The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1815-05-31

her larboar6 quarter within hail, and was about
to give her our starboard brosdside, when slc
struck her colors, fred lee gun and yielded,
At so minutes past took possession OF
II. b. M. ship Cyane, Capt. Gordon Falcon.
mounting - guns. Al 8, P. M. filled away
after her consort, which was still in sight to
leeward. At half past found her standing
towards US, with her starboaid close haukd,
topgallant sails set and colors flying. Also
minutes past 8, ranged close along side TO
windward of her, on opposite tacks, and tx.
changed broadsides-wore Immediately under
her stern, and raked her with broadsite |;
she then crowded all saii and endeavoied
to escape by running-haued on board eur
tacks, set spanker and flying jb in chase. AT
half past 8 eommehced fling on her fIom
our starboard bow chasers gave her several
shot which cut her spars and rigging consid-
erably. AT 10, p. M. finding they could not
escape, fired gun, struck her colors and
yielded. We Immediately took posses
sion of H. M. S. Lcvsnt, Hon. Capt. George
Douglass, mounting 2 guns. Al !. A. III.
the damages of our rigging were repaired,
sails shifted, and the ship in fighting condition.
-
Minutes Of the chase fhe U S. frigafe COnsfisafion
By an English squadron Of three SHIPS, from Sas me
Commences with fresh breezes and thick
foggy weather-At minutes past IL, discov-
cred a large ship through the fog standing in
for Port Praya.-At 8 minutes past IL, dis.
covered two other large ships aslern. OF her,
also standing for the por,-From general
appearance, supposed them to be one OF the
cncmy's squadrons, and from the little res
pcct hitherto paid by them to neutral waters, i
deemed il most prudentto put to sea.
The signal was made TO the Cyane and Le-
want to get under weigh. At IL after meri.
dian, with our topsails set, VIC cut our cables
and got under weigh, (when the Portuguese
opened fire on US from several OF their bat
teties on shore) the prize ships following our
motions, and stood out of the mar Dor Of Porto
Praya, close under East Point, passing the
enemy's squadron about gun shot to winJwa,d
Of them crossed our topgallant yards and set
foresaiI, mainsail, spankcr, flying jib and top
gallant sails. The cnomy seeing US under
weigh, tackled ship and made all sail in chase
of US. AS far as we could judge of their
rates, from tho thickness Of the weather, sup
posed them two ships Of the line and one fri
gate. At half past meridian cut away the
boats towing astcrn, frs, cutter and gig. AT
l p. M. found our sailing about equal with
luffing up gaining our wake and rather drop
ping as,ern of US, finding the Cyane dropping
astern and to leeward, and the frigate gaining
on her fast, found it impossible to save her
if she continued on the ssme course, without
having the Constitution brought to action by
their whole force. made the signal Ut 10
minutes past P. M. to her to tack 3hip,
which was complied with. This manGuvcre,
conceived, would detaeh one of the enemy's
ships in pursuit of her, while at the same
time, from her position, she would be enab-
led to reach the anchorage at Port Praya, be-
fore the detached ship could come up with
her but if they did not tack after her, 1t
would afford her an opportunity to double
their rear, and make her escape before the
wind They all continued in full chase OF
the Levant and this ship !: the ship on our lee
quarter firing by divisions, broadsides, her
shot falling short of Us. AZ p. NJ. by o1i
having dropped the Levant considerably, her
situation became (from the position of the
enemy's ffigatei similar to tho Cysne. 1t be-
came necessary to separate also from the Le-
want, or risk, this ship being brought to action
10 cover her. ! made tho signal at minutes
past for her TO tack, which was complied
with. At Ia minutes past the whole OF the
enemy's squadron tackled in pursuit OF the Le-
vant and gave up the pursuit OF this ship.
This sacrifice of The L Ievant became necessary
for the preservation Of the Constitution. Sail
boatswain's mate and IL men were absent on
duty in tho 5,h cutter to bring the cartel BRIG
under our stern.