The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1882-01-07
S. FRIGATE CONSTITUTION.

>. FRIGATE CONSTITUTION.
son the 19th IF August. 1872 at p.
NJ. in latitude Al. II. longitude is. Il sail
was made from the mast heads. bearing
f. S. +. We Immediately made sail in
chase. and at ) i. NJ. the stranger was
ascertained to be a large ship on the star
board tack. under easy canvas and close
hauled. Half an hour later she was dis
tinctly made out to be a large irigate and
no doubt an enemy. We continued the
chase till within a league OF the stranger.
By this he had laid his main-top>ail aback.
wal i lg for us to come down, he ha,i ng
made every preparation to engage us.
Perceiving that he sought . combat. our
brave captain Gsaac liulD made his own
preparations with great deliberation.
We furled the top gallant sails and slowed
away all light spars and sails, double
reeied the topSailS. and cleared the decks
for action and beat to quarters. At p.
NJ. the stranger hoi>ted hrce British en-
signs and opened his fire upon us at long
range. We reServing our fire for close
quarters, intending to commence the ac.
tion in earnest. At p. NJ. the English
ship bore up on us. AS this was a chal-
lenge for an arm to arm fight. we made
sail to get alongside of him. and as our
bow began to doube on his quarter, We
opened our fire. keeping up Il heavy fire
as each gun began to bear on him. In
about ten minutes the miZZen mast OF
our opponent was shot away. when we
passed slowly ahead of him. keeping up
tremendous fire: lutfed across his bow.
and getting Stern-way on US. fell a-foul
of our enemy, and when in this situation
the cabin of our ship caught fire. but was
soon extinguiShed. AS the two ships
met. both parties prepared to board. but
soon found it impossible in the face Of
such a fire: the sails were. therefore.
filled, and Just as we shot ahead the
foremost of the enemy fell. carrying with
it the mamma t. leaving her a helpless
wreck. wallowing in the trou III of heavy
sea. We now hauled aboard our tacks
ran off short distance to repair our
slight damages to mast and sails. aud at
! p. NJ. We wore round. taking 4 favOra-
bic position fer raking. when the English
jack, that had been kept living from a
stump of the miZZen mast of the enemy.
was lowered in submission. In sending
prize crew on board. We found our prize
to be the famous British frgate Gurr-
riere. of IS guns. Captain DacreS. one Of
the ships that had so lately chased the
Constitution off New York. Our captain
finding the Guerrero so much riddled
with our shot, and having over four feet
water in the hold. after removing her
officers and crew to the Constitution, had
the wreck set fire to and she very soon
blew up
No idea can be given at this distant
period of the deep moral impression made
on the American mind by this glorious
victory, for such was the prestige of the
English navy. at the breaking out of the
war of 1872. that it was predicted that
we would not have single naval vessel
| atl"at.
1t will not do therefore. for the Gov
eminent to let the old C0nStit"tiOH 60 out
of existence. but let her he rebuilt. as
was the Esser. the Constellation, and 9th.
ers of her class. A piece of the old craft
can be seen at Arts Museum
! ii. p. l..