The Peacock stung by the Hornet: or Engagement between the United States ship Hornet, Captain Lawrence, of 16 guns, and His Britannic Majestys brig Peacock, Captain Peake of 19 guns, which he sunk after 15 minutes close action The Hornet had one man killed, and two wounded, the Peacock 8 killed, and 27 wounded When the Peacock sunk, 19 of her crew, and 8 brave Americans went down with her.
This navy promotional in sophisticated language describes an action on February 24, 1813, off the coast of British Guiana in South America. Commander Martin recounts the background and the battle:
USS Hornet (eighteen guns, Master Commandant James Lawrence) sailed with Commodore William Bainbridge in Constitution in October 1812. Two months later, they called at Sao Salvador, Brazil (Bahia, today), and there found in port HMS Bonne Citoyenne, a sloop of war said to be carrying a large amount of specie.
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