whole of the _Java's_ boats, and all except one of the _Constitution's_, were knocked to pieces. The operation of conveying the prisoners on board the American frigate occupied a considerable time. As soon as it was accomplished, the _Java_, being much shattered was set on fire. Though the Americans behaved civilly to the British officers, the crew complained bitterly of being handcuffed and otherwise severely treated. The _Java_ had her captain, 3 masters' mates, 2 midshipmen, and I supernumerary clerk killed, and 17 seamen and marines, and 102 officers and men wounded, among whom was her gallant first lieutenant. Several brig-sloops and other small craft were also captured during the war by the Americans, who had every reason to be proud of the gallantry displayed by their seamen. Success, however, did not always attend on the "star-spangled banner," and, as was natural, the captains of the British 38-gun frigates were eager to fall in with one of the famed American forty-fours. Among others, Captain Philip Vere Broke, commanding the _Shannon_ frigate, resolved, if possible, to show what a well-disciplined crew could do. He had from the time he had been appointed to her, several years before, diligently exercised his crew in gunnery, so that those who knew him and his ship's company felt confident of his success. The following lines, written soon after the commencement of the war, prove this:-- "And as the war they did provoke, We'll pay them with our cannon; The first to do it will be Broke, In the gallant ship the _Shannon_." The following song well describes the far-famed action:-- The "Chesapeake" and the "Shannon." At Boston one day, as the _Chesapeake_ lay, The captain, his crew thus began on: See that ship out at sea, she our prize soon shall be; 'Tis the tight little frigate the _Shannon_. Oh, 'twill be a good joke To take Commodore Broke, And add to our navy the _Shannon_. Then he made a great bluster, calling all hands to muster, And said, Now boys, stand firm to your cannon; Let us get under weigh without further delay, And capture the insolent _Shannon_. Within two hours' space We'll return to this place, And bring into harbour the _Shannon_. Now alongside they range, and broadsides they exchange, But the Yankees soon flinch from their cannon; When the captain and crew, without further ado, Are attacked, sword in hand, from the _Shannon_. The brave commodore of the _Shannon_ Fired a friendly salute Just to end the dispute, And the _Chesapeake_ struck to the _Shannon_. Let America know the respect she should show To our national flag and our cannon; And let her take heed that the Thames and the Tweed Give us tars just as brave as the _Shannon_. Here's to Commodore Broke of the _Shannon_; May the olive of peace Soon bid enmity cease From the _Chesapeake_ shore to the _Shannon_.