Capture of HMS Penguin

Capture of HMS Penguin
Part of the War of 1812
An American illustration of the battle
Date March 23, 1815 Location Off Tristan da Cunha, Atlantic Ocean Result American victory
Belligerents
United States	United Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
James Biddle	James Dickenson  †
Strength
1 sloop-of-war	1 brig-sloop
Casualties and losses
2 killed 7 wounded	1 killed 28 wounded 90 captured 1 captured

The capture of HMS Penguin was a single-ship action which took place on March 23, 1815 as part of the War of 1812. It occurred when United States Navy brig USS Hornet under the command of James Biddle encountered the British Royal Navy brig-sloop HMS Penguin off Tristan da Cunha, and was one of several naval engagements which occurred after the conflict ended due to the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in 1815. The gunnery of Hornet proved to be far more effective than Penguin, despite the two vessels being virtually identical in strength.

After exchanges of broadsides and musket fire, the commander of Penguin, James Dickenson, was killed in action. Penguin rammed Hornet in an attempt to board her, but the two ships were separated and Penguin was disabled shortly afterwards when the foremast fell, forcing its crew to surrender. Penguin was too badly damaged to be salvaged and was set ablaze by the crew of Hornet after its stores and surviving crew were removed.