eagues. Previously to
giving up the chase, I discovered a vessel at anchor without the
bar, with English colours flying, apparently a brig of war. In
beating round Corobano bank, in order to get at her, at half past
3 P.M. I discovered another sail on my weather quarter edging
down for us. At 4.20 minutes she hoisted English colours, at
which time we discovered her to be a large man-of-war brig; beat
to quarters, and cleared ship for action; kept close by the wind,
in order, if possible, to get to the weather gage. At 5.10
minutes, finding I could weather the enemy, I hoisted American
colours, and tacked. At 5.20 minutes, in passing each other,
exchanged broadsides within half pistol shot. Observing the enemy
in the act of wearing, I bore up, received his starboard
broadside, ran him close on board on the starboard quarter, and
kept up such a heavy and well directed fire, that in less than
fifteen minutes he surrendered, being literally cut to pieces,
and hoisted an ensign, union down, from his fore-rigging, as a
signal of distress. Shortly after, his main-mast went by the
board; dispatched Lieutenant Shubrick on board, who soon returned
with her first lieutenant, who reported her to be His Britannic
Majesty's late brig Peacock, commanded by Captain William Peake,
who fell in the latter part of the action; that a number of her
crew were killed and wounded, and that she was sinking fast,
having then six feet of water in her hold; dispatched the boats
immediately for the wounded, and brought both vessels to anchor.
Such shot-holes as could be got at were then plugged, her guns
thrown overboard, and every possible exertion used to keep her
afloat, until the prisoners could be removed, by pumping and
bailing, but without effect, and she unfortunately sunk in five
and a half fathoms water, carrying down thirteen of her crew and
three of my brave fellows, viz.: John Hart, Joseph Williams, and
Hannibal Boyd. Lieutenant Conner, Midshipman Cooper, and the
remainder of the Hornet's crew, employed in removing the
prisoners, with difficulty saved themselves by jumping in a boat
that was lying on her bows as she went down. Four men, of the
thirteen mentioned, were so fortunate as to gain the fore-top,
and were afterwards taken off by the boats. Previous to