The Naval History of the United States

Abbot's fighting history of the American navy — privateers and frigates, the Bon Homme Richard and the Constitution, told battle by battle with the smoke still in the rigging.

Home › Beating to Quarters › Beating to Quarters

Beating to Quarters

rows of great guns that peer through the open ports on either side. All are stripped to the waist; and at many a gun the fair skin of the American sailor gleams white by the side of some swarthy Spaniard, or still darker negro.

All quiet down on reaching their stations; and, five minutes after the drum-beats, no sound is heard, save perhaps the steps of the black boys, THE ONLY SHOT OF THE "CHESAPEAKE " taking rations of grog around, that the men may "splice the main brace" before going into the fight.

BEATING TO QUARTERS.
BEATING TO QUARTERS.
THE ONLY SHOT OF THE "CHESAPEAKE "
THE ONLY SHOT OF THE "CHESAPEAKE "

Read next

← CHAPTER IX: LawrenceBeating to Quarters: Chesapeake →