Captain Stewart to the Secretary of the Navy.
United States Frigate Constitution,
May, 1815.
To the Honourable
Secretary Of The Navy,
Washington, D. C.
Sir: On the 20th of February last, the island of Madeira bearing about west southwest, distant 60 leagues, we fell in with His Britannic Majesty's two ships-of-war, the Cyane and Levant, and brought them to action about 6 o'clock in the evening, both of which, after a spirited engagement of 40 minutes, surrendered to the ship under my command.
Considering the advantages derived by the enemy from a divided and more active force, as also their superiority in the weight and number of guns, I deem the speedy and decisive result of this action the strongest assurance which can be given to the government that all under my command did their duty, and gallantly supported the reputation of American seamen.
Enclosed you will receive the minutes of the action, and a list of the killed and wounded on board this ship; also enclosed you will receive for your information a statement of the actual force of the enemy, and the number killed and wounded on board their ships, as near as could be ascertained.
I have the honour to be, &c.,
Charles Stewart.
American loss: 3 killed, 12 wounded. British loss: 35 killed, 42 wounded. Prisoners taken, 313.
Minutes of the action between the United States frigate Constitution, and His Britannic Majesty's skips Cyane and Levant, on the 20th February, 1815.
Commences with light breezes from the east, and cloudy weather. At one, discovered a sail two points on the larboard bow, hauled up and made sail in chase. At a quarter past one, made the sail to be a ship; at three-quarters past one, discovered another sail ahead; made them out at two p.m. to be both ships, standing close hauled, with their starboard tacks on board; at four p.m. the weathermost ship made signals, and bore up to her consort, then about 10 miles to leeward; we bore up after her, and set lower top-mast, top-gallant, and royal studding-sails in chase; at half-past four, carried away our main royal mast; took in the sails and got another prepared; at five p.m. commenced firing on the chase from our two larboard bow guns; our shot falling short, ceased firing; at half-past five, finding it impossible to prevent their junction, cleared ship for action, then about four miles from the two ships; at forty minutes after five, they passed within hail of each other, and hauled by the wind on the starboard tack, hauled up their courses, and prepared to receive us: at forty-five minutes past five, they made all sail close hauled by the wind, in hopes of getting to the windward of us; at fifty-five minutes past five, finding themselves disappointed in their object, and we were closing with them fast, they shortened sail, and formed on a line of wind, about half a cable's length from each other. At six p.m. having them under command of our battery, hoisted our colours, which was answered by both ships hoisting English ensigns. At five minutes past six, ranged up on the starboard side of the sternmost ship, about 300 yards distant, and commenced the action by broadsides, both ships returning our fire with the greatest spirit for about fifteen minutes, then the fire of the enemy beginning to slacken, and the great column of smoke collected under our lee, induced us to cease our fire to ascertain their positions and conditions. In about three minutes the smoke clearing away, we found ourselves abreast of the headmost ship, the sternmost ship luffing up for our larboard quarter; we poured a broadside into the headmost ship, and then braced aback our main and mizzen topsails, and backed astern under cover of the smoke, abreast the sternmost ship, when the action was continued with spirit and considerable effect until 35 minutes past 6, when the enemy's fire again slackened, and we discovered the headmost bearing up; filled our topsails, shot ahead, and gave her two stern rakes. We then discovered the sternmost ship wearing also; wore ship immediately after her, and gave her a stern rake, she luffing to on our starboard bow and giving us her larboard broadside. We ranged upon her larboard quarter, within hail, and were about to give her our starboard broadside, when she struck her colours, fired a lee gun and yielded. At fifty minutes past six took possession of His Britannic Majesty's ship Cyane, Captain Gordon Falcon, mounting 34 guns. At 8 p.m. filled away after her consort, which was still in sight to leeward. At half-past eight found her standing towards us, with her starboard tacks close hauled, with top-gallant sails set and colours flying. At 50 minutes past 8 ranged close alongside to windward of her, on opposite tacks, and exchanged broadsides; wore immediately under her stern, and raked her with a broadside. She then crowded all sail and endeavoured to escape by running, hauled on board our tacks, set spanker and flying-jib in chase. At half-past 9 commenced firing on her from our starboard bow chaser; gave her several shot, which cut her spars and rigging considerably. At 10 p.m. finding they could not escape, fired a gun, struck her colours, and yielded. We immediately took possession of His Britannic Majesty's ship Levant, Hon. Captain George Douglas, mounting 21 guns. At 1 a.m. the damages of our rigging were repaired, sails shifted, and the ship in fighting condition.