Concluding Operations 169 



scantling of the smaller ships was, of course, by no 

 means as stout as that of the frigate, so that the 

 disparity of force was much greater than the figures 

 would indicate, although not enough to account for 

 the difference in loss. Both the British ships were 

 ably handled, their fire was well directed, and the 

 Levant in especial was very gallantly fought. 



As regards the Constitution, "her manoeuvring 

 was as brilliant as any recorded in naval annals," 

 and it would have been simply impossible to surpass 

 the consummate skill with which she was handled 

 in the smoke, always keeping her antagonists to 

 leeward, and, while raking both of them, not being 

 once raked herself. The firing was excellent, con 

 sidering the short time the ships were actually en 

 gaged, and the fact that it was at night. Altogether 

 the fight reflected the greatest credit on her, and 

 also on her adversaries. 63 



M There is no British official account of the action. James 

 states that the entire British force was only 302 men of 

 whom 12 were killed and 29 wounded. This is probably not 

 based on any authority. Captain Stewart received on board 

 301 prisoners, of whom 42 were wounded, several mortally. 

 Curiously enough, James also underestimates the American 

 loss, making it only 12. He also says that many attempts 

 were made by the Americans to induce the captured British 

 to desert, while the Constitution's officers deny this under 

 oath, before Justice Welsh, as already quoted, and state that, 

 on the contrary, many of the prisoners offered to enlist on 

 the frigate, but were all refused permission as "the loss of 

 the Chesapeake had taught us the danger of having rene 

 gades aboard." This denial, by the way, holds good for all 

 VOL. X. H 



