The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-10
A STURDY OLD SAILOR.
Centenary Celebration of Sir Provo
William Parry Wallis, Senior
British Admiral.
lieutenant on the Shannon When
She Conquered the Chesa-
peake in 1913.
The Only Survivor of That Famous Fight.
in Which He Won His First
Command.

April ~ was the one hundredth anniver-
gary OF the birth of Sir Provo William
Parry Wallis, G. C. b., senior admiral of
the British navy, and the sturdy old sailor
received the congratulations of hosts of
friends. An event in which he took an
an important part in the first wears of the
century is we'll known to Americans.
I About noon on the first day o fJune. 1913,
q. NJ. s. Shannon, a forty-four gun frigate,
commanded by Capt. Broke, r. n, was
gently splashing the blue waters of Boston
bay before her bows, as with yards squared
before a soft summer breezs she slowly
bore in toward Boston lighthouse. For
some weeks sne had been cruising in those
waters watching the entrance OF
Boston harhor in the hope of intercepting
the United States frigate Chesapeake, lying
there for repairs; and that morning, hear
ing that the American ship was ready for
sea, Capt. Broke had sent a letter to Capt.
Lawrence, challenging his frigute to q com
tbat for the honor of their respective flags.
IAs the Shannon slowly drew nearer to the
3harbor the lookout in her foretop was able
to distinguish the tall spars of the Chosa-
+ peake from among the other shipping. II
2 was a bright Jun day, such as is common
along the New England coast, and soon the
Chesapeake's white topsails futtered in the
sunlight, and the quivering mass of can.
vas quickly assumed the form of sails as
the Yankee tars ''sheoted home" Captain
Broke, seeing that his rival was putting tc
sea, spoke to his first lieutenant. Some
shrill orders were given, the helm of the
shannon unQ INIT t1-Iap y 4Ia ,-gnel.,
braces were let go, the canvas shiyered ant
gro4ned as lively British Jacks hauled tau
the lee braces, and the Shannou's cours,
was altered several points nearer the wind,
Soon the Chesapeake bore out of the hnr
Dor. followed by II tlotilla OF pleasure craft
and as the Yankee ensign tiuttered III tn
breeze, the Shaanon's drums beat to quar-
terS. There was a scurryinp of MANY fec
as the crew rushed to their positions: tn
ports and magazines were opened, the sur
geon prepared the cockpit to receive til
wounded, shot was passed up from Tia
lockers, and the decks were cleared for az
ton. For four hours the tive ships man
cuvered for position, occasionally exchanG
ing q shot, nnd then the death struggle be
gan. The Shannon's guns thundefed, an
were nswered by her rival. Betw en- til
deafsning boom of cannon could be hear
the creak of corcage, spllnterlng OF woOt
n the groans of dying sailors. The a
was dark with smoke, the bright sand u
the decks was splattered with crilnso
stains; hoarse orders were shouted, an
grimy men barred to the waist rammed HON
shot to the Shannon's guns, as broadsid
replied to broadside. Finally there came
lull. Through the smoke the black sid
of the Chesapeake were seen on the ShaI
mons quarter. The two ships drIfted t,
gether and wee bound fast by rraVpliu
irons. The Americana retreated to IN
70 e-hateh Of their ship, and Capt. Brok.
followed by some thirty OF his crew, leape
aboard the Chesapeake. Cutting their WI
With cutlasses the British pressed the Anne.