On Dec. 29, 1812 "Old Ironsides" the USS Constitution engaged in battle with the 38 gun HMS Java off the coast of Brazil. Constitution, under the command of Commodore William Bainbridge and Java under Capt. Henry Lambert fought a grueling battle in which both ships were badly damaged. Early in the battle the Constitution's wheel was shot away but nevertheless she fought on. Damage on the Java was worse and by the end of the battle she was completely dismasted and finally boarded by the Americans.

On board her captain was mortally wounded and he died shortly after. She was found to be carrying a valuable cargo but the ship was in such bad shape no attempt was made to remove it. She was set on fire the next day and exploded and sank. The butcher's bill on the Java was fifty-seven killed and eighty-three wounded while the Constitution had nine men killed and twenty-six wounded, including Bainbridge himself.

© 2007 Michael W. Pocock
MaritimeQuest.com

Portrait of the battle between the USS Constitution and the HMS Java.