, 1842-06-18
The Hornet and the Peacock.

names were engaged. But we per-
ceIve that several of our cotempora-
ries have fallen into the error of sup
posing the Peacock, lost in the Co.
lumbia river, to be the same which
was captured by the Hornet. This
is a great mistake. The day on which
those two vessels went into action
was the last one that ever saw the
SAILS Of the Peacock unfurled to the
wind. 1t cannot be disagrceable to
either our readers .. contemporaries
who have fallen into this mistake to
have that brilliant passage of our ma
val history briefly recapitulated.
On the twenty-fourth day of Feb,
ruary, 1913, the Hornet, under the
command of Capt. Lawrence, was
cruizing off Demarara, when she hove
in sight of the Peacock, a British brig
OF war, carrying the same number of
guns as herself. Both vessels imme-
diately bore down with a view of Civ
ing battle, each one manGuvering to
keep the wind. At twenty-five min
utes past five o'clock in the after
noon they passed each other, within
pistol shot, and both delivered their
broadside simultaneously rs their guns
bore. and the battle was thus COM
menced. No sooner had they pass
ed than the Peacock put her helm
hard up, with the view Of wearing
short round across the stern of the
Hornet and taking her, but the latter
performed the same manGuvre, and
was too quick for her antagonist.
She came down upon the quarter Of
the Peacock in Il perfect blaze o! fire,
and Immediately closed with her.
Both vessels now fought with the
greatest intrepidity, end with the ut
must fury. But the superior gunnc-
ry and rapid handling of the Hornet.
soon made her triumphant. Atforty
minutes past five, being but fifteen
minutes from the time the first gun
was fired. the Peacock struck her co..
ors. and not only so, but hoistet them
in the fore rigging. union down, in to-
ken ofdistress. Lieut.. Shubrick, who
was sent 10 take possession of her.
Immediately returned. and reported
that she was sinking. Every posi-
bic exertion was now made by the
officers and men on board the Hornet
to rescue from Il watery grave the
antagonist against whom they had
Just been engaged in bloody and
mortal combat. Most of those who
had survived the battle were got into
the boats; but yet she went down so
suddenly, that nine of her men, to-
gether with three American sailors,
who were ~endeavoring to save them,
were carried with her, and sunk TO
rise no more. Within an hour from
the time the action commenced, the
Peacock was at the bottom OF the
sea.
Such was her tragic end. The
Hornet. before nine o'clock OF the
same evening, had all her sails bent,
was again completely ready tor &C.
ton, and lived to achieve many tn
umphs. Her brave commander, the
intrepid Lawrence, was, however,
subsequently slain on board the Ches-
apeake; and she. as we all know,
several years afterwards, experienced
\ m%ournful fate, having swamped, as
is supposed, and persisted with every
souI on board. The mention OF this
name is. therefore, calcuted to u
mingled feelings Of proud triumph,
and of deep sorrow. Indeed, such
must be the feelings always awaken
ed. even by the most brilliant results
of war, whether on land or sea.
In the same year that the battle
was fought between the Hornet ana
Peacock, several new vessels were adj
ded 70 our navy. One which was
bu;lt ot the N. York navy yard, was
called The Peacock. She sailed from
n. York in March 1914, on her frst
cru;ze, and soop after fel! in with,
foupht, and captured the British brig
Enervier. She saw much active SER
vice during the war, and after its
close, She was finally designated as
one Of the Exploring Squadron and Is
,hs same Peacock that was lately
f wrecked W.T. upon the bar at the mouth
|, of the Columbia river.
pnorSans.--A white glove often
f conceals a dirty hand. The rene
dies for injuries is not 10 ie, "na
them. Be a friend to youf n'en,ra an 10
6oar ihe %, news Of the town. Be not
aG baker ,sat if your head is made Of but m.
not FAINT praise is disparag gSon1St;