boom, and cutting away the running rigging so much as to deprive her of the power of preserving the weather-gage. At five minutes past three, the enemy's fire became so extremely heavy, that Capt. Lambert ordered the ship to be laid on-board, in which he would have succeeded had not the foremast been shot away at this moment, the remains of the bowsprit passing over the taffrail, followed by the fall of the main-topmast, left the ship totally unmanageable, with most of her starboard guns covered with the wreck, and thus rendered useless. At half-past three the gallant captain received a mortal wound in the breast, and was carried below. From this time not more than two or three guns could be fired until a quarter past four, when the mizen-mast was shot away; the ship then fell off a little, many of the starboard guns were brought to bear, and the enemy's rigging was so much cut that he could not avoid shooting a-head, which brought the two ships fairly broadside and broadside. The main-yard of the Java went in the slings, and both ships were engaged in this manner till thirty-five minutes past four, the Java being frequently on fire, in consequence of the wreck on the side engaged. The Constitution now made sail a-head out of gun-shot, where she remained an hour repairing her damages. The Java, being an unmanageable wreck, with only a tottering main-mast left, every exertion was made during this interval to enable the ship to renew the action. The wreck of the masts was cleared from the guns; a sail was set on the stumps of the foremast and bowsprit, the weather-half of the main-yard remaining aloft, the main-tack was got forward in the hope of putting the ship before the wind, the helm being still perfect; but this effort was rendered ineffectual from the main-mast falling over the side (owing to the heavy rolling of the ship), which nearly covered the whole of the starboard guns. The Constitution now stood towards the Java, and was taking a position to rake her, without a possibility of returning her fire, when, upon a consultation with the officers, by the first lieutenant, Chads, who fought the ship after the captain was carried below, it was thought not justifiable, in her then state, with a great part of her crew killed and wounded, to sacrifice the lives of those remaining; therefore the colours were lowered from the stump of the mizen-mast. Com. Bainbridge, after ascertaining the condition of the ship, resolved on burning her, which was accordingly done.

The Java had 124 killed and wounded. The Constitution also suffered severely, both in her rigging and men, having her fore and mizen-masts, main-topmast, both fore and main-topsail yards, spanker-boom, gaff, and trysail-mast, badly shot, and the greatest part of the standing rigging very much damaged. She had 56 killed and wounded; amongst the latter were the commodore and first-lieutenant.

The obstinacy and duration of this contest cannot surprise, when it is considered that it was in fact British skill and courage opposed to the stamina of the same qualities, though in an American bottom; nor will the issue be thought to have tarnished the British flag, or afforded much cause of triumph to that of America, upon a statement of the comparative force of the two ships. The Java had in weight of metal 1034b. the Constitution 15241b.; the Java's crew and supernumeraries amounted to 377, the Constitution 480! The brave Capt. Lambert died of his wounds on the 4th January, at St. Salvador, Brazil. He was interred with military honours in Fort St. Pedro, and every respect was shewn on the

occasion

occasion by his Excellency the Conde Dos Arcas (governor) and the Portuguese in general.

1813, February 24.-The Peacock (bg.), 18, Wm. Peake, had a severe action with the U. S. ship Hornet, of 20 guns. There having been no official account published of this contest, the following particulars are taken from the Naval Chronicle, vol. 34, p. 132. The superiority on the American side was, in weight of metal and in number of men, as three to two; in size of vessel as five to four. The Americans acknowledged only 5 killed and wounded, and state our loss to have been 38, including some that went down in the brig at the close of the action. Never was there a finer specimen of marine gunnery, than the Americans displayed on this occasion.

April 28.--Admiral Sir J. B. Warren having directed RearAdm. Cockburn to take under his orders the Maidstone, Fantome, Mohawk, Highflyer, and three prize armed schooners, and destroy the foundries, stores, and public works at the head of the Chesapeake, by penetrating the rivers, a detachment was selected for this service, composed of 180 seamen and 200 marines, together with a few artillerymen, under Lieut. Robertson of that corps. When arrived at the entrance of Elk river, the Rear-Adm. sent a detachment of 150 marines, under Capts. Wybourn and Carter, and 5 artillerymen under Lieut. Robertson, in the boats of the squadron; the whole under the immediate direction of Lieut. G. A. Westphall, to take and destroy some stores at Frenchtown upon the river Elk. On the 28th, having approached the place, a heavy fire from a six-gun battery was opened upon the boats, which however being well returned, and the marines in the act of disembarking, the Americans quitted their battery, and left the town and stores to their fate. The whole of the latter, therefore, consisting of much flour, a large quantity of army clothing, cavalry equipments, with various kinds of merchandize, were set fire to and consumed. On the 3d May, the same party, under the command of Capt. Lawrence of the Fantome, proceeded to Havre de Grace, at the entrance of the Susquehanna river. A warm fire was opened upon the place, which was smartly returned for a short time by a battery recently erected, which however was abandoned on the marines beginning to land on the left. Lieut. Westphall, with his boat's crew, turned the guns of the battery upon the Americans, which soon obliged them to retreat, and the marines having by this time landed, the fugitives were closely pursued through the town into the neighbouring woods, firing as they fled from behind the houses, walls, trees, &c. Whilst leading the pursuit, the brave Lieut. Westphall was shot through the hand, but this did not prevent him, with his remaining hand, from making prisoner and bringing in a captain of their militia. After setting fire to some of the houses, the Admiral embarked in the boats the guns from the battery, and then proceeded to a cannon-foundry about three or four miles to the northward of Havre, called the Cecil or Principio foundry, one of the most valuable works of the kind in America, the destruction of which he completely effected, and disabled 45 guns, which he found there. A division of boats, which had been sent up the Susquehanna, returned, after destroying five vessels, and a large store of flour. After being twenty-two hours in constant exertion, without nourishment of any kind, in the interior of the enemy's country, on his high road between Baltimore and Philadelphia, frequently opposed to superior force, in a difficult and unknown navigation, the whole division re-embarked,

and

and returned to the ships with only one man wounded. The distinguished ability and gallantry of Rear-Adm. Cockburn in this service, was most zealously and bravely seconded by Capts. Burdett, Lawrence, Byng; Lieuts. Westphall, Alexander, Reed, Robertson, and the other officers and men.

The Rear-Adm. proceeded with his squadron, on the 6th May, towards Georgetown, and Frederickstown, situated upon the Sasafras river. A small boat, with two of the inhabitants, was intercepted; they were sent forward to warn their countrymen against following the example of Havre de Grace, and to threaten that if they did, their towns would meet with the same fate. This caution not having the desired effect, the squadron being fired upon, the towns were destroyed, excepting the houses of those who had continued peaceably in them. This severe lesson caused another small town and Charlston, who sent deputations, to say that neither guns nor militia should be suffered amongst them, which resolution was adopted by the other places at the head of the Chesapeake. In this expedition only five men were wounded.

June 1.--The Shannon, 38, P. B. V. Broke, being close in with Boston Lighthouse, the United States frigate Chesapeake came out of the harbour to engage her. Capt. Broke took a position between Cape Ann and Cape Cod, and then hove-to for the enemy, who came down in a very handsome manner, with three American ensigns flying; when closing with the Shannon, he sent down his royalyards. At half past five, p. m. the enemy hauled up within hail on the starboard side of the Shannon, and the battle began, both ships steering full under the topsails; after exchanging two or three broadsides, the enemy's ship fell on board of the Shannon, her mizen channel locking in with her fore-rigging. Capt. Broke observing that the enemy were flinching from their guns, gave orders to prepare for boarding. The gallant band appointed to that service immediately rushed in, under their respective officers, upon the enemy's decks, driving every thing before them with irresistible fury. The enemy made a desperate but disorderly resistance. The firing continued at all the gangways, and between the tops; but in two minutes' time they were driven, sword in hand, from every post; the American flag was hauled down, and the British union floated triumphant over it. In another minute they ceased firing from below, and called for quarter. The whole of this service was performed in fifteen minutes from the commencement of the action. Mr. Watt, the first lieutenant, was slain in the moment of victory, and in the act of hoisting the British colours. Mr. Aldham, the purser, who had spiritedly volunteered the charge of a party of small-arms men, was killed at his post on the gangway. The captain's faithful old clerk, Mr. Dunn, was shot by his side. The veteran old boatswain, Mr. Stephens, who had served under Lord Rodney on the 12th of April 1782, lost an a Mr. Samwell, a midshipman of much merit, was the only officer wounded, besides the captain.

In such an action, the brilliant feats of individual prowess are merged in the refulgent blaze of collective heroism. When the ships' yardarms were locked together, Mr. Cosnahan, who commanded in the main-top, finding himself sheltered from the enemy by the foot of the topsail, lay out on the main-yard to fire upon them, and shot three men in that situation. Mr. Smith, who commanded in the fore-top, stormed that of the enemy from the fore-yard-arm, and destroyed all the Americans remaining in it. Capt. Broke having received a

severe sabre wound at the onset, whilst charging a party of the enemy, who had rallied on their forecastle, was only capable of giving command till assured his conquest was complete, and then directed Lieut. Wallis to take charge of the Shannon, and secure the prisoners. The third lieutenant, Mr. Falkinor (who had so gallantly headed the main-deck boarders), was put in charge of the prize. The captain in his letter, says " No expressions I can make use of can do justice to the merits of my valiant officers and crew; the calm courage they displayed during the cannonade, and the tremendous precision of their fire, could only be equalled by the ardour with which they rushed to the assault." The loss of the enemy was about 70 killed and 100 wounded. Among the former were the three lieutenants, a lieutenant of marines, the master, and many other officers. Capt. Lawrence died soon afterwards of his wounds. The enemy came into action with a complement of 450 men; the Shannon, having picked up some recaptured seamen, had 330.

The Chesapeake is a fine frigate, and mounted 49 guns, eighteens on her main-deck, two-and-thirties on her quarter-deck and forecastle. Both ships came out of action in the most beautiful order, their rigging appearing as perfect as if they had only been exchanging a salute.

June 22. An attack was made on Craney Island in Hampton Roads, by the squadron under the command of Adm. Sir J. B. Warren, and the troops commanded by Quartermaster Sydney Beckwith. The object was to enable the light ships and vessels to proceed up the narrow channel towards Norfolk, to transport the troops over on that side, for them to attack the new fort and lines, in the rear of which the Constellation frigate was anchored. The island was however too strongly fortified, and the troops re-embarked. 81 were killed, wounded, and missing.

June 26. The enemy in town and camp at Hampton were surprised, and defeated with great loss, by the land troops and marines under the command of Quartermaster-Gen. Sydney Beckwith, and the ships under that of Rear-Adm. Cockburn.

It

September 5.-The Boxer (g. b.), 14, Sam. Blyth, had a severe action with the U. S. brig Enterprize, 16, Lieut. W. Burrows. took place off Penguin Point, near Portland, on the eastern station, in the United States. Capt. Blyth, just previous to the commencement of the action, ordered his flag to be nailed to the mast. He then shortly harangued his crew, telling them it should never be struck whilst he had life, and that he trusted they would resolve to take the enemy, or go with him to the bottom He was answered by three cheers. In the very first broadside an eighteen-pound shot passed through his body, and shattered his left arm. The action commenced at twenty minutes after three, p. m. and terminated in the surrender of the Boxer, about four, p. m. She had 21 killed and wounded; the Enterprize 14. Her commander, Lieut. Burrows, fell about the same time as Capt. Blyth, by a musket-ball, which terminated his existence in eight hours. They were both in terred in adjoining graves, in Portland, on the 7th of September, with the greatest public honours. The following estimates of the relative force of the two vessels was deemed tolerably correct, be from a private source, as no British official account appeared ing action. The Boxer had in weight of metal 114b.; mer of this and boys, 64; measurement, 180 tons. The Enterprize had tal 135fb.; men, picked as usual, 130; and Dasurement, 220 tons. in weight of meC

From

when Capt. Mounsey's powder being nearly all expended, he determined to carry his opponent by boarding with all hands, when, at the instant of laying her aboard, she struck her colours. Thus ended a conflict most obstinately maintained for six hours and fifty minutes, during which the enemy fired more than seventy broadsides, whilst the sloop, not less sparing, discharged one hundred and thirty-nine, alternately from the starboard and larboard sides. She proved to be La Furieuse, a French frigate of the largest class, that escaped from the Saints, on the 1st April, commanded by Capt. Le Marant Ker Daniel, pierced for 48 guns, but having only 20mounted, forty soldiers at small arms, her full proportion of officers, and a complement of 200 men, besides a colonel, two lieutenants, and a detachment of the 66th regiment of the line; partly loaded with sugar and coffee, and sailed from Basse Terre, the 14th June, bound to France. She was reduced to a perfect wreck, having fourteen shot-holes between wind and water, and five feet water in her hold. She had 35 killed and 36 wounded.

The sloop was likewise a mere wreck, and it was with the greatest exertions that they both got into Halifax. The sloop had only 1 killed and 5 wounded, which Capt. Mounsey attributed to the lowness of the Bonne Citoyenne's hull, and being so close under the enemy's guns.

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1811, May 16. - Capt. A. B. Bingham, of the sloop Little 'Belt, 14, when cruising between Capes Henry and Hatteras, was attacked by the United States frigate the President, of 44 guns, Commodore Rogers, who, after a close action of three quarters of an hour, made sail from him, giving no reason for his most extraordinary conduct. About eight o'clock the following morning he bore up and hailed, and offered to send a boat on board, which was assented to. cordingly one came with a message from the Commodore, purporting that he lamented much the unfortunate affair that had happened, and that, had he known the inferiority of Capt. Bingham's force, he should not have fired at him. Upon being asked his motives by the latter for firing at all, his reply was, that the first gun was fired at him, which Capt. Bingham asserted was positively not the case. Capt. Bingham had cautioned both the officers and men to be particularly careful, and not suffer any more than one man to be at each gun; nor is it probable, that a sloop of war, within pistol shot of a large 44-gun frigate, should commence hostilities. He offered Capt. Bingham every assistance he stood in need of, and submitted to him that he had better put into one of the ports of the United States, which he declined. The Little Belt had 9 killed and 23 wounded, most of them, apprehended by Capt. Bingham, mortally.

1812, August 19.--The Guerriere, 38, J. R. Dacres, had a close and severe action of near two hours, with the American frigate Constitution, of very superior force, both in guns and men (of the latter almost double), when the Guerriere, being totally dismasted, she rolled so deep as to render all further efforts at the guns unavailing, and it became a duty to spare the lives of the remaining part of her valuable crew, by hauling down her colours. The masts fell over the side from which she was about to be engaged, in a very favourable position for raking by the enemy. A few hours after she was in possession of the Constitution, it was found impossible to keep her above water; she was therefore set fire to and abandoned, a satisfactory proof of her being defended to the last extremity. Though

the