East End in Portland in Cumberland County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)

Boxer and Enterprise

Historic Site

Photographed By Larry Gertner, August 22, 2006

1. Historic Site Marker

Inscription. On September 5, 1813 off Monhegan Island on the coast of Maine, the American brig “Enterprise” commanded by 28 year old Lt. William Burrows engaged in battle with the British brig “Boxer” commanded by 29 year old Captain Samuel Blythe. Both ships fired broadsides at each other at close range before the badly damaged Boxer surrendered. Capt. Blythe was killed instantly and Lt. Burrows died from injuries during the encounter. Both men were buried with honors side by side in Portland’s Eastern Cemetery.

Erected by Jordan's Meats.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is September 5, 1813.

Location. 43° 39.9′ N, 70° 14.383′ W. Marker is in Portland, Maine, in Cumberland County. It is in East End. Marker can be reached from Eastern Promenade Trail. The marker is in Fort Allen Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 49 Eastern Promenade, Portland ME 04101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The poet & the view (within shouting distance of this marker); Defending this vital harbor (within shouting distance of this marker); Remember the Maine (within shouting distance of this marker); Portland Maine Fort Allen Park USS Maine Memorial

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); 1893 Bandstand (within shouting distance of this marker); Arctic Campaign Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); 20,000 Civil War veterans tent here (within shouting distance of this marker); 9/11 Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.

Regarding Boxer and Enterprise. The battle actually took place in an area about 50 miles from Portland, closer to Bristol, Maine.

Also see . . .
1. Capture of HMS Boxer. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on April 17, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Samuel Blythe. "Find A Grave" entry. (Submitted on April 17, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

3. William Ward Burrows, Jr. "Find A Grave" entry. (Submitted on April 17, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Enterprise Vs. Boxer image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, August 22, 2006

2. Enterprise Vs. Boxer

"The Engagement between Enterprise and Boxer" image. Click for full size.

from Wikipedia, unknown

3. "The Engagement between Enterprise and Boxer"

The Eastern Cemetery gravesites image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, November 16, 2009

4. The Eastern Cemetery gravesites

Lt. William Burrows, USN (center); Captain Samuel Blythe, RN (right); Lt. Kevin Waters, USN, also of USS Enterprise (left)

The Burrows Medal image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

5. The Burrows Medal

Congress awarded William Burrows this gold medal posthumously.
From Harper's Encyclopædia of United States History from 458 A.D. to 1905 by Benson John Lossing and Woodrow Wilson, 1905, Vol. 1, Page 492.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 361 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on February 6, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 17, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4. submitted on April 17, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5. submitted on February 13, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.