The New Student's Reference Work/Lawrence, James

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.