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NILES '
WEEKLY REGISTER, OCTOBER 17 1812, p. 109.
NAVAL. …................
BRITISH ACCOUNT. Extract from
the log-book of an officer, who was on board his majesty's ship
Guerriere, in the late action.
“His majesty's ship Guerriere, being on her return from a cruise,
her foremast and bowsprit crippled, and most of her fore rigging gone –
on the 19th August, lat. 40, 20, N. and log, 55, W. at 2
o'clock, P.M. Saw a sail on her weather beam, coming down before the wind;
made sail in chase. Went to
quarters and cleared for action – at 4 o'clock the chase was discovered
to be t he United States' frigate Constitution,
which we had formerly chased off New-York, but which had escaped, by
superior sailing, from the English squadron.
Hauled up the courses, took in the top-gallant-sails, backed the
main-topsail, and hoisted an ensign at each mast-head.
The enemy shortened sail and hauled to the wind.
Filled our main top-sail.
At 4h. 15m. the Constitution bore up and hoisted her colors at
each mast-head. Fired a shot
over her, and finding it to go about a 1-2 mile beyond him, gave him our
starboard broadside, and wore to give him our larboard..
At 4h. 20m. the enemy commenced firing, wore several times to
avoid being raked, exchanged broadsides.
At 5th our opponent closed within half pistol shot on
our starboard beam, both steering free, and keeping up a heavy fire.
At 5h. 20m. The mizzen mast was shot way, fell over our starboard
quarter, and brought the ship to the wind, against her helm, which
exposed up to a heavy raking fire from the enemy, who placed himself on
our larboard bow; a few only of our bow guns could be brought to bear on
him:-- whilst his grape shot, and riflemen in his tops, were sweeping
our decks. At 5h. 40m. the
ship not answering her helm, he attempted to cross our bows and lay us
on board. At 5h. 55m. our
bowsprit got foul of his larboard quarter.
Got the boarders up to board him; but the sea running too high it
was found to be impracticable. Both ships keeping up a fire with
musketry, and we with the bow gun, the only one that would bear.
At this tije most of our men on the quarterdeck and the
forecastle were picked off by his musketry.
At 6h. 20m. the ship coming to, we brought some of the bow guns
to bear on him, and got clear of the enemy.
The fore and main mast then went or the starboard side, and
completely disable our guns.
The Constitution immediately made sail a-head, leaving the Guerriere an
unmanageable wreck All hands
were immediately employed in clearing the wreck in hopes of being able
to get the ship before the wind to recommence the action; but just as we
had completed clearing her,
the sprit-sail yard went away, and left the ship in the trough of the
sea, rolling her main deck guns under water.
Our opponent, by this time, had refitted and wore round to rake
us; and all attempts to get the ship before the wind, or to bring any of
our guns to bear, proving in vain –
the ship in a sinking condition –
much shattered in her hull, many shot between wind and water,
with one third of her crew killed and wounded, capt. Dacres called his
remaining officers together – when all were of opinion, that any further
resistance would be a useless expence of lives.
At 5h. the jack was taken from the stump of the mizzen-mast.
The Guerriere was a frigate of
1084 tons burthen, taken from the French in 1806, and had 302 men
and boys belonging to her;
but the 2d lieutenant, 2d of marines, 3
midshipmen, and 23 men, were away on prizes; there were 10 American
seamen on board, who had belonged to her for some years; but as the
declaration of war against Great Britain when she sailed, there had been
no opportunity of discharging them; and capt. Dacres considering it
unjust to compel a native of the United States to fight against his
countrymen, granted them permission to quite their quarters and go below
– so that we were only in
action 244 men and 39 boys.
The Constitution is a frigate of upwards of 1600 tons burthen,
having on board 480 men, mounting 15 long 24 pounders on each side of
her gun deck, 12 carronades and a long 8 pounder on each side of her
spar deck.
War of
1812 (1812 - 1815)
Niles’ Weekly Register
(Baltimore), September 12, 1812
[Excerpted
from pages 27-32. Unrelated,
untranscibed items indicated by “…..”]
United States’ frigate Constitution, off Boston Light, August 28,
1812
SIR—I have he honor to
inform you, that after leaving Boston Light on the 2nd inst.,
the date of my last letter to you, I stood to the eastward along the
coast, iin hopes to hall in
with one of the enemy’s frigates, which was reported to be cruising in
that direction, the day before I left Boston.
I passed near the coast, as far down as the bay of Fundy, but saw
nothing. I then run [sic]
off Halifax and cape Sables, and remained near there for three or four
days, without seeing any thing, which made me determine to change my
situation to the eastward towards Newfoundland.
I accordingly bore up and run [sic] to the eastward under all
sail, passing near the Isle
of Sables, and hauling in to take a
station off the Gulph [sic] of St. Lawrence, near cape Race, to
intercept the ships of the enemy bound either to or from Quebec, or
Halifax, to be in a situation to re-capture such of our vessels as they
might be sending in.
On the 10th inst., being off cape Race, I fell in with
a light merchant brig, bound to Halifax from Newfoundland; and as she
was not worth sending in, I took the crew on board and set her on fire.
On the 11th, I fell in with the British brig Adeona,
from Nova-Scotia bound to England, loaded with
timber. I took the
crew out of her and set her on fire, and made sail to take a station
nearer to cape Race, where we continued cruising until the morning of
the 15th; at day-light; when five sail were in sight ahead of
us, apparently a small convoy.
I gave chase under a press of sail, and soon found that we gained
on them very fast, and discovered that one of them was a ship of war; at
sun-rise they tacked and
stood on the same tack with us.
By this time we could plainly discover that the ship of war had a
brig in tow -- At 6, coming
up very fact with the ship,
and could see that she had cast off the brig that she had in tow, and
had set her on fire, and had ordered a second brig to stand before the
wind to separate them. The
ship of war making sail t o windward, I gave chace [sic] t o a ship
which appeared to be under her convoy; but when we came up with her, she
proved to be a British ship, prize to the Dolphin privateer, of Salem.
She had been spoken by the ship of war, but we came up with them
before they had time to pt men on board and take charge of her.
Whilst our boats were boarding this vessel, the ship of war had
got nearly hull down from us; and understanding from one of the
prisoners that she was a very fast sailer, I found it would not be
possible to come up before night, or perhaps not then; I therefore gave
chase to the brig that run [sic] before the wind, determined to destroy
all his convoy, we soon fast we came up fast with the brig, and that
they were making every exertion to get off by throwing overboard
all the lumber, water casks, &c.
At @ P.M. we brought to the chase, and found her to be the
American brig Adeline, from Liverpool, loaded with dry goods, &c. took
the prize-master and crew out, and put Midshipman Madison and a crew on
board, with orders to get in the nearest port she could make.
From the prize master of this vessel I learnt that the brig burnt
by the sloop of war belonged to New-York. And was loaded with hemp, Duck
&c. last from Jutland, having gone in there in distress.
Having chased so far to the eastward as to make it impossible to
come up with the sloop of war, I determined to change my cruising
ground, as I found by some of the prisoners that came from this vessel,
that the squadron that chased us off New-York, were on the western edge
of the Grand Bank, not far distant from me.
I accordingly stood to the southward, intending to pass near
Bermuda, and cruise off our southern coast ---------- Saw nothing till
the night of the 18th, at half past 9, P.M. discovered a sail
very near us, it being dark; made sail and gave chase, and could see
that she was a brig. At 11
brought her too, and sent a boat on board, found her to be the American
privateer Decatur, belonging to Salem, with a crew of one hundred and
eight men and 14 guns, twelve of which she had thrown overboard whilst
we were in chase of her. The
captain came on board, and informed me that he saw the day before a ship
of war standing to the southward, and that she could not be far from us;
at 12 P.M. made sail to the southward, intending, if possible to fall in
with her. The privateer
stood in for Cape Race, intending to cruise there, and take ships by
boarding, as he had lost all his guns but two.
The above is a memorandum of what took place on board the
Constitution, under my command, from the time we left Boston up to the
18th inst, which I hope will meet your approbation.
I have the honor to be,
With great respect,
Sir, your obedient servant,
ISAAC
HULL The Hon. PAUL
HAMILTON,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington City.
DESTRUCTION OF THE GUERRIERE.
United States’ frigate Constitution,
SIR – I have the honor to inform you that on the 19th
inst. at 2 P.M. being in lat. 41, 41, and long. 55,48, with
the Constitution under my command, a sail was discovered from the
mast-head, bearing E. by S. or E.S.E. but at such a distance we could
not tell what she was. All
sail was instantly made in chase, and soon found we came up with her.
At 30 P.M. could plainly see that she was a ship on that
starboard tack under easy sail, close on a wind – at half past 3
P.M. made her out to be a frigate – continued the chase until we
were within about 3 miles, when I ordered the light sails taken in, the
courses hauled up and the ship cleared for action.---
At this time the chase had backed her maintop sail, waiting for
us to come down. As soon as
the Constitution was ready for action, I bore down with an intention to
bring him to close action immediately, but with our coming within gun
shot, she gave us a broad side, and filled away, and wore, giving us a
broadside on the other tack, but without effect, her shot falling short.
She continued wearing and maneuvering for about three quarters of
an hour, to get a raking position – but finding she could not, she bore
up and ran under her topsails and gib [sic], with the wind on the
quarter. I immediately made
sail to bring the ship up with her, and 5 minutes before 6 P.M. being
alongside within half pistol shot, we commenced a heavy fire from all
our guns, double-shotted with round and grape, and so well directed were
they, and so warmly kept up, that in 16 minutes his mizzen-mast went by
the board and his main-yard in the slings, and the hull, rigging and
sails very much torn to pieces.
The fire was kept up with equal warmth for 15 minutes longer,
when his mainmast and foremast went, taking with them every spar,
excepting the bowsprit; on seeing this we ceased firing, so that in
thirty minutes after we got fairly alongside the enemy, she surrendered,
and had not a spar standing, and her hull below and above water so
shattered, that a few more broadsides must have carried her down.
After informing that so fine a ship as the Guerriere, commanded
by an able and experienced officer, had been totally dismasted and
otherwise cut to pieces, so as to make her not worth towing into port,
in the short space of 30 minutes, you can have no doubt of the gallantry
and good conduct of the officers and ship’s company I have the honor to
command. It only remains,
therefore, for me to assure you, that
they all fought with great bravery; and it gives me great
pleasure to say, 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 close alongside the enemy.
Enclosed I have the honor to send you a list of killed and
wounded on board the Constitution, and a
report of the damages she sustained – also a list of the killed
and wounded on board the enemy, with his quarter bill, &c.
I have the honor to be,
With very great respect,
Sir, your obedient servant,
ISAAC HULL The Hon. PAUL
HAMILTON,
&c. &c. Return of the
killed and wounded on board the United States’ frigate Constitution,
Isaac Hull, esq. captain,. In the action with H.M.S. Guerriere, J.R.
Dacres, esq. captain, on t he 20th of Aug. 1812.
KILLED.
William S. Bush, 1st lieutenant of marines;
Jacob Sago, seaman; Robert Brice, do,; John Brown, do.; James Read, do.;
Caleb Smith, do.; James Ashford, do.
WOUNDED.
Charles Morris, 1st lieutenant, dangerously;
John C. Aylwin, master, slightly; Richard Dunn, seaman, dangerously;
George Reynolds, ordinary seaman, dangerously; Daniel Lewis do.
dangerously; Owen Taylor, dp. do.; Francis Mullen, marine, slightly.
RECAPITULATION.
Killed. – One
lieutenant of marines. And six seamen ---Total killed, 7.
Wounded. – Two
officers, four seamen, and one marine --- Total wounded, 7.
List of the killed and wounded on board the Guerriere. WOUNDED.
Jas. R. Dacres, captain; Bartholemew Kent, lieutenant; Robert
Scott, master; Samuel Grant, master’s mate; James Enslie, midshipman;
John Little, seaman; James Miller, ordinary seaman; Henry Verderie, do.;
Hugh McKinley, do.; James Morris, seaman; T. Harrington, armorer; Wm Mee,
armorer’s mate; Peter Stempstead, ordinary seaman; Peter Peterson, do.;
Ralph Williams, do.; Henry Holt, do; Wm. Somers, do.; Wm. Millington,
do.; Pat Murphy, qr. gun; J. Cromwell, qr. master; Mat. Reardon,
ordinary seaman; John Campbell, do.; John Southgate, do.; Henry Dent,
do.; Stephen Kelly, boy; John O’Hare, ordinary seaman; Philip Dwyer,
do.; J. Smith, 3d, seaman; K. McDonald, do.; Alex. Ferguson, ordinary
seaman; George Meathers, seaman; James Crocker,do.; Daniel Lewis
ordinary seaman; John Hibbs, do.; Joseph Lushwood, do.; Robert Taylor,
do.; George Reed, seaman; William Jones, ordinary seaman; D. McMeehan,
carpenter’s crew; William Cooper, seaman; Lawrence Norman, do.; G.
Emmerson, sail-maker; J. Jameson, seaman; Wm. Hall, do.; John Bruntlot,
do. ;J. Sholer, boatswain’s mate; R. Baily [sic] 1st do.; J.
Copeland, seaman; Samuel Miller; Roger Spry, marine; John Fake, do.;
Melchis Archer, do.; John Goss, do.; Edward Daking, do.; Wm. Cooper,
do.; Samuel Long, do.; Thomas Chambers, do.; Joseph Fountain, do.; Wm.
Ryan, do.; Thomas Couther, do.; John Robson, do.; Wm. Jones, do. KILLED.
H. ready, 2d
lieutenant; J. Smith 2d gunner’s mate; G. Griffiths,
qr. gunner; J. Tuck, ordinary seaman; Wm. Baker, do.; Alex. Cowie,
seaman; Richard Chusman, landsman; Wm. White, seaman; Henry Brown,
ordinary seaman; Robert Rodgers, seaman; John Peterson, do.; Wm. Brown,
2d do.; J. A. Fox, sergeant of marines; J. Woodcock, marine;
T. Pratt, do. MISSIING.
James Johnson, Moses Vingen, Benj, Hinworth, James Gteenwood,
Wm. Cole, James Johnson,3d, Corporal Webb, marine;
John Griswell, J. McGill, James Batterworth, Wm. Raysdon, Wm. Hammock,
Robert Mittwoft, A. Joaquin, John Jacobs, lieutenant, Jas. Pullman, Mr.
Garton, John Newman, Robert Winn, James Guy, Robert Scott, lieutenant
Roberts, John Flavitt, John Hosey.
-----------------
Commodore Rodgers
wishing to put to sea from Boston on the 4th inst. in quest
of a British frigate stated to be on the coast, requested of captain
Hull the loan of sixty men.
Hull communicated the
request to his crew, and all, with one voice, volunteered their service.
But the wind prevented him from leaving the port as desired,
though the men requested, with their baggage, were on their way to the
President in twenty minutes.
When captain Hull landed from the Constitution, he was received
with every demonstration of affection and respect.
The Washington Artillery posted on the wharf again welcomed him
with a federal salute, which was returned from the Constitution.
An immense assemblage of citizens made the welkin ring with loud
and unanimous huzzas, which were repeated on his arrival in State
street, and at the coffee house.
The street was beautifully decorated with American flags.
…..
…..
An active exchange of prisoners between Boston and Halifax exists
--- we rejoice at the prompt return of our countrymen.
A splendid entertainment has been given by the citizens of
Boston, of all parties,
to capt. Hull and his
officers, to which com. Rodgers
and the officers of his squadron were invited.
The citizens of New York
have raised a sum of money for the purpose of purchasing swords to be
presented to capt. Hull and the brave officers of his ship.
The people of Philadelphia are raising funds to purchase two superb pieces of
plate to be presented to capt.
Hull and his first lieutenant the gallant Morris.
In Baltimore, on Monday
last, the flags of all vessels in the harbor were displayed, in honor of
Hull’s victory over the Guerriere,
a salute was also fired. The
Constitution was received at Boston
with a federal salute, and three times three cheers from an immense
crowd of the people.
…..
…..
…..
…..
The needful repairs to the Constitution frigate will be
immediately made, and commodore
Rodgers’ is probably ready for sea..
Assisted by Hull and his valiant crew, he will be glad to meet
the British squadron, consisting ofa 64 gun ship and three frigates,
seen afew days ago off Nantucket.
…..
…..
HEROISN.--- Among the many
interesting incidents in the late action between the Constitution and
the Guerriere, the following will contribute to shew the high spirit of
our gallant tars. In the
heat of the action, one of the crew of the Constitution, perceiving that
the flag at the fore-topmast head had been shot away, went up and lashed
it in such a manner as to make it impossible for shot to take it away
without taking the mast with it.
We understand that the secretary of the navy intends taking
suitable notice of this brilliant act.
Nat.
Intel.
American Prizes.
(CONTINUED FROM OUR LAST, PAGE 13)
141.
Ship GUERRIERE, capt. DACRES of 49 guns and 302
men, captured by the United States’ frigate Constitution after a
very short action, in which the Englishman was so terribly mauled,
having also lost his three masts, as to make it impossible to get him
into port. The
Yankees burnt him.
See official account. 142.
Brig Lady Warren, from St. Johns, taken by the
frigate Constitution and burnt. 143.
Brig Abona [sic: Adiona], from Nova Scotia for
New Castle, Eng. Taken by ditto and ditto. 144.
Barque Harriet of Liverpool, from Maramachi,
taken by ditto. ….. 159.
Barque Duke of
Savoy, 8 guns ----- sent into Salem by the Decatur of
Newburyport. The Decatur
havng thrown over her guns when chased by the Constitution, rearmed
herself from the prize. …..
The Constitution and Guerriere. The capture of this
Englishman,
all things considered, is one of the most splendid achievements
in maritime history. It is
an event eminently calculated to
astonish all Europe, terror-stricken by the power of the British
navy, and but little acquainted with the true character of the American
seaman: yet it is such an event as
we ever anticipated, if the opportunity was afforded for matching
any of our vessels with the best of her class in “his majesty’s” fleets.
The Guerriere has long
been the pride of Englishmen in this quarter of the world: She was one
of the best found and best manned of the
enemy: strong built and
exceedingly powerful. Her
captain wanted much to have a brush with commodore
Rodgers, because he resisted
and punished the impudence of the
Little Belt; and he was at length gratified in his ardent desire of
“catching a yankee” – He told his crew, exultingly, that he would
allow them but half an hour to take the American frigate; that he should
be quite offended with them
if they did not do her business in that time.
Mirabile dicta?
What a reverse? --- In twenty minutes he received an
invitation which, bold as he
was, he dared not refuse, to go and see “the
natives of Boston!”
Unfortunate man! --- the three flags he had set up to shew his
determination, with the masts from which they flew, went over the side,
while Hull’s FOUR “gridirons”
floated in the air
triumphant.
It is ungenerous to exult over a fallen foe, for
Dacres
fought bravely; but of all the vessels belonging to the “mistress
f the sea,” and all the men in “his majesty’s service,” this is the very
vessel and very man we desired to have hold on; as well because she was
thought one of the most valuable ships in the navy, as on account of the
many depredations committed by her commander on the persons and property
of our country, setting aside his terrible threatenings as to what he
would do. Thanks to the
valiant Hull,
and his inestimable officers and crew, the much despised
yankee courage has proved
itself a good match for the far famed skill, experience and gallantry of
Britain, united; for the
Constitution, six or seven weeks since, was receiving her men in the
Chesapeake bay; ay small
portion of whom, indeed, had been in an engagement.
The Guerriere is the
only frigate the British have lost for more than 30 years, when
contending with an equal or inferior force.
She was captured from
the French in 1806, by the Blanche of 38 guns, and would have made a
charming addition to our little navy had she not been so horribly
battered by the Constitution, as to render it impossible to bring her into port;
whose fire was more destructive than any other we have heard of.
Niles’ Weekly Register
(Baltimore), 20 February 1813, pp. 397-8.
NAVAL.
“Live the Constitution!” In our last was inserted a
political essay in favor of the
Constitution – we now give a
practical proof of its power!
--- Is it not ominous to the
British party that in two
attempts to destroy the
Constitution, “his majesty’s” ships and servants have been
blown to atoms? May such forever
be the fate of the wretch that assails it, whether he
be a knave of foreign or domestic growth. We have not language to express our feelings on
this glorious occasion --- the
vengeance-
charged yankee
guns have again prostrated the bloody cross. The official account is not yet received.
Splendid Naval Victory
We have been obligingly favored by major Robert Carr, who has
just returned from New Castle, with the following interesting account of
another splendid naval victory.
The account was brought to New Castle by an officer of the
Constitution, who had just landed from a schooner, prize to the Hornet,
who was in sight at the close of the action, and from whose journal
major Carr extracted it. The
officer has gone on the Washington with dispatches.
(He passed through Baltimore yesterday morning.)
“Dec. 29, 1812, at meridian, lat. 13, 6, S
long. 36, W 10 leagues from San Salvador, descried a sail, which
was soon discovered to be an English frigate.
We took in mainsail and royals, tacked ship and stood for her.
At 30 minutes past 1 P.M. the enemy bore down with intention of
raking us, which we avoided by wearing.
At 2 P.M. enemy within half a mile and to windward; having hauled
down his colors, except union jack at mizen-mast head, the Constitution
fired one gun ahead of the enemy to make him shew his colors, on which
he gave us his whole broadside.
A general action with round and grape shot then commenced, the
enemy keeping at a much greater distance than we wished, but we could
not bring him to close action, without exposing ourselves to severe
raking. Both vessels
maneuvered, some times to rake and avoid being raked.
At 2 P.M. commenced action within good grape canister distance.
At 30 minutes past 2, our wheel was entirely shot away.
At 40 minutes past 2, determined to close with the enemy
notwithstanding his raking fire; set fore and mainsail, and luffed up
close to him. At fifty
minutes past 2, the enemy’s jib boom got foul of our mizen rigging.
At 3, head of the enemy’s bowsprit and jib boom shot away by us.
At 5 minutes past 3, shot away enemy’s main top-mast just above
the cap. At 40 minutes past 3, shot away their gaff and spanker boom.
At 55 minutes, shot away their mizenmast nearly by the board.
At 5 minutes past 4, having completely silenced the enemy, and
his colors in the main being down, we supposed he had struck, and shot
ahead to repair our rigging, which was much cut, leaving the enemy a
complete wreck.
Soon after we discovered the enemy’s flag still flying.
At 20 minutes past 4, the enemy’s main-mast went by the board.
At 50 minutes past 4, we wore ship and stood for the enemy.
At 25 minutes past 5, got close to her in an effectual position
for raking, athwart her bows, and at the very moment we were preparing
to give our broadside, the enemy prudently struck his colors.
Lieut. Parker was sent on board to take possession of the prize,
which proved to be his Britannic majesty’s ship JAVA, rating 38 but
mounting 49 guns, commanded by captain Lambert, a distinguished officer,
who was mortally wounded, with a crew of upwards of 400 men, besides 106
supernumerary men, going out to the East Indies for different ships
there.
On board were a number of passengers among whom were lieut. Gen.
Hislop, governor of Bombay, major Walker and Capt. Wood of his staff,
capt. Marshall, mas. and com. in the royal navy, and several officers
appointed to ships in the East Indies.
On board the Java were 60 killed and 170 wounded.
The Constitution had 9 killed and 25 wounded.
She had on board dispatches for St. Helena, cape of Good Hope,
and the different establishments in the East Indies and China, and
copper for a 74 and the 2 frigates building at Bombay.
The crew with the officers baggage being taken out, the ship as
set on fire Jan. 1, and blew up, being so crippled as to render it
impossible to bring her into port.
Commodore Bainbridge was slightly wounded. Note: The
unnamed lieutenant from whose journal this report was taken most likely
was John Templar Shubrick, Third Lieutenant of Constitution,
who is known to have been transferred to Hornet
6 January 1813, the day the
frigate sailed from San Salvador.
The prize schooner probably was Eleanor,
taken by Hornet while the frigates battled.
National Intelligencer (Washington,
DC) Abstracts, 1813‑1815
FRI APR 2, 1813
Died on board the U. S. frig. Constitution, at sea, on Jan. 28,
of wounds rec'd in the action with the Java, John Cushing Aylwin.
MON MAY 3, 1813
Natl Advocate - documents worthy of attention regarding impressments.
Beekman Ver Plank Hoffman, of Poughkeepsie, lt in U S Navy, lt on
the frig Constitution in action & capture of the Guerriere,
etc. Dt'd Apr 16, 1813 B V
Hoffman.
FRI DEC 3, 1813
Mrd. At Boston, on Nov 27, by Rev J S J Gardiner, Chas Stewart, Cmder of
U S frig Constitution, to Miss Delia Tudor, d/o the Hon Wm Tudor.
WED DEC 22, 1813
Hse o/Reps. Petitions:
2-Mary Cheever, of Mass, her 2 sons, John & Jos P Cheever, were killed
whilst sailors on the frig Constitution, in her engagement with
the British frig Java, praying for support.
TUE FEB 15, 1814
Hse o/Reps. Cmtee reported
unfavorable to the petition of
Mary Cheevers, the mthr/o 2 of her own name,
seamen on the frig
Constitution, both of whom were killed in the engagement bet that
vessel & the British frig Java, on whom she, as well as her dght,
was entirely dependent for support.
FRI MAY 19, 1815
Killed on board the U S frig Constitution, on Feb 20, 1815, in
action with his B M ships Cyane and Levant, John Fullington, ord seaman,
Antonio Farrow, Marine, Wm Harral, Marine.
Wounded & since dead: Tobias Fernald, seaman; John Lancy, ord
seaman; Thos Fessenden, ditto.
THE NAVAL CHRONICLE: The Contemporary Record of the Royal Navy at War.
Nicholas Tracy, editor.
London: Stackpole Books, 1999‑2000.
Volume 1
Page 350 "To the Editor of
the Naval Chronicle, by 'C.
H.', Glasgow, 2 October, 1813.
"[It has been reported in the daily papers, noted 'C. H.', that]
Government has determined on building several immense frigates,
the first of which is to be laid
down in Plymouth yard, and to be called the
Java: the length,
breadth, and tonnage of these
vessels is then reported, while the account is
"The truth is, the greatest attention must be paid to the
building and equipment of these
ships; for as the American frigates will be the principal object
of their pursuit, and as these separate so much, it is impossible
to say what weather our vessels
may be exposed to: they must be equally fitted for
pursuing the
President to Greenland, or the
Constitution to the Brazils,
and be prepared for the
"Another occasion for not only the common but additional strength
of these vessels is the weight of masts which these frigates, as
I am informed, are to be equipped
with, namely those of a seventy‑four; this of itself, as I have stated,
ought to be a sufficient reason for adding strength to these
vessels; for every seaman knows
how much, in a rolling sea, the heaviness of the masts increases the
strain on the hull, and unless particular attention is paid to
this the outfit of these vessels,
we shall really find them to be immense, but unserviceable.
"Lastly, let them be particularly strong, if we would have them
fight the American frigates: the
manner in which our ships have been cut up in the
"6 An account of this was given by the captain of a whale‑ship,
who was at that time a prisoner on
board the President."
Volume 2
Page 11 The 12 Feb
1799 report on the capture of FNS
L'Insurgente by USS
Constellation concludes with:
"The victory, at the very commencement of their Marine Power,
will operate more effectually for the augmentation of the
American navy than all the
arguments of the most profound statesmen.
The National Pride is now
stimulated to actions of renown, and we have no doubt but the
progress of the American efforts
will be distinguished by similar acts of glory."
Page 11 After reporting on
the American reaction to the boarding of USS
Baltimore (Captain Isaac
Philips) by the Royal Navy in search of British seamen, the
"It is but justice to say, that this is the first instance of
misbehaviour of any of the British
officers towards our vessels of war that has come to my
knowledge. According
to all the representations I have seen, the flag of the United
States, and the officers and
men, have been treated by the civil and military
authority of the British nation in Nova Scotia, the West‑India
Islands, and on the ocean, with
uniform civility, politeness, and friendship.
I have no doubt that this
first instance of misconduct will be readily corrected."
Volume 3
NOTHING
Volume 4
NOTHING Volume 5
Page 104 "Dealing With
American 44‑Gun Frigates"
"An English frigate, rated 38 guns, should undoubtedly (barring
extraordinary accidents) cope
successfully with a 44‑gun ship of any nation: but if
"Such of our countrymen as are ill‑informed of Yankee prowess
should remember, that Captain Bingham defended a contemptible
brig (Little‑belt)
Page 110 "Macedonian
Captured"
"It is our painful duty to announce the capture of another
British frigate by the Americans.
In latitude 29N longitude 29‑30W the
Macedonian, of
38 guns and 300 men, commanded by Captain Carden, was fallen in
with, an the 25th of October, by
the United States, American
frigate, of 55 guns and 478 picked men, commanded by Commodore Decatur;
and, after a sanguinary action of
two hours and ten minutes, in
which she had 36 men killed, 36 severely, and 32
Page 112 "Admiral Sawyer's
Report [15 September 1812]"
"Sir, it is with extreme concern I have to request you will be
pleased to lay before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
the enclosed copy of a letter from
Captain Dacres, of H.M. late ship
Guerriere, giving an account of
his having sustained a close action, of near two hours, on the
19th ult. 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 enemy, it
was found impossible to keep her above water, she
was, therefore, set fire to and abandoned, which I hope will
satisfy their Lordships she was
defended to the last.
"Captain Dacres has fully detailed the particulars of the action
[see GUERCM.DOC], as well as the
very gallant conduct of, and support he received
Page 114 "The American
Super‑Frigates"
"Mr. Editor, The loss of H. M. frigate
Guerriere is no doubt much
to be regretted; but
she is not in possession of the enemy, she is not a trophy of victory ‑
not a tarnish is to be found upon the trident of the seas ‑ it was nobly
wielded by Captain Dacres and his bold companions in arms, and if
they did not conquer, they nobly
fell. Why, then, should a
certain newspaper trace such a
sentiment as the following: 'We do not say Captain Dacres deserves to be
punished; but this we dare assert, that there are captains in the
British navy, who would rather
have gone to the bottom, than to have struck their colours.'
Is the editor of the paper
alluded to ignorant of the force of the
Constitution? Does he
Page 124 "The Naval Force of
the United States of America, November 1, 1812"
".....
"The subjoined table of the comparative dimensions of British and
American ships, will enable the
reader to appreciate the heroism with which our
officers and seamen have
defended themselves in the recent actions with our trans‑atlantic
descendants.
Name
Rate
Length
Breadth
Tons
on
for
Gundeck
Tonnage
President
44
180 ft.
44 ft 10 in
1630
Constitution
United States
Acasta
40
154
40
5
1127
‑ This is the largest
frigate we have on the American station.
Arethusa
38
141 1/2
39
1/2
248
Tigre
50
151
41
0
1114
Africa
64
160‑10
44
9
1415
‑ Admiral Sawyer's
ship
Average of 12 :
64
159‑6
44
5
1383
Dragon
75
178
48
0
1798
‑ This is an
extraordinary large 74, built by sir W. Rule, 1798.
Average of 12:
74
171‑3
47
7
1628
Atlas
98
177‑6
50
2
1950
Average of 12:
98
177‑7
50
3
1938
Britannia
110
178
52
1/2
2091
By this table it will be seen, that these American
frigates are longer than an
English first‑rate; that they are longer than, and of nearly equal
tonnage with, our modern large seventy‑fours, and of greater tonnage
than our old seventy‑fours; that they are longer, broader, and of
greater tonnage than any of our sixty‑fours; and that they exceed in
tonnage our fifties, in the proportion of nearly three to two; and our
thirty‑eights in the proportion of seven to four.
Is not the term frigate most violently perverted, when
"These frigates carry long 24‑pounders on the main‑deck, when even the
largest first‑rates in our service carry on the main‑deck only long
eighteens. Their quarter
deck and forecastle funs are 44‑pound carronades; and no vessel of any
description in our navy carries on either of these decks a heavier gun
than a 32. Now, the vast
superiority a ship derives from heavy metal, was pretty well illustrated
by Sir H. Trollope's action last war, in which that celebrated officer
was able to beat off a French
squadron, in consequence of his ship (the
Glatton) carrying carronades.
"To all these advantages, we must add the consideration of the
numbers of their crews. The
complement of an English 74 is 500 men, but seldom is there on board,
even on the home stations, more than from 460 to 480 men, and of these
generally about 30 are foreigners, and about 60 are boys.
The United
States, in the recent engagement with the
Macedonian, had a complement
of 478 men; that is, 12 less than the
nominal complement of our 74's, and at least equal to the number
that any 74 actually has on board.
But a consideration of by far greater consequence than the
quantity of men is their quality.
From the extended state of the British navy, it is impracticable
to man
Page 148 "The Acasta
Frigate"
"Captain Kerr places a due confidence in the largest, the best
officered, and best manned frigate in the service, has been roaming
about for his prey
Page 150 "But the Lamentable
War with America Continues; HMS Java Captured"
"We have still, however, to regret the disastrous progress of the
naval war between this country and America.
Another frigate [HMS Java]
has fallen into the hands of the enemy! ‑ The subject is too painful for
us to dwell upon...
"Captain Lambert, the commander of the
Java, had often distinguished
himself in action. He
commanded the St. Fiorenzo, in
February, 1805, when that ship captured the French frigate
Psyche, commanded by the
active Captain Bergeret, which officer commanded the
Virginie, when captured by Sir
Edward Pellew. He also
commanded the Iphegenia
frigate, in the attack of the French frigates at Port
South East, Isle of France.
He was brother to Captain Robert Lambert, of H.M.S.
Duncan.
The supernumerary
Page 152 "The Royal Forests
Supply Little Timber"
"With respect to the royal forests, of which115,504 acres are
withheld from the royal family andthe public, for the ostensible purpose
of supporting
Indeed, from the survey made in 1783, it appears, that in four
forests the quantity of decayed timber exceed the sound, and that the
whole quantity of sound oak timber, fit for naval purposes, then
standing in six of the forests out of ten, and containing 83,738
masts, &c; which, at the average produce on private property of 50 loads of oak timber per acre, in 100 years, would
require 220,000 acres, of which 2,200 must be felled and planted every
year, to yield a supply equal to such consumption.
But it is a melancholy fact,
as shewn in an account laid before the House of Commons, dated November
26, 1803, that in the New Forest, of 66,942 acres, 'the number of oak
trees in an improving state, which may be considered fit for naval
purposes, were only 8,012, containing
but 8,322 loads of timber,' which, from parliamentary records,
appear not to be equal to three
months’ consumption in the
King's dock‑yards only."
"Wooden Walls ‑ Marr‑Lodge Forest"
"By a survey lately made, of Marr‑Lodge Forest, by order of the
Navy Board, it appears that there is an extent of twenty square miles of
timber, fit to use as top‑masts for ships of the line, and for masts and
bowsprits for cutters and schooners. There are thousands of trees fit
for building ships of great magnitude; and it is estimated that there is
in Marr‑Lodge Forest a supply of masts for the whole navy of Great
Britain for sixty years to come,
allowing the expenditure to be 1000 spars per annum; and they are all
self planted, so that there will be a constant succession.
The forest is situated on the banks of the River Dee, 60 miles
from Aberdeen, and is the property of the Earl of Fife."
Page 154
"American Gunnery"
"The partial victories of the American ships at the commencement
of hostilities over the British frigates, are said to be attributable,
in a great measure, to an improvement in their shot.
The cartridge(instead of being made up in canvas) is
ascertained to have been cased in
lead. This enables them,
it seems, to load with greater despatch, and to fire with additional
effect; and hence the destructive havoc of their broadsides."
Page 158 "A Java
Lieutenant Writes of the Battle"
Mercury Cartel, St. Salvador, January 26, 1813
"My Dear
Friend, I have a most unpleasant commission for you, or rather, it would
be better for B. to break it to his father, which is, the death of poor
young Keele; he was badly wounded in the action, and was obliged to have
his leg amputated, and in consequence died the next day; he was a fine
courageous little fellow.
The elder Keele also, poor fellow! was very severely wounded in the arm,
but is now quite out of
The wound the elder received, must have proceeded from a shot passing between his arm and side: he was particularly noticed by his superior officers, for his great coolness and bravery while in action, when he met with the above accident.
Both these youths are sons of a Mr. Keele, of Southampton; the younger 16, the other 18, years of age. It is particularly to be remarked, that in no action this war has so great a slaughter happened to that particular class of officers, the midshipmen, as occurred in this, there being no less than five killed, and four wounded. From the manner in which this action was fought, it appears evident that the American had advantages which do not belong to our frigates.
It must strike every impartial observer, in noticing how rapidly the
Java's
Page 233 "On the Remarkable
Success of the Young American Navy"
"Albion" to the Editor, February 6th, 1815
"Mr. Editor, The events of the war with America, now, perhaps,
about to close, afford much cause for reflection,
none for exultation, to
those who are interested in the success and prosperity of their country.
Only three years ago, we despised this new
exception of one frigate building at Washington, and
one destroyed at Penobscot, we have done nothing of this kind; it
is true, their ships have been blockaded in port; but at the time I
write, known to be cruising in the chops of the English channel, and
information having been received by government, that
all their men
of war, including one or two line of battle ships of 96 guns were
ready for sea, and a second squadron
force to the Americans, will have the good fortune to fall in with them,
and the glory of conducting them into a British port; we want something
of this kind to reconcile the minds of the people and of the navy to the
many reverses we have sustained during the
"I shall not be surprised to hear of an American ambassador
landing at Portsmouth or Brest from a 98 gun ship, and a Decatur or a
Bainbridge,
perhaps a Rodgers, receiving admirals' salutes from an English or
French flag in those harbours, this is
Page 288
"A Last Frigate Action"
"It is with considerable mortification and regret, that we state
the capture of the Levant, 24,
Honourable Captain G. Douglas, and the
Cyane, 24,
Columbian Centinel
(Boston), 12 APR 1815
BY THE LAST MAILS. COLUMBIA
WASHINGTON, APRIL 6, 1815 The following letter is from an officer of the
Constitution, to his brother
in this city:--
“Constitution, at sea,
February 8th, 1815,
Off Cape Finisterre, (Spain.)
“I have but a few moments, my dear friend, to tell you of my best
health, and as good spirits, as this news of peace allows us, which we
received by the brig that conveys this to the U. States, which left
England nine days ago. We
have been quite unlucky in meeting with the enemy, having made only one
prize of inconsiderable value since leaving home.
Our prospects now are very bright;
we spoke a Dutch ship this morning, who gave us the agreeable
intelligence, that she fell in with a British frigate yesterday, on this
cruising ground, and we are all elated with the hope of falling in with
her to-morrow or next day. I
observe the terms of the treaty, as they appear in the English papers,
are very favorable to us; but you know we may be quite ignorant of the
matter, as the law allows the legality of all captures made even until
thirty days after the ratification..
I have not, thank
God, ever seen so healthy a ship; we have been out 54 days with not
morethan eight or ten sick, and not an instance of death.” ………………………………………………………………………………………………
BOSTON,
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1815.
CONSTITUTION FRIGATE.
This interesting vessel was left at sea, all well, about
the 20th Feb. and had made two captures, one of which was
given up. She was then cruising to intercept the British frigate
Inconstant, 36 guns, which she had ascertained by bills of lading found
on board a prize, was taking in Spanish
Carollusses, at Buenos-Ayres,
for England. Capt.
STEWART had received information
of the signature of the Treaty of Peace
****************
CONSTITUTION FRIGATE.
…..
By yesterday’s mail the following important
articles of intelligence were received.
“Office of the N. Y. Evening Post,
Saturday evening, April 8.
“BY the cutter from the Hook, we learn that the British sloop of
war Cyane, Lt. HOFFMAN
prize-master, has arrived below, a prize to the Constitution frigate,
Capt. STEWART.
The frigate fell in with the Cyane, and the Levant sloops of war
on the 28th [sic] Feb. off Madeira, and after a chase of some
hours brought them to action.
One of the sloops of war took position on the bow, the other
engaged Constitution on her quarter.
The battle lasted 30 minutes, when the Cyane struck her colors,
and the Levant made sail, in hopes to make her escape.
After securing the Cyane, the Constitution made sail in chace
[sic] of the Levant, and soon came up with her.
She, however, did not strike, until she had exchanged a couple of
broadsides. Both ships were
manned, and in company with the Constitution, shaped their course for
the Western Isles. On the 7th
March they came to anchor in the port of
St. Iago, and the next morning
discovered three enemy’s ships of war standing in after them, when the
signal was made by the Constitution to two prizes to cut and run. The
Cyane succeeded in making her escape; and when she lost sight of the
Constitution, she was about (as near as could be judged),
two miles to windward of the
Levant, the three enemy ships
in chace. About 3 o’clock in
the afternoon a cannonading was heard on board of the Cyane, which
leaves room to fear that the chace came up with the Constitution or the
Levant.
“The Cyane is rated in Steel’s [sic]
List 20 guns, but she mounts 34 all told.
She was laid down in 1806 and commanded by THOMAS
FORREST.
The Levant is rated 18 guns, was laid down in 1813.
Her commander does not appear in Steel’s List which is before us.
The Constitution in her engagement with both ships had four men
killed and seven wounded.”
*In our last official Br. “Admiralty Office Navy List” are the following minutes of these
vessels:--
“CYANE, 22, Capt.
George Falcon, Lts.
Alex. M’Kensie [sic], Henry Jellico;
Mast. John Roberts;
Lt. Mar. W. S. Dodd;
Sur. David Jones;
Purs. Henry Ennis.”
“LEVANT, 20, Capt.
Hon. G. Douglas; Lts.
Richard Pettman, John Hender;
Lt. Mar. J. W. Meheux;
Mast. Mich. Richards;
Surg. Robt. Abbot; Purs. John Hunt.”
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
“NEW YORK, APRIL 8.
Arrived Br. Sloop of war Cyane, &c. mounting 34 guns, prize, &c.
[as above named]. The
Constitution had four killed and seven wounded.
The prisoners were landed at St. Iago.
The loss of the British vessels not known.
The prizes had left the Constitution on the morning of the 8th of
March; on which day three British ships hove in sight, when the frigate
and her prizes cut and run.
When the Constitution was last seen, she was two miles to windward of
the British squadron leaving the Levant fast.
In the after part of the day a heavy firing was heard.”
A letter from the Editor of the
N. Y. Mercantile Advertiser, says, “when the Constitution was
last seen, she was fast distancing the chasing vessels as well as the
Levant, that a firing was afterwards heard, and it was supposed the
Levant was retaken. The
Cyane, it is said was commanded by Capt. GORDON.”
The Cyane mounts 22 32 lb. carronades
on her main deck, 10 18 lb. carronades on her quarter deck, and 2 long
9s on her foresastle.
OLD IRON-SIDES.
No nation ever possessed a vessel which ad more and deserved
popularity than the frigate which bear the above title; and the
solicitude for her safety is general, affectionate and profound.
Columbian
Centinel (Boston),
30 April 1814
CONSTITUTION
reportedly under orders "to prepare immediately for sea duty" to sail to
"Europe" under a flag of truce bearing a diplomatic peace mission.
Elizabethtown (NJ)
Journal, 27 December 1814
BOSTON,
Dec. 17
The Newcastle, British Frigate, ran on shore on Billingsgate
Point, Cape Cod, about 6 P,M. on Monday, and at high water the wind
shifted in her favor and she got off again with much damage, having
thrown several articles overboard, and 12 men deserting, besides the
loss of two barges, her stream cable and anchor, and a hawser and kedge
anchor. She has sailed to
Halifax to repair damages.
The coincidence of names of commanding officers and Pursers of
the Newcastle & Constitution, is a singular circumstance, viz.
Newcastle, Capt. Stewart; Purser, Pottinger.--- Constitution, Capt.
Stewart; Purser, Pottiinger.
3 P.M. Dec. 17.
Sailed the United States frigate Constitution, (generally called by her
crew, Old Iron-Sides,) Capt. Stewart, on a cruise.
Columbian Centinel
(Boston), 12 APR 1815
BY THE LAST MAILS. COLUMBIA
WASHINGTON, APRIL 6, 1815 The following letter is from an officer of the
Constitution, to his brother
in this city:--
“Constitution, at sea,
February 8th, 1815,
Off
Cape Finisterre, (Spain.)
“I have but a few moments, my dear friend, to tell you of my best
health, and as good spirits, as this news of peace allows us, which we
received by the brig that conveys this to the U. States, which left
England nine days ago. We
have been quite unlucky in meeting with the enemy, having made only one
prize of inconsiderable value since leaving home.
Our prospects now are very bright;
we spoke a Dutch ship this morning, who gave us the agreeable
intelligence, that she fell in with a British frigate yesterday, on this
cruising ground, and we are all elated with the hope of falling in with
her to-morrow or next day. I
observe the terms of the treaty, as they appear in the English papers,
are very favorable to us; but you know we may be quite ignorant of the
matter, as the law allows the legality of all captures made even until
thirty days after the ratification..
I have not, thank
God, ever seen so healthy a ship; we have been out 54 days with not
morethan eight or ten sick, and not an instance of death.” ………………………………………………………………………………………………
BOSTON,
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1815.
CONSTITUTION FRIGATE.
This interesting vessel was left at sea, all well, about
the 20th Feb. and had made two captures, one of which was
given up. She was then cruising to intercept the British frigate
Inconstant, 36 guns, which she had ascertained by bills of lading found
on board a prize, was taking in Spanish
Carollusses, at Buenos-Ayres,
for England. Capt.
STEWART had received information
of the signature of the Treaty of Peace
****************
CONSTITUTION FRIGATE.
…..
By yesterday’s mail the following important articles of
intelligence were received.
“Office
of the N. Y. Evening Post,
Saturday evening, April 8.
“BY the cutter from the Hook, we learn that the British sloop of
war Cyane, Lt. HOFFMAN
prize-master, has arrived below, a prize to the Constitution frigate,
Capt. STEWART.
The frigate fell in with the Cyane, and the Levant sloops of war
on the 28th [sic] Feb. off Madeira, and after a chase of some
hours brought them to action.
One of the sloops of war took position on the bow, the other
engaged Constitution on her quarter.
The battle lasted 30 minutes, when the Cyane struck her colors,
and the Levant made sail, in hopes to make her escape.
After securing the Cyane, the Constitution made sail in chace
[sic] of the Levant, and soon came up with her.
She, however, did not strike, until she had exchanged a couple of
broadsides. Both ships were
manned, and in company with the Constitution, shaped their course for
the Western Isles. On the 7th
March they came to anchor in the port of
St. Iago, and the next morning
discovered three enemy’s ships of war standing in after them, when the
signal was made by the Constitution to two prizes to cut and run. The
Cyane succeeded in making her escape; and when she lost sight of the
Constitution, she was about (as near as could be judged),
two miles to windward of the
Levant, the three enemy ships
in chace. About 3 o’clock in
the afternoon a cannonading was heard on board of the Cyane, which
leaves room to fear that the chace came up with the Constitution or the
Levant.
“The Cyane is rated in Steel’s
[sic] List 20 guns, but she mounts 34 all told.
She was laid down in 1806 and commanded by THOMAS
FORREST.
The Levant is rated 18
guns, was laid down in 1813.
Her commander does not appear in Steel’s List which is before us.
The Constitution in her engagement with both ships had four men
killed and seven wounded.”
*In our last official Br. “Admiralty Office Navy List” are the following minutes of these
vessels:--
“CYANE, 22, Capt.
George Falcon, Lts. Alex.
M’Kensie [sic], Henry Jellico;
Mast. John Roberts; Lt. Mar.
W. S. Dodd; Sur. David Jones;
Purs. Henry Ennis.”
“LEVANT, 20, Capt. Hon.
G. Douglas; Lts. Richard
Pettman, John Hender; Lt. Mar.
J. W. Meheux; Mast. Mich.
Richards; Surg. Robt. Abbot;
Purs. John Hunt.”
- - - - ANOTHER
ACCOUNT.
“NEW YORK, APRIL 8.
Arrived Br. Sloop of war Cyane, &c. mounting 34 guns, prize, &c.
[as above named]. The
Constitution had four killed and seven wounded.
The prisoners were landed at St. Iago.
The loss of the British vessels not known.
The prizes had left the Constitution on the morning of the 8th
of March; on which day three British ships hove in sight, when the
frigate and her prizes cut and run.
When the Constitution was last seen, she was two miles to
windward of the British squadron leaving the Levant fast.
In the after part of the day a heavy firing was heard.”
A letter from the Editor of the
N. Y. Mercantile Advertiser, says, “when the Constitution was last
seen, she was fast distancing the chasing vessels as well as the Levant,
that a firing was afterwards heard, and it was supposed the Levant was
retaken. The Cyane, it is
said was commanded by Capt. GORDON.”
The Cyane mounts 22 32 lb.
carronades on her main deck, 10 18 lb. carronades on her quarter deck,
and 2 long 9s on her foresastle.
- - - -
OLD IRON-SIDES.
No nation ever possessed a vessel which ad more and deserved
popularity than the frigate which bear the above title; and the
solicitude for her safety is general, affectionate and profound.
Niles’ Weekly Register
(Baltimore), 15 Apr 1815
American Prizes
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 293, VOL. VII.
[Reported since the first of January last.]
“…1532.
Brig Susannah, from Buenos Ayres for London, with hides and tallow,
captured by the United States frigate Constitution, and sent into New
York.
“1546.
‘His majesty’s’ sloop of war
Cyane, rating 20 guns, and
carrying 34 – viz. 22 thirty-two pound carronades on her gun deck – 10
eighteen pound carronades on her quarter deck, and 2 long nine’s [sic]
on her forecastle. She is a queer
‘sloop of war.’ Being a frigate built vessel – captured by the United
States frigate Constitution and sent into New York.
The Constitution at the same time captured the sloop of war
Levant.
See page 117…” [Pages
112-113.] “NAVAL. “…The Majestic, 54, Firth, 38, and Narcissus, 32,
are stated to have left Bermuda in quest of the Constitution…”
[Page 115.] “ANOTHER
NAVAL VICTORY.
“From the New York
Columbian of Monday last.
“On Saturday evening arrived at Sandy Hook, the (late)
British sloop of war Cyane, lieutenant Hoffman prizemaster, a prize to
the U.S. frigate Constitution,
captain [sic] Stewart.
Yesterday she came up and anchored in the North River, saluting Castle
Williams as she passed. The
British sloop of war Levant was taken at the same time.
The particulars are as follows:
“The Cyane, captain Gordon, rated at 20, carrying 34 guns, (22
carronades of 32 lbs, on her gun deck, 3 do. Of 18 on her quarter deck,
and 2 do. of 18, and 2 long nines on her forecastle) with 172 men.
And the Levant, captain the honorable George Douglas, rated at
18, carrying 21 guns (18 carronades of 24 lbs, 2 long nines, and a pivot
carronade of 12 on her forecastle) with 180 men.
“The vessels left Gibraltar the 17th of February, for
Madeira and Newfoundland, and fell in with the Constitution off Madeira
the 20th. Being
some distance apart they stood towards each other and made for the
Constitution.. At about 8
o’clock in the evening, they fell in with her, and the action commenced,
one on her bow and the other on her quarter, by clear moon light.
In fifty minutes the Cyane struck, much cut up, and acknowledging
a loss of about 6 killed and 13 wounded, and the Levant endeavored to
escape. The Constitution,
after manning the prize, then pursued the Levant, and in half an hour
came up with her and she surrendered; her loss being about the same as
that of her consort. On
board the Constitution were four killed and seven wounded.
The loss of the British is known only by report, the regular
books not being found on board the prizes.
“The Constitution took her prizes into St. Yago, (one of the Cape
Verde Islands) where she landed her prisoners, and on the morning of the
8th of March, discovered three heavy British ships standing,
upon which she made a signal to cut and stand out to sea, which was
immediately executed, and the frigate with her two prizes made all sail
and stood to sea, closely pursued by the British squadron.
The Cyane altering her course, was not pursued.
Lost sight of the Constitution and Levant in the afternoon of the
8th, the British squadron in chase – the Constitution and
Levant about four miles to windward of the chase, and leaving the Levant
and the British squadron very fast.
“A little before sunset, and shortly after the Cyane lost sight
of the Constitution, a heavy cannonade was heard in the direction of the
hostile ships, from which circumstance some of the officers of the Cyane
are fearful that the Levant was overtaken by the British squadron, and
probably recaptured. Of the
Constitution there was little apprehension, as she was in good trim,
sails as well as ever, and was leaving her pursuers very fast and
easily.
“the vessels in chase of the Constitution were supposed to be the
Madeira squadron, which consisted of the Leander, Cybele, and Tiger,
though one of them appeared too small for either of them.”
[Pages 117-118.]
Boston Gazette,
1 June 1815
Old Ironsides.
The Constitution is so deservedly a favorite, that a few
anecdotes of her last cruise will not be uninteresting to the public.
The modest, plain letter of Captain Stewart, with the
accompanying extracts from the log book, have given the clearest
official accounts of the action.
The masterly maneuvering of his ship so as to prevent either of
the enemies [sic] ships from raking him, and the final capture of them
both, in such a neat, workmanlike manner – the prompt decision at Porto Praya, when in
seven minutes after the British squadron were first discovered, the
whole of the ships had cut their cables and were \at sea; the judgment
in the time of giving orders to the prizes to tack, which assured the
Cyane first and afterwards the Constitution, speak for themselves and
are fully appreciated by the public. It
should not be forgotten too, that this same Cyane engaged, a French 44
[sic: 40] gun Frigate [L’Iphigenie]
last year and kept her at bay, till a ship of the line [Venerable]
came up and captured her, and a few years since [1809] in the Bay of
Naples, that she engaged a Frigate, a brig of 14 guns, and five gun
boats, and beat them off, for which Captain Brenton, who commanded her
was knighted; yet with the known skill of British officers, this same
vessel and a sloop of war of the largest class with full crews of picked
men were captured by an American Frigate, after a short action.
It is unnecessary to dwell on these circumstances.
But it is not only to skillful officers that praise is due, to be
successful they must be aided by brave and excellent seamen.
The crew of the Constitution are all Yankee seamen, as docile and
obedient to the ordinary discipline of the service, as they were
intrepid and ardent in action.
It would be easy to mention a great number of anecdotes of the
heroic character of our common sailors.
There are two in the action that are particularly striking.
A man by the name of Tobias
Farwell [sic: Fernald], of Portsmouth, had his arm shattered by a
ball; after the Surgeon had amputated it, when he had taken up the
arteries, and before the dressing was completed, the cheers on deck were
heard for the surrender of the Cyane, the brave fellow twitched the
bleeding stump from the Surgeon, and waved it, rejoicing in the cheers!
He is since dead --
Another, John Lancey, of Cape
Ann, was brought below one
thigh shattered to pieces & the other severely wounded; the Surgeon said
to him, “My brave fellow, you are mortally wounded” – “Yes sir, I know
it, I only want to hear that the other ship has struck,” – Soon after
the cheers were given for the surrender of the Levant, he raised his
head, echoed the cheer, and expired a minute after.
The wounds were generally severe, much credit is due to the skill
and humanity of Mr. Kearney, the Surgeon, for his saving so many of the
wounded. [Note:
Fernald didn’t die until 15 March, more than three weeks after
the battle; Lancey died two days after the battle.]
Boston
Gazette, 22 June 1815
Tigers The subscriber informs the public that he has added
to the Museum in Boylston Market House, two LIVING TIGERS, which were
taken out of a prize, and brought into this town by the frigate
Constitution.
They have not yet attained their full size, being but about 7
months old. Owing probably
to that circumstance, and to the familiar manner in which they were
treated by the crew of the Constitution, on board of which ship they
were about 4 months, they are so gentle, as to suffer strangers to play
with them without danger.
Their playfulness, together with the brilliant hues of their skins, make
them the most interesting animals which were ever shewn to the public.
The price of admittance to the Museum, 25 cents, is not enhanced
in consequence of this addition.
June 22
EDWARD SAVAGE.
“THE CONSTITUTION AND CAPTAIN STEWART
Anecdotes and scraps” “…having before mentioned the tigers something may
be related of them. They are
two beautiful animals, young and quite playful with the men, very tame
and gentle, except when they are eating.
They are excessively ferocious to all other animals except digs,
and this owing to their having been suckled by a bitch.
One day when they were loose and running over the ship, one of
them perceived a cat on the table round which the officers were sitting,
he instantly jumped through the hatch on the table, seized the cat and
spring over their heads into a state room.
Here he became so savage that there was no rescuing the cat, and
poor puss was devoured.
Another sprung upon an unlucky monkey on the quarterdeck, and bore him
off behind a gun, so ferocious, that no one could approach him; but
having lowered down a slip noose through the splinter netting, he was
caught be the neck and drawn up, still holding the monkey; at length,
when nearly suffocated, one of the men got the monkey by the tail, and
saved him from the grasp of his enemy.” Niles’ Weekly
Register, 24 Jun 1815 |