A youthful man-o'-warsman, from the diary of an English lad ..who served in the British frigate Macedonian during her memorable action with the American frigate United States; who afterward deserted and entered the American Navy .. . the enemy had a wind most fav-orable for her and, as it was too evident that shewas rapidly gaining, the Americans began tothrow overboard their anchors, cables, hatchesand, finally, their guns and ammunition in orderto increase their speed. But the fresheningbreeze gave the huge seventy-four too much ad-vantage and she was soon outcarrying th
A youthful man-o'-warsman, from the diary of an English lad ..who served in the British frigate Macedonian during her memorable action with the American frigate United States; who afterward deserted and entered the American Navy .. . the enemy had a wind most fav-orable for her and, as it was too evident that shewas rapidly gaining, the Americans began tothrow overboard their anchors, cables, hatchesand, finally, their guns and ammunition in orderto increase their speed. But the fresheningbreeze gave the huge seventy-four too much ad-vantage and she was soon outcarrying the littlebrig and came lumbering down on her like anelephant after a spaniel. Observing that his pursuer was almost withingunshot. Captain Nicholson ordered Quarter-master George Watson to throw the private sig-nals overboard. This, said Samuel, was ahard task for the noble-hearted fellow. As hepitched them into .the sea he said: Goodby,brother Yankee; an expression which, in spiteof the mortifying situation, forced a smile fromthe officers. The report of a heavy gun now came boomingthrough the air as a signal for the brig to heave-to or look out for the consequences. It was wellthat the Siren obeyed as promptly as she did for. Min\\.\v cirAsixG the Captured. 157 they afterward learned that a division of theseventy-fours p^iin crews had strict orders to sinkher if she made tlie least show of , Captain Nicholson caused the colorsto be struck and waited while the enemy camerolling down on us like a huge avalanche rushingdown the mountain side to crush some poorpeasants dwelling. Surrounded by his officers on tlie cjuarter deck,the British commander hailed:What brig is that? The United States brig Siren/ replied Cap-tain Nicholson. This is His Britannic Majestys ship Med-wayf he answered. I claim you as my lawfulprize. Boats were now lowered and in a short timethe Americans were transferred to the seventy-four ; the officers being comfortably quarteredw
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectsailors, bookyear1910
