Upon his return to the United States in March, Lawrence learned of his promotion to captain. Two months later he took command of the frigate "Chesapeake", then preparing for sea at Boston. He left port on June 1, 1813 and immediately engaged the blockading Royal Navy frigate "Shannon" in a fierce battle. Although slightly smaller, the British ship disabled "Chesapeake" with gunfire within the first few minutes. Captain Lawrence, mortally wounded by small arms fire, ordered his officers, "Don't give up the ship. Fight her till she sinks" or "Tell the men to fire faster! Don't give up the ship." Men carried him below, and his crew was overwhelmed by a British boarding party shortly afterward. James Lawrence died of his wounds on June 4, 1813, while his captors directed "Chesapeake" to Halifax, Nova Scotia.