action, both the _Wasp_ and the _Frolic_ were surrendered to H.M.S. _Poictiers_, of seventy-four guns. Seven days afterwards, another naval engagement occurred, more tellingly disastrous to Great Britain. The _United States_, a frigate of fifteen hundred tons burthen, carrying 30 long 24-pounders, on her main deck, and 22 42-pounders, with two long 24-pounders, on quarter deck and forecastle, howitzer guns in her tops, and a travelling carronade on her deck, with a complement of 478 picked men,[19] was perceived by H.M. frigate _Macedonian_, of 1081 tons, carrying 49 guns, and manned by 254 men and 35 boys. The _Macedonian_ approached the enemy and the enemy backed her sails, awaiting the attack, after the firing had continued for about an hour, at long range. When in close battle, Captain Carden perceived that he had no chance of success, but he was determined to fight his ship while she floated and was manageable, hoping for, rather than expecting, some lucky hit, which would so cripple the enemy as to permit the _Macedonian_, if no more could be done, to bear off with honor. But the fortune of war was adverse. Every shot told with deadly and destructive effect upon the _Macedonian_, and even yet, with nearly a hundred shots in her hull, her lower guns under water, in a tempestuous sea, and a third of her crew either killed or wounded, Captain Carden fought his ship. To "conquer or die," was his motto, and the motto of a brave crew, some of whom even stood on deck, after having paid a visit to the cockpit, and submitted to the amputation of an arm, grinning defiance, and anxious to be permitted the chance of boarding with their fellows, when Captain Carden called up his boarders as a _dernier resort_. But boarding was rendered impossible, as the fore brace was shot away, and the yard swinging round, the vessel was thrown upon the wind. The _United States_ made sail ahead and the crew of the _Macedonian_ fancying that she was taking her leave cheered lustily. They were not long deceived. Having refilled her cartridges, the _United States_, at a convenient distance, stood across the bows of her disabled antagonist, and soon compelled her to strike. While the _Macedonian_ had thirty-six killed and sixty-eight wounded, the _United States_ had only five killed and seven _hors de combat_.