The New Student's Reference Work/Lawrence, James

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The New Student's Reference Work (1914) Lawrence, James

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Lawrence, James, an American naval officer, was born at Burlington, N. J., in 1781. In the War of 1812 he served under Commodore Decatur, and rose by brave conduct. In 1813, after a short engagement, he captured the British Peacock, and soon after was made captain of the Chesapeake. After he had been in command of its undisciplined crew for a few days, on June 1, 1813, he met the British Shannon just outside of Boston. After a hard fight he was mortally wounded and his ship was taken. This was when he said: “Don't give up the ship!” His remains were removed to Trinity churchyard, New York city, and a monument erected over them.