Capture of HMS Boxer

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Capture of HMS Boxer


caption=
partof=the War of 1812
date=5 September 1813
place=off Pemaquid Point, near Bristol, Maine
result=American victory
combatant1=flag|Great Britain
combatant2=flag|United States|1795
commander1=flagicon|Great Britain Captain Samuel BlytheKIA
commander2=flagicon|United States|1795 William BurrowsKIA
strength1=1 brig
strength2=1 brig
casualties1= 1 brig captured
casualties2= 1 brig damagedThe 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".

Battle

On 5 September 1813, the USS "Enterpise" of 16 guns with 102 men sighted HMS "Boxer" of 14 guns with 66 men off Pemaquid Point, Maine, and closed on the enemy brig. British Captain Samuel Blyth prepared for a fight to the finish. On the "Enterprise", Lieutenant William Burrows demonstrated similar resolve. He moved one of his two long 9-pounders from the bow to a stern port, asserting: " 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. Captain Blyth was killed during the initial fusillade, and Captain Burrows suffered a mortal wound moments later. The fierce contest ended in 30 minutes with the HMS "Boxer" in ruins. The management of the "Enterprise" devolved on Lieutenant Edward McCall, while Lieutenant David McGrery found himself in command of the battered HMS "Boxer". The dying Captain Burrows declined to accept Captain Blythe's sword, directing it be sent to the family of the dead British captain. "I am satisfied, I die contented," Captain Burrows exclaimed. McCall went into nearby Portland, Maine with the two ships and the casualties.

Aftermath

Newspapers in the United States rejoiced in "another brilliant naval victory," one of the few American successes during the third summer of the War of 1812. 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.

Quotation

" The commander of the Boxer, Captain Samuel Blythe, was killed early in the action by a cannon ball; had he lived he might have defended his ship more desperately, but it is not probable with more success. He was an officer of distinguished merit; having received a sword from government for his good conduct under Sir James L. Yeo, in the capture of Cayenne. Blythe was also one of the pall-bearers of our lamented James Lawrence, when buried at Halifax, Nova Scotia.

It was his fate now to receive like courtesy at the hands of his enemy. His remains, in company with those of the brave Burrows, were brought to Portland , where they were interred with military honours.

It was a striking and affecting sight, to behold two gallant commanders, who had lately been arrayed in deadly hostility against each other, descending into one quiet grave, there to mingle their dust peacefully together. "

Source

*Frost, John, "The Pictorial Book Of The Commodores; Comprising Lives Of Distinguished Commanders In The Navy Of The United States." Nafis & Cornish, New York, 1845.