June 1, 1813, was the day of reckoning for two famous frigates. The USS Chesapeake, under the command of 34-year-old James Lawrence, born in Burlington, N.J., and the HMS Shannon, commanded by 39-year-old Sir Philip Broke, were about to face the moment of truth. Broke had sailed the Shannon into Boston Harbor, taunting the Chesapeake to come out and fight.
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