Dueling Frigates-- Part 3: It's the HMS Shannon vs. USS Chesapeake

Two broadsides were exchanged between the two ships.  When the two ships became entangles, Broke order his men to board the Chesapeake.  What ended was a huge loss for the Americans.  With more than a third of her crew killed or wounded and its commander, James Lawrence mortally wounded and taken below for treatment, the ship struck her colors just 15 minutes after the engagement had begun.

Captain Lawrence reportedly uttered these famous words as he was being taken below, "Don't Give Up the Ship."

The Chesapeake became the first American frigate lost during the war

--Brock-Perry.