The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-08-13
Highest of all Lavenng Power-Latest U. S. Govt Report.
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ABSOLUTELY PURE

| vantage or pOaltlOn. lne TInSllallilliii
trying to rake the Constitution. But
Captain Hull was too good a seaman
to allow such a thing and finally the
GUerriere gave up this plan and stood
on direct course to allow the Constl
tuition to approach. This was what
the American wanted and he was soon
alongside
AtG o'clock the Constitution opened
fire with her forward guns and it was
returned by the after guns OF the
Guerrero In a few moments the
two vessels were faillv abreast and
pouring dreadful hroadsides into each
other from all their guns. The ships
were only one hundred feet apart and
every ball told with disastrous effect
The Constitutions guns were all
double shOtted with round and grape
and so terrible was her fire that in
sixteen minutes the mizzen mast OF
the Guerrero crashed over the side
This enabled the Constitution to draw
ahead and, turning shot across the
bow of the Englishman. Captain Hull
poured in three tremendous raking
broadsides which created fearful de
structiOn aboard the Guerriere. Then
the Constitution t1ed to resume her
original course. In doing so, owing
to damage done her rigging, she was
placed in an awkward position by the
ships fouling, and a few injurious
shots were sent into her hull by the
Guerrero SO close that they set the
cabin aire This blaze was eXtin-
guished before much damage was
done
While the ships were close to each
other both parties determined to
board, thinking to end the battle, and
the bOarders We're called away from
the guns. Lieutenant Morris was
lashing the ships together when he
was badly wounded. 1t was then
found that the vessels were too far
apart for boarding and that the sea
was too heavy, but the marines of both
vessels were gathered on the decks
exchanging heavy fire of musketry.
Most Of the men injured and killed on
the Constitution received their wounds
at this time
The ships separated and at the next
broadside delivery by "Old Ironsidcs"
the main mast of the Guelriere went
over the side, followed almost immedi
ately by the foremost. This virtually
decided the conflict. The Guarriern
was complete wreck while every
spar of the Constitution was intact.
Captain Hull had his enemy at his
mercy and at once drew off to repair
damages, for it was necessary to be in
the best of shape as soon as possible
in a sea swarming with enemies. some
of which might have been attracted
bv the !iring. Much to his gratifica
ton he found that his ship had not
received single injury which in any
way would prevent him engaging an
other British ship with every prospect
OF success, If one should suddenly
appear and offer him battle The
damage caused by fire breaking out
about the cabin created the greatest
alarm during the conflict, and it act
ually did moro mischief than the balls
from the Guerrero did. The crew
was very much elated and worked
with a will and in an hour "Old IRON
sides" was in good shape and took a
position to rake the enemy, who still
kept his flag flying from the stump of
one OF his masts. Before Captain
Hull gave the WORT to fire. however,
the flag came down and the first Eng
lish frlgate ever captured by the
Americans in single combat was a
prize to Captain Hull and his valiant
crew
Captain Dacres. Of the Guerrierp.
was a brave but somewhat bOastfnl
Englishmen. When stationed on the
United States coast he had lamented
having to fight SO inferior a people as
the Americans. Itwas proved during
the war 10 his satisfaction and to the
satisfaction of all Englishmen that
they had at last met foe who seldom
Welded to them in an equal conflict.
The Guerriere was rated at thirty
eight guns. but carried fifty, with {
crew Of 2S2 men: the Constitution
was rated forty four guns, but carried
fifty four, with a crew of 45G men
The Constitution was slightly super
Tor to the Guerriere N every particu
: lar, but this fact does not detract any
from the credit due Captain Hull an(
his crew. The English had the repu
, tation of being the best naval fighter
in the world. They had almost al
ways conquered French and Spanisl
!, vessels of force as superior to thei
! vessels as was the Constitution Tha
: Captain Dacres expected victory i
, shown by the complacency with whicl
he waited for the Constitution Tha
he fought his ship to the last extrem
, ity is shown by the loss Of fifteen me-
E and sixtythree wounded: and also j
that the Americans were compelled t
= blow up the Guerrero, not being alb
>, to take her into port in her shattere
= condition.
4 1t must also be said. TO Captain ID;
! cres credit. that he allowed ten Amer
: lean seamen who had been impresse
> into the British service to go belo
!, before the action commenced so tia
! they would not have to fight again.
their country.
, The result of the battle clearl
\ shows that Captain Hull fully demon
= strated the superiority of "Old IrOl
- sides" His loss was only seven me
- killed and seven wounded and his We
" sci came out of the conflict in splel
70 did shape, not even having lost an q
i sentiai spar.
,r Captain Dacres was severely woun
Z ed. So also were his first lleutena
a.. and master. His second lieutena
! was killed.
10 First Lieutenant Morris of the Co
2 stltution. was wounded and Lieute
q. ant of Marines Bush was killed.
Captain Hull Immediately put in
th port to discharge the large number
f- prisoners with which he was encul