BROKE, SIR PHILIP BOWES VERE, BART. (1776 1841) was born at Broke Hall, near Ipswich, England, entered the navy in 1792, and rose rapidly in the service. In 1813 he was in command of the "Shannon," which was then cruising off Bos ton, watching the "Chesapeake," an American frigate of the same nominal force but heavier armament. On June I Broke, finding his water supply getting low, wrote to Lawrence, the commander of the "Chesapeake," asking for a meeting between the two ships, stating the "Shannon's" force, and guaranteeing that no other British ship should take part in the engagement. Before this letter could be delivered, however, the "Chesapeake," under full sail, ran out of Boston harbour, crowds of pleasure boats accom panying her to witness the engagement. As the "Chesapeake" rounded to on the "Shannon's" weather quarter, at a distance of about 5o yards, the British frigate received her with a broadside. A hundred of the "Chesapeake's" crew were struck down at once, Lawrence himself being mortally wounded. A second broadside increased the confusion, and, her tiller-ropes being shot away, the American frigate drifted foul of the "Shannon." Broke sprang on board with some 6o of his men following him. After a brief struggle the fight was over. Within 15 minutes of the firing of the first shot, the "Chesapeake" struck her flag, but Broke himself was seriously wounded. For his services he was rewarded with a baronetcy, and subsequently was made a K.C.B. His exploit cap tivated the public fancy, and his popular title of "Brave Broke" gives the standard by which his action was judged. Its true sig nificance, however, lies deeper. Broke's victory was due not so much to courage as to forethought. His wound incapacitated him for further service. He died in London on Jan. 2 1841.