Isabella Carter
On December 29, 1812, the USS Constitution and HMS Java faced off in a naval battle off the coast of Brazil. The USS Constitution, under the command of Commodore William Bainbridge, emerged victorious against the larger HMS Java, which was led by Captain Henry Lambert. The intense battle resulted in significant damage to both ships and casualties on both sides. While the exact number of fatalities aboard the HMS Java is unknown, it is reported that eight crew members of the USS Constitution were killed, with twenty-seven injured. The defeat of the HMS Java marked the second loss of a frigate to the USS Constitution within six months, prompting the British Admiralty to adjust their tactics to prevent further losses to American frigates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the battle | December 29, 1812 |
| Location | Off the coast of Brazil |
| Ships involved | HMS Java, USS Constitution |
| Commanders | Commodore William Bainbridge (USS Constitution), Captain Henry Lambert (HMS Java) |
| Outcome | HMS Java surrendered and was burned, USS Constitution damaged but made it to Boston on February 15, 1813 |
| Casualties | USS Constitution: 8 killed, 27 injured; HMS Java: unknown killed, about 105 injured |
| Casualties (other source) | USS Constitution: 9-12 killed, 22-25 wounded; HMS Java: Captain Lambert killed, unknown others |
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What You'll Learn
USS Constitution's casualties: 8 killed, 27 injured
On December 29, 1812, USS Constitution, commanded by Commodore William Bainbridge, engaged in a naval battle with HMS Java off the coast of Brazil. The battle lasted for about three to four hours and resulted in significant damage to both ships.
USS Constitution emerged victorious, with eight crew members killed and twenty-seven injured. Five of the wounded required amputations of their arms or legs. The ship suffered damage to its rigging and hull but managed to make it back to Boston on February 15, 1813.
HMS Java, on the other hand, sustained more severe damage. The exact number of casualties on Java is unknown, but it is estimated that about 105 crew members were injured. Java's captain, Henry Lambert, received a fatal wound during the battle and later died during the voyage.
The defeat of HMS Java by USS Constitution marked the second victory for the Americans during the War of 1812. The British Admiralty took steps to ensure that their frigates would not fall victim to American frigates in future engagements.
The battle between USS Constitution and HMS Java was a significant event in naval history, with the American victory influencing a change in tactics for the Royal Navy. The engagement highlighted the importance of experienced crews, ship manoeuvrability, and the defensive capabilities of a thick hull.
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HMS Java's casualties: 105 injured, death toll unknown
On December 29, 1812, the USS Constitution, an American frigate, clashed with HMS Java, a British frigate, off the coast of Brazil. The battle, which lasted three to four hours, resulted in significant damage to both ships, with the Java suffering extensive devastation.
The exact death toll among the crew of HMS Java remains unknown. However, it is estimated that approximately 105 crew members were injured in the battle. The Java, under the command of Captain Henry Lambert, put up a valiant fight, but ultimately surrendered to the USS Constitution. The Java's crew included both experienced sailors and landsmen new to sea service, and their gunnery practice had been limited.
The USS Constitution, commanded by Commodore William Bainbridge, demonstrated superior firepower and manoeuvring. The Americans initially struggled to hit the Java due to the agility of the smaller frigate, but eventually found their mark. The Java sustained severe damage, with her three masts and bowsprit destroyed, and many of her guns rendered inoperable.
In the heat of the battle, Captain Lambert received a fatal chest wound, delivered by a sharpshooter from the USS Constitution. Following Lambert's mortal injury, Lieutenant Henry Ducie Chads assumed command. Facing overwhelming odds and significant damage to their ship, Chads made the difficult decision to surrender the Java to the Americans.
The USS Constitution also endured damage to her rig and hull but successfully returned to Boston on February 15, 1813. The engagement between the USS Constitution and HMS Java marked the second victory for the Americans during the War of 1812, prompting the British Admiralty to implement new tactics to prevent further losses to their frigates.
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Captain Lambert's death
On 29 December 1812, HMS Java, commanded by Captain Henry Lambert, encountered the USS Constitution off the coast of Brazil. The USS Constitution was under the command of Commodore William Bainbridge.
Captain Lambert was a well-qualified and experienced officer, having seen much combat during his service. However, the HMS Java was at a disadvantage due to its crew composition. While the ship had more than a full crew, many were new to service at sea and lacked sufficient gunnery practice.
During the battle, Captain Lambert attempted to board the USS Constitution by aiming Java's shattered bow at the American frigate. As the ships neared, a sharpshooter from the USS Constitution mortally wounded Captain Lambert in the chest or shoulder. The exact location of the wound is unclear, with sources citing either the chest or shoulder.
Following Captain Lambert's mortal injury, the HMS Java suffered further devastation. The ship's foremast was toppled, and many of her guns became inoperable. An hour later, the USS Constitution returned and took up a raking position off Java's bow, leaving the surviving crew of the HMS Java no choice but to surrender.
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USS Constitution's damage
On 29 December 1812, the USS Constitution, an American frigate, clashed with HMS Java, a British frigate, off the coast of Brazil in a fierce naval engagement that resulted in significant damage to both vessels. The battle lasted for three hours, and the USS Constitution ultimately emerged victorious, despite sustaining damage to its rig and hull.
As the battle unfolded, the USS Constitution initially struggled to hit the HMS Java with its cannon fire due to the latter's superior manoeuvrability. However, once the ships closed in on each other, the heavier American shot, coupled with the sturdy hull of the USS Constitution, began to inflict severe damage on the HMS Java. The British ship's foremast was toppled, and many of its guns were rendered inoperable. In contrast, the USS Constitution's more experienced crew and heavier firepower allowed them to gain the upper hand.
During the engagement, the HMS Java managed to score hits on the USS Constitution, resulting in notable damage. The British shots smashed the American ship's wheel, wounding or killing the quartermasters manning it. The same broadside fire also shattered a railing surrounding the after hatchway, with a shard of copper becoming embedded in the thigh of Commodore William Bainbridge, the commander of the USS Constitution. Despite his injury, Bainbridge rallied his crew, and they continued the fight.
After a fierce exchange of cannon fire, the HMS Java suffered extensive damage. All three of her masts and her bowsprit were damaged, leaving her crippled and unable to effectively engage the USS Constitution. With her guns falling silent and her crew suffering heavy casualties, the HMS Java was unable to prevent the USS Constitution from taking up a raking position off her bow. This decisive manoeuvre left the British with no choice but to surrender, bringing the intense battle to a close.
The USS Constitution, despite its own damage, managed to stay afloat and make its way to Boston, arriving on 15 February 1813. The ship's rig and hull had been battered, and several masts were badly damaged, including the fore and mizen masts, the main topmast, and the spanker boom. Additionally, there were casualties among the crew, with ten killed and several officers and men wounded. The victory over the HMS Java was a significant achievement for the USS Constitution, and it was celebrated as heroes upon their return to Boston.
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HMS Java's damage
On 29 December 1812, HMS Java, a 38-gun British Royal Navy frigate, engaged in a battle with USS Constitution off the coast of Brazil. The battle lasted three hours and ended in the defeat of HMS Java.
HMS Java, commanded by Captain Henry Lambert, had a complement of about 277 but allegedly had 426 aboard during the battle, compared to USS Constitution's 475. Java was a well-supplied and well-manned ship, with a crew that had seen much combat. However, many of her crew were new to service at sea, and they had only practised gunnery once without shot-loaded guns.
As the two ships manoeuvred to rake each other, Java turned under the American's stern and fired. The British shot smashed Constitution's wheel, wounding or killing the four quartermasters manning it. The same broadside also shattered a railing surrounding the after hatchway, embedding a shard of copper in Commodore William Bainbridge's thigh. Despite his wound, Bainbridge rallied his crew, and they regained control of the ship by steering using the tiller connected directly to the rudder.
The heavy American shot, combined with the defensive properties of Constitution's thick hull, began to turn the tide of the battle. Captain Lambert attempted to board the American frigate by aiming Java's shattered bow at Constitution. However, as the two ships neared, American shot toppled Java's foremast, and the boarding attempt failed. Soon after, Lambert received a fatal wound to the chest.
The Americans fired several more broadsides before moving out of range to repair their damaged rigging. By then, Java's three masts and bowsprit were damaged, and many of her guns were inoperable. An hour later, Constitution returned and took up a raking position off Java's bow, leaving Lieutenant Henry Ducie Chads no choice but to surrender.
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Frequently asked questions
HMS Java had a complement of about 277, but during her engagement with USS Constitution, she allegedly had 426 aboard. USS Constitution had 475 aboard.
The exact number of crew on the Java who died is not known, but about 105 were injured.
Eight crew members of the USS Constitution were killed and twenty-seven were injured.
After the battle, the British Admiralty took steps to ensure that no more of their frigates would fall victim to the Americans. In July 1813, they issued orders forbidding their captains from engaging American frigates one-on-one.
