Chapter II

Overwhelming naval supremacy of England when America declared war against her--Race identity of the combatants--American navy at the beginning of the war--Officers well trained--Causes tending to make our seamen especially efficient--Close similarity between British and American sailors--Our ships manned chiefly by native Americans, many of whom had formerly been impressed into the British navy--Quotas of seamen contributed by the different States--Navy yards--Lists of officers and men--List of vessels--Tonnage--Different ways of estimating it in Britain and America--Ratings--American ships properly rated--Armaments of the frigates and corvettes--Three styles of guns used--Difference between long guns and carronades--Short weight of American shot--Comparison of British frigates rating 38 and American frigates rating 44 guns--Compared with a 74