Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-09-24
BRITISH OFFICIAL ACCOUNT

BRITISH OFFICIAL ACCOUNT
OF the Emga cement bet,eeen the enc
sepcake g shannon frigatcs,
ADMIRALTY OFFICE. July 10.
Copy of a letter from the Hon. Capt.
CapeI, Of III. NJ. ship La Hogue,
to John Wilson Croker, Esq. dat
ed
HALIFAX, June II, 1918.
SIR-It is with the greatest plea
sure 1 transmit you . letter | have
lust received from Captain Broke. of
his majesty's ship Shannon. detail
ing most brilliant achievement in
the capture ofthe U. States frigate
Chesapeake, in Is minutes. Capt.
Broke relates so fully the particu-
lars of this gallant affair, that l
feel it unnecessary to add much to
his narrative but / cannot forbear
expressing the pleasure ! feel in
hearing testimoney to the indefatiga-
bic exertions and Perseyering zeal
Of Captain Broke during the time he
has been under my orders; placing
a firm reliance on the valer of his
officers and crew, and just conf
dence in his system of discipline, he
sought every opportunity of meeting
the enemy on fair terms. and ! have
to rejoice with his country and his
friends, atthe glorious result of this
contest; he gallantIy headed his
boarders in the assault, and carried
all before him. His wounds are Sc
we're, but trust his country will not
be long deprived Of his services.
/ have the honor to be, &c.
THO'S BLADEN CAPEL,
Captain & senior officer at Halifax.
Shannon, Halifac, June 6, 1913.
STR have the honor to inform
You, that being close in with Boston
Light House, in III. M. ship under
my command, on the tst inst. had
the pleasure Of seeing that the U.
States frigate Chesapeake (whom we
had long been watching) was COM
ing out of the harbor to engage the
Shannon. took position between
Cape Ann and Cape Cod, and then
hove to for him to join US. The O.
nemy came down in a very handsome
manner, having three American en-
signs flying. When closing with US
he sent down his royal yards /; / kept
the Shannon's up, expecting the
breeze would die away-At halt past
5P. M. tho enemy hauled up within
hail of US on the starboard side, and
the battle began. both ships steering
full under the topsails. After ex-
changing between two and three
broadsides, the enemy's ship fell on
board of us, her mizzen chains lsek.
ing in with our fore rigging.
went forward to ascertaia her posi-
ton, and observing that the enemy
were Hinching from their guns, ]
gave orders to prepare for boarding
Our gallant band appointed to that
service Immediately rushed in, un-
der their respective officers, upon
the enemy's decks. driving every
thing before them with irresistible
fury. The enemy made 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
10 hand, from every post. The A
merican flag was hauled down, and
the proud old British Union fl0ated
triumphant over il. In another mi
mute they ceased firing from below
and called fer quarter. The whole
of this service was achieved in fifteen
minutes from the commencement of
the action. !
Ihave.to lament the loss Of many
of my gallant shipmates but they
fell exni,ing in their conquest.
III, brave first Lieut.. MIR. Watt.
was slain in the moment Of victory,
in the act Of hosting the British CO.
iors, his death is a severe loss to the
service: Mr.. Aldbam. the purser
who had spiritedly volunteered the
charge Of "a party Of small arm men,
WAS killed at his post on the gang.
way. My faithful old clerk, Mr.,
Dunn was shot by his side. MIR.
Aldiiam has left a widow to lament
his loss. l request the commander
in chief will recommend her to The
protection of my LORDS Commission