Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-02-25
by Masser 81 Eisely,
From the Philadelphia U. s. Gazette.
DEATH OF COMMODORE HULL.


teran officer died yesterday morning, at his re-
sidence, in Portico Row, meeting death as the
natural and expected close OF a long and useful
life.
The name of1Iull is identified with the honor
and glory of his nation His skill saved the
Constitution early in the last war, when chas-
ed by British feet and shortly afterwards,
he commenced that series of naval victories
which gave character to the nation abroad.
| Those who recollect the gloom that hung upon
the public mind, from defeats and disasters on
the frontiers, will bear in mind the reriyine in
fuence of the victory of the Constitution over
the Guerricre, achieved by Commodore Hull,
! and comprehend how much of gratitude is due
| to him for his brilliant success.
| Commodore Hull was the third on the list Of
Post aptains-CommodUre Barron and Com
modore Stewart were before him. Ills com.
mission bears date 23d April, 1906, one day
after Commodore Stewards.
Commodore Hull was, we believe, a native
of Connecticut, where he married, and where
he spent much OF his time W hen not on public
| duty. lie must have been about sixty eight
| years ofage though his personal appearance
would have led to the belief that he was much
| younger.
After the above was written, friend hand
ed MS the following:
Commodore Hull expired this morning nj
! his residence Portjco Square, within a few
DAYS Of completing the sixty-eighth year of his
age.
Before entering the Navy, he made two voy-
ages TO England, one to Ireland, one to Rotter-
! dam, two to Lisbon, two to Cadig, and ten voy
! ages to the West Indies, lie commenced his
nautical career when twelve years of age
! (ifty-siX years ago. and went on board prize
taken by his father from the British during the
! Revolution, when the enemy had possession of
| New York,
On the 9th of March, l79s, he entered the
! Navy as lieutenant.
While First Lieutenant Of the frigate Consti-
tuition, under Commodore Talbot in May, 1900
! in the quasi French War, he cut out French
letter of marque from Porte Platte, (St. Domin-
|
achieved at noon day, and without loss of
man.
In ls40 he commanded the brig Argus, and
rendered service in the Tripoltan War, IN the
storming of Tripoli, and the reduction of Derne.
In 1912 he commanded the Constitution, and
by his energy and skill as seaman, he escaped
from British squadron under Commodore
Broke. That escape has been faithfully dc.
scribcd by Mr.. Cooper, in his Naval History.
MOI long after this affair, he met the British
frigate Guerrero and, to the surprise of the
whole world conquered her. That fight was of
more importance TO the people of this country,
than all the subsequent naval victories because
it demonstrated that the notion of Britain being
invincible on the seas was incorrect.--And as
the Commodore once aid to the writer "The
people did not know that | went to sea without
orders" The Government was afraid to trust
our ships ofwar out of our own ports, until
Hull, in sn!:e OF the panic, showed that an A.
merI"an frigate vas equal to a trigate of any
other nation.
The following is Mr.. Coopcr's description ol
that most important and eventful action
"The Constitution next stood to the south.
ward, and on the 10Th, at 9 p. NJ. in lat. fl
deg. 4 min, long 80 deg. As min, sail was
made from the mast head, bearing E. S. E. and
to ieeward, though the distance prevented hel
character from being discovered. The COnst
tuition immediately made sail in chase, and a
3, the stranger was ascerta med TO be ship OF
the starboard tack, under easy canvass anC
close haued--Ilalfan hour later, she was dis
> tinclly made out to be frigate, and no doub
Y was er,ained fner being an enemy. Th'
American ship kept running free until she wa
within league of the frigate to leeward whe
she began TO shorten sail. BY this time, tn
enemy had laid his main topsail absck, in wait
ing for the Constitution to come down, wit
J. every thing ready TO engage.
i. "Percciving that the Englishmen sought
q combat, Captain Hull made his own prepara
IS tions with the greater delheration. tn
- Constitution, consequently, fnrled her topga
Is liant sails, and slowed all her light stay sails al
" flying jb. Soon after, she took a second re'
X in the topsas, hauled up the courses, sei
is down royal yards, cleared for action, and be'
is toQuarters. At 5, the chase hoi,ted three En-.
ID Ish ensgns, and immediately after she opcn'
in her fire. at long gun shot, wearing sever
u ,;.,,. 60 ,aLa and nrpvpnt hpinU rnkn1 III