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Online Library of Selected Images -- Picture Data

Photo #: NH 55412 (extended caption)

U.S. Frigate Constitution engaging HMS Java,
off the coast of Brazil, 29 December 1812


Artwork depicting Constitution (at left) dismasting Java.
The text under the image is reproduced below.

The original print is in the Beverly R. Robinson Collection, U.S. Naval Academy Museum, Annapolis, Maryland.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 150KB; 900 x 735 pixels

 

High-Resolution JPG


The following text is provided on the original artwork for Photo # NH 55412, with spelling and punctuation generally as in the original:

"Constitution and Java"
"December 29th 1812"

"(Ca)sting off the William, a merchant ship she had captured, the Java, soon after 8 a.m. bore up in chase of the Constitution, then in the S.S. W. standing on the larboard tack. At 10 a.m. Java made the private signals, English, Spanish and Portugese, none of which were answered. At noon, when about 4 miles distant, Constitution hoisted the private signal. Having kept it flying 10 minutes, Constitution wore from Java, and setting her main sail and royals, kept away two points free. Hauling up Java steered a course parallel to Constitution, and gained upon her considerably. At about 1.;30 p.m. Constitution hoisted a commodores pendant, one American ensign at the mizzen peak and another at the main, also an American jack at the fore. At 1.40 p.m. by which time Java had closed her within 2 miles, the American frigate shortened sail to top and topgallant sails, jib and spanker, and luffed up to the wind. The British frigate now hoisted her colours and putting herself under top and topgallant sails, jib and spanker, Java stood for the Constitution. At 2.10 p.m. Java had approached within half a mile of Constitution, the latter opened fire from her larboard guns, the shot from which splashed the water against Java's side. Not being so close as he wished Captain Lambert stood within pistol shot on Constitutions weather bow. When at 2.20 having received a second broadside, which passed over her Java returned a broadside, almost every shot of which took effect. The Constitution had her wheel knocked away, besides receiving other damage, and 4 men killed and several wounded. The American frigate wore in the smoke to get further to leeward, the Java made sail after her, at 2.25 p.m. the two frigates again exchanged broadsides, the Constitution wore. Java wore also and passing slowly with her larboard mainyard-arm over the Constitution's taffrail. Which owing to the height of her main deck battery froom the water, and her being nearly eight feet between decks, was nearly as high as that of the 74 gun ship Plantagenet, the British frigate might have raked the American in a most destructive manner, but the Java's crew did not fire a gun. At 2.58 p.m. being again abreast of each other, and within pistol shot distance, the two frigates mutually engaged: to the disadvantage of Java, in the course of 10 min. her rigging was cut to pieces, her fore and mainmast badly wounded, her master carried below wounded and several other officers and killed or wounded. The Java now lay at the mercy of her antagonist who at 3.15 wearing across her bow, raked her with a very heavy fire, and shot away her main topmast, the wreck of which and of the foremast rendered useless the greater part of her starboard guns. Constitution at 3.20 luffed up, raked her on the starboard quarter. At 3.30 Captain Lambert fell, mortally wounded in the left breast. The command then devolved upon Lieut. Henry Ducie Chads, who, altho' he was painfully, but not dangerously wounded remained on deck, animating the surviving officers and crew by his noble example. At 3.50 had her gaff spanker boom shot away, at 4.5 her mizenmast. Having effectually done her work Constitution made sail out of gunshot to repair her damages, leaving Java a perfect wreck, with her mainmast only, standing, and that tottering, and the muzzles of her guns dipping in the water from the heavy rolling of the ship. Javas first endeavour was to get before the wind. A topgallant mast was begun to be rigged as a jury foremast, with a lower studding sail for a jury foresail, when owing to the continued rolling of the ship, the mainmast was obliged to be cut away to prevent its falling in board. At 5.45 Constitution placed herself in a very effectual raking position athwart the bow of the defenceless antagonist. Having besides the loss of her masts and bowsprit, had six of her quarter deck, four of her forecastle, and several of her maindeck guns disabled, her boats shot to pieces, her hull shattered, one pump shot away, and much water in the hold, the British frigate, as a measure that could now no longer be delayed, lowered her colours from the stump of the mizenmast, and at 6 p.m. the Java was taken possession of by the Constitution."

NOTES:

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  • To the best of our knowledge, the picture referenced here is in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

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    Image posted 3 January 2010