The Peacock stung by the Hornet: or Engagement between the United States ship Hornet, Captain Lawrence, of 16 guns, and His Britannic Majestys brig Peacock, Captain Peake of 19 guns, which he sunk after 15 minutes close action The Hornet had one man killed, and two wounded, the Peacock 8 killed, and 27 wounded When the Peacock sunk, 19 of her crew, and 8 brave Americans went down with her.

This navy promotional in sophisticated language describes an action on February 24, 1813, off the coast of British Guiana in South America. Commander Martin recounts the background and the battle:

USS Hornet (eighteen guns, Master Commandant James Lawrence) sailed with Commodore William Bainbridge in Constitution in October 1812. Two months later, they called at Sao Salvador, Brazil (Bahia, today), and there found in port HMS Bonne Citoyenne, a sloop of war said to be carrying a large amount of specie. When her captain rightfully refused all ploys to risk combat, and unable to remain a belligerent in a neutral port, Bainbridge ordered Lawrence to maintain a close inshore watch against her departure while he kept watch farther out for other British warships known to be in the region.

On December 29, 1812, Bainbridge met HMS Java heading for port to get water, and defeated her in the battle recounted earlier (Naval Victory and Glorious Naval Victory). When he returned to Sao Salvador after the fight, both himself and his ship wounded, he decided to head for home, but instructed Lawrence to remain yet awhile in hopes that Bonne Citoyenne would then risk sailing. Lawrence finally departed the area nearly three weeks later, that hope unfulfilled.

Proceeding north and west along the South American coast, in accordance with his orders, on February 4 he captured the British merchant brig Resolution carrying $23,000 in specie. Taking out the money, he burned her. Twenty days later, then off Demerara, he espied a war brig, the eighteen-gun HMS Peacock (Captain William Peake). The two exchanged broadsides while passing each other in opposite directions, then Lawrence whipped his ship about and laid close alongside the Briton’s starboard quarter. Fifteen minutes of merciless fire rendered her a wreck, and she surrendered in a sinking state and her captain dead. Attempts to keep her afloat failed, and she went down carrying nine Britons and three Yanks to their deaths. Lawrence had two killed otherwise and three wounded.

As was customary, Lawrence and his commissioned officers were awarded medals, and Lawrence received his desired promotion to captain.

Contrary to the preamble on the broadside, both ships mounted eighteen guns. Peacock’s reputation in the Royal Navy, however, had rested on her smart appearance, not her gunnery. Imputing greater force to the enemy was de rigeur in the American press of the day: it furthered the image of their minuscule navy humbling the mighty Britons. And if accepted by the authorities, it resulted in the victors receiving a greater amount of prize and/or bounty money. On the other hand, but also to improve the image, American casualties are understated. (Dudley, vol. 2; Maclay)