Page:The history of yachting.djvu/321

 Rh sail. Of these, between seven and eight hundred were well-equipped sea-going vessels. Opposed to this gigantic naval power, the little squadron of the United States was in almost the same relative position that the scanty navy of England had found itself in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, when it was threatened by the imposing Armada of Spain. And, like England in her defense against Spain, the United States gathered her gallant sons and sent them out upon the ocean to attack the flag of Great Britain whenever and wherever it could be found upon the sea. Side by side with the memorable naval battles that illumine the pages of American history, on the lakes and on the sea, stand the heroic exploits of the privateers and their intrepid commanders and crews. From the record of Lloyd's, London, it appears that the American privateers captured during this short war of three years one thousand three hundred and forty-five British vessels. And Mr. Baring, M.P., rose in his place in the House of Commons and complained that "American privateers came into the Chops of the Channel and carried off British vessels, without the ability of the Admiralty Board to stop them." It also was stated that Captain Allen, in the brig Argus, committed more devastation in the English and St. George's channels than any hostile squadron that ever sailed out of a French port. And although this is but one instance of the skill and daring of these unique American seamen, many more could be cited.

The American sea-captains of that period were