The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1813-06-21

Il IL
the mead of our bowsprit with the iib.boom,
and our running rigging so much cut as to
prevent our preserving the weather guagc.
AT live minutes past three, finding the
enemy's raking fire extremely heavy, capt.
Lambert ordered heship to be aidon hoard,
| III which we should have succeeded, had
not our iorcmast been shot away at this
moment, the remains Of our bowsprit pass
ing over his tafirail; shortly aftel this the
main-mast went, leaving the ship totally un-
manageable, with most of our s,arboard
guns rendered useless from the wreck w.
ing over them.
AT half past three our gallant captain re-
ceived a dangerous wound in the breast,
and was carried below from this time we
could not hire more than two o. three guns
| until quarter past 4, when our mizen mast
was shot away then fell off little, and
brought many of our starboard guns to bear;
the enemy's rigging was so much cut that
nc could not avoid shooting ahead, which
brought US fairly broadside and broadsde.
Our malnyard now went in the sings; both
ships continued engaged in this manner
VII thirty-hVe minutes past four, we fire.
quen'iy on hre III consequence the wreck
lying on the side engaged. Our oppo-
nent row made sail ahead out of gunshot,
where he remained an hour repairing his
damages, leaving US an unmanaeeable
wreck, with only the main mast left, and
| lhat ,otterlng. Every cXcrtion was made
by us during this interval to place the ship
| IN state 10 renew the action. We sue
! cccdcd IN clearing the wreck of our masts
from our guns, sail was set on the stumps
| OF the tpre-mast and bow spirit the wca-
'her halt OF the main yari remaining alofr
the main tack was got forward in the hone
| OF getting the ship before the wind, our
| hcin being STILL perfect The effort unfor-
tunatelv proved Intellectual. from the main
mast falling over the side, from the heavy
rolling oil the ship, which nearly covered
the whole Of our staibeard guns. We still
waited the attack Of the enemy, he now
standing towards us tor that purpose on
his coming nearly within hail of us, and
rom his nianGuvre perceivins he Intended
position ahead, wheye be- could rake us
without possibility OF our returning a
shot; then consulting the officers. who
agTeed with myself that our having great
part ot cur crew killed ard wounded. our
noWspril H three nlasts gone, several guns
useless, we should not be Justified in vast
ing the lives OF more of those remaining,
VINO hope their lordships and the country
will think have braveiy defended his ma.
jesty's ship; under these circumstances.
however reluctantly, al fifty minutes past
hive, our colors were lowered from the
stump OF the mizen mast, and we were ia
ken possession Of Il iit.le after six, bv the
American fr'gate Constitution, conman-
ded by commodore cambridge, who ina
mcdlatcly after ascertaining the state Of the
ship, resolved on burning her, which we
bad the satisfaction of seeing done as soon
as the wounded men were removed An.
nsXed send you a return of the killed and
wounded, and it is with pain perceive it
sonumerous also a statement of the com.
parahve force of the two ships, when
hope their lordships will not think the Bri.
fish flag furnished, although success has
1ot attended US. 1t would t.e presump.
tuoua III me TO speak of capt Lambert's
merits, who though still in danger lrsn his
wound, VIC silllentertain the greatest Eopes
OF his being restored to the service and his
country.
1t most gratifying 20 my feelings to no.
ticc The gallantry of every officer, seaman
and marine on board in justice TO the Off.
GERS, beg leave TO mention them ntlivi-
duat!y. can never speak too highly OF
the able exertions Of licuts. Havrinpham
and Buchanan, and also Mr. Robinson, mas,
ter, who was severely wounded, and ,ieuts-
Mercer and Davis, ofthc royal marines, the
latter OF whom also was severely wounded
10 capt. John Marshall, u. n. who was
passenger, | am particularly Obliged for
his eXcrtious and sdvcc thronrhon, the.
action To lieut.. AIpin, who was or the
main deck, and lieut.. Saunders, who COM
mandcd on the torecastie, / also return NV
thanks: cannot but the good CON-