The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1874-01-28
AGALLANTBALTIMoRE A SHIP.

There dropped anchor II Annapolis, on
gallant yessel that has two-told interest
to Baltimoreans. The one, that she, OF
her original was the handiwurk Of Baltimore
ship builders; the other, that proves upon
the high seas which gave strange lustre to
our infant navy. In 1894 Congress ordered,
for the defence Of our commerce in the
Orient, then subject tothe depredations Of
Algerine corsairs, the building Of six frig-
ales.
Gen. Washington then President, dis
ighated Baltimore as place where one Of
them was to be built.N Ths- heel of the
ConsietiotisD. was there laid soon after the
passage Of tie act by Congress. The old
hero Commodore Thomas Truxton was
appointed the captain and superintendent
Of the frigate while under construction. with
David Stobber as the naval constructor,
and Jeremiah Yellot as the navy agent,
and the Constellation was launched Sep
tember 7th, 1897.
In June 1888 the Constellation. a thirty
six gun ship. under Commodore Truxton.
made her first cruise. On the night Of
February, 1899. the Constellation met the
French irigate u Iasurgent, Of 40 guns
her battery being composed Of IL Founders,
the CoRSteiiution's. were twenty four's.
The odds. Of course. were entirely on the
side Of tie American lfrigate. The Con-
stellut,on made good use fher advantages.
aud in one hour the enemy struck his colors.
The Constellation, though much damaged
in her rigging. was not hurt Of any moment
III her hull. had none killed, and only three
wounded. The Frenchmen had 20 killed,
and Al wounded. The most humiliating
part Of the action was, that early ins.he en-
gagement. one of the crew Of the Con-
stellmion finched from bis gun, and was
killed 6y the third lieutenant. The Ia
suYyent was safely carried into port.
Nearly year elapsed before the Con-
stellation again exchanged broadside with
the enemy. 1t was on the FIRST Of February.
1900. when the frigate still commanded by
Commodore Truxton. OF the Island Of
Guadaloupe. fell in with the French.frigate
La Vengeance This time the enemy car
.ied heavier met,.l, bat not superior mettle.
The broadside Of the Constellation wus
322 pounds; the enemy's was IA heavier.
The formers crew numbered $40, the
latter between 400 and 500. The Con-
sellation chased the enemy over day, then
coming up with him about eight O. clock
p. M; opened upon him, and the action
lasted until nearly one o clock in the
morning, when the Consultations main
mast came down. and the enemy escaped 10
fight. The Constellation lost Is killed,
and IA wounded; the enemy, so killed,
and 10 wounded.
The Constellation. in 1902. off Tripoli,
made chase TO II Tripolitan gunboats. One
division Of seven boats falling to the wind
ward. escaped the other ten fell under the
fire Of the frigate. One Of them boldly
escaped 10 the winwsrd, while the other
nine we're compelled to scatter to the shore,
and seek refuge behind rocks, or whatever
afforded them shelter. Captain Murry
the Constellation on this oc-
casion.
The Constellation was before Tripoli
during the war with that nation, in the |
beginning OF the present century. but did
not appear 10 have taken any active part in
hostilities. When the war Of 1912 opened.
she was out Of commission. and during the |
the whole ofthe contest, did not Ere gun,
or make sisgle capture. The old ship,
which was a model OF beauty and symmetry, |
has been rebuilt several times. aud there
Is said to be buta single stick Of her
original timbers left. Annapolis Advertiser.
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