Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-06-28


soon after returned home, where she remained
UNEMPLOYED, or nearly so, till the commence.
ment of the late war with Great Britain. This
was on the 18th Of June, 1879. On the 18th OF
July she left the Chesapeake for New York, pre-
para,ory to long cruiZe, and on the l7th Disco
yered and was chased by British squadron,
consisting Of the Africa Ga; Shannon and Guer.
rier So; Belvidera Sc; and EoIus SO; under the
command of Com. Broke, of the Shannon. Dur
ing the most critical period Of the chase, when
the nearest frigate, the Bevidera. had already
commenced firing, and the Guerrero was train
ing her guns for the same purpose, the Possioiliy
of kedging the ship, although in nearly thirty Ia
thoms Of water, was suggested by Lieutenant
now Com. Morris, and was eagerly adopted,
with the most brilliant success. The enemy.
who had before been gaining, vas now almost I'm
perceptibly falling astern, without their 0eing
able "a conceive Of the mysterious manner IN
which il was effected. A lucky mile or there.
abouts had beer gained in this way, before the
discovery was made, aud then it was altogether
too late to avail themselves of il, with any pro6a
bility of success; a propitious breeze springlns
nm at this moment, Of which the Constitution felt
the first effects, soon increased the distance, and
rendered any further exertions in Wrapping and
towing unnecessary.
The Shannon had for some hours all her sails
completely furIed-with IL boats towing ahead
The Constitution had three boats to~ing-the
remainder being engaged in carrying out Hedges,
while the crew on board found sufficient employ
ment in varying up TO them; and to this most
fortunate expedient IS her miraculous escape 10
be attributed. She bid a final adieu to her kind
friends on the 18th, after chase OF nearly three
days and three nights, and arrived safe IN Buston
r IL. nj, hoo rnn.
sidered, and undoubtedly was, one of the most
brilliant exploits that occurred during the war
The deep feeling-the intense anxiety through.
out the ship during this long and arduous chase.
aud which was pictured in the countenances OF
all on board, in characters too strong 10 lie mis-.
taken-may he imagined, but cannot be describ-
ed. Let us suppose, for moment, II had been
the destiny Of this fine ship to have fallen thus
early in the war, into the hands Of the enemy-
misfortune, as has already been shown, which
was only escaped, as it were. by miracle
what vast difference il would have made at the
close of the war. not TO speak of the great moral
influence OF first victory, in the profit and loss
of our naval glory; and although the balance
| would still have been greatly upon our side. yet
the SUN total would have been very sens'bly pr
nearly one half diminished. In the fl st place.
the loss of so fine irigite at this early period
would nave been irreparable, and IN FOLLOWING ~
the cOnseQuenCes-,hree Of me most splendid
sctories Of the VAR, together With the same NUN
her Of hair breadth escapes from superior enc
NV, would now have TO be deducted from the az
eregate Of our glory. making difference. both
ways, Of more than zoo guns and almost 1000
men.
After remaining few days in port she sailed
again, and on the 18th of August-precisely one
month after her escape-was lucky enough to lasi
/, in with one Of the same frigates cruising alone,
and With her name emblazoned il large charac'
tiers in her foretopsal. Nothing daunted at this,
however, the Constitution took the liberty oil
edgins down for the purpose of ascertalnIng the
object of such close pursuit lew weeks before.
| As soon as the two ships were within whisper
ing distance, an explanation commenced, which.
after close conference OF thirty minutes, ended
to the complete satisfaction Of Capt. Hull. She
proved to be Fl. NJ. frigate Guerrero. Capt.
/ Dacres, of 40 guns and 500 men, and had been
Totally dismasted, and in other respects was rem.
dered such complete wreck. that getting her
into port was altogether out Of the question:
She vas accordingly burned, and the Constitu-
ton returned again To Boston, where she arrived
OH the 5Oth August. Never shall we forget the
enthusiasm with which she was received.
lEe news dTTlNeu III tOWu uuiiHS uiNtUc Sei'
vice on Sunday morning, and the crowds that
| hocked to State street to hear the particulars Of
such glorious victory, aud the shouts that rent
the air, fully evinced the deep interest that was
felt by every class of the community.
The ship had anchored in President roads
about miles from town, and in the afternoon
the harbor was alive with pleasure boats, anxious
to take closer view of Old lrousidss, and to
exchange congratulations with her gallant crew.
We among hundreds Of others sailed round her
several times, endeavoring in vain to trace the
effects Of an engagement with British frigate
Of nearly equal force, that had occurred only
eleven days before, and in which her antagonist
was entirely demolished IN the short space Of
half an hour. We could hardly believe our own
eyes; no serious damage whatever was visible;
now and then a place or two were pointed out
where splinter had been driven OF; but on the
whole see appeared in almost as perfect order
as when she left the hatbor only about three
weeks before; indeed it seemed to US that like
Shadracb. Meshech and Abednego, he has pas
sed the fiery prJeaI entirely uDschathed This