64 Naval War of 1812 



to this fatal circumstance only." It certainly can 

 not be said when a brig has been dismasted, has 

 had a third of her crew placed hors de combat, and 

 has been rendered an unmanageable hulk, that she 

 yields only because she has received a few shot be 

 low the water-line. These shot-holes undoubtedly 

 hastened the result, but both the Peacock and the 

 Avon would have surrendered even if they had re 

 mained absolutely water-tight. 



The Adams, 28, had been cut down to a sloop of 

 war at Washington, and then lengthened into a 

 flush-decked, heavy corvette, mounting on each side 

 13 medium i8's, or columbiads, and i long 12, with 

 a crew of 220 men, under the command of Capt. 

 Charles Morris, late first lieut. of the Constitution. 5 * 

 She slipped out of the Potomac and past the block- 

 aders on Jan. i8th, and cruised eastward to the 

 African coast and along it from Cape Mount to 

 Cape Palmas, thence to the Canaries and Cape de 

 Verd. She returned very nearly along the Equator, 

 thence going toward the West Indies. The cruise 

 was unlucky, but a few small prizes, laden with palm- 

 oil and ivory, being made. In hazy weather, on 

 March 25th, a large Indiaman (the Woodbridge) 

 was captured; but while taking possession the 

 weather cleared up, and Capt. Morris found himself 

 to leeward of 25 sail, two of which, a two-decker 



