USS Hornet defeated HMS Peacock in 1813.
The engagement took place on February 24, 1813, near the mouth of the Demerara River off the coast of present-day Guyana. USS Hornet, commanded by James Lawrence, fought the British brig-sloop HMS Peacock in a short but damaging action.
Hornet’s broadsides badly damaged Peacock, which struck its colors and surrendered. The British vessel was so heavily damaged that it sank soon afterward, despite efforts to save the crew. American losses were comparatively light, while Peacock suffered many deaths and injuries.
This victory helped establish Lawrence’s reputation before his later command of USS Chesapeake. It is also easy to confuse Hornet with USS Wasp, another American sloop that won notable victories against British ships during the same war.