The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-01-10
TIE CHESAPEAKE AND SHANNON.

w. Clark Russell In his last book, "Iu the Middle
watch," revives the story Of the sea-1ght between
the Chesapeake and Shannon, on Cohasset Rocks
June l, 1913, and prints letter from an old sea-doe
Of nlnety-one who was on board the British frgatt
on that day. This old sailor writes as follows
"When was on board His Majesty's ship Shannon
of the coast Of America Capt. Broke wrote lettei
to Capt. Lawrence, captain Of the Chesapeake, tC
bring him out 10 fight, and told him 1t was not fol
enmity, but to let the world that Brtons ruled
the sea. They made sure Of taking us; they spread
the Union Jack over the tablecloth for Capt. Broke
and the surviving officers to dine OF from, but we
had her In tow In fifteen minutes" Brokes mes.
sage was never delivered to Lawrence, for when
Capt. Socum, discharged prisoner Of war, to whom
1t twasintrusted, was on his way to deliver it, he
the Chesapeake was under weigh and coming oat OF
President Roads to meet the Shannon.
The late Mr.. ogle Tayloe, OF this city, was at Cam
bridge in 1913, and dned in company with Lawrence
and other officers at Mrs. Thwings clearinghouse
on Federal street, the day before the battle. He
thus records his reminiscence OF the event:
SAT the last dinner Lawrence took on shore, the
day preceding his death In the contest with the
Shannon, was one of the company. No one then
imagined the Shannon was anywhere near Boston
The Chesapeake was mt ready for sea. The even.
Ing spent IN Capt. Lawrence's company the officers
and, and men on board l his ship were ndnlelng them
selves In revelry. The ship presented disgusting
scene OF intoxicaton, and was filled with women.
They were sent on shore when the shannon was des
1918, and Capt. Lawrence went on board to order
the ship to be put In lighting trim. History describes
dence. OF fighting with a crew not vet recovered
from the effects Of Drunkenness and Of fighting al
close quarters against time to win battle like a
prize-nght or a horse-race. All the chances were
against the chvalrc Lawrence. His being shot
down cost the loss OF the ship. Decatur, who knew
Tripoli. said, Lawrence had no more dodge in him
than the manmas.' While we were slipping our
wine after dinner Capt. Hull came In to visit Law
hn bapf l.ta
beautiful and youthful bride. and sad 'You are an
old fellow, Hull; some Of us will have a chance for
the Shannon is on the coast and may knock your
head OIL, was Hull's reply
In letter from Dusseldorf, In 1867, Mr.. Tayloe
again alludes to this affair:
''It was deep modification to the lamcnted Law
renee that he was not appointed to the Constitution
the Java. heard Capt. Lawrence express his feel
ing and his great contempt for the frgate Chesa-
Reake which we designated as that parcel OF boards
vantage. Hull fruitessly demonstrated against the
chesapeake going out on that day. met him on
the top OF the Exchange looking anxiously."
Some time after the death OF Lawrence George
Crownlnsheld. OF Salem, uncle OF Secretary Endi-
colt, fitted up brig in style OF great elegance,
manned her with crew of thirty captains and
mates, and sailed for Halifax, where he procured
the remains OF Lawrence, which were then inferred
in the graveyard of Trinity Church, New York. Sir
Philip Brokes son, horn In 1913, known as Sir
Broke Middleton, is one OF the richest baronets In
England. "Hs country seat" remarks Mr. Tayloe,
"vies with Blenheim and Chatsworth. one OF the most
beautiful In all England" This estate was be-
queathed to him by one of the Middetons, of the
same lineage with the Middetons OF South Carolina.
Capt. Lawrence left daughter, Miss Mary Law
renee, a lovely, interesting woman, who married
Lieut.. Grimm, of the Navy, and died many years ago.
Lawrence was only thlrty-seven at the time Of his
death, which was more deeply and universally de-
plored than that Of any onicer OF his time.
W. NJ. W.