Capture of USS Chesapeake by HMS Shannon

Background. HMS Shannon was launched in 1806 and served in both the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812. As tensions between Britain and the United States escalated toward the War of 1812, Broke and Shannon were ordered to sail for North America. Shannon sailed from Portsmouth and arrived in Halifax on 24 September 1811 after a 45-day journey. On 5 July 1812 Broke took command of a squadron including Shannon, Africa, Belvidera, Aeolus, and later Guerriere.

The Battle. The battle was fought on 1 June 1813, between HMS Shannon and USS Chesapeake. It is noted as the bloodiest single-ship action of the War of 1812. The engagement resulted in a noteworthy naval victory for Shannon, capturing the United States Navy frigate in a bloody battle off the coast.

Aftermath. A reflective account describes the excitement of the 1813 arrival of Shannon flying the "meteor flag of England" with the defeated Chesapeake carrying Lawrence's body in her wake. Shannon was later placed in ordinary at Portsmouth in 1814–1815 and underwent extensive repairs at Chatham between July 1815 and March 1817, at a cost of £26,328.