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
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