Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-12-03
NO.. So


il is quite probably her commander acted
judiclously. By this time there was sufii-
clent wind to induce Capt Hull to hoist in
his first cutter
"Ihe scene, on the morning ofthis day,
was very beautiful, and of great interest 10
the lovers of nautical exhibitions The
weather was mild and lovely. and The sea
smooth as pond, and there was quite wind
enough 10 remove the necessity of any Of
the extraordinary means Of getting ahead
that had been so freely used during the pre-
yious eight and forty hours. All the Eng
lish vessels had got on the same tack with
the Constitution, again, ard the five frig-
ates wore clouds of canvass, from their
trucks to the water. Including the Amer
can ship, eleven sails were in sight; and
shortly after, twelfth appeared to wind
ward, that was soon ascertalned to be an
American merchantmen. But the enemy
were too intent Oh the Constitutions, to re-
gard any thing else; and though il would
have been easy to capture the ship to lee
ward, no attention appears to have been
paid to them; with a view however to de-
ceive the ship to windward, they hoisted
American coors when the Constitution set
an English ensign, as a warning 10 the
stranger to keep aloof
cat meridian the wind began to blow a
pleasant breeze, and the sound of the wa
ter, ripping under the bows ofthe vessels,
was again heard. From this moment the
noble ship drew ahead of all her pursuers,
the sails being watched and tended in the
best manner that consummates eamansbip
could dictate, until four p NJ when the
ship Belvidere was more than four miles
astern, and he other vessels were thrown
behind in the same proportion, though the
wind had again got to be very light.
sin this manner both parties kept press
ing ahead and to windward, as fast as cir
cumstances would allow, pro6,ing by every
change, and resorlng TO all the means Of
forcing vessels through the water, that are
known to searnen. At little before seven
however. there was every appearance of
heavy squal accompanied by rain; when
the Constitution prepared to meet it with
the GOODNESS and discretion she had dis.
played throughout The whole affair. The
people were stationed, and every thing was
kept fast to the last moment, when just be-
fore the squall struck the ship the order
was given 10 clew up and clew down. All
the light canvass was furled, second reef
was taken in the mzen topsail, and the
ship was brought under short sail in an in
credible little time. The English vessels OBJ
serving this began 10 let go and haul down
without waiting for the wind and when they
were shut in by the rain, they were steering
in different directions to avoid the fnrce nj
the expected squat. The Constitution on
the other hand, no sooner got its weight,
than she sheeted home and hoisted her fore
and main top-gallant sails, and while the
enemy most probably believed her to be
borne down by the pressure of the wind.
steering free, she was flying away from
hem, on an easy bowline at the rate OF
eleven knots.
''Thus terminated chase that has be-
come historical in the American navy, 70,
its length, closeness and activity. On the
part of the English, there we're manifested
much perseverance and seamanship,
ready imitation, and strong desire to get
alongside of their enemy. But the glory
of the affair was carried off by the officers
and people of the Constitution. Through
out all the trying circumstances of this ar
duous struggle, this noble frigate. which
had SO lately been the sheer Of the English
critics, maintained the high character of a
Even when pressed upon the
hardest, nothing was hurried, confused, or
sovenly, but the utmost steadiness, order,
and discipline, reigned in the ship"