Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-01-04

L
along with light breeze, Capt. Hull
found himself nearly surrounded by
Broke's British squadron. The Consti-
tuition was not strong enough to fight the
powerful feet that was closing around
her, and her safety depended on her
speed. One of the most remarkable
naval retreats and pursuits ever record
ed now began. The sea was In almost
a dead calm, and sails were of little use.
The boats were lowered and attached to
the ship by long lines, and the sailors
pulled with will to tow the frigate out
of the enemy's reach. The British fol-
lowed the example of the Americans,
and the flight and pursuit had become
most exciting when night settled down
over the waters. All night long the
race continued. On the second day IL
sails were in sight, but gentle breeze
was blowing and the Constitution was
gaining slowly on her pursuers. By
nightfall she was four miles ahead of the
foremost of the British squadron, the
Guerrero, and at 8:15 that night the
Englishmen abandoned the chase and
drew off to the northward. The Consti-
tuition, after her escape, ran not far from
the shore to the Bay of Fundy without
meeting a single vessel. Capt. Hull
then turned her prov to the southwark,
and on the 10Th of August man-of-war
was discovered from the masthead, which
afterward proved to be the Guerrero,
from which cold Ironsides had so mar
rowly escaped a month before. Capt.
| Hull at once gave chase to the stranger,
and when about league to the leeward
began to shorten sail and prepare for
action. He cleared his ship, beat to
| quarters, hOisted the American colors,
and bore down gallantly on the enemy,
intending to bring her into close combat
Immediately. The Guerrero was per-
fectly willing to fight, and the COM
mander comprehending Hulls move
ments, hoisted three national ensigns,
fired a broadside of grapeshot, filled
away and gave another broadside on the
other tack, but without effect, as the
missiles allfell short. The Constitution
pressed all sail to get alongside the foe
and engage in fair yard-arm and yard
arm fight. At little after six in the
evening the bows of the American ship
began to double the quarter of the Eng
lish. 'Now boys, pour it into them p
shouted Capt. Hull, and the Constitu-
ton opened her forward guns with terri
BILE effect. The conclusion of the
broadside was tremendous. 1t cast the
men in the kpit of the enemy's ship
from one side of the room to the other,
and before they could adjust themselves
the blood came streaming from above,
and many of their companions, horribly
mutilated, were handed down to the sur
geons.
The enemy at the same time were
pouring heavy metal into the Constitu-
| ton. The vessels were only ilaf pistol
shot from each other, and the destruc-
ton wrought by the broadsides was ter
rible. Within fifteen minutes after the
| fight began the Guerriere's mizzenmast
was shot away, her main yard was in
sings, and her hull, spars, sails, and
rigging were torn in pieces. At this
stage of the contest the Constitution ran
| foul of her enemy, her bowsprit running
into the Guerriere's larboard quarter.
Both parties now attempted to board,
but before this could be done the sails of
the Constitution filed, and she shot
ahead and clear of her antagonist, whose
foremost. fell, carrying with it the main
mast and leaving the British frigate a
helpless wreck, rolling like log in the
trough of the sea. Capt. Dacres, COM
mander of the Guerrero, now hauled
down the jack, which had been kept fly
ing at the stump of the mlzzenmast, in
token of surrender, and prize crew was
sent on board. She was too greatly
damaged, however, to be saved, and as
it was evident that she wouldn't sink,
Capt. Hull gave orders the next day to
| set her on fire, and Is minutes afterward
she blew up. The Importance of this
victory to the Americans at this period
of the war can hardly be over-estimated.
For the first time in the history of the
world, as the London Times expressed
it, I" did an English frigate strike to an
American" Up to this time the Ameri-
cans had little faith in the power of their
navy, and they looked upon England's
" wooden walls as almost impregnable.
| The victory of the Constitution gave
new vigor to the war In this country and
had 3 correspondingly depressing effect
in Great Britain. The American loss in
the engagement, which lasted half an
| hour, was z killed and wounded, while
the British loss was Is killed, Al wound
! ed, and "a missing. The Constitution
was severely damaged in spars and rig
ging. She carried the news of the VIC
tory to Boston, arriving there on the
Both of August. When she went into
the harbor she was surrounded by
totllla OF gayly decorated small boats,
and escorted to the wharf. Here Capt.
Hull was received with national salute,
and an immense assemblage escorted
him to his headquarters In the city. A
grand demonstration was made in his
honor, and New York rendered him the
freedom of the city, presented swords to
him and his officers, and requested him
to sit for portrait to be hung in the
governors room in the city hall. The
first really great engagement in which
the Constitution took part had made her
and her commander famous for many
long years.
Capt. Hull was retired from the COM
mand of ''Old Ironsides" and Capt.
VILLAIN cambridge was appointed his
successor. He sailed from Boston on