--315--

13th Congress.]

No. 114.

[3d Session.

CAPTURE OF THE REINDEER AND OTHER VESSELS, BY THE WASP.

COMMUNICATED TO THE SENATE, OCTOBER 17, 1814.

Committee Room, October 13th, 1814.

Sir:

In order that Congress may proceed in the agreeable duty of bestowing suitable honors and rewards on those gallant men whose noble achievements have already so signally distinguished themselves and their country during this war, I am directed by the Committee on Naval Affairs, on the part of the Senate of the United States, to request that you will transmit all the information in possession of the Navy Department, relating to the capture of the British sloop of war Reindeer, by the American sloop of war Wasp.

I have the honor to be, &c.

C. TAIT, Chairman.

Hon. Wm. Jones, Secretary of the Navy.

Navy Department, October 15, 1814.

Sir:

I have the honor to enclose copies of the documents received at this Department from the commander of the U. S. sloop of war Wasp, relative to the capture and destruction of the enemy's sloop of war Reindeer, on the 38th of June last, after a brilliant action of nineteen minutes, which was terminated by boarding, in gallant and decisive style, having repulsed the enemy in repeated and vigorous attempts to board the Wasp. All that skill and valor could do was done quickly, and less it was certain would not be done.

I am, very respectfully, &c.

W. JONES.

The Hon. Charles Tait,

Chairman of the Naval Committee of the Senate.

U. S. ship Wasp, L'Orient, July 8th, 1814. Sir:

I have the honor to announce to you the arrival of this ship to-day, at this place. By the pilot who carried us out of Portsmouth, N. H. I had the satisfaction to make you acquainted with our having left that place, and again had the pleasure of addressing you by the French national brig Olive, and which was the first vessel we had spoken since our departure from the United States. From the time of our sailing I continued to follow the route pointed out in your instructions, until our arrival at this place, during which we have been so fortunate as to make several captures, a list of which will accompany this. These, with their cargoes, were wholly destroyed, with one exception. This was the galliot Henrietta, which was permitted to return with the prisoners, thirty-eight in number, after throwing overboard the greater part of her cargo, leaving only a sufficiency to ballast her. When arrived on our cruising ground I found it impossible to maintain any thing like a station, and was led in chase farther up the English channel than was intended. After arriving on soundings, the number of neutrals which are now passing kept us almost constantly in pursuit. It gives me much pleasure to state to you the very healthy condition of the crew of the Wasp during the cruise; sometimes without one on the sick list, and at no time any who remained there more than a few days. Great praise is due to Dr. Clark for his skill and attention at all times, but particularly after the action with the Reindeer; his unwearied assiduity to the necessities of the wounded was highly conspicuous.

The ship is at present under quarantine, but we expect to be released from it to-morrow, when the wounded will be sent to the hospital, and every exertion made to prepare the Wasp for sea.

I have the honor to be, &c.

J. BLAKELEY.

The Hon. William Jones.

U. S. ship Wasp, L'Orient, July 8, 1814.

Sir:

On Tuesday the 28th ult. being then in latitude 48° 36' N. and longitude 11° 15 West, we fell in with, engaged, and, after an action of nineteen minutes, captured, H. B. M. sloop of war the Reindeer, William Manners, Esq. commander. Annexed are the minutes of our proceedings on that day, prior to, and during the continuance of, the action.

Where all did their duty, and each appeared anxious to excel, it is very difficult, to discriminate. It is, however, only rendering them their merited due when it is declared of Lieutenants Reilly and Barry, first and third of this vessel, and whose names will be found among those of the conquerors of the Guerriere and the Java, and of Mr. Tillinghast second lieutenant, who was greatly instrumental in the capture of the Boxer, that their conduct and courage, on this occasion, fulfilled the highest expectation, and gratified every wish. Sailing Master Carr is also entitled to great credit for the zeal and ability with which he discharged his various duties.

The cool and patient conduct of every officer and man, while exposed to the fire of the shifting gun of the enemy, and without an opportunity of returning it, could alone be equalled by the animation and ardor exhibited when actually, engaged, or by the promptitude and firmness with which every attempt of the enemy to board was met and successfully repelled. Such conduct may be seen, but cannot well be described.

The Reindeer mounted sixteen twenty-four pound carronades, two long six or nine pounders, and a shifting twelve pound carronade; with a complement on board of one hundred and eighteen men; her crew were said to be the pride of Plymouth.

Our loss in men has been severe, owing, in part, to the proximity of the two vessels, and the extreme smoothness of the sea, but chiefly in repelling boarders. That of the enemy, however, was infinitely more so, as will be seen by the list of killed and wounded on both sides.

Six round shot struck our hull, and many grape, which did not penetrate far. The foremast received a twenty-four pound shot, which passed through its centre, and our rigging and sails were in good deal injured.

The Reindeer was literally cut to pieces, in a line with her ports; her upper works, boats, and spare spars, were one complete wreck. A breeze springing up next afternoon, her foremast went by the board.

Having received all the prisoners on board, which, from the number of the wounded, occupied much time, together with their baggage, the Reindeer was, on the evening of the 29th, set on fire, and in a few hours blew up.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

J. BLAKELEY.

The Hon. William Jones, Secretary of the Navy, Washington City.

--316--

Minutes of the action between the U. S. ship Wasp, and H. B. M. ship Reindeer, on the 28th June, 1814. Latitude 48° 36' N. Longitude 11° 15' West.

At four A. M. light breezes and cloudy. At a quarter after four discovered two sail, two points before the lee beam; kept away in chase; shortly after discovered one sail on the weather beam, altered the course, and hauled by the wind, in chase of the sail to windward. At eight, the sail to windward bore E. N. E. wind very light; at ten, the strange sail bearing E. by N. hoisted an English ensign and pennant, and displayed a signal at the main, (blue and yellow diagonally.) Meridian, light airs and cloudy; at a quarter past twelve P. M. the enemy showed a blue and white flag, diagonally, at the fore, and fired a gun; one hour fifteen minutes called all hands to quarters, and prepared for action; one hour twenty-two minutes, believing we could weather the enemy, tacked ship, and stood for him; one hour fifty minutes, the enemy tacked ship and stood from us; one hour fifty-six minutes hoisted our colors, and fired a gun to windward, which was answered by the enemy with another to windward; two hours twenty minutes, the enemy still standing from us, set the royals; two hours twenty-five minutes set the flying jib; two hours twenty-nine minutes, set the upper staysails; two hours thirty-two minutes, the enemy having tacked for us, took in the staysails; two hours forty-seven minutes furled the royals; two hours fifty-one minutes, seeing that the enemy would be able to weather us, tacked ship; three hours three minutes the enemy hoisted his flying jib: brailed up our mizzen; three hours fifteen minutes the enemy on our weather quarter, distant about sixty yards, fired his shifting gun, a twelve pound carronade, at us, loaded with round and, grape shot, from his top-gallant forecastle; three hours seventeen minutes fired the same gun a second time; three hours nineteen minutes fired it a third time; three hours twenty-one minutes fired a fourth time; three hours twenty-four minutes a fifth shot, all from the same gun. Finding the enemy did not get sufficiently on the beam to enable us to bring our guns to bear, put the helm a lee, and at twenty-six minutes after three commenced the action with the after carronade, on the starboard side, and fired in succession; three hours thirty-five minutes, hauled up the mainsail; three hours forty minutes, the enemy having his larboard bow in contact with our larboard quarter; endeavored to board us, but was repulsed in every attempt; at three hours forty-four minutes, orders were given to board in turn, which were promptly executed, when all resistance immediately ceased; and, at three hours forty-five minutes, the enemy hauled, down his flag.

J. BLAKELEY.

U.' S. ship Wasp, L'Orient, July 10th, 1814. Sir:

After the capture of His Britannic Majesty's sloop of war the Reindeer, it was my wish to have continued the cruise, as directed by you. I was, however, necessitated to relinquish this desire, after a few days, from a consideration for the wounded of our crew, whose wounds had, at this season, become offensive and aggravated, by the number of prisoners on board at the time, being seventy-seven in number. Fearing, from the crowded state of the Wasp, that some valuable lives might be lost, if retained on board; I was compelled, though with reluctance, to make the first neutral port. Those belonging to the Reindeer, who were dangerously wounded, were put on board a Portuguese brig, bound to England, three days after the action, and from the winds which prevailed, arrived, probably, in two or three days after their departure. Their surgeon, the captain's clerk, with the captain's and officers' servants, and the crew of the Orange Boven, were put on board the same vessel, to attend upon them. Since our arrival at this place we have experienced every civility from the public authorities; our quarantine was only for a few hours; and our wounded, fourteen in number, were carried yesterday to the hospital, where they are very comfortably situated. Our foremast, though badly wounded, can be repaired, and will be taken on shore as soon as possible. All the other damages sustained can be repaired by ourselves.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

J. BLAKELEY.

The Hon. William Jones, Secretary of the Navy, Washington City.

List of Killed and Wounded on board His Britannic Majesty's sloop of war the Reindeer, in action with the United States' sloop of war the Wasp, on the 28th June, 1814.

KILLED.

Names.

Rank.

Names.

Rank.

William Manners, Esq.

Commander.

James Foreman,

Ordinary seaman.

John Thomas Barton

Purser.

Patrick Sherry,

Landsman.

James Humphreys,

Quartermaster.

John Maguire,

Do.

John Elly,

Armorer.

William Lee,

Do.

Charles Price,

Ropemaker.

Collisters Glynn,

Boy, 2d class.

George Gibson,

Captain mast.

Samuel Probert,

Do.

Zenas Swift,

Seaman.

Patrick Sharkey,

Do.

George Sorlic,

Do.

Edward M'Grath,

Boy, 3d class.

Samuel Laver,

Do.

John Roomer,

Private.

Bartholomew Johnson,

Do.

James Allen,

Do.

Thomas Bassett,

Ordinary seaman.

Thomas Musto,

Do.

John Isles,

Do.

John Guest,

Do.

Robert Smith,

Do.

--317--

WOUNDED.

Names.

Bank.

Character of Wounds.

*Thomas Chambers,

First Lieutenant,

Severely.

*Richard Johns,

Master,

Dangerously.

*Ferguson Mason,

Quartermaster,

Severely.

*Joshua Carson,

Captain forecastle,

Severely.

*Thomas Williams,

Do. do.

Dangerously.

*James Candy,

Landsman,

Severely.

*John Williamson,

Carpenter's crew,

Severely.

*Thomas Clements,

Seaman,

Ordinary seaman,

Severely.

*Richard Sheppard,

Severely.

*Joseph Waller,

Seaman,

Dangerously.

*Robert Tole,

Do.

Dangerously.

*Thomas Horne,

Do.

Severely.

*James Wallace,

Ordinary seaman,

Dangerously.

*David Livingston,

Seaman,

Severely.

*Alexander Stupo,

Ordinary seaman,

Dangerously.

*Thomas Bell, 1st,

Do.

Severely.

*Nicholas Birmingham,

Do.

Dangerously.

*William Williams,

Boy, second class,

Dangerously.

*John Watley,

Private,

Severely.

*William Wyley,

Corporal,

Severely.

*William Gurarty,

Private,

Severely.

*William Watkins,

Private,

Severely.

*Thomas Mitchell,

Boy, third class,

Severely.

*Daniel Byrne,

Private,

Severely.

*Thomas Marsh,

Sergeant,

Not very badly wounded,
but permitted to proceed in
consequence of the representation,
and by the request, of the surgeon
of the Reindeer.

Matthew Mitchell,

Master's Mate,

Slightly.

Henry Hardiman,

Midshipman,

Slightly.

James Legg,

Boatswain,

Quartermaster's Mate,

Slightly.

John Stimson,

Slightly.

William Clark,

Cook,

Slightly.

John Johnson,

Carpenter's crew,

Slightly.

William Bruce,

Ordinary seaman,

Slightly.

Benjamin Rufus,

Captain foretop,

Slightly.

John Bramble,

Seaman,

Slightly.

William Townholm,

Seaman,

Slightly.

William Caldwell,

Seaman,

Dangerously, (since dead.)

Archibald Adams,

Ordinary seaman,

Dangerously, (since dead.)

Richard Hornby,

Seaman,

Slightly.

Daniel Hart,

Boy, first class,

Slightly.

William Ratclift,

Private,

Slightly.

Thomas Major,

Private,

Severely.

Richard Butler,

Captain after guard,

Slightly.

RECAPITULATION.

Killed, 25

Wounded—Dangerously,

10

Severely,

17

Slightly,

15

Whole number wounded,

42

Note.--Those marked thus (*) were, in consequence of the severity and extent of their wounds, put on board a Portuguesebrig, called the Lisbon Packet, on the third day after the action, to wit, the 1st of July, bound to Plymouth, England.

List of killed and wounded on board the United States' sloop of war the Wasp, Johnston Blakeley, Esq. commander, in action with His Britannic Majesty's sloop of war the Reindeer, on the 28th June, 1814.

KILLED.

Names.

Rank.

Names.

Bank.

Timothy Stevens, Seaman. Thomas Knight, Ordinary seaman.
Thomas R. Teel, do. John Brown, 2d. do.

Joseph Vorse,

 Ordinary seaman.

 

 

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WOUNDED.

Names.

Rank.

Character of wounds.

Henry S. Langdon,

Midshipman,

Dangerously.

Frank Toscan,

do.

do.

John Sweet,

Master's Mate,

Slightly.

William Thompson,

Boatswain's Mate,

Severely.

John Dick,

Quartermaster,

do.

Nathaniel Scammon,

Seaman,

do.

Jotham Perkins,

do.

Dangerously.

Wm. Preston,

do.

Slightly.

Charles Green,

do.

Dangerously.

Charles Clinton,

do.

Slightly.

Andrew Passenger,

do.

Severely.

John Rowe,

do.

Slightly.

Joseph Atkins,

do.

Dangerously.

Robert Lowther,

do.

Slightly.

Merrel Roberts,

do.

do.

Robert Jarvis,

Ordinary seaman,

Severely.

Henry Herbert,

do.

Dangerously.

Simon Cassalis,

do.

Severely.

John C. Thurston,

do.

Dangerously.

Caleb Wheeden,

do.

Severely.

John Ball,

Boy,

Dangerously.

 

RECAPITULATION.

Killed, 5

Wounded—Dangerously,

8

Severely,

7

Slightly,

6

Whole number wounded,

21

--319--

A List of British vessels captured by the U. S. ship Wasp, J. Blakeley, Esq. commander, between May 1st and July 6th, 1814.

1814. Date.

Name of the

How rigged.

Number of

Lading.

Where belonging.

Where from.

No. days out

Where bound

Latitude when taken

Longitude.

How disposed of.

Vessel.

Master.

Owner.

Men

British tons.

Guns.

June 2,

Neptune,

John Mordiew,

John Derryhouse, Gilbert Henderson, John Whitting, and Major Dawson,

Barque,

13

207

Sundries,

Liverpool,

Cork,

12

Halifax,

47° 5' N.

30° 52' W.

Burnt.

" 13,

William,

Daniel Rankin,

Wm. Jas. & Daniel Rankin,

Brig,

6

Barley,

Dumbarton,

Limerick,

6

Lisbon,

49° 21' N.

12° 20' W.

Burnt.

" 18,

Pallas,

D. L. Cargill,

David L. Cargill,

Brig,

8

131 8/94

2 long 6 pounders,

Skins, almonds, &c.

Arbroath,

Mogadore,

16

London,

49° 34' N.

7° 00' W.

Scuttled.

" 23,

Henrietta,

John Thompson,

Robt. Montgomery & Robt. Greenlaw,

Galiot,

11

171 50/94

Provisions,

Belfast,

Belfast,

6

Guadaloupe,

48° 12' N.

12° 5' W.

Given up to

prisoners.

" 26,

Orange Boven,

Stephen Redbrook,

Wm. Banks, Thos. Thatcher, & Wm. A. Moore,

Ship,

17

325

2 long 9's and six 6 pounders,

Sugar and coffee,

Bermuda,

Bermuda,

29

London,

48° 8' N.

10° 8' W.

Scuttled.

" 28,

Reindeer,

Wm. Manners, Esq.

His Britan. Majesty,

Brig,

118

2 long 6-pounders,
16 twenty-four lb. carronades, 1 twelve do. do., and 2 brass-four pounders,

Plymouth,

6

On a cruise,

48° 36' N.

11° 15' W.

Burnt.

July 4,

Regulator,

Robert Filders,

John Anderson and James Rosson,

Brig,

8

112 70/94

Port wine,

Liverpool,

Oporto,

12

London,

47° 32' N.

13° 57' W.

Burnt.

" 6,

Jenny,

T. Spearpoint,

Thos. Spearpoint,

Schr.

10

151 12/94

Sweet oil,

Plymouth,

Leghorn,

30

St. Petersb'g

47° 36' N.

10° 20' W.

Scuttled.