The topsail schooner Juliet, depicted on the 20c. Argentine stamp, issued to commemorate Navy Day, 1970, was one of the fleet gathered together by Admiral Brown to attack the Royalist fleet at Martin Garcia, from March 10 to 15, 1814. There were three engagements in the campaign, Martin Garcia, China Beach and Montevideo. In these fights the Spanish fleet was partly destroyed and/or captured, certainly defeated although the second engagement was in their favour. The Juliet, powerful for her class, under command of Benjamin Franklin Seaver, a North American merchant seaman, who joined the Buenos Aires forces on December 20, 1813, led the attack on the south-east end of Martin Garcia Island, followed by the Hercules, flagship of Admiral Brown, Zephir and Nancy.
The Juliet was incorporated in the National Armada on February 3, 1814, and was a fine sailer. She mounted one 24 in., two 18 in., two 12 in. and four 6 in. carronades. Second in command of the Juliet was Capt. Richard Baxter, the ship's complement being 60 seamen and 40 soldiers. At noon on March 10, 1814, the Juliet opened fire, which was returned by a heavy salvo from the larger Royalist ships and a gun mounted on the island, together with rifle fire. The Juliet was heavily damaged and Seaver was killed by an enemy shot. The Hercules, which followed the Juliet came to her assistance and also came under heavy fire which was kept up until nightfall.
The Juliet, now commanded by Baxter, and the other ships continued to fight under the orders of their senior officer Brown, whose ship had also been badly damaged. During the night Brown withdrew his ships and ordered their respective captains to effect repairs. At dawn the following day the Royalist fire was resumed. The Hercules suffered further damage and heavy casualties. Brown ordered a landing to be made by the Juliet, under cover of the guns of his other ships. A force of 240 men were landed and captured the island. SG1298 Sea Breezes Jan 1972