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.

HomeThe Battle of the Kegs › The Battle of the Kegs: British

The Battle of the Kegs: British

These losses were to some degree offset by the good fortune of the "Trumbull," twenty-eight, in command of Capt. Saltonstall. She left New York in April of this year, and had been on the water but a few days when she fell in with two British armed vessels of no inconsiderable force. The Englishmen, confident of their ability to beat off the cruiser, made no effort to avoid a conflict. Capt. Saltonstall, by good seamanship, managed to put his vessel between the two hostile ships, and then worked both batteries with such vigor, that, after half-an-hour's fighting, the enemy was glad to strike. In this action the Americans lost seven men killed, and eight wounded. The loss of the enemy was not reported. This capture was of the greatest importance to the American cause, for the two prizes were loaded with military and naval stores.

← The Battle of the KegsThe Battle of the Kegs: Delaware →