Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-03-29
From the Boston times.
NAVAL HISTORY-THE HOR-
NET AND PEACOCK.

The recent loss Of the Peacock has revived in
the public mind a recollection ofthe meAncbol-
" fate Ofthe Hornet, anu Of the memorable bat
tie IN which the two vessels bearing those
names were engaged. But we perceive that
several ofou contemporaries have fallen into
the error Of supposing the Peacock lost in the
Columbia river to be the same that was cap
tured 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 can
not be dsagreeabe to either our readers or
contemporaries who nave fallen into this mis-
take, to have that brilliant passage Of our naval
history briefly recapItulated.
On the twenty fourth day Of February, 1913,
the Hornet, under the command of Capt Law
renee, was cruising off Demarara, when she
hove in sight of the Peacock, British brig Of
war carrying the same number of guns as her.
SELF Both vessels Immediately bore down
with view OF giving battle, each one ma
npuvring to keep tho wind. At twenty five
minutes past five o'clock IN the afternoon, they
passed each other within pistol shot, and both
delivered their brOadsdes simultaneously as
theu guns bore, and the battle was thus COM
menced. No sooner had they passed than the
Peacock put her helm hard up with the view of
wearing short round across the stern Of the
Hornet and raking her,b but the latter performed
the same manGuvre and was too quick for her
antagonist. She came down upon the quarter
ofthe Peacock IN perfect blaze offire and i'm
mediatcly closed with her. Both vessels were
now fought with great intrepdi,y and with the
utmost fury. But The superior gunnery and
rapid handling of The Hornet soon made her
triumphant At 'orty MINUTES past FIVE being
g.. a. x
was fired, the PeJ oCK struck her co ors, and
not only so, but boisted them in the fore rig
uing, union down, in token Of distress. Leuter-
ant Shubrck, who was sent to take possess
sion Of her, Immediately returned and reported
that she was sinking. Every possible exertion
was now made 1.-THE Ofsc 1rs and men on board
the Hornet to rescue from watery grave the
antagonists against whom he had Just been en-
gagged in bloody and mortal combat. Most OF
those who had survived the battle were got in
TO the boats, but yet she went down so sudden
ly that nine of her men, together with three
American sailors who were endeavorin0 tC
save them, were carried with her and sank &c
rise no more. Within an hour from he time
the acton commenced, the Peacock was al
the bottom OF the sea.
Such was her tragic end. The Hornet, be-
fore nine o'clock of the same evening, had al
her sails bent, was again completely ready 70
actiOn,and lived to achieve many new triumpLs
Her brave commander, the intreped Law en- &C
was, however, subsequently slain on board the
Chesapeake, and she, as we all know, severa
years Afterwards, experienced mournfu fate
havngswamped, as is supposed and perishet
with every soul on board. The mention of he
name is, therefore, calculated, to rouse mingle
feelings Of proud triu mph and of deep orr ow
Indeed such must be the feelings OF prud tri-
umph and deep sorrow. Indeed such must b
the feelings always awakened, even by ih
most brilliant results of war, whether on Ian
or sea.
In the same year that the battle was tough
between the Hornet and Peacock, several ne,
vessels were added to our navy. One whic
was built at our navy yard was called the Pea
cock She sailed from this city in March 1914
on her first cruise, and soon after fell in will
fought and captured the British Brig Epervel
She saw much active service during the wa
and after its close. She was finally design5
ted as one of the Exploring Squadron, an
is the same Peacock that was wrecked W
on the bar at the mouth Of the Columbia Iil
er.