Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-03-14
From the Philadelphia United States Gazette.
DEATH OF COMMODORE HULL

Commodore Hull expired this morning
(Feb. IA at his residence, Portico Square.
within few days Of completing the 6s,E
years of his age.
Before entering the Navy, he made two
voyages to England, one to Ireland, and
one to Rotterdam, two to Lisbon, two to
Cadiz, and ten voyages TO the West Indies.
He commenced his nautical career when
twelve years of age (fly-six years ago.
and wen, on board prize taken bv his ia
,her from the British during the Revolution
when The enemy had possession Of New
York.
On the 9th of March. 1913, he entered
the Navy as lieutenant.
While frst lieutenant Of the frigaie Con-
sti,u;irn, under Commodore Talbot, in May
1900. in the quasi French War. he cut on,
q French letter Of marque. from Porte
Platte, Isl. Domingo. with a small sloop.
This gallant act was achieved at noon day
and without loss Of man
In 1904 he commanded the brig Argus,
and rendered service in the Tripol;,an war.
in the siorming of TripoIi, and the reduc-
ton OF Derne.
In 1912 he commanded the Constitution.
and by his energy and skill as seaman,
he escaped from a British squadron under
Commodore Broke. That escape has been
faithfully described by Mr.. Cooper, in his
Naval History.
Not long after this affair he NETT Brit
ish frigate Guerrero; and TO the surprise Of
the whole world he conquered her. That
fight was Of more importance to the people
Of this country than all the subsequent ma
val victories; because it demonstrated that
the notion Of Britain being invincibe on
the seas was incorrect; and, as the Com
modore once said to the writer, 1.-THE peo-
pie did not know that went 10 sea without
ORDERS" The government was afraid to
trust our ships or war on, Of our own pc rts,
It'll Hull, in spite Of the panic, showed
that an American igate was equal to a
frigate OF any other nation.
The following is Mr.. Cooper's descrip-
ton Of that most importan, and even,fu
action:
1.-The Constitution next stood to the
southwark; and on the 18Th, at P. NJ, in
lat. A deg Al min.; Ion So deg. 4e min.
sail was made from the masthead, bear
ing E. S. E., and to leeward, though the
distance prevented her character from be-
ing discovered. The Constitution imme-
diataly made sal! in chase; and at 3 the
stranger was asceriained to be a ship on
the starboard tack. under easy canvass
and close hauled. Half an hour later she
was disticty made out to be frigate, and
4
an enemy. The American ship kept run
ming free until she was within a league Of
the Frigate to eeward, when she began 10
shorten sail. BY this time the enemy had
laid his maintopsa:l aback; in waiting for
the Constitution 10 come down, with every
thing ready to engage.
'sperceiving that the Englishman sought
to a combat, Captain Hull made his own
preparations with the greatest deIbera'ion
The Constitution, consequently furIed her
top-galIant sails, and slowed all her light
STAY sails and fviae jib. Soon after, she
took a second reef in the top sails, hauled
up ;he courses. sent down royal wards;
cleared for action, and beat to quarters At
5, the chase hoisted three English ensigns;
and Immediately after, she opened her fire
at long-gun shot-wearing. several times,
to rake, and prevent being raked. The
Constitution occasionally waved, as she
approached, 10 avoid being raked; and she
fired a few guns as they bore, but her 3D.
ject was not to commence action seriously
until quite close.
AT SIX O'Clock, the enemy bore up and
ran off, until his three top-sails and jib,
with the wind on his quarter AS this was
an indication Of a readiness to receive his
antagonist in fair yard-arm fight, the Con-
siitution Immediately Sc, her main :op gall
liant sail and fore sail, TO get along side
At little after 6, the bows Of the Ameri-
can friga,e began TO double on the English
ship; when she opened with her forward
guns, drawing slowly ahead. with her
greater way-both vessels keeping up a
close and heavy fire, as their guns BORE
In a about ten minutes, or just as the ships |
were fairly side BY side, the mizze n>mast
OF the Engishman was shot away; when |
the American passed slowly ahead, keep |
ing up tremendous fire, and luffed short |
round on her bows, TO prevent being rak ed. |
In executing this manGuvrc. the ship shot |
in the wind, got sternway, and fell foul Of |
her antagonist.
While in this situation, the cabin Of the
Constitution took fire. from the close ex-
ploson Of the forward guns Of the enemy.
who Obtained a small but nome ntary ad-
vantage from his position. The good con-
duct of Mr.. Hoffman, who commanded in
the cabin. soon repaired this accident; and
a gun Of the enemy's; tina. had threatened
further injury, was disabled.
As the vessels touched, both parties pre-
pared TO board. The English turned all
hands up from below, and mustered for
ward with that Object; while Mr.. Morris.
the first lieutenant. with his own hands
endeavored TO lash the two ships together.
Mr.. Alwyn. the master. and Mr.. Bush, the