Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1897-11-13


hip by musket ball. He refused to
leave the deck, and even after second
wound still staid above directing move
ments. After fighting some time at long
range Bainbridge decided to close in
and stand the Java's raking so that he
could put in some of the destructive
hull shots for which American captains
were famous. The Java was soon I'M
manageable, with her head sails gone
and her bowsprit shot away. The Con-
stitution dropped astcrn of her and raked
her deck lengthwise
Then the British captain determined
to board the American. In closing the
Java ran her jib boom into the mizzen
rigging Of her opponent, but she soon
lost her jib and received a severe raking
from the stern. Under this fire her fore
mast went down, smashing in the fore.
castle and main deck
After some maneuvering in which, as
usual, tho Constitution avoided the
ralsing fire Of the Java, the vessels stood
broadside to broadside. The first fire of
the Constitution carried away the Java's
mizzen mast. All that remained was
her mainmast with its yards gone The
English ceased firing, but their flag did
not come down. cambridge lay to, and
after an interval, seeing the Java's en-
sign still flying, prepared to open his
guns again. Then the British colors
were struck. Meanwhile tho Java's
mainmast had fallen, perforated with
shot All her masts had been cut
through with American missiles. Be.
sides, the hull of the vessel was torn
open and she was leaking badly. Balm
bridge lost 81 killed and wounded,
while the loss Of the British was more
than 200.
The victory over the Java closed the
brilliant achievements of the year 1912
for the navy. The Constitution, with
Commodore Bainbridge OH deck, reached
Boston early in 1918. Signal guns an
nounced tho arrival, and when the
wounded commodore appeared on the
crowded street, supported on either side
by the naval heroes John Rodgers and
Isaac Hull, the people went wild with
enthusiasm. At the beginning Of the
war it had been proposed in Washing
ton that tho nations navy be laid up to
prevent capture This uncalled for slur
upon the gallant sailors the people Of
the seacoast bitterly resented.
Captain Charles Stewart, q worthy
successor of Hull and Bainbridge, next
stepped to the deck Of the Constitution.
Throughout the war he handled the
gallant ship with marvellous skill and
daring, and thereafter shared with her
the gloriously won sobriquet Old Iron
sides. He commanded her In the last
great naval battle Of the war, fought
Feb. 90, 1915, after peace had been dc.
clared at home and in England.
Late in December, 1914, tho Consti-
tuition escaped from the port of Boston,
where British squadron had kept her
under blockade over eight months She
was ''spoiling" for action aud set out
for the mid. Atlantic. While sailing
from the Azores to Madeira about nooI
on the goth Of February she sighted
two vessels--the corvet Cyane Of 81
guns and the sloop Levant of go. They
were ten miles apart at first, the Levant
in tho wake, but seeing tho Constitu
ton in chase the latter made haste tc
join her consort. Crowding on all sal
until the royal mast snapped of under
the load, Stewart gave chase. Owing t.
the accident to the mast he did not CONF
up to the Britons until evening, ant
then the two had united. The Constitu
ton ranged alongside the Cyane ant
fired broadsido into her at 200 yards
The Briton Of course replied, but tn,
Constitution forged ahead after the lie
want.
1t was give and take with these tw,
until they were completely buried il
smoke. Then the Cyane crawled up un
dor the Constitution quarter. Stewar
instantly tackled the new enemy, Civ
ing I.evant parting broadside. Skill
fully avoiding rake from the Cyane
he backed until he brought her abeam
then silenced her with tremendou
cannonade. The Levant meanwhile Dor
down to help her consort. Seeing this
Stewart filed out, and, running for her
gave her two stern ralles before sh
could wear to get into position. Wear
ing himself, he Unanswered under cove
Of the smoke until he brought his shi
astern Of the Cyane. Raking her as h
had her consort, no compelled her I
strike and hastened after tho Levant
which had hauled of to repair, but wa
returning to the combat. The two me
on opposite tacks and exchanged broad
sides A few volleys were enough fo
the Briton, and she tried to escape, bu
the Constitution kept at her heels an
brought her to with her bow guns.
After the fight the British captain.
discussing the battle in the cabin of til
|. Constitution, told Stewart no owed HI
victory to their faulty maneuverinl