Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-11-27
AN HISTORICAL REMINIs0GNOB.
Hebrew Leader.


remembrance OF the actions done in the
flesh by the men whom the grim sergeant
oyertakes.' and we are reminded by the
demise ofan old sailor who expired u
few days since at Monsrose, Scotland,
that there still liuger q few survivors
who took part in some ~ tho desperate
sea-Rghts between British and American
frigatcs In the war of l.l2. On the 7th
ofJmnary, 1856, child was born ut
Fcrrydcn, near Montrose, James Coull by
name. who started life as cabin boy, ut
the early age OF six years, in a Scottish
fishing vessel. The lad found his way
to Copenhagen, when, in 1901, Nelson
was lying of that city, which he shortly
proceeded to lombard. The Ccntaur,
seycnty-four gun-Ship, was under Ne'-
sons orders at Copenhagen in lSol, ana
again in Trafalgar in 1905, and IN both
of these actions James Coull worth'ly
bore his part among the Centalr crew
Rut the most notable engagement ut
which he assisted was the short, sharp
and decisive action fought oil Boston
Hnrbor on the lat of June, 1881, be-
tween the United States frigate Chesa-
peake, commanded by Capt. Lawrence,
and the British frigate Shannon, com
manded BY Captain, afterwards Sir
Philip We're Broke. The Shannon and
The Chesapeake we're regarded ~ typical
vessels OF their respective heets ut the
time when their memorable encounter
took place, and even to this hour their
names when mentioned on man-of-
war, "stir the blood like o trumpet"
and recall in some measure the feelings
with which the solitary triumph Of On
English ship in the American war in
1912, was hailed. IA
The first few naval actions fought be-
tween British and American ships in
lsl2 may fairly be said to have electri-
fed the country. Again and again duels
were fought ut sea, in each of which the
BrtishBnioh Jack was hauled down in
token OF defeat, and replaced by the
"starsand stripes Thus 1t came to
pass that in tlle August of lsi2 the
Britishdrigate Guerrero, commanded
by CAPT. DaCres, was compelled TO
strike her coIors to the United States
frigatq Constitution, commanded ly
Capt. Hull In the following October
the Frolic and the Macedonian struck TO
the American ships, Wasp and United
States, and the year closed so disastrous
ly for British arms With the tremendous
conflict between the Java and the Con-
stitution which enGed, after an obsti-
nate struggle, in the capture OF the
former On the 2Gth Of February the
British sloop Peacock was disabled and
sunk by the American Hornet. Among
those who chafcd under the strange and
novel sensation of British lntcriority
upon England's own element, Capt.
Philip Broke, Of the shannon, was by
no means the least conspicuous. Stung
by the ,humiliatioas and, rrysrses in
tlicted upon his native country, Capt.
Broke drew near to the mouth OF Boston
Harbor in the early summer of 1913.
The most formidable cruisers that car.
ried the Stars aud Stripes were, in the
habit Of issning from this port, and
some of tho best American saips-as
for Instance, the Cousttuton--ha(
been built in the yards at Boston apf
Marbleheads y 'h.i .-1 1lbyfE4f'
Capt Broke had not been lying Ions
III the Shannon of Boston Lighthous,
before he became aware that one o
the finest American irgates, the Chesa
pcaker,was getting ready ior,sea in tn,
harbor, Shortly before the action which
made the two ships so famous Capt
Broke addressed n letter to Capt. Law
renee, inviting him to !''try the fortunes
OF their respective flags" and biddin.
him come forth to the combat. Tn,
American captain had no desire to bali
the wishes of his opponent, and shortly
aftcrward on the first day of June, 1913
Broke deserted from his own masthead
that the Chesapeake was preparing I,
come outof the harbor. Theg American
frigatc bore down upon hersadvers;,ry II
very handsome fashion, aud at half
past five in Intervening hauled upon tn,
starboard side of the shannon, which
was steered by the veteran sailor, Jane,
Coull, who has just breathed his last il
Scotland. The battle began exactly a
six o'clock, and in fifteen minutes TIL,
uniou-iack was flying above the Star,