On the Ocean 225 



nate that he did not receive Broke's letter, as the 

 latter in it expressed himself willing to meet Law 

 rence in any latitude and longitude he might appoint ; 

 and there would thus have been some chance of the 

 American crew having time enough to get into shape. 

 At midday of June I, 1812, the Chesapeake 

 weighed anchor, stood out of Boston Harbor, and 

 at i P.M. rounded the Light-house. The Shannon 

 stood off under easy sail, and at 3.40 hauled up and 

 reefed top-sails. At 4 P.M. she again bore away 

 with her foresail brailed up, and her main top-sail 

 braced flat and shivering, that the Chesapeake might 

 overtake her. An hour later, Boston Light-house 

 bearing west distant about six leagues, she again 

 hauled up, with her head to the southeast, and lay 

 to under top-sail, top-gallant sails, jib, and spanker. 

 Meanwhile, as the breeze freshened the Chesapeake 

 took in her studding-sails, top-gallant sails, and roy 

 als, got her royal yards on deck, and came down very 

 fast under top-sails and jib. At 5.30, to keep under 

 command and be able to wear if necessary, the 

 Shannon filled her main top-sail and kept a close 

 luff, and then again let the sail shiver. At 5.25 

 the Chesapeake hauled up her foresail, and with 



our deck. ... I am in hopes to give a good account of her 

 before night." My account of the action is mainly taken 

 from James' "Naval History" and Brighton's "Memoir of 

 Admiral Broke" (according to which the official letter of 

 Captain Broke was tampered with) ; see also the letter of 

 Lieut. George Budd, June 15, 1813; the report of the Court 

 of Inquiry, Commodore Bainbridge presiding, and the court- 

 martial held on board frigate United Slates, April 15, 1814, 

 Commodore Decatur presiding. 



