eing ordered to cruise for the American privateer Young Wasp.
They acknowledge, also, a loss of 14 killed and 28 wounded; but
Mr. Mayo, who was in charge of the prize, assures me that the
number of killed was certainly greater. Among the killed is
Captain Dickenson, who fell at the close of the action, and the
boatswain; among the wounded is the second lieutenant, purser,
and two midshipmen. Each of the midshipmen lost a leg. We
received on board, in all, 118 prisoners, four of whom have since
died of their wounds. Having removed the prisoners, and taken on
board such provisions and stores as would be useful to us, I
scuttled the Penguin this morning, before daylight, and she went
down. As she was completely riddled by our shot, her foremast and
bowsprit both gone, and her main-mast so crippled as to be
incapable of being secured, it seemed unadvisable, at this
distance from home, to attempt sending her to the United States.

This ship did not receive a single round shot in her hull, nor
any material wound in her spars; the rigging and sails were very
much cut; but having bent a new suit of sails and knotted and
secured our rigging, we are now completely ready, in all (p. 252)
respects, for any service. We were eight men short of complement,
and had nine upon the sick list the morning of the action.

Enclosed is a list of killed and wounded. I lament to state that
Lieutenant Conner is wounded dangerously. I feel great solicitude
on his account, as he is an officer of much promise, and his loss
would be a serious loss to the service.

It is a most pleasing part of my duty to acquaint you that the
conduct of Lieutenants Conner and Newton, Mr. Mayo,
Acting-Lieutenant Brownlow, of the marines, sailing master
Romney, and other officers, seamen, and marines I have the honour
to command, was in the highest degree creditable to them, and
calls for my warmest recommendation. I cannot, indeed, do justice
to their merits. The satisfaction which was diffused throughout
the ship when it was ascertained that the stranger was an enemy's
sloop of war, and the alacrity with which every one repaired to
quarters, fully assured me that their conduct in the action would
be marked with coolness and intrepidity.

The loss on board the Hornet, was 1 killed an