May execrations 'tend the pair, He bleeds the quivering arrow gnaws his breast; And weeps at Sorrow's bloody wail ;- THE SHANNON, AND THE CHESAPEAKE; OR THE Glorious Fight OFF BOSTON LIGHT HOUSE, On the 1st of June, 1813. The particulars of this gallant and brilliant action are detailed in so perspicuous a manner, and in a style so truly characteristic of an intelligent English Sailor, by Capt. Sir P. B. V. Broke, Bart. in his official Letter to Capt. the Hon. T. B. Capel, that any further particulars, as introductory to the following Poems, would be superfluous and unnecessary. "Shannon, Halifax, June 6, 1813. SIR,-I have the honour to inform you, that being close in with Boston Light House, in his Majesty's ship under my command, on the 1st instant, I had the pleasure of sceing that the United States frigate Chesapeake (whom we had long been watching) was coming out of the harbour to engage the Shannon; I took a position between Cape Ann and Cape Cod, and then hove to for him to join us-the enemy came down in a very handsome manner, having three American ensigns flying; when closing with us he sent down his royal yards. I kept the Shannon s up, expecting the breeze would die away. At half past five, P. M. the enemy hauled up within hail of us on the starboard side, and the battle began, both ships steering full under the topsails; after exchanging between two and three broadsides, the enemy's ship fell on board of us, her mizen channels locking in with our fore rigging. I went forward to ascertain her position, and observing that the enemy were flinching from their guns, I gave orders to prepare for boarding. Our gallant bands 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 the enemy were driven sword in hand from every post. The American flag was hauled down, and the proud Old British Union floated triumphant over it. In another minute they ceased firing from below and called for quarter. The whole of this servive was achieved in fifteen minutes from the commencement of the action. "I have to lament the loss of many of my gallant shipmates, but they fell exulting in their conquest. My brave First Lieutenant Mr. Watt was slain in the moment of victory, in the act of hoisting the British colours: his death is a severe loss to the service. Mr. Aldham, the Purser, who had, spiritedly, volunteered the charge of a party of small-arm men, was killed at his post on the gangway. My faithful old Clerk, Mr. Dunn, was shot by his side; Mr. Aldham bas left a widow to lament his loss. I request the Commander in Chief will recommend her to the protection of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. My veteran boatswain, Mr Stephens, has lost an arm. He fought under Lord Rodney on the 12th April. I trust his age and services will be duly rewarded. I am happy to say, that Mr. Samwell, a midshipman of much merit, is the only other officer wounded besides myself, and he not dangerously. Of my gallant seamen and marines we had twenty-three slain, and fifty-six wounded. I subjoin the names of the former. 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. I recommend them all warmly to the protection of the Commander in Chief. "Having received a severe sabre wound at the first onset, whilst charging a party of the enemy who had rallied on their forecastle, I was only capable of giving command till assured our conquest was complete, and then directing Second Lieutenant Wallis to take charge of the Shannon, and secure the prisoners, I left the Third Lieutenant, Mr. Falkiner (who had headed the main-deck boarders) in charge of the prize. I beg to recommend these officers most strongly to the Commander in Chief's patronage, for the gallantry they displayed during the action, and the skill and judgment they evinced in the anxious duties which afterwards devolved upon them. To Mr. Etough, the acting master, I am much indebted for the steadiness in which he conn'd the ship into action The Lieutenants Johns and Law, of the Marines, bravely boarded at the head of their respective divisions. It is impossible to particularize every briliant deed performed by my officers and men, but I must mention when the ships' yard arms were locked together, that Mir. Cosnahan, who commanded in our main top, finding himself screened from the enemy by the foot of the topsail, laid out at the main-yard arm to fire upon them, and shot three men in that situation, Mr. Smith, who commanded in our fore-top, stormed the enemy's fore-top from the fore-yard arm, and destroyed all the Americans remaining in it. I particularly beg leave to recommend Mr. Etough, the acting master, and Messrs. Smith, Leake, Clavering, Raymond, and Littlejohn, midshipmen. The latter officer is a son of Captain Littlejohn, who was slain in the Berwick. The loss of the enemy was about seventy killed, and one hundred wounded. Among the former were the four lieutenants, a lieutenant of marines, the master, and many other officers. Captain Lawrence is since dead of his wounds. The enemy came into action with a complement of four hundred and forty men; the Shannon, having picked up some recaptured seamen, had three hundred and thirty. The Chesapeake is a fine frigate, and mounts forty nine guns, eighteens on her main deck, two-and-thirties on her quarter deck and forecastle. Both ships came out of action in the most beautiful order, their rigging appearing as perfect as if they had only been exchanging a salute. "I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) "P. B. V. BROKE." “To Captain the Hon. T. B. Capel, &c. Halifax. An elegant and spirited Poem, descriptive of this memorable event, from the Pen of Mr. Montagu, appeared under the following title; viz. "Tributary "Verses upon the Capture of the American Frigate Chesapeake by the British Frigate Shannon, June 1, "1813; addressed to Sir Philip Bowes Vere Broke, "Baronet, of Nacton, Suffolk. By Lieutenant M. "Montagu of the Royal Navy. To which is prefixed a correct Copy of Captain Broke's Letter from the "London Gazette. London, 1814," sm. 4to. THE SHANNON AND CHESAPEAKE: OR THE RIVAL FRIGATES. "She comes, she comes, in glorious style, To quarters fly, my hearts of oak! Success shall soon reward our toil," Exclaim'd the gallant Captain Broke. "Three cheers, my brave lads shall our ardour bespeak, Then give them a taste of our cannon ; And soon, my bold fellows, the proud Chesapeake Lawrence, "Columbia's pride and boast," With form erect and heart elate: “Three cheers, my brave crew, shall your courage bespeak, Then give them a sound of your cannon; Silent as death each foe drew nigh, Could soon the sign of terror trace, And cried, whilst his looks did his ardour bespeak, They flinch, my brave boys, from their cannon; Board! board! my brave comrades! the proud Chesapeake Shall soon be a prize to the Shannon." Swift flew the word, Britannia's sons And call'd aloud on Mercy's name ; Brave Broke led the way, but fell wounded and weak, Yet exclaim'd, "They've all fled from their cannon; Three cheers, my brave fellows, the proud Chesapeake Has lower'd her flag to the Shannon." The day was won, but Lawrence fell, Their hopes all blighted in the fight: But brave Captain Broke, tho' yet wounded and weak, Survives again to play his cannon; So his name, from the shores of the wide Chesapeake, Shall be prais'd to the banks of the Shannon. The Chesapeake Prize to the Shannon. At Boston one day, As the Chesapeake lay, The captain and crew thus began on; "See that ship out at sea! She our prize soon shall be, 'Tis the tight little frigate the Shannon: |