Through the Ranks With William Burrows and Kirven Waters

From the U.S.  Naval History and Heritage Command "Navy Officers:  1798-1900.

WILLIAM BURROWS

Midshipman:   10 November 1799

Lieutenant:  19 March 1807

Killed in Action:   5 September 1813  Action between USS Enterprise and HMS Boxer.

******************************

KIRVEN WATERS

Midshipman:

Lieutenant:

Died of Wounds received in Action 26 September 1815.  He received the wounds the same day that his commander, William Burrows died, 5 September 1813, so lived with his mortal wounds for two years.

*******************************

Edward R. McCall's rise through the ranks was given on December 22, 2021.

--Brock-Perry

Who Was Kervin Waters?-- Part 3: Lived Two Years Mortally Wounded

From Up the Woods site "A triple grave Eastern Cemetery, Portland, Maine.

Two years later (after the burials of Blyth and Burrows, a third grave was opened, and a teenaged midshipman who had been one of the Enterprise's ten wounded, was buried next to the ship's commander, Kervin Waters,

He had been to grievously wounded in the battle to continue his naval service.  Never to recover,  he suffered in considerable distress for two years before succumbing to his wounds.

***********************************

On September 7, 1813, Lt. EDWARD McCALL reported in his after action report that Midshipman Kervin Waters was mortally wounded.

--Brock-Perry

Who Was Kervin Waters?-- Part 2: Born in Georgetown

Continued from January 8.

I have already written that he was native of Georgetown (near Washington, D.C.), and that he had been injured in the battle but not died until two years later.  During those two years, he was in great pain, but persevered stoically according to accounts.

From Find A Grave.

Lieut, Kervin Waters

BIRTH:  1797  Georgetown, District of Columbia

DEATH:  25 September 1815, aged 17-18

BURIAL:   Eastern Cemetery, Portland, Maine.  Section 8, Grave 9.

--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

**************************************

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 of Grave of Lt. Kervin Waters

The Eastern Cemetery in Portland, Maine, is unique for the fact that it has the graves of two officers who fought their ships against each other during wartime and both died in that battle.  It also has a third grave for an American officer, Lt. Kervin Waters,  who was mortally wounded at that battle, but didn't die until two years later.  He was placed next to the other two.

His inscription reads:

LIEUTENANT KERVIN WATERS

Beneath this stone by the side of his gallant  commander rests the remains of Lieutenant Kervin Waters.

A native of Georgetown, District of Columbia,  who received a mortal wound, September 5, 1813,  while a midshipman aboard the U.S. Enterprise 

In action with his B.M. Brig Boxer which terminated in the capture of the latter.

He languished in severe pain which he endured with fortitude until

September 25, 1815 when he died with Christian calmness of resignation

Aged 18

The young men of Portland erect this stone as a testimony to their respect for his valor and virtues.

--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.

*******************************************

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