1814 War of 1812 newspaper w NAVAL BATTLE report- USS Hornet defeats HMS Peacock

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

1814 War of 1812 newspaper w NAVAL BATTLE report- USS Hornet defeats HMS Peacock:
$45.00

1814 War of 1812 newspaper with a longNAVAL BATTLE report - Warship USS Hornet defeats HMS Peacock

Please visit our store at the link directly below for HUNDREDS of HISTORICAL NEWSPAPERS on sale or at PHOTO-----COMPLETE, ORIGINALNEWSPAPER,theRhode Island American (Providence, RI) dated Mar 23, 1813.

This newspaper contains a long inside page report of a naval victory by the US over the British in the War of 1812. The US warship USS Hornet defeated the British warship HMS Peacock.

The sinking of HMS Peacock was a naval action fought off the mouth of the Demerara River, Guyana on 24 February 1813, between the sloop of war USS Hornet and the Cruizer-class brig sloop HMSPeacock. After an exchange of broadsides, Hornet was able to rake Peacock, forcing her to strike. Peacock was so damaged that she sank shortly after surrendering.

On 24 February, Lawrence pursued a British merchant brig into the mouth of the Demerara River. As evening drew on, Lawrence then noted a British brig sloop, HMSEspiegle, at anchor in the river, and another, the Peacock, approaching from seaward.

Hornet beat to windward and gained the advantage of the windward position. Lawrence then tacked, and as Hornet and Peacock passed each other on opposite tacks they exchanged broadsides at \"half pistol shot\". Even at this close range, the British fire went high. Some American sailors were killed and wounded at the mastheads. Peacock suffered heavy damage to the hull.

Captain Peake of Peacock turned downwind to bring his opposite battery to bear, but Lawrence had carried out the same manoeuvre more rapidly. The starboard bow of the Hornet came up against the stern of the Peacock from where the British could bring no guns to bear, and from this position, Hornet‍ \'s gunners shattered the Peacock in a mere four minutes. Peake was killed, and his First lieutenant surrendered and almost immediately made a distress signal. The British lost 5 men killed and 33 wounded (three mortally); the Americans lost only one man killed and four wounded (one mortally), most to Peacock‍ \'s first broadside.

Both vessels anchored. An American prize crew went aboard the Peacock and tried to plug the holes below the waterline and throw the guns overboard to lighten the brig, but Peacock sank suddenly. Three Americans and nine British sailors were trapped below deck and drowned. Peacock sank in only 33 feet of water, and four British sailors saved themselves by climbing the foremast, the top of which remained above the water. Four others escaped to the shore in a boat in the confusion.

Although Peacock was more lightly armed than Hornet, mounting eighteen 24-pounder carronades to the Hornet‍ \'s eighteen 32-pounder carronades, the overwhelming defeat was more probably due to poor training and lack of practice at the guns. It was said that Captain Peake had concentrated on the appearance of his command rather than its fighting efficiency.

The survivors of the Peacock were taken aboard Hornet, where they joined some other prisoners from captured British merchant vessels. Together with some American sailors from a recaptured prize, Hornet was now carrying 277 people. Hornet made for Martha\'s Vineyard, the nearest point of the American coast known not to be watched by the Royal Navy. Even so, all on board were suffering severely from shortage of water when they arrived on 19 March. The surviving officers of the Peacock nevertheless testified to the generosity of the Hornet‍ \'s crew.

Very good condition. This listing includes thecomplete entire original newspaper, NOT just a clipping or a page of it. STEPHEN A. GOLDMAN HISTORICAL NEWSPAPERS stands behind all of the items that we sell with a no questions asked, money back guarantee. Every item we sell is an original newspaper printed on the date indicated at the beginning of its description. U.S. buyers pay $8 priority mail postage which includes waterproof plastic and a heavy cardboard flat to protect your purchase from damage in the mail. International postage is quoted when we are informed as to where the package is to be sent. We do combine postage (to reduce postage costs) for multiple purchases sent in the same package. We acceptpayment by PAYPAL as well as by CREDIT CARD (Visa and Master Card) through secureon-line . We list hundreds of rare newspapers with dates from 1570 through 2004 on each week and we ship packages twice a week. This is truly SIX CENTURIES OF HISTORY that YOU CAN OWN!

Please check out our constantly updated offerings by doing a seller search by clicking on the address visit our store at:

Stephen A. Goldman Historical Newspapers has been in the business of buying and selling historical newspapers for over 40 years. Dr. Goldman is a consultant to the Freedom Forum Newseum and a member of the American Antiquarian Society. You can buy with confidence from us, knowing that we stand behind all of our historical items with a 100% money back guarantee. Let our 40+ years of experience work for YOU ! We have hundreds of thousands of historical newspapers (and their very early precursers) for sale.