| rdfs:comment | - On 5 September 1813, the USS Enterprise of 16 guns with 102 men sighted HMS Boxer of 14 guns with 66 men off Pemaquid Point, Maine, and closed on the enemy brig. Interestingly, Boxer was in the area having for a fee escorted an American merchantman with Swedish papers from New Brunswick to the Kennebec River. British Captain Samuel Blyth prepared for a fight to the finish, nailing one's flag to the foremast. In the Enterprise, Lieutenant William Burrows demonstrated similar resolve. He moved one of his two long 9-pounders from the bow to a stern port, declaring: " We are going to fight both ends and both sides of this ship as long as the ends and the sides hold together."
|
| abstract | - On 5 September 1813, the USS Enterprise of 16 guns with 102 men sighted HMS Boxer of 14 guns with 66 men off Pemaquid Point, Maine, and closed on the enemy brig. Interestingly, Boxer was in the area having for a fee escorted an American merchantman with Swedish papers from New Brunswick to the Kennebec River. British Captain Samuel Blyth prepared for a fight to the finish, nailing one's flag to the foremast. In the Enterprise, Lieutenant William Burrows demonstrated similar resolve. He moved one of his two long 9-pounders from the bow to a stern port, declaring: " We are going to fight both ends and both sides of this ship as long as the ends and the sides hold together." The two brigs opened fire. Captain Blyth was killed during the initial fusillade, and Captain Burrows suffered a mortal wound moments later. The fierce contest ended in 30 minutes with HMS Boxer in ruins. Command of the Enterprise passed to Lieutenant Edward McCall, while Lieutenant David McGrery assumed command of the battered HMS Boxer. The dying Lieutenant Burrows declined to accept Captain Blyth's sword, directing it be sent to the family of the dead British captain. "I am satisfied, I die contented," Lieutenant Burrows exclaimed. McCall went into nearby Portland, Maine with the two ships and the casualties. A court martial later found that a number of British seamen had deserted their quarters during the action.
|
