The Naval History of the United States. Volume 1Abbot, Willis J. (Willis John)
History
The Naval History of the United States. Volume 1
Abbot, Willis J. (Willis John)
United States -- History, Naval
While the fight was raging, the two ships were constantly drawing
nearer together; and just as it seemed as though the destruction
wrought in the "Wasp's" rigging would inevitably lead to her defeat,
the two vessels fouled. For an instant they lay yard-arm to yard-arm,
and at that very moment the American gunners poured in a terrific
broadside. So close were the two vessels to each other, that, in
loading, the rammers were shoved up against the sides of the "Frolic."
Before the gunners of the "Frolic" could respond to this broadside,
their ship swung round so that her bow lay against the "Wasp's"
quarter; and her bowsprit passed over the heads of Capt. Jones and
his officers as they stood on the quarter-deck. That was the moment
for a raking volley; and with deadly aim the Americans poured it in,
and the heavy iron bolts swept the decks of the "Frolic" from stem to
stern.
This turn in the tide of battle fairly crazed with excitement the
sailors of the "Wasp." With ringing cheers they applauded the success
of the last volley, and, springing into the hammock-nettings, called
loudly for their officers to lead them on board the English ship. From
the quarter-deck, Capt. Jones, with shouts and gestures, strove to
hold back the excited men until another broadside could be given the
enemy. But the enthusiasm of the sailors was beyond all control. All
at once, they saw a sailor from New Jersey, named Jack Lang, spring on
a gun, cutlass in hand, ready to board. All were about to follow him,
when Capt. Jones called him down. Only for a minute did Jack's sense
of duty overcome his enthusiasm; and then, remembering that he had
once been impressed on the "Frolic," his rage blazed up, and in an
instant he was clambering over the nettings, calling for followers.
Capt. Jones saw that the ardor of his crew was beyond his control, and
ordered the bugler to call away the boarders. Headed by their
officers, the bold tars swarmed over the nettings, and through the
tangled rigging, to the deck of the enemy's ship. Each man clutched
his cutlass viciously, for he felt that a desperate conflict was
imminent. But when they dropped upon the deck of the "Frolic," a most
unexpected spectacle met their eyes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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