Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-08-28
From the Boston Inteligencer, august 10.
NAVAL ANECDOTF

NAVAL ANECDOTE
paragraph IN the Baltimore Telegraph
has lately called the attention of the public to
the services and exploits of Capt. ISAAC HULL
during the late war with Great Britain, and
deservedly claimed for him the highest respect
OF his conntrymen. Some documents have ac-
cidenialiy fallen into our hands, in relation to
bold achievement of that distinguished off.
Ger in the year 1900, which places his courage,
seamauShip, and conduct, i'm IA striking light !;
the credit of which, from misprint, of his
name at that time in the newspaper never
has been awarded 10 the right individual
Capt. Hull was first lieutenant OF the trigate
Constitution, commanded by captain Talbot.
during the short war which was waged he
tween the y. States and the French republic
The Constitution was cruizing upon the coast
of st. Domingo in the spring OF 1900; and can't
Talbot, hearing thata French armed ship was
lying in Port Itdte,* though she was protect
ed by her own guns and fort of three heavy
cannon, determined upen cutting her out He
at first intended to have silenced the fort with
the battery of his ship, but finding il some
what dangerous TO approach near enough to
perform this service with the Constitution, he
altered his plan, and trusted the enterprise to
lieutenant Hull. The sloop Sally, vessel be-
longing TO Rhode Island, having left Port
Plate with an intention of returning, and be-
ing detained by capt. Talbot on account of ILL
cit traffic, afforded an excellent opportunity
TO effect the intended object. She was made
use Ofas disguise, and detachment of about
ninety volunteers, consisting OF seamen and
marines, were put on board, under the direc-
tion of lieut.. Hail The marines were to be
commanded by capt. Carnck and lieutenant
AmOry, when they should be- called upon TO
act on shore. The Sally left the Constitution
on Sunday, May II, 1900, and OH her route was
boarded by British fIigate, the captain Of
which intended to have cut out the French
corvette on the following day.
Al sunrise next morning the vessel was a
few miles to the windward OF Port Plate, and
III. A III l. =
ed lis plan Of attack, aud appointed the oft
Gers and men TO their respective stations. The
Sally bore mp for the harber as a merchant yes
sci, whilst lieut.. Hull, disguised in the habit
of a sailor, took the helm himself aud stood
in. She passed the fort without moiestation
aud lieut. Hull, laying her OF board of the enc
my's vessel, and calling out BOarders Away"
carried her. under cover Of fire Of Tnusk etry,
without the loss of man. The French crew,
taken by surprise, either jumped overheard or
were captured among the latter were the
first and second lieutenants belonging to the
French navy. Lieut. AmOry, with his marines
in moment afterwards were in the boat
which sunk alongside the vessel--bHt heading
his gallant party, who swan with their mus
kets, lie soon reached the shore. Rushing up
the hill with charged bayonets, they drove the
panic struck garrison from the fort and spiked
the guns. In the space of IS minutes both the
iortressand vessel were captured. She proved
to be the Sandwich, fast sailing copper bot
toned ship, Of 500 tons, but completely dis
mautled, withopt either rigging or sails upon
the masts. She was moored near to the shore
in position a little past the battery, with
springs on her cables. The guns Of the work
aud cannon which had been landed from the
Sandwich, we're so disposed as to command
the ship and the entrance Of the barbOr in
most ehectual manner.
lieut. Hull being In an enemy's port, IN pos
session of a dismantled ship, with hostile 20.
puation surrounding him, perceived the ne
cessity OF promptneSS and activity IN his move
har5Or Of a6sut twenty geographical miles east
ward Of Cape fraSe9ise The town contains about 500
inbantaNt.