War of 1812-1814, Anglo-American--H.M.S. Shannon--Johns, Captain James.

wooden construction, the edges clad with iron, covered with leather/vellum and studded with brass pins, iron carrying handles and lock, the interior lined with patterned paper, the lock broken, the leather covering worn and lifting in areas, overall wear; together with: Johns's copy of the Regimental Companion (London, 1805, sixth edition, volume 2 only) with his name card pasted on upper pastedown and inscribed in ink on the title "James Johns" and bound in calf; together with: a profile portrait miniature, framed and titled "James Johns, Lieut. R.M. H.M.S. Shannon, 1813"

During the Anglo-American War of 1812-14, the event which captured the public's imagination more than any other, was the celebrated duel between the Royal Navy's frigate H.M.S. Shannon and the new republic's frigate Chesapeake. Cruising off the eastern seaboard, Captain Philip Broke of the Shannon spotted the American frigates Chesapeake and Constitution refitting in Boston. Broke immediately challenged Captain Lawrence of the Chesapeake to come out and fight and, at about noon on 1st June 1813, the latter weighed anchor and stood out of Boston Roads accompanied by a small flotilla of pleasure craft crowded with spectators anxious to witness the fight. A furious action followed lasting a mere eleven minutes; Captain Broke was badly wounded leading his boarding party and casualties on both vessels were very high. Soon overwhelmed, Chesapeake surrendered and Shannon took her as a prize into Halifax, Nova Scotia, where, on the 6th June, the captors were given a heroes' welcome.

James Johns was promoted Captain in 1805 and retired in 1826. His service chest remained with his family in his home town of Inverary, Scotland and was for many years displayed every year in the local kirk.