The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-09

on her lea beam, when that frigate opened lire
from her broadside. While the shot of this yes
sci was Just falling short of them, the people OF
the Constitution were hosting up their boats
with as much steadiness as if the duty was per
formed in friendly port In about an hour,
however, it fell nearly calm again, when Cap
tain Hull ordered quantity If water started,
to tighten the ship. More than two thousand
gallons were pumped out, and the boats were
nearly all the boats on the Shannon, the5nearest
ship astern, and few hours of prodigiOus exer-
ton followed; the people of the Constitution be-
ing compelled to supply the place of numbers by
their activity and zeal. The ships were close
by the wind, and everything that would draw
was set, and the Shannon was slowly but stead
lily, pushing ahead. About noon of the same
day, there was a little relaxation from labor,
owing to the occasional occurrence of cats paws
by watching which closely, the ship was urged
through the water. But at quarter past twelve
the boats were again sent ahead, and the toll
some work oftowing and hedging was renew
ed.
cat nine o'clock strange sail was discovered
nearly to the lecward. At this moment the four
frigates of the enemy were about one point on
the lee quarter Of the Constitution, at long gun
shot, the Africa and the two prizes, being on the
lee beam. As the wind was constantly battling,
any moment might have brought change, and
placed the enemy to the windward At seven
minutes before two the BelvIdere, then the near
est ship, began to fire with her guns, and the
Constitution opened with her stern chasers. On
board the latter ship, however, it was found
dangerous to use the main guns, the transom
having so much rake, the windows being so
high, and the guns so short, that every explosion
lifted the upper deck, and threatened to blow out
the stern frame. Perceiving moreover, that the
shot done little or no execution, Capt. Hull or
dered the firing to cease at half past two
FfAt midnight it fell nearly calm again, though
neither the pursuers nor the pursued had recourse
to the boats, probably from an unwillingness to
disturb their crews. At two A. NJ it was OBJ
served on board the Constitution, that the Guer
riere had forged ahead, and was again off her
lea beam. At this time the tepgallant studding
sails were taken in.
"In this manner passed the night, and in the
morning of the next day it was found that three
of the enemy's frigates were in long gunshot on
the lee guar Ter, and the other about the same
distance on the lee-beam. The Africa and the
prizes were much further to the leeward.
A little af er daylight, the Guerrero, having
drawn ahead sufficiently to be forward of the
Constitutions beam, tackled, when the latter
ship did the same, in order to preserve her pc
sition to the Windward. An hour after the
Eolus passed on the contrary tack so near,
that it was thought by some, who observed
the movement, that she ought to have opened
her fire: but as that vessel was merely twelve
FOUNDER fIigate, and she was at considerable
distance, it is quite probable her commander
acted judiciously. By this time there was
sufficient wind 10 induce Capt. Hull to hois,
in his first cutter.
''The scene on the morning of this day, was
veTV beautiful, and of great interest to the low
ers of nautical exhibitions. The weather was
mild and lovely, and the sea as smooth as a
pond, and there was quite wind enough TO re.
move the necessity of any Of the extraordinary
means of getting ahead, that had been SO free
ly used for the last eight and forty hours. All
the English vessels had got on the same tack
with the Constitution, and the FIVE frigates
wore clouds of canvass, from their trucks to
the water Including the American ship, ele-
ven sails were in sight, and sho, ty after,
twelfth appeared to Windward, which was soon
ascertained 10 be an American merchantmen.
But the enemy were too intent on the Constitu-
ton to regard anything else; and though it
would have been easy to capture the ship to
leeward, attention appears to have been paid
TO her. With view, however, to deceive the
ship to windword, they hoisted American col
ors, when the Constitution set an English ar
sign, by way of warning the stranger to keep
aloof
cat meridian the wind began to blow pleas
ant breeze, and the sound of the water ripping
under the bows of the vessel was again heard
From this moment the noble ship drew ahead of
her pursuers, her sails being watched and tend
ed in the best manner that consummate seaman
ship could dictate, until four P. NJ, when the
ship Belvidera was more than four miles astern,
and the other vessels were thrown behind in the
same proportion, though the wind had again got
to be very light.
esIn this manner both parties kept pressing "a
head and to windward, as fast as circumstances
would allow, proftng by every change, and re-
sorting to all the means Of forcing vessels thro'
the water that are generally known to seamen. |
At little before seven, however, there was ev
cry appearance of a heavy squall, accompanied |
by rain, when the Constitution prepared to meet
it with the GOODNESS and discretion she displayed
throughout the whole affair. The people were sta
toned, when, lust as the squall struck the ship,
the order was given to clew up and clew down.
All the light canvass was furled, second reef ia
ken in the mizen t0psail, snd the ship was bro't
under short sail in incredible little time
The English vessels observing this, began to
haul down and let go without waiting for the
wind; and when they were shut in by the rain,
they were steering in different directions to a.
void the force of the expected squall. The Con-
stitution, on the other hand, no sooner got its
weight, than she sheeted home, and heisted her
fore and main topgallant sails; and while the en-
envy most probably believed her to be borne
Town by the pressure of the wind, steering free,
he was flying away from them, on an easy bow
inc at the rate of eleven knots an hour.
''Thus terminated a chase that has become
historical in the American navy, for its length,
loseness, and activity. On the part of the En-
.lish there were manifested much perseverance |
md seamanship, ready imitation, and strong
Iesire to get alongside of their enemy But the ,
,lory Of the affair carried off by the officers
nd people of the Constitution Throughout all /
he trying circumstances Of this arduous strug- /
lie, this noble frigate, which has so lately been
he sneers OF the English critics, maintained the
Ugh character of a man-of-war. Even when
ressed the hardest, nothing was hurried, con-
used, or slovenly, but the utmost steadiness, or
er, and discipline reigned in the ship"