Not only did he have boarding parties ready, he had a film crew standing by to capture the moment: the moment when the U.S. Navy captured its first enemy warship at sea since the War of 1812.

This year is the Bicentennial of the start of the War of 1812. Next, we hear from Donald Hickey, the author of [Don't Give up the Ship! Myths of the War of 1812]. Mr. Hickey attempts to dispel the ...