Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-05-13

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hoisted the private night-signal, but here
again it was difficult. for his sails inter-
vcning, for the other ship to make it out.
Before the two frigates were within two
cables lengths of each other, Capt. Viii,
son determined that there should be no
mistake from any want Of precaution on
his part, hauled up his courses, and brazil
ed up his driver, that the night signal
might be clearly seen. 4
Lights were sent abaft on the quarter
deck ofthe other vessel, as if they were
about to answer; but she continued tc
keep the Aurora to the leeward at about
half cables length, and as the foremast
guns of each vessel were abreast ofeach
other, hailed in English.
'Ship ahoy what ships that9' .
His majesty's ship Aurora,s replied
captain Wilson, who stood on the ham,
mocks. what ships that 2
By this time, the other figate had
passed halfher length clear of the beam
of the Aurora, and at the same time that
a pretended reply of 'his majesty's ship
was heard, broadsde from her guns,
which had been trained aft on purpose,
was poured into the Aurora, and at
short distance, doing considerable exc
cution. The crew of the Aurora, hear
ing the hailingi in English, and the vessel
passing them apparently without firing,
had imagined that she had been one OF
their own cruisers. The captains Of the
guns had dropped their lanyards in dis
appointment, and the silence which had
been maintained as the two vessels met,
was just breaking up in various ways Of
lamentation at their bad luck, when the
broadside was poured in, laundering in
their ears, and the ripping and tearing
of the beams and planks astonished their
senses. Many were carried down be-
low but it was difficult to say whether
indignation at the enemy's ruse or satis-
faction at discovering that they were
not called to quarters in vain, most pre-
dominated. AT all events, it was an
swered by three voluntary cheers which
drowned the cries of those who were
being assisted to the cockpit.
MAN the larboard guns, and about
ship cried captain Wilson, leaping off
the hammocks. Look out my lads, and
rake her in stays! Well pay him off
for that foul play before we've done
with him. Look out, my lads and take
good aim as she pays round.'
The Aurora was put about, and her
broadside poured into the stern Of the
Russian frigate, for such it was. 1t was
almost dark, but the enemy, who appear
ed to be anxiousas the Aurora to come to
action, hauled up her course to await her
coming up. In five minutes the two
vessels were alongside, exchanging mur-
1erous broadsides at little more than pis-
tol shot-running slowly in for land,
hen not more than five miles distant
The skin-clad mountaineers of Corsica
we're aroused by the furious cannona-
ling, watching the incessant flashes of
he guns, and listening to their reverber-
ating roar.
After half an hours fierce combat, du-
ing which the fire of both vessels was
lept up with undiminished vigor, captain
Wilson went down on the main deck,
md himself separately pointed each gun
after it was loaded-those amidships be-
ng directed for the,mainchannels ofthe
ship, while those abaft the beam
we're gradually trained more and more
onward, and those before the beam more
md more aft, so as to throw all their shot
nearly into one focus, giving directions
hat they were all to be fired at the word
# command. The enemy, not aware
'fthe cause Of delay, imagined that the
ire of the Aurora had slackened, and
oundly cheered. At the word given,
he broadsides were poured in, and, dark
s it was, the effects from it were evi-
ent. Two of the midship ports of the
ntagonist were blown into one, and her
1ainmast was seen to totter, and then to
sll over the side. The Aurora then set
er courses, which had been hauled up,
nd shooting ahead, took up raking po-
ition, while the Russian was still ham
cred with her wreck, and poured the
rape and canister from her upper
eek corronades to impede their labors
n deck, while she continued her des-
'uctive fire upon the hull of the enemy
ON her main deck battery.
, The moon now burst from low bank 4
clouds, and enabled them to accom-. !
lish their work with more precision. In
quarter Of an hour the Russian was
,tally dismasted, and captain Wilson {
rdered half Of his remaining ships COM
any to repair the damages which had |
cen most severe, whilst the larboard
zen at quarters continued the fire from I