POST CAPTAINS OF 1825.
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twenty-three were boys, eighteen raw marine recruits, and about sixty Irishmen who had never before been on salt water, except in crossing over from their own shores to England. Of the remainder of his proper crew, not fifty men had ever been In any other ship or vessel of war.
On the 24th of Dec, being rather short of water, and not able, without much difficulty, to get at what remained in the hold, on account of the numerous heavy articles stowed there. Captain Lambert resolved to touch at St. Salvador for a supply, and altered his course accordingly. The East Indiamen, not wishing to go so far out of their way, parted company the same day, and proceeded on their voyage without any escort. On the 29th, the Java, then in sight of the Brazilian coast, discovered, pursued, and most gallantly brought to action, the United States’ ship Constitution, then mounting 55 guns, with a complement of 480 persons, amongst whom we believe, were only three boys: it is our painful duty to add, that many of her crew were British sailors, long experienced in active warfare. Lieutenant Chads thus narrates the circumstances and result of a conflict, that was no less nobly continued by himself, than it had been valiantly begun by his lamented friend and captain:–
“At 8 a.m., close in with the land, the wind at N.E., discovered a sail to the S.S.W., and another off the entrance of St. Salvador; cast off the prize in tow, and made all sail in chase of the ship to leeward. At 10, made the private signal, which was not answered. At 11, hauled up, bringing the wind on our larboard quarter; took in the studding-sails, and prepared for action; the stranger standing towards us under easy sail, and apparently a large frigate. At a little after noon, when about four miles distant, she made a signal, which, was kept flying about ten minutes, when she tacked and stood from us under ail plain sail, running just good full; hauled up the same as the chase, but the breeze, freshening, could not carry our royals; we were going at least ten knots, and gaining, very fast on the chase. At l-30, she hoisted American colours. At 1-50, having closed with the enemy to about two miles, he shortened sail and luffed up to the wind; hoisted our colours, put ourselves under the same sail and bore down on him; he being at this time about three points on our lee-bow. At 2-10, when half a mile distant, he opened his fire from the larboard side, which we did not return till within pistol-shot, on his weather-bow. On the smoke clearing away, found him under all sail
