Captain Stewart of the USS Constitution had learned Feb. 8, 1815, that the Treaty of Ghent had been signed, but knew that until it was ratified a state of war between the two countries continued. (It was ratified by the U.S. on Feb. 16th and proclaimed Feb. 18th)
The HMS Levant and Cyane attacked but were outgunned and within 30 minutes the Levant withdrew, whereupon the Constitution concentrated her firepower on the Cyane which lost 6 killed and 13 wounded. With five feet of water in the hull and major damage to its masts and rigging, the Cyane was forced to surrender.
A prize crew was put aboard and the Constitution set off in pursuit of the Levant which was also captured.
The Constitution suffered but little damage, but in an after battle report, found that there were 12 British 32-pdr. carronade shells embedded in her hull.
Temporary repairs were made to all three ships.
The prisoners were taken to St. Jago in the Cape Verde Islands and landed there. The three American ships left quickly when British ships were reported on their way.
--Brock-Perry
2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
Battle of New Orleans.
No comments:
Post a Comment