52
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1812.
Cape Hatteras, the stranger edging away, but not making any more sail. At 3-30, he made sail in chase, when I hoisted the private signal, which was not answered. At 6-30, finding he gained so considerably on us as not to be able to elude him during the night, being within gun-shot, and clearly discerning the stars in his broad pendant, I imagined the more prudent method was to bring to, and again hoist the colours, that no mistake might arise, and that he might see what we were; the ship was, therefore, brought to, colours hoisted, guns double-shotted, and every preparation made in case of a surprise. By his manner of steering down, he evidently wished to lay his ship in a position for raking, which I frustrated by wearing three times. About 8-15 he came within hail. I hailed, and asked what ship it was? He repeated my question. I again hailed, and asked what ship it was? He again repeated my words, and fired a broadside, which I immediately returned. The action then became general, and continued so for three-quarters of an hour, when he ceased firing, and appeared to be on fire about the main-hatchway. He then filled. I was obliged to desist from firing, as the ship falling off, no gun would bear, and I had no after-sail to keep her to. All the rigging and sails cut to pieces, not a brace or bowline left: he hailed, and asked what ship this was? I told him; he then asked me if I had struck my colours? my answer was, No; and I asked what ship that was? As plainly as I could understand, (he having shot some distance at this time) he answered, the United States frigate. He fired no more guns, but stood from us, giving no reason for his most extraordinary conduct. At day-light, saw a ship to windward, which, having made out well what we were, bore up and passed within hail, fully prepared for action. About 8 o’clock he hailed, and said, if I pleased he would send a boat on board? I replied in the affirmative, and a boat accordingly came, with an officer, and a message from Commodore Rodgers, of the President, United States frigate, to say, that he lamented much the unfortunate affair (as he termed it) that had happened, and that had he known our force was so inferior, he should not have fired at me[1]. I asked his motive for having fired at all; his reply was, that we fired the first gun at him, which was positively not the case. I cautioned both the officers and men to be particularly careful, and not suffer more than one man to be at each gun. Nor is it probable that a sloop of war, within pistol-shot of a large 44-gun frigate, should commence hostilities. He offered me every assistance I stood in need of, and submitted to me that I had better put into one of the ports of the United States, which I immediately
- ↑ Commodore Rodgers officially reports, that the “appearance” of the Little Belt “indicated she was a frigate.” Had she been a deep-waisted ship, such an assertion might appear plausible; but she was a low flush-decked vessel, similar in size, number of ports, and general appearance, to the U.S. sloop Hornet: in length she scarcely exceeded the space between the President’s bow and her gangway ladder.
