yard, across the larboard fore and fore-topsail
braces, rendered our head-yards unmanageable the remainder of the
action. At eight minutes the gaff and main-topgallant-mast came
down, and at twenty minutes from the beginning of the action,
every brace and most of the rigging was shot away. A few minutes
after separating from the Frolic, both her masts fell upon deck,
the main-mast going close by the deck, and the fore-mast twelve
or fifteen feet above it.

The courage and exertions of the officers and crew fully answered
my expectations and wishes. Lieutenant Biddle's active conduct
contributed much to our success by the exact attention paid to
every department during the engagement, and the animating example
he afforded the crew by his intrepidity. Lieutenants Rodgers,
Booth, and Mr. Rapp shewed, by the incessant fire from their
divisions, that they were not to be surpassed in resolution or
skill. Mr. Knight and every other officer acted with a courage
and promptitude highly honourable, and, I trust, have given
assurance that they may be relied on whenever their services may
be required.

I could not ascertain the exact loss of the enemy, as many of the
dead lay buried under the masts and spars that had fallen upon
deck, which two hours exertion had not sufficiently removed. Mr.
Biddle, who had charge of the Frolic, states that, from what he
saw and from information from the officers, the number killed
must have been about thirty, and that of the wounded about forty
or fifty: of the killed is her first lieutenant and sailing
master; of the wounded Captain Whinyates and the second
lieutenant.

We had five killed and five wounded, as per list; the wounded are
recovering. Lieutenant Claxton, who was confined by sickness,
left his bed a little previous to the engagement, and though too
weak to be at his division, remained upon deck, and shewed, by
his composed manner of noting incidents, that we had lost, by his
illness, the services of a brave officer.

I am, respectfully yours, etc.,
Jacob JONES.

No. 27. (p. 163)
PLATE XXVIII.

_October 25, 1812._

Stephanus Decatur navarchus, pugnis pluribus, victor. [Rx].
Occidit signum host