Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-09-05
BY LAST NIGHTS MAIL
BOSTON, August 81.
BRILLL.a.NT .N.fY.aL TTCTORY !!

BRILLIANT .N.fV.aL VICI'OR
The United States frigate Constellation cap
tain HULL, anchored yesterday, in the outer
harbor, from short crulze, during which she
fell in with the English frigate Guerrero,
which she Captured, after short but severe
action. The damage sustained by the frs Of
the Constitution, was 50 great, that it was found
impossible to tow her into port, and accord
ingly the crew were taken out, and the ship
sunk. The briIliancy ofthis action will excite
tie liyeliest emotions in every American be-
som.
Particulars Of the iate action 5etzveen the o.
S. .frigate Consultation, and the British fri
gaze Guerrero.
Communicated to the editors of the Boston
Gazette by an officer onboard the Constitution
Lat. 81, 42, n. lon. SIS, SO, w Thursday,
Aug 10, fresh breeze from N. w and cloudy;
at P. NJ. discovered a vessel to the south
ward, made all sail in chase; at 3,perceived
the chase TO be q ship on the starboard tack,
close hauled to the wind hauled s. s. w. f;
at half past 8, made out the chase to be a fri
gate; at 4, coming up with the chase very
fast; at quarter before S, the chase laid her
main topsail to the mast; took In our top gal
liant sails, staysalls, and Aging glib; took a Sc
cond reef in the topsails, hauled the courses
up sent the royal yards down; and got all
clear for action; beat to quarters, on which
the crew gave three cheers; at the chase
hoisted three English ensigns, al five minutes
past S, the enemy commenced firing at 90
minutes past S, set our colors, one at each
mast head, and one at the mlzen peak, and
began firing on the enemy, and continued
to fire occasionally, he wearing very often
and we manoeuyring to close with him, and
avoid being raked; at 6, set the main top
gallant sail, the enemy having bore up; at S
minutes past 6, brought the enemy to close
action, standing before the wind; at Is MI
nutes past 6, the enemy's mizen mast fell o.
yer on the starboara side !; at 90 minutes past
6 finding we were drawing ahead of the enc
my, uffcd short round his bows, to rake him !;
at IS minutes past 6, the enemy fell on beard
of US, his bow spirit foul of our mlzen rigging
We prepared to board, but Immediately alter,
his fore and main mast went by the board,
and it was deemed unnecessary. Our cabin
had taken fire from his guns, but soon extin-
guished, without material injury; at so mi
nutes past 6, shot ahead of Tie enemy, when
the firing ceased on both side he making the
signal Of submission, by firing gun to lee
ward !; set fore sail and man sail, and hauled
to the eastward to repair damage all OF ouI
braces, and much Of our standing and run
ming rigging, and some of our spars being
shot away. At seven, wore ship, and
stood under the lee of the prize-sent oul
boat On board, which returned at 8, with capt
Dacres, late of His Majesty's ship Guerrero,
mounting 40 carriage guns, and manned with
800 men; cot our boats out, and kept them
employed III removing the prisoners and bag
gage from the prize to our own ship. Sent
surgeons mate to assistin attending the wound
ed, wearing ship occasionally to keep ia the
best position to receive the boats. At 20 nj
nutes before 2, A. M. discovered sail OF the
larboard beam, standing to the south: saw all
clear for another action at the sail stood of
again ;at daylight was hailed by the Lieut. Oh
board the prize, who informed, he had feet
of water In the hold, and that she was in sink
ing condition; all hands employed in remov
Ing the prisoners, and repairing our own Ga
mage through the remainder of the day. Fri
Gay the goth commenced with light breezes
frsm the northward, and pleasant; our boats
and crew still employed as before. AT P
Nj. made the signal ofrecall for our boats,
(haying received all the prisoners) they I'M
mediately left her on fire, and quarter past
s. she blew up. Our loss in the action was
killed, ard wounded among the former,
Lieut. Bush of Marines, and among the latter,
Lieut.. Morris, severely; and Mr.. Aylwin,
the master, slightly. On the part Of the
enemy, IS men killed, and GA wounded. "A
mong the former, lieut.. Ready, I'd Of the ship
among the latter, capt Dacres, lieut.. Kent,
LIST; Mr.. Scott, master, and masters mate.
.Nezv recovering