Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-18

lolE-THE GALLANT FIGHT WITH THE GUER-
RIERE-PoPULAR SENTIMENT FOR THE OLD
VESSEL.
tFrom the New York Timed at the time the consttu.
tion was put out Of commission at the Brooklyn ma
Wy yard in December, 1881
The Constitution, or "Old Ironsides," as
she was familiarly called, was one of six frig-
ates the keels of which were laid in 1894.
She was the third vessel built for the United
States navy after the adoption Of the consti-
tuition, the United States being the FIRST and
the Constellation the second. The Constitu-
tion was built at Hart's ship.yar in Boston,
which was situated where Constitution wharf
now is, at q cost Of 1902, 7lS. 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
1886. She was launched on the 21st of Oc-
tober, 1897, in the presence of a great gath
ering Of people. It vas because she was so
stanoh a ship that the name OF "Ironsides"
was given her, and her subsequent service in
the war Of 1912 fully entitled her to the
name She was the most fam GUS ship In our
navy, and has been made the theme OF story
and song. Sho started on her first or uise in
July, 1898, under command OF Capt James
Nicholson, but she did not come into active
service until 1904, when she wal the flag. ship
of Commodore Preble in the war between
this country and the Barbary powers. On
the 29th Of August the commandment of
Tripoi was renewed for the thiId time, and
the Constitution made her first hi toricsl rec
ord. She ran in TO within q shi It distance
of the castle aud batteries, and poured in
destructive discharges of round and grape
shot She silenoed the guns OF the castle and
| spread destruction among the gun boats OF
the enemy. The squadron finally withdrew
after doing great damage to the town After
| this exploit the Constitution was en- saRed in
| cruising until the war Of 1912, durini' which
she made her glorious record, and proved to
the world that even 80 young nation az the
United States could produce q navy able to
cope with that Of Great Britain.
The Constitution carrying ~ guns and
under command Of Capt. Isaac Hull, return
ed from foreign service about the the time of
the declaration Of war, and having shipped
a new crew, sailed from Annapolis on a cruise
to the northward July ~, 1912. At l oclot k
in the afternoon on the 18th, while she was
sailing easily along with light breeze, Capt.
Hull found hims elf nearly surrounded by
Broke's British squadron. The Constitution
was not strong enough to fight the powerful
safety depended on her speed. One of the
most remarkable naval retreats and pursuits
ever recorded now began. The sea was in
almost dead calm, and sails were of little
use. The boats were lowered aud ached
to the ship by long lines, and the sailors pull
ed with a will to tow the frigate out of the
enemy's reach. The British followed the ex-
ample of the Americans and the flight and
pursuit had become most exciting when night
4 Al. -
the race continued. On the second day IL sail
were in sight but gentle breeze was blow
ing and the Constitution was gaining slowly
on her pursuers. BY nightfall, she was four
miles ahead of the foremost of the British
squadron, the Guerriere, and at S:l5 that
night the Englishmen abandoned the chase
and drew of to the northvard. The Consti-
tuition, after her escape, ran not far from the
shore to the Bay of Fundy without meeting
q single vessel Capt. Hull then turned her
prov to the southwark, and on the 10Th of
August a man of-war was discovered from
the masthead, which afterward proved to be
the Guerriere, from which "Old Ironsides"
had so narrowly escaped q month before.
Capt. Hull at once gave chase TO the stranger,
and when about league to the leeward be-
gan 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, intending to bring her into
close combat immediate y. The Guerrero
was perfectly willing to fight, and the COM
mAnder oomprehendng Hull's movement,
hoisted three national ensigns, fired broadside
of grapeshot filed away and gave another
broadside on the other tack, but without effect
as the missiles all fell short. The Constitution
pressed all sail TO get alongside the foe and
engage in q fair yard arm and yard arm fight.
At little after 10 the evening the bows of
the American ship began to double the quar-
ter OF the English. Now boys pour it into
them" shouted Captain Hull, aud the Con-
stitution opened her forward guns with ter
rible effect. The oOncussion Of the broad
side was tremendous. 1t cast the men in the
cockpit Of the enemy's ship from one side Of
the room 70 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
surgeons
The enemy at the same time were pouring
heavy metal into the Constitution. The ves-
sells were only half pistol-shot from each
other, and the destruction wrought by the
broadsides was terrible. Within Is minutes
after the fight began the Guerriere's mizzen-
mast was shot away, her main yard was in
slngs, and her hull, spars, sails, and rigging
contest the Constitution ran afoul OF her en-
emy, her bowsprit running into the Guer-
riere's laTboard quarter. Both parties now
attempted TO board, but before this could be
done the sails of the Constitution filed. and
she shot ahead aud clear of her antagonist,
whose foremast fell, carrying with 1t the
mAinmsst and leaving the British frigate a
helpless wreck rolling like log in the trough
of the sea. Capt Dacres, commander of the
hal Anu tka oh srlta
had been kept flying at the stump OF the
mizzenmast in token Of surrender, and a
prize crew was sent on board. She was too
greatly damaged, however, TO be saved, and
as it was evident that she would sink, Capt.
Hull gave orders the next day to set her on
fire and 10 minutes Afterward she blew up.
The importance of this victory to the Amer
leans at this period of the war can hardly be
over estimated. For the first time in the his.
tory of the world, as the London Times ex-
pressed it, 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 wood
en- walls" as almost impregnable. The vic
tory of the Constitution gave q new vigor to
the war in this country and had correspond
! ingly depressing effect in Great Britain. The
American loss in the engagement, which last
ed half an hour, was seven killed and seven
A wounded, and "a missing. The Oonstitu-
ton was severely damaged in spars and rig
| ging. She carried the news of the victory
to Boston, arriving there on the Both OF Au-
| gust. When she went into the hArbor she
was surrounded by q hotila of gayly deco
rated small boats, and escorted to the wharf.
Here Capt. Hull was received with national
salute, and an immense assemblage escorted
him to his quarters in the city. A grand
1 4 IL. ~
New York rendered him the freedom of the
city, presented swords to him and his Off.
GERS 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 command
of "Old Ironsides, and Capt William Balm
bridge was appointed his successor. He sail
ed from Boston Oct. 20, 1872 and on Deoem-