The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-01-27
.S)lDl RoNs1DBsI

with laughter over tho anticipated mis-
hans that would befall these presumptu-
Gus attempts at naval architecture by
"rcbel subjects" as the Americans were
generally regarded by their friends, tho
English. at that time.
Tho result of several naval actions be-
tween American and French cruisers did
much toward changing tho tune OF their
laughter. But British officers we're still
anxious to know if Yankee-built frigates
really could sail with any respectable
speed, and TO satisfy themselves on that
point the commander of crack sailing
British ship, while on blockade duty oil
san Domingo, sent IA challenge TO Capt.
Silas Talbot, of the Constitution, to an all
day race. wagering n cask OF wine on the
result. As the British ship had the repu-
tation of being one OF the best sailers in
the West Indies, the younger American
officers Immediately we're on their mettle,
and urged CAPITA in Talbot to accept the
wager, and, as making an agreeable break
in the monotony of the cruise, he con-
scnted.
The first lieutenant of the Constitution
was Isaac Hull, afterward her famous
commander Even at that time Hull had
most skilful navigators in tho service, and
the sailing of the frigate OH that occasion
was intrusted to HIM. The race began ut
daybreak and lasted until sunset, the
Constitution having it all her own way
from tho first. As the sun was going
down she fired her evening gun, the sig
nal that the race was ended. and heaving
to waited for the Englishman to come up.
The British commander handsomely ac-
knowleged his defeat, and lowering his
barge sent the cask of wine aboard. Had
this captain lived l6 years longer the NOR
LITIGATION of his defeat would have been
diminished by learning that Is British
frigates and several ships-of-the-line sub
sequently endeavored to overtake tho
Constitution with u similar want of sue
cess.
Probably no other snip has done so much
TO level British naval pride as Old Iron
sides. High rewards and rapid promo
ton awaited the English commander who
sailed into Spithead with the dreaded
Constitution as prize. When by tho eX-
traordiuary seamanship of Capt. Isaac
Hull she escaped the clutches of a power
full British squadron off Sandy Hook, in
1872. after n chase of some 60 hours, Cap
tain Byron, commanding one of the ships
of the pursuing squadron, wrote to n
friend in London: Nothing can exceed
my modification from tho extraordinary
escape of the American frigate." The
even more remarkable escape of the Con-
stitution in 1915 from another British
squadron off Port Praya caused the COM
mandng English officer to commit sui
eide.
OF this group of six frigates which
formed the nucleus of the present Amer
lean navy, only three are now in existence
the Constitution, tho President and the
Constellation. The Constellation is now
in American waters, but the Presi-
dent is in London. She was cap
tured early in 1915, after long chase off
Long Island, 10y powerful British squad
ron, and has been kept in London as a
trophy. In a certain sense the fourth of
the famous group, the Chesapeake, also is
in existence to-day. She was captured
June /, 1913, by the British 3s-gun frigate
Shannon and carried to England. Some
years after the war she was broken up,
and many of the timbers were sold to a
British miller named John Prior, who
built flour mill out of them at Wickham,
Hants. Some of the shot of the battle are
still visible sticking in tho timbers of the
mill.
Such being the notable career of old
Ironsides, it is not surprising to find that
the action of congress in appropriating
money to restore tho ship to her original
condition has met with widespread salts
faction and the wisdom of placing her
where she can bo viewed by patriotic
young America will be amply demon
strated in the growing interest in this inn
portant arm of the service.