Capture of HMS Penguin

Capture of HMS Penguin
Part of War of 1812
The action between USS Hornet and HMS Penguin
Date 23 March 1815 Location Off Tristan da Cunha Result American victory
Belligerents
United States	United Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
James Biddle +	James Dickenson  † James McDonald  (POW)
Strength
1 warship 20 guns 142 crew	1 warship 19 guns 132 crew
Casualties and losses
1 killed 8 wounded, 1 mortally	14 killed 28 wounded 90 prisoners 1 warship captured

On 23 March 1815 USS Hornet captured HMS Penguin in a short battle off Tristan da Cunha. It was one of several engagements that took place after the War of 1812 had ended, and was the final action between British and American forces. The American gunnery was far more effective than the British, despite the two vessels being virtually identical in strength. After exchanges of broadsides and musket fire, the British commander was killed. The British brig rammed the American ship in an attempt to board, but the two were separated and Penguin was disabled shortly afterwards when the foremast fell, forcing the British to surrender. The British brig was too badly damaged to be salvaged and was set ablaze by the victors after its stores and surviving crew were removed.