REPOST: Old kids/YA book. American merchant vessel hijacked by British man’o’war during Napoleonic war. Two boys kidnapped aboard as crew.

I posted this a few months ago and it remains unsolved, so trying again as per forum advice.

I read this yeeeears ago. Cover looked like it was printed in the 60s or 70s. Two boys are plucked from an American merchant vessel and brought aboard a British warship. The main narrator is young and made a cabin boy. The other is seventeen and made first or second mate. I think his name was Ben. There was a scene where he was flogged for disobedience.

There were a couple of naval battles. In the end I think they escape overboard during a cannon fight when they’re close to the coast of France, taking a third boy, who was English, and initially an antagonist, with them.

Any leads gratefully accepted!