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Freeman's Chronicle
Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio
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The U.S. frigate Chesapeake was captured by the British frigate Shannon on June 1, 1813, off Boston after an explosion aboard the Chesapeake during close-quarters combat, despite the bravery of Capt. Lawrence and crew.
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THE FRIGATE CHESAPEAKE
TAKEN!
Copy of a letter from Commodore Wm. Bainbridge, now at Boston, to the Secretary of the Navy.
Navy Yard, Charleston Mass.
2 June, 1813.
SIR,
It has become my painful duty, as commanding officer on this station, to convey to you the unpleasant intelligence of the capture of the frigate Chesapeake, by the British frigate Shannon. The particulars of this unfortunate occurrence are, from what I have been able to collect, as follows:
Yesterday forenoon, the frigate Shannon appeared in the bay, full in sight from the harbor. At meridian, the Chesapeake got under way from President Roads, and stood out with a fair wind, Mr. Knox, the pilot on board, left her at 5 P. M. the light house bearing W. half N. distance 6 leagues, the Shannon then in sight, & the Chesapeake, prepared for action, standing for her. At 6 P. M. Mr. Knox informs, the Chesapeake opened a fire which was returned; and at 12 minutes past 6, both ships were laying along side of each other as if in the act of boarding; at that moment an explosion took place on board the Chesapeake, which spread a fire on her upper deck from the foremast to the mizen mast, apparently as high as her tops, and enveloped both ships in smoke for several minutes. After the smoke cleared away, they were seen separated, with the British colors hoisted on board the Chesapeake over the American, both ships standing to the eastward. The well proved courage and skill of Capt. Lawrence and the bravery of the officers and crew, justify a full belief that the loss of the Chesapeake has been entirely owing to some fortuitous event happening on board of her, and not to any superiority of skill or bravery in the enemy. But should they improperly impute it to the latter, they will find it necessary to give more than one solitary instance to convince our officers and brave tars, that they are superior. We have lost one frigate, but, in losing her, I am confident we have lost no reputation.
I have the honor to be, sir, with the greatest respect, your most obedient servant,
WM. BAINBRIDGE.
Hon. Wm. Jones, Esq.
Secretary of the Navy,
Washington City.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Boston Harbor
Event Date
1 June 1813
Key Persons
Outcome
capture of the frigate chesapeake by the british frigate shannon following an explosion and fire on board the chesapeake; british colors hoisted over american on the chesapeake.
Event Details
The British frigate Shannon appeared in the bay near Boston. The Chesapeake sailed out to engage her. At 6 P.M., the Chesapeake opened fire, which was returned. By 6:12 P.M., the ships were alongside as if boarding when an explosion occurred on the Chesapeake, spreading fire and smoke. After clearing, the ships separated with the Chesapeake under British colors, both heading eastward. The loss attributed to a fortuitous event, not enemy superiority.