A notable war-vessel of the
United States in the
War of 1812, mounting eighteen guns.
In March, 1814, under command of
Captain Warrington, she sailed from New York on a cruise.
She
was off the coast of
Florida for some time without encountering any conspicuous adventure.
On April 29,
Warrington discovered three sails to the windward, under convoy of an armed brig of large dimensions.
The two war-vessels made for each other, and very soon a close and severe battle ensued.
the
Peacock was so badly injured in her rigging at the beginning that she was compelled to fight “running at large,” as the phrase is. She could not manoeuvre much, and the contest became one of gunnery.
the
Peacock won the game at the end of forty minutes. Her antagonist, which proved to be the Épervier, eighteen guns,
Captain Wales, struck her colors.
She was badly injured, no less than forty-five round-shot having struck her hull.
Twenty-two of her men were killed or wounded.
Only two of the
Peacock's men were wounded; and so little was she injured that an hour after the battle she was in perfect fighting order.
The Épervier sold for $55,000, and on board of her was found $118,000 in specie.
She was such a valuable prize that
Warrington determined to take her into
Savannah himself.
On the way, when abreast of
Amelia Island, on the coast of
Florida, the Épervier, in charge of
Lieut. John B. Nicholson, came near being captured by two English frigates.
She entered the
Savannah River in safety on May 1, 1814.
the
Peacock reached the same port on May 4.
This capture produced much exultation.
Congress thanked
Warrington in the name of the nation, and gave him a gold medal.
In another cruise to the shores of
Portugal soon afterwards, the
Peacock captured fourteen vessels, and returned to New York at the end of October.
In 1815, after parting with
Biddle,
Captain Warrington pursued his cruise in the
Peacock, and on June 30, when off Anjer, in the
Strait of Sunda, between
Sumatra and
Java, he fell in with the
East India cruiser
Nautilus, fourteen guns,
Lieut. Charles Boyce.
Broadsides were exchanged, when the
Nautilus struck her colors.
She had lost six men killed and eight wounded. the
Peacock lost none.
This event occurred a few days after the period set by the treaty of peace for the cessation of
[
106]
hostilities.
Warrington was ignorant of any such treaty, but, being informed the next day of its ratification, he gave up the
Nautilus and did everything in his power to alleviate the sufferings of her wounded crew.
He then returned home, bearing the distinction of having fired the last shot in the second war for independence.
When the
Peacock reached the
United States every cruiser, public and private, that had been out against the
British had returned to port, and the war was over.
