Little Belt Affair - Aftermath

Aftermath

President sustained only one injury; Little Belt took nine deaths during the battle and 23 injuries, and the sloop was badly damaged in the attack. Two of the wounded Britons died the following day. On the morning of 17 May, American Lieutenant John Creighton went to Little Belt to lament the "unfortunate affair" and to offer space at any of the "Ports of the United States", which Bingham declined. When the captain asked why President had attacked his much smaller ship, Creighton claimed that it was because Little Belt had provoked the action. Bingham staunchly denied the account.

Creighton returned to his ship, and President and Little Belt parted ways. President sailed to New York City, and Little Belt went to Halifax, Nova Scotia under escort by HMS Goree. The two nations continued to argue about how the battle began for several months. Rodgers claimed that he had mistaken the British ship for a larger frigate and was adamant that Bingham had fired first. The Admiralty expressed their confidence in Bingham; it promoted him to Post-Captain on 7 February 1812.

On 19 August 1812, about 750 miles east of Boston, HMS Guerriere sailed into action (and her fate) against the USS Constitution. Painted across the foretopsail of Guerriere were the words "NOT THE LITTLE BELT".