The Java had her own full complement of men, and upwards of one hundred supernumeraries, for British ships in the East Indies. Her force, in number of men, at the commencement of the action, was probably much greater than the officers of the Constitution were enabled to ascertain. Her officers were extremely cautious about concealing the number of her crew. By her quarter-bill she had one man more stationed at each gun than the Constitution.
The Java was an important ship. She was fitted out in the most complete manner to carry Lieutenant-General Hyslop and staff to Bombay, of which place he had been appointed governor, and several naval officers for different vessels in the East Indies. She had dispatches for St. Helena, the Cape of Good Hope, and for every British settlement in the India and Chinese seas. She had copper on board for a seventy-four, and for two brigs, building at Bombay, and a number of other valuable articles.
The great distance from the United States, and the disabled state of the Java, forebade the idea of attempting to bring her to the United States. No alternative was therefore left, but to burn her, which was done, after the prisoners and their property were removed to the Constitution. They were all landed at St. Salvador and parolled.
The commander of the Java, Captain Lambert, died soon after he was put on shore. Commodore Bainbridge was received by his countrymen, on his return to the United States, with every demonstration of joy and esteem that his gallant exploit merited.
The Congress of the United States voted fifty thousand dollars, and their thanks to Commodore Bainbridge, his officers, and crew. They likewise ordered a gold medal (see [Plate X.],) to be presented to him, and silver ones to each of his officers, in token of their esteem. The citizens of Philadelphia presented him with an elegant piece of plate, and the common council of New York voted to him the freedom of their city, in a gold box; and ordered that his portrait be obtained, and placed in the gallery of portraits belonging to the city. The Constitution now became an object of national pride, and having seen so much service, with so little injury, during her numerous encounters, that she acquired the popular sobriquet of “Old Ironsides.” At the conclusion of the war, Commodore Bainbridge went again to the Mediterranean, in command of the Columbus, seventy-four, which was the last of his services at sea. He commanded for several years, at the different naval stations, till his health became infirm, when he retired to Philadelphia, and breathed his last on the 27th of July, 1833.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDAL.
Occasion.—Capture of the British frigate Java.
Device.—A bust of Captain Bainbridge.
Legend.—Gulielmus Bainbridge patria victisque laudatus.
Reverse.—A ship with three stumps only of her masts standing; the American ship with but a few shot holes in her sails.