i88 Naval War of 1812 



on the starboard side completely shivered from aft 

 to the forechains, the bulwarks from the chess-tree 

 aft much torn, and the rigging cut to pieces. 82 The 

 Peacock did not suffer the slightest loss or damage. 

 Regarding the affair purely as a conflict between 

 vessels of nations at war with each other, the criti 

 cism made by Lord Douglas on the action between 

 the President and Little Belt applies here perfectly. 

 "If a vessel meet an enemy of even greatly superior 

 force, it is due to the honor of her flag to try the 

 effect of a few rounds; but unless in this gallant 

 attempt she leave marks of her skill upon the larger 

 body, while she, the smaller body, is hit at every 

 discharge, she does but salute her enemy's triumph 

 and discredit her own gunnery." 83 There could 

 not have been a more satisfactory exhibition of skill 

 than that given by Captain Warrington; but I re 

 gret to say that it is difficult to believe he acted 

 with proper humanity. It seems impossible that 

 Mr. Bartlett did not mention that peace had been 

 signed; and when the opposing force was so much 

 less than his own it would have been safe at least 

 to defer the order "haul down your flag" for a short 

 time, while he could have kept the brig within half 

 pistol-shot, until he could have inquired into the 



89 Letter of Lieut. Boyce to Company's Marine Board as 

 quoted by Low. 

 ss "Naval Gunnery," p. 3. 



