ABSTRACT
Shannon was employed in Spitzbergen in 1807, and in run-of-the-mill activities until she was ordered to North America in 1811. When war broke out the next year, the Americans had much the best of the single-ship encounters. Broke concentrated on training his crew, with the aim of taking on any of the Americans. In June 1813, his station was off Boston, where LAWRENCE had just taken command of the Chesapeake and Broke contemplated sending a formal challenge to Lawrence, who, however, came out to fight before it was delivered. The engagement was short and conclusive, Lawrence being mortally wounded by the first broadside. Broke led his boarders and the inexperienced American crew were swiftly overcome, though Broke himself received a serious head wound, which affected him thereafter.
