Capture of HMS Boxer

Capture of HMS Boxer

Date	5 September 1813
Location	off Pemaquid Point, near Bristol, Maine
Result	American victory

Belligerents

United Kingdom

United States

Commanders and leaders

Samuel Blyth †

William Burrows †

Strength

1 brig
Sailors and
Marine infantry

Casualties and losses

1 brig captured

1 brig damaged

Naval campaigns of the War of 1812

Atlantic Ocean

East Coast

Great Lakes / Saint Lawrence River

West Indies / Gulf Coast

Pacific Ocean

The capture of HMS Boxer in 1813 was a naval battle of the War of 1812, in which the United States Navy brig USS Enterprise defeated the Royal Navy brig HMS Boxer. The ship was sold at auction and continued for at least a decade as a merchantman. However, six US Navy ships would eventually carry the name.

Battle

On 5 September 1813, USS Enterprise with fourteen 18-pound carronades and two-9 pound long guns and 102 men sighted HMS Boxer with twelve 18-pound carronades and two 9 pound long guns and 66 men off Pemaquid Point, Maine, and closed on the enemy brig. Local tradition holds that the ensuing battle was visible from the rooftop of a house on Metinic Island. Interestingly, Boxer was in the area having for a fee escorted an American merchantman with Swedish papers from New Brunswick to the Kennebec River. British Commander Samuel Blyth prepared for a fight to the finish, nailing one's flag to the foremast. In Enterprise, Lieutenant William Burrows demonstrated similar resolve. He moved one of his two long 9-pounders from the bow to a stern port, declaring: " We are going to fight both ends and both sides of this ship as long as the ends and the sides hold together."

The two brigs opened fire, and Blyth was killed during the initial fusillade, and Burrows suffered a mortal wound moments later. The fierce contest ended in 30 minutes with Boxer in ruins. Command of Enterprise passed to Lieutenant Edward McCall, while Lieutenant David McGrery assumed command of the battered Boxer. The dying Lieutenant Burrows declined to accept Commander Blyth's sword, directing it be sent to the family of the dead British captain. "I am satisfied, I die contented," Lieutenant Burrows exclaimed. McCall went into nearby Portland, Maine with the two ships and the casualties.

A court martial later found that a number of British seamen had deserted their quarters during the action.^[1]

Aftermath

Newspapers in the United States rejoiced in "another brilliant naval victory." After two days of planning, authorities conducted an impressive state funeral for the two commanders, and they rest side by side in Portland's Eastern Cemetery. Next to them is the comparable grave of Lieutenant Kerwin Waters who suffered mortal wounds as a midshipman during the battle but lived for two more years.

Quotation

" The captain of HMS Boxer, Commander Samuel Blyth, was killed early in the action by a cannon ball; had he lived he might have defended his ship more desperately, but it is not probable with more success. He was an officer of distinguished merit; having received a sword from government for his good conduct under Sir James L. Yeo, in the capture of Cayenne. Blyth was also one of the pall-bearers of our lamented James Lawrence, when buried at Halifax, Nova Scotia. It was his fate now to receive like courtesy at the hands of his enemy. His remains, in company with those of the brave Burrows, were brought to Portland , where they were interred with military honours in Eastern Cemetery. It was a striking and affecting sight, to behold two gallant commanders, who had lately been arrayed in deadly hostility against each other, descending into one quiet grave, there to mingle their dust peacefully together. "^[2]

This battle was referenced by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his poem "My Lost Youth": "I remember the sea-fight far away, How it thundered o'er the tide! And the dead captains, as they lay In their graves, o'erlooking the tranquil bay Where they in battle died. And the sound of that mournful song Goes through me with a thrill: "A boy's will is the wind's will, And the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts."

References

↑ Lohnes (1973), p.326.
↑ Washington Irving, Analectic Nagazine, November 1813

Ellis, James H. A Ruinous and Unhappy War: New England and the War of 1812 (New York: Algora Publishing, 2009), pp. 134–142.
Frost, John (1985) The Pictorial Book Of The Commodores; Comprising Lives Of Distinguished Commanders In The Navy Of The United States. (New York:Nafis & Cornish).
Lohnes, Barry J. (1973) "British Naval Problems at Halifax During the War of 1812". Mariner's Mirror 59, 317-333.
Smith, Joshua M. Battle for the Bay: The War of 1812 (Fredericton, NB: Goose Lane Editions, 2011), pp. 75–91.

Conflicts of the War of 1812

Battles of the War of 1812

United States

Washington, D.C.	Burning of Washington

Georgia	Battle of Fort Peter

Louisiana	Battle of New Orleans Siege of Fort St. Philip

Maryland	Battle of Baltimore Battle of Bladensburg Battle of Caulk's Field Battle of North Point Battle of St. Michaels Raid on Havre de Grace

Massachusetts	Battle of Hampden

New York	Battle of Big Sandy Creek Battle of Buffalo Battle of Ogdensburg Battle of Plattsburgh Capture of Fort Niagara Raid on Black Rock Second Battle of Sacket's Harbor

Ohio	Battle of Fort Stephenson Copus massacre Siege of Fort Meigs

Virginia	Battle of Craney Island Raid on Alexandria Skirmish at Farnham Church Battle of Rappahannock River

U.S. territories

Alabama	Battles of Fort Bowyer

Illinois	Battle of Fort Dearborn Battle of Rock Island Rapids Siege of Prairie du Chien

Indiana	Battle of the Mississinewa Battle of Tippecanoe Battle of Wild Cat Creek Siege of Fort Harrison Siege of Fort Wayne

Michigan	Battle of Brownstown Battle of Frenchtown Battle of Mackinac Island Battle of Maguaga Siege of Detroit Siege of Fort Mackinac

Mississippi	Battle of Burnt Corn Battle of Callabee Creek Canoe Fight Battle of Holy Ground Battle of Horseshoe Bend Battle of Talladega Battle of Tallushatchee Battles of Emuckfaw and Enotachopo Creek Fort Mims massacre Kimbell–James Massacre

Missouri	Battle of Credit Island Battle of the Sink Hole

British North America

Lower Canada	Battle of the Chateauguay First Battle of Lacolle Mills Second Battle of Lacolle Mills

Upper Canada	Battle of Beaver Dams Battle of Chippawa Battle of Cook's Mills Battle of Crysler's Farm Battle of Fort George Battle of Frenchman's Creek Battle of Longwoods Battle of Lundy's Lane Battle of Malcolm's Mills Battle of Queenston Heights Battle of Stoney Creek Battle of the Thames Battle of York Capture of Fort Erie Raid on Elizabethtown Raid on Port Dover Raid on Gananoque Siege of Fort Erie

Spanish Empire

Spanish Florida	Battle of Pensacola

Naval battles

Atlantic Ocean	Capture of HMS Boxer Capture of HMS Cyane Capture of HMS Epervier Capture of HMS Frolic Capture of HMS Penguin Capture of HMS Dominica Capture of USS Argus Capture of USS Chesapeake Capture of USS President Chesapeake Bay Flotilla USS Constitution vs HMS Java Sinking of HMS Avon Battle of Fayal Sinking of HMS Peacock Sinking of HMS Reindeer USS Constitution vs HMS Guerriere USS United States vs HMS Macedonian

Caribbean Sea	Battle of La Guaira

Great Lakes	Battle of Lake Erie Battle of Fort Oswego Engagements on Lake Huron Engagements on Lake Ontario First Battle of Sacket's Harbor

Gulf Coast	Action of 13 December 1814 Battle of Lake Borgne

Pacific Ocean	Action off James Island Action off Charles Island Nuku Hiva Campaign Battle of Valparaiso (Capture of USS Essex)

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