The Indianapolis journal., 1896-05-17
NOW AN ENGLISH MILL.
Inwrence's Frigate, the Chesnpeakes
Stands I'm Wickham, Hants.
Washington Post.

washington POST.
In the spring of 1913 the Chesapeake was
ordered to Boston, and Captain James Law
renee put in command. Previous TO this
Lawrence had proved himself on efficient
officer while in command Of several frigates-
About the last of May the British frigate
Shannon, Captain Brooke. appeared ct
anchor at the outlet of the bay, evidently
inviting an attack; in fact. Captain Brooke
sent a challenge to Lawrence TO meet him
In mortal combat Prompted by the ardor
promptly accepted the challenge without
sufficiently examining his strength. With a
new and inexperienced crew, he weighed
The Shannon, observing the Chesapeake
approaching. Immediately prepared for ac-
% ton on June L isS. the ships ENGAGED.
killed or wounded many of the Chesapeake'h
most prominent officers; the sailing mastek
was instantly killed, and Lieutenant Balls
lard, Lieutenant Brown and Captain Law
renee severely wounded at the same time.
A second and third broadside, besides add
ing to the destruction Of her officers. so
disabled the Chesapeake in her rigging .hat
her quarter deck fell on the Shannons
anchor. This accident may be considered
as deciding the contest; an opportunity was
given the enemy 10 rake the Chesapeake
and finally 10 board her.
Captain Lawrence, though severely
wounded, still kept on deck In the act OF
summoning the boarders musket ball en-
tered his body and brought him down. AZ
he was carried below he issued that last
heroic order: Don't give up the ship." But
II was too late to retrieve what was lost:
the shannon sailors leaped, zoo strong, on
board the vessel. and after short but
bloody struggle raised the enemy's flag.
The Chesapeake was taken TO England.
and in 1870 her timber was sold TO John
Prior, miller OF Wickham. Hants. Mr.,
Prior pulled down his old mill and erected
on the spot new one from the Chesapeake
timbers, which ne found admirably adapted
| for the purpose. The deck beams were thirs
| ty-two feet long and eighteen inches square.
of sound old Virginia oak, and were placed.
unaltered. horizontally In his mill. The pur-
| lins Of the deck were about twelve feet long,
| and served without alterations for joists.
| Many OF the timbers still bear the marks
| of the Shannon's grapeshot, and in some
| places the balls are deeply embedded In the
| pitch pine. The transformation OF SAN
| culinary warshp into a peaceful and lfe-
| preserving -four mill more than fills that
| Scriptural prophecy OF the sword beaten into
a plowshare and spear into Q pruning
| hook.
The Rev. DR.. Brighton visited this famous
mill few years ago, and gives the follow
| ing description OF L.: Nothing shiplike OF
| mill. A handsome young Eng,ishman OF
| eight and twenty years OF age was coming
| forth to join his cricket club, and this proved
| 10 be the owner OF the Chesapeake MIL A
| large cigar box, constructed from the pol
| isaed pine OF the old snip. and bearing the
| inscription of Chesapeake in small brass
| nails, stood upon the table. The beams were
| marked in many places with grapeshot. The
| the midst OF this peaceful scene i remem-
| bered that beyond all reasonable doubt on
| one of these planks Lawrence fell In the
| reeking anguish OF his mortal wounds: on
| carried away by a shot. while nearby the
| young AMI brave Ludlow poured out his life's
| blood. Thus / stood pondering. and still the
busy hum went on; I wnea. al PAs.1hs ,b Denea.n @
| ~ millers passed around their kindly smile
| and blithesomc jests-