1 86 Naval War of 1812 



so as to bring them to windward ; and every minute, 

 as it blew fresher and fresher, their chances in 

 creased. By dark the Cornwallis was well astern, 

 and during the night the wind kept freshening, 

 blowing in squalls, which just suited the Hornet, 

 and when day broke the liner was hull down astern. 

 Then, on the morning of the 3Oth, after nearly 48 

 hours' chase, she abandoned the pursuit. The Hor 

 net was now of no use as a cruiser, and made 

 sail for New York, which she reached on June Qth. 

 This chase requires almost the same comments as 

 the last chase of the Constitution. In both cases 

 the American captains and their crews deserve 

 the very highest praise for plucky, skilful seaman 

 ship ; but exactly as Stewart's coolness and prompti 

 tude might not have saved the Constitution had 

 it not been for the blunders made by his antagonists, 

 so the Hornet would have assuredly been taken, in 

 spite of Biddle's stubbornness and resource, if the 

 Cornwallis had not shown such unskilful gunnery, 

 which was all the more discreditable since she car 

 ried an admiral's flag. 



The Peacock was thus the only one left of the 

 squadron originally prepared for the East Indies; 

 however, she kept on, went round the Cape of Good 

 Hope, and cruised across the Indian Ocean, cap 

 turing 4 great Indiamen, very valuable prizes, 

 manned by 291 men. Then she entered the Straits 



