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the brave General Pike, who died on Chauncey's ship with the flag of his country under his head. Chauncey soon afterward made the enemy at Kingston very circumspect in the presence of his fleet, and then sailed westward to co-opcrate in an attack on Fort George at the mouth of the Niagara River. In that successful movement Chauncey gallantly assisted. The British immediately evacnated the whole Niagara frontier.

While Chauncey was in the west, Yeo, with a land and naval force, appeared off Sackett's Harbor, but was repulsed. Before Chauncey's return, Yeo, unwilling to encounter him, was safe in Kingston harbor. Soon after this several promotions were made in the navy, and meritorious officers were sent to the lakes.

During the summer of 1813 Chauncey and Yeo roamed the lakes, and made many hostile manoeuvres, but the British commander was too shy to allow the American Commodore a chance for a real battle. Finally, toward the close of September, they had a short but indecisive skirmish off Toronto; and early in October Chauncey captured some British gun-vessels not far from Sackett's Harbor. Such had been his vigilance and activity that, at the close of 1813, he was fairly master of Lake Ontario, although the hostile squadrons had engaged in only three slight encounters during the season.

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SIR JAMES LUCAS YEO.

that port being blockaded by Sir James Yeo's squadron On that occasion several British armed boats chased Woolsey and his flotilla up Sandy Creek, and were all captured after a skirmish.

Early in June the Superior was ready for sea. The Mohawk, whose keel had been laid on the

was launched on the 11th. Perceiving this forwardness of Chauncey's fleet, Sir James raised the blockade and retired to Kingston. Lieutenant Gregory was immediately sent out from the harbor, at the head of an expedition, to surprise some supply-boats in the St. Lawrence, and returned with almost as many prisoners as he had men, having captured a gun-boat, which he was compelled to sink.

Both parties labored diligently during the win-blocks of the former only thirty-four days before, ter and spring of 1814 in preparations for securing the control of Lake Ontario. In February Eckford laid down three vessels-one a frigate pierced for 50 guns, and two brigs, 22 guns each. The latter were launched early in April, and called respectively Jefferson and Jones. But their men and armaments did not begin to arrive until the 1st of May, when the frigate was also launched, and named Superior. She was made Chauncey's flag-ship. At the same time that efficient officer was relieved of the command of the upper lakes, to which Captain Sinclair was appointed.

The enemy, meanwhile, had gone out upon the lake in force, and on the 5th of May Sir James Yeo appeared off Oswego with seven vessels, carrying an aggregate of one hundred and seventy guns, and a few boats. The chief object of the expedition was the capture of naval materials, belonging to the Americans, that were in store a short distance up the river. The Growler, Captain Woolsey, was the only armed vessel at Oswego, and the garrison in the fort was weak. The Growler was sunk, and the fort and town were taken possession of by the enemy on the second day after his arrival. But he did not venture up the river, and the naval materials were saved. These, with thirty-three heavy zuns, were taken upon a flotilla of boats under Captain Woolsey, accompanied by a corps of riflemen under Major Appling, to Sandy Creek, and from thence to Sackett's Harbor by land, VOL. XXIV.-No. 140.-M

Chauncey's fleet, consisting of eight vessels and a look-out, and armed with an aggregate of two hundred and thirty guns, sailed on the 31st of July, its completion having been delayed by sickness at the Harbor. The Commodore was still ill, but was convalescent. He steered for the Niagara River, now again in possession of the enemy, and after spreading alarm there, and leaving a small blockading force, he went eastward with four vessels, and shut the British squadron up in Kingston harbor for six weeks.

At the middle of September Chauncey was called away to bear Izard's army of four thousand men from the Harbor to the mouth of the Genesee River. They were on their way from Lake Champlain to the Niagara frontier. When Chauncey returned he found that a great doubledeck vessel, called St. Lawrence, and pierced for 112 guns, built by the British, was in the water at Kingston, so he prudently withdrew to Sackett's Harbor to await an attack. Sir James sailed out in his big ship soon afterward, with a force in her of eleven hundred men; and from

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that time until the close of the season he was master of Lake Ontario. During the winter the enemy laid down another two-decker at Kingston, while the Americans prepared to build two of equal if not superior size. Eckford agreed to launch two ships of this size within sixty days. The Government gave the order, six hundred ship-carpenters were directed to repair to Sackett's Harbor, and the work was commenced. Within thirty days intelligence of peace came, and the work was suspended. The New Orleans,

THOMAS MACDONOUGH.

one of the vessels, was then nearly planked in, and the second vessel was not much behind her. The New Orleans was to carry 120 guns. There she stands now, on the stocks, perfectly preserved under a ship-house, the wonder of all visitors. Thus ended the warfare on the lakes. "No officer of the American navy," says Mr. Cooper, "ever filled a station of the responsibility and importance of that which Commodore Chauncey occupied; and it may be justly questioned if any officer could have acquitted himself better."

While these movements were taking place on Lake Ontario, others of less importance transpired on the upper lakes, under the command of Commodore Sinclair. He made some captures on lakes Superior and Huron, and the enemy fairly retaliated.

On little Lake Champlain, only one hundred and forty miles long and ten miles across at its greatest width, a very important naval engagement took place on the 11th of September, 1814. Sir George Prevost marched from Montreal with an invading army fourteen thousand strong, composed chiefly of Wellington's veterans. He was seconded by a small fleet, which had been constructed at the foot of the lake by the British, and was under the command of Commodore Downie. Prevost arrived at Plattsburg, on the north side of the Saranac, on the 6th of September, and was confronted on the south side by General Macomb and only about fifteen hundred men and some field-works. Downie was to be opposed by a squadron, under Commodore Macdonough, of four large vessels and ten galleys, with an aggregate of ninety-four heavy guns. The Saratoga was Macdonough's flag-ship. This

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force was materially smaller than that of the British. Downie's flag-ship Confiance had the gun-deck of a heavy frigate. His whole force consisted of seventeen vessels, including gunboats, and an aggregate of 116 guns and 1000

men.

On the morning of the 11th of September the British fleet came round Cumberland Head, at the northern entrance to Plattsburg Bay, with a fair wind. Macdonough was ready to receive them; and at that quiet moment, just before the opening of broadsides, he offered a prayer to the God of Battles for assistance and protection. The prayer had just ended when the Eagle, without orders, opened upon the enemy. A cock on board the Saratoga, startled at the sound of great guns, flew upon a perch and crowed lustily. The inspirited sailors gave three hearty cheers, and soon the battle raged with fury. The engagement lasted two hours and twenty minutes, when the British commander struck his colors, and surrendered his whole fleet. The land-forces engaged at the same time fought until dark; and during the night Prevost, alarmed at some false intelligence, retreated in haste back to Canada.

This victory was hailed by the Americans with great joy. Macomb and Macdonough were highly honored. The States of New York and Vermont gave land to the latter; the cities of New York and Albany each presented him with a valuable lot; and Congress voted him thanks and a gold medal.*

Commodore Downie was mortally wounded in the action, and, with several others, was buried in a little cemetery at Plattsburg. A marble slab was laid over his grave, and two pine-trees were planted there. One of these perished in

the winter of 1860-'61.

While these stirring events were occurring on the lakes, the American navy was active on the ocean. On the 29th of April the Peacock, 22, Master-Commandant Warrington,* fell in with the British brig L'Epervier, 18 (Sparrow-hawk), and after forty-two minutes' steady fire captured her. The Epervier was terribly shattered, while the Peacock was so slightly hurt that, according to Warrington, she was "ready for another action" fifteen minutes after her antagonist struck her colors. This brilliant achievement elicited the warmest praise for Warrington. Congress gave him thanks and a gold medal, and a homely bard wrote:

"Rare birds, 'tis said, are seldom best,
But those who feather well their nest
Are much esteemed for gain, Sir;
And Warrington has lately said,
The Sparrow-hawk with specie fed
The Peacock won't disdain, Sir!"

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JOHNSTON BLAKELEY.

On the afternoon of the 1st of May, 1814, the new American sloop of war Wasp, 24, Captain

a Lieutenant in 1807, and in July, 1813, was promoted to Master-Commandant. His services on Lake Champlain were exceedingly valuable. At the close of the war his health failed. For ten years he wasted with consumption, and died on the 10th of November, 1825.

Lewis Warrington was born at Williamsburg. Virginia, in November, 1782, and was educated at William and Mary College. He entered the naval service as midshipman in 1800, on the Chesapeake, Captain Barron. He served in the Mediterranean; and in 1802 was promoted to Lieutenant. He performed gallant service during the war. He was for some years chief of the Ordnance Bureau at Washington. He died there on the 19th of October, 1851.

Johnston Blakeley, sailed on her first cruise suers were of light draught and fleet, and at

from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and proceeded to the English waters. She made a very successful cruise there, and revived the memory of the Argus the year before. On the morning of the 28th of June a strange sail appeared, and the Wasp immediately made chase. She overtook her, and at half past three in the afternoon opened upon her with one of her 32-pound carronades. The action soon became severe, and after a contest of only about twenty minutes the British vessel struck her colors. She proved to be the Reindeer, 18, Captain Manners. In his letter to the Secretary of the Navy, Captain Blakeley said of the Reindeer, "She was literally cut to pieces in a line with her ports, and her upper-works, boats, and spare spars were one complete wreck." Her commander and twentyfour of his companions were killed, and forty of her crew were wounded. This gallant exploit won for Blakeley the applause of his countryThe State of North Carolina gave him a sword, and educated his daughter, and the Congress of the United States presented him with their thanks and a gold medal.*

men.

After her engagement with the Reindeer the Wasp went into the port of L'Orient, and remained until near the last of August, when she sailed on another cruise. In the evening of the 27th she had a severe running fight with the British brig Avon, 20. The brig, after a combat of an hour, in the dark, gave notice that she had surrendered. The Wasp was about to take her prize when another vessel appeared. She was about to open on this new antagonist when a third, and then a fourth one appeared. Unequal to these fresh vessels, she put up her helm and left them, at the same time losing her prize. Blakeley learned afterward that the Avon sunk almost immediately, and that the second antagonist was the brig Castalian. He captured several prizes during his cruise. After sending one of these into Savannah the Wasp was never heard of. She probably foundered, and went to the bottom of the sea.

The American navy sustained a severe loss in January, 1815, by the capture of the President, Commodore Decatur. On the night of the 14th of January Decatur attempted to run the blockade of New York while the British squadron, blown out to sea, was absent. He would have succeeded had his vessel not struck upon a bar near Sandy Hook and been detained there five hours. He went to sea, and at dawn the next morning he was chased by four ships. The President was deeply laden for a long cruise, and she sailed slowly. Every thing that could be got at was cast overboard, but to no purpose. Her pur

Johnston Blakeley was born in Ireland, in October, 1781. He was brought to America by his parents when he was two years of age, and was reared in Wilmington, North Carolina. He studied in New York five years. He entered the navy as a midshipman in 1800. His career during the time of his service was gallant and honorable. The last official paper received from Captain Blakeley was dated at sea, sloop of war Wasp, 11th September, 1814. His fate will never be known.

three o'clock in the afternoon the foremost in the chase opened a bow gun upon her. Decatur tried to get his antagonist alongside, but failed. He now determined to exchange ships, and escape, by capturing his opponent before the others could come up. They kept up a running fight parallel with each other with heavy guns until eleven o'clock, when all her pursuers overtook her. Surrounded by a greatly superior force, one-fifth of his crew killed or wounded, and his ship badly crippled, Decatur saw no chance for victory or escape, and surrendered. His long combat had been with the Endymion, 40, though mounting fifty-two guns. Decatur's loss was twenty-four killed and fifty-six wounded. The Endymion had eleven killed and fourteen wounded.

Soon after this event, and before it was known at home, others of Decatur's squadron went to sea. One of these was the Hornet, Captain Biddle. She fell in with the British brig Penguin, Captain Dickenson, on the 23d of March. They engaged in combat between one and two o'clock in the afternoon, and after fighting for nearly half an hour, the Penguin surrendered. The gallantry of Biddle on this occasion was rewarded by Congress with thanks and a gold medal. This was the last battle of the war of 1812, and has been pronounced by some as one of the most creditable. It is a singular coincidence, that in one of the first naval engagements, that of the Wasp and Frolic, which broke the charm of British naval superiority, Biddle was a gallant participant, and was also the one to command in the last battle, which gave perfect independence to his country. Also that the two vessels in which he served were named after two fiery American insects, Wasp and Hornet.

We have considered this engagement next to

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the loss of the President, because the Hornet was a part of Decatur's squadron. Another important victory for the American navy in the war of 1812, occurring a little earlier, remains to be noted. I refer to the capture of the Cyane, 36, and the Levant, 20, by the American frigate Constitution.

The Constitution, Captain Charles Stewart, left Boston on a cruise, at the middle of December, 1814. On her way from Bermuda to Madeira and the Bay of Biscay she captured two prizes. At one o'clock in the afternoon of the 20th of February she discovered a strange sail, and three-fourths of an hour afterward another appeared in view. They both bore up for the Constitution. She prepared for action, and at five o'clock opened an ineffectual fire upon one of them. The evening was pleasant, the moon shining brightly. The two vessels manoeuvred so as to attack the Constitution simultaneously. At half cable's length of each other they awaited their antagonist. She came up in gallant style, and managed so skillfully as to give tremendous broadsides to both of them. The action was very severe, and a quarter before seven one of the vessels, that proved to be the Cyane, Captain Falcon, surrendered. An hour afterward the Constitution started in pursuit of the other. The two ships exchanged broadsides at a quarter to nine o'clock, and then commenced a severe engagement that lasted until ten o'clock. The stranger then surrendered, and proved to be the Levant, Captain Douglass. The loss of the Constitution was three killed and twelve wounded. The two vessels lost thirty-five killed and forty wounded. The Constitution, appropriately called "Old Ironsides" on account of her stanchness, is yet, like her gallant commander

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THE CONSTITUTION."

on that occasion, in the service. Our little sketch shows her appearance as a school-ship at Annapolis, a year since, with all her sails set.

Thus, as briefly as perspicuity would allow, an outline history of the American Navy, to the close of the war of 1812-'15, has been given. Even these glimpses of its honorable career exhibit uncommon brilliancy. At the close of that contest it took rank among those of the proudest nations, and commanded for the United States the profound respect of the world-a respect which has steadily increased, until now the flag of the Republic is honored wherever it is seen.

Little more remains to be said concerning the operations of the navy of the United States, because for a period of fifty years, with slight interruptions, we have been at peace with all the world.

At the close of the war with Great Britain it was necessary to make the pirates of the Barbary

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