On the Ocean 257 



first-named, the British were victorious, and in the 

 other three the Americans. 



Comparative Comparative Per cent. 

 Force. Loss Inflicted. Low. 



.06 

 *3 

 .02 



i 



.02 



33 

 .01 



.20 



It is thus seen that in these sloop actions the 

 superiority of the force on the side of the victor was 

 each time about the same. The Argus made a much 

 more effectual resistance than did either the Peacock, 

 Avon, or Epervicr, while the Pelican did her work in 

 poorer form than either of the victorious American 

 sloops ; and, on the other hand, the resistance of the 

 Argus did not by any means show as much bravery 

 as was shown in the defence of the Peacock or Avon, 

 although rather more than in the case of the 

 Epcrvier. 



This is the only action of the war where it is 

 almost impossible to find out the cause of the inferi- 

 ority of the beaten crew. In almost all other cases 

 we find that one crew had been carefully drilled, and 

 so proved superior to a less-trained antagonist; but 

 it is incredible that the man, to whose exertions 

 when first lieutenant of the States Commodore De- 

 catur ascribes the skilfulness of that ship's men, 

 should have neglected to train his own crew; and 

 this had the reputation of being composed of a fine 



