100 TlMEHRl. 



this time took charge of the Peacock and continued the 

 fight most gallantly. With her rigging all cut away, 

 with her Commander and five other men killed, and her 

 master, one midshipman, the captain's clerk, che carpen- 

 ter, and twenty-seven men wounded, and with. five feet 

 of water in the hold and the ship sinking, there was no 

 duty remaining unfulfilled, and her brave company could 

 onlv yield to the enemy. Anxious not to destroy life un- 

 necessarily, Captain LAWRENCE exposed himself to the 

 risk of being shot down in trying to ascertain whether the 

 Peacock had yielded. He had not long to wait. At about 

 ten minutes to six o'clock the English ensign, union down, 

 appeared at her fore rigging. But a few minutes after, her 

 main mast went by the board. Lieutenant SHUBRICK was 

 now sent on board. He soon returned with Lieutenant 

 WRIGHT, who reported that the Peacock had six feet of 

 water in her hold, and was fast sinking. It was now 

 dark. The Hornet's boats were at once sent off under 

 Lieutenant CONNOR and Midshipman COOPER for the 

 wounded. Then both ships were brought to an anchor. 

 As the ship was now steadily settling down, every exer- 

 tion was made to keep her afloat until her crew could be 

 got off. Pumping and bailing proved useless. Her guns 

 were thrown overboard. Such shot holes as could be 

 got at were plugged. It was all in vain. When the 

 wounded had been got out. there were eight feet of water 

 in the ship's hold. Lieutenant CONNOR now hailed to 

 to the Hornet that the Peacock was sinking. Apparently, 

 he was not heard, as no answer came. All on board 

 now shifted for themselves. Many got into the boats, 

 but, as the ship went down, she carried thirteen English 

 and three Americans with her. The three Americans 



