THE ROYAL NAVY CUTLASS.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by CutlassCollector

The Shannon v. Chesapeake duel is also well described by Gilkerson in 'Boarders Away'.
He also includes the casualty list from the Shannon which lists the frequency and the cause of each death and wound.

This makes for interesting reading.
First place is taken by small calibre ball wounds - 33, followed by larger calibre ie: grapeshot, 22. Cutlass wounds were surprisingly few at 5 with two more attributed to pike or bayonet. The remainder were wounds caused by splinters or impact damage.
Unfortunately the much lengthier list for the American ship has not survived but there were reportedly many more cutlass and pike wounds. Presumably, at least in part, due to the boarding action where the Brits were on the offensive.

CC

The excellence in gunnery by the Shannons skipper showed up well in contact. He was the innovator of several methods of coordinating and directing the guns. As you say the Brits were devastating at close range with the Cutlass and many casualties ensued. Arguably this was the fiercest engagement where boarding parties were used at sea in history! The Captain also introduced stick fighting in preparation for Cutlass training...A ploy that also seems to have worked. He also stopped a sword or cutlass with his head, unfortunately, but survived though he would be unable to command again. He was obviously an officer imbued with the right leadership spirit of Leadership from the Point of the Spear !!!

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

The excellence in gunnery by the Shannons skipper showed up well in contact. He was the innovator of several methods of coordinating and directing the guns. As you say the Brits were devastating at close range with the Cutlass and many casualties ensued. Arguably this was the fiercest engagement where boarding parties were used at sea in history! The Captain also introduced stick fighting in preparation for Cutlass training...A ploy that also seems to have worked. He also stopped a sword or cutlass with his head, unfortunately, but survived though he would be unable to command again. He was obviously an officer imbued with the right leadership spirit of Leadership from the Point of the Spear !!!

An account of this event with this captain is told in "British Naval Swords & Swordsmanship", (John McGrath and Mark Barton, 2013, p14)where there is an account titled 'Treatment of a Wound from a Sabre Cut' given.

Apparently Captain P.B.V. Broke of the Shannon while boarding the Cheasapeake, received a serious blow to the head with a sword which extended from top of his head across the left parietal bone to his ear. He was badly weakened from blood loss and underwent a period of recovery, and apparently as noted did not ever command a ship again, but was awarded a title of Baron for his valor and achievements.