Wooden ships, iron men

[Story]

A graphic account by Samuel Leech, R.N., of the battle between the 38 gun HMS Macedonian, commanded by Captain John Surman Carden, and the 44 gun USS United States, Commodore Stephen Decatur on October 25th 1812.

http://www.nelsonsnavy.co.uk/engagement.html

[John Maddox Roberts]

It's always good to read something like this when you get to feeling sorry for yourself and think you've had it rough. A boy so young in this day and age who went through anything one-tenth as horrible and terrifying would be in for a lifetime of therapy for PTSD. In the early 19th century, he'd merely experienced some of life's hard knocks.