1813	Pelican and Argus	221

separating from a ship which she had just set on fire, and steering towards several merchantmen in the south-east. This active cruiser was the United States' brig-sloop Argus, Captain William Henry Allen, standing close hauled on the starboard tack, with the wind a moderate breeze from the southward. The Pelican was on the weather quarter of the Argus, bearing down under a press of sail to close her; nor did the latter make any attempt to escape, her commander, who had been first lieutenant of the United-States in her action with the Macedonian, being confident, as it afterwards appeared, that he could " whip any English 22-gun " (as all the British 18-gun brigs were called in America) sloop of war in 10 minutes. Let us now show the force of each of these anxious candidates for the laurel crown.

The Pelican mounted the usual establishment of her class, 16 carronades, 32-pounders, and two long sixes, with a 12-pounder boat-carronade. But, unfortunately, Captain Maples, when recently at Jamaica, had taken on board two brass 6-pounders. As there were no broadside ports for them, these surplusage guns were not thrown into the hold along with the ballast, but were mounted through the stern-ports, to the perpetual annoyance of the man at the helm, without a redeeming benefit in contributing, in the slightest degree, to the brig's actual force. Of her established complement of 120 men and boys, the Pelican had on board 101 men and 12 boys ; and, among her absentees, was her second lieutenant. The Argus mounted 18 carronades, 24-pounders, and two long English 12-pounders, the same, we believe, that had belonged to the Macedonian. On quitting the United States upon this cruise, the Argus mustered 157 men and boys ; but she had since manned so many prizes as to reduce her crew to 127, or, as acknowledged by her officers, 125, a number that included about three lads or boys.

At 4 h. 30 m. a.m., being unable to get the weathergage, the Argus shortened sail, to give the Pelican the opportunity of closing. At 5 h. 55 m. a.m., St.-David's Head bearing east distant about five leagues, the Pelican hoisted her colours. The Argus immediately did the same, and at 6 a.m., having wore round, opened her larboard guns within grape-distance ; receiving in return the starboard broadside of the Pelican. In about four minutes Captain Allen was severely wounded, and the main braces, main springstay, gaff, and trysail-mast of the Argus were shot away. At 6 h. 14 m. the Pelican bore up, to pass astern of the Argus ; but the latter, now commanded by Lieutenant William Henry Watson, adroitly threw all aback, and frustrated the attempt, bestowing at the same time a well-intended, but ineffective raking fire. At 6 h. 18 m., having shot away her opponent's preventer-brace and main topsail-tie, and thus deprived her of the use of her after-sails, the Pelican passed

^ back to top ^