Battle of Rappahannock River
Part of the War of 1812
File:Normal IMG 6563.jpg The reconstructed Lynx off California being saluted by Lady Washington.
Date April 3, 1813 Location Rappahannock River, Viginia Result British victory
Belligerents
United States	United Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
William S. Stafford	James Polkinghorne
Strength
4 schooners	5 armed boats
Casualties and losses
5 wounded, 4 schooners captured	19 killed, 40 wounded, 2 armed boats sunk

The Battle of Rappahannock River^[1] was fought in 1813 during the War of 1812. A British force blockading the Rappahannock River of Virginia sent around 800 men in several boats to attack four American privateers. Ultimately the British were victorious and the American ships were captured.^[2]

Background

On April 1, 1813, a British squadron consisting of the ships-of-the-line HMS San Domingo and HMS Marlborough, four frigates Acasta, Narcissus, Maidstone and Statira with two brigs, Mohawk an Fantome blockaded the Rappahannock from Lynhaven Bay. They held several American prizes and were out to capture more so the British commanders prepared a boat expedition. On the following day, the British dispatched seventeen, pinnaces, barges, launches, and other boats with a few carronades to sail around the bay. Each boat carried up to fifty marines or sailors mainly armed with steel, Lieutenant James Polkinghorne was in command. While abreast of Windmill Point at about 4:00 pm, the expedition sighted five American vessels and chased them all through the night until losing sight as they passed a turn in the river. The British had difficulty in paddling up the Rappahannock so during the descent twelve of the boats fell far behind leaving only five British craft, one 12-pounder and 105 officers and men to make the attack.^[3]

Four of the pursued ships were armed schooners under Captain William S. Stafford in the twelve gun Dolphin. The others were the Lynx of six guns, the Racer of six guns and the Arab of seven guns. Most or all of these vessels were built in Baltimore. Heavily outnumbered Captain Stafford had no choice but to scuttle the schooners or fight. A man of courage, Stafford made the choice to offer resistance so he anchored his ships in line of battle with portside guns facing the mouth of the Rappahannock where the British would originate.^[4]

Battle

The largest of the American ships was the Arab of over 380 tons but with a crew of only forty-five men, she was sternmost in line and was considered to be the most "war like" of the four. Dolphin of 300 tons was headmost and she was Captain Stafford's flagship, carrying ninety-eight men into battle. The British came within site of the American line, they first stopped to wait for the wind and Polkinghorne took the time to rally his men. As the wind began to blow the British boats were off. Initially Polkinghorne chose to wait for the other twlve boats but fearing the Americans would have more time to prepare defenses or escape, the lietenant sent his boat with the 12-pounder foward to commence an artillery duel with the intention of delaying the Americans. This failed when Stafford's ships all opened fire with a combined broadside. Lieutenant Polkinghorne then decided to stop waiting and board the enemy. He led his boats directly for the center two American ships, the Racer and the Lynx, each of 280 tons and with crews totalling seventy-six men. As the British closed range the Americans fired another broadside so Polkinghorne ordered his men to alter course and head for the Arab. When the British boats drew near there were three left, two having been hit and sunk by American fire.^[5]

The remaining Britons boarding while shouting various phrases, Arab tacked to try and bring her starboard guns into battle but she was boarded before achieving this and so her commander ran her aground on the riverbank. Racer and Lynx were quickly taken, their crews surrendered as the British climbed on deck, others jumped over the side and escaped capture. When Polkinghorne went for the Dolphin Captain Stafford put up a stubborn fight and it reportedly took fifteen minutes to secure the vessel. In total only five Americans were wounded before Dolphin struck her colors and ended the battle. Though casualties from the other privateers amounted to six killed and five more wounded.^[6][7][8]

Aftermath

Polkinghorne claimed that only two of his men were killed and eleven wounded^[9] but later when the captured American commanders reported that at least fifty Britons sustained wounds, the British acknowledged the loss of nineteen killed and forty wounded.^[10] The battle lasted in between a half an hour and two hours. Captain Stafford was later released and returned to Baltimore, he was treated well in captivity partly due to his good treatment towards British prisoners from his captured prizes. The Lynx was taken into British service as HMS Mosquidobit and was sold out of the Royal Navy in 1820. A replica of Lynx now resides in California. Racer became HMS Shelburne and the Dolphin retained her name as HMS Dolphin. It was difficult for the British to free the Arab and though they eventually succeeded, the vessel was apparently badly damaged and was not commisioned for British service.^[11]