1 8 Naval War of 1812 



his antagonists. After many ineffectual efforts 

 sail was made. The flying- jib halyards were the 

 only serviceable ropes uncut. That sail was hoisted, 

 and the foretop-sail and foresail let fall, though 

 the want of sheets and tacks rendered them almost 

 useless. Still the Essex drove down on her assail 

 ants, and for the first time got near enough to use 

 her carronades; for a minute or two the firing was 

 tremendous, but after the first broadside the Cherub 

 hauled out of the fight in great haste, and during 

 the remainder of the action confined herself to using 

 her bow-guns from a distance. Immediately after 

 ward the Phoebe also edged off, and by her supe 

 riority of sailing, her foe being now almost helpless, 

 was enabled to choose her own distance, and again 

 opened from her long i8's, out of range of Porter's 

 carronades. 18 The carnage on board the Essex had 

 now made her decks look like shambles. One gun 

 was manned three times, fifteen men being slain at 

 it; its captain alone escaped without a wound. 

 There were but one or two instances of flinching; 

 the wounded, many of whom were killed by flying 



18 American writers often sneer at Hilyar for keeping away 

 from the Essex, and out of reach of her short guns; but his 

 conduct was eminently proper in this respect. It was no 

 part of his duty to fight the Essex at the distance which 

 best suited her ; but, on the contrary, at that which least 

 suited her. He, of course, wished to win the victory with 

 the least possible loss to himself, and acted accordingly. His 

 conduct in the action itself could not be improved upon. 



