The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-08
From the Boston Times.
NAVAL HISTORY-THE HORNET AND
PEACOCK

The recent loss of the Peacock has revived in the
public mind recollection of the melancholy fate of
the Hornet and of the memorable battle in which the
two vessels bearing those names were engaged. But
we perceive that several Of contemporaries have
fallen into the error Of supposng the Peacock lost
in the Columbia river to be the same which was
captured by the Hornet This is great mistake
The day which those two vessels went into action
was the last that the sails of the Pea
cock unfurled to the wind. 1t cannot be dsagreea-
BILE to either our readers contemporaries who have
fallen into this mistake, 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 Captain Lawrence,
was cruising off Demarara, when she hove in sight Of
the Peacock British brig Of war carrying the same
number of guns herself. Both vessels Immediate
ly bore down with view of giving battle, each one
manauvreing to keep the wind. At twenty-five
minutes past five O'Clock in the afternoon they passed
each other within pistol shot, and both delivered their
broadsides simultaneously as their guns BORE and the
battle was thus commenced. No sooner had they
passed than the Peacock put her helm hard up with
the view of wearing short round the stern of
the Hornet and rakng her, but the latter performed
the same manguvre and was too quick for her anita
gonist. She down upon the quarter Of the Pea
cock in perfect blaze of fire, and Immediately clos
ed with her. Both vessels were now fought with
great intrepidity and with the utmost fury But the
superior gunnery and rapid handling of the Hornet
soon made her triumphant At forty minutes past
ve, being out ntecn minutes from the time the HrSt
gun was fred the Peacock struck her colors, and not
only so, but hoisted them in the fore rigging union
down. in token of distress. Lieutenant Shubrick,
who was sent to take possession Of her, Immediately
returned and reported that she was sinking. Every
possible exertion was now made by the officers and
men on board the Hornet to from watery
grave the antagonists against whom they had just
been engaged in bloody and mortal combat. Most of
those who had survived the battle got into the
boats but yet she went down so suddenly that nine of
were endeavoring to save them, were carried with
her and sank 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 evening had all her sails bent,
again completely ready for action, and lived to
achieve many new trumphs. Her brave commander,
the intrepid Lawrence was, however, subsequently
slain on board the Chesapeake, and she, as we all
know, several years afterwards, experienced mourn
full fate, having swamped is supposed and persisted
with every soul on board The mention OF her maine
u.s. therefore, calculated to mingled feelings OF
proud triumph and of deep sorrow Indeed such
must be the feelings always awakened, even ny the
most brilliant results of war whether land
In the same wear that the battle was fought between
the Hornet and Peacock several new vessels were
added TO our Navy. One which was built at our
Nayv Yard was called the Peacock She sailed from
this CITY in March, 1914 her first cruise, and
after feel in with taught and captured the British brig
Epervier. She saw much active service during the
war and after it's close She was finally designated
AZ one Of the Exploring Squadron, and is the same
Peacock that wrecked upon the bar at the mouth
of the Columbia river 10 fsbf4f