The flags on the mainmast were shot away, but the Englishman's colors remained nailed to the foremast; "but his tongue was not fastened and he called for quarters.

.."[1] The dying Lieutenant Burrows declined to accept Commander Blyth's sword, directing it be sent to the family of the dead British captain.

An American court-martial charged Sailing Master William Harper and Isaac Bowman, captain's clerk, with cowardice.

However, at Bermuda, a British court martial found its acting master's mate and three seamen "through cowardice, negligence, or disaffection" deserted their quarters during the action.

The captain of HMS Boxer, Commander Samuel Blyth, was killed early in the action by a cannon ball; had he lived he might have defended his ship more desperately, but it is not probable with more success.

He was an officer of distinguished merit; having received a sword from government for his good conduct under Sir James L. Yeo, in the capture of Cayenne.

His remains, in company with those of the brave Burrows, were brought to Portland, where they were interred with military honours in Eastern Cemetery.

It was a striking and affecting sight, to behold two gallant commanders, who had lately been arrayed in deadly hostility against each other, descending into one quiet grave, there to mingle their dust peacefully together.

"[7] This battle was referenced by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his poem "My Lost Youth": "I remember the sea-fight far away, How it thundered o'er the tide!