GLC00496.009
" 4.05 "
Having silenced the Fire of the Enemy completely, and his Colours in Main
Rigging being down, supposed he had struck, then hauled aboard the Courses
to shoot ahead to repair our Rigging which was extremely cut, having the Enemy
a complete Wreck; soon after discovered that the Enemies Flag was still flying
H
ove too, to repair some of our damage.
[2]At 4.20 P. M. The Enemies Mainmast went nearly by the board.
" 4.50 "
Wore ship and stood for the Enemy
" 5.25 "
Got very close to the Enemy in a very effectual Raking Position, athwart his
Bows, and was at the very instance of Raking him when he most prudently
Struck his Flag, for had he suffered the Broadside to have raked him, his
additional loss must have been extremely great, as he laid an unmanageable Wreck upon the
Water. After the Enemy had struck, Won ship and Reefed the Topsails, then hoisted out one of
the only two remaining Boats we had left out of 8, and sent Lieu
t
Parker, 1
st
of the Constitution
to take possession of the Enemy, which proved to be H. B. M. Frigate Java, rated 38 but carried
49 Guns, and mann'd with upwards of 400 men, Commanded by Capt
n
Lambert, a very
distinguished Officer, who was mortally wounded. The Action Continued from the
Commencement to the end of the fire, 1
h
55
ms
. The Constitution had 9 kill'd and 25 wounded.
The Enemy had 60 kill'd and 101 wounded certainly, but by a Letter written on board the
Constitution by one of the Officers of the Java, and accidentally found, it is evident the Enemies
wounded must have been considerably greater than as above stated, and who must have died of
their wounds previously to being removed - The Letter states 60 kill'd and 170 wounded.
The Java had her own compliment of men complete and upwards of 100
Supernumeraries, going to join the British Ships of War in the East Indies, also several Officers,
Passengers, going out on Promotion. The force of the Enemy in number of men at the
commencement of the Action, is no doubt considerably greater than we have been able to
ascertain, which is upwards of 400 men The Officers were extremely cautious in discovering
the number. By her Quarter Bill, she had one man more stationed to each Gun than we had. -
The Constitution was very much cut in her Sails and Rigging, and many of her spars
injured At 7 P. M. the Boat returned [3] with Lieu
t
[Chade], the 1
st
Lieu
t
. of the Enemies
Frigate, and Lieu
t
. General Hislop (appointed Governor of Bombay.) Major Walker & Capt
n
.
Wood of his staff.
