USS Essex vs. HMS Phoebe was a naval engagement of the War of 1812. On March 28, 1814, USS Essex, commanded by Captain David Porter, was brought to battle north of the Pacific port of Valparaíso, Chile. Essex had been raiding the English whaling fleets for a year during the War of 1812. The British admiralty dispatched two ships, HMS Phoebe (36 guns) and HMS Cherub (18 guns) under Captain James Hillyar, R.N., to go find and capture the Essex. Essex was cornered in Valparaíso, and in the first meeting between the two ships, Phoebe came exceedingly close to the Essex, as if to start a battle and violate Chilean neutrality. Captain Porter threatened to board Phoebe if it touched one rope of the Essex. The Essex tried to escape on March 28, and when extremely close to success, she lost a topmast, impairing maneuverability. A few hours later, Hillyar with the Phoebe and Cherub brought Essex to battle. For hours, the Essex, armed with carronades, cannons with short range, was pounded by the long cannons of Phoebe and Cherub, until the ship was an unmanageable wreck and surrendered. The Essex lost 24 men killed and 45 wounded. The Phoebe had 4 killed and 7 wounded. The Cherub had 1 killed [ - ]

USS Essex vs. HMS Phoebe was a naval engagement of the War of 1812. On March 28, 1814,... [ + ]