having been closed, as the vessels swung, to prevent boarding, they
were now blown off, in order to allow the guns to be run out; and
cases actually occurred in which the rammers had to be thrust into the
ports of the opposite ship, in order to be entered into the muzzles of
their proper guns. It is evident that such a conflict must have been
of short duration. In effect, the heavy metal of the Serapis, in one
or two discharges, cleared all before it, and the main guns of the
Richard were in a great measure abandoned. Most of the people went on
the upper deck, and a great number collected on the forecastle, where
they were safe from the fire of the enemy, continuing to fight by
throwing grenades and using muskets.
"In this stage of the combat, the Serapis was tearing her antagonist to
pieces below, almost without resistance from her enemy's batteries, only
two guns on the quarter-deck, and three or four of the twelves, being
worked at all. To the former, by shifting a gun from the larboard side,
Commodore Jones succeeded in adding a third, all of which were used with
effect, under his immediate inspection, to the close of the action. He
could not muster force enough to get over a second gun. But the combat
would now have soon terminated, had it not been for the courage and
activity of the people aloft. Strong parties had been placed in the
tops; at the end of a short contest, the Americans had driven every man
belonging to the enemy below; after which, they kept up so animated a
fire, on the quarter-deck of the Serapis in particular, as to drive
nearly every man off it, that was not shot down.
"Thus, while the English had the battle nearly all to themselves
below, their enemies had the control above the upper-deck. Having
cleared the tops of the Serapis, some American seamen lay out on the
Richard's main-yard, and began to throw hand-grenades upon the two
upper-decks of the English ship; the men on the forecastle of their
own vessel seconding these efforts, by casting the same combustibles
through the ports of the Serapis. At length, one man in particular
became so hardy, as to take his post on the extreme end of the yard,
whence, provided with a bucket filled with combustibles and a match,
he dropped the grenades with so much precision, that one passed
through the main-hatchway. The powder-boys of the Serapis, had got
more cartridges up than were wanted, and, in their hurry, they had
carelessly laid a row of them on the main-deck, in a line with the
guns. The grenade just mentioned, set fire to some loose powder that
was lying near, and the flash passed from cartridge to cartridge
beginning abreast the main-mast, and running quite aft.
"The effect of this explosion was awful. More than twenty men were
instantly killed, many of them being left with nothing on them but the
collars and wristbands of their shirts, and the waistbands of their
duck trowsers; while the official returns of the ship, a week after
the action, show that there were no less than thirty-eight wounded on
board still alive, who had been injured in this manner, and of whom
thirty were said to have been then in great danger. Captain Pearson
describes this explosion as having destroyed nearly all the men at the
five or six aftermost guns. On the whole, nearly sixty must have been
disabled by this sudden blow.
"The advantage thus obtained by the coolness and intrepidity of the
topmen, in a great measure restored the chances of the combat; and, by
lessening the fire of the enemy, enabled Commodore Jones to increase
his. In the same degree that it encouraged the crew of the Richard, it
diminished the hopes of the people of the Serapis. One of the guns,
under the immediate inspection of Commodore Jones, had been pointed
some time against the main-mast of his enemy, while the two others had
seconded the fire of the tops, with grape and cannister. Kept below
decks by this double attack, where a scene of frightful horror was
present in the agonies of the wounded, and the effects of the
explosion, the spirits of the English began to droop, and there was a
moment when a trifle would have induced them to submit. From this
despondency, they were temporarily raised, by one of those
unlooked-for events that ever accompany the vicissitudes of battle.
"After exchanging an ineffective and distant broadside with the
Scarborough, the Alliance kept standing off and on, to leeward of the
two principal ships, out of the direction of their shot, when, about
half-past eight, she appeared crossing the stern of the Serapis and the
bow of the Richard, firing at such a distance as to render it impossible
to say which vessel would suffer the most. As soon as she had drawn out
of the range of her own guns, her helm was put up, and she ran down
nearly a mile to leeward, hovering about, until the firing had ceased
between the Pallas and Scarborough, when she came within hail, and spoke
both of these vessels. Captain Cottineau, of the Pallas, earnestly
entreated Captain Landais to take possession of his prize, and allow him
to go to the assistance of the Richard, or to stretch up to windward in
the Alliance himself, and succor the commodore."[52]
At length, Captain Landais determined to go to the assistance of the
Richard, but on reaching the scene of engagement, he opened a fire
which did as much damage to friend as foe. He was hailed, and informed
that he was firing into the wrong ship. At the time, it was supposed
to be a mistake; but afterwards it was more than conjectured to have
been a wanton and cruel act of revenge on the part of Landais, who had
for some time exhibited strong feelings of hostility to Captain Jones,
and had neglected on several occasions to follow out his orders.
"Let the injuries have been received," continues Mr. Cooper, "from
what quarter they might, soon after the Alliance had run to leeward,
an alarm was spread in the Richard that the ship was sinking. Both
vessels had been on fire several times, and some difficulty had been
experienced in extinguishing the flames; but here was a new enemy to
contend with, and as the information came from the carpenter, whose
duty it was to sound the pump-wells, it produced a great deal of
consternation. The Richard had more than a hundred English prisoners
on board, and the master-at-arms, in the hurry of the moment, let them
all up below, in order to save their lives. In the confusion of such a
scene at night, the master of a letter-of-marque, that had been taken
off the north of Scotland, passed through a port of the Richard into
one of the Serapis, when he reported to Captain Pearson, that a few
minutes would probably decide the battle in his favor, or carry his
enemy down, he himself having been liberated in order to save his
life. Just at this instant, the gunner, who had little to occupy him
at his quarters, came on deck, and not perceiving Commodore Jones, or
Mr. Dale, both of whom were occupied with the liberated prisoners, and
believing the master, the only other superior he had in the ship, to
be dead, he ran up the poop to haul down the colors. Fortunately, the
flag-staff had been shot away, and, the ensign already hanging in the
water, he had no other means of letting his intention to submit be
known than by calling out for quarters. Captain Pearson now hailed to
inquire if the Richard demanded quarter, and was answered by Commodore
Jones himself in the negative. It is probable that the reply was not
heard, or if heard, supposed to come from an unauthorized source; for
encouraged by what he learned from the escaped prisoner, by the cry,
and by the confusion that prevailed in the Richard, the English
captain directed his boarders to be called away, and, as soon as
mustered, they were ordered to take possession of the prize. Some of
the men actually got on the gunwale of the latter ship, but finding
boarders ready to repel boarders, they made a precipitate retreat. All
this time the topmen were not idle, and the enemy were soon driven
below again with loss.
"In the mean while, Mr. Dale, who no longer had a gun that could be
fought, mustered the prisoners at the pumps, turning their
consternation to account, and probably keeping the Richard afloat by
the very blunder that had come so near losing her. The ships were now
on fire again, and both parties, with the exception of a few guns on
each side, ceased fighting, in order to subdue this dangerous enemy.
In the course of the combat, the Serapis is said to have been set on
fire no less than twelve times, while towards its close, as will be
seen in the sequel, the Richard was burning all the while.
"As soon as order was restored in the Richard, after the call for
quarter, her chances for success began to increase, while the English,
driven under cover almost to a man, appear to have lost, in a great
degree, the hope of victory. Their fire materially slackened, while the
Richard again brought a few more guns to bear; the main-mast of the
Serapis began to totter, and her resistance, in general, to lessen.
About an hour after the explosion, or between three hours and three
hours and a half after the first gun was fired, and between two hours
and two hours and a half after the ships were lashed together, Captain
Pearson hauled down the colors of the Serapis with his own hands, the
men refusing to expose themselves to the fire of the Richard's tops."
[Illustration: Sinking of the Bon Homme Richard.]
Thus ended a conflict as murderous and sanguinary as the annals of
naval warfare have recorded. Each ship lost about one hundred and
fifty men, or nearly one-half of the whole number engaged.
At the time of the surrender, the Richard was on fire, and apparently
sinking. So imminent was the danger, that the powder was hastily
removed from the magazine, and placed on the deck, to prevent
explosion. Men from the other ships were sent on board, and the pumps
were kept in motion, and water raised and dashed around until ten
o'clock the next day, before the fire was got under. An examination of
the ship followed, the result of which was, that it was necessary to
abandon her. The wounded were consequently ordered to be removed, and
on the following day, about ten o'clock, this gallant ship settled
slowly into the sea.
The squadron now left the scene of mortal combat, with the Serapis and
Scarborough, the latter having struck to the Pallas. The former having
lost her main-mast, jury masts were obliged to be rigged; after driving
about in the rough sea until the 6th of October, the squadron and prizes
entered the Texel, the port to which they had been ordered to repair.
5. AMERICAN FRIGATE TRUMBULL AND ENGLISH SHIP WATT.
The action between these two vessels, next to that of the Richard and
Serapis, is supposed to have been the most severe during the war of
the Revolution.
The Trumbull, of thirty-two guns, was commanded by Captain James
Nicholson, a spirited and skillful officer. During a cruise in June,
1780, a large ship was perceived bearing down upon the Trumbull's
quarter. At half-past eleven, she hauled a point more to stern of her.
The Trumbull now made sail, hauling upon a wind towards her, upon
which she came down upon the Trumbull's beams. The latter then took in
all her small sails, hauled her courses up, hove the main-topsail to
the mast, cleared for action, end waited the approach of the enemy.
After several manœuvres on the part of each vessel, Captain Nicholson
discovered that his adversary had thirteen ports on each side, and
eight or ten on her quarter-deck and forecastle, and of course mounted
thirty-six guns. At twelve, the Trumbull, finding her great
superiority as to sailing, and having gotten to windward, determined
to avail herself of the advantage to commence the engagement.
The stranger, observing the design of Captain Nicholson, fired three
shots, and hoisted British colors as a challenge. The Trumbull wore
after her, hoisting British colors, with an intention of getting
alongside. A private signal was made in turn by the British ship,
which not being answered she opened a broadside at a hundred yards
distance. The Trumbull, upon this, run up the continental colors, and
returned the fire.
Such was the commencement of an action of three hours' continuance.
There was bravery, determination, on both sides. During the greater
part of the action, the vessels were not fifty yards apart, and at one
time, they were nearly enlocked.
Twice was the Trumbull set on fire by means of wads from the other
vessel. Her masts and rigging were greatly injured. Observing, at
length, that her masts were in imminent danger of going by the board,
the first lieutenant informed Captain Nicholson of the danger, and
begged him to abandon further attempt to take the enemy's ship, as
without masts they should be at his mercy.
It was with great reluctance that Captain Nicholson adopted the course
suggested. He was confident that with one half-hour more, he should
have been able to have achieved the victory. But yielding to stern
necessity, and the dictates of humanity, he gave up the contest. He
lost his main and mizen-top-mast, when only musket-shot distant from
the other vessel. At length, only her fore-mast was left, and that was
badly wounded and sprung. She had eight men killed, and twenty-one
wounded, nine of whom died after the action. Her crew consisted of one
hundred and ninety-nine men. The English ship proved to be the Watt,
letter-of-marque. She had upwards of ninety men killed and wounded.
Not less than one hundred balls struck her hull.
6. ALLIANCE, ATALANTA, AND TREPASSEY.
In February, 1781, Captain Barry, of the frigate Alliance, of
thirty-two guns, sailed from Boston for l'Orient, having on board
Colonel Lawrence, destined to France on an important embassy to the
French court. Having landed Mr. Lawrence, he sailed on a cruise.
On the 28th of May, two sail were discovered on the weather-bow of the
Alliance, standing towards her. After having approached sufficiently
near to be discovered by Captain Barry, they hauled to wind, and stood
on the same course with the Alliance. On the 29th, at day-break, the
wind lulled. At sunrise, the Alliance displayed the American colors,
and preparations were made for action. The men look their stations.
The vessels with which the Alliance was now to contend were a ship and a
brig, displaying English colors--the Atalanta, Captain Edwards, carrying
twenty guns and one hundred and thirty men, and the Trepassey, of
fourteen guns and eighty men, under command of Captain Smith.
The advantage was, both as to men and guns, on the side of the
British; but more than this, as the Alliance must necessarily engage
both at the same time. But Captain Barry, no way daunted, determined
to do his duty as an officer and a patriot. He, therefore, summoned
them to strike their colors. To such a summons they had, of course, no
inclination to accede, and the engagement opened with a spirit
corresponding to the interest at stake. Unfortunately for the
Alliance, a perfect calm prevailed--and on the bosom of the water she
lay, in respect to motion, as a thing devoid of life. The opposing
vessels had sweeps, and were therefore able to choose their positions.
And the most advantageous positions they did choose--they lay on the
quarters, and athwart the stern of the Alliance. Consequently, but few
of her guns could be brought to bear.
Added to these untoward circumstances, there soon occurred, on board
the Alliance, a still greater misfortune. A grape-shot struck the
shoulder of Captain Barry, inflicting a severe and dangerous wound.
But he neither heeded its pain nor its danger, but continued on the
quarter-deck, marking the progress of the action, and giving his
orders as occasion required. At length, however, by reason of loss of
blood, he was obliged to be borne below. At this time, the American
flag was shot away, and fell. There was a momentary pause on board the
Alliance, which the enemy construing into a surrender, they filled the
air with loud rejoicings.
But they mistook. The flag had been shot down, not hauled down. The
supposed pause was only the needful interval occupied in rëloading.
The colors were soon rëinstalled, and again floated as proudly as
before; and a full broadside from the Alliance showed to her foes how
the interval had been occupied. That broadside rëcalled them to their
quarters. Fortunately, about this time, a welcome breeze, though still
light, sprung up. The sails of the Alliance, which had scarcely served
any purpose during the engagement, and seemed destined to acquire no
honor in the coming victory--the sails were no longer idle. They soon
brought the vessel into a more favorable position. This circumstance
added to the confidence and rëdoubled the efforts of the seamen.
Broadside followed broadside in quick succession, and did all
desirable execution. At three o'clock in the afternoon the action
terminated: the Alliance was the victor.
On being ushered into the presence of Barry, Captain Edwards presented
his sword; which, however, the former declined taking, observing,
"that he richly merited it, and that his king ought to give him a
better ship."
The importance of firmness and perseverance, in a commander, was well
illustrated during the above engagement. Soon after Barry received his
wound, and had been obliged to go below, one of his lieutenants,
disheartened by the misfortune which had befallen his commander, and
appalled by the fearful devastation which seemed to be making by the
enemy with the ship's spars and rigging, repaired to him, and proposed
that the colors should be struck.
Barry started. The colors be struck! no such thought had entered his
mind. The colors be struck! "No!" said he; "if the ship can't be fought
without me, carry me at once on deck." The lieutenant, if ashamed, was
also rëanimated. He repaired on deck, went round among the crew, and
made known Barry's courage and determination. There was but one response
among the brave tars. They decided to "stick to him manfully." And they
did. From that moment "the ship _was fought_"--and fought without the
presence of Barry. But no sooner was his wound dressed, than he insisted
on being aided in ascending to the deck; before reaching it, however,
the enemy had struck. Brave seamen! brave commander!
The Alliance had eleven killed during the action, and twenty-one
wounded. Among the latter, were several officers. She had suffered
terribly in her spars and rigging. The loss of the enemy was eleven
killed and thirty wounded.
7. CONGRESS AND SAVAGE.
The Savage was a British sloop, carrying twenty guns and about one
hundred and fifty men. In September, 1781, while on a cruise along the
Southern coast of the United States, she entered the Potomac, and
plundered the estate of Washington, then in another quarter,
commanding the American army. It was an expedition unworthy a
high-minded and honorable officer, and a well-merited rebuke was soon
after meted out to him.
On leaving the Potomac, the Savage fell in with the American privateer
Congress, Captain Geddes, off Charleston. The vessels were of the same
force. On board the Congress, at the time, was Major McLane, a
distinguished American officer, who with a part of his command had
volunteered to serve as marines. As the crew of the Savage were all
seamen, she had decidedly the advantage, in respect to the Congress,
whose crew, in part, were landsmen, unacquainted with marine warfare.
The vessels were now within cannon distance. The Congress commenced by
firing her bow-chasers. This was at half-past ten in the morning. At
eleven, they had approximated so near each other, that the landsmen
employed their musketry, and with effect. A sharp and destructive
cannonade followed on both sides.
At the commencement of the engagement, the advantage lay with the
Savage. Her position being on the Congress' bows, was favorable for
raking. But a closer engagement followed, and the tide turned in favor
of the privateer. So well did she manœuvre, so promptly, so
dextrously, that she soon disabled her enemy. At the expiration of an
hour, the braces and bowlines of the Savage were shot away. Not a rope
was left by which to trim the sails. The musketry of the Americans had
cleared her decks. In this situation, it was deemed impossible that
she could much longer continue the contest. Indeed, she was already
nearly a wreck--her sails, rigging, and yards were so shattered as to
forbid her changing her position, but with the greatest difficulty.
She would not, however, surrender, but rëcommenced a vigorous
cannonade. Again her quarter-deck and forecastle were cleared by the
fatal musketry of the American landsmen. Three guns on her main deck
were rendered useless. The vessels were now so near each other, that
the fire from the guns scorched the men opposed to them in the other.
At length, the mizen-mast of the Savage was shot away. At this
instant, the boatswain of the Savage appeared forward, with his hat
off, calling for quarter. But it was half an hour before the crew of
the Congress could board her, by reason of the loss of their boats.
But, on reaching her, she was found to be scarcely more than a wreck.
Her decks were covered with blood, and killed and wounded men.
The Congress had thirty men killed and wounded. The Savage had
twenty-three killed and thirty-one wounded. Among the latter, was her
commander, Captain Sterling.
The marine service often furnished examples of great heroism and most
patriotic endurance. Such an instance occurred on board the Congress.
After the action terminated, Major McLane went forward to ascertain
what had become of his sergeant, Thomas. He found the poor fellow
lying on his back in the netting, near the foot of the bowsprit, with
his musket loaded, but both legs broken. "Poor fellow!" thought the
major, as he beheld him; "poor fellow!" But the _poor fellow_ began
huzzaing lustily for the victory achieved; and followed his exulting
and even vociferous huzzas by a corresponding exclamation addressed to
his major: "Well, major, if they have broken my legs, my hands and my
heart are still whole."
Sergeant Thomas was terribly wounded, but the kind-hearted major did
not neglect him. The best care was taken of him; ultimately, he
recovered; and, nothing deterred by the painful experience he had had
of the sometimes ill-fortune of war, he entered on board the Hyder
Ali, commanded by Captain Barney.
It is ever delightful to record instances of high-minded and magnanimous
conduct on the part of victors towards the vanquished. This engagement
furnishes one most honorable to the American character. The officers and
crew of the Savage were treated with the greatest kindness and
attention. Major McLane even accompanied Captain Sterling into
Pennsylvania, to secure him from insult, his treatment of American
prisoners having rendered him highly obnoxious to the patriots.
Such is a brief account of some of the exploits of the American marine
during the war of the Revolution. There were others perhaps equally
honorable to the skill and enterprise of our naval officers, but which
our limits forbid us to notice. On the breaking out of the war, the
country was poorly prepared to enter the lists with the mistress of
the ocean. Indeed, it was not until 1776, that the forbearing policy
of congress was abandoned, and the nautical enterprise of the country
was let loose upon British commerce. From that time, however, American
valor was exhibited in its true and persevering spirit, and
contributed, as far as it had scope, in inducing the mother-country to
acknowledge the independence of her wayward child--which she did on
the 20th of January, 1783.
Upon this most desirable event, orders of recall were issued to all
naval commanders; and the commissions of privateers and letters of
marque were annulled. On the 11th of April following, a proclamation
from the proper authorities announced the cessation of hostilities.
From this time, as the glad intelligence spread, the helms of our
warlike ships were turned towards our home ports, leaving the
merchantmen again to the peaceful possession of that element, which
for years they had traversed, if at all, at the greatest hazard.
[Illustration]
FOOTNOTES: