Capture of HMS Boxer The capture of HMS " Boxer " in 1813 was a naval battle of the War of 1812 , in which the United States Navy brig USS " Enterprise " defeated the Royal Navy brig HMS " Boxer " . The ship was sold at auction and continued for at least a decade as a merchantman . However , six US Navy ships would eventually carry the name . Battle . On 5 September 1813 , the USS " Enterprise " of 16 guns with 102 men sighted HMS " Boxer " of 14 guns with 66 men off Pemaquid Point , Maine , and closed on the enemy brig . Interestingly , " Boxer " was in the area having for a fee escorted an American merchantman with Swedish papers from New Brunswick to the Kennebec River . British Captain Samuel Blyth prepared for a fight to the finish , nailing one ' s flag to the foremast . In the " Enterprise " , Lieutenant William Burrows demonstrated similar resolve . He moved one of his two long 9 - pounders from the bow to a stern port , declaring : " We are going to fight both ends and both sides of this ship as long as the ends and the sides hold together . " The two brigs opened fire . Captain Blyth was killed during the initial fusillade , and Captain Burrows suffered a mortal wound moments later . The fierce contest ended in 30 minutes with HMS " Boxer " in ruins . Command of the " Enterprise " passed to Lieutenant Edward McCall , while Lieutenant David McGrery assumed command of the battered HMS " Boxer " . The dying Lieutenant Burrows declined to accept Captain Blyth ' s sword , directing it be sent to the family of the dead British captain . " I am satisfied , I die contented , " Lieutenant Burrows exclaimed . McCall went into nearby Portland , Maine with the two ships and the casualties . A court martial later found that a number of British seamen had deserted their quarters during the action . Aftermath . Newspapers in the United States rejoiced in " another brilliant naval victory . " After two days of planning , authorities conducted an impressive state funeral for the two commanders , and they rest side by side in Portland ' s Eastern Cemetery . Next to them is the comparable grave of Lieutenant Kerwin Waters who suffered mortal wounds as a midshipman during the battle but lived for two more years . Quotation . " The commander of Boxer , Captain Samuel Blythe , was killed early in the action by a cannon ball ; had he lived he might have defended his ship more desperately , but it is not probable with more success . He was an officer of distinguished merit ; having received a sword from government for his good conduct under Sir James L . Yeo , in the capture of Cayenne . Blyth was also one of the pall - bearers of our lamented James Lawrence , when buried at Halifax , Nova Scotia . It was his fate now to receive like courtesy at the hands of his enemy . His remains , in company with those of the brave Burrows , were brought to Portland , where they were interred with military honours in Eastern Cemetery . It was a striking and affecting sight , to behold two gallant commanders , who had lately been arrayed in deadly hostility against each other , descending into one quiet grave , there to mingle their dust peacefully together . " This battle was referenced by Longfellow in his poem " My Lost Youth " : " I remember the sea - fight far away , How it thundered o ' er the tide ! And the dead captains , as they lay In their graves , o ' erlooking the tranquil bay Where they in battle died . And the sound of that mournful song Goes through me with a thrill : " A boy ' s will is the wind ' s will , And the thoughts of youth are long , long thoughts . "