File:The naval history of the United States (1896) (14782071184).jpg

Identifier: navalhistoryofun02abbo (find matches)
Title: The naval history of the United States
Year: 1896 (1890s)
Authors: Abbot, Willis J. (Willis John), 1863-1934
Subjects: United States -- History, Naval To 1900
Publisher: New York, Dodd, Mead and company
Contributing Library: University of Massachusetts, Boston
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Massachusetts, Boston

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sailors, who fearedthat their commander, Lieut. Burrows, whose character was unknown tothem, intended to avoid the enemy, and was rigging the long gun for astern-chaser. An impromptu meeting was held upon the forecastle ; and,after much whispered consultation, the people appointed a committee togo aft and tell the commander that the lads were burning to engage theenemy, and were confident of whipping her. The committee startedbravely to discharge their commission; but their courage failed thembefore so mighty a potentate as the commander, and they whisperedtheir message to the first lieutenant, who laughed, and sent word forward 444 BLUE-JACKET^ OF 1812. that Mr. Burrows only wanted to aret sea-room, and would soon give thejackies all the fighting they desired. The Americans now had leisure to examine, through their marine-glasses, the vessel which was soboldly following them to the placeof battle. She was a man-of-warbrig, flying the British ensign fromboth mastheads and at the peak.
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THE FIGHT WITH THE BOXER. Her armament consisted of twelve eighteen-pound carronades and two longsixes, as against the fourteen eighteen-pound carronades and two long ninesof the Enterprise. The Englishman carried a crew of sixty-six men,while thj ;mrler-rolls of the American showed a total of one hundred and BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 445 two. But in the battle which followed the British fought with such desper-ate bravery as to almost overcome the odds against them. For some time the two vessels fought shy of each other, manoeuvringfor a windward position. Towards three oclock in the afternoon, theAmericans gained this advantage, and at once shortened sail, and edgeddown toward the enemy. As the ships drew near, a sailor was seen to climbinto the rigging of the Englishman, and nail the colors to the mast, givingthe lads of the Enterprise a hint as to the character of the receptionthey might expect. As the vessels came within range, both crews cheeredlustily, and continued cheering until

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