"Rule, Britannia! Britannia rules the waves."
Hull generously retired from the _Constitution_, after his victory, to give some brother officer a chance to win fame on the "lucky" vessel. Bainbridge succeeded him in command, and was put in charge of a small squadron. With the _Constitution_ and _Hornet_ he sailed from Boston late in October, 1812, and at the close of December encountered the British frigate _Java_ off the coast of South America, not far from Bahia. They had a most desperate battle, which lasted about two hours, when the _Java_, which had lost her three masts and her bowsprit in the fight, and was leaking badly, was surrendered to Bainbridge. She was one of the finest frigates in the Royal Navy, and was conveying the Governor-General of Bombay and his staff, with more than a hundred officers and soldiers, to the East Indies. Like Hull, Jones, and Decatur, Bainbridge received unstinted honors from his countrymen.
The hulk of the _Java_ was not worth saving; and after transferring the passengers and surviving crew to the _Constitution_, she was fired and blown up. From that time the _Constitution_ was called "Old Ironsides."
This fourth brilliant naval victory in the course of a few months caused much exultation in the United States. Meanwhile there had been minor victories, and some defeats. Privateers were numerous, and very active. During six months the American public and private cruisers had captured about three hundred prizes from the British. These successes dispelled the gloom occasioned by misfortunes to the land forces; the friends of the navy were justified and strengthened, and thenceforward no one ventured to speak in disparagement of it. Congress, perceiving the necessity of an increase in the force of the navy, authorized the President to have four 74-gun ships, six frigates, and six sloops of war built.
Bainbridge had left the _Hornet_, Captain Lawrence, blockading the harbor of Bahia, in which was sheltered a British treasure ship. A British 74 came up from the Brazilian capital, and drove the _Hornet_ into the harbor. She escaped under cover of darkness, and on the 24th of February, 1813, fell in with, fought, and vanquished the British brig of war _Peacock_. The brig had borne down upon the _Hornet_, and as they passed each other each delivered a broadside. Then, by a quick movement, the _Hornet_ closed upon the _Peacock_, and poured round-shot into her for about fifteen minutes. The _Peacock_ struck her colors, and at the same time raised a signal of distress. Her mainmast soon fell overboard, and she was in a sinking condition. The removal of the wounded to the _Hornet_ was at once begun. At twilight she went down, carrying with her thirteen of her own crew and several of those of the _Hornet_. Nine of the former and three of the latter were drowned. The _Hornet_ had only one man killed in the engagement; she lost more in trying to save her enemies than in conquering them.