Wasp

Posted by Brian Stephens on Sunday 30th of March 2014 21:21

Nov 7, 1812
PHILADELPHIA
Another Gallant Achievement
By the ship, Bengal, Warwick, from Lisbon, arrived here this morning, information has been received, that the U.S. sloop of war Wasp, carrying eighteen guns, commanded by Capt. Jones had met the British sloop of war Frolic, of 20 guns, and after a severe conflict of 43 minutes, captured her. The fire of Capt. Jones was certainly more skillfully directed than that of his antagonist; for the Frolic was completely dismasted, and of her crew, there were between 50 and 60 killed and wounded, and only five killed on the Wasp, and the Frolic had the misfortune to fall in with the Poicteurs, of 74 guns, Capt. Beresford, and both were captured, and ordered for Bermuda.

Capt. Jones is a native of the State of Delaware, and was deemed a brave and able officer before this brilliant victory added additional laurels to his brow. His first Lieut. is a brother of Commodore Rodgers, and is in all respects, a worthy associate of his gallant commander. Our distinguished and meritorious fellow-citizen, Mr. James Biddle, who ranks as first Lieut. in the navy, was on board the Wasp as a volunteer and has briefly narrated the occurrence in the subsequent letter to his father, Charles Biddle, Esq., of this city.

H.B.M. ship Poicteurs (74)
Oct. 21, 1812 - at sea.
My dear father, The fortune of war has placed us in the hands of the enemy, we have been captured by this ship, after having ourselves captured his Britannic Majesty's brig, Frolic. The Frolic was superior in force to us; she mounted eighteen 32 pound carronades and two long nines. The Wasp, you know, is only 16 carronades. The action lasted 43 minutes; we had five killed, and the slaughter on board the Frolic was dreadful. We are bound into Bermuda. I am quite unhurt.
In great haste; your's very affectionately, J. Biddle