The following text is provided on the original artwork: "April 28 1815" "At daylight in latitude 30 (degrees) South, longitude 34 (degrees) West, the United States ship-sloops Peacock and Hornet, cruising in company, bore down upon, in order to capture as an Indiaman, the British 74 gun-ship Cornwallis, Captain John Bayley, bearing the flag of Rear Admiral Sir George Burltan K.C.B. The mistake was soon discovered and a chase commenced, during which the Peacock separated to the Eastward. In the afternoon the Cornwallis, when gaining fast upon the Hornet, had to heave and lower a boat for a marine that had fallen overboard. This delay aided by the unskillful firing of the Cornwallis on the following day saved the Hornet but the chase continued until 9 a.m. on the 30th when the 74 finding further pursuit useless, shortened sail. The chase however rendered the Hornet useless as a cruiser. She hove overboard guns, muskets, cutlasses, forge, bell, anchors, cables, shot, boats, spar spars and a considerable portion of her ballast, and was of course obliged to steer straight for the United States." |
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4 April 2003