War of 1812 Veterans Buried at Eastern Cemetery in Portland, Maine-- Part 1

From Spirits Alive Veterans.

**  Lt. Joseph Baker  Died  July 20, 18__.

**  Col. Thomas Baker   Died September  5, 1838.

**  Private Joseph  Barbour (two Stones)  Died 30 May 1854 at age 78.

**  John Bean  Nichols Regt. War of 1812 1782 to 1822.

**  Corp. Joseph Berry, Massachusetts  Militia War of 1812  1792 to 1871.

**  William B, Berry  Father William.  Died May 28, 1863.   Age at death 73.

**  Captain Samuel Blyth, British.  I have already written about him.  Click on his label.

**  Major Joseph Cotton Boyd   Dist. paymaster, US Army, War of 1812.  1760 to My 12, 1823.  First Maine state treasurer.

**  Pvt  Andrew Bradberry   Mass militia 1780 to 1852

--Brock-Perry

HMS Boxer (1812)-- Part 3: The Battle and Deaths

On 5 September 1812, the HMS Boxer met the brig USS Enterprise under Lieutenant William Burrows.  Blyth nailed his colors colors to the mast and died in the first broadside.  That same broadside dismasted the Boxer, but the ship, under new command, continued to fight for half an hour before surrendering.

The Enterprise carried two more guns and could fire a heavier broadside and had almost twice the number of men.  Regardless of the advantages the Enterprise had, the key factor in the American victory was the dismasting of the Boxer.  The British ship could not maneuver and the Enterprise was able to rake her at will.

Furthermore, a British court martial found that several sailors had deserted their stations during the battle.

Blyth was buried with military honors in Portland, Maine, (the battle was fought off this port) and was next to the American commander who was also killed in the battle.

The surviving officers placed a tombstone over Blyth's grave.  At the time of his death, Blyth was 29 years old and his counterpart, William Burrows was 28.

--Brock-Perry

HMS Boxer (1812)-- Part 2: A Man of Chivalry, That Samuel Blyth

Commander George Rose Sartorius commissioned her in August 1812.    R. Coote may have commanded her before Commander Samuel Blyth took command in  September.  On 17 April 1813, she sailed for Halifax and service in the squadron of Sir John Borlase  Warren.

In Halifax, Blyth added two extra carronades to her armament.

While coming down from New Brunswick and off the coast of Lubec, Maine, Blyth sighted and captured a small sailing craft crewed by a group of women out for a sail.  He brought the women aboard and politely suggested that in the future they should sail closer to shore and then released them.

One of the women was married to a local militia commander who, impressed with Blyth's courtesy, placed  advertisements in local newspapers praising his chivalry.

Over the next two months (6 July to 31 August), the Boxer captured seven American ships.

--Brock-Perry

Book About the Battle Between the USS Enterprise and HMS Boxer-- Part 1

I came across a book by David Hanna titled "Knights of the Sea:  The True Story of the Boxer and  the Enterprise and the War of 1812."

It is available at Amazon for $11.50 with $2.99 shipping.

Here's what it says about the book:

On a September day in 1813, the Age of Fighting Sail was coming to an end, two maritime warriors faced each other in the waters off Pemaquid Point, Maine....

"Samuel Blyth was the youthful commander of His Majesty's brig Boxer, and William Burrows, younger still, commanded the USS Enterprise.  Both men valued honor over life and death, and on this day their commitment would be put to the ultimate test."

I may have to break down and buy a copy of this book, especially since I have been writing so much about it of late.

--Brock-Perry

Who Was Kervin Waters?-- Part 1

Three War of 1812 naval officers are buried at Portland, Maine's Eastern Cemetery.  Two are American officers, one a British officer.  The Americans are William Burrows and Kervin Waters.  Samuel Blyth is the British officer,  Burrows commanded the brig USS Enterprise when it engaged the brig HMS Boxer on September 5, 1813, off Portland, Maine.  The American ship was victorious, but,, both commanders died as a result of the fight.  All sources I have read say that Waters was mortally wounded, but didn't die until two years later.

According to the list of U.S. Navy and USMC officers 1798 to 1900:

WILLIAM BURROWS

Midshipman:  10 November 1799

Lieutenant:  19 March 1807

Killed in action:   5 September 1813

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There is a  Kirven Waters listed  as well:

Midshipman:   1 September 1811

Lieutenant:   30 June 1814

Died of wounds received in action 26 September  1815.  I'm taking it that those wounds were received in 1813 at the battle of the Boxer and Enterprise.

Most likely a spelling error on his first name.  Was he promoted to lieutenant while still mortally wounded?

So, Who Is Kervin Waters?  --Brock-Perry

Inscription on Capt. Samuel Blyth's Grave

CAPTAIN SAMUEL BLYTH

In memory of Captain Samuel Blyth

Late commander of His Britannic Majesty's  Brig Boxer.

He notably fell on the  5th day of September 1813.

In action with the U.S. Brig Enterprise.

In life honorable! In death glorious!

His country will long deplore  one of her bravest sons

His friends long lament one of the best men.

AEt. 29

The surviving officers of his crew offer this feeble tribute if admiration and  respect.

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Quite a tribute to a fallen foe.

--Brock-Perry

Some More on the HMS Boxer and USS Enterprise-- Part 2: The Battle and Burials

When the two brigs opened fire, Samuel Blyth exclaimed, "Great God, what shots!" an instant before he was  killed in the first shots of the battle.  Moments later, while helping his crew run out a carronade, a musket ball tore through Burrows' thigh, a fatal wound, but he stayed on deck.

The fierce contest ended in 30 minutes.  Command of the Enterprise devolved to Lieutenant Edward McCall.  (I have been writing about him this last week in my Cooter's History Thing blog about the USS McCall (DD-28) named after him.  I will also be writing about the second USS McCall (DD-400) in my Tattooed on Your Soul:  World War II blog this week.)

While, on board the HMS Boxer, Lieutenant  David McGrery had assumed command of that badly cripple ship.  Towards that end, he described his new command as a complete wreck, with three feet of water in the hold.  The flags on the mainmast had been shot away, but the colors that had been nailed to the foremast were still there.

McGery surrendered the Boxer and was towed to Portland by the Enterprise.

Newspapers in the United States rejoiced  in "another brilliant naval victory."  

After two days of planning in Portland, an impressive state funeral was held for the two commanders, who were buried side-by-side in Portland's Eastern Cemetery.  They remain there to this day.

--Brock-Perry

Some More on the HMS Boxer-USS Enterprise Battle

From the Naval History and Heritage Command.  "USS Enterprise vs. HMS Boxer."

This is a battle most people do not know, including myself before recently.  It was quite a battle, involving essentially two equal ships and very good and brave commanders.

On September 5, 1813,  the USS Enterprise spotted the HMS Boxer off Pemaquid Point, Maine.  After six hours of maneuvering, the ship battle commenced.  British commander Samuel Blyth prepared for a fight to the finish.  He ordered a Union Jack nailed  to the foremast and two on the main mast.

On the Enterprise, Lt. William Burrows moved one of his two long 9-pounder cannons from the bow to the stern port.

When the fighting began, the two ships were eight miles southeast of Seguin.

--Brock-Perry

Commemorating 200th Anniversary of Boxer-Enterprise Battle Back in 2013-- Part 2

SEPTEMBER 5

Sunset tours of Portland Observatory, Thursday Sept. 5 from 5 to 8 pm  From here, Captain Lemuel saw the Enterprise towing the Boxer into port after the battle. Moody

SEPTEMBER 5

Boxer & Enterprise Lecture with Herb Adams  Thursday Sept. 5 7 to 9 pm.

SEPTEMBER 6

First Friday, Thundered Over the Tide Exhibit opening  Friday, Sept. 6, 5 to 8 pm.  Maine Historical Society hosts exhibit with objects and documents related to the naval battle  and the joint funeral procession which followed.  The exhibit, taking its name from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "My  Lost Youth."

SEPTEMBER 7

Eastern Cemetery Tours  Saturday, Sept. 7, 10:30 am.  The burial ground, dating back to 1668, is steeped in Portland's history and is the final resting places of both Capt. Burrows and Capt. Blyth.  Learn about the history of the cemetery, types of stones, mortuary art and the lives of those  interred here.

--Brock-Perry

Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Enterprise-Boxer Battle-- Part 1

Continued from the Maine Historical Society.

To commemorate the bicentennial of this historic battle,  the Maine Historical Society on conjunction with Portland Landmarks, Spirit Alive and the City of Portland will host a series of events starting Tuesday , September 3, 2013, through Saturday, September 7.  

In addition to the exhibit, "Thundered Over Tide:  200th Anniversary of the Battle of  the Boxer & the Enterprise," will be exhibited at MHS from August 31st through October 25, 2013.

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PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 3

The Navy in the War of 1812:  A Dual  Book Talk: on  September 3 from noon to 1 pm.  Authors  George Daughan "1812:  The Navy's War" and George Emery "In Their Own Words:  The Navy Fights the War of 1812" will discuss their books in context with the Battle Between the Boxer and Enterprise.

SEPTEMBER 4

The War of 1812 Historian's Round Table Wednesday, September 4 from 6 to 8 pm.

SEPTEMBER 5

Graveside Memorial Service Honoring Capt. Burrows, Capt. Blyth and Lt.  Kervin Waters on Thursday, September 5 at Eastern Cemetery, Portland.

And, More to Come.  --Brock-Perry

Battle of the Enterprise and Boxer: Their Captains Both Killed, Buried Next to Each Other in Portland

From the Maine Historical Society "200th anniversary  of the Battle  of the Boxer & the Enterprise"

On September 5, 1813,  the HMS Boxer and USS Enterprise engaged in a naval battle off the coast of Monhegan, Maine, during the War of 1812.  This battle between two fairly evenly matched ships embodied a level of honor and respect not seen in modern warfare.

Both Captain William Burrows of the USS Enterprise and Capt. Samuel Blyth of the HMS Boxer were struck down early in the fighting and neither survived this legendary battle.  After a grueling exchange, the Boxer was forced to surrender and the Enterprise towed  her prize into Portland, Maine, as witnessed by Captain Lemuel Moody from the Portland Observatory on Munjoy Hill.

The City of Portland paid its respects not only for the fallen Capt. Burrows, but also to the much respected Capt. Blyth, with a joint procession through the city, ending with a side-by-side burial at Portland's Eastern Cemetery.

--Brock-Perry

Battle Between USS Enterprise and HMS Boxer-- Part 2: Both Commanders Died

The two ships finally met off Monhegan, where spectators from the local area had flocked to the shoreline to watch.  Within very close range, the two ships opened fire.  Captain Blyth of the HMS Boxer was killed  when an 18-pounder shot cut him in half.

Just minutes later, Burrows was hit by a canister that tore through his leg and lodged in his groin.  He refused to be carried below until the battle was over and the Boxer had surrendered.

For half an hour, the two ships pounded each other until their masts were broken and hanging overboard and their rigging was shot away.

As the Enterprise was maneuvering for  a killing rake,  the surviving lieutenant on the Boxer, unable to strike the colors because they were nailed to the mast, hailed the Enterprise and said he was striking the colors.

Only the HMS Boxer's quarterdeck guns were still manned (under the direction of the purser).  When offered Blyth's sword, Burrows declined it and requested that it be sent to the dead man's family.  He died a short time later and command of the Enterprise was handed over to Lt. Edward McCall who took the two battered ships and their complement of dead and wounded into nearby Portland, Maine.

Quite the Battle.  --Brock-Perry

Battle Between USS Enterprise and HMS Boxer-- Part 1

From the Mariners' Museum and Park site.

A Commemorative Medal Replica.

The obverse features a right-facing head and shoulders bust of the lieutenant.

On the morning of September 5,  1813, as the USS Enterprise approached Pemaquid Point on the coast of Maine, Lt. William Burroughs spotted the Royal Navy's brig HMS Boxer in the bay.  Upon spotting the Enterprise, the Boxer fired her guns to summon her shore parties back on board.

Quickly weighing anchor, the Boxer headed for the Enterprise.  The two brigs were fairly evenly matched, with the Enterprise slightly stronger having  fourteen 18-pounder carronades to the Boxer's ten.  As the two ships maneuvered towards each other, the Boxer's Captain, Samuel Blyth, had the ship's colors nailed to the mast and said that they would "never be struck" while he was still alive.

Lt. Burroughs on the Enterprise meanwhile was busy moving his two  long 9-pound3ers from the bow to the stern, saying "we are going to fight both ends and both sides of the ship as long as the ends and sides hold together."

Brock-Perry