The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-04-22
Bp l0ali.
or GALL mt ACTION Bg TWEEN AN AMERl-
CAN PRiyArEER AND A BRITISH FRiGATE.


.frmstrong, Of he.9- York, dated
cHARLEsros, APRIL 5ru, 1873.
[" j arrived here last evening, after an un-
fortunate cruise of 8 weeks during which
time, on the 7th Of March, we had an engage
meut with British sioofi Of Svar, OH the coast
of Surrinam. We exchanged or broad
sides, in order to ascertain whether she was a
vessel of war or not. We were satisfied,
however, and hauled off without injury. On
rhe ] lth, we made sail al in the morning,
laying in-shore of US, at anchor, about 5
leagues NE of Surrinam river. We bore
down on her, and soon discovered her to be
a ship--We approached within gun shot
She got under way in very y.lubberly manner,
run up English coiors, and fired guns from
her gun deck. We gave her Long Tom, and
Showed American colors She then COM
menced fire from seven guns on her main
deck, and one from her forecaste, which led
me TO believe she was Liverpool letter-of-
marquc, as they have several trigate built
ships from that port, and II was the general
opinion on board that she was a letter-of-
marque. We accordingly concluded TO run
down close on board of her, and give her our
starboard broadside, and board her every man.
However, as she looked warlike, and was
.
thought it most prudent, forth salvation of
the vessel, and punctual discharge of duty
on our part, in case of any deception, to hoist
the bloody flag, which we did, being then in
perfect readiness for the worst event. We
bore down on him within halr pistol shot;
when 10 our modification, we too late found
her to be .ffgatc. However, there was no
alternative we must fight the enenmy to
l. 4, L.. IpE n
exchanged two broadsides, and cut away his
ties, haulyarGs, stays, braces, sc. and our
marines picked his men from their posts as
fast as they Showed themselves. We gave
or broadsides in passing them the first
time 10y which we brough, his colours down
We Immediately wore round, and gave three
cheers. His fire ceased. We accordingly
held our FIRE and thinking he had struck ; by
which we lost two raking fires on him. The
moment he brought his broadsde to bear on
US to rake US, he opened his whole battery on
Us, and dealt destruction 10 our sails and rig
ging. We Immediately luffed to, and recom-,
menced the action: His wads were very
destructive to us. He poured in his grape,
canister, Sc. in great quantities. However,
VIC saw them throw ever many OF their Kill
led. We had killed 6 and wounded. |.
received shot from the mantop, which
went through my solar bone, and out at my
back. We had but one shroud, no stay, haul
yards or sheets standing, when we hauled
OIL we have several shot betwlxt wind and
water, or shot through our bowsprit, lore
mast one third cut off by 80 pound shot,
and we have several 30 and l8 pound shot
on board. However, we got safe away
thank Heaven and the General, we got out of
the scrape.-On the 10Th, on our way to
port in the u. States to repair our. damages,
we fell in with the British ship William,
from ST. Johns, of 246 tons, new ship, with a,
cargo OF fish, valued at 25, 900 dolls. and cap
tured her. The friga,e mounted IS guns on
her-gun deck, or 8 on her quarter deck,
and ON the forecastle. We could not learn
her name"
BATTLE IN THE RAPPAHANNOCK