This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1859 Excerpt: ...carronades; and of the Preble, a sloop, having 30 men and mounting 7 long 9's. These two vessels were attacked by the Finch (sloop), with 7 18-pounder carronades, 4 long 6's, and 40 men; and by thirteen gun-boats, mounting each two long guns, and manned with 53 men each. The gun-boats soon forced the Preble out of line ...
Read More
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1859 Excerpt: ...carronades; and of the Preble, a sloop, having 30 men and mounting 7 long 9's. These two vessels were attacked by the Finch (sloop), with 7 18-pounder carronades, 4 long 6's, and 40 men; and by thirteen gun-boats, mounting each two long guns, and manned with 53 men each. The gun-boats soon forced the Preble out of line; whilst the Ticonderoga, in return, by a discharge or two, drove the Finch away in a disabled condition (exhibited in the third division of the sketch), leaving as contestants only the Ticonderoga and the gun-boats--the latter with power, by means of their sweeps, to take position at pleasure. Though for attacking heavier vessels on their broadsides the gun-boats are ineffective, for a flank attack they are formidable. All interest in the battle of the rear, and its only influence upon the result, centres in the protection afforded by the Ticonderoga to the Saratoga against assault by the gun-boats; for their fire upon the Saratoga, if they could have reached her, and delivered it in addition to that she was already receiving from the Confiance and from the Linnet, or at a later period during the attempt to wind, would have added to the exceeding jeopardy of the moment. The commander of the little sloop Preble, which, in. the wise aim of the British gun-boats to get at the Saratoga they first attacked exclusively and overpowered, was much censured; but really, had he maintained his position and beat off so great a force as pressed him, it would have been justly regarded as a most gallant and extraordinary achievement. After driving off the Preble, the force of gun-boats next swept up under the Ticonderoga's stern, but dared not pass her formidable broadside. To carry her by a fire poured into her stern, or to board her over the taffrail, were...
Read Less
