the Shannon, and the great loss of her crew, 
 all which took place before the boarding, warrant 
 completely the opinion, that, but for the accidental 
 loss of officers, the victory would have been with the 
 Chesapeake."* 
 
 Mr. Crowninshield, of Salem, obtained a flag of 
 Iruce for the purpose of conveying to the United 
 States the bodies of Lawrence and Ludlow, which 
 he performed. On his return to Salem, the bodies 
 of the departed heroes were conveyed, with the most 
 affecting ceremonies, from the cartel to the shore. 
 From the time the boats left the brig, until the bo- 
 dies were landed, minute guns were fired from the ves- 
 sels in the harbour. When placed upon the hearses, 
 they were covered with the colours, which t!iey 
 had so lately and so signally honoured, and movt-d 
 to a convenient distance for the procession to form, 
 which moved to solemn musick, to the meetinghouse. 
 The corpses were then placed in the centfe of the 
 church, by the seamen who rowed them to the 
 shore, and who stood, during the whole of the ser- 
 vice, leaning upon them in an attitude of mourning. 
 The church was hung with cyprus and evergreen. 
 The names of Lawrence and Ludlow appeared 
 in letters of gold, encircled by festoons of evergreen, 
 immediately m front of the desk. An eulogy was 
 pronounced by the honourable judge Story. After the 
 performances in the meetinghouse, the seamen con- 
 veyed the remains to the tomb, where the mason ick 
 societies and military corps, paid the last ritual hom- 
 Age to the illustrious dead. 
 
 * Port Folio. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 101 
 
 The bodies of the deceased, at the request of their 
 relatives, were afterwards carried to New York, and 
 interred with the respect due to brave men, sacrific- 
 ed in defence of their country. 
 
 COM. DECATUR BLOCKADED IN NEW LONDON. 
 
 In the early part of the summer, (1813,) commo- 
 dore Decatur, in the frigate United States, accom- 
 panied by the Macedonian, captain Jones, and the 
 sloop of war Hornet, put to sea from New York. 
 But a very superior force, consisting of line of battle 
 ships and frigates, hove in sight and gave chase im- 
 mediately after he left port. The American squad- 
 ron was fortunate enough to reach the harbour of 
 New London, where, for the remainder of the sum- 
 mer, they were blockaded, without any thing inter- 
 esting occurring except an attempt made to blow up 
 some of the English vessels by a fireship. The fire- 
 ship was called the Eagle, and fitted out for the pur- 
 pose by John Scudder. It was supposed that on her 
 being captured, she would be taken along side one 
 of the vessels of war, when, in attempting to unlade 
 her, a considerable quantity of powder and other 
 combustibles would have been set on fire. The at- 
 tempt was made in the month of June. She was 
 taken possession of by the British ; but blew up be- 
 
102 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 fore she got alongside any of their large vessels. At 
 the time of explosion, four boats were seen alongside 
 which were all, with the men on board them, de- 
 stroyed. It is supposed that upwards of one hundred 
 of the British perished. 
 
 CAPTURE OF THE EAGLE. 
 
 In the month of July, a fishing smack was sent by 
 commodore Lewis, of New York, for the purpose of 
 capturing by stratagem the sloop Eagle, a tender of 
 the Poictiers, a British vessel of seventy-four guns. 
 The smack was borrowed of some fishermen. A 
 calf, a sheep, and goose were put on board. Be- 
 tween thirty and forty men well armed with muskets 
 were secreted in the cabin, and fore peak of the 
 smack. Thus prepared she stood out to sea as if 
 going on a fishing voyage to the banks. Only three 
 men appeared on deck, dressed as fishermen. The 
 Eagle, on perceiving the smack, gave chase. After 
 coming along side, and discovering live stock on 
 board, she ordered the smack down to the commo- 
 dore, then about five miles off. The helmsman of the 
 smack answered, " Aye, aye, sir ; " and apparently 
 put up the helm for that purpose, which brought the 
 smack along side the Eagle, not more than three 
 yards distant. The watch word Lawrence, was then 
 given, and the armed men rushed on deck from be- 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 103 
 
 low ; and poured a volley of musketry ijito the ten- 
 der ; which drove her crew below with so much pre- 
 cipitancy, that they had not time to strike her col- 
 ours. As soon as sailing master Percival, who com- 
 manded the smack, perceived the deck of the Brit- 
 ish vessel cleared, he ordered his men to cease fir- 
 ing. Upon which one of the Eagle's crew appeared 
 on deck, and struck her colours. The Eagle was 
 safely taken into New York.* 
 
 THIRD CRUISE OF THE PRESIDENT 
 
 On the 23d of April, 1813, commodore Rodgers 
 piit to sea from Boston, in the President frigate, ac- 
 companied by the Congress, commanded by captain 
 Smith. On the 30th he took his departure from 
 President road. On the 3d of May, while in chase 
 of a British brig of war, near the shoal of George's 
 Bank, they passed to windward of three sail, one of 
 which was supposed to be the La Hogue, seventy- 
 four ; the others, the Nymph frigate and a merchant 
 brig. After getting clear of George's Bank, they 
 contirmed along southeastwardly, in the direction of 
 the southern edge of the Gulf stream, till the 8th of 
 May, when the President parted from the Congress. 
 Commodore Rodgers then shaped his course, as near 
 as the wind would permit, to intercept the enemy's 
 * Clark's Naval History, vol. i. p. 209. 
 
104 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 * 
 
 West India commerce, passing to the southward of 
 the Grand Bank. Not meeting with any thing in 
 this direction, except American vessels from Lisbon 
 and Cadiz, he changed his course to the northward. 
 Having reached the forty-eighth degree of north hit- 
 itude, he steered for the Azores, off which he eon 
 tinned in different directions till the 6th of June, 
 without meeting any British vessels. Being inform- 
 ed by an American vessel, that four days previous 
 she had passed a British convoy from the West In- 
 dies, the commodore crowded all sail in chase to 
 northeast. Though disappointed in falling in with the 
 convoy, he nevertheless captured four vessels. 
 
 Being then in latitude forty-six north, longitude 
 twenty-eight west, he determined to proceed to the 
 North Sea. He however did not meet with a single 
 vessel until off the Shetland Islands, and those he 
 there met with were Danish, under British license. 
 His water and provisions being now nearly exhaust- 
 ed, he put into North Bergen, in Norway, on the 
 27th of June. A scarcity in the country prevented 
 his obtaining provisions. After having filled his casks 
 with water, he departed on the 2d of July, towards 
 the Orkney Islands, and thence towards the North 
 Cape, for the purpose of intercepting a convoy of 
 twenty-five or thirty sail, which, it was said, would 
 leave Archangel about the middle of July, under the 
 protection of two sloops of war, This was confirm- 
 ed by two vessels he captured on the 1 8th of the same 
 month. In this, however, the commodore was dis- 
 appointed by a seventy-four and frigate making their 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 105 
 
 appearance off North Cape on the 19th of July, just 
 as he was in momentary expectation of meeting the 
 convoy. On first discovering these two vessels, 
 owing to the haziness of the weather, he could not 
 ascertain their character with precision. He accord- 
 ingly stood towards them until he discovered their 
 strength, when he hauled by the wind on the op- 
 posite tack to avoid them. But owing to faint vari- 
 able winds, and light for an entire day, for in that 
 latitude and season the sun appeared above the hori- 
 zon at midnight, the British vessels were enabled to 
 continue the chase upwards of eighty hours. At 
 times, owing to changes of the wind in favour of the 
 British vessels, they were brought near to the Presi- 
 dent. When these vessels gave chase to the Presi- 
 dent, the privateer Scourge of New York was in com- 
 pany, but so intent were the British in their chase 
 of the former, that the latter escaped. 
 
 Having but a very small quantity of provisions on 
 board his vessel, commodore Rodgers determined to 
 proceed to a more westerly station after having es- 
 caped from the superior British force that so long 
 chased him. He accordingly steered to intercept 
 the trade passing out of and into the Irish channel 
 where on the 23th of July and 2d of August he 
 made three captures ; but receiving information that 
 the British had a superior force in the vicinity, he 
 deemed it expedient to change his cruising ground. 
 After having made a circuit round Ireland, and hav- 
 ing come into the latitude of Cape Clear, he steered 
 for the Banks of Newfoundland, near to which he 
 14 
 
106 Iv« X BATTLES. 
 
 captured two mo e; vc sels : from one of these he ob- 
 tained informatic r. it the Bellerophon, a seventy- 
 four, and the Hyp ri' ii frigate, were on the eastern 
 part of the bank, only a few miles to the westward 
 of him. He however did not fall in with them. 
 From this place the commodore directed his cruise 
 to the United States, without seeing a single vessel 
 until the 22d of September, when, being near the 
 south shoal of Nantucket, he met with a Swedish 
 brig, and American cartel. By this time the provi- 
 sions, and particularly the bread on board the Presi- 
 dent, was so nearly expended, that it became indis- 
 pensably necessary for the commodore to put into 
 the first convenient port, after obtaining information 
 of the position of the British cruisers. This he ob- 
 tained by the capture of his Britanick Majesty's 
 schooner High Flyer, on the 23d, with which vessel 
 he arrived safe at Newport. 
 
 During this cruise commodore Rodgers captured 
 twelve vessels of which the crews amounted to two 
 hundred and seventy-one persons. He rendered 
 very effectual service to his country by harassing 
 the British commerce, and forcing them to detach a 
 great number of their vessels of war in an unsuc- 
 cessful pursuit.* 
 
 It is a circumstance, somewhat singular, that, since 
 the rencounter with the Belvidere, commodore Rodg- 
 ers has never met with an English frigate that was 
 not in company with a seventy-four ; notwithstanding 
 he cruised in the European seas, and coasted the 
 *■ Clark's Naval History, vol. i. p. 213—214 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 107 
 
 shores of Britain and Ireland. He twice traversed 
 over more than half the globe, without meeting a 
 British frigate ; and though he sought them in their 
 own seas, and along their own shores, he never had 
 the good fortune to bring one of them to action. 
 Yet, with all this, commodore Rodgers has suffered 
 no diminution of reputation. It is creditable to the 
 American character, to cherish and uphold the high 
 reputation of a meritorious officer, notwithstanding 
 opportunities have not been given him to display 
 his skill and prowess against an equal force of the 
 enemy. 
 
 CRUISE OF THE CONGRESS. 
 
 The Congress, after parting with the President, 
 on the 8th of May, proceeded, in a circuitous direc- 
 tion, to the southeast, crossing the equator, passing 
 the northeast coast of Brazil, and thence homeward. 
 During this cruise, captain Smith made prizes of three 
 valuable vessels of the enemy, two of which were 
 destroyed, after taking out the most valuable part of 
 their cargoes ; and the other given up to the prison- 
 ers, who were paroled. He arrived in Portsmouth 
 harbour on the 14th of December. 
 
108 NAVAL RATTLES. 
 
 ARGUS AND PELICAN. 
 
 Captain Allen, in the brig Argus, sailed from 
 the United States for France, having on board Mr. 
 Crawford, minister to the court of Paris, in May, 
 1813. He arrived there in the short passage of 
 twenty-three days, during which he captured and 
 destroyed a British schooner of six guns. 
 
 After remaining at L'Orient a few days, he pro- 
 ceeded on a cruise in the British channel, where he 
 captured tw enty English vessels ; the crews of which 
 he treated with humanity and generosity. 
 
 The injury which captain Allen did to the British 
 commerce is, in some of their papers, estimated to 
 the amount of two millions. While employed in 
 burning, sinking and destroying the enemy's proper- 
 ty, he was peculiarly careful to distinguish his char- 
 acter from those who depredated for selfish purposes 
 only. The property of the passengers was sacred 
 from hostility ; not an article of that kind would he 
 suffer to be touched. The passengers were allowed 
 to go belov/, and to take what they claimed as 
 their own, and no hands belonging to the Argus were 
 permitted to inspect them while they were employed 
 in so doing. 
 
 On one occasion, when a passenger had left his 
 surtout behind him, it was sent after him, in the boat : 
 on another occasion, captain Allen ordered one of 
 his hands, who was detected in the act of some petty 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 109 
 
110 N. T'f '. BATTLES. 
 
 plunder of this kind, « o be flogged at the gangway. 
 The English papers, \v lile they were writhing under 
 the severe injuries thus inflicted, were unanimous in 
 their testimonials of rvjspect to the conduct of this 
 gallant ofiicer, for the humanity and delicacy with 
 which he performed a se rvice so invidious. Probably 
 no action of his life c( uld more plainly distinguish 
 his character than this: he loved danger as much as 
 he abhorred to plunder he defenceless. 
 
 On the 14th of Augujt, being in latitude fifty-two 
 degrees fifteen minutes north, longitude five de- 
 grees fifty minutes west, he discovered, at four 
 o'clock, A. M. a large brig of war, standing down 
 under a press cf sail upo i the weather quarter of the 
 Argus. Captain A^'en immediately prepared to re- 
 ceive her; and beiug ui ible to get the weathergage, 
 he shortened sail, and gave her an opportunity ot 
 closing. At six o'clocl", the brig having displayed 
 English colours, the /d"gus hoisted the American 
 flag, wore round, and ^ave her the larboard broad- 
 side, being at this timt within grape distance, which 
 was returned, and the ; ction commenced within the 
 range of musketry. A ew minutes past six, captain 
 Allen was wounded ; '. id, being much exhausted by 
 the loss of blood, was aken below. At this time, 
 the Argus had lost her nain braces, main springstay, 
 gaff, and try-sail mast, and shortly after her sprit- 
 sail-yard, and the princ pal part of the rigging on the 
 larboard side of the fr emast. Lieutenant Watson, 
 upon whom the comm.- id of the vessel devolved, af- 
 ter captain All en Wi > carried below, received a 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. Ill 
 
 wound on the head from a grape shot, which, for a 
 time, rendered him incapable of attending to duty, 
 and he was also carried below. The command now 
 devolved upon lieutenant Allen ; the enemy, being 
 on the weather quarter of the Argus, edged off, .for 
 the purpose of getting under her stern, but the Argus 
 frustrated his attempt by giving him a broadside. 
 About half past six, the Argus, having lost the 
 use of her after-sails fell before the wind, when the 
 enemy succeeded in passing her stern, and ranged 
 upon the starboard side. The Wheel-ropes, and 
 rigging of every description being shot away, the 
 Argus became unmanageable ; and the enemy, not 
 having sustained any apparent damage, had it com- 
 pletely in his power to choose a position. By this 
 advantage he profited, and continued to play upon 
 her starboard quarter, occasionally shifting his situa- 
 tion, when lieutenant Watson returned to the deck, 
 and prepared to board the enemy ; but, in conse- 
 quence of the shattered condition of the Argus, was 
 unable to effect it. After this, the British continued 
 a raking fire, which could be but faintly opposed, the 
 guns of the Argus being much disabled, and seldom 
 brought to bear. Having suffered in the hull and 
 rigging, and also in killed and wounded, and being 
 exposed to a galling fire, which, from the enemy's 
 ability to manage, could not be avoided, lieutenant 
 Watson deemed it necessary to surrender. The Ar- 
 gus was then taken possession of by the British sloop 
 of war Pelican, of twenty-one carriage guns, viz. 
 sixteen thirty-two poui^d carronades, four long sixes, 
 
112 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 and one twelve pound carronade, commanded by 
 captain Maples. The Argus carried eighteen twen- 
 ty-four pounders, and two long twelves. 
 
 The loss on board the Pelican, as stated in the 
 British official account, was eight in killed and 
 wounded. 
 
 The loss in the Argus was six killed and twelve 
 wounded. Five of the wounded died soon after, 
 among whom was captain Allen, who lost his leg at 
 the second broadside, and died the next day. 
 
 It would be unjust to the feelings which are reviv- 
 ed by the preceding account, and ungrateful to the 
 memory of a brave and distinguished officer, to re- 
 cord in our pag^s only the circumstances which cost 
 him his life, and his countrymen so much poignant 
 regret. The prominent traits of his character, and 
 the honours paid to his remains, in a foreign land, 
 and by those who were his adversaries in war, should 
 be co-extensive with every register of naval achieve- 
 ments. 
 
 The following letter from John Hawker, Esq. 
 ci-devant American consul, w ill be read with interest. 
 
 Plymouth, August 19, 1813. 
 
 Sir. — The station I have had the honour to hold 
 for many years past, of American vice-consul, calls 
 forth my poignant feelings in the communication I 
 have to make to you of the death of your son, cap- 
 tain Allen, late commander of the United States brig 
 of war Argus, which vessel was captured on Satur- 
 day last, in the Irish channel, after a very sharp ac- 
 
NAVAL BATTLES, 113 
 
 tion of three quarters of an hour, by his Britannick 
 majesty's ship Pelican. 
 
 Early in the action he lost his left leg, but refused 
 to be carried below, till from loss of blood he fainted. 
 Messrs. Edwards and Delphy, midshipmen, and four 
 seamen were killed ; and lieutenant Watson, the 
 carpenter, boatswain, boatswain's mate, and seven 
 men wounded. Captain Allen submitted to amputa- 
 tion above the knee, while at sea. He was yester- 
 day morning attended by very eminent surgical gen- 
 tlemen, and removed from the Argus to the hospital, 
 where every possible attention and assistance would 
 have been afforded him had he survived ; but which 
 was not, from the first moment, expected, from the 
 shattered state of his thigh. At eleven, last night, 
 he breathed his last ! He was sensible, at intervals, 
 until within ten minutes of his dissolution, when he 
 sunk exhausted, and expired without a struggle ! 
 His lucid intervals were very cheerful, and he was 
 satisfied and fully sensible that no advice and assist- 
 ance would be wanting. A detached room was pre- 
 pared by the commissary and chief surgeon, and fe- 
 male attendants engaged, that every tenderness and 
 respect might be experienced. The master, purser 
 surgeon, and one midshipman, accompanied captain 
 Allen, who was also attended by his two servants. 
 
 I have communicated and arranged with the offi- 
 cers respecting the funeral, which will be in the most 
 respectful, and at the same time economical manner. 
 The port admiral has signified that it is the intention 
 
 of his Britannick majesty's government, that it be 
 15 
 
114 NAVAT- BATTLES. 
 
 publickly attended by officers of rank, and with mili- 
 tary honours. The time fixed for procession is on 
 Saturday, at eleven, a. m. A lieutenant-colonel's 
 guard of the royal marines is also appointed; A 
 wainscoat coffin has been ordered ; on the breast 
 plate of which will be inscribed as below.* Mr. 
 Delphy, one of the midshipmen, who lost both legs, 
 and died at sea, was buried yesterday in St. Andrew's 
 churchyard. I have requested that captain Allen 
 may be buried as near him, on the right (in the same 
 vault, if practicable,) as possible. 
 ' I remain, respectfully, sir, your most obedient, 
 humble servant. 
 
 (Signed) JOHN HAWKER, 
 
 Cidevant American vice-consul 
 To Gen. Allen, &c. &c. &c. Providence, R. I. 
 
 On the 21st of August, agreeably to previous ar- 
 rangement, the remains of the departed Allen were 
 interred at Plymouth. The following was the order 
 of the funeral procession. 
 
 PROCESSION. 
 
 Guard of Honour. 
 
 Lieutenant-colonel of royal marines, 
 
 with two companies of that corps, 
 
 Thb captains, subalterns and field-adjutant (Officers 
 
 with hat-bands and scarfs.) 
 
 Royal marine band. 
 
 * Tablet, whereon will be recorded the name, rank, age and 
 character of the deceased, and also of the midshipman, will be 
 placed (if it can be contrived) as I have suggested ; both having 
 lost their lives in fighting for the honour of their country. 
 
NAVAL BAT ;.SS. llo 
 
 Vicar and curate of t ':. Andiews. 
 * Clerk of dit :o. 
 
 THE HEARSi;, 
 
 With the corpse of the d< CP^^ed captain, 
 Attended by eight seamen, late of th 'as, with crape round 
 
 their arms, tied with white c^upe ribbon. 
 
 Also, eight British captains of the royal navy, as pall-bearers, 
 
 with hat-bands and scarfs. 
 
 Captain Allen's servants in mourning. 
 
 The officers, late of the Argus, in uniform, with crape sashes 
 
 and hat-bands, two and two. 
 
 John Hawker, Esq. late American vice-consul, and his clerks, 
 
 Captain Pellovve, commissioner for prisoners of war. 
 
 Dr. M'Grach, chief medical officer at Mill Prison depot. 
 
 Captains of the royal navy, in port, two and two 
 
 Followed by a very numerous and respectable 
 
 retinue of inhabitants. 
 
 The procession left Mill Prison at twelve o'clock. 
 The coffin was covered with a velvet pall, on which 
 was spread the American ensign, under which the 
 action was fought, and on that the hat and sword of 
 the deceased were laid. On the coffin being remov- 
 ed to the hearse, the guard saluted ; and when de- 
 posited in the hearse, the procession moved forward, 
 the band played the " Dead march in Saul." On 
 their arrival near the church, the guard halted and 
 clubbed arms, single files inward, through which the 
 procession passed to the church, into which the corpse 
 was carried, and deposited in the centre aisle, whilst 
 the funeral service was read by the reverend vicar, 
 after which it was removed and interred in the south 
 yard, (passing through the guard the same order 
 from as to the church, on the right of Mr. Delphy, 
 
116 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 midshipman of the Argus, who lost both his legs in 
 the same action, and was buried the preceding eve- 
 ning. 
 
 Thus lived and thus died William Henry Allen. 
 
 By the company and conversation of the" elegant 
 and polite, the hard and severe duties of the sailor 
 acquired a sort of polish, and his character present- 
 ed that combination of gallantry, grace and intrepi- 
 dity, that so irresistibly attracts. In the hour of 
 danger, he was calm, intrepid and persevering ; in pri- 
 vate intercourse, guarded, affable and delicate. En- 
 tering into the navy with large and expanded ideas of 
 honour, the perils he encountered, and the hard ser- 
 vices he endured, consolidated his romantick and 
 floating visions into rules and principles of action. 
 By never lowering his lofty standard amidst the jus- 
 tie of contending difficulties, he at length arrived at 
 it ; and new trials served only to call into exercise 
 new and unexplored resources of fortitude. He had 
 so long forsaken every other consideration for glory, 
 that he finally measured his life by this standard, and 
 felt a repulsive antipathy to whatever fell short of 
 that measure. 
 
 There has seemed a sort of compact among our 
 naval commanders, never to quit their station on 
 deck. Allen, in his mutilated state, refused to be 
 carried below, and fainted on the deck from loss of 
 blood. Lawrence showed the same determined spir- 
 it, and never left his station until he was too far ex- 
 hausted by his wounds to animate his men by his ex- 
 ample. Burrows, although mortally wounded at his 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 117 
 
 quarters, still remained at his post, survived the ac- 
 tioii, and there received the sword of his gallant and 
 intrepid antagonist. 
 
 The following extract from captain Allen's letter, 
 addressed to his sister, will show the character of 
 this intrepid officer in an amiable light : 
 
 " When you shall hear that I have ended my earth- 
 ly career, that I only exist in the kind remembrance 
 of my friends, you will forget my follies, forgive my 
 faults, call to mind some little instances dear to re- 
 flection, to excuse your love for me, and shed one 
 tear to the memory of HENRY." 
 
 ENTERPRIZE AND BOXER. 
 
 On the 1st of September, the United States brig 
 Enterprize, commanded by lieutenant William Bur- 
 rows, sailed from Portsmouth on a cruise. On the 
 morning of the 3d, Burrows discovered a schooner, 
 which was chased into Portland harbour, where the 
 Enterprize was brought to anchor. Having received 
 information of several privateers being off Manhagan, 
 he weighed anchor and swept out the following 
 morning, and stood for chat place. Next day a large 
 brig of war was discovered, to which chase was im- 
 mediately given. The enemy fired several guns, 
 and stood for the Enterprize, with four ensigns hoist- 
 ed. After manoeuvring and reconnoitering for some 
 
118 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 time for the purpose of discovering the force of the 
 enemy, lieutenant Burrows, about three in the after- 
 noon, shortened sail, tacked, and run down, with the 
 intention of bringing her to close action. At twenty 
 minutes after three the firing commenced from both 
 vessels, within half pistol shot. The action contin- 
 ued for about a quarter of an hour, when the Enter- 
 prize ranged ahead of the enemy, rounded to, and 
 raked her. Shortly after the main-top-mast and top 
 sail-yard of the enemy came down. The foresail of 
 the Enterprize was then set, and she took a position 
 on the Starboard bow of the enemy, and continued to 
 rake her, until, about forty minutes after the com- 
 mencement of the action, the enemy ceased firing, 
 and cried for quarters : their colours being nailed to 
 the masts, could not be hauled down. 
 
 The prize proved to be the British brig Boxer, of 
 fourteen guns. The number of her crew could not 
 be ascertained, but sixty-four prisoners were taken, 
 includins: seventeen wounded. On board the Enter- 
 prize there was only one killed and thirteen wounded, 
 two of whom died of their wounds. 
 
 Lieutenant Burrows fell in the commencement of 
 the action, he, however, refused to be carried below, 
 but, raising his head, requested that the flag might 
 never be struck. When the sword of the vanquished 
 enemy was presented to the dying conqueror, he 
 clasped his hands and said, " I am satisfied ; I die 
 contented ;" and then, and not till then, would he 
 consent to be carried below, where every atteniion 
 was paid to save his life, but in vain. A few hours 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 119 
 
120 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 after the victory he breathed his last. — Captain 
 Blythe, the commander of the Boxer, also fell in the 
 commencement of the action, having received a can- 
 non shot through the body. His remaii^ in compa- 
 ny with those of lieutenant Burrows, were brought 
 to Portland, where the two commanders were inter- 
 red, sid^ by side, with military honours. 
 
 The Boxer was so much damaged in her sails, rig- 
 ging, spars, hull, &c. as to render it difficult to carry 
 her into port. The Enterprize received but trifling 
 injury. On an examination of the prize, she was ad- 
 judged wholly to the captors, agreeably to law, as a 
 vessel of superior force. 
 
 Soon after the arrival of the Enterprize and her 
 prize at Portland, the bodies of the two commanding 
 officers, lieutenant Burrows and captain Blythe, were 
 brought on shore in ten oared barges, rowed at min- 
 ute strokes by masters of ships, accompanied by 
 most of the barges and boats in the harbour, while 
 minute guns were fired from the two vessels. A 
 grand procession was then formed, the corpse of lieu- 
 tenant Burrows preceding, and the interment took 
 place with all the honours that the civil and military 
 authorities at the place, and the great body of the 
 people, could bestow. During the procession forts 
 Preble and Scammel, (names dear to their country,) 
 j&red minute guns. 
 
 It is worthy of record that the crew of the Boxer 
 ivere permitted to march in the late procession at Port- 
 land, when their late captain was interred. Such was 
 not the case with the crew of the Chesapeake. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 121 
 
 The following documents we think will be read 
 with more satisfaction than any thing we could write 
 on the same subject ; especially the letter from lieut- 
 enant M'Call, the officer on whom the command of 
 the Enterprize devolved after lieutenant Burrows was 
 rendered incapable of directing the action. 
 
 Copy of a letter from captain Hull to the Secretary of the Navy, 
 Portland, September 7, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I had the honour last evening to forwara 
 you by express, through the hands of commodore 
 Bainbridge, a letter received from Samuel Storer, 
 Esq. navy agent at this place, detailing an account 
 of the capture of the British brig Boxer by the United 
 States brig Enterprize. 
 
 I now have to inform you that I left Portsmouth 
 this morning, and have this moment arrived, and, as 
 the mail is closing, I have only time to enclose you 
 the report of lieutenant M'Call, of the Enterprize, 
 and to assure you that a statement of the situation 
 of the two vessels as to the damage they have re- 
 ceived, &c. shall be forwarded as soon as surveys can 
 be made. The Boxer has received much damage in 
 her hull, masts and sails, indeed it was with difficulty 
 she could be kept afloat to get her in. The Enter- 
 prize is only injured in her masts and sails. I have 
 the honour to be, Slc. 
 
 ISAAC HULL. 
 
 The Hon. Wm. Jones, Secretary of the Navy. 
 
 16 
 
122 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 United States brig Enterprize, Portland, September 7, 1813 
 Sir, — In consequence of the unfortunate death of 
 lieutenant-commandant William Burrows, late com- 
 mander of this vessel, it devolves on me to acquaint 
 you with the result of the cruise. 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 
 this harbour, where we anchored. On the morning 
 of the 4th, weighed anchor and swept out, and con- 
 tinued our course to the eastw^ard. Having re- 
 ct ived information of several privateers being off 
 Manhagan, we stood for that place ; and on the fol- 
 lowing morning, in the bay near Penguin Point, dis- 
 covered 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 to which 
 she belonged, we hauled upon a wind to stand out 
 of the bay, and at three o'clock shortened sail; tack- 
 ed to run down with an intention to bring her to close 
 action. At twenty minutes after three, p. m. when, 
 within half pistol shot, the firing commenced from 
 both, and after being warmly kept up, and with some 
 manoeuvring, the enemy hailed and said they had 
 surrendered, about four, p. m. — their colours being 
 nailed to the masts, could not be hauled down. She 
 proved to be his Britannick majesty's brig Boxer, of 
 fourteen guns, Samuel Blythe, Esq. commander, who 
 fell in the early part of the engagement, having re- 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 123 
 
 ceived a cannon shot througli the body. And I am 
 sorry to add that lieutenant Burrows, who had gal- 
 lantly led us into action, fell also about the same time 
 by a musket ball, which ternjinated his existence in 
 eight hours. 
 
 The Enterprise suffered much in spars and rigging 
 and the Boxer in sj>ars, rigging and hull, 'liaving 
 many shots between wind and water. 
 
 It would be doing injustice to the merit of Mr. 
 Tillinghast, second lieutenant, were I not to men- 
 tion the able assistance I received from him during 
 the remainder of the engagement, by his suict at- 
 tention to his own division and other departments. 
 And of the officers and crew jrenerally, I am happy to 
 add, their cool deterujined conduct have my yvarmest 
 approbation and applause. 
 
 As no muster roll that can be fully relied on has 
 come into my possession, I cannot exactly state the 
 number killed and wounded on Ix^ard the Boxer, but 
 from information received from the officers of that 
 vessel, it appears there were between "twenty and 
 twenty-five killed and fourteen wounded. Enclosed 
 is a list of the killed and wounded on board of the 
 Enterprize. I have the honour to be. fcc. 
 
 EDWARD R. M'CALL, Senior Officer. 
 
 isAAC Hi-'LL, Esq. commanding navaJ officer 
 on the eastern station- 
 
 A Card. — Captain Hull, with the officers and 
 crew of the United States brig Enterprise, are deep- 
 ly impressed with the readiness and alacrity with 
 
124 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 which the inhabitants of Portland, in their civil and 
 military departments, assembled to do honour to the 
 memory of the brave lieutenant William Burrows, 
 late commander of the Enterprize, who fell in the 
 gallant action with his Britannick majesty's brig 
 Boxer, which she captured and brought into this port ; 
 and beg they will receive their grateful acknowledg- 
 ments for their very handsome tribute of respect ex- 
 hibited in their attendance on the funeral of that 
 brave officer, as well as that of his gallant competi- 
 tor, captain Samuel Blythe, late commander of the 
 Boxer, who fell in the same action, and to whom 
 equal honours were paid in every respect, in their 
 funeral obsequies, exhibiting to the world an evidence 
 of that character which the Americans are proud to 
 possess, of showing every tribute of respect to a 
 brave enemy who has fallen in combat, and of ex- 
 tending to those in their power every mark of liber- 
 ality and comfort consistent with their situation as 
 prisoners. 
 
 Captain Hull, with the officers and crew of the 
 Enterprize, embrace the present occasion to express 
 the sense which they entertain of the prompt atten- 
 tion and of the active and humane exertions of Sam- 
 uel Storer, Esq. the United States navy agent at 
 Portland, in having every accommodation provided 
 for the wounded on board the United States brig 
 Enterprize as well as those on board the Boxer, be- 
 tween whom no distinction was made. And they 
 likewise beg the physicians of Portland who have 
 been so kind as to affijrd the most prompt and am- 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 125 
 
 pie exercise of their professions towards the wound- 
 ed of both vessels, to accept their best thanks. 
 
 Extract of a letter from captain Hull to commodore Bainbridge, 
 dated, September 10, 1813. 
 
 " I yesterday visited the two brigs, and was aston- 
 ished to see the difference of injury sustained in the 
 action. The Enterprize has but one eighteen pound 
 shot in her hull, one in her mainmast, and one in her 
 foremast; her sails are much cut with grape shot, 
 and there are a great number of grape lodged in her 
 sides, but no injury done by them. The Boxer has 
 eighteen or twenty eighteen pound shot in her hull, 
 most of them at the water's edge — several stands 
 of eighteen pound grape stick in her side, and such 
 a quantity of small grape that 1 did not undertake to 
 count them. Her masts, sails and spars, are literal- 
 ly cut to pieces, several of her guns dismounted and 
 unfit for service ; her top gallant forecastle nearly tak- 
 en off by the shot, her boats cut to pieces, and her 
 quarters injured in proportion. To give you an idea 
 of the quantity of shot about her, I inform you that 
 I counted in her mainmast alone three eighteen pound 
 shot holes, eighteen large grape shot holes, sixteen 
 musket ball holes, and a large number of smaller 
 shot holes, without counting above the cat harpins. 
 
 " We find it impossible to get at the number kil- 
 led ; no papers are found by which we can ascertain 
 it — I however, counted upwards of ninety hammocks 
 which were in her netting with beds in them, besides 
 several beds without hammocks ; and she has excel- 
 
126 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 accommodations for all her officers below in state- 
 rooms, so that I have no doubt that she had one hun- 
 dred men on board. We know that she has several 
 of the Rattler's men on board, and a quantity of wads 
 was taken out of the Rattler, loaded with four large 
 grape shot, with a small hole in the centre to put in 
 a cartridge that the inside of the wad may take fire 
 when it leaves the gun. In short, she is in every re- 
 spect completely fitted, and her accomodations ex- 
 ceed any thing I have seen in a vessel of her class." 
 A publick dinner was given at Portland to lieute- 
 nant M'Call and the other officers of the Enterprize, 
 for their gallant conduct in the action with the Box- 
 er. 
 
 THE ESSEX. 
 
 Captain Porter, in the frigate Essex, proceeded 
 to sea from the Delaware, on the twenty-seventh of 
 October, 1812, and repaired, agreeably to instruc- 
 tions from commodore Bainbridge, to the coast of 
 Brazil, where different places of rendezvous had 
 been arranged between them. In the course of his 
 cruise on this coast he captured his Britannick majes- 
 ty's packet Nocton, and after taken out of her about 
 eleven thousand pounds sterling in specie, ordered 
 her for America. Hearing of commodore Bain- 
 bridge's victorious action with the Java, which would 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 127 
 
 oblige him to return to port, and of the capture of 
 the Hornet by the Montague, and learning that there 
 was a considerable augmentation of British force on 
 the coast, and several ships in pursuit of him, he 
 abandoned his hazardous cruising ground, and stretch- 
 ed away to the southward, scouring the coast as 
 far as Rio de la Plata. From tbence he shaped 
 his course for the Pacifick Ocean, and, after suffering 
 greatly for want of provisions, and heavy gales off 
 Cape Horn, arrived at Valparaiso, on the i4th of 
 March, 181.3. Having victualled his ship, he ran 
 down the coast of Chili and Peru, and fell in with a 
 Peruvian corsair, having on board twenty-four Ameri- 
 cans, as prisoners, the crews of two whaling ships, 
 which she had taken on the coast of Chili. The 
 Peruvian captain justified %is conduct on the plea of 
 being an ally of Great Britain, and the expectation 
 likewise of a speedy war between Spain and the 
 United States. Finding him resolved to persist in 
 similar aggressions, captain Porter threw all his guns 
 and ammunition into the sea, liberated the Americans, 
 and wrote a respectful letter to the viceroy explain- 
 ing his reasons for so doing, which he delivered to 
 the captain. He then proceeded to Lima, and lucki- 
 ly recaptured one of the American vessels as she was 
 entering the port. 
 
 After this he cruised for several months in the 
 Pacifick, i»flicting immense injury on the British 
 commerce in those waters. He was particularly 
 destructive to the shipping employed in the sperma- 
 ceti whale fishery. A great number with valuable 
 
128 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 cargoes were captured ; two were given up to the 
 prisoners ; three sent to Valparaiso and laid up ; 
 three sent to America ; one of them he retained' as a 
 storeship, and another he equipped with twenty guns, 
 called the Essex junior, and gave the command of her 
 to lieutenant Downes. Most of these ships mount- 
 ed several guns, and had numerous crews ; and as 
 several of them were captured by boats or by prizes, 
 the officers and men of the Essex had frequent op- 
 portunities of showing their skill and courage, and 
 of acquiring experience and confidence in naval con- 
 flict. 
 
 Having now a little squadron under his command, 
 captain Porter became a complete terror in those 
 seas. As his numerous prizes supplied him abund- 
 antly with provisions, clothing, medicine, and naval 
 stores of every description, he was enabled for a long 
 time to keep the sea, without sickness or inconve- 
 nience to his crew ; living entirely on the enemy, 
 and being enabled to make considerable advances 
 of pay to his officers and crew without drawing on 
 government. The unexampled devastation achieved 
 by his daring enterprises, not only spread alarm 
 throughout the ports of the Pacifick, but even occa- 
 sioned great uneasiness in Great Britain. 
 
 Numerous ships were sent out to the Pacifick in 
 pursuit of him ; others were ordered to cruise in the 
 China seas, off New Zealand, Timor and New Hol- 
 land, and a frigate sent to the river La Plata. The 
 manner in which captain Porter cruised, however, 
 completely baffled pursuit. Keeping in the open 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. ' 129 
 
 sea, or lurking among the numerous barren and des- 
 olate islands that form the Gallipagos group, and 
 never touching on the American coast, he left no tra- 
 ces by which he could be followed ; rumour, while 
 it magnified his exploits, threw his pursuers at fault ; 
 they were distracted by vague accounts of captures 
 made at different places, and of frigates supposed to 
 be the Essex hoverins; at the same time off different 
 coasts and haunting different islands. 
 
 In the mean while captain Porter, though wrapped 
 in mystery and uncertainty himself yet received fre- 
 quent and accurate accounts of his enemies, from the 
 various prizes which he had taken. Lieutenant 
 Downes, also, who had convoyed the prizes to Val- 
 paraiso, on his return, brought advices of the expect- 
 ed arrival of commodore Hillyar in the Phcebe fri- 
 gate rating thirty-six guns accompanied by two 
 sloops of war. Glutted with spoil and havock, and 
 sated with the easy and inglorious captures of mer- 
 chantmen, captain Porter now felt eager for an op- 
 portunity to meet the enemy on equal terms, and to 
 signalize his cruise by some brilliant achievement. 
 Having been nearly a year at sea, he found that his 
 ship would require some repairs, to enable her to 
 face the foe ; he repaired, therefore, accompanied 
 by several of his prizes, to the Island of Nooah- 
 eevah, one of the Washington group, discovered by 
 a captain Ingraham of Boston. Here he landed, 
 took formal possession of the island in the name of 
 the government of the United States, and gave it the 
 
 name of Madison's Island. He found it large, pop- 
 17 
 
130 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 ulous and fertile, abounding with the necessaries of 
 life ; the natives in the vicinity of the harbour which 
 he had chosen received him in the most friendly 
 manner, and supplied him with abundance of provi- 
 sions. During his stay at this place he Jiad several 
 encounters with some hostile tribes on the island, 
 whom he succeeded in reducing to subjection. 
 
 Having calked and completed overhaled the ship, 
 made for her a new set of water casks, and taken on 
 board from the prizes provisions and stores for up- 
 wards of four months, he sailed for the coast of Chili 
 on the 12th December, 1813. Previous to sailing 
 he secured the three prizes which had accompanied 
 him, under the guns of a battery erected for their 
 protection, and left them in charge of lieutenant 
 Gamble of the marines and twenty-one men, with or- 
 ders to pVoceed to Valparaiso, after a certain period. 
 
 After cruising on the coast of Chili without suc- 
 cess, he proceeded to Valparaiso, in hopes of falling 
 in with commodore Hillyar, or, if disappointed in this 
 wish, of capturing some merchant ships said to be ex- 
 pected from England. While at anchor at this port, 
 commodore Hillyar arrived, having long been search- 
 ing in vain for the Essex, and almost despairing of ever 
 meeting with her. Contrary to the expectations of 
 captain Porter, however, commodore Hillyar, besides 
 his own frigate, superior in itself to the Essex, was 
 accompanied by the Cherub sloop of war, strongly 
 armed and manned. These ships, having been sent 
 out expressly to seek for the Essex, were in prime 
 order and equipment, with picked crews, and hoisted 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 131 
 
 flags bearing the motto " God and country, British 
 sailors' best rights : traitors offend both." This was 
 in opposition to captain Porter's motto of " Free 
 trade and sailors' rights," and the latter part of it 
 suggested doubtless, by errour industriously cherish- 
 ed, that our crews are chiefly composed of English 
 seamen. In reply to this motto captain Porter hoist- 
 ed at his mizzen, " God, our country, and liberty : 
 tyrants offend them." On entering the harbour the 
 Phrebe fell foul of the Essex in such manner as to 
 lay her at the mercy of captain Porter ; out of re- 
 spect, however, to the neutrality of the port, he did 
 not take advantage of her exposed situation. This 
 forbearance was afterwards acknowledged by com- 
 modore Hillyar, and he passed his word of honour 
 to observe like conduct while they remained in port. 
 They continued therefore, while in harbour and on 
 shore in the mutual exchange of courtesies and kind 
 oflices that should characterise the private intercourse 
 between civilized and generous enemies. And the 
 crews of the respective ships often mingled together 
 and passed nautical jokes and pleasantries from one 
 to the other. 
 
 On getting their provisions on board, the Phoebe 
 and Cherub went off the port, where they cruised 
 for six weeks, rigorously blockading captain Porter. 
 Their united force amounted to eighty-one guns and 
 five hundred men, in addition to which they took on 
 board the crew of an English letter of marque lying 
 in port. The force of the Essex consisted of but 
 forty-six guns, all of which, excepting six long 
 
132 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 twelves, were twentj-two pound carronades, only 
 serviceable in close fighting. Her crew, having been 
 much reduced by the manning of prizes, amounted to 
 but two hundred and fifty-five men. The Essex 
 junior being only intended as a storeship, mounted, 
 ten eighteen pound carronades and ten short sixes 
 with a complement of only sixty men. 
 
 This vast superiority of force on the part of the 
 enemy prevented all chance of encounter, on any 
 thing like equal terms, unless by express covenant 
 between the commanders. Captain Porter, there- 
 fore, endeavoured repeatedly to provoke a challenge 
 (the inferiority of his frigate to the Phoebe not jus- 
 tifying him ,in making the challenge himself,) but 
 without effect. He tried frequently also to bring the 
 Phoebe into single action ; but this commodore Hillyar 
 warily avoided, and always kept his ships so close 
 together as to frustrate captain Porter's attempts. 
 
 Finding it impossible to bring the enemy to equal 
 combat ; and fearing the arrival of additional force, 
 which he understood was on the way, captain Porter 
 determined to put to sea the first opportunity that 
 should present. A rendezvous was accordingly ap- 
 pointed for the Essex junior, and having ascertained 
 by repeated trials that the Essex was a superior sail- 
 er to either of the blockading ships, it was agreed 
 that she should let the enemy chase her off; thereby 
 giving the Essex junior an opportunity of escaping. 
 
 On the next day, the 28th of March, the wind 
 came on to blow fresh from the southward, and the 
 Essex parted her larboard cable and dragged hei 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 133 
 
 starboam ancnor directly out to sea. Not a moment 
 was lost in getting sail on the ship ; but perceiving 
 that the enemy was close in with the point form- 
 ing the west side of the bay, and that there was a 
 possibility of passing to windward, and escaping to 
 sea by superior sailing, captain Porter resolved to 
 hazard the attempt. He accordingly took in his top- 
 gallant-sails and braced up for the purpose, but most 
 unfortunately on rounding the point a heavy squall 
 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, and 
 the crippled state of his ship left captain Porter no al- 
 ternative but to endeavour to regain the port. Find- 
 ing it imposible to get back to the common anchor- 
 age, he ran close into a small bay about three quar- 
 ters of a mile to leeward of the battery, on the east 
 of the harbour, and let go his anchor within pistol 
 shot of the shore. Supposing the enemy would, as 
 formerly, respect the neutrality of the place, he con- 
 sidered himself secure, and thought only of repairing 
 the damages he had sustained. The wary and men- 
 acing approach of the hostile ships, however, display- 
 ing their motto flags and having Jacks at all their 
 masts' heads, soon showed him the real danger of 
 his situation. With all possible despatch he got his 
 ship ready for action, and endeavoured to get a spring 
 on his cable, but had not succeeded, when, at fifty- 
 four minutes past three p. m. the enemy cammenced 
 an attack. 
 
134 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 At first the Phoebe lay herself under his stern and 
 the Cherub on his starboard bow ; but the latter 
 soon finding herself exposed to a hot fire, bore up and 
 ran under his stern also, where both ships kept up a 
 severe and raking fire. Captain Porter succeeded 
 three different times in getting springs on his cables, 
 for the purpose of bringing his broadside to bear on the 
 enemy, but they were as often shot away by the ex- 
 cessive fire to which he was exposed. Pie was ob- 
 liged, therefore, to rely for defence against this tre- 
 mendous attack merely on three long twelve pound- 
 ers, which he had ran out of the stern ports ; and 
 which were worked with such bravery and skill, as 
 in half an hour to do great injury to both the enemy's 
 ships, and induce them to hale off and repair dama- 
 ges. It was evidently the intention of commodore 
 Hillyar to risk nothing from the daring courage of 
 his antagonist, but to take the Essex at as cheap a 
 rate as possible. All his manoeuvres w^ere deliberate 
 and wary ; he saw his antagonist completely at his 
 mercy, and prepared to cut him up in the safest and 
 surest manner. In the mean tiiue the situation of 
 the Essex was galling and provoking in the extreme ; 
 crippled and shattered, with many killed and wound- 
 ed, she lay awaiting the convenience of the enemy, 
 to renew the scene of slaughter, with scarce a hope 
 of escape or revenge. Her brave crew, however, in 
 place of being disheartened, were aroused to despera- 
 tion, and by hoisting ensigns in their rigging, and 
 jacks in different parts of the ship, evinced their de- 
 fiance and determination to hold out to the last. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 135 
 
 The enemy having repaired his damages, now 
 placed himself, with both his ships, on the starboard 
 quarter of the Essex, out of reach of her carronades, 
 and where her stern guns could not be brought to 
 bear. Here he kept up a most destructive fire, which 
 it was not in captain Porter's power to return ; the 
 latter, therefore, saw no hope of injuring him with- 
 out getting under way and becoming the assailant. 
 From the mangled state of his rigging, he could set 
 no other sail than the flying Jib ; this he caused to be 
 hoisted, cut his cable, and ran down on both ships, 
 with an intention of laying the Phoebe on board. 
 
 For a short time he was enabled to close with the 
 enemy, and the firing on both sides was tremendous. 
 The decks of the Essex were strewed with dead, 
 and her cockpit filled with wounded ; she had been 
 several times on fire, and was in fact a perfect 
 wreck ; still a feeble hope sprung up that she might 
 be saved, in consequence of the Cherub being com- 
 pelled to hale off by her crippled state ; she did not 
 return to close action again, but kept up a dis- 
 tant firing with her long guns. The disabled state 
 of the Essex, however, did not permit her to take 
 advantage of this circumstance ; for want of sail she 
 wa9»unable to keep at close quarters with the Phoebe 
 who, edging off, chose the distance which best suited 
 her long guns, and kept up a tremendous fire, which 
 made dreadful havock among our crew. Many of the 
 guns of the Essex were rendered useless, and many 
 had their whole crews destroyed — they were man- 
 ned from those that were disabled, and one gun in 
 
136 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 particular was three times manned ; fifteen men 
 were slain at it in the course of the action, though 
 the captain of it escaped with only a slight wound. 
 Captain Porter now gave up all hope of closing 
 with the enemy, but finding the wind favourable, de- 
 termined to run his ship on shore, land the crew, and 
 destroy her. He had approached within musket 
 shot of the shore, and had every prospect of succeed- 
 ing, when, in an instant, the wind shifted from the 
 land and drove her down upon the Phoebe, exposing 
 her again to a dreadful raking fire. The ship was 
 now totally unmanageable; yet as her head was toward 
 the enemy, and he to leeward, captain Porter again 
 perceived a faint hope of boarding. At this moment 
 lieutenant Downes, of the Essex junior, came on 
 board to receive orders, expecting that captain Por- 
 ter would soon be a prisoner. His services could be 
 of no avail in the deplorable state of the Essex, and 
 finding from the enemy's putting his helm up, that 
 the last attempt at boarding would not succeed, cap- 
 tain Porter directed him, after he had been ten min- 
 utes on board, to return to his own ship, to be prepared 
 for defending and destroying her in case of attack. 
 He took with him several of the wounded, leaving 
 three of his boat's crew on board to make room for 
 them. The Cherub kept up a hot fire on him during 
 his return. The slaughter on board of the Essex 
 now became horrible ; the enemy continued to rake 
 her, while she was unable to bring a gun to bear in 
 return. Still her commander, with an obstinacy 
 that bordered on desperation, persisted in the una- 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 137 
 
 qual and almost hopeless conflict. Every expedient 
 that a fertile and inventive mind could suggest was 
 resorted to, in the forlorn hope that they might yet 
 ^ be enabled by some lucky chance to escape from the 
 grasp of the foe. A halser was bent to the sheet 
 anchor, and the anchor cut from the bows, to 
 bring the ship's head round. This succeeded ; the 
 broadside of the Essex was again brought to bear ; 
 and as the enemy was much crippled and unable to 
 hold his own, captain Porter thought she might drift 
 out of gun shot before she discovered that he had 
 anchored. The halser, however, unfortunately part- 
 ed, and with it failed the last lingering hope of the 
 Essex. The ship had taken fire several times during 
 the action, but at this moment her situation was aw- 
 ful. She was on fire both forward and aft ; the 
 flames were bursting up each hatchway ; a large 
 quantity of powder below exploded, and word was 
 given that the fire was near the magazine. Thus 
 surrounded by horrours, without any chance of sav- 
 ing the ship captain Porter turned his attention to res- 
 cuing as many of his brave companions as possible. 
 Finding his distance from the shore did not exceed 
 three quarters of a mile, he hoped many would be 
 able to save themselves should the ship blow up. 
 His boats had been cut to pieces by the enemy's shot, 
 but he advised such as could swim to jump overboard 
 and make for shore. Some reached it — some were 
 taken by the enemy, and some perished in the at- 
 tempt ; but most of this loyal and gallant crew pre- 
 18 
 
138 NAVAL BATTLES 
 
 ferred sharing the fate of their ship and their com- 
 mander. 
 
 Those who remained on board now endeavoured 
 to extinguish the flames, and having succeeded, went 
 again to the guns and kept up a firing for a few min- 
 utes ; but the crew had by this time become so weak 
 ened that all further resistance was in vain. Cap- 
 tain Porter summoned a consultation of the officers 
 of divisions, but was surprised to find only acting 
 lieutenant Stephen Decatur M'Knight remaining ; 
 of the others some had been killed, others knocked 
 overboard, and others carried below disabled by se- 
 vere wounds. The accounts from every part of the 
 ship were deplorable in the extreme ; representing 
 her in the most shattered and crippled condition, in 
 imminent danger of sinking, and so crowded with the 
 wounded that even the birth deck could contain no 
 more, and many were killed while under the surgeon's 
 hands. In the mean while the enemy, in consequence 
 of the smoothness of the water and his secure dis 
 tance, was enabled to keep up a deliberate and con- 
 stant fire, aiming with coolness and certainty as if 
 firing at a target, and hitting the hull at every shot. 
 At length, utterly despairing of saving the ship, cap- 
 tain Porter was compelled, at twenty minutes past 
 six p. M. to give the painful order to strike the col- 
 ours. It is probable the enemy did not perceive that 
 the ship had surrendered, for he continued firing ; 
 several men were killed and wounded in different 
 parts of the ship, and captain Porter thinking he in- 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 (•,r!;';;r'3'i;!';i" '!f'i''li'i'W;£ fe'«fejs^«ij.-^ at'n' 
 
 139 
 
140 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 tended to show no quarter, was al)OUt to rehoist his 
 flag and to fight until he sunk, when the enemy de- 
 sisted his attack ten minutes after the surrender. 
 
 The loss of the Essex is a sufficient testimony of 
 the desperate bravery with which she was defended. 
 Out of two hundred and fifty-five men which com- 
 prised her crew, fifty-eight were killed ; thirty-nine 
 wounded severely ; twenty-seven slightly ; and thir- 
 ty-one missing, making in all one hundred and fifty- 
 four. She was completely cut to pieces, and so 
 covered with the dead and dying, with mangled 
 limbs, with brains and blood, and all the ghastly im- 
 ages of pain and death, that the officer who came 
 on board to take possession of her, though accustom- 
 ed to scenes of slaughter, was struck with sickening 
 horrour, and fainted at the shocking spectacle. 
 
 Thousands of the inhabitants of Valparaiso were 
 spectators of the battle, covering the neighbouring 
 Heights ; for it was fought so near the shore that 
 some of the shot even struck among the citizens, 
 who in the eagerness of their curiosity, had ventur- 
 ed down upon the beach. Touched by the forlorn 
 situation of the Essex, and filled with admiration at 
 ihe unflagging spirit and persevering bravery of her 
 .commander and crew, a generous anxiety ran 
 Throughout the multitude for their fate : bursts of 
 delight arose when, by any vicissitude of battle, or 
 prompt expedient, a chance seemed to turn up in 
 their favour, and the eager spectators were seen to 
 wring their hands, and uttered groans of sympathy, 
 when the transient hope was defeated, and the gal- 
 
NA-V^y. BATTLES. 141 
 
 lant little frigate once more became an unresisting 
 object of deliberate slaughter. 
 
 Though, from the distance and positions which the 
 enemy chose, this battle was chiefly fought on our 
 part by six twelve pounders only, yet great damage 
 was done to the assailing ships. Their masts and 
 yards were badly crippled, their hulls much cut up ; 
 the Phoebe, especially, received eighteen twelve 
 pound shot below her waterline, some three feet under 
 water. Their loss in killed and wounded was not 
 ascertained, but must have been severe ; the first 
 lieutenant of the Phoebe was killed, and captain 
 Tucker, of the Cherub, was severely wounded. It 
 was with some difficulty that the Phoebe and the 
 Essex could be kept afloat until they anchored the 
 next morning in the port of Valparaiso. 
 
 Much indignation has been expressed against com- 
 modore Hillyar for his violation of the laws of na- 
 tions, and of his private agreement with captain 
 Porter, by attacking him in the neutral waters of Val- 
 paraiso. His cautious attack with a vastly superior 
 force, on a crippled ship, which, relying on his for- 
 bearance, had placed herself in a most defenceless 
 situation, and which for six weeks previous had of- 
 fered him fair fight, on advantageous terms, though it 
 may reflect great credit on his prudence, yet certain- 
 ly furnishes no triumph to a brave and generous mind. 
 
 Captain Porter and his crew were paroled, and 
 permitted to return to the United States in the Es- 
 sex junior, her armament being previously taken out. 
 On arriving off the port of New York, they were 
 
142 NAVAL BAT'iJLES. 
 
 overhaled by the Saturn razee, the authority of com- 
 modore Hillyar to grant a passport was questioned, 
 and the Essex junior detained. Captain Porter then 
 told the boarding ofiicer that he gave up his parole, 
 and considered himself a prisoner of war, and as such 
 should use all means of escape. In consequence of 
 this threat the Essex junior was ordered to remain 
 all night under the lee of the Saturn, but the next 
 morning captain Porter put off in his boat, though 
 thirty miles from shore ; and, notwithstanding he 
 was pursued by the Saturn, effected his escape, and 
 landed safely on Long Island. His reception in the 
 United States has been such as his great services and 
 distinguished valour deserved. The various interest- 
 ing and romantick rumours that had reached this 
 country concerning him, during his cruise in the Pa- 
 cifick, had excited the curiosity of the public to see 
 this modern Sinbad. On arriving in New York his 
 carriage was surrounded by the populace, who took 
 out the horses, and dragged him, with shouts and 
 acclamations, to his lodgings. 
 
 THE ALLIGATOR. 
 
 Towards the latter part of January, 1814, the 
 United States schooner Aljigator, mounting eight or 
 ten guns, with a complement of forty men, was at- 
 tacked in Stono river (six miles south of the channel 
 
NAV^L BATTLES. 143 
 
 of Charleston, S. C.) by six boats from the enemy's 
 squadron off the mouth of the river, having on board 
 one hundred and forty men, and succeeded in beat- 
 ing them off, after a warm action of thirty minutes, 
 in which the enemy suffered very severely. The loss 
 on board the Alligator was two killed and two wound- 
 ed. Great credit is due to her commander, sailing- 
 master Dent, and crew, for defeating a force so great- 
 ly superior in numbers. The Alligator was after- 
 wards lost in a severe gale, and twenty-three of 
 her men drowned. 
 
 CRUISE OF COMMODORE RODGERS. 
 
 On the 18th of February, commodore Rodgers 
 arrived at Sandy Hook, off New York, after a cruise 
 of seventy-five days, during which he captured a 
 number of British merchant vessels, and narrowly 
 escaped at different times, a very superior force of 
 the enemy. 
 
 PEACOCK AND EFERVIER. 
 
 On the 29th of April, in latitude 27 47, longitude 
 80 9, the United States sloop of war Peacock, cap 
 tain Warrington, of twenty guns and one hundre i 
 and sixty men, captured, after an action of forty-two 
 
144 
 
 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
?3AVAL BATTLES. 145 
 
 minutes, the British brig Epervier of eighteen guns 
 and one hundred and twenty-eight men, having on 
 board one hundred and twenty thousand dollars in 
 specie. The loss on board the Epervier was eight 
 killed and thirteen wounded ; among the latter was 
 her first lieutenant, who lost an arm and received a 
 severe splinter wound on the hip. Not a man in the 
 Peacock was killed, and only two wounded ; and the 
 injury sustained by the vessel was so trifling that in 
 fifteen minutes after the Epervier struck, she was 
 ready for another action. 
 
 When the enemy struck, he had five feet of water 
 in his hold, his main-top-mast was over the side, his 
 main boom shot away, his foremast cut nearly in two 
 and tottering, his bowsprit badly w'ounded, and for- 
 ty-five shot holes in his hull, twenty of w^hich were 
 within a foot of his water line. By ^reat exertions, 
 the Epervier was got in sailing order in the course 
 of the day. 
 
 On the 1st of May, the Epervier arrived at Sa- 
 vannah ; and on the 4th, the Peacock reached the 
 same place, after having been separated from her 
 prize and chased for four or five days l)y a superior 
 force of enemy's vessels. 
 
 The Peacock shortly sailed again, and arrived at 
 New York toward the latter part of October, from 
 a cruise of one hundred and forty-seven days, hav- 
 ing made fourteen prizes, valued at four hundred and 
 ninety- four thousand two hundred and twenty-two 
 dollars ; twelve of the prizes were burnt or sunk, 
 and two made cartels for prisoners. 
 19 
 
146 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 CRUISE OF THE WASP.— CAPTURE OF THE REIN 
 
 DEER. 
 
 On the 1st of May, the United States sloop of 
 war Wasp, of eighteen guns and one hundred and 
 seventy-three men, captain Blakelj commander, sail- 
 ed from Portsmouth, N. H. on a cruise, and on 
 the 28th of June, in latitude 48 36, longitude 11 15 
 after having made several captures, she fell in with 
 engaged, and after an action of nineteen minutes, cap- 
 tured his Brittanick majesty's sloop of war Reindeer, 
 William Manners, esquire, commander. The Rein- 
 deer mounted sixteen twenty-four pound carronades, 
 two long six or nine pounders, and a shifting twelve 
 pound carronacfe, with a complement on board of one 
 hundred and eighteen men. She was literally cut 
 to pieces in a line with her ports ; her upper works, 
 boats and spare spars were one complete wreck, and 
 a breeze springing up the day after the action, her 
 foremast went by the board ; when the prisoners 
 having been taken on board the Wasp, she was set 
 on fire and soon blew up. 
 
 The loss on board the Reindeer wa3 twenty-three 
 killed and forty two wounded, her captain being 
 among the former. On board the Wasp five were 
 killed and twenty-one wounded. More than one 
 half of the wounded enemy were, in consequence of 
 the severity and extent of their wounds, put on 
 board a Portuguese brig and sent to England. — The 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 147 
 
 loss of the Americans, although not as severe as that 
 of the British, was owing, in a degree, to the prox- 
 imity of the two vessels during the action, and the 
 extreme smoothness of the sea, but chiefly in repel- 
 ling boarders. 
 
 On the 8th of July, the Wasp put into L'Orient, 
 France, after capturing an additional number of priz- 
 es, where she remained until the 27th of August, 
 when she again sailed on a cruise. On the 1st of 
 September she fell in with the British sloop of war 
 Avon, of twenty guns, commanded by captain Abuth- 
 not, and after an action of fortj'-five minutes, com- 
 pelled her to surrender, her crew being nearly all 
 killed or wounded. The guns were then ordered to 
 be secured, and a boat lowered from the Wasp in 
 order to take possession of the prize. In the act of 
 lowering the boat, a second enemy's vessel was dis- 
 covered astern and standing towards the Wasp. 
 Captain Blakely immediately ordered his crew to 
 their quarters, prepared every thing for action, and 
 awaited her coming up. In a few minutes after, two 
 additional sail were discovered bearing down upon 
 the Wasp. Captain Blakely stood off with the ex- 
 pectation of drawing the first from its companions ; 
 but in this he was disappointed. She continued to 
 approach until she came close to the stern of the 
 Wasp, when she haled by the wind, fired her broad- 
 side, (which injured the Wasp but trifling,) and re- 
 traced her steps to join her consorts. Captain Blake- 
 ly was now necessitated to abandon the Avon, which 
 had by this time become a total wreck, and which 
 
148 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 soon after sunk, the surviving part of her crew hav- 
 ing barely time to escape to the other enemy's ves- 
 sels. 
 
 On board the Avon forty were killed and sixty 
 wounded. The loss sustained by the Wasp was two 
 killed and one wounded. 
 
 The Wasp afterwards conti-nued her cruise, mak- 
 ing great havock among English merchant vessels 
 and privateers, destroying an immense amount of 
 the enemy's property. From the 1st of May until 
 the 20th of September, she had captured fifteen ves- 
 sels, most of which she destroyed. 
 
 LOSS OF THE PRESIDENT. 
 
 On the 14th of January, the frigate President, the 
 command of which had been assigned to commodore 
 Decatur, sailed from New York on a cruise. Owing 
 to a mistake of the pilots, the ship, in going out, 
 grounded on the bar, where she continued to strike 
 heavy for an hour and a half. Several of her rudder 
 braces being broken, and other material injury sus- 
 tained, commodore Decatur thought it advisable to 
 return to port, which, however, he was prevented 
 from doing by the strong westerly winds. Having 
 succeeded in forcing her over the bar, he shaped his 
 course along the shore of Long Island for fifty. miles. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 149 
 
 and then s. e. by e. At five o'clock, three ships 
 were discovered ahead. The commodore passed 
 two miles to the northward of them. At daylight 
 he discovered four ships in chase, one on each quar- 
 ter, and two astern, the leading ship being a razee, 
 which commenced a fire upon the President, but 
 without effect. At meridian he found that he in- 
 creased his distance from the razee ; but the next 
 ship astern, which was the Endjmion, mounting fifty 
 guns, twenty-four pounders, on the maindeck, had 
 gained and continued to gain upon him considerably. 
 All hands were occupied in lightening the ship by 
 starting water cutting away anchors, throwing over- 
 board provisions, cables, spars, boats, and every arti- 
 cle that could be got at, and keeping the sails wet from 
 the royals down. At three o'clock the enemy was 
 joined by a brig, and was coming up with the Presi- 
 dent rapidly. The Endymion had approached with- 
 in gunshot, and commenced a fire with her bow guns, 
 which was returned from the stern of the President. 
 At five o'clock, she obtained a position on the star- 
 board quarter, within half point blank shot, on which 
 commodore Decatur could not bring either his stern 
 or quarter guns to bear. He remained in this posi- 
 tion for half an hour, hoping that the enemy would 
 close with him on his broadside, in which case he 
 had prepared his men to board. The enemy, how- 
 ever, kept his position, and every fire cut some of the 
 sails and rigging of the President. In was now dusk, 
 and commodore Decatur altered his course, for the 
 purpose of bringing the enemy abeam ; and although 
 
150 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 their ships astern were drawing up fast, he felt satis- 
 fied he should be able to throw his opponent out of 
 the combat before they could come up ; and was not 
 without hopes of escaping. The enemy, however, 
 kept off at the same instant. They continued engag- 
 ed, steering south, with steering sails set, two hours 
 and a half, when the, Endymion was completely dis- 
 mantled, and dropped entirely out of the action. 
 The other ships of the squadron being in sight and 
 almost within gunshot, commodore Decatur was of 
 course compelled to abandon her. He then resumed 
 his former course, to avoid, if possible, the remainder 
 of the squadron, which he continued till eleven 
 o'clock. At this time two fresh ships of the enemy, 
 the Pomone and Tenedos, came up. The Pomone 
 opened her fire upon the larboard bow, within mus- 
 ket shot ; the Tenedos, about two cables length 
 astern, taking a raking position on the quarter of the 
 President. The other ships of the squadron, except 
 the Endymion, were within gunshot. Thus situated 
 with about one fifth of his crew killed and wounded, 
 his ship crippled, and more than a four-fold force op- 
 posed to him, without a chance of escape left, com- 
 modore Decatur thought it his duty to surrender. 
 
 The loss on board the President was twenty- 
 four killed and fifty-five wounded. Among the for- 
 mer were lieutenants Babbit, Hamilton and Howell. 
 The loss of the enemy was not ascertained. The 
 Endymion had on board in addition to her own crew, 
 one lieutenant, one master's mate and fifty seamen, 
 belonging to the Saturn, and when the action ceas- 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 151 
 
 ed, was left motionless and unmanageable, mitil she 
 bent new sails, rove new rigging, and fished her 
 spars ; nor did she join the squadron till six hours 
 after the action, and three hours after the surrender 
 of the President. 
 
 Commodore Decatur, and a part of his cr.ew were 
 put on board the Endymion, and was carried to Ber- 
 muda. After remaining on the Island a few days, 
 he was paroled, and sailed for the United States in 
 the British frigate Narcissus. 
 
 The ships, composing the squadron m this action, 
 were the Majestic, Endymion, Pomone, Tenedos, 
 and Dispatch. 
 
 In his letter to the secretary of the navy, commo- 
 dore Decatur says, "It is with emotions of pride I 
 bear testimony to the gallantry and steadiness of 
 every officer and man I had the honour to command 
 on this occasion : and I feel satisfied, that the fact of 
 their having beaten a force when equal to themselves, 
 in the presence, and almost under the guns of so 
 vastly superior a force, when, too, it was almost self- 
 evident, that, whatever their exertions might be, they 
 must ultimately be captured, will be taken as evi- 
 dence of what they would have performed, had the 
 force opposed to them been in any degree equal." 
 
 CAPTURE OF THE CYANE AND LEVANT. 
 
 On the evening of the 20th February, captain 
 Stewart, of the United States frigate Constitution, 
 
152 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 off the Island of Madeira, fell in with his Britan- 
 nick majesty's ships of war Cyane and Levant, when 
 a spirited action commenced. — In forty minutes the 
 Cyane struck her colours, being much cut up, and 
 the Levant endeavoured to escape. The Constitu- 
 tion, after manning the prize, pursued the Levant ; 
 and in half an hour came up with her, when she soon 
 surrendered. 
 
 The Levant mounted twenty-one guns, eighteen 
 of which were thirty-two pound carronades, and her 
 crew consisted of one hundred and sixty officers, sea- 
 men and marines, commanded by captain Douglass. 
 Her loss in killed was twenty-three, and wounded 
 sixteen. 
 
 The Cyane mounted thirty-four guns, (twenty- 
 two thirty-two pound carronades, ten eighteen pound 
 do. and two long nine pounders,) and her crew con- 
 sisted of one hundred and sixty-eight officers, seamen 
 and marines, commanded by captain Falcon. Her 
 loss in killed was twelve, and wounded twenty-six. 
 
 The Constitution received but little injury ; her 
 loss in killed was three, and wounded twelve. 
 
 On the 9th of March the Constitution with her 
 two prizes anchored off the Isle of May, (one of the 
 Cape-de-Ver(^ Islands.) — On the 10th she got under 
 way, and made sail for St. Jago, where she anchor- 
 ed. On the 12th, captain Stewart discovered three 
 British frigates standing for Port Praya ; and consid- 
 ering the little respect heretofore paid by British 
 vessels to neutral waters, he deemed it expedient 
 to get under way. Signals were accordingly made 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 153 
 
164 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 for this purpose, when the Portuguese opened a fire 
 upon captain Stewart from several of their batteries 
 and the British frigates discovering the movements 
 of our vessels, gave immediate chase. After contin- 
 uing the chase for three or four hours, they succeed- 
 ed in separating the Levant from the other vessels, 
 when she tacked and stood for the harbour, her com- 
 manding officer, lieutenant Ballard, hoping the neu- 
 trality of the port might protect him : but in this he 
 was disappointed. For after anchoring in four fath- 
 om water, and within one hundred and fifty yards of 
 the shore, he was wantonly attacked by the British 
 frigates, (which had chased him in) when, finding all 
 further resistance vain, he was compelled to strike 
 his colours. 
 
 On the 8th of April, the Cyane, commanded by 
 lieutenant Hoffman, arrived in safety at New York ; 
 and on the 15th of May captain Stewart arrived at 
 the same place in the Constitution, after a cruise of 
 about five months — having heard of the ratification of 
 a treaty of peace between Great Britain and Ameri- 
 ca about a fortnight previous to his arrival. 
 
 The following particulars of the capture of the 
 Cyane and Levant, of the escape of the Constitution 
 with one of them and the subsequent recapture of 
 the other by a British fleet, are given by captain 
 Stewart, in his official letter, and may perhaps be 
 more gratifying to the nautical reader, tbun our pre- 
 ceding brief relation. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 155 
 
 Minutes of the action between the United States frigate Consti- 
 tution and his majesty's ships Cyane and Levant, on the 20th 
 February, 1815. 
 
 Commences with light breezes from the east, and 
 cloudy weather. At one p. m. discovered a sail two 
 points on the larboard bow — hauled up, and ma'^e 
 sail in chase. At a quarter past one, made the sail to 
 be a ship ; at three quarters past one, discovered 
 another sail ahead ; made them out, at two, to be 
 both ships, standing close hauled, with their starboard 
 tacks on board ; at four, the weathermost ship made 
 signals, and bore up for her consort, then about ten 
 miles to leevyard ; we bore up after her, and set low- 
 er top-mast, top-gallant and royal studding sails, in 
 chase ; at half past four, carried away our main roy- 
 al-mast ; took in the sails, and got another prepared. 
 At five, commenced firing on the chase from our two 
 larboard bow guns ; our shot falling short, ceased fir- 
 ing : at half past five, finding it impossible to pre- 
 vent their junction, cleared ship for action, then about 
 four miles from the two ships ; and forty minutes 
 past five, they passed within hail of each other, and 
 hauled by the wind on the starboard tack, hauled up 
 their courses, and prepared to receive us : at forty- 
 five minutes past five, they made all sail close hauled 
 by the w'md, in hopes of e;etting to windward of us . 
 at fifty-five minutes past five, finding themselves dis- 
 appointed in their object, and we were closing with 
 them fast, they shortened sail, and formed on a line 
 of wind, about half a cable's length of each other : at 
 six, having them under command of our battery, 
 
156 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 hoisted our colours, which was answered by both 
 ships hoisting English ensigns : at five minutes past 
 six, ranged up on the starboard side of the sternmost 
 ship, about three hundred yards distant, and com- 
 menced the action by broadsides, both ships returning 
 our fire with great spirit for about fifteen minutes ; 
 then the fire of the enemy beginning to slacken, and 
 the great column of smoke collected under our lee, 
 induced us to cease our fire to ascertain their posi- 
 tions and conditions : in about three minutes, the 
 smoke clearing away, we found ourselves abreast of 
 the headmost ship, the sternmost ship luffed up for 
 our larboard quarter ; we poured a broadside into 
 the headmost ship, and then braced aback our main 
 and mizzen-top-sails, and backed astern under cover 
 of the smoke, abreast the sternmost ship, when the 
 action was continued with spirit and considerable 
 effect, until thirty-five minutes past six, when the 
 enemy's fire again slackened and we discovered the 
 headmost bearing up ; filled our topsails, shot 
 ahead, and gave her two stern rakes ; we then 
 discovered the sternmost ship wearing also ; wore 
 ship immediately after her, and gave her a stern 
 rake — she luffed to on our starboard bows, and gave 
 us her larboard broadside : we ranged up on her 
 larboard quarter, within hail, and were about to 
 give her our starboard broadside, when she struck 
 her colours, fired a lee gun, and yielded. At fifty 
 minutes past six, took possession of his majesty's 
 ship Cyane, captain Gordon Falcon, mounting 
 thirty-four guns. At eight, filled away after her 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 157 
 
 consort, which was still in sight to leeward. At 
 half past eight, found her standing towards us, with 
 her starboard tacks close hauled, with top-gallant 
 sails-set, and colours flying. At five minutes past 
 eight, ranged close along side to windward of her 
 on opposite tacks, and exchanged broadsides — wore 
 immediately under her stern, and raked her with a 
 broadside : she then crowded all sail, and endeavour- 
 ed to escape by running — hauled on board our tacks, 
 set spanker, and flying jib in chase. At half past 
 nine, commenced firing on her from our starboard 
 bow chaser; gave her several shot, which cut her 
 spars and rigging considerably. At ten, finding she 
 could not escape, fired a gun, struck her colours, and 
 yielded. We immediately took possession of his 
 majesty's ship Levant, honourable captain George 
 Douglass, mounting twenty-one guns. At one a. m. 
 the damages of our rigging w ere repaired, sails shift- 
 ed, and the ship in fighting condition." 
 
 Minutes of the chase of the United States frigate Constitution, 
 by an English squadron of three ships, from out the harbour 
 of Port Praya, island of St. Jago: — 
 
 Commences with fresh breezes and thick foggy 
 weather. At five minutes past twelve, discovered a 
 large ship through the fog, standing in for Port Praya. 
 At eight minutes past twelve., discovered two other 
 large ships astern of her, also standing in for the 
 port. From their general appearance supposed them 
 to be one of the enemy's squadrons, and from the 
 
168 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 little respect hitherto paid by them to neutral waters, 
 I deemed it most prudent to put to sea. The signal 
 was made to the Cjane and Levant to get under way. 
 At twelve minutes past twelve, with our top sails set 
 we cut our cable and got under way, (when the 
 Portuguese opened a fire on us from several of their 
 batteries on shore) the prize ships following our mo- 
 tions, and stood out of the harbour of Port Praya, 
 close under East Point, passing the enemy's squad- 
 ron about gunshot to windward of them ; crossed our 
 top-gallant yards, and set foresail, mainsail, spank- 
 er, flying-jib and top-gallant sails. The enemy see- 
 ing us under way, tacked ship and made all sail in 
 chase of us. As far as we could judge of their rates, 
 from the thickness of the weather, supposed them 
 two ships of the line and one frigate. At half pas 
 twelve, cut away the boats towing astern — first cut- 
 ter and gig. At one p. m. found our sailing about 
 equal with the ships on our lee quarter, but the frig- 
 ate luffing up, gaining our wake, and rather dropping 
 astern of us ; finding the Cyane dropping astern and 
 to leeward, and the frigate gaining on her fast, I 
 found it impossible to save her if she continued on the 
 same course, without having the Constitution brought 
 to action by their whole force. I made the signal at 
 ten minutes past one, to her to tack ship, which was 
 complied with. This manoeuvre, 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, be- 
 fore the detached ship could come up with her ; but 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 159 
 
 if they did not tack after her, it would afford 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 ; the ship on our lee 
 quarter firing broadsides, by divisions — her shot fall- 
 ing short of us. At three, by our having dropped 
 the Levant considerably, her situation became (from 
 the position 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 five minutes past 
 three for her to tack, which was complied with. At 
 twelve minutes past three, 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, one boatswain's mate, and twelve men, 
 were absent on duty in the fifth cutter, to bring the 
 cartel brig under our stern. 
 
 BLOCKADE OF CHESAPEAKE AND DELAWARE 
 
 BAYS. 
 
 The British government declared the Chesapeake 
 and Delaware bays to be in a state of blockade. In 
 the early part of the year, a squadron under the 
 
160 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 command of admiral Warren, was sent to the en- 
 trance of the Chesapeake to enforce this blockade. 
 
 The first interesting event this blockade gave rise 
 to, was the affair of the Lottery. This vessel 
 mounted six guns, and had a crew of thirtj-five men. 
 In sailing out of the Chesapeake, i-n the month of 
 February, she was attacked by nine large British 
 boats, having on board two hundred and forty well 
 armed men. She sustained their united attack up- 
 wards of an hour and a half, when the British suc- 
 ceeded in boarding her, and pulled down her colours. 
 The loss of the British exceeded the number of the 
 Lottery. 
 
 On the 3d of April, the privateer Dolphin of Balti- 
 more, was captured after a long and gallant resist- 
 ance, by a number of barges and launches, belong- 
 ing to the blockading squadron. The British finally 
 succeeded in capturing her, by boarding and over- 
 powering her crew by superior numbers. 
 
 About the middle of May, a party of the British 
 blockading squadron, sailed up to the head of the 
 Chesapeake bay, where they captured and destroyed 
 a number of small vessels. 
 
 About the commencement of May, a large party of 
 British marines and sailors, under the command of 
 rear admiral Cockburn, successfully attacked the 
 villages of Frenchtown, Havre-de-grace, Georgetown 
 and Fredericktown. These places were situated 
 near the head of the Chesapeake, and contained but 
 few inhabitants. They of course could make but 
 little resistance against a numerous body of assail- 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 161 
 
 ants. The destruction committed by the British in 
 those places was wanton in the extreme. The hous- 
 es were set on fire. The furniture and other prop- 
 erty of the inhabitants were either destroyed or con- 
 veyed on board their vessels. The squadron soon 
 after returned down the Chesapeake. 
 
 On the 20th of June, commodore Cassin fitted out 
 an expedition against some of the blockading frigates 
 then in the vicinity of Crany Island. Fifteen gun 
 boats were selected for this purpose and put under the 
 command of captain Tarbell. The attack was com- 
 menced from the gun boats upon a frigate about three 
 quarters of a mile distant. Two other British frig- 
 ates were in sight. The frigate sustained considera- 
 ble injury, and would have been captured by the gun 
 boats had not a breeze sprung up which enabled the 
 other two vessels to come to her assistance. The 
 action however continued an hour and a half with 
 the three frigates. Only one American was killed, 
 and some others slightly wounded. 
 
 On the 22d of June, about three thousand British 
 attempted to land on Crany Island, but were repuls- 
 ed. Three of their barges were sunk : one of them, 
 belonging to admiral Warren's ship had seventy-five 
 men in her, the greater part of whom were drowned ; 
 a number of prisonerswere taken. Many of the ene- 
 my also deserted. The American troops on the is 
 land consisted of about five hundred land troops un 
 der the command of lieutenant-colonel Beaty ; and 
 one hundred and fifty marines, and sailors, under the 
 
 21 
 
162 NAVAL BATTLES, 
 
 command of lieutenants Neale, Shubrick, Saunders^ 
 and Brackenridge. 
 
 On the 25th of June, about two thousand five 
 hundred British attacked the town of Hampton. 
 The American force stationed there amounted to 
 about four hundred, under the command of major 
 Crutchfield. This small body of Americans opposed 
 the very superior British force, with the utmost gal- 
 lantry for a considerable time, when, overcome by 
 numbers, they retreated, and the British took posses- 
 sion of Hampton, where the most inhuman and shock- 
 ing acts were committed by them. Several of the de- 
 fenceless and unfortunate females that remained in the 
 place suffered every indecency and violence. Pro- 
 perty to a large amount was most wantonly destroyed. 
 
 On the 14th of July the United States schooner 
 Asp, of three guns and twenty-one men, in the Ches- 
 apeake bay, being attacked by several British ves- 
 sels, ran up a creek, whither she was pursued by 
 three boats, well manned and armed ; but the assail- 
 ants were soon compelled to retreat. After the 
 lapse of an hour, the Asp was again attacked by five 
 boats, the crews of which succeeded in boarding her. 
 The crew of the Asp retreated on shore. The Brit- 
 ish set fire to the vessel and left her. The fire 
 however was extinguished by the Americans. The 
 loss of the latter in killed and wounded amounted to 
 ten. 
 
 On the 1 8th of July, an attempt was made in the 
 Chesaneake ^^y_ to blow up the Plantaganet, a se- 
 venty-four, by means of a torpedo. Mr. Mix, the 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 163 
 
 projector of the scheme, had approached within forty 
 fathoms of her, and dropped the torpedo ; when he 
 was hailed by one of the British guard boats. He 
 instantly drew his machine into the boat and escaped. 
 On the following night he made a second attempt, 
 but was again discovered. In the night of the 20th, 
 he made a third attempt, and got within fifteen 
 yards of the ship's bow, and directly under her jib- 
 boom, where he continued fifteen minutes making 
 preparations, when a sentinel from the forecastle 
 hailed " Boat ahoy." The sentinel not being an- 
 sw^ered, fired his musket at the now retreating ad- 
 venturer, to which a rapid discharge of small arms 
 succeeded. Blue lights were resorted to in order to 
 find out the position of the boat, but failed. Rockets 
 were then thrown which illumined the water to a 
 considerable extent, and discovered the boat. A 
 heavy discharge of cannon immediately commenced. 
 The Plantaganet slipped her cable, made some sail, 
 while her boats Avere sent in pursuit. But the dar- 
 ing American escaped unhurt. Unsuccessful at- 
 tempts were made the three following nights. But 
 on the 24th Mr. Mix took his position within one 
 hundred yards of the Plantaganet, and in a direction 
 with her larboard bow. The machine was dropped 
 into the water, and the same moment the sentinel 
 crijed " All's well :" the tide swept it towards the 
 vessel, but it exploded a few seconds too soon. A 
 column of water fifty feet in circumference was 
 thrown up thirty or forty feet. Its appearance was 
 a vivid red, tinged with purple at the sides. The 
 
164 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 summit of the column burst with a tremendous explo- 
 sion, and fell on the deck of the Plantaganet in tor- 
 rents, while she rolled into the yawning chasm be- 
 low, and nearly upset. She however received but 
 little injury. 
 
 In the month of July, the blockading squadron 
 again sailed up the Chesapeake and entered the Po- 
 tomac : they however effected nothing. Soon after 
 returning out of the river they sailed toward the 
 head of the Chesapeake. They landed on Kent 
 Island, where they remained for some time, when 
 they again returned down the bay. 
 
 On the 6th of April the blockading squadron in the 
 Delaware bay commenced a cannonade on Lewis- 
 town, the inhabitants of which had refused comply- 
 ing with an order of the English commodore, to sup- 
 ply the squadron with provisions. The cannonade 
 lasted about twenty-two hours : a number of eighteen 
 and thirty-two pound shot were fired, likewise shells 
 and Congreve rockets; but produced little or no 
 effect— not a life was lost. The inhabitants of the 
 place were prompt in repelling every attempt to 
 land. 
 
 On the 27th of July, one of the United States gun 
 boats was captured in the Delaware by a superior 
 force, after a very gallant defence, in which the 
 British had seven men killed and twelve wounded.* 
 
 f Clark's Naval History, vol. i. p. 194—197. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 165 
 
 GUN BOAT ACTION 
 
 On the 19th of May, commodore Lewis, command- 
 ins the United States flotilla on tlie New York sta- 
 tion, discovered the enemy in pursuit of a brig under 
 American colours standing for Sandy Hook ; when 
 he ordered a detachment of eleven gun boats to pro- 
 ceed to sea and pass between the chase and the en- 
 emy, by which means to bring him to action, and 
 give opportunity to the chase to escape — all which 
 was effected ; and the enemy, after receiving the fire 
 of the boats bore away. 
 
 On the 23d, commodore Lewis engaged the ene- 
 my, before New London, and opened a passage for 
 forty sail of coasting vessels ; the action lasted three 
 hours, in which the flotilla suffered very little, and 
 night coming on, the action ceased. The enemy's 
 force consisted of two ships and a sloop of war, and 
 from appearance sufl'ered severely, as he was unwill- 
 ing to renew the action next morning. 
 
 EVENTS ON LAKE ERIE. 
 
 On the morning of the 8th of October, 1812, twr > 
 British vessels, the Detroit and the Caledonia, came 
 down Lake Erie, and anchored under the guns of 
 
166 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 the British fort Erie. Lieutenant Elliot, of the 
 United States navy, who, at that time superintended 
 the naval affairs on lake Erie, determined to attack, 
 and if possible, to possess himself of them. 
 
 About this time, a number of seamen were march- 
 ing from the sea shore to the lake. Early the day 
 before the intended attack, he despatched a messen- 
 ger to hasten them forward. They arrived about 
 twelve o'clock ; but he discovered that they had only 
 twenty pistols, and neither cutlasses nor battleaxes. 
 (3n application to general Smyth, he was supplied 
 with a few arms : and about fifty men were detach- 
 ed from the regulars, armed with muskets. 
 
 Bv four o'clock in the afternoon, lieutenant Elliot 
 had his men selected and stationed in two boats, fifty 
 in each. At one o'clock on the following morning, 
 he put off from the mouth of Buffalo creek, under 
 very disadvantageous circumstances, his men hav- 
 ing scarcely had time to refresh themselves after a 
 fatiguing march of five hundred miles. At three 
 o'clock he came along side the British vessels. In the 
 space of ten minutes he got possession of them, had 
 secured the crews as prisoners, and had them under 
 way. The wind, unfortunately, was not sufficiently 
 strong to carry them against a rapid current into the 
 lake, where, he was informed, another vessel lay at 
 anchor. He was obliged in running down the river, 
 to pass the British forts, under a heavy fire of round, 
 grape and cannister shot, from a number of pieces of 
 heavy ordnance, and several pieces of flying artille- 
 ry. Lieutenant Elliot was compelled to anchor at 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 167 
 
 a distance of about four hundred yards from two of 
 their batteries. After the discharge of the first gun 
 he hailed the British officer, and observed to him, 
 that if another gun were fired he would bring the 
 prisoners on deck and expose them to the same fate 
 with the Americans. But, notwithstanding thej 
 continued to keep up a constant and destructive fire 
 a moment's reflection determined him not to com- 
 mit an act of such barbarity. The Caledonia had 
 been beached in as safe a position as circumstances 
 would admit of, under one of the American batteries 
 at Black Rock. 
 
 Lieutenant Elliot now brought all the guns of his 
 vessel on her side next the enemy, and a fire was 
 kept up until all his ammunition was expended. 
 During the contest he endeavoured to get the De*- 
 troit on the American side, but did not succeed. He 
 then determined to drift down the river, out of reach 
 of the British Batteries, and make a stand against 
 their flying artillery. He accordingly ordered the 
 cable to be cut, and made sail with a very light 
 breeze. At this moment he discovered that his pi- 
 lot had abandoned him. He dropped astern for 
 about ten minutes, when he was brought up on Squaw 
 island, near the American shore. A boat with pri- 
 soners was sent on shore ; but, owing to the difficul- 
 ty it met with did not return. He, however, with 
 the remainder of the prisoners and crew, succeeded 
 in getting on shore. 
 
 About eleven o'clock next morning, a company of 
 British regulars from fort Eric, boarded the Detroit. 
 
168 
 
 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 to destroy the military stores with which she was prin- 
 cipally laden. But they were dislodged by a detach- 
 ment of volunteers under the command of major Cy- 
 renus Chapin. About three o'clock in the afternoon 
 of the same day, the British a second time attempt- 
 ed to board the Detroit ; but were again repulsed. 
 
 The Detroit mounted six long six pounders, and 
 had a crew of fifty-six men. About thirty American 
 prisoners were on board her. She was burnt by the 
 Americans after they had taken the greater part of 
 the stores out of her. The Caledonia mounted two 
 small guns, and had a crew of twelve men. She 
 had on board a cargo of furs, estimated at about one 
 hundred and fifty thousand dollars. 
 
 In March 1813, captain Perry arrived at the port of 
 Erie, to take command of the fleet there fitting out. 
 
 During the summer the following American ves- 
 sels were equipped on lake Erie. 
 Guns. 
 20 
 20 
 3 
 
 Brig Lawrence 
 Niagara 
 Caledonia 
 
 Schr. Ariel 
 Scorpion 
 Somers 
 Tigress 
 Porcupine 
 'IVippe 
 <1ihio 
 
 2 
 
 Commanders. 
 
 O. H. Perry. 
 J. D. Elliot. 
 Turner. 
 Packet. 
 Champlin. 
 
 2 & 2 swivels Alney. 
 1 Conklin 
 
 1 Lendt. 
 
 1 Smith. 
 
 1 Dobbin. 
 
 00 guus. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 169 
 
 The British fleet under the command of commo- 
 dore Barclay, consisted of the following vessels. 
 
 Guns, Howitzers. 
 
 Ship Detroit 19 2 
 
 Queen Charlotte 17 1 
 
 Schr. Lad J iPrevost 13 1 
 
 Brig Hunter 10 
 
 Sloop Little Belt 3 
 
 Schr. Chippevvay 1 , 
 
 6S guns. 
 
 On the morning of the tenth of September the 
 British fleet was discovered by commodore Perry 
 from Put in Bay, where he then lay at anchor. 
 Commodore Perry immediately got under way with 
 his squadron, and stood for the British fleet. The 
 wind at that time was light from southwest. At fif- 
 teen minutes before twelve, the British commenced 
 firing : and at five minutes before twelve, the action 
 commenced on the part of the Americans. As the 
 fire of the British, owing to their long guns, was very 
 severe upon the Americans, and was principally di- 
 rected at the Lawrence, commodore Perry resolved 
 to close with them : he accordingly made sail, and 
 ordered the other vessels to follow. Every brace 
 and bowline of the Lawrence being shot away, she 
 became unmanageable, notwithstanding the great 
 exertions of the sailing master. In this situation she 
 sustained the action, within cannister distance, up- 
 wards of two hours, until every gun was rendered 
 
170 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 useless, and the greater part of her crew either killed 
 or wounded. 
 
 After a display of skill and gallantry j which, alone, 
 would have been sufficient to have immortalized 
 commodore Perry — after defending his vessel against 
 a far superior force, to the very last extremity, this 
 illustrious hero, at a critical moment, when, to al- 
 most any other mind, the contest would have appear- 
 ed hopeless, resolved to save his country's honour, or 
 perish in the attempt. He therefore quitted the 
 Lawrence in an open boat, and rowed off for the 
 Niagara, to make one more display of his heroism 
 and talents. In his passage, there was no less than 
 three broadsides fired at him by the British vessels, 
 "which he passed. Heaven interposed its protecting 
 arm. He escaped the apparently inevitable destruc- 
 tion. He reached the Niagara in safety, and a breeze 
 springing up, enabled captain Elliot, who commanded 
 that vessel, to bring her into close action in a very 
 gallant manner. Captain Elliot anticipated the com- 
 modore's desires by volunteering to bring the schoon- 
 ers, which had, by the lightness of the wind, been 
 kept astern, into close action. Some time after com- 
 modore Perry had left the Lawrence her flag was 
 lowered ; for having been so long exposed to nearly 
 the whole fire of the British fleet, she was almost 
 cut to pieces; and the chief part of her crew disabled, 
 only eight men remaining capable of doing duty. 
 The British however were not in a state to take pos- 
 session of her, and circumstances soon permitted her 
 flag to be again hoisted. At forty-five minutes past 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 171 
 
 two, the signal was made for close action. As the 
 Niagara was very little injured, commodore Perry 
 determined to pass through the enemy's line with 
 her. He accordingly bore up, and passed ahead of 
 :heir two ships and a brig, giving a raking fire to 
 ihem from his larboard side, at half pistol shot dis- 
 tance. The smaller vessels were by this time with- 
 in grape and cannister distance, under the direction 
 of captain Elliot. The severe and well directed fire 
 from them and the Niagara, forced the two ships, the 
 brig, and a schooner to surrender. A sloop and 
 schooner attempted to escape, but were overtaken 
 and captured. 
 
 The Lawrence was so completely cut up, that 
 after the action, she was sent to Erie to be disman- 
 tled. Lieutenant Yarnell, upon whom the command 
 of the Lawrence devolved after the commodore left 
 her, refused to quit the deck though several times 
 wounded. Lieutenant Brooke of the marines, and 
 midshipman Saul, were both killed on board the 
 Lawrence. As the surgeon of this vessel was stoop- 
 ing, in the act of dressing or examining a wound, a 
 ball passed through the ship a few inches from his 
 head; which, had it been erect must have been tak- 
 en off. Mr. Hambleton, purser, distinguished him- 
 self, and towards the close of the action was severe- 
 ly wounded. 
 
 On board the Niagara, lieutenants Smith and Ed- 
 wards and midshipman Webster behaved in a very 
 handsome manner. Captain Brevoort of the army, 
 who, with the men under his command, had volun- 
 
172 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 teered, to act as marines, did great execution with 
 his musketry. Lieutenant Turner, who command- 
 ed the Caledonia, brought his vessel into action in 
 the most gallant style. The Ariel, lieutenant Pack- 
 et, and Scorpion, sailing master Champlin, got early 
 into the action, and were of great service. The pur- 
 ser Magrath performed essential service. Captain 
 Elliot particularly distinguished himself by his exer- 
 tion and skill. 
 
 The following is an estimate of the killed and 
 wounded on board the American fleet. 
 
 Killed. Wounded. Total. 
 Lawrence 22 
 Niagara 2 
 
 Caledonia 
 Somers 
 
 Ariel 1 
 
 Trippe 
 Scorpion 2 2 
 
 27 96 123 
 
 Of the British fleet the captain and first lieutenant of 
 the Queen Charlotte, were killed. Commodore Bar- 
 clay of the Lady Prevost was severely wounded, and 
 lost his hand. The loss of the British in killed and 
 wounded has been estimated at one hundred and sixty. 
 
 The rejoicing at this victory in the United States, 
 was extremely great. All the principal towns were 
 illuminated.* 
 
 * Clark's Naval History, vol. i. p. 217—222. 
 
 61 
 
 83 
 
 25 
 
 27 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 173 
 
 EVENTS ON LAKE ONTARIO. 
 
 For a long time previous to the war, the British 
 had been actively employed in equipping vessels of 
 war on lake Ontario. On the 19th of July 1812, 
 soon after the declaration of war reached Sackett's 
 harbour, lieutenant Woolsey, of the American brig 
 Oneida, then lying in Sackett's harbour, discovered 
 from the mast head five sail of British armed vessels 
 namely, the Royal George, of twenty-four guns ; the 
 Prince Regent, a new ship carrying upwards of twen- 
 ty guns, the Earl Moira of twenty, the Seneca of 
 eight, the other unknown. They were about five 
 leagues distant, beating up for the harbour with the 
 wind ahead. The troops were immediately called to 
 arms and despatches sent for the troops in the vicini- 
 ty, who assembled, to the amount of nearly three 
 thousand. Soon after sunrise the Prince Regent 
 brought to, and captured the custom house boat, 
 about seven miles from the harbour. The crew of 
 the boat were set on shore, with a message to colonel 
 Belleyer, the commandant at the harbour, demand- 
 ing the surrender of the Oneida, and the late British 
 schooner Nelson, seized for a breach of the revenue 
 laws, and then fitting out as an armed vessel. In 
 case of refusal, the British threatened to burn the 
 village, and lay the inhabitants under contribution. 
 
 Soon after this lieutenant Woolsey left the harbour 
 in the Oneida, and ran down within a league of the 
 British. But he soon returned, and moored his vessel 
 
174 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 m a line with a land battery lately erected. Lieu- 
 tenant Woolsey then left his vessel, in order to direct 
 the guns of the land battery. By this time the Brit- 
 ish fleet had arrived within gunshot. The Royal 
 George, as flag ship, was ahead. A brisk firing com- 
 menced on both sides, and continued upwards of two 
 hours. The Royal George and Prince Regent were 
 much injured. As the former was veering to give a 
 broadside,, a shot from an American thirty-two pound- 
 er, was observed to strike her and completely rake 
 her. Soon after this the squadron bore away for 
 Kingston. None of the Americans were injured. 
 
 On the 31st of July, the Julia, carrying three guns 
 was attacked by the British armed vessels Earl 
 Moira, of sixteen guns, and the Duke of Gloucester 
 of ten, at the entrance of the St. Lawrence, and 
 beat them both off. 
 
 In September, captain Isaac Chauncey was ap- 
 pointed to command the American fleet on lake On- 
 tario, then lying in Sackett's harbour, where he ar- 
 rived in the month of October. In the early part of 
 November, he sailed with his fleet from Sackett's 
 harbour : the aggregate of guns of the American ves- 
 sels amounted to forty, their crews to four hundred 
 and thirty men ; that of the British to one hundred 
 and eight guns, and their crews to eight hundred and 
 ninety men. 
 
 On the 8th, commodore Chauncey fell in with the 
 Royal George, and chased her into Quinte Bay ; 
 where he lost sight of her in the night ; but on the 
 morning of the 9th, she was perceived lyings in 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 176 
 
 Kingston channel. She was immediately followed 
 into the harbour of King^ston. He there en^affed her 
 while exposed to the fire of the land batteries, for 
 upwards of an hour and a quarter. Night coming on 
 he haled off with the intention of renewing the at 
 tack next morning ; but this the weather prevented. 
 
 On the 10th, the commodore fell in with the Gov- 
 ernor Simcoe, which however succeeded in escaping 
 into the harbour of Kingston. In passing through 
 the bay of Quinte, two British trading vessels were 
 captured. On the 12th he returned to Sackett's 
 harbour. 
 
 On the 26th of November, the ship Madison was 
 launched at Sackett's harbour. 
 
 In the spring of the year 1813, the United States 
 had the following vessels equipped on lake Ontario 
 
 Guns 
 
 Ship Madison 24 •, 
 
 Brig Oneida 18 '^ ' 
 
 Schooner Governor Tompkins 6 = ' 
 
 Hamilton 9 ', 
 
 Julia 2 
 
 Elizabeth 2 
 
 Lady of the Lake 3 
 
 Conquest 8 
 
 Growler 6 
 
 Pert 3 
 
 Fair American 4 
 
 Ontario 1 
 
 ■ ' ' Scourge 8 
 
 93 
 
176 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 Also the Mary, bombvessel. During the summer 
 the General Pike of thirty-two guns, was added to 
 the fleet. 
 
 The British fleet in the spring consisted of the 
 following vessels : 
 
 Guns. 
 The frigate General Wolfe 36 
 
 Ship Royal George 22 
 
 Prince Regent 16 
 
 Brig Earl Moira 12 
 
 Seven schooners of from four to eight guns each. 
 On the 25th of April the American fleet, under 
 commodore Chauncey, left Sackett's harbour for the 
 purpose of conveying the expedition, under the com- 
 mand of major general Dearborn, against the British 
 post at York. At this place the fleet arrived on the 
 27th. The landing of the troops was covered in a 
 masterly manner by the commodore. The Ameri- 
 cans succeeded in their attack upon the town : but 
 unfortunately, the ever to be lamented brigadier 
 general Pike, was killed by explosion. A midship- 
 man and some seamen of the fleet were killed. 
 
 Commodore Chauncey, after having returned to 
 Sackett's harbour from York, again sailed, on the 
 22d of May for the purpose of co-operating in the 
 reduction of the British fort George, which was at- 
 tacked on the 28th. The vessels of the American 
 squadron were judiciously stationed to cover the 
 landing of the troops, and to silence the land batte- 
 ries of the British ; in the latter they soon succeed- 
 ed ; when a landing was effected, and the fort taken 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 177 
 
 Captain Perry had come down from lake Erie, and 
 was in this engagement. He rendered particular 
 service to the commodore by assisting in arranging 
 and superintending the debarkation of the troops, 
 On board the fleet only one man was killed, and two 
 wounded. 
 
 On the 29th of May, during the absence of the 
 American fleet, the British fleet, consisting of the 
 Wolfe, Royal George, Prince Regent, Earl Moira, 
 two armed schooners, and a number of gun boats, 
 with a detachment of the British army, from Kings- 
 ton, attacked Sackett's harbour ; they were howev- 
 er gallantly repulsed by the troops under the com- 
 mand of brigadier general Brown. A few days after 
 this affair the American fleet returned to Sackett's 
 harbour. 
 
 In the latter part of July, commodore Chauncey left 
 Sackett's harbour with his fleet, and on the 27th of 
 the same month arrived off Niagara. Having there 
 taken about two hundred and fifty infantry on board, 
 he set sail. It had been resolved to attack an encamp- 
 ment of the British ; but the latter being in greater 
 force than had been supposed, the attempt was aban- 
 doned ; and the fleet proceeded to York, where the 
 marines and soldiers were landed, under colonel 
 Scott. A very considerable quantity of British stores 
 were either destroyed or conveyed on board the fleet. 
 The barracks and publick store houses were burnt. 
 The fleet then returned to Niagara. 
 
 On the 7th of August at daylight, the British fleet, 
 
 consisting of two ships, two brigs, and two large 
 
 23 
 
178 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 schooners, were discovered bearing w. n. vv. ? hey 
 were about five or six miles distant, and the wh i at 
 west. Commodore Chauncey, having passed the lee- 
 ward of the British line, and abreast of their van i hip, 
 the Wolfe, hoisted American colours ; and fired ? few 
 guns to ascertain whether the British vessels < ould 
 be reached by his shot. But discovering that they 
 fell short, he wore and haled upon a wind on the 
 starboard tack. The rearmost of the Ameiican 
 schooners was then about six miles astern. The 
 British wore in succession ; and haled upon a wind 
 on the same tack ; but perceiving the Americans 
 would be enabled to weather them upon the next 
 tack, they tacked, and made all sail to the north- 
 ward. As soon as the rear vessels of the American 
 squadron could reach the wake of the British, they 
 tacked, and made all sail in chase. In the afternoon 
 the wind became very light, and towards night a 
 calm succeeded. The American schooners used 
 their sweeps all the afternoon, in endeavours to close 
 with the British, but without success. . Late in the 
 afternoon commodore Chauncey made the signal of 
 recall, and formed in close order. During the night, 
 the wind was from the westward ; and after mid- 
 night squally. All hands were kept at quarters, and 
 the vessels beat to windward, in expectation of gain- 
 ing the wind of the British. During the night the 
 two best American schooners were upset, in a heavy 
 squall of wind, and sunk. Only sixteen persons were 
 saved from them ; all the rest perished. The names 
 of the schooners were the Hamilton and Scourge, 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 179 
 
 mounting together nineteen guns. This accident 
 gave the British a decided superiority. Commodore 
 Chauncey expected the British would take advan- 
 tage, of this superiority ; and the more so as by a 
 change of wind they were brought right to windward 
 of him. He accordingly formed his line upon the lar- 
 board tack, and hove to. Soon after the British bore 
 up an9 set studding sails, apparently with the inten- 
 tion of bringing the Americans to action. When 
 they had approached within four miles, they brought 
 to on the starboard tack. The Americans then wore, 
 and brought to, on the same tack. Commodore 
 Chauncey perceiving the British did not intend bring- 
 ing him to action, edged away towards the shore, in 
 order to take advantage of the land breeze in the af- 
 ternoon. It soon after became calm, when he direct- 
 ed his schooners to sweep up and engage the British. 
 About noon a light breeze blew from the eastward. 
 The commodore then took the Oneida in tow, and 
 made sail towards the British. When, the van of the 
 American schooners was within one and a half or 
 two miles of the rear of the British, the wind shift- 
 ed to the westward, which again brought the latter 
 to windward ; when they bore up to the American 
 schooners in order to cut them off, before they could 
 be rejoined by commodore Chauncey. But the 
 schooners succeeded in returning to their station. 
 The British being thus foiled in their attempt upon 
 the schooners, haled their wind, and hove to. Tie 
 weather becoming very squally, commodore Chaui- 
 cey resolved to run in towards Niagara. The crel ;s 
 
180 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 of the squadron were nearly forty-eight hours at 
 quarters. A detachment of one hundred and fifty 
 soldiers was received on board the American fleet 
 from Niagara, to act as marines. On the following 
 morning the British fleet was discovered bearing 
 north. The American commodore immediately 
 weighed anchor, and stood for them. The winds 
 were light and variable, and by twelve o'clock were 
 quite calm. At five, a fresh breeze blew from the 
 north; the British fleet then bearing north, about 
 four or five leagues distant. The vessels of the 
 American fleet wore in succession, and haled upon a 
 whid on the larboard tack. At sunset, the British 
 bore N. w. by n. on the starboard tack. The wind 
 changing towards the westward, the American com- 
 modore stood to the northward all night in order to 
 gain the north shore. At daybreak he tacked to the 
 westward, the wind having then changed to n. n. w. 
 Soon after which he discovered the British fleet, 
 bearing s. w. The commodore made all sail in chase 
 with the Asp, Madison, and Fair American in tow. 
 To his great disappointment, the wind about twelve 
 o'clock changed to w. s. w. which again brought the 
 British to windward. The commodore tacked to 
 the northward ; but at three o'clock, the wind in- 
 clining to the north, he wore to south and west, and 
 made signal for the fleet to make all sail. At four, 
 the British bore s. s. w. The Americans steered 
 after them. At five, the former were becalmed mider 
 the land, while the latter neared them very fast with 
 a fine breeze from n. n. w. At six, the Americans 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 181 
 
 formed in line within four miles of the British; the 
 wind being then very light. At seven the wind chang- 
 ed to s. w. blew a fresh breeze. This placed the Brit- 
 ish to windward. The American commodore then 
 tacked, and haled upon a wind on the larboard tack, 
 under easy sail, the British standing after him. At 
 nine in the evening, the British were within double 
 gun shot of the rear of the Americans. They then 
 wore to the southward. Commodore Chauncey 
 stood to the north under easy sail, with his fleet 
 formed in two lines : a part of the schooners formed 
 the weather line. They were ordered to commence 
 the fire upon the British as soon as the shot of the 
 latter should take effect ; and, as they approached, 
 to edge down upon the American line to leeward, 
 pass through the intervals, and form to leeward. At 
 half past ten, the British tacked, and stood after the 
 Americans. At eleven o'clock the rear of the Amer- 
 ican line opened a brisk fire upon the British, and 
 in the course of fifteen minutes the fire became general 
 along the weather line of the Americans. At half 
 past eleven this line bore up, and passed to leeward, 
 except the Growler and Julia. These two vessels 
 tacked to the south, which brought the British be- 
 tween them and their commodore. The latter filled 
 his main-topsail, and edged away two points to lead 
 the British down ; this he did in order to engage 
 them to greater advantage, and to lead them from 
 the Growler and Julia. They however kept their 
 wind until they separated these two last mentioned 
 vessels from the rest of the American squadron. As 
 
182 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 they passed tlie General Pike, a i^ew shots were ex- 
 changed without doing any injury. While the British 
 were in chase of the two schooners, the commodore 
 tacked and stood after them until midnight when he 
 was forced to give over the pursuit to rejoin his 
 squadron, then to leeward. Their line was now 
 formed on the starboard tack. The firing continued 
 between the two American schooners and the Brit- 
 ish fleet until one o'clock, when the former were 
 captured. Soon after this, the American fleet being 
 nearly destitute of provisions, returned to Sackett's 
 harbour. 
 
 During a cruise in the early part of September, 
 commodore Chauncey fell in with the British fleet 
 and chased them all round the lake, when they put 
 into Amherst bay, after having received considerable 
 injury from the fire of the Americans. This bay 
 was so little known to the American pilots, that they 
 were unwilling to take the fleet in. Sir James Yeo, 
 commander of the British fleet, had a superiority 
 over the American commodore, both in guns and 
 men. His vessel also sailed better than the Ameri- 
 can. 
 
 Commodore Chauncey blockaded the British fleet 
 m Amherst bay for four days, when the wind blowing 
 heavy from the westward, they succeeded in getting 
 into Kingston : upon which the commodore returned 
 to Sackett's harbour, where he remained only a (ew 
 hours, and on the 18th of September sailed for Niag- 
 ara, where he arrived on the 24th. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 183 
 
 Commodore Chauncej having ascertained that the 
 British squadron was in York bay, sailed from Niag- 
 ara. On the 27th, in the evening, owing to the ex- 
 treme darkness of the night a part of his squadron 
 separated, and did not join him until next morning. 
 On the same day, the British fleet was discovered 
 under way in York bay. The American squadron 
 sailed for them with three schooners in tow. But 
 on the British perceiving the design of the Ameri- 
 cans to engage them, they tacked, and stood out of 
 the bay, the wind being then at east. The Ameri- 
 can commodore formed his line, and ran down for 
 their centre. As soon, however, as he had approach- 
 ed within three miles, they made all sail to the south- 
 ward. The vessels of the American squadron wore 
 in succession, and stood on the same tack with the 
 British, and edged down gradually in order to close. 
 At ten, past meridian, the British perceiving the 
 Americans closing fast with them, and that they 
 must either risk an action, or suffer their two rear 
 vessels to be cut off, they tacked in succession, begin- 
 ning at the van, hoisted their colours, and commenc- 
 ed a well directed fire at the Pike. This they did 
 with a view to cover their rear ; and, while passing 
 to leeward, to attack the rear of the Americans. 
 This commodore Chauncey frustrated by bearing up 
 in succession, with the line preserved, for the centre 
 of the British, as soon as their leading ship, the 
 Wolfe, had passed the centre of her line, and was 
 abeam of the American. This manoeuvre not only 
 covered the American rear, but also threw the Brit- 
 
184 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 ish in confusion. They immediately bore away ; 
 but the Americans had closed so near as to be enabled 
 to bring their guns to bear with effect, and in twen- 
 ty minutes after, the main and mizzen-topmast, and 
 the main yard of the British frigate Wolfe, was shot 
 away. This vessel immediately put before the 
 wind, with all sail set upon her foremast. The 
 American commodoie made signal for the fleet to 
 crowd all sail in pursuit : but as the Wolfe kept right 
 before the wind, she was enabled to outsail the 
 American squadron, and experienced no retardment 
 from the loss of her main and mizzen-topmast. The 
 Americans continued the chase until near three 
 o'clock. The Pike, with the Asp in tow, kept with- 
 in point blank shot of the British during the chase, 
 and sustained the whole of their fire. Prudence for- 
 bade any further pursuit on the part of the Americans. 
 The Pike was much injured, owing to her being so 
 long exposed to the fire of the whole British fleet. 
 The most serious injury, however, she received from 
 the bursting of a gun, which killed and wounded 
 twenty-two men. The Governor Tompkins lost her 
 foremast. The American fleet returned to Niagara. 
 On the 2d of October, commodore Chauncey again 
 proceeded in quest of the British fleet. He discover- 
 ed them steering a course for Niagara, with studding 
 sails, and all sails set, the wind being from the south 
 and westward. The commodore made all sail in 
 chase, but as soon as his vessels were discovered by 
 the British, they took in studding sails and haled 
 upon a wind to the westward, and made all sail from 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 185 
 
 the Americans. The wind being light all day, little 
 progress was made against the current. By sun 
 down, the British were off Twenty Mile Creek, and 
 had got a considerable distance from the Americans. 
 At daylight, the British were perceived at anchor . 
 but as soon as they saw the American squadron, they 
 weighed and made all sail to the west. The wind 
 was from south to southwest and squally. The 
 American commodore made all sail in chase, and 
 continued it the whole day. At sundown, the British 
 could scarcely be perceived from the mast head of 
 the American vessels. On the following morning the 
 British fleet was out of sight. Commodore Chauncey 
 then steered for the Ducks, with a view of intercept- 
 ing the British fleet on its return, should it have gone 
 down the lake. The wind increased to a strong 
 gale from the northward and westward, and contin- 
 ued during the whole day. At three o'clock in the 
 afternoon of the 5th, seven sail were discovered near 
 the False Ducks. Sail was immediately made in 
 chase by the American commodore, who took them 
 for the British fleet. But in the course of an hour 
 he ascertained them to be sloops and schooners. Sig- 
 nal was made by the commodore for the Sylph and 
 Lady of the Lake to cast off" the vessels they had m 
 tow, and chase n. e. Soon after this the British 
 were perceived separating on different tacks. The 
 Governor Tompkins was now cast off by the Pike, 
 and the commodore made all sail in chase with 
 her, having left the American squadron in charge of 
 captain Crane. At five o'clock in the afternoon the 
 24 
 
186 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 British set fire to one of their gun vessels that did not 
 sail well, after having taken out her people. At sun- 
 down, and opposite the Real Ducks, the Hamilton, 
 Confiance,* and Marj-Ann, struck to the Americans. 
 The Sjlph soon after captured the Drummond. The 
 Lady Gore ran into the Ducks, but the Sylph being 
 left to watch her, she was captured early the next 
 morning. The only British vessel that escaped was 
 the Enterprise, a small schooner. The British 
 vessels captured were three gun vessels mounting 
 from one to three guns each. They were trans- 
 porting troops to Kingston. The number of prison- 
 ers amounted to two hundred and sixty-four, of 
 whom two hundred and twenty-two were soldiers. 
 The American fleet immediately after this affair, re 
 turned to Sackett's harbour.f 
 
 * The Hamilton and Confiance; these two vessels had not 
 long been captured from the Americans, as already related, and 
 had been in the American service called the Growler and Julia. 
 
 t Clark's Naval History, vol. i. p. 222—232 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 187 
 
 EVENTS ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN. 
 
 During the summer of the year 1812, prepara- 
 tions were made on lake Chaniplain to oppose the 
 naval force that might be sent by the British from 
 Isle-au-Noix. 
 
 Nothing very interesting occurred until the 3d of 
 June, 1813. In consequence of some British gun 
 boats having appeared on the American side of the 
 line, the Growler and Eagle sailed from Plattsburgh 
 on the 2d of June, under the command of lieuten- 
 ant Smith, with the intention of attacking them. 
 At dark on the same day, they arrived within a mile 
 of the boundary line. On the following morning, at 
 daybreak, three British gun boats were discovered, 
 to which the American vessels immediately gave 
 chase. But the wind being south, they unfortu- 
 nately ran so far into the narrow channel, that they 
 found it difficult to return. The Eagle not being: 
 sufficiently strong for her weight of metal, became 
 unmanageable,' and sunk in shoal water ; her crew 
 were however saved. The Growler continued en- 
 gaged with a number of British grm boats until the 
 Eagle went down, when she was compelled to yield 
 to a superior force ; the action continued above four 
 hours. The shores were lined with British soldiers 
 who from the narrowness of the channel were ena- 
 bled to do considerable execution. 
 
188 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 About the commencement of August the British 
 in two large sloops of war, three gun boats, and about 
 forty batteaux full of troops crossed the line. They 
 landed at Plattsburgh, where they destroyed all the 
 public buildings and stores. After which they aban- 
 doned the place. 
 
 The American naval force on lake Champlain con- 
 sisted on the 20th of August of 
 
 Guns. 
 
 The President 12 
 
 Commodore Preble ' 11 
 
 Montgomery 11 
 
 Frances 6 
 
 Two gun boats, one 18 pounder each 2 
 
 Six scows, one 12 pounder each 6 
 
 48 
 In the month of September, commodore Macdon- 
 ough sailed from Burlington, to the lines, and offer- 
 ed the British battle; this they refused, and sailed 
 out of the lake to the northward.* 
 
 BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH. 
 
 On the 31st of August 1814, the advance of the 
 
 British army under general Brisbane, entered Chani- 
 
 plain, and encamped on the north side of the Great 
 
 Chazy river, and on the same day major general 
 
 * Clark's Naval History, vol. i. p. 232, 233. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 189 
 
 Mooers ordered out the militia of the counties of 
 Clinton and Essex. The regiment from Clinton 
 county, under lieutenant-colonel Miller, immediately 
 assembled, and on the 2d September took a position on 
 the west road near the village of Chazy ; and on the 
 3d general Wright with such of his brigade as had 
 arrived, occupied a position on the same road about 
 eight miles in advance of Plattsburgh. On the 4th 
 the enemy having brought up his main body to Cham- 
 plain, took up his line of march for that place. The 
 rifle corps under lieutenant-colonel Appling, on the 
 lake road, fell back as far as Dead Creek, blocking 
 up the road in such manner as to impede the advance 
 of the enemy as much as possible. The enemy ad- 
 vanced on the 5th within a few miles of lieutenant- 
 colonel Appling's position, and finding it too strong 
 to attack, halted and caused a road to be made west 
 into the Beekmantown road, in which the light bri- 
 gade under general Powers advanced, and on the 
 morning of the 6th, about seven o'clock, attacked 
 the militia, which had at this time increased to near- 
 ly seven hundred, under general Mooers, and a small 
 detachment of regulars under major Wool, about se- 
 ven miles from Plattsburgh. After the first fire, a 
 considerable part of the militia broke and fled in 
 every direction. Many, however, manfully stood 
 their ground, and, with the small corps of major Wool, 
 bravely contested the ground, against five times their 
 number, falling back gradually and occupying the 
 fences on each side the road, till they arrived within 
 a mile of the town, when they were reinforced by 
 
190 - NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 two pieces of artillery, under captain Leonard, and 
 our troops occupying a strong position behind a stone 
 wall, for some time stopped the progress of the 
 enemy : being at length compelled to retire, they 
 contested every inch of grbund until they reached 
 the south bank of the Saranac, where the enemy at- 
 tempted to pursue them but was repulsed with loss. 
 The loss of the British in this skirmish was colonel 
 Wellington and a lieutenant of the third Buffs, and 
 two lieutenants of the fifty-eighth killed, and one cap- 
 tain and one lieutenant of the fifty-eighth light com- 
 pany wounded, together with about one hiuidred pri- 
 vates killed and wounded ; while that on our part did 
 not exceed twenty-five. The corps of riflemen un- 
 der colonel Appling, and detachment under captain 
 Sproul, fell back from their position at Dead Creek 
 in time to join the militia, &c. just before they en- 
 tered the village, and fought Avith their accustomed 
 bravery. The British got possession of that part of 
 the village north of the Saranac about eleven o'clock, 
 but the incessant and well directed fire of our artillery 
 and musketry from the forts and opposite bank com- 
 pelled them to retire before night beyond the reach 
 of our guns. The enemy arrived towards night with 
 his heavy artillery and baggage on the lake road and 
 crossed the beach, where he met with a warm re- 
 ception from our row-galleys, and it is believed suf- 
 fered a heavy loss in killed and wounded. On our 
 side, lieutenant Duncan, of the navy, lost an arm by 
 a rocket and three or four men were killed by the 
 enemy's artillery. The enemy encamped on the 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 191 
 
 rido-e west of the town, his right near the river, and 
 occupying an extent of nearly three miles, his left 
 resting on the lake about a mile north of the village. 
 From the 6th, until the morning of the 11th, an al- 
 most continual skirmishing was kept up between the 
 enemy's pickets and our militia stationed on the ri- 
 ver ; and in the mean time both armies were busily 
 engaged — ours in strengthening the works of the 
 forrs, and that of the enemy in erecting batteries, 
 collecting ladders, bringing up his heavy ordnance, 
 and making other preparations for attacking the fort. 
 On the morning of the 7th, a body of the enemy 
 under captain Noadie, attempted to cross at the up- 
 per bridge, about seven miles west of Plattsburgh, 
 but were met by captain Vaughan's company of 
 about twenty-five men, and compelled to retire with 
 the loss of two killed and several wounded. On the 
 morning of the 11th, the enemy's fleet came round 
 the head vvith a light breeze from the north, and at- 
 tacked ours, which lay at anchor in Cumberland bay, 
 two miles from the shore, east of the fort. The ac- 
 tion was long and bloody, but decisive ; and the 
 event such as we believe it will always be (except by 
 accident) when our navy contends with any thing 
 like an equal force. The enemy commenced a simul- 
 taneous bombardment of our works from seven bat- 
 teries, from which several hundred shells and rockets 
 were discharged, which did us very little injury, and 
 our artillery had nearly succeeded in silencing all 
 before the contest on the lake was decided. The 
 enemy attempted at the same time to throw his main 
 
192 NAVAL BATTLES 
 
 body in rear of the fort, by crossing the river three 
 miles west of the town, near the scite of Pike's can- 
 tonment. He succeeded in crossing, after a brave 
 resistance by the Essex militia and a few of the Ver- 
 mont volunteers, in all about three hundred and fifty, 
 stationed at that place, who retired back a mile and a 
 half from the river, continually pouring in upon them 
 an incessant fire from behind every tree, until lieuten- 
 ant Sumpter brought up a piece of artillery to their 
 support, when the enemy commenced a precipitate 
 retreat. The Vermont volunteers, who had hasten- 
 ed to the scene of action on the first alarm, fell 
 upon the enemy's left flank and succeeded in making 
 many prisoners, including three officers. Had the 
 British remained on the south side of the river thir- 
 ty minutes longer, they must have lost nearly the 
 whole detachment that crossed. Our loss in this af- 
 fair was five killed and eight or ten wounded, some 
 mortally. Immediately on ascertaining the loss of 
 the fleet, Sir George Prevost ordered preparations 
 to be made for the retreat of the army, and set off 
 himself with a small escort, for Canada, a little after 
 noon. The main body of the enemy, with the ar- 
 tillery and baggage, were taken off in the afternoon 
 and night, and the rear guard, consisting of the light 
 brigade, started at daybreak, and made a precipitate 
 retreat, leaving their wounded and a large quantity 
 of provisions, fixed ammunition, shot, shells and 
 other public stores in the different places of deposit 
 about their camp. They were pursued some distance 
 by our troops, and many prisoners taken ; but owing 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 193 
 
 to the very heavy and incessant rain, we were com- 
 pelled to return. The enemy lost, upon land, more 
 than two thousand men in killed, wounded, prisoners 
 and deserters ; while our aggregate loss did not ex- 
 ceed one hundred and fifty.* 
 
 In September, 1814, commodore Macdonough 
 succeeded in capturing the British fleet, the particu- 
 lars of which will be best related in his letter to the 
 secretary of the navy, which follows. 
 
 United States ship Saratoga, Plattsburgh Bay, September 
 13, 1814. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honour to give you the particu- 
 lars of the action which took place on the 11th in- 
 stant on this lake. 
 
 For several days the enemy were on their way, to 
 Plattsburgh by land and water ; and it being well 
 understood that an attack would be made at the same 
 time by their land and naval forces, I determined to 
 await at anchor the approach of the latter. 
 
 At eight, A. M. the look-out boat announced the 
 approach of the enemy. At nine he anchored in a 
 line ahead, at about three hundred yards distance 
 from my line ; his ship opposed to the Saratoga, his 
 brig to the Eagle, captain Robert Henley, his galley 
 (thirteen in number) to the schooner, sloop, and a 
 division of our galleys. Our remaining galleys with 
 the Saratoga and Eagle. 
 
 In this situation, the whole force on both sides 
 became engaged ; the Saratoga suffered much from 
 * Sketches of the War, p 405—407 
 
 25 
 
194 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 the heavy fire of the Confiance : I could perceive, at 
 the same time, however, that our fire was very de- 
 structive to her. The Ticonderoga, lieutenant-com- 
 mnndant Cassin, gaUantly sustained her full share 
 of the action. At half past ten o'clock, the Eagle, 
 not being able to bring her guns to bear, cut her ca- 
 ble and anchored in a more eligible position, between 
 my ship and the Ticonderoga, where she very much 
 annoyed the enemy, but unfortunately leaving me 
 exposed to a galling fire from the enemy's brig. Our 
 guns on the starboard side, being nearly all dismount- 
 ed, or not manageable, a stern anchor was let go, 
 the bower cable cut, and. the ship winded with a 
 fresh broadside on the enemy's ship, which soon af- 
 ter surrendered. Our broadside was then sprung 
 to bear on the brig, which surrendered in about fif- 
 teen minutes after. 
 
 The sloop that was opposed to the Eagle, had 
 struck some time before, and drifted down the line ; 
 the sloop which was with their galleys having struck 
 also. Three of their galleys are said to be sunk, 
 and the others pulled off. Our galleys were about 
 obeying with alacrity the signal to follow them, when 
 all the vessels were reported to me to be 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 shattered condition, for there was not a mast in eith- 
 er squadron that could stand to make sail on ; the 
 lower rigging, being nearly all shot away, hung down 
 as though it had been just placed over the mast heads. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 195 
 
 The Saratoga had fifty five round shot in her hull ; 
 the Confiance one hundred and. five. The enemy's 
 shot passed principally just over our heads, as there 
 were not twenty whole hammocks in the nettings at 
 the close of the action, which lasted, without inter- 
 niission, two hours and twenty minutes. 
 
 The absence and sickness of lieutenant Raymond 
 Perry, left me without the services of that excellent 
 officer; much ought fairly to-be attributed to him 
 for his great care and attention in disciplining the 
 ship's crew, as her first lieutenant. His place was 
 filled by a gallant young officer, lieutenant Pet( r 
 Gamble, who, I regret to inform you, was killel 
 early in the action. Acting lieutenant Valette work- 
 ed the 1st and 2d divisions of guns with able effect 
 Sailing-master Brum's attention to the springs, and 
 in the execution of the order to wind the ship, and 
 occasionally at the guns, meets my entire approba- 
 tion ; also captain Young, commanding the acting 
 marines, who took his men to the guns. Mr. Beale, 
 purser, was of great service at the guns, and in car- 
 rying my orders throughout the ship, with Midship- 
 man Montgomery. Master's mate Joshua Justin, 
 had command of the 3d division ; his conduct during 
 the action, was that of a brave and correct officer. 
 Midshipmen Monteath, Graham, Williamson, Piatt, 
 Thwing, and acting midshipman Baldwin, all behav- 
 ed well, and gave evidence of their making valuable 
 officers. 
 
 The Saratoga was twice set on fire by hot shot 
 from the enemy's ship. 
 
196 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 I close, sir, this communication with feelings ol 
 gratitude for the able support I received from every 
 officer and man attached to the squadron which I 
 have the honour to command. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with great respect, sir, 
 your most obedient servant, 
 
 T. MACDONOUGH. 
 
 Hon. Wm. Jones, Secretary of the Navy. 
 
 The following is a comparative view of the force 
 and loss of the British and American fleets : 
 
 BRITISH. 
 
 Guns. Men. Killed.* Wounded. 
 
 Large ship, 39 
 
 Brig Linnet, 16 
 
 Sloop, formerly Growler, 1 1 
 Sloop, do. Eagle, 11 
 13 Gun boats,! 18 
 
 Total, 95 1050 84 110 
 
 AMERICAN. 
 
 Guns. 
 Saratoga, ship, 26 
 
 Eagle, brig, 20 
 
 Ticonderoga, sch'r. 17 
 Preble, sloop, 7 
 
 10 Gun boats, 16 
 
 Total, 86 820 52 58 
 
 * This is a statement of what were found on board the British 
 vessels. Many were thrown overboard during the action; and it 
 was supposed the whole number of killed and wounded amount- 
 ed to two hundred and sixty. 
 
 I Two probably sunk. 
 
 300 
 
 50 
 
 60 
 
 120 
 
 20 
 
 30 
 
 40 
 
 6 
 
 10 
 
 40 
 
 8 
 
 10 
 
 550 
 
 
 
 Men. 
 
 Killed. 
 
 Wounded 
 
 210 
 
 28 
 
 29 
 
 120 
 
 13 
 
 20 
 
 110 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 30 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 350 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 197 
 
 The British officers killed, were commodore Dow- 
 ney, and three lieutenants. The American officers 
 killed, were lieutenants Gamble and Stansbury ; the 
 latter of whom was knoc'r^ed overboard and not 
 found. Commodore Macdonough escaped without 
 injury. 
 
 The British officers taken were captain Pring and 
 six or eight lieutenants. The wounded were parol- 
 ed and sent by a flag to the Isle-au-Noix. 
 
 The British large ship proved to be a very fine 
 vessel of her class, having two gun decks in her bow 
 and stern, and mounting, among her guns, twenty- 
 eight long twenty-four pounders, a battery which few 
 frigates of the British navy can boast. 
 
 On the 13th of September, the interment of the 
 American and British officers, who fell in the memo- 
 rable battle of the 11th, took place at Plattsburgh, 
 in a manner to do honour to the bravery with which 
 they defended they respective flags. The coffins of 
 the American officers, covered with the flags of their 
 vessels, were taken on board a boat from the com- 
 modore's ship and followed by him and his offi- 
 cers, in another boat, to the British ship, where they 
 took on board the deceased British officers, covered 
 with the flags of their own vessels, and proceeded 
 to the shore, followed by their surviving officers, 
 During the procession, minute guns were fired from 
 the commodore's ship. 
 
 At the land they were received by an escort of 
 infantry and artillery, and joined by a large number 
 of the officers of the army ; and while they proceed- 
 
198 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 ed to the public burying ground, minute guns were 
 also fired from the fort. At the grave, a discharge 
 of musketry and artillery closed the scene. 
 
 The following amount of property was said to have 
 been taken from on board the enemy's fleet, at the 
 time of, and subsequent to its capture : — seventeen 
 thousand weight of powder, exclusive of fixed am- 
 munition for the ships ; between eighty and ninety 
 thousand weight of balls, &c. ; six hundred muskets ; 
 six hundred suits of sailor's clothing ; and the winter 
 clothing for the whole of the land army. 
 
 In the beginning of November, six tons of eight 
 inch shells were taken out of the lake at Chazy by 
 the Americans, which had been secreted by the ene- 
 my in his incursion. A transport sloop was also 
 raised at Isle la Mott, which had been sunk by the 
 enemy, loaded with naval stores and various instru- 
 ments of war 
 
 ATTACK ON BALTIMORE. 
 
 On Saturday the 10th of September, information 
 was received that the enemy was ascending the 
 Chesapeake, and on Sunday morning his ships were 
 seen at the mouth of the Patapsco river, (which com- 
 municates with the basin on which Baltimore stands) 
 in number to forty to fifty. Some of his vessels en- 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 199 
 
 tered the river, while others proceeded to North 
 Point, (at the mouth of the Patapsco,) fourteen miles 
 from Baltimore, and commenced the debarkation of 
 their troops in the night, and was finished early next 
 morning. The following extracts of a letter from 
 general Smith to the secretary of war, gives an ac- 
 count of the events which followed : 
 
 " Baltimore, September 19, 1814 
 
 "I HAVE the honour of stating, that the enemy 
 landed between seven and eight thousand men on 
 Monday the 10th instant, at North Point, fourteen 
 miles distant from this town. Anticipating this de- 
 barkation, general Strieker had been detached on 
 Sunday evening with a portion of his brigade on the 
 North Point road. Major Randel, of the Baltimore 
 county militia, having under his command a light 
 corps of riflemen and musketry taken from general 
 Stanbury's brigade and Pennsylvania volunteers, was 
 detached to the mouth of Bear Creek, with orders to 
 co-operate with general Strieker, and to check any 
 landing which the enemy might attempt in that quar- 
 ter. On Monday, brigadier general Strieker took a 
 good position at the junction of the two roads leading 
 from this place to North Point, having his right 
 flanked by Bear Creek, and his left by a marsh. 
 He here awaited the approach of the enemy, having 
 sent on an advance corps under the command of 
 major Heath of the 5th regiment. This advance 
 was met by that of the enemy, and after some skir- 
 mishing it returned to the line, the main body of the 
 
200 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 enemy being at a short distance in the rear of their 
 advance. Between two and three o'clock, the ene- 
 my's whole force came up and commenced battle by 
 some discharges of rockets, which were succeeded by 
 the cannon from both sides, and soon after the action 
 became general along the line. General Strieker 
 gallantly maintained his ground against a great supe- 
 riority of numbers during the space of an hour and 
 twenty minutes, when the regiment on his left (the 
 fifty-first) giving way, he was under the necessity of 
 retiring to the ground in his rear, where he had sta- 
 tioned one regiment as a reserve. He here formed 
 his brigade ; but the enemy not thinking it advisable 
 to pursue, he, in compliance with previous arrange- 
 ments, fell back and took post on the left of my in- 
 trenchments, and a half mile in advance of them. 
 
 " In this affair the citizen soldiers of Baltimore, 
 with the exception of the fifty-first regiment, have 
 maintained the reputation they so deservedly acquir- 
 ed at Bladensburg, and have given their country and 
 their city an assurance of what may be expected 
 from them when their services are again required. I 
 cannot dismiss the subject without expressing the^ 
 heartfelt satisfaction I experience in thus bearing 
 testimony to the courage and good conduct of my 
 fellow townsmen. About the time general Strieker 
 had taken the ground just mentioned, he was joined 
 by brigadier general Winder, who had been stationed 
 on the west side of the city, but was now ordered 
 to march with general Douglass' brigade of Virginia 
 militia and the United States dragoons under captain 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 201 
 
 Bird, and take post on the left of general Strieker. 
 During these movements, the brigades of generals 
 Stansbury and Foreman, the seamen and marines 
 under commodore Rodgers, the Pennsylvania volun- 
 teers under colonels Corbeau and Findley, the Balti- 
 more artillery under colonel Harris, and the mari'^e 
 artillery under captain Stiles, manned the trenches 
 and the batteries — all prepared to receive the enemy. 
 We remained in this situation during the night. 
 
 " On Tuesday, the enemy appeared in front of my 
 intrenchments, at the distance of two miles, on the 
 Philadelphia road, from whence he had a full view of 
 our position. He manoeuvred during the morning 
 towards our left, as if with the intention of making 
 a circuitous march, and coming down on the Hart- 
 ford and York roads. Generals Winder and Strieker 
 were ordered to adapt their movements to those of 
 the enemy, so as to baffle this supposed intention. 
 They executed this order with great skill and judg- 
 ment, by taking an advantageous position, stretching 
 from my left across the country, when the enemy 
 was likely to approach the quarter he seemed to 
 threaten. This movement induced the enemy to* 
 concentrate his forces (between one and two o'clock) 
 in my front, pushing his advance to within a mile o 
 us, driving in our videttes, and showing an intention 
 of attacking us that evening. I immediately drew 
 generals Winder and Strieker nearer to the left of 
 my intrenchments, and to the right of the enemy, 
 with the intention of their falling on his right or rear, 
 
 should he attack me ; or if he declined it, of attack- 
 26 ^ 
 
202 NAVAL BATTLES. ' 
 
 ing him in the morning. To this movement and to 
 the strength of my defences, which the enemy had 
 the fairest opportunity of observing, I am induced to 
 attribute his retreat, which commenced at half past 
 one o'clock on Wednesday morning. In this he was 
 so favoured by the extreme darkness and a continued 
 rain, that we did not discover it until daylight. I 
 consented to general Winder's pursuing with the Vir- 
 ginia brigade and the United States dragoons; at 
 the same time major Randal was despatched with his 
 light corps in pursuit of the enemy's right, whilst the 
 whole of the militia cavalry was put in motion for 
 the same object. All the troops were, however, so 
 worn out with continued watching, and with being 
 underarms during three days and nights, exposed the 
 greater part of the time to very inclement weather, 
 that it was found impracticable to do any thing more 
 than pick up a few stragglers. The enemy com- 
 menced his embarkation that evening, and completed 
 it the next day at one o'clock. It would have been 
 impossible, even had our troops been in a condition 
 to act offensively, to have cut off any part of the 
 enemy's rear guard during the embarkation, as the 
 point where it was effected was defended from our 
 approach by a line of defences extending from Back 
 river to Humphrey's Creek on the Patapsco, thrown 
 up by ourselves previous to their arrival. 
 
 " I have now the pleasure of calling your atten- 
 tion to the brave commander of fort M'Henry* mnjor 
 Armstead, and to the operations confined to that 
 • Fort M'Henry is about two miles from the city of Baltimore. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 203 
 
 quarter. The enemy made his approach by water 
 at the same time that his army was advancing on the 
 land, and commenced a discharge of bombs and rock- 
 ets at the fort as soon as he got within range of it. 
 The situation of major Armstead was peculiarly 
 trying — the enemy having taken his position at ?U'.h 
 a distance as to render offensive operations on the 
 part of the fort entirely fruitless, while their bombs 
 and rockets were every moment falling in and about 
 it — the officers and men being at the same time en- 
 tirely exposed. The vessels, however, had the temer- 
 ity to approach somewhat nearer — they were as 
 soon compelled to withdraw. During the night, 
 whilst the enemy on land was retreating, and whilst 
 the bombardment was the most severe, two or three 
 rocket vessels and barges succeeded in getting up 
 the Ferry Branch ; but they were soon compelled to 
 retire, by the forts in that quarter, commanded by 
 lieutenant Newcomb of the navy, and lieutenant 
 Webster of the flotilla. These forts also destroyed 
 one of the barges, with all on board. The barges 
 and battery at the Lazaretto, under the command of 
 lieutenant Ruttcr of the flotilla, kept up a brisk and 
 it is believed a successful fire during the hottest period 
 of the bombardment. The loss in fort M'Henry was 
 four killed and twenty-four wounded, amongst the 
 former I have to lament the fall of lieutenants Cla- 
 gett and Clamm, who were both estimable citizens 
 and useful officers. 
 
 Of general Strieker's brigade, the number of killed 
 and wounded amounts to about one hundred and fifty 
 
204 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 among the former this city has to regret the loss 
 of its representative in the state legislature, James 
 Lovvry Donaldson, esquire, adjutant of the twenty- 
 seventh regiment. This gentleman will ever be re- 
 membered by his constituents for his zeal and talents, 
 and by his corps for his bravery and military know- 
 ledge. 
 
 " I cannot conclude this report without informing 
 you of the great aid I have derived from commodore 
 Rodgers. He was ever present and ever ready to 
 afford his useful counsel, and to render his important 
 services. His presence, with that of his gallant offi- 
 cers and seamen, gave confidence to every one. 
 
 " The enemy's loss, in his attempt on Baltimore, 
 amounts, as near as we can ascertain, to between six 
 and seven hundred killed, w^ounded and missing 
 
 BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS. 
 
 On the 27th December 1814, general Jackson ai. 
 rived at New Orleans with his army, where he im- 
 mediately began the inspection of the different forts 
 and works down the Mississippi river. On the 
 morning of the 1st of January, the enemy had ad- 
 vanced within six hundred yards of our breast-works, 
 under cover of night and a heavy fog, and erected 
 three diff'erent batteries, mounting in all fifteen guns, 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 205 
 
 from 6's to 32's. About eight o'clock, when the fog 
 cleared off, they commenced a most tremendous fire, 
 which was amply returned by our men, and a heavy 
 cannonading was kept up, without the least interval 
 on either side, except that occasioned by the explo- 
 sion of two small magazines, owing to their con- 
 greve rockets. At four o'clock, p. m. we had dis- 
 mounted all their guns but two. During the night 
 the enemy retreated to their strong holds, about a 
 mile and a quarter from our lines. Our loss was 
 eleven killed and twenty-three wounded : that of 
 the enemy must have been much more. A 32 pound- 
 er from a battery commanded by commodore Pat- 
 terson, killed fifteen at one shot. The Louisiana this 
 day fired seven hundred shot. 
 
 On the 2d of January, general Jackson received 
 at New Orleans and its vicinity, reinforcements from 
 Kentucky and Tennessee, amounting to three or four 
 thousand, which, with his former force, gave him an 
 army of between seven and eight thousand, of whom 
 not more, however, than one half were armed. In 
 consequence of the great number of men arriving 
 with their arms in bad order, and of the scarcity of 
 good muskets with bayonets, four companies of Unit- 
 ed States troops gave up theirs, amounting to about 
 five hundred, to arm the men at the camp, and armed 
 themselves with fowling pieces and })ikes. 
 
 On the 6th of January sailing-master Johnson of 
 the United States navy, with a launch and three 
 small boats, manned with thirty-eight men, succeed- 
 ed in burning a British transport brig on Lake 
 
206 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 Borgne, ami in capturing a number of prisoners. 
 The brig was laden with provisions and clothing. 
 On the same day,, twenty-one sail of British vessels 
 arrived off Cat island, upon the coast opposite the 
 bay of St. Louis, with a large reinforcement of troops, 
 commanded by general Lambert. On the 7th, these 
 troops were disembarked at the bayou Bienvenu : 
 and lieutenant-general sir Edward Pakenham, (broth- 
 er-in-law of lord Wellington) assumed command of 
 the whole British army, amounting to twelve thou- 
 sand men. 
 
 For two or three days previous to this, part of the 
 forces of the enemy had been employed in preparing 
 scaling ladders and collecting fascines (made of su- 
 gar canes) for their intended assault upon our lines ; 
 while others were widening and deepening the canal 
 which leads from the bayou Bienvenu towards the 
 Mississippi, and which, on the evening of the 7th, 
 was cut throuoh to admit the river. Through this 
 canal they floated or dragged twenty-four of their 
 smaller boats, containing twenty-five men each, and 
 thus transported about six hundred men to the op- 
 posite side of the river. Some distance above the 
 spot where they landed, two batteries had been con- 
 structed and placed under the direction of commo- 
 dore Patterson. The enemy's troops which had thus 
 crossed, were intended to attack the commodore's 
 batteries and create a diversion on that side of the 
 river, while the main attack was carried on on the 
 other side. Accordingly on the morning of the 8th, 
 they silently drew out a large force to storm our 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 207 
 
 lines, their columns advancing unperceived in the ob- 
 scurity of the morning, to within about half a mile 
 of our camp, where they met and drove in our piquet 
 guard. About day-break they advanced with great 
 vivacity to the entrenchment, led gallantly on by 
 their officers ; when the intrepid Jackson and his 
 brave men opened a most tremendous and deadly 
 fire upon them from our works, which ended in 
 a dreadful slaughter and total defeat of the enemy. 
 General Jackson officially reports to the secretary 
 at war an account of this battle in the following 
 woxds : — 
 
 Camp, 4 miles below Orleans, January 9, 1815 
 
 Sir, — During the days of the 6th and 7th, the 
 enemy had been actively employed in making prepar- 
 ations for an attack on my lines. With infinite la- 
 bour they had succeeded on the night of the 6th in 
 gettins their boats across the lake to the river, bv 
 widening and deepening the canal on w hich they had 
 effected their disembarkation. It had not been in 
 my power to impede these operations by a general 
 attack ; added to other reasons, the nature of the 
 troops under my command, mostly militia, rendered 
 it too hazardous to attempt extensive oiTensive move- 
 ments in an open country, against a numerous and 
 well disciplined army. Although my forces, as to 
 number, had been increased by the arrival of the 
 Kentucky division, my strength had received very 
 little addition ; a small portion only of that detach- 
 ment being provided with arms. Compelled thus to 
 
208 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 wait the attack of the enemy, 1 took every measure 
 to repel it when it should be made, and to defeat the 
 object he had in view. General Morgan with the 
 Orleans contingent, the Louisiana militia and a strong 
 detachment of the Kentucky troops, occupied an in- 
 trenched camp on' the opposite side of the river, pro- 
 tected by strong batteries on the bank, erected and 
 superintended by commodore Patterson. 
 
 In my encampment every thing was ready for ac- 
 tion, when, early on the morning of the 8th, the ene- 
 my after throwing a heavy shower of bombs and 
 congreve rockets, advanced their columns on my 
 right and left, to storm my intrenchments. I cannot 
 speak sufficiently in praise of the firmness and delib- 
 eration with which the whole line received their ap- 
 proach — more could not have been expected from 
 veterans inured to war. — For an hour, the fire of the 
 small arms was as incessant and severe as can be 
 imagined. The artillery, too, directed by officers 
 who displayed equal skill and courage, did great ex 
 ecution. Yet the columns of the enemy continued to 
 advance with a firmness which reflects the greatest 
 credit. Twice the column which approached me on 
 my left, was repulsed by the troops of general Car 
 roll, those of general Coffee, and a division of the 
 Kentucky militia, and twice they formed again and 
 renewed the assault. At length, however, cut to 
 pieces, they fled in confusion from the field, leaving 
 it covered with their dead and wounded. 
 
 The loss which the enemy sustained on this occa 
 sion, cannot be estimated at less than fifteen hundred 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 209 
 
 in killed, wounded and prisoners. Upwards of three 
 hundred have already be(?n delivered over for burial ; 
 and my men are still engaged in picking them up 
 within my lines and carrying them to the point where 
 the enemy are to receive them. — This is an addition 
 to the dead and wounded whom the enemy have beer, 
 enabled to carry from the field, during, and since the 
 action, and to those who have since died of the 
 wounds they received. We have taken about five 
 hundred prisoners, upwards of three hundred of whom 
 are wounded, and a great part of them mortally. 
 My loss has not exceeded, and I believe has not 
 amounted to ten killed and as many wounded. The 
 entire destruction of the enemy's army was now inevi- 
 table had it not been for an unfortunate occurrence 
 which at this moment took place on the other side of 
 the river. Simultaneously with his advance upon my 
 lines, he had thrown over in his boats a considerable 
 force to the other side of the river. This having 
 landed, was hardly enough to advance against the 
 works of general Morgan ; and, what is strange and 
 difficult to account for, at the very moment when its 
 entire discomfiture was looked for with a confidence 
 approaching to certainty, the Kentucky reinforce- 
 ments, in whom so much reliance had been placed,, 
 ingloriously fled, drawing after them by their exam- 
 ple, the remainder of the forces , and thus yielded t& 
 the enemy that most fortunate position. The bat- 
 teries which had rendered me, for many days, the 
 most import service, though bravely defended, were 
 
 27 
 
210 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 of course now abandoned ; not, however, until the 
 guns had been spiked. 
 
 This unfortunate route had totally changed the as- 
 pect of affairs. The enemy now occupied a position 
 from which they might annoy us without hazard, 
 and by means of which they might have been en- 
 abled to defeat, in a great measure, the effects of 
 our success on this side the river. It became there- 
 fore an object of the fust consequence to dislodge 
 him as soon as possible. For this object, all the 
 means in my power, which I could with any safety 
 use, were immediately put in preparation. Perhaps, 
 however, it was owing somewhat to another cause 
 that I succeeded even beyond my expectations. In 
 negotiating the terms of a temporary suspension of 
 hostilities to enable the enemy to bury their dead and 
 provide for their wounded, I had required certain 
 propositions to be acceded to as a basis ; among 
 which this was one — that although hostilities should 
 cease on this side the river until twelve o'clock of 
 this day, yet it was not to be understood that they 
 should cease on the other side ; but that no reinforce- 
 ments should be sent across by either army until the 
 expiration of that day. His excellency Maj. Gen. 
 Lambert begged time to consider of these proposi- 
 tions until ten o'clock of to-day, and in the meantime 
 recrossed his troops. I need not tell you with how 
 much eagerness I immediately regained possession 
 of the position he had thus hastily quitted. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 211 
 
 In a subsequent letter, general Jackson states the 
 loss of the enemy to have been much greater than 
 what he at first computed. Upon information which 
 was believed to be correct, colonel Haynes re- 
 ported it to have been in total two thousand six 
 hundred, viz. seven hundred killed, fourteen hundred 
 wounded, and five hundred prisoners, including one 
 major, four captains, eleven lieutenants, and one en- 
 sign, who were among the latter. The American 
 loss on both sides of the Mississippi was thirteen 
 killed, thirty-nine wounded, and nineteen miss-ing — 
 total seventy-one. Of this number six were killed 
 and seven wounded in the action on the eastern bank 
 of the river, and the residue in a sortie after the ac- 
 tion and in the action on the western bank. Among 
 the British officers killed were Sir Edward Paken- 
 ham, lieutenant-general and commander in chief, 
 (cut asunder by a cannon ball) major-general Gibbs, 
 colonel Ray nor, majors Pringle, Whitaker and Wilk- 
 inson. Among their wounded was major-general 
 Keane, severelv. 
 
 Numerous accounts official as well as unofficial, 
 represent this battle to have been the greatest ever 
 fought on the American continent. For disparity of 
 loss a parallel can scarcely be found in ancient or 
 modern history. So determined were the enemy to 
 carry our works that many came up to the very 
 muzzles of our guns, and some penetrated into our 
 lines, where they were either killed or taken piison- 
 ers. Many fell mounting the breast-works ; other? 
 were slain upon the works : and the ditch in front 
 
212 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 was, in many places, literally filled with dead and 
 wounded. The roar of artillery from our lines was 
 incessant, while an unintermitted rolling fire was 
 kept up from our muskets. The atmosphere was 
 filled with sheets of fire and volumes of smoke. For 
 an hour and a quarter the enemy obstinately con 
 tinned the assault ; fresh men constantly arriving to 
 fill up their lines thinned by our fire. Their deter- 
 mined perseverance and steady valour, were worthy 
 of a better cause ; nor did their troops falter, until 
 almost all the officers who had lead them to the at- 
 tack had fallen. At one time, a body of the enerhy 
 succeeded in gaining possession of a bastion on our 
 right with three pieces of cannon in it ; but so de- 
 structive was our fire, that every man who entered 
 was either killed by our riflemen or disabled before 
 they could spike the guns. Our men soon returned 
 to the charge and regained the bastion. So intent 
 were the enemy in getting over our works, that they 
 pulled off their shoes for the purpose of climbing 
 them ; but nearly all who made the attempt were 
 either killed or taken prisoners. 
 
 The guns of commodore Patterson's batteries, on 
 the opposite side of the river, did great execution, 
 until the retreat of the Kentucky troops, who had 
 been posted near them. The commodore, finding 
 himself thus deserted, was compelled, with a handful 
 of brave men, to retire, after spiking his guns. The 
 British afterwards burnt the gun carriages, being 
 foiled in their expectations of using the guns to an- 
 noy our troops on the opposite shore. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 213 
 
 Previous to the battle of the 8th of January, the 
 pirates of Barataria, who had been held in custody, 
 were released hy order of general Jackson, upon condi- 
 tion that they would assist in defending the city of 
 New-Orleans. In the battle of that day they proved 
 themselves excellent artillerists, and were, together, 
 with a few Frenchmen, successfully employed in 
 serving the pieces. They were afterwarjis released 
 from any further confinement, having received (at 
 the request of the general assembly of Louisiana) a 
 full pardon from the president of the United States. 
 
 Soon after the battle, the enemy sent in a flag of 
 truce, and twenty-four hours were allowed them to 
 remove and bury their dead. In one small spot alone, 
 on the left of our lines, they found three hundred and 
 sixty-eight dead bodies. In the course of the day 
 forty carts and ten boats arrived at New Orleans, 
 loaded with wounded prisoners, who were put into 
 the barracks, which were converted into temporary 
 hos})itaIs ; about one hundred and fifty unwoundcd 
 prisoners were also put in confinement. — To the 
 wounded every attention was paid by the citizens * 
 the nuns of the convent took the glorious lead. They 
 under the immediate superintendance of the Abbe 
 Douburg, threw open their doors and converted all 
 their houses, separated from their main building, into 
 a hospital, where they themselves, at their own ex- 
 pense, and with their own hands, took care of the 
 sick and wounded. The ladies of New-Orleans 
 were also employed in the same charitable acts ot 
 benevolence, as likewise in making clothes for our 
 
214 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 soldiers. The future historian will delight to con- 
 trast the destroying luid brilliant virtues of tlie one 
 sex, with .the preserving and not less attracting vir- 
 tues of the other. 
 
 Immediately after their repulse, the enemy com- 
 menced active operations for a re-embarkation of their 
 troops. Nearly the whole of the sick and wounded 
 were sent on board their vessels, together wiili such 
 ba<z:gage and munitions of war as could be safely 
 spared. During these operations, the enemy kept up 
 a menacing attitude — frequent indications were given 
 of an intention to renew the attack on our lines, and 
 vigorous works of defence were thrown up in front 
 of o!u- camp. The rear of their army retired first,* 
 while they displayed a numerous body of men to the 
 view of our troops, and at night their fires seemed 
 rather to increase than diminish. They had erected 
 batteries to cover their retreat, in advantageous posi- 
 tions, from their original encampment, to the bayou 
 through which they entered lake Borgne. The 
 cannon placed on these batteries would have raked 
 a pursuing army in every direction, and any attempt 
 to storm them would have been attended with very 
 great slaughter. Having made the necessary ar- 
 rangements, the whole British army precipitately 
 retreated on the night of the I8ih of January ; an 
 account of which was officially given by general 
 Jackson to the secretary of war. 
 
 The enemy's loss after decampment, and on ship- 
 board, (including about three hundred drowned while 
 
INAVAL BATTLES. 215 
 
 passing to and from their shipping,) amount to four 
 thousand eight hundred.* 
 
 The American loss in the several engagements, 
 was fifty-five killed, one hundred and eighty-five 
 wounded, and ninety-three missing — total, three 
 hundred and thirty-three. Of our forces actually 
 engaged (including marines as well as land troops) 
 the following is a correct statement : — In the action 
 of the 28th of December, three thousand two hundred 
 and eighty-two ; 1st of January, three thousand nine 
 hundred and sixty-one ; 8th of January, four thousand 
 • six hundred and ninety-eight. The enemy's force 
 previous to the 6th of January, was nine thousand ; 
 after that time it was increased to twelve thousand. 
 
 f CRUISE OF THE PRESIDENT. 
 
 On the 18th February, 1814, commodore Rod- 
 gers arrived at Sandy Hook in the United States 
 frigate President from a cruise in the course of which 
 she passed most of the West India Islands. After 
 being off Charleston two days she was chased by a 
 seventy-four, two frigates, and several sloops of war. 
 She had captured and sunk three British merchant- 
 men, and taken on board thirty prisoners. 
 
 * A number of British deserters and prisoners have stfited 
 their loss to have exceeded five tliousand ; and it is worthy of 
 remark, that the British oHicial account of the action on the 8th 
 of January represents it as very considerably surpassing the 
 statement given by general Jackson. 
 
216 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 One occurrence that took place during this cruise 
 is truly deserving of record. Several strange sail 
 were observed, and one large ship to the windv^'ard, 
 that proved to be a seventy four, which came down 
 within gunshot. Commodore Rodgers had cleared 
 ship for action, and continued with the main top-sail 
 to the mjJst. After hauling her wind on the larboard 
 tack, the enemy kept her distance, and the Presi- 
 dent remained three hours with her main top-sail to 
 the mast. As the enemy evinced no disposition to 
 engage, the President gave her a shot to windward 
 and hoisted colours — the seventy-four then bore up, 
 and backed main top-sail when she had approached 
 within gun shot. After mustering all hands aft, 
 commodore Rodgers addressed them in a spirited 
 and appropriate manner, and immediately gave or- 
 ders t'o wear ship for the engagement. While back- 
 ing to meet the cutter, and take a pilot on board, the 
 commodore was surprised to observe the enemy stand- 
 ing off to the southward and eastward. A frigate 
 and gun brig appearing in sight, he hauled in main 
 and fore tacks and made for land. 
 
 For the space of five hours the enemy had it at all 
 times in his power to bring the President to action, 
 and she lay in readiness with main top-sail aback 
 and expecting him. 
 
 Captain Lloyd who commanded the seventy-four, 
 which proved to be the Plantagenet, states that his 
 crew was in a state of mutiny, and gives this as a 
 reason for declining an engagement with the Presi- 
 dent. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES 
 
 217 
 
218 NAVAL BATTLES 
 
 ESCAPE OF TFIE CONSTITUTION FROM THE 
 TENEDOS AND ENDYMION 
 
 On the 3d of April, 1814, the United States frig- 
 ate Constitution, captain Stewart, arrived at Mar- 
 blehead, having been chased in by the British frig- 
 ates Tenedos and Endjmion, of thirty-eight ^uns 
 each, which had been in chase of hiir fromi daylight. 
 The frigates, or one of them, it is said, got within 
 two or three miles of the Constitution, at one time, 
 and to effect her escape she was obliged to throw 
 overboard her provisions, &c. and every thing move- 
 able, and started all her water. Some prize goods 
 were likewise thrown over. 
 
 She immediately -anchored abce fort Sewall, in a 
 posture of defence, her exposed situation rendering 
 her liable to an attack, should she remain there long. 
 In order to the protection of the frigate and the town, 
 a number of heavy cannon were sent over from Sa- 
 lem, and major general Hovey issued an order for 
 the Marblehead battalion of artillery to hold itself in 
 readiness to act. Commodore Bainbridge, to whom 
 an express had been sent, despatched assistance from 
 the navy yard in Charlestown, and the company of 
 New England Guards began their march from Bos- 
 ton, to afford such aid as might be required of them. 
 But towards evening the Constitution weighed aiv 
 chor and came round into Salem harbour. 
 
 [Salem Gazette. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 219 
 
220 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 HORNET AND PENGUIN. 
 
 On the 23d of March, 1815, as the Hornet, com- 
 manded by captain Biddle, was about to anchor otf 
 the north end of the island of Tristan d'Acuna, a 
 sail was seen to the southward ; which, at forty 
 minutes past one, hoisted English colours, and fired 
 a gun. The Hornet immediately luffed to, hoisted 
 an ensign, and gave the enemy a broadside. A 
 quick and well directed fire was kept up from the 
 Hornet, the enemy gradually drifting nearer, with 
 an intention, as captain Biddle supposed, to board. 
 The enemy's bowsprit came in between the main and 
 mizzen rigging on the starboard side of the Hornet, 
 giving him an opportunity to board, if he had wish- 
 ed, but no attempt was made. There was a consid- 
 erable swell, and as the sea lifted the Hornet ahead, 
 the enemy's bowsprit carried away her mizzen 
 shrouds, stern davits, and spanker booms, and hung 
 upon her larboard quarter. At this moment an offi- 
 cer called out that they had surrendered. Captain 
 Biddle directed the marines to stop firing, and, 
 while asking if they had surrendered, received a 
 wound in the neck. The enemyjust then got clear 
 of the Hornet ; and his foremast and bowsprit being 
 both gone, and perceiving preparations to give him 
 another broadside, he again called out that he had 
 surrendered. It was with great difficulty that cap- 
 tain Biddle could restrain his crew from firing into 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 221 
 
222 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 him again, as it was certain he had fired into the 
 Hornet after havino surrendered. From the firing 
 of the first gun to the last time the enemy cried out 
 that he had surrendered, was exactly twenty-tu'o 
 minutes. The vessel proved to be the British brig 
 Penguin, of twenty guns, a remarkably fine ves- 
 sel of her class, and one htiffHred and thirty-two 
 men ; twelve of them supernumeraries from the 
 Medvvay, seventy-four, received on board in conse- 
 quence of their being ordered to cruise for the priva- 
 teer Young Wasp. 
 
 The Penguin had fourteen killed and twenty-eight 
 wounded. Among the killed was captain Dicken- 
 son, who fell at the close of the action- As she was 
 completely riddled, and so crippled as to be incapa- 
 ble of being secured, and being at a great distance 
 from the United States, captain Biddle ordered her 
 to be scuttled and sunk. 
 
 The Hornet did not receive a single round shot in 
 her hull ; and though much cut in her sails and rig- 
 ging, was soon made ready for further service. Her 
 loss was one killed and eleven wounded. 
 
 ESCAPE OF THE HORNET. 
 
 On the 28th of April, 1815, the Hornet was chas- 
 ed by a British seventy-four, and was compelled to 
 throw over her guns, shot, spars, &c. She escaped, 
 and put in at St. Salvador. On his arrival at tha<. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 223 
 
 port, ca-ptain JBiddle received information of the 
 peace hetween the United States and Great Britain. 
 
 On the return of captain Biddle to the United 
 States a naval cciirt of inquiry was held by order 
 of the secretary of the navy, on board the Hornet, in 
 the harbour of New York, on the 23d of August, 
 1815, to investigate the causes of the return of that 
 ship into port, and to inquire into the circumstances 
 attending the h:)ss of armament, stores, &c. during 
 her cruise ; and the following opinion has been pro- 
 nounced by the court : 
 
 The court, after mature deliberation on the testi- 
 mony adduced, are of opinion, that no blame is im- 
 putable to captain Biddle, on account of the return 
 of the Hornet into port, with the loss of her arma- 
 ment, stores, &c. and that the greatest applause is 
 due to him for his persevering gallantry and nautical 
 skill, evinced iu escaping, under the most disadvan- 
 tageous circumstances, after a long and arduous chase 
 by a British line-of-battle ship. 
 
 SAMUEL EVANS, President. 
 
 HENRY WHEATON, Special Judge Advocate. 
 
 '}Io ; 
 
2^4 
 
 NAVAL BATTLES 
 
 PRIVATE ARMED VESSELS. 
 
 THE ATLAS. 
 
 The privateer schooner Atlas, of nineteen guns, 
 captain David Moffat, soon after the declaration of 
 war, sailed from Philadelphia. On the third of 
 August, at eight a. m. she discovered two sail, for 
 which she bore away. At eleven o'clock, the action 
 was commenced by the Atlas, with a broadside and 
 musketry. She continued engaged with both ships 
 till noon, when the smallest one struck her colours. 
 The Atlas then directed the whole of her fire against 
 the large ship ; when the small one, though her 
 colours were down, renewed her fire on the At- 
 las, which had to recommence firing on her. In a 
 few minutes every man was driven from her de-cks. 
 Twenty minutes after twelve, the large ship struck. 
 Possession was immediately taken of both of them. 
 One proved to be the ship Pursuit, captain Chivers, 
 of four hundred and fifty tons, sixteen guns, an^ 
 thirty-five men. The other was the ship Planter, 
 captain Frith of two hundred and eighty tons, twelve 
 guns, and fifteen men. The cargoes of both were 
 very valuable. 
 
 The Atlas had two men killed and five wounded, 
 and her rigging and sails much injured. She arriv- 
 ed safe in port with the Pursuit ; the Planter was 
 recaptured off the capes of Delaware. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 THE YOUiXG EAGLE, 
 
 225 
 
 Of New York, of one gun and forty-two men, 
 engaged the British armed ship. Granada, of eleven 
 guns and thirty men, and another armed vessel in 
 company with her. After an action of an hour and 
 a half, the Yowng Eagle succeeded in capturing them 
 both. 
 
 THE MONTGOMERY, 
 
 Captain Upton, of Boston, mounting twelve 
 guns, on the 6th of December, 1812, off Surinam 
 fell in with the British vessel of war Surinam, of 
 twenty guns. They lay board and board for half an 
 hour. Some of the privateer's men lashed the bob- 
 stay of the Surinam to the Montgomery's main-mast. 
 So spirited was the resistance on both sides, that 
 neither could succeed in boarding. One of the 
 Montgomery's eighteen pounders was repeatedly 
 discharged into the bows of her antagonist between 
 wind and water. As soon as the two vessels parted, 
 the Surinam made sail from the Montgomery. Her 
 foremost was shot away, and she was otherwise so 
 much disabled, as to be compelled to put into an 
 outport to refit, without proceeding to the common 
 place of rendezvous at Barbadoes. 
 29 
 
226 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 THE DOLPHIN, 
 
 Of BJtimore, of ten guns and sixtj men, in the 
 latter part of the year, ,engaged two British armed 
 vessels at the same time, the one of sixteen guns 
 and forty men, and the other of ten guns and twenty 
 five men. She captured them both. 
 
 THE ROLLA, 
 
 Of Baltimore, of nineteen guns, Ctiptured seven 
 vessels in one cruise, the guns ol which amounted 
 to fifty-eight, and the prisoners to one hundred and 
 fifty. 
 
 THE HAZARD, 
 
 Of Charleston, of three guns and thirty-eight men, 
 commanded by Placide le Chartier, while at anchor 
 off the island of Davie, discovered a man of war 
 brig convoying five merchantmen. One of these last, 
 having lost her mizzenmast, could not keep up with 
 the rest of the convoy. As soon as they were out 
 of sight, the Hazard pursued her, to which, after 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 227 
 
 some resistance, she struck. She proved to be the 
 Albion, of London, copper-bottomed, and of three 
 hundred tons burden, navigated by fifteen men, and 
 mounting twelve guns. 
 
 While the Hazard was lying off Charleston, in a 
 fog, her prize was separated from her, and recaptured 
 by a British Cutter, the Caledonia, of eight guns 
 and thirty-eight men. Three days after, on the 22d 
 of February, the Hazard discovered her prize in 
 company with the above-mentioned British cutter. 
 The Hazard commenced a pursuit of them both. As 
 soon as the Hazard came within musket shot, she 
 commenced firing at the ship and cutter, which was 
 returned by them with spirit, and apparent deter- 
 mination. At three o'clock, the second lieutenant, 
 carpenter, and five men of the Hazard, were severely 
 wounded. At five, the cutter hauled off to re})air 
 the damages she had sustained. At half past five, 
 the Hazard came close to the cutter, the crew of 
 the former, having determined to lose their lives 
 sooner than give up so valuable a prize. At half 
 past six the British cutter again hauled off, and con- 
 tinued to fire at a distance. Taking advantage of 
 this, the Hazard bore down on the prize, and after a 
 brisk fire caused her to strike her colours. She was 
 then ordered to lie to. 
 
 The British cutter having shot ahead, Le Chartier 
 instantly gave chase, keeping up a brisk fire. He 
 pursued her until eight o'clock. The cutter then 
 ceased firing, and hailed, saying she had struck, and 
 signified the same by hoisting and lowering a lantern 
 
228 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 three times. The Hazard having then but twenty- 
 one men, including the captain on board, it was not 
 thought advisable to take possession of her. She 
 bore down for the prize, of which she took possession, 
 leaving a prize-master, and six men on board of her 
 so that there only remained fourteen men on board 
 of the Hazard. Both the Hazard and her prize ar- 
 rived safe at St. Mary's. 
 
 THE COMET, 
 
 Of Baltimore, captain Boyle, of twelve guns and 
 one hundred and twenty men, being on a cruise, dis- 
 covered, on the 14th of January, 1813, four sail 
 standing out of Pernambuco. She lay by to give 
 them an opportunity of getting off shore, with a 
 view of then cutting them off. At three r. m. they 
 were upon a wind standing s. e. and about six 
 leagues from land. The Comet bore up, and made 
 sail in chase. At six, one of them was discovered 
 to be a large man of war brig. All hands were im- 
 mediately called to quarters on board the Comet ; 
 the guns were loaded with round and grape shot ; 
 and the ship cleared for action. At seven, being 
 close to the chase, she hoisted her colours, and came 
 close to the man of war brig, which had hoisted 
 Portuguese colours. The commander hailed, and 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 229 
 
 % 
 
 sent an officer on board the Comet, who informed 
 captain Boyle, that the brig was a Portuguese na- 
 tional vessel, mounting twenty thirty-two pounders 
 and one hundred and sixty-five men ; that the three 
 others were strongly armed English vessels : and 
 that he must not molest them. Captain Boyle in- 
 formed him that he certainly should make uSe of 
 every exertion to capture them. The Portuguese 
 said he was ordered to protect them, and certainly 
 should. 
 
 The English vessels were ahead of the Comet. 
 They consisted of a ship of fourteen guns, and two 
 brigs of ten guns each. So that including the Por- 
 tuguese vessel, the Comet had a force of fifty- four 
 guns to oppose. Captain Boyle immediately made 
 sail for them ; came up with thg ship, hailed her, 
 and ordered the captain to have the mainsail back- 
 ed. He gave little or no answer. The Comet hav- 
 ing shot ahead, captain Boyle informed him, that 
 he should be along in a few minutes, when if he did 
 not obey his orders, he would pour a broadside into 
 the ship. In a few minutes the Comet tacked, the 
 Portuguese sloop of war being close after her, and 
 ran along side of the ship, one of the brigs being 
 close to her. The Comet o})ened a broadside on 
 them both. It was now about half past eight p. m. 
 All the vessels were carrying a press of sail. The 
 Comet, from her superior sailing, was frequently 
 obliged to tack. From this she would have profit- 
 ed very much, had not the Portuguese sloop of war 
 been so close. The latter now opened a heavy 
 
230 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 fire on the Comet, with round and p;rape shot, 
 which she returned. The Comet had now the whole 
 force of the four vessels to contend with. She;, 
 however, kept as closely as possible to the English 
 vessels. They frequently separated, to give the 
 sloop of war an opportunity of firing into the Comet. 
 The latter as frequently poured whole broadsides 
 into them : at times also into the sloop of war. ■ 
 
 About eleven p. m. the ship surrendered — she was 
 cut to pieces, and rendered unmanageable. Soon 
 after the brig Bowes struck — she also was much in- 
 jured. A boat was sent to take possession of her ; as 
 it passed the sloop of war, a broadside was fired 
 by ner, which nearly sunk it, and obliged it to return. 
 The Comet then commenced a brisk fire at the 
 sloop of war, which sheered off to some distance. 
 After following her a short distance, she obliged the 
 third English vessel to strike. The latter was very 
 much cut to pieces. The Comet now again proceed- 
 ed to take possession of the Bowes, when she spoke 
 the ship that had first surrendered — her captain be- 
 ing ordered to follow, informed captain Boyle that 
 his ship was in a sinking condition, having many 
 shot holes between wind and water, and every rope 
 on board of her being cut aw^ay. At half past one, 
 A. M. the Bowes was taken possession of and man- 
 ned. The sloop of waT then fired a broadside into 
 the prize, and passed her. The moon was now 
 down, and it became quite dark and squally. This 
 caused the Comet to separate from the other vessels, 
 excepting the sloop of war, with which broadsides 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 231 
 
 were frequently exchanged. At two, she stood to 
 the south. Captain Boyle now thought it most pru- 
 dent to take care of one of the prizes until daylight, 
 the other two being out of sight. At daybreak, the 
 sloop of war, and the two other prizes, a ship 
 and brig, were discovered. The Comet immediately 
 hove about, and stood for them. The sloop tacked, 
 and made signals for her convoy to make for the 
 first port. Captain Boyle, knowing the ^tuation of 
 the shij) and brig, determined not to take possession 
 of them, but to watch their manceuvres. Great ex- 
 ertions appeared to be made to keep them from 
 sin kin 2;. 
 
 Captain Boyle was afterwards informed that the 
 sloop of war, was much injured — she had five men 
 killed, and a number wounded. The ship's mast 
 scarcely lasted to carry her into Pernambuco. Her 
 cargo was nearly all damaged. It was with diffi- 
 culty the brig was kept from sinking before she 
 reached Pernambuco harbour. 
 
 After capturing the Aberdeen, of eight guns, two 
 vessels of ten guns each, in sight of a sloop of war, 
 and a schooner, captain Boyle returned to the Unit- 
 ed States. He passed the l)lockading squadron in 
 the Chesapeake, and arrived safe at Baltimore. 
 
232 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 THE GENERAL ARMSTRONG, 
 
 A SCHOONER of eighteen guns, commanded by 
 captain Clianiplin, was cruising off Surinam, on the 
 11th March, 1813. At seven a. m. she discovered 
 a sail, which at half past ei^ht, fired three guns, and 
 hoisted English colours. About nine, the Armstrong 
 fired a gun, and hoisted American colours. At half 
 after nine, the British vessel tacked, and stood as 
 near the Armstrong as the wind would permit, keep- 
 ing up a brisk fire from her main deck guns. At 
 half past ten, the Armstrong bore down, intending to 
 pour her starboard broadside into her, then wear ship, 
 discharge the larboard broadside, and then board. 
 This was done, except the boarding. The English 
 vessel was now discovered to be a frigate pierced for 
 twenty-four guns. She kept up a constant fire on 
 the Armstrong, which lay for ten minutes like a log. 
 The fore-top-sail and mizzen-gafif halyards of the 
 frigate were shot away. This brought down her 
 colours. The crew of the Armstrong, thinking she 
 had struck, ceased firing. But they were soon again 
 seen flying, and the action was renewed. The fri- 
 gate lay for a few minutes apparently unmanageable. 
 She soon, however, recovered, and opened a heavy 
 fire from her starboard broadside and main-top ; ap- 
 parently with the intention of sinking the Armstrong. 
 The latter lay for the space of forty-five minutes 
 within pistol shot of the frigate. Captain Champlin 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 233 
 
 was Standing by the centre gun, in the act of firing 
 his pistol, when he was wounded by a musket ball 
 from the main-top of the frigate. The Armstrong 
 luffed to Vv indward, and forereached the frigate. 
 
 The Armstrong had six men killed, and sixteen 
 wounded, and was very much injured in her rigging, 
 masts, and hull — she, however, succeeded in escap- 
 ing from the frigate. 
 
 THE YOUNG TEAZER, 
 
 Captain Dobson, of New York, was chased into 
 Halifax by the Sir John Sherbroke, a vessel of supe- 
 rior force. When within the light house she hoisted 
 English colours over the American, and was chased 
 nearly up to the forts, when the Sir John Sherbroke 
 supposing her to be a prize, hove about, and put to 
 sea. As soon as the latter was out of sight, the 
 Young Teazer hauled down her English colours, 
 and effected her escape. 
 
 THE DECATUR, 
 
 Of Charleston, mounting seven guns, with a crew 
 
 of one hundred and three men, and commanded by 
 
 captain Diron, being on a cruise in the month of 
 
 August, discovered a ship and schooner. She imme- 
 30 
 
234 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 diatcly stood towards them to reconnoitre. At half 
 past twelve, the Decatur was abreast otthe schooner, 
 which hoisted Enolish colours. At one the Decatur 
 w ore round ; and half an hour after the schooner fired 
 a shot without effect. The captain of the Decatur 
 immediately gave orders to prepare for action. At 
 two o'clock the schooner fired another shot, which 
 passed over the Decatur. At a quarter past two, the 
 latter fired her large gun, and hoisted American 
 colours at the peak : two more discharges were made 
 from the same piece, which were answered by two 
 guns from the British schooner. The two vessels 
 were now within half gun shot distance. Captain 
 Diron, observing that the schooner was prepared to 
 bear away, hauled upon the larboard tack, in order 
 to present the bow of his vessel to his antagonist. 
 Soon afterwards the latter fired her whole broadside, 
 which only slightly damaged the Decatur's rigging. 
 This was returned from the eighteen pounder of the 
 Decatur. Her captain at the same time, ordered 
 every one of the crew to his post, in order to carry 
 the British vessel by boarding, as soon as the neces- 
 sary preparations for the purpose should be made. 
 It was now three quarters of an hour past two, and 
 the vessels were within pistol shot of each other. A 
 severe fire of musketry commenced from the Deca- 
 tur. The British schooner bore away to prevent 
 beinof boarded : and fired a broadside into the Deca- 
 tur, which killed two of her men, and injured her 
 ri£r''in2 and sails. The Decatur closely followed her 
 antagonist in her manoeuvres, and again endeavoured 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 235 
 
 tx) board, which the schooner once more avoided, and 
 fired another broadside. A third attempt was made 
 bj the captain of the Decatur to board. Tiie jib- 
 boom of the Decatur was run into the mainsail of 
 the schooner, and the latter not being able to disen- 
 gage herself dropped along side. During tliis ma- 
 noeuvre the fire from the cannon and musketry on 
 both sides was extremely severe and destructive. 
 While the two vessels lay in this position captain 
 Diron ordered his whole crew, armed with pistols, 
 sabres, &:c. to bo^ird, which was performed with the 
 greatest promptness. The resistance of the English 
 was desperate. Fire arms soon became useless, and 
 the contest was carried on with the cutlass. The 
 captain and principal officers of the British vessel 
 being killed, and her deck covered with dead and 
 wounded, her colours were hauled down by the crew 
 of the Decatur, when the two vessels were separat- 
 ed, having their rigging and sails cut lo pieces. 
 
 The English vessel was his Britannick majesty's 
 schooner Dominica, of fifteen guns, with a crew of 
 eighty-eight men. The Decatur had four men killed 
 and sixteen wounded ; the Dominica thirteen killed 
 and forty-seven wounded. Among the killed of the 
 Dominica was her brave commander, who, as long 
 as he lived, refused to surrender his vessel, and de- 
 clared his determination not to survive her loss. 
 
 The king's packet Princess Charlotte, remained an 
 inactive spectator of this bloody contest, which lasted 
 an hour. As soon as the vessels were disengaged, 
 she tacked about and stood to the southward. She 
 
236 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 had sailed from St. Thomas, under convoy of the 
 
 Dominica. The Decatur and her prize arrived safe 
 in port. 
 
 THE SARATOGA, 
 
 Of four guns and one hundred and sixteen men, 
 belonging to New York, while cruising off Surinam 
 river, in the month of September, discovered the 
 British packet, brig Morgiana, of eighteen guns, 
 with a crew of about fifty men, commanded by 
 James Cunningham. Captain Aderton, the com- 
 mander of the Saratoga, immediately gave chase : 
 when within musket shot, the Morgiana hoisted 
 English colours, and the action commenced : part 
 of the time the vessels were within pistol shot : the 
 remainder, they were close al6ng side of each other. 
 After an action of an hour and a quarter the Sarato- 
 ga succeeded in capturing the British vessel by 
 boarding. The action was extremely severe. Both 
 vessels were almost reduced to wrecks. The Sara- 
 toga had almost all her stays, shrouds, &c. cut away. 
 In her mainsail there were upwards of a hundred 
 shot holes. A number of shot also struck her masts, 
 spars, and hull. The crew of the Morgiana fought 
 with desperation. She had two men killed and 
 eight wounded. The Saratoga had two men killed 
 and five wounded. Both arrived safe in port. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 237 
 
 THE GENERAL ARMSTRONG. 
 
 The following letter from John D. Dabnej, Esq. 
 American consul at Fayal, (Portugal,) gives the par- 
 ticulars of a flagrant violation of the neutrality of that 
 port, in an attack upon the privateer General Arm- 
 strong, by the enemy. The Armstrong belonged to 
 New York, and mounted eight long nines and a 
 twenty-four pounder. 
 
 Fayal, Octobers, 1814. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honour to state to you that a 
 most outrageous violation of the neutrality of this 
 port, in utter contempt of the laws of civilized na- 
 tions, has recently been committed here, by the com- 
 manders of his Britannick majesty's ships Plantaga- 
 net, Rota and Carnation, against the American pri- 
 vate armed brig General Armstrong, Samuel C. 
 Reid, commander ; but I have great satisfaction in 
 being able to add, that this occurrence terminated in 
 one of the most brilliant actions on the part of captain 
 Reid, his brave officers and crew, that can be found 
 on naval record. 
 
 The American brig came to anchor in this port in 
 the afternoon of the 26th of September, and at sun- 
 set of the same day, the above named ships sudden- 
 ly appeared in these roads ; it being nearly calm in 
 the port, it was rather doubtful if the privateer could 
 escape if she got under way, and relying on the jus- 
 tice and good faith of the British captains, it was 
 
238 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 deemed most prudent to remain at anchor. A little 
 after dusk captain Reid seeing some suspicious move- 
 ments on the part of the British, began to warp his 
 vessel close under the guns of the castle, and while 
 doing so, he was at about eight o'clock, r. m. ap- 
 proached by four boats from the ships filled with 
 armed men. After hailing them repeatedly and 
 warning them to keep off, he ordered his men to fire 
 upon them and killed and wounded several men. 
 The boats returned the fire and killed one man and 
 wounded the first lieutenant of the privateer, and re- 
 turned to their ships ; and, as it was now light moon- 
 light, it was plainly perceived from the brig as well 
 as from the shore, that a formidable attack was pre- 
 meditating. Soon after midnight, twelve or more 
 large boats, crowded with men from the ships, and 
 armed with carronades, swivels and blunderbusses, 
 small arms, &c. attacked the brig ; a severe contest 
 ensued which lasted about forty minutes and ended 
 in the total defeat and partial destruction of the 
 boats, with a most unparalleled carnage on the part 
 of the British. It is estimated by good judges that 
 near four hundred men were in the boats when the 
 attack commenced, and no doubt exists in the minds 
 of the numerous spectators of the scene, that more 
 than one half of them were killed or wounded ; sev- 
 eral boats were destroyed ; two of them remained 
 along side of the brig literally loaded with their 
 own dead. From these two boats only seventeen 
 reached the shore alive ; most of them were severe- 
 ly wounded. The whole of the following day the 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 239 
 
 British were occupied in burying their dead ; among 
 them were two lieutenants and one midshipman of 
 the Rota — the first lieutenant of the Plantaganet, 
 it is said, cannot survive his wounds, and many of 
 the seamen who reached their ships were mortally 
 wounded and have been dying daily. The British, 
 mortified at this signal and unexpected defeat, endea- 
 voured to conceal the extent of the loss ; they admit 
 however that they lost in killed and who have died 
 since the engagement, upwards of one hundred and 
 twenty of the flower of their officers and men. The 
 captain of the Rota told me he lost seventy men 
 from his ship. Two days after this affair took place 
 the British sloops of war Thais and Calypso came 
 into port, when captain Lloyd immediately took 
 them into requisition to carry home the wounded offi- 
 cers and seamen. They have sailed for England, 
 one on the 2d and the other on the 4th instant,each 
 carried twenty-five badly wounded. Those who 
 were sli^htv wounded, to the number, as I am in- 
 formed, of about thirty, remained on board of their 
 respective ships, and sailed last evening for Jamaica. 
 Strict orders were given that the sloops of war should 
 take no letters whatever to England, and those or- 
 ders were rigidly adhered to. 
 
 In face of the testimony of all Fayal, and a num- 
 ber of respectable strangers, who happened to be in 
 this place at the moment, the British commander en- 
 deavours to throw the odium of this transaction on 
 the American captain, Reid, alleging that he sent the 
 boats merely to reconnoitre the brig, and without any 
 
240 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 hostile intentions ; the pilots of the port did inform 
 them of the privateer the moment they entered the 
 port. To reconnoitre an enemy's vessel in a friendly 
 port, at night, with four boats, carrying, by the best 
 accounts, one hundred and twenty men, is certainly 
 a strange proceeding ! The fact is, they expected as 
 the brig was warping in, that the Americans would 
 not be prepared to receive them, and they had hopes 
 of carrying her by a " coup de main." If any thing 
 could add to the baseness of this transaction on the 
 part of the British commander, it is the want of can- 
 dour openly and boldly to avow the facts. In vain 
 can he expect by such subterfuge to shield himself 
 from the indignation of the world, and the merited 
 resentment of his own government and nation for 
 thus trampling on the sovereignty of their most an- 
 cient and faithful ally, and for the wanton sacrifice 
 of British lives. 
 
 On the part of the Americans the loss was com- 
 paratively nothing ; two killed and seven wounded : 
 of the slain we have to lament the loss of the sec- 
 ond lieutenant, Mr. Alexander O. Williams, of New 
 York, a brave and meritorious officer. 
 
 Among the wounded are Messrs. Worth and John- 
 son, first and third lieutenants ; captain Reid was 
 thus deprived, early in the action, of the services ol 
 all his lieutenants ; but his cool and intrepid conduct 
 secured him the victory. 
 
 On the morning of the 27th ult. one of the British 
 ships placed herself near the shore and commenced 
 a heavy cannonade on the privateer. Finding fur- 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 241 
 
 ther resistance unavailing, captain Reid ordered her 
 to be abandoned after being partiallj destroyed, to 
 prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy, who 
 soon after sent their boats and set her on lire. 
 
 At ni.^e o'clock in the evening (soon after the first 
 attack) I applied to the governour, requesting his 
 excellency to protect the privateer, either by force 
 or by such remonstrance to the commander of the 
 squadron as would cause him to desist from any fur- 
 ther attempt. The governour indignant at what had 
 passed, but feeling himself totally unable with the 
 slender means he possessed, to resist such a force, 
 took the part of remonstrating, whicli he did in for- 
 cible but respectful terms. His letter to captain 
 Lloyd had no other effect than to produce a menacing 
 reply insulting in the highest degree. Nothing can 
 exceed the indignation of the publick authorities, as 
 well as of all ranks and descriptions of persons here, 
 at this unprovoked enormity. Such was the rage of 
 the British to destroy this vessel, that no regard was 
 paid to the safety of the town ; some of the inhabi- 
 tants were wounded, and a number of houses wert; 
 much damaged. The strongest representations on 
 on this subject are prepared by the governour for his 
 court. 
 
 Since this affair the commander, captain Lloyd, 
 threatened to send on shore an armed force, and 
 arrest the privateer's crew ; saying there were many 
 Englishmen among them ; and our poor fellows, 
 afraid of his vengeance, have fled to the mountains 
 several times, and have been harrassed extremely. 
 31 
 
242 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 At length, captain Lloyd, fearfni of losing more men 
 if he put his threats in execution, adopted this strata- 
 gem: he addressed an official letter to the governour, 
 stating that in the American crew were two men who 
 deserted from his squadron in America, and as they 
 were guilty of high treason, he required them to be 
 found and given up. Accordingly a force was sent 
 into the country, and the American seamen w^re ar- 
 rested and brought to town, and as they could not 
 designate the said pretended deserters, all the sea- 
 men here passed an examination of the British offi- 
 cers, but no such persons were to be found among 
 them. ■ I was requested by the governour and British 
 consul to attend this humiliating examination, as was 
 also captain Reid ; but we declined to sanction by 
 our presence any such proceedings. 
 
 Captain Reid has protested against the British 
 commanders of the squadron for the unwarrantable 
 destruction of his vessel in a neutral and friendly 
 port, as also against the government of Portugal for 
 their inability to protect him. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with great respect, sir, 
 your most obedient servant. 
 
 JOHN B. DABNEY. 
 
 To the Secretary of State of the United States, Washingtoo 
 
FATE OF CAPTAIN PORTER'S SETTLEMENT AT 
 NOOAHEEVAH. 
 
 Letter from captain John M. Gamble of the marines, detailing 
 the occurrences which took place at Nooaheevah after the 
 departure of captain Porter, and his subsequent capture by 
 the Cherub. New York, August, 1815. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honour to inform you, that on 
 the 12th of December, 1813, the day on which the 
 Essex frigate, and Essex junior, took their depar- 
 ture from Nooaheevah, I was left in port Anna 
 Maria bay, with eighteen men under my command, 
 and six prisoners of war, in charge of the establish- 
 ment on shore, together with the prize ships Green- 
 wich, Seringapatam, and Sir Andrew Hammond, 
 with orders from captain Porter to remain five and a 
 half calendar months at that place — at the expiration 
 of which time, should he not return, or send me 
 further instructions how to act, I was, if possible, 
 to man two of the ships, and after taking every arti- 
 cle of value out of the other, and burning that ship, 
 to repair to the port of Valparaiso — where, in the 
 event of my not finding the frigate or additional or- 
 ders, I was authorized to dispose of one of the ships 
 to the best advantage, taking on board the other 
 all the men under my charge, as well as the prize- 
 crews of the different ships then in that port, and 
 proceed to the United States. 
 
 After receiving those instructions, my first object 
 was, agreeably to the wish of captain Porter, to fill 
 the ship New Zealander with oil from the other ships ; 
 
244 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 and on the 28th of the same month she took her de- 
 parture for the United States, with a cargo of nine- 
 teen hundred and fifty barrels, and well found in 
 every respect for so long a voyage. 
 
 With regret, sir, I have to inform you, the frigate 
 had not got clear of the Marquesas, before we dis- 
 covered in the natives a hostile disposition towards 
 us, and in a few days they became so insolent, that 
 I found it absolutely necessary, not only for the se- 
 curity of the ships and. property on shore, but for 
 our personal safety, to land my men and regain by 
 force of arms the many articles they had in the 
 most daring manner stolen from the encampment ; 
 and what was of still greater importance, to prevent, 
 if possible, their putting threats into execution, which 
 might have been attended with the most serious con- 
 sequences on our part, from duty requiring my men 
 to be so much separated. 
 
 I, however, had the satisfaction to accomplish my 
 wish without firing a musket, and from that time 
 lived in perfect amity with them, until the 7th May 
 following, when my distressed situation placed me in 
 their power. 
 
 Before mentioning the lamentable events of that 
 day, and the two succeeding ones, I shall give you a 
 brief account of a few preceding occurrences which 
 were sources of great uneasiness to me. 
 
 The first was the death of John Witter (a faithful 
 old marine) who was unfortunately drowned in the 
 surf on the afternoon of the 28th of February, and 
 the desertion of four of my men ; the one Isaac 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 245 
 
 Coffin (black man) had deserted from the Essex the 
 day before she sailed out of the bay, and was then a 
 prisoner for attempting the second time to make his 
 escape from the ships. They took the advantage of 
 a dark night, and left the bay in a whale-boat, unob- 
 served by any person, all, excepting the prisoner, 
 having the watch on deck. They took with them 
 several muskets, a supply of ammunition, and many 
 things of but little value. My attempt to pursue 
 them was prevented, by their destroying, in a great 
 measure, the only remaining boat at that time sea 
 worthy. 
 
 On the 12th April began to rig the ships Ser- 
 ingapatam, and Sir Andrew Hammond, which, as I 
 calculated, employed the men until the 1st of May. 
 All hands were then engaged in getting the remain- 
 der of the property from the Greenwich to the Serin- 
 gapatam, as I began to despair of the frigate rejoin- 
 ing me at that place. 
 
 The work went on well, and the men were obe- 
 dient to my orders, though I discovered an evident 
 change in their countenances, which led me to sup- 
 pose there was something wrong in agitation, and 
 under that impression had all the muskets, and am- 
 munition, and small arms of every description taken 
 to the Greenwich (the ship I lived on board of) from 
 the other ships, as a necessary precaution against a 
 surprise from my own men. 
 
 On the 7th of May, while on board the Seringa- 
 patam on duty which required my being presen , I 
 was suddenly and violently attacked by the men 
 
246 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 employed in that ship. After struggling a short 
 time, and receiving many bruises, 1 was thrown down 
 on the deck, and my hands and legs immediately 
 tied. They then threw me on the second deck, 
 thence dragged me into the cabin, and confined me 
 to the run, where in a few minutes midshipman Fel- 
 tus, and acting midshipman Clapp were thrown in, 
 tied in the same manner as myself : the scuttle was 
 then nailed down and a sentinel placed over it. 
 
 After spiking all the guns of the Greenwich, and 
 of the fort, and those of the Sir Andrew Hammond 
 that were loaded, plundering the ships of every thing 
 valuable, — committing many wanton depredations on 
 shore, taking all the arms and ammunition from the 
 Greenwich ; sending for Robert White, the man who 
 was sent, out of the Essex for mutinous conduct, and 
 bending the necessary sails, they stood out of the 
 bay, with a light wind off the land. 
 
 My fellow prisoners, and shortly after myself, 
 were then taken out of the run, and placed in the ca- 
 bin, under the immediate charge of several sentinels. 
 
 Shortly after getting clear of the bay, one of the 
 sentinels, though he had been repeatedly cautioned 
 against putting his finger on the trigger, fired a pis- 
 tol, the contents of which passed though my heel a 
 little below the ankle bone. 
 
 I had not received the wound a moment before the 
 men on deck pointed their muskets down the sky- 
 light, and were in the act of firing, when the sen- 
 tinel prevented them by saying the pistol was acci- 
 dentally discharged. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 247 
 
 At nine o'clock, the night dark, and the wind 
 blowing fresh, after receiving by request from the 
 mutineers a barrel of powder and three old muskets, 
 I was put in a leaky boat, where I found my unfor- 
 tunate companions. 
 
 In that situation, after rowing at least six miles, 
 and every person exhausted from the great exertion 
 made to prevent the boat from sinking, we reached 
 the Greenwich, where I found my few^ remaining 
 men anxiously looking out for me, and seriously 
 alarmed at the conduct of the savages. They had 
 already begun to plunder the encampment, and were 
 informed by Wilson (a man who had lived among 
 them for several years, and who, as I afterwards 
 learnt, was not only instrumental to the mutiny, but 
 had in my absence plundered the Sir Andrew Ham- 
 mond) of our defenceless situation. 
 
 Finding it impossible to comply with that part of 
 my instructions directing me to remain in the bay 
 until the 27th May — I thought it most advisable to 
 repair to the port of Valparaiso ; and with that view 
 every soul, assisted by George Ross, and William 
 Brudewell, (traders living on the island for the pur- 
 pose of collecting sandal wood,) exerted themselves 
 in making the necessary preparations to depart. 
 
 My first object was to put the Sir Andrew Ham- 
 mond in a situation that we might get under way at 
 any moment. That done, all hands were engaged 
 in getting the few articles of value from shore, and 
 endeavouring to recover the stolen property from the 
 Sir Andrew Hammond, when the savages made an 
 
248 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 unprovoked and wanton attack upon us, in which I 
 have, with the deepest regret, to inform you, midship- 
 man William Feltus, John Thomas, Thomas Gibbs, 
 and William Brudeweil were massacred, and Peter 
 Caddington (marine) dangerously wounded ; but he 
 made his escape together with William Worth, by 
 swimmiifig some distance, when they were taken out 
 of the water by midshipman Clapp and the only 
 three men left. Our situation at that moment was 
 most desperate — the savages put off in every direction 
 with a view to intercept the boat, and board the 
 ship, but were driven back by my firing the few guns 
 we had just before loaded with grape and cannister 
 shot. Before the boat returned, and the guns were 
 reloaded, they made the second attempt, and after- 
 wards repeated attempts, first to board the Sir Andrew 
 Hammond, and then the Greenwich — but were re- 
 pulsed by our keeping up a constant firing. During 
 this time several hundred were employed in pulling 
 down the houses, and plundering the encampment, 
 while others were in the fort, endeavouring (assisted 
 by Wilson who had received several casks of powder 
 from the mutineers) to get the spikes out of the guns. 
 As soon as William Worth had recovered a little 
 strength after being so long in the water, I sent the 
 boat to the Greenwich, for John Pitlenger (a sick 
 man) and some things that were indispensably neces- 
 sary, and with orders to burn that ship, and return 
 with all possible despatch, as our ammunition was 
 nearly all expended, and we had no other means of 
 keeping the savages one moment out of the ship. — 
 
INAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 249 
 
 We then bent the jib and spinker, cut the mourings, 
 and luckily had a light breeze that carried us clear 
 of the hay, with six cartridges only remaining. 
 
 It was then we found our situation most distressirg. 
 In attempting to run the boat up, it broke in two 
 parts and we were compelled to cut away frcm 
 the bows our only anchor, not being able to cat 
 it. We mustered altogether eight souls — out of 
 which there was one cripple confined to his bed, one 
 man dangerously wounded, one sick, one convales- 
 cent, a feeble old man just recovering from the scur- 
 vy, and myself unable to lend any further assistance, 
 the exertions of the day having so greatly inflamed 
 my wound as to produce a violent fever, — leaving 
 midshipman Clapp, and two men only capable of do- 
 ing duty. In that state, destitute of charts and of 
 every means of getting to windward, I saw but one 
 alternative, to run the trade winds down, and if pos- 
 sible to make the Sandwich islands., in hopes of either 
 falling in with some of the CRaton ships, (that being 
 their principal place of rendezvous) or of obtaining 
 some assistance from Tamaahmaah, the king of the 
 Windward Islands. 
 
 No time was lost in bending the topsails, and on 
 the 10th of May we took our departure from Ro- 
 berts island. On the 25th^of the same month made 
 Owhyhee, and on the 30th after suffering much, 
 came to an anchor in Whytetee bay, at the island of 
 Whoohoo, where I found captain Winship, several 
 officers of ships, and a number of men, from whom 
 
 32 
 
260 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 (particularly captain Winship) I received every assist- 
 ance their situation could afford me. 
 
 The natives, though at first surprised at our de- 
 plorable condition, and inquisitive to know the cause 
 of it, which I did not think prudent to inform them, 
 supplied the ship with fresh meat, fruits and vegeta- 
 bles, partly on condition that I would take the chief 
 men of the island, and some others with their pro- 
 perty up to the Windward Islands, (where I found it 
 necessary to go,) after shipping some men, in order 
 to procure a supply of salt provisions from the king. 
 From thence it was my intention to have proceeded 
 to Valparaiso in compliance with my instructions 
 from captain Porter, — but I was unfortunately cap- 
 tured on the passage by the English ship Cherub of 
 twenty guns. I was somewhat surprised to hear 
 captain Tucker say (when I pointed out a valuable 
 canoe, and many other articles which I assured him 
 was the property o/ the natives, and that I was mere- 
 ly conveying them, and it, from the one island to the 
 other, the weather being to boisterous at that time 
 for them to make the passage in their canoes,) that 
 every thing found in a prize-ship belonged to the 
 captors. 
 
 So that I had the mortification to see the people 
 from whom I had received so much kindness, sent on 
 shore, deprived of all they had been collecting foi 
 twelve months past, and were about to present to 
 their king as a tribute imposed upon them. 
 
 The Cherub then proceeded to Atooi, where after 
 capturing the ship Charon, and making many fruit 
 
NAVAL BAITLLS. 251 
 
 less attempU to get the cargo of that ship, and se- 
 veral others "hat had been deposited on the island, 
 under the iu mediate protection of the king of the 
 Leeward IsKjids, she took her departure on Uic 
 15th of July from that place, and on the 28th Novem- 
 ber following, arrived at Rio de Janeiro with her 
 prizes, touching on her passage for refreshments at 
 Otaheite and Val])araiso. During her stay at the 
 latter place, the frigates Briton and Tagus arrived 
 from the Marquesas, where they had been in search 
 of the ships left under my charge. 
 
 On the 15th of December the prisoners were sent 
 on shore, having received the most rigorous treat- 
 ment from captain Tucker, during their long confine- 
 ment in his ship, and the greater part of them, like 
 the natives, left destitute of every thing, save the 
 clothes on their backs. The men belonging to the 
 Essex had but little to lose, but those I shipped 
 at Waahoo had leceived in part, money and goods 
 for one, two, and some of them three years services 
 ip tht> '^ijnton ships. 
 
 On the 15th of May, by the advice of a physician 
 who attended me, I took my departure from Rio 
 de Janeiro, in a Swedish ship bound to Havre de 
 Grace leaving behind acting midshipman Benjamin 
 Clapp, and five men, having lost one soon after my 
 arrival at that place with the small pox. 
 
 No opportunity had previously offered by which 1 
 could possibly get from thence, the English admiral 
 on that station, being determined to prevent by every 
 
252 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 means in his power American prisoners from returning 
 to their own country. 
 
 On the 10th instant, in latitude forty-seven degrees 
 north, and in longitude eighteen degrees west I took 
 passage on board the ship Oliver Ellsworth (captain 
 Roberts) fifteen days from Havre de Grace, bound to 
 New York. 
 
 I arrived here last evening, and have the honour to 
 wait either the orders of the navy department, or of 
 the commandant of the marine corps. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &c. &;c. 
 
 JOHN M. GAMBLE. 
 
 To the honourable the Secretary of the Navy, Washington 
 
ALGERINE WAR. 
 
 Immediately after the ratification of peace with 
 Great Britain, in February 1815, Congress, in con- 
 sequence of the hostile conduct of the regency of Al- 
 giers, declared war against that power. A squadron 
 was immediately fitted out, under the command of 
 commodore Decatur, consisting of the Guerriere, Con- 
 stellation, and Macedonian frigates, the Ontario and 
 Epervier sloops of war, and the schooners Spark, 
 Spitfire, Torch, and Flambeau. Another squadron, 
 under commodore Bainbridge, was to follow this ar- 
 mament, on the arrival of which, it was understood, 
 commodore Decatur would return to the United 
 States in a single vessel, leaving the command of 
 the whole combined force to commodore Bainbridge. 
 
 The force under commodore Decatur rendezvoused 
 at New York, from which port they sailed the 20th 
 day of May, 1815, and arrived in the bay of Gib- 
 raltar in tvVenty-five days, after having previously 
 communicated with Cadiz and Tangier. In the 
 passage, the Spitfire, Torch, Firefly, and Ontario, 
 separated at different times from the squadron in 
 gales, but all joined again at Gibraltar, with the ex- 
 ception of the Firefly, which sprung her masts, and 
 put back to New York to refit. Having learned at 
 Gibraltar that the Algerine squadron, which had been 
 out into the Atlantic, had undoubtedly passed up 
 the straits, and that information of the arrival of the 
 American force had been sent to Algiers by persons 
 
254 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 in Gibraltar, commcdore Decatur determined to pro- 
 ceed without delay, up the Mediterranean, in the 
 hope of intercepting the enemy before he could re- 
 turn to Algiers, or gain a neutral port. 
 
 The 17th of June, off Cape de Gatt, he fell in 
 with and captured the Algerine frigate Mazouda, in 
 a running fight of twenty-five minutes. After two 
 broadsides the Algerines ran below. The Guerriere 
 had four men wounded by musketry — the Algerines 
 about thirty killed, according to the statement of the 
 prisoners, who amounted to four hundred and six. 
 In this affair the famous Algerine admiral, or Rais, 
 Hammida, who had long been the terror of this sea, 
 was cut in two by a cannon shot. 
 
 On the 19th of June, off cape Palos, the squadron 
 fell in with and captured an Algerine brig of twenty- 
 two guns. The brig was chased close to the shore, 
 where she was followed by the Epervier, Spark, 
 Torch, and Spitfire, to whom she surrendered, after 
 losing twenty-three men. No Americans were either 
 killed or wounded. The captured brig, with most 
 of the prisoners on board, was sent into Carthagena, 
 where she has since been claimed by the Spanish 
 government under the plea of a breach of neutrality. 
 As this affair will probably become a subject of ne- 
 gotiation between the United States and Spain, we 
 decline entering into further particulars. 
 
 From cape Palos, the American squadron proceed- 
 ed to Algiers, where it arrived the 28th of June, 
 Aware that a despatch-boat had been sent from Gib- 
 raltar, to inform the regency of his arrival, and having 
 also learned that several Tartans had gone in search 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 255 
 
 of the Algerines to communicate the news, commo- 
 dore Decatur concluded that their fleet was by this 
 time safe in some neutral port. He therefore thought 
 it a favourable time to take advantage of the terror 
 which his sudden and unwelcome arrival had excited, 
 to despatch a letter from the President of the United 
 States to the dey, in order to afford him a fair opportu- 
 nity to open a negotiation. The captain of the port 
 was immediately despatched to the Guerriere, on the 
 receipt of this letter, accompanied by Mr, Norderling 
 the Swedish consul ; and commodore Decatur, who, 
 with Mr. Shaler, had been empowered to negotiate 
 a treaty, proposed the basis, on which alone he could 
 consent to enter on the affair of an adjustment. This 
 was the absolute and unqualified relinquishment of 
 any demand of tribute on the part of the regency, on 
 any pretence whatever. To this he demurred. He 
 was then asked if he knew what had become of the 
 Algerine squadron, and replied — " By this time it is 
 safe in some neutral port." " Not the whole of it," 
 was the reply. He was then told of the capture of 
 the frigate, of the brig, and of the death of Hammida. 
 He shook his head, and smiled with a look of incredu- 
 lity, supposing it a mere attempt to operate on his fears, 
 and thus induce an acceptance of the proposed basis. 
 But when the lieutenant of Hammida was called in, 
 and the minister learned the truth of these particulars, 
 he became completely unnerved, and agreed to nego- 
 tiate on the proposed basis. He premised, however, 
 that he was not authorized to conclude a treaty, but 
 requested the American commissioners to state the 
 conditions they had to proDose. This was done, and 
 
256- NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 the captain of the port then requested a cessation of 
 hostilities, and that the negotiation should be conduct- 
 ed on shore, the minister of marine having pledged 
 himself for their security while there, and their safe 
 return to the ships whenever they pleased. Neither 
 of these propositions were accepted, and the captain 
 was expresslv given to understand, that not only 
 must the negotiation be carried on in the Guerriere, 
 but that hostilities would still be prosecuted against 
 all vessels belonging to Algiers, until the treaty was 
 signed by the dey. 
 
 The captain of the port and Mr. Norderling then 
 went on shore, but the next day again came on board, 
 with the information that they were commissioned 
 by the dey, to treat on the basis for which the com- 
 missioners of the United States had stipulated. A 
 treaty was then produced, which the commissioners 
 declared could not be varied in any material article, 
 and that consequently, discussion was not only useless, 
 but dangerous on their part ; for if in the interim the 
 Algerine squadron were to appear, it would most as- 
 suredly be attacked. On examining the treaty pro- 
 posed, the captain of the port was extremely anxious 
 to get the article stipulating for the restoration of 
 the property taken by the Algerines during the war 
 dispensed with, earnestly representing that it had 
 been distributed into many hands, and that as it was 
 not the present dey who declared war, it was unjust 
 that he should answer for all its consequences. The 
 article was, however, adhered to by the American com- 
 missioners, and after various attempts to gain a truce, 
 as well as to gain time, it was at length settled* 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 25? 
 
 that all hostilities should instantly cease, when a 
 boat was seen coming off with a white flag, the 
 Swedish cciisul pledging at the same time his honour 
 that it should not be hoisted until the dej had sign- 
 ed the treaty, and the prisoners were safe in the 
 boat. The captain and Mr. Norderling then went 
 on shore, and returned within three hours ; with the 
 treaty signed, together with all the prisoners, al- 
 though the distance was more than live miles. The 
 principal articles in this treaty were, that no tribute 
 under any pretext or in any form whatever, should 
 ever be required by Algiers from the United States 
 of America — that all Americans in slavery should be 
 given up without ransom — that compensation should 
 be made for American vessels captured, or pro- 
 perty seized or detained at Algiers — that the persons 
 and property of American citizens found on board an 
 enemy's vessels should be sacred — that vessels of 
 either party putting into port should be supplied 
 with provisions at market price, and, if necessary 
 to be repaired, should land their cargoes without 
 paying duty — that if a vessel belonging to either 
 party should be cast on shore, she should not be given 
 up to plunder — or if attacked by an enemy within can- 
 non shot of a fort, should be pratected, and no ene 
 my be permitted to follow her when she went to sea 
 within twenty-four hours. In general, the rights 
 of Americans on the ocean and land, were fully pro- 
 vided for in every instance, and it was particularly 
 stipulated that ail citizens of the United States taken 
 
 in war, should be treated as prisoners of war are 
 33 
 
258 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 treated by other nations, and not as slaves, but held 
 subject to an exchange without ransom. After con- 
 cluding this treaty, so highly honourable and advan- 
 tageous to this country, the commissioners gave up 
 the captured frigate and brig, to their former owners. 
 To this they were influenced by a consideration of 
 the great expense it would require to put them in a 
 condition to be sent to the United States — the im- 
 possibility of disposing of them in the Mediterranean 
 and by the pressing instances of the dey himself, 
 who earnestly represented that this would be the 
 best method of satisfying his people with the treaty 
 just concluded, and consequently the surest guaran- 
 tee for its observance on his part. The policy of 
 the measure we think sufficiently obvious, when it is 
 considered that the dey would most likely, in case 
 of their refusal, have fallen a victim to the indigna- 
 tion of the people, and that, in all probability, his 
 successor would have found his safety only in disown- 
 ing the peace which had been made by his predeces- 
 sor. There being, as we before stated, some dispute 
 with the Spanish authorities with regard to the le- 
 gality of the capture of the Algerine brig, it was stip- 
 ulated on the part of the American conmjissioners, 
 in order to -induce the Spaniards to give her up, that 
 the Spanish consul and a Spanish merchant, then 
 prisoners in Algiers, should be released, and permit- 
 ted to return to Spain if they pleased. According to 
 the last advices the brig was still detained by the 
 Spanish government, and the ultimate disposal of 
 this vessel will probably be settled by an amicable 
 negotiation. 
 
NAVAL BATTLKS. 259 
 
 Commodore Decatur despatched captain Lewis in 
 iheEpervier, bearing tlie treaty to the United States, 
 and leaving Mr. Shaler at Algiers, as consul-general 
 10 the Earbary states, proceeded with the rest of 
 the squadron to Tunis, with the exception of two 
 schooners under captain Gamble, sent to convoy the 
 Algerine vessels home from Carthagena. He was 
 prompted to this visit, by having been informed that 
 a misunderstanding existed between our consul and 
 the bashaw of Tunis, into the nature of which he 
 considered himself bound in duty to inquire. Here 
 he was officially informed by the consul of a violation 
 of the treaty subsisting between the United States 
 and the bashaw, first, in permitting two prizes of an 
 American privateer to be taken out of the harbour 
 by a British cruiser, and secondly, in permitting a 
 company of merchants, subjects of Tunis, to take 
 the property of an American citizen at their own 
 price, and much below its real value. 
 
 The truth of these allegations being thus officially 
 verified, commodore Decatur addressed a letter to 
 the prime minister of Tunis, demanding satisfaction 
 for these outrages exercised or permitted by the 
 bashaw, and a full restoration of the property thus 
 given up or sacrificed. The bashaw, through the 
 medium of his prime minister, acknowledged the 
 truth of the facts, as well as the justice of the de- 
 mands ; but begged twelve months to pay the money. 
 This was refused ; and on receiving assurances that 
 it would be paid forthwith, the commodore went on 
 shore, where he received the visits of the different 
 
260 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 consuls. The brother of the prime minister of Tunis 
 chanced to arrive with the money at this time, and 
 seeiniT the British consul in conversation with com- 
 modore Decatur, threw dowi> the bags which con- 
 tained it with great indignation, at the same time ad- 
 dressing the consul in English, which he spoke fluent- 
 ly, "You see, sir, what Tunis is obliged to pay 
 for your insolence. You must feel ashamed of the 
 disgrace you have brought upon us. You are very 
 good friends now, but I ask you whether you think 
 it just first to violate our neutrality, and then to leave 
 us to be destroyed, or pay for your aggressions." As 
 soon as the money was paid, the bashaw prepared 
 to despatch a minister to England, to demand the 
 amount which he had been obliged to pay in conse- 
 quence of this requisition of the American commodore. 
 After adjusting these differences, the squadron 
 proceeded to Tripoli, where commodore Decatur 
 made a similar demand for a similar violation of the 
 treaty subsisting between the United States and the 
 bashaw, who had permitted two American vessels to 
 be take«> from under the guns of his castle by a Brit- 
 ish sloop of war, and refused protection to an Amer- 
 ican cruiser lying within his jurisdiction. Restitu- 
 tion of the full value of these vessels was demanded, 
 and the money, amounting to twenty-five thousand dol- 
 lars, paid by the bashaw into the hands of the Amer- 
 can consul. After the conclusion of this affair, the 
 American consular flag, which Mr. Jones, the consul, 
 ,'v'v '. "Mck, in consequence of the violation of neutral- 
 \\y ."'love mentioned, was hoisted in the presence of 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 261 
 
 the foreign agents, and saluted from the castle with 
 thirty-one guns. In addition to the satisfaction thus 
 obtained for unprovoked aggressions, the commodore 
 had the pleasure of obtaining the release of ten cap- 
 tives, two Danes, and eight Neapolitans, the latter of 
 whom he landed at Messina. 
 
 After touching at Messina and Naples, the squad- 
 ron sailed for Carthagena on the 31st of August, 
 where commodore Decatur was in expectation of 
 meeting the relief squadron, under commodore Bain- 
 bridge. On joining that officer at Gibraltar, he re- 
 linquished his command, and sailed in the Guerriere 
 for the United States, where he arrived on the 12th 
 of November, 1815. Every thing being done previ- 
 ous to^the arrival of the second division of the squad- 
 ron, under commodore Bainbridge, that gallant officer 
 had no opportunity of disiinguishing himself, as we are 
 satisfied he always will where occasion occurs. 
 Pursuant to his instructions he exhibited this addition- 
 al force before Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli, where 
 they were somewhat surprised at the appearance of 
 the Independence seventy-four, having always been 
 persuaded that the United States were restricted by 
 their treaties with England from building ships of 
 that class. When colonel Lear was consul at Algiers 
 he endeavoured to convince the ministers of the dey 
 that such was not the case ; but they always replied, 
 " If you are permitted to build seventy-fours, let us 
 see one of them and we shall be satisfied." Com 
 modore Bainbridge sailed from Gibraltar thirty-six 
 hours before the Guerriere, and arrived at Boston the 
 loth of November. * 
 
262 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 Thus was concluded an expedition in which, 
 though f^ew, perhaps no opportunities occurred for 
 a display of the hardj prowess of our sailors, tlie na- 
 tion acquired singular honour, in humbling and chas- 
 tising a race of lawless pirates, who have long been 
 the inveterate scourges of the christian world. Inde- 
 pendently of the glory thus accruing to the republi- 
 can name, the probable advantages arising from this 
 sudden and unlooked-for appearance of an American 
 squadron immediately after a war, with Great Bri- 
 tain, we think will be manifold. This circumstance 
 will give them an idea of the power and resources of 
 the United States altogether different from that 
 which they before entertained ; and serve to con- 
 vince them of the danger of provoking their resent- 
 ment under any expectation of the destruction of 
 their navy by any power whatever. That the as- 
 surance of an immediate war with England was what 
 principally encouraged the dey of Algiers to com- 
 mence hostilities against the United States, under 
 a conviction that our little navy would sj)cedily be 
 annihilated, is evident from the following fact. One 
 of the dey's officers one morning insinuated, whether 
 true or false we cannot say, to the British consul at 
 Algiers, that it was his fault that they declared war. 
 "You told us,'' said he, "that the American navy 
 would be destroyed in six months by you, and now 
 they make war upon us with two of your own ves- 
 sels they have taken from you I" 
 
NAVAL POETRY. 
 
 From a great number of nautical songs and other 
 fifliisions of poetry, that have appeared in the period- 
 ical works of our country, we have selected the fol- 
 lowing, as not unworthy of preservation. 
 
 FKOM THE POUT FOI.IO. 
 
 OCEAN.— A NAVAL ODE. 
 
 All hail, thou mightiest, monstrous Powci- 
 To whom, in this tempestuous hour, 
 
 The Nations bow the knee! 
 This hour, when Heaven's right arm halh hurled 
 Its thunders round a warring world, 
 O'er Christendom one bloody flag unfurled — 
 
 IVe lift our eyes to Thee I . 
 
 Primeval Power! ere Order sprung, 
 While yet o'er chaos darkness hung. 
 Thou wcrt ; and when, in onward time, 
 The impious mortal stain'd by crime 
 The Image of his sire sublime; — 
 Then, great Avenger! didst thou rise. 
 And swelling to the d;irken'u skies, 
 Each of thy waves commissioned (hca 
 Whelm'd in the worthless race <^f xncu^ 
 
264 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 Ocean — that venerable name 
 What tongue unfaltering shall proclaim? 
 Here, as upon my native plain 
 That borders on thy wide domain, 
 I stand, and strive one glimpse to gain 
 Of half thy worth, but strive in vain. 
 Poiver — to whose hundred hands is given 
 To toss their foam against the face of heaven, 
 And ere insulted heaven its wrath can show, 
 Retreat in safety to th' abyss below. 
 Extent — whose untold regions lie 
 Where man nor angel e'er could pry, 
 Who mantlest round this mighty globe, 
 As in one vast, cerulean robe. 
 And ?t)ea///i-^whose many massive heaps 
 Lie piled within thy cavern-deeps, 
 Where new Peruvias unfold 
 Their copious veins of liquid gold. 
 And other Indias rise, to spread 
 Of rival gems, thy sparkling bed. 
 
 Yet, grand and awful as thou art, 
 
 'Tis ours, with no foreboding heart, 
 To count thy glories o'er; — 
 
 Dcscendents from that western wild. 
 
 Of Heaven the latest, loveliest cltild, 
 
 Who, safe in thy protection, smil'd; 
 
 Blooming so long from all intrusion free, 
 
 And known to none but Heaven and Thco. 
 
 Till He, thy chosen chieftain, came, 
 
 Genoa's boast, Iberia's shame; 
 (Blest, had he never ceas'd o'er thee to roam, 
 Nor found disgrace, and chains, and death at homo.) 
 
 He woo'd and won the peerless dame, 
 
 And gave to her his honour'd name. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 265 
 
 E'er since that hour, their children, we, 
 In weal or wo thy aid can see. — 
 In war, thy guarding waters rose, 
 A fence between us and our foes. 
 In peace, thy stars have been our guides, 
 Oar coursers swift, thy toaming tides, 
 And safe have been our billowy rides, 
 As when some white-wing'd seraph glides 
 
 To haven of repose! 
 
 Far to that execrated shore. 
 Where ancient Carthage tovver'd of yore, 
 'Twas thy supporting arms that bore 
 'Gainst Punic perfidy, the band, 
 Who well aveng'd our injured land; 
 And drove the crescent, bath'd in blood, 
 To hide its blushes in the flood. 
 But when no effort could withstand 
 The willy Turk's ensnaring hand, 
 Snatch'd for themselves the lighted brand. 
 And mounting in a shroud of flame. 
 Died to the world — to live in fame!' 
 
 And now — though in the recent year 
 That compass'd our " diurnal sphere," 
 Defeat, disgrace, and want, and fear, 
 Wherever else we look, appear; 
 Yet, when to Thee we turn our eyes. 
 Some stars amid the storms arise. 
 Lo ! twice within that little year. 
 Behold yon trophied barque appear, 
 Whose Eagle, in the wat'ry field. 
 Twice bade the British Lion yield ! 
 Vhose noble mast yet stands to tel' 
 s native oaks, it never fell I 
 34 
 
266 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 And bids Defiance' loudest blast 
 Cliallenge the world to mate tliat mast, 
 For service siiar'd — for duty done — 
 For danger dar'd — for vict'ry won!* 
 
 Ere, echoing round our gladden'd shore, 
 The peal of triumph scarce was o'er, 
 Thou bad'st thy winds to hear again, 
 O'er all its hills the lofty strain; 
 To tell them that anotlier sail, 
 Mid dark October's stormy gale, 
 In direst, deadliest shock, could close 
 With hearts as brave as IJritaiii knows, 
 
 And in that shock prevail! f 
 
 We crowd not on the shudd'ring sight 
 The horrors of that awful tight: 
 Not ours to count the cruel scars, 
 And groans, and wounds of ocean-wars. 
 Let others note how, side by side. 
 The virtuous and the valiant died' 
 Where gun 'gainst gun, encountering, lay 
 So near, they cross'd each others way! 
 And from the suff"'ririg and the slain, 
 The life-stream mingled with the main! 
 Till Conquest grasp'd his laurel'd crown. 
 Less as a symbol of renown. 
 Than to conceal from sight, from thought. 
 Proofs of the price at which 'twas bought! 
 
 ♦ It is scarcely necessary to state, that tliis alludes to the two conqueits achieved 
 by the " Constitution" over the (iuerriere and Java — the first under the imme- 
 diate command of captain Hull; the second, under that of commodore Bain 
 bridge. It has been asserted, that no vessel of equal force has been known, in 
 any service, to have acquired as much glory in as little time. 
 
 t The engagement between captain Jones, in tiie " Wasp," and the " Frolic," 
 iu which the latter was captured 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 267 
 
 Thou, Ocean, (liou, the seaman's sire' 
 Witness for i>6, while deeds like thosp, 
 ApprovM our prowess to our foes, 
 Did tliey not, 'mid ourselves, inspire 
 In all, the emulous aesire 
 As well to act, as to admire? 
 
 Witness, as well it may. 
 That One could, unattended, roam 
 To Albion's very channel home, 
 
 In vain, hut hold assay;* 
 And One could bid his cannon sound 
 To St. Salvador's farthest ground. 
 Till Andes might the shock rebound, 
 
 Of challenging the fray! j 
 
 And soon, with streamers waving nigh, 
 On thy blue throne exalted high, 
 We hail'd atK)ther naval son — 
 Grac'd with the gift his arm had won; 
 A rare and goodly gift, to greet 
 A country, ever proud to meet 
 The same chivalrous chief, who bore 
 Rich tril)utes once from Barb'ry's shore, 
 
 As Allah's sons can tell; 
 But now a nobler trophy shows. 
 Wrested from mightier, manlier foes, 
 
 ^Vho fought so long — so well. J * 
 
 Vict'ry was ours, an-d, conflict o'er, 
 Found Mercy had been ours before; 
 And Kindness, from election free, 
 And frank, high-minded Courtesy. 
 In losing Peace, we have not lost 
 That gentle grace she prizes most. 
 
 ♦The cruise of iiotnniodore Hodgecs. 
 tThe clmllenge ofciiptjiiti liiwrt'iico to tlio Con Citoyen. 
 i The capture and safe conduct home, of the " Macedonian," by cotnmodora 
 Decatur. 
 
268 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 So may the goddess, wiien again 
 She reascends her sacred fane — 
 That fane, whose gates, alas! now clos'd, 
 Have stood to force and fraud e.xpos'd; 
 Find still upon her altar's urn 
 Unquench'd its lambent lusj^re burn. 
 Wilhoul is all the storm and din — • 
 The vestal flame yet lives wilhin 
 
 Once more, upon thy list of fame, 
 Ocean I inscribe another name. 
 Surely we may not ask in vain 
 For him, who ne'er can ask again! 
 For him, most priz'd, yet pitied most, 
 For Lawrence, honour'd — Lawrence, lost' 
 For him, who erst the fight maintain'd, 
 And erst tiie conqu'ror's chaplct gain'd, 
 
 And better, nobler far, 
 Who sprang where battle fiercest bled, 
 Between the living and the dead, 
 
 And stay'd the waste of war! 
 For him, whose virtues were declar'd 
 Jiy enemies his sword had spar'd, 
 What time his arm humanely dar'd 
 The reeling captive to sustain. 
 And snatch the sinking from the main. 
 The life, in fight half lost before. 
 Was now to peril risk'd once more; 
 Till, aiding in the great emprize, 
 His comrades sunk before his eyes. 
 This, this, may Fame's subliniest song 
 In everlasting note prolong! 
 glorious end! death of pride! 
 The victors for the vanquish'd died!* 
 
 » The extraordinary exertions of the officers and crew of the " Hornet," after 
 their victory over the " PeacocU," for the safety and comfort of their prisoners, 
 must be fresh in the minds of every American, and we trust, of every Briton 
 
IMAVAL BATTLES 269 
 
 But be the shouts of triumph o'er; 
 Strike the high warbling harp no more! 
 And let the minstrel's measure know 
 No tones, but tones of martial wo! 
 O'er the slow-undulating tide 
 Lot only mournful musick glide. 
 And but the solemn-sounding oar 
 Awake the silenee of the shore. 
 Let Fancy to the tufted steep, 
 
 For sad, sepulchral sights retire, 
 Where wildly o'er the moaning deep 
 The mermaids tear 
 Their golden h"ir, 
 
 And fling it on the funeral pyre. 
 
 Such sorrows, to the patriot dear, 
 Befit a hero's bloody bier; 
 Such, Lawrence! to thy name be paid, 
 All that can greet thy gallant shade. 
 Oh thou, whose gen'rous arm could save 
 Thy fellows from an early grave, 
 AVhat blessings had to him belong'd 
 Who had a life like thine prolong'd? 
 Long on the sadden'd mind shall stay * 
 
 The thought of that disastrous day, 
 When, with thy few brave followers round. 
 Thou dared'st dispute th' unequal ground, 
 Till sunk beneath thy mortal wound; 
 Nor, then — in the recording line 
 Ne'er be it said — to yield was thine: 
 Till reeling sense and fainting life 
 Withheld thee from the desp'rate strife; 
 
 For obvious reasons we have not noticed our naval actions exactly in the oraer 
 in which they occurred: — and for reasons equally obvious, have avoided the m- 
 troduction of any individual names, except of those departed commanders, to 
 whom, alas! nothing but a name remains. 
 
270 MAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 Ne'er was that bloody banner down, 
 So lately starrM with thy renown. 
 Long as tiiy arm could wield a sword — • 
 Long as thy lips could breathe a word, 
 Tliy deeds, thy voice, this truth reveal'd— 
 That Lawrence never knew to yield ! 
 Nought but the final Enemy 
 Who conquers all — has conquer'd thee! 
 
 Yet still, the tributary verse 
 Must flow lamenting round thy hearse; 
 For partial Heaven in thee coml)in'd 
 The sternest with the softest mind, 
 Seeni'd that thou wert but lent, to show 
 The rest of ocean's race below 
 How all the charities might blend, 
 Of father, brother, husband, friend: 
 Till perfecting the patriot plan. 
 The warrior mellow'd in tlie man! 
 But, hark! E'en now what tidings swell? 
 Last, but not least, they speed to tell 
 Where Burrows the invader spoiTd, 
 His arms, his arts, o'erpower'd and foii'd, 
 
 But in the struggle fell! 
 Then be it so! An end so great, 
 No sighs but sighs of Envy wait! 
 What could a Roman triumph more, 
 Than pass'd his closing eye before? 
 With falt'ring hand and bosom gor'd, 
 'Twas his to grasp a conq'ror's sword, 
 Like gallant Wolfe, well " satisfied," 
 In that he conquer'd, and he died! 
 
 Ocean ! when storms of conflict o'er, 
 Shall cesolate our coasts no more; 
 But that firm race of thine shall cume 
 To dignify a peaceful home — 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 O grant that race to prove tliem, then, 
 Uetter as well as braver men; 
 Wise to forbear, in civil life, 
 As bold to dare in hostile strife. 
 For angel-eyes, that turn afar 
 Abhorrent from the scenes of war, 
 Have ycl beheld, with tears of joy, 
 Virtues which war could not destroy: 
 That, in the hot and tempting hour 
 Of mad Success and lawless Power, 
 When Av'rice, Pride, Revenge, contend 
 For mastery in the human-fiend, 
 Could chain these furies to their den, 
 And make the victors more than men ! 
 Nor solely to the chieftain free 
 This might of magnanimity: 
 Round many a humbler head it glowed — 
 Through many a humbler heart it flowed; 
 Those who, whate'er their leaders claim, 
 Must fall, themselves, unknown to Fame: 
 Theirs the toil without the praise — 
 The conquest theirs — but not its days. 
 
 Then grant, great Ruler of the main f 
 These virtues they may long retain; 
 So shall thy waters ne'er be view'd 
 Without a burst of gratitude. 
 So, when War's angry flame retires, 
 And, ling'ring, on thy bed expires; 
 These, tried and purified, shall rise, 
 And, phcEOix-like, ascend the skies. 
 
272 
 
 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 ODE WRITTEN BY L. M. SARGENT, ESa 
 
 AND SUNG AT THE DINNER GIVEN TO CAPTAIN HULL BY THB 
 CITIZENS OF BOSTON. 
 
 Britannia's gallant streamers 
 
 Float proudly o'er the tide; 
 
 And tairlj wave Columbia's stripes, 
 
 In battle, side by side. 
 
 And ne'er did bolder foemen meet, 
 
 Where ocean's surges pour. 
 
 O'er the tide, now they ride, 
 
 While the bell'wing thunders roar, 
 
 While the cannon's fire is flashing fast 
 
 And the bell'wing thunders roar. 
 
 When Yankee meets the Briton, 
 
 Whose blood congenial flows, 
 
 By Heaven created to be friends, 
 
 By fortune render'd foes; 
 
 Hard then must be the battle fray, 
 
 Ere well the fight is o'er. 
 
 Now they ride, side by side. 
 
 While the bell'wing thunders roar, 
 
 Wliile the cannon's fire is flashing fast 
 
 And the bell'wing thunders roar. 
 
 Still, still for noble England, 
 
 Bold Dacres's streamers fly; 
 
 And for Columbia, gallant Hull's 
 
 As proudly and as high 
 
 Now louder rings the battle din. 
 
 More thick the volumes pour; 
 
 Still they ride, side by side. 
 
 While the bell'wing thunders roar, 
 
 While the cannon's fire is flashing fast 
 
 And the bell'wing thunders roar. 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 273 
 
 Why lulls Britannia's thunder, 
 
 That wak'd the wat'ry war? 
 
 Why stays tliat gallant Guerriere, 
 
 Whose streamer wav'd so fair? 
 
 That streamer drinks the ocean wave ! 
 
 That warrior's fight is o'er ! 
 
 Still they ride, side by side, 
 
 While Columbia's thunders roar, 
 
 While her cannon's fire is flashing fast, 
 
 And her Yankee thunders roar. 
 
 Hark! 'tis the Briton's lee gun ! 
 
 Ne'er bolder warrior kneel'd ! 
 
 And ne'er to gallant mariners 
 
 Did braver seamen yield. 
 
 Proud be the sires, whose hardy boys, 
 
 Then fell, to fight no more: 
 
 With the brave, 'mid the wave, 
 
 When the cannon's thunders roar, 
 
 Tiieir spirits then shall trim the blast, 
 
 And swell the thunder's roar. 
 
 Vain were the cheers of Britons, 
 
 Tlieir hearts did vainly swell, 
 
 Where virtue, skill, and bravery 
 
 W^ith gallant, Morris fell. 
 
 That heart, so well in battle tried, 
 
 Along the Moorish shore. 
 
 Again o'er the main, 
 
 When Columbia's thunders roar. 
 
 Shall prove its Yankee spirit true. 
 
 When Columbia's thunders roar 
 
 Hence be our floating bulwarks, 
 Those oaks our mountain's yield; 
 'Tis mighty Heaven's plain decree 
 Then take the wat'ry field ! 
 
 35 
 
274 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 To ocean's farthest barrier then 
 Your whit'ning sail shall pour; 
 Safe they'll ride, o'er the tide, 
 While Columbia's thunders roar, 
 While her cannon's fire is flashing fast, 
 And her Yankee thunders roar. 
 
 COLUMBIA'S NAVAL HEROES 
 
 SUNG AT THE DKNNER GIVEN TO CAPTAIN BIDOLE BT THE CITIZnfl 
 OF NEW YORK. 
 
 BY FRANCIS ARDEN, ESQ. 
 
 While Europe displaying her fame claiming page, 
 
 And vaunting ine proofs of her high elevation, 
 
 Exullingly shows us, just once in an age, 
 
 Some patriot soul'd chieftain the prop of his nation; 
 
 Columbia can boast, of her heroes a host, 
 
 The foremost at Duty's and Danger's proud post, 
 
 Who full often have won upon ocean's rough wave, 
 
 The brightest leav'd laurel that e'er deck'd the brave. 
 
 By freedom inspir'd and with bosoms of flame, 
 They hurl'd on the foe all the battle's dread thunder, 
 Till vanquish'd and humbled, he shook at their name, 
 O'erwhelm'd with confusion with fear and with wonder; 
 No age that has flown, such a band e'er has known. 
 Who made fiininess and skill and mild manners their own, 
 And each trait of the warrior so closely entwin'd, 
 With the virtues that grace and ennoble the mind. 
 
 Their kindness the hearts of their captives subdued. 
 Who sunk 'ngath their arms when the life-streams were flowing 
 And their conquest-wove wreaths not a tear has bedew'd 
 But that which Jlumanity smiles in bestowing; 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 275 
 
 The world with one voice bids their country rejoice, 
 As with blushes it owns that these sons of her ciioice 
 For valour and feeling have gain'd the rich prize, 
 knd stand first midst the first that live under the skies. 
 
 Their splendid achievements shall long string the nervea 
 Of all who the blessings of freemen inherit; 
 And theirfe be the honours such merit deserves, 
 And dear to each bosom their death-daring spirits; 
 The poet's best strain, shall their mem'ries maintain, 
 And aficction embalm them to Time's latest reign, 
 While roused by their praises, our sens shall aspire. 
 To rival their actions and glow with their fire. 
 
 THE FRIGATE CONSTITUTION. 
 
 %VIia BEFORE THE COKPORATION OF THE CITY OF NEW TORK, TttM 
 KOL'RTU OF JLLY, 1815. 
 
 BY FRANCIS ARDEN, ESQ. 
 
 Argo of Greece, that brought the fleece 
 
 To the Thessalian city, 
 As we are told, by bards of old, 
 
 Was sung in many a ditty; 
 •But V^ankees claim a prouder name 
 
 To spur their resolution. 
 Than Greece could boast and do her most— 
 
 The frigate Constitution. 
 
 When first she press* d the stream's cool breast,, 
 
 Hope hail'd her pride of story; 
 Now she o'erpays hope's flatt'ring praise, 
 
 By matchless deeds of glory; 
 
276 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 Of all that roam the salt sea's foam, 
 Nor.e floats to Neptune dearer, 
 Or fairer shines m fame's bright lines, 
 Or more makes Britain fear her. 
 
 'Neath Hull's command, with a tough bam 
 
 And nought beside to back her, 
 Upon a day, as log-books say, 
 
 A fleet bore down to thwack her; 
 A fleet, you know, is odds or so, 
 
 Against a single ship sirs; 
 So cross the tide, her legs she tried. 
 
 And gave the rogues the slip sirs. 
 
 But time flies round, and soon she found, 
 
 While ploughing ocean's acres, 
 An even chance to join the dance, 
 
 And turn keel up, poor Dacres; 
 Dacres, 'tis clear, despises fear, 
 
 Quite full of fun and prank is. 
 Hoists his ship's name, in playful game, 
 
 Aloft to scare the Yankees. 
 
 On Brasil's coast, she rul'd the roast, 
 
 When Bainbridge was her captain; 
 Neat hammocks gave, made of the wave, 
 
 Dead Britons to be wrapp'd in; 
 For there, in ire, 'midst smoke and fire, 
 
 Her boys the Java met sirs, 
 And in the fray, her Yankee play, 
 
 Tipp'd Bull a somerset sirs. 
 
 Next on her deck, at Fortune's beck, 
 The dauntless Stewart landed; 
 
 A better tar ne'er shone in war. 
 Or daring souls commanded; 
 
NAVAL BATTLES. 2T7 
 
 Old Ironsides, now once more rides, 
 
 In search of English cruisers; 
 ind Neptune grins, to see her twins, 
 
 Got in an hour or two, sirs. 
 
 Then raise amain, the joyful strain. 
 
 For well she has deserv'd it, 
 Who brought the foe so often low, 
 
 Chcer'd freedom's heart and ncrv'd it; 
 Long may she ride, our navy's pride. 
 
 And spur to resolution; 
 A.nd seamen boast, and landsmen toast. 
 
 The rniGATE cOiNSTixuxioN 
 
 FROM THE BALTIMORE WHIG. 
 
 THE UNCOURTEOUS KNKIHT, AND THE COURTEOUS LADY 
 
 For a nautical knight, a lady — heigho! 
 
 Felt her heart and her heart-strings to ache; 
 To view his sweet visage she look'd to and fro; — 
 The name of the knight, was James Lucas Yeo, 
 
 And the lady — 'twas she of the Lake. 
 
 " My good, siveet sir James," cried the lady so fair, 
 
 " Since my passion I cannot control, 
 When you see my white drapery floating in air, 
 Oh! thither, and quickly I prithee repair 
 
 And indulge the first wish of my soul." 
 
 Sir knight heard afar, of the lady's desire, 
 
 And sprightly and gay made reply — 
 "As your heart, lovely maid, doth my presence require, 
 I assure you mine burns with an answering fire, 
 
 And quick to your presence I'll fly." 
 
278 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 * 
 From Ontario's margin the lady set sail, 
 
 To meet the bold knight on that sea: 
 She dreamt not that he in his promise would fail, 
 And leave a fair lady alone to bewail; — 
 
 Yet no knight far or near could she see. 
 
 mpatient to meet him no longer she'd stay, 
 
 Resolv'd o'er the waters to roam: 
 " Oh! say, have you heard of my brave knight I pray, 
 He promis'd to meet a fair lady to day, 
 
 But I fear he's to Kingston gone home." 
 
 At last she espied him — what could sir knight do."* 
 He fidgetted — ran — and he tack'd in and out, 
 
 And kept far aloof — yet he promised to woo; 
 
 She hail'd him — " Sir knight — wont you please to heave to 
 What a shame a fair lady to flout." 
 
 .But away ran sir knight — the lady in vain, 
 
 Her oglings, and glances employ'd; 
 She aim'd at his heart, he aim'd at her brain, 
 She vow'd from pursuing she'd never refrain; 
 
 And the knight was most sadly annoy'd. 
 
 At length from the lady, the knight got him clear, 
 
 And obtain'd for a season some rest; 
 But if the fair lady he ever comes near. 
 For breaking his promise he'll pay pretty dear — 
 
 The price captain Ckauncey knows best. 
 
1.I0 1 ur lUE AMEKIUAiN J\AV r hOR 1831 
 
 ■0 
 
 B 
 fe 
 
 Names of Vessels. 
 
 Puilt 
 
 z Names of Vessels. 
 
 Bur,; 
 
 TT 
 
 Iiicle|ien(lence 
 
 Itiisldii, IpH 
 
 Irt 
 
 Oiitaiio 
 
 lialtiiiiorp, l>J3 
 
 74 
 
 rr.-Mikliii 
 
 I'liiiailelpliia, 1815 
 
 18 
 
 IVacock 
 
 New Yoik, 81J 
 
 74 
 
 Wanliiigton 
 
 I'ortsiiioutli, 181(5 
 
 18 
 
 Rcislii 
 
 Boston, If 25 
 New Y rk, 1825 
 
 74 
 
 ("olunibus 
 
 Washington, 1819 
 
 18 
 
 l.pviiiglon 
 
 74 
 
 (lliio 
 
 N.*w Vnik, lOiiO 
 
 18 
 
 Virict'iiiiea 
 
 ilo. !B2t> 
 
 74 
 
 Ni.iili Carolina 
 
 riiiiadelpliia, IS20 
 
 \S 
 
 VVarreti 
 
 Bost.in, 1826 
 
 74 
 
 Di'laware 
 
 (Jdspiirt, l-3t 
 
 18 
 
 Nnl.liez 
 
 Norfolk, l^a7 
 
 44 
 
 I'nitfd Slates 
 
 Philiulelpliia, 1797 
 
 l» 
 
 Falm ii'th 
 
 Boston, 1827 
 
 44 
 
 ("diisiiiiition 
 
 H<)-t(.ii, 1797 
 
 18 
 
 KairlifM 
 
 New York, 1828 
 
 44 
 
 Ciiprriere 
 
 I'hilailelphia, 1814 
 
 18 
 
 Vaiiilaiia 
 
 !'lii:n()e plii.i, W- 
 
 44 
 
 Java 
 
 Kaltiinoie, Idl4 
 
 18 
 
 Si. Louis 
 
 VVasliuicton, ia<^ 
 
 44 
 
 I'liiomac 
 
 Wasninytoii, 1831 
 
 18 
 
 (^iiicord 
 
 I'o'.lsin uih, I82i 
 
 44 
 
 I'raiiilywine 
 
 ilo 1825 
 
 12 
 
 Doiptirn 
 
 I'liiladelplim, Wj 
 
 44 
 
 IhiilH.ri 
 
 riir<-lia?P(i, 18-3; 
 
 12 
 
 firimi'iis 
 
 Wasliiuiit<.n, 182! 
 
 3G 
 
 Ciiiiiires^ 
 
 P.iitsiinutli, 1799 
 
 12 
 
 P.irpoise 
 
 I'orlsnioiilh, 182(1 
 
 36 
 
 ("(I'lsiellation 
 
 Billiniore, 1797 
 
 12 
 
 Shark 
 
 Wash' null n, l*i 
 I'unlp.isecl. 1823 
 
 30 
 
 Macedonian 
 
 Caini eil, 1812 
 
 3 
 
 Fox 
 
 24 
 
 Jiilin Ailaais 
 
 <'liar!e^!nn,?C.1799 
 
 
 Aleri.srore ship 
 
 taptiiied. ]8bi 
 
 a4 
 
 ("vane 
 
 Ca|>liiieil, 1815 
 
 
 Sea (^ull, do 
 
 Purcliosea i^j^ 
 
 18 
 
 Erie 
 
 Baltimore, 1813 
 
 
 
 
 VESSELS BUILDING. 
 
 74 lAlahama 
 74 iVeriiiint 
 74 Viririnia 
 74 iPennsylvania 
 74 New York 
 44 Santee 
 
 Porlsiiiouih 
 
 Boston 
 
 Ho. 
 
 Piiiladelphia 
 
 Noifdk 
 
 Purtsinuuth 
 

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