1813	Light Squadrons and Single Ships	194

match ; or rather, as a brass swivel or two were stuck upon the capstan, or somewhere about the quarterdeck, of the Peacock, by way of ornament, these and the boat-carronade were reckoned in, and the Hornet was declared to have gained a victory over a superior British force.

If, in their encounter of British frigates, the Americans were so lucky as to meet them with crippled masts, deteriorated powder, unskilful gunners, or worthless crews, they were not less fortunate in the brigs they fell in with. There was the Frolic, with her main yard gone and topmasts sprung; and here is the Peacock, with 24 instead of 32 pounder carronades, the establishment of her class, and with a crew that, owing to the nature of their employment ever since the brig had been commissioned, in August, 1807, must have almost forgotten that they belonged to a man of war. The Peacock had long been the admiration of her numerous visitors, for the tasteful arrangement of her deck, and had obtained, in consequence, the name of the yacht. The breechings of the carronades were lined with white canvass, the shot-lockers shifted from their usual places, and nothing could exceed in brilliancy the polish upon the traversing bars and elevating screws. If carronades, in general, as mounted in the British service, are liable to turn in-board or upset, what must have been the state of the Peacock's carronades after the first broadside ? A single discharge from them, in exercise, would have betrayed the very defective state of their fastenings; and the feelings of Englishmen might then have found some relief in the skill, as well as gallantry, evinced in the Peacock's defence. The firing of the Hornet was admirable, and proved that her men, to the credit of Captain Lawrence and his officers, had been well taught what use to make of their guns : at the same time, it must be admitted, that the Peacock, Frolic, and all the brigs of their class were mere shells ; especially, when compared with such a ship as the Hornet, whose scantling was nearly as stout as that of a British 12-pounder frigate.

The wreck of the Peacock was visible for a long time after the action, and bore from Point Spirit, which is about six miles to the eastward of the entrance to Demerara river, north-east by east distant six leagues; making the distance between the Espiègle and Peacock, during the action, nearly 24 miles. This confirms the statement of Lieutenant Frederick Augustus Wright, the late senior lieutenant of the Peacock, that the Espiègle " was not visible from the look-outs stationed at the Peacock's mast-heads for some time previous to the commencement of the action, and gives rather an awkward appearance to Captain Lawrence's statement, that the Espiègle lay about six miles inshore of him and " could plainly see the whole of the action. " If another confirmation were wanted, it is to be found in the log of the Espiègle ; by which it appears that, although pieces of

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