y seized
with a fainting spell, and gave orders, by signs, that the colors be
struck.

When the inequality of the two enemies is considered, this action
appears to be a most notable reason for pride in the powers of the
Americans. The "Yankee Hero" was a low single-decked vessel of
fourteen guns, while her captor was the British frigate of thirty-two
guns. Yet the little American vessel had held her own for two hours,
and by good gunnery and skilful manoeuvring had succeeded in doing
almost as much damage as she had suffered.

In reading of the naval engagements of the Revolution, one is
impressed with the small sacrifice of life that attended the most
protracted conflicts. Thus in the action just recorded only four men
were killed upon the defeated ship, although for more than an hour the
two vessels had exchanged broadsides a distance of less than a hundred
feet apart. The execution done on the British frigate has never been
recorded, but was probably even less.

Only the most fragmentary account can be given of any naval actions in
the year 1776, except those in which America's great naval hero Paul
Jones took part. Of the trivial encounters that go to complete the
naval annals of the year, only the briefest recountal is necessary.
The work of the little brig "Andrea Doria," Capt. Biddle, deserves a
passing mention. This little fourteen-gun craft had the most wonderful
luck in making prizes. Besides capturing two transports loaded with
British soldiers, she took so many merchantmen, that on one cruise she
brought back to port only five of her original crew, the rest having
all been put aboard prizes.

On the 17th of June, the crew of the Connecticut cruiser "Defence," a
fourteen-gun brig, heard the sound of distant cannonading coming
faintly over the water. All sail was crowded upon the brig, and she
made all possible speed to the scene of conflict. About nightfall, she
fell in with four American schooners that had just been having a
tussle with two heavy British transports. Three of the American
vessels were privateers, the fourth was the little cruiser "Lee" in
which Capt. John Manly had done such brilliant service. The four
schooners had found the transports too powerful for them, and had
therefore drawn off, but were eager to renew the fray with the help of
the "Defence." Accordingly the "Defence" led the way to Nantasket
Roads, where the transports lay at anchor. Capt. Harding wasted little
time in manoeuv