Defeat of HMS Java, 30 Dec 1812

Naval History and Heritage Command ^ | Apr 28 2015 | Commodore William Bainbridge

[NonValueAdded]

Journal of Commodore William Bainbridge

Extract from Commodore
Bainbridge's Journal Kept
on board the U. S. Frigate
Constitution

Wednesday 30th December 1812, (Nautical Time) Commences with Clear weather and moderate breezes from E.N.E. Hoisted our Ensign and Pendant. At 15 minutes past meridian, The ship hoisted her colours, an English Ensign, --having a signal flying at her Main Red Yellow-Red At 1.26 being sufficiently from the land, and finding the ship to be an English Frigate, took in the Main Sail and Royals, tacked Ship and stood for the enemy

At 1 .50. P.M, The Enemy bore down with an intention of rakeing us, which we avoided by wearing. At 2, P.M, the enemy being within half a mile, of us, and to wind ward, & having hawled down his colours to dip his Gafft, and not hoisting them again except an Union Jack at the Mizen Mast head, (we having hoisted on board the Constitution an American Jack forward Broad Pendant at Main, American Ensign at Mizen Top Gallant Mast head and at the end of The Gafft) induced me to give orders to the officer of the 3rd Division to fire one Gun ahead of the enemy to make him show his Colours, which being done brought on afire from us of the whole broadside, on which he hoisted an English Ensign at the Peak, and another in his weather Main Rigging, besides his Pendant and then immediately returned our fire, which brought on a general action with round and grape.

The enemy Kept at a much greater distance than I wished, but Could not bring him to closer action without exposing ourselves to several rakes.-Considerable Manoeuvers were made by both Vessels to rake and avoid being raked.

[ExpatGator]

An old Division Officer of mine went on to command the Constitution. It’s fantastic that she remains in the Fleet.

[Rebelbase]

Hopefully that painting becomes a metaphor for the Clinton/Obama cabal later this year.

[Jim W N]

later this year

You mean in the future, with one day left, or in the past "later this year"?

[DariusBane]

Love the series. I miss only a few later books.

[Conan the Librarian]

YES! I still own my copy!

Great game indeed.

[laplata]

Me, too. It was pretty complicated.

[Rebelbase]

Good point. Take care, I probably wont post you again ‘till next year.

[Jim W N]

You mean you won’t be posting to me later this year?

C’est la vie.

Bonne année

[vetvetdoug]

Bainbridge had the dubious honor of losing a ship, The USS Philadelphia, by grounding it off the coast of Tripoli and having to surrender. He was also forced to take tribute to the Ottoman Empire leaders in Constantinople turning an American battleship into a goat, cattle, and horse transport. He never quit though.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Robert A Cook PE. And she's a beauty.