Bericht an John Wilson Croker (* 1780 - † 1857), Sekretär der Admiralität (1810 - 1830), vom 28. Oktober
1812:
Sir, It is with the deepest regret I have to acquaint you, for the information of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that H. M. late ship Macedonian, was captured on the 25th instant, by the U. S. ship United States, Commodore Decatur, commander : the detail is as follows : A short time after daylight, steering N. W. by W. with the wind from the southward, in lat. 29 N. and long. 29 30' W., in the execution of their Lordships' orders, a sail was seen on the lee beam, which 1 immediately stood for, and made her out to be a large frigate under American colours. At 9 o'clock, I closed with her, and she commenced the action, which we returned ; but, from the enemy keeping two points off the wind, I was not enabled to get as close to her as I could have wished. After an hour's action the enemy backed and came to the wind, and I was then enabled to bring her to close battle. In this situation I soon found tho enemy's force too superior to expect success, unless some very fortunate chance occurred in our favor ; and, with this hope, I continued the battle to two hours and ten minutes ; when, having the mizen-mast shot away by the board, topmasts shot away by the caps, main-yard shot in pieces, lowermasts badly wounded, lower rigging all cut to pieces, a small proportion only of the foresail left to the yard, all the guns on the quarterdeck and forecastle disabled but two, and filled with wreck, two also on the maindeck disabled, and several shot between wind and water, a very great proportion of the crew killed and wounded, and the enemy, who had now shot ahead, comparatively in good order, and about to place himself in a raking
position, without our being enabled to return his fire, being a perfect wreck and unmanageable log ; I deemed it prudent, though a painful extremity, to
surrender his Majesty's ship ; nor was this dreadful alternative resorted to till every hope of success was removed, even beyond the reach of chance
nor till, I trust their Lordships will be aware, every effort had been made against the enemy by myself, my brave officers, and men : nor should she
have been surrendered whilst a man lived on board, had she been manage able. I am sorry to say our loss is very severe. I find, by this day's muster,
36 killed, 3 of whom lingered a short time after the battle ; 36 severely wounded, many of whom cannot recover ; and 32 slightly wounded, who may all do well. Total 104 . The truly noble and animating conduct of my officers, and the steady bravery of my crew, to the last moment of the battle, must ever render them dear to their country. My first Lieutenant, David Hope, was severely wounded in the head, towards the close of the battle, and taken below but was soon again on deck, displaying that greatness of mind, and exertion, which, though it may be equalled, can never be excelled ; the third lieutenant, John Bulford, was also wounded, but not obliged to quit his quarters ; the second Lieutenant, Samuel Mottley, and he, deserve your highest acknowledgments. The cool and steady conduct of Mr. Walker, the Master, was very conspicuous during the battle ; as also that of Lieutenants Wilson and Magill, of the marines. On being taken on board the enemy's ship, I ceased to wonder at the result of the battle. The United States is built with the scantling of a 74 gun-ship, mounting thirty long 24-pounders (English ship guns) on her main-deck, and twenty-two 42-pounder carronades, with two long 24-pounders on her quarter-deck and forecastle, howitzer guns in her tops, and a travelling earronade on her upperdeck ; with a complement of 478
picked men. The enemy has suffered much in masts, rigging, and hull, above and below water; her loss in killed and wounded I am not aware of, but I
know a Lieutenant and 6 men have been thrown overboard .
(Signed) JOHN S. CARDEN.
Der Verlust der MACEDONIAN war die zweite Niederlage einer englischen 38-Kanonen-Fregatte gegen eine amerikanische 44-Kanonen-Fregatte (
