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

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.

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.

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.

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Wikipedia