42 Naval War of 1812 



to proceed to St. Mary's, while he separated and 

 made sail on a wind to the south, intending to draw 

 the frigates after him, as he was confident that the 

 Peacock, a very fast vessel, could outsail them. 3 * 

 The plan succeeded perfectly, the brig reaching Sa 

 vannah on the first of May, and the ship three days 

 afterward. The Epervier was purchased for the 

 U. S. navy, under the same name and rate. The 

 Peacock sailed again on June 4th, 34 going first 

 northward to the Grand Banks, then to the Azores : 

 then she stationed herself in the mouth of the Irish 

 Channel, and afterward cruised off Cork, the mouth 

 of the Shannon, and the north of Ireland, capturing 

 several very valuable prizes and creating great con 

 sternation. She then changed her station, to elude 

 the numerous vessels that had been sent after her, 

 and sailed southward, off Cape Ortegal, Cape Finis- 

 terre, and finally among the Barbadoes, reaching 

 New York, Oct. 29th. During this cruise she en 

 countered no war vessel smaller than a frigate ; but 

 captured 14 sail of merchant-men, some containing 

 valuable cargoes, and manned by 148 men. 



On April 29th, H.M.S. schooner Ballahou, 6, 

 Lieut. King, while cruising off the American coast 

 was captured by the Perry, privateer, a much heav 

 ier vessel, after an action of 10 minutes' duration. 



33 Letter of Captain Warrington, May 4, 1814. 



34 Ibid., October 30, 1814. 



