The National tribune., 1882-01-21
GOLD IRONSIDES,U

| mira VeSSel DullU IOT UulUeU otttteS navy |
after the adoption of the constitution the United
States being the first and the Constellation the
second The Constitution was built at Harris
ship-yard in Boston, which situated where
Constitution Wharf now is, at cost of $500, us |
She was made very strong, her frame being of
live oak, and her planks bent on without steam
as it was believed that the steaming process
weakened and softened the wood Her tonnage |
was 1885 She was launched on the 21st of Oc-
tober, 1897, in the presence of great gathering |
| of people It was because she was so staunch a |
ship that the name of Ironsides was given her, |
| and her subsequent service in the of 1912 I
| fully entitled her to the name She was the |
most famous ship in our navy, and has been
made the theme of story and song. She started
on her first cruise in July, 1885, under command |
of Captain James Nicholson but she did not |
come into active service until 1904, when she was
the flag ship of Commodore Preble in the war be-
tween this country and the Barbary Powers. On |
the 29th of August the bombardment of Tripoh !
was renewed for the third time, and the Consti- !
| tuition made her first historical record. She ran
in to within shortdistance OF the castle and bat
teries, and poured IN destructive discharges of
round and grape shot. She silenced the guns of
the castle and spread destruction among the gun
boats of the enemy. The squadron finally with
drew after doing great damage to the town.
Aft er this exploit the Constitution was engaged
W cruising until the war of 1912, during which
she made her glorious record, and proved to the
world that even so young nation as the United
States could produce navy able to cope with
that of Great Britain
The Constitution, carrying forty -four guns and
under command of Captain Isaac Hull, returned
from foreign service about the time of the decla-
ration of war, and having shipped new crew,
sailed from Annapolis on a cruise to the north
ward July -, 1912. At one o'clock in the after
noon on the 18th, while she was sailing easily
along with a light breeze, Captain Hull found
himself nearly surrounded by Broke's British
squadron. The Constitution was not strong
enough to fight the powerful fleet that was clos
ing around her, and her safety depended On her
speed One of the most remarkable naval re-
treats and pursuits ever recorded now began.
The sea was in almost dead calm, and sails were
of little USE The boats were lowered and at
tached to the ship by long lines, and the sailors
pulled with a will to tow the frigate out of the
enemy's reach. The British followed the exam
pie of the Americans, and the flight and pursuit
had become most exciting when night settled
D down over the waters. All night long the race
r continued On the second day eleven sail were
in sight, but gentle breeze was blowing, and
the Constitution was gaining slowly on her pur
S suers By nightfall she was four miles ahead Of
S the foremost of the British squadron, the Guer-
/ riere, and at SIS that night the Englshmen
s abandoned the case and drew Off to the north
ward. The Constitution, after her escape, ran
not far from the shore to the Bay of Fundy with
l out meeting single vessel. Captain Hull then
t turned her PROV to the southwark, and the
l 10Th of August man efwar was discovered from
t the masthead, which afterward proved to be the
Z Guerrero, from which cold Ironsides" had SO
,, narrowly escaped month before. Captain Hull
s at once gave chase to the stranger, and when
: about a 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 CALAMITY on the enemy, intend
ing to bring her into close combat Immediately
/ The Guerrero was perfectly willing to fight, and
e the commander comprehending Hull's move
s ment hoisted three national ensigns, fred
:, broadside of grapeshot filled away, and gave an
other broadside the other tack, but without
effect as the missiles all fell short The Consti-
tuition pressed all sail to get alongside the foe
and engage in a fair yard-arm and yard-arm
s fight. At little after six in the evening the
4 bows of the American ship began to double the
+ quarter of the English snow, boys, pour it into
e them!" shouted Captain Hull, and the Constitu-
ton opened her forward guns with terrible effect
The concession Of the broadsde was tremendous
t 1t cast the men in the cockpit of the enemy's
? ship from one side of the room to the other and
t before they could adjust themselves the blood
p came streaming from above, and many of their
companions, horribly mutilated, were handed
:, down to the surgeons.
r The enemy at the same time were pouring
Y heavy metal into the Constitution. The vessels
were only half pistol-shot from each other, and
: the destruction wrought by the broadsides was
terrible. 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
q her enemy, her bowsprit running into the Guer-
riers larboard quarter. Both parties now attempt
ed to board, but before this could be done the
9 sails OF the Constitution filed, and she shot
ahead and clear of her antagonist whose foremost
3 fell, carrying with it the mainmast and leaving
the British figate helpless wreck rolling like
log In the trough of the sea. Captain Dacres
commander of the Guerrier now hauled down