built of pitch pine, mounting 58 guns each, and intended to cope with the large American frigates. During his first cruise on the Halifax station, he captured the United States’ brig Rattlesnake, pierced for 20 guns, with a complement of 131 men[1].
For several months from this period, Sir George Collier was employed off Boston, watching the Constitution of 56 guns, and using every endeavour to induce her to come out and fight the Leander. His anxiety to engage the enemy, is proved by the following authentic anecdote:
One day a fishing boat came off with several Americans, who asked permission to visit the Leander, which was immediately granted. Sir George Collier and his first Lieutenant accompanied them round the decks, when one of them observed, “You are a larger ship, but I do not think your men are so stout as ours on board the Constitution.” To which Sir George replied, “They may be very little, but their hearts are in the right place; and I will thank you to inform the American Captain, that if he will come out and meet the Leander, I will pledge my word and honor that no British ship shall be within twenty leagues; and further, if my ship mounts more guns than the Constitution, I will throw the additional guns overboard.” This challenge the American visitor, who we have no doubt was an officer belonging to the Constitution, promised to convey; but we do not venture to assert that the Captain of that ship actually received it.
The Leander was at length obliged to return to Halifax for the purpose of completing her stores, provisions, and water, and Sir George Collier, when returning to his station, had the mortification to. hear that the Constitution had succeeded in putting to sea unobserved. This information was communicated to him by Lord George Stuart and Captain Alexander R. Kerr, of the Newcastle and Acasta, who at the same time expressed their belief that the ship which he had long been so eager to get alongside of, was gone on a cruise in company with two other heavy frigates, and that they were to be joined on a certain rendezvous by the Hornet sloop of
- ↑ The enemy had thrown their guns overboard during the chase.
