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

list of kied and rounded on board the United States
frigate Constitution. Of a. guns mounting thirty
trgo "a 4pOunders, and tzvsnty 80 los carronadeS on
tie 20ih Of February, 1915. in action .v.th his Br
:asnic raestys ships CyGne and Leranf.
Killed 3-wounded 12-Total IS.
Statement Of the actual force Of his britannia majes-
tvs shsps Levant, Captain the Honorable George
Douglass commander, and Cyane, Captain Gordon
Falcon, commander, with the number killed and 1roRn
led on board. each ship, the 20M Of February,
1915, az near could be ascerta1ied, sShile engay
ed with the United States trggsfe Constif!fisD.
LEVANr.
18 thirtytwo Founders, carronades,
twelve FOUNDER, do
2 nine Founders, long guns.
q guns, 1s6 officers, seamen and marines.
Prisoners, 1888 officers, seamen and marines.
Killed % ; wounded l1-Total killed and wound
cd SO.
CYANE.
% thirty.two Founders, carronades,
10 eighteen Founders, do.
2 twelve peunders, long guns.
"a guns, $50 officers, seamen and marines.
2 brass swivels
Prisoners 168, officers, seamen and marines.
Killed IL wounded 26-Total killed and wound
ed 80 -
Minutes of the action beteen the u Jrigafe Consti.
tuition, and his Britannia majesy's SLIPS Cyaae and
Levonf, on the 20M Feb. 1915
Commences with light breezes from the
east, and cloudy weather-A, !, discovered .
sail two points on the larboard bow-hauled
up, made in chase At-l.4 past |, made the
sail to be q ship at 3.4 past !, discovered
snother sail ahead made them out at 2 r. NJ.
10 be both ships, standing close hauled with
their starboard tack on board at 4, p. M. the
weathermost ship made signals, and bore up
for her consort, then about ten miles TO leew-
ard we bore up after her, and set lower top
mast, topgallant, add royal studding sails IN
chaae at - past 4, carried away our main
royal mast took in the sails and got another
prepared S, P. NJ. commenced firing on the
chase from our two larboard bow guns our
shot falling short, t,ceased firing at l2 past s,
finding it impossible to prevent their junction,
cleared ship for action, then about miles
from the two ships at 40 minutes after S,
they within hail OF each other, and hsuled BY
the wind on the sarboard tack, hauled up
their courses, and prepared to receive US; at
As minutes past S, they made all sail close
hauled by the wind, in hopes OF getting to
windward Of US ; at IS minutes past S, hnding
themselves disappointed in their object, and
We were closing with them fast, they shorten
ed sail, and formed on a line Of wind, about
half cables length from each other. At 6,
P. NJ. having them under command OF our
battery, hoisted our coors, which was ans.
wercd by both ships hosting English ensigns;
a, minutes pas, ranged up on the starboaid
aide Of the sternmost ship, about 500 yards
distant, aud commenced the action by broad
sides, both ships returning our FIRE with
great spirit for 5 minutes, then the FIRE Of the
enemy beginning to slackep, and the great
column Of smoke collected under our lee
induced us to cease our fire TO ascertain their
positions and conditions 10 about three min.
u,es, the smoke clearing away, we found
ourselves abreast Of the hcsdmost ship,
the a,ernmos, ship lufIing up for our
larsoard quarter we poured broadside into
the headmost ship, and then braeed abaek
our main and mizen topsails, and backed
ss,crn under cover OF the smoke, abreast
,he s,crnmos, ship. when the action was con-
tinued with spiri, and considerable effect, un'
ill IS minutes past G, when the ensmy's fre
acaiu sleckened and we discovered the head.
most bearing up filed our topssils, shot
ahead, and gave her two stern rakes we then
discovesed the sernmost ship wearing
also we wore Immediately after her,
and gave her stern rake, she luffing
too on our s,a,hoatd bou, and sisin