294 Naval War of -1812 



abeam of the Wolfe, which was past the centre of 

 the British line, the Americans bore up in succes- 

 sion for their centre. 



The Madison was far back, and so was the Sylph, 

 neither having cast off their tows; so the whole 

 brunt of the action fell on the Pike, Asp, and Tomp- 

 kins. The latter kept up a most gallant and spirited 



ROW CfOSGl 



fire till her foremast was shot away. But already 

 the Pike had shot away the Wolfe's maintopmast 

 and main yard, and inflicted so heavy a loss upon 

 her that Commodore Yeo, not very heroically, put 

 dead before the wind, crowding all the canvas he 

 could on her forward spars, and she ran completely 

 past all her own vessels, who of course crowded sail 



