The War of 1812: The Chesapeake and the Shannon

In 1812, the US and Great Britain are once again at war. American "super frigates" win a series of crushing naval victories over the British Royal Navy warships. With just under 11 minutes of fighting, why was the battle between Britain's HMS Shannon and the USS Chesapeake at Boston Harbor so ferocious and bloody?

The show’s own verdict is on its page.