The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-12-17
THE BATTLE WAS SHORT.
In Thirty the Constitution
ed the Guerrfere.


Hull ran down before the wind to take a
look at the stranger, and found him with
his main topsail aback, waiting for the
Constitution to come up. Both ships
cleared for action, and when the Constitu-
ton was still far astern he Guerrero pc
gan firing al long range. Only two or
three shots we've fired in return, ana then
the American bore down upon the Eng
lishman in silence. Nothing shows more
forcibly TIE perfect discipline of the snip
than this hour of waiting, with men
standing at quarters and their comrades
falling around them. Even Mr.. Morris,
the first lieutenant, found it hard to re-
strain his Impotence, and he asked to be
allowed to fire. Not till the ships were
fairly abreast and within pistol-shot OF
each other was the word finally given
The effect was almost instantaneous as d
whole broadside struck the Guerrero, 1ol-
lowed quickly by a second staggering
blow. Her m-izzenmast went overpoaro,
and the Constitution was able to pass
around the Guerriere's DOW. Where sne Ne o
livered a raking fire, which cut away tue
orenast and much of the rigging. N
wearing to return across hef DOW lne
Guerriere's starboard bow fouled the poIt
quarter of the Constitution. II was WIiie
in this position that both sides trled 10
hoard and Lieutenant Bush, of the Ma
rfne Corps, was killed, and Lieuten-
ant Morris was dangerously Wounoeo.
Two guns in the bow of the Guer-
riere were fired pointblank INTO Ihe
cabin of the Constitution, and set IRE
to the ship. The danger was grave,
but the wind and sea swept them clear,
and Lieutenant Hoffman put OUT tne
fire. AS the ships separated, the Guer-
riere's foremast and mainmast Went by
the board, leaving her a helpless hulK IN
the trough of the sea. Captain Dacres
much desired interview" was over, nay
ing lasted, from the first broadside OF the
Constitution, just thirty minutes lie was
wounded. seyenty-nine of his men out OF
| a crew of 272 were killed and woundeo,
and not a stick was left standing on MS
deck. There was no need to maui DOWN
the flag; it was gone with the rigging, ana
Captain Dacres peIAoIoe' ~
Constitution had lost fourteen men ana
sustained comparatively small injury.
| Within a few hours she was ready Tor an
| other fight. The Guerrero was SO cut 70
| pieces that she could not be taken INTO
! mort. and Hull burned her. The last acI,
after removing the prisoners and wound
ed. gives one a glimpse of the Christlahlty
and chivalry of these two captains VINO
| smoke the same tongue and in whose
veins flowed the same blood. captain
/ Hull asked Captain Dacres II there was
anything he would like to save from ms
| ship. He said yes, his mothers Bible,
which he had carried with him Tor years.
An officer was sent to get lt.IhuS pesdh
! a friendship between these enemies when
| lasted till Hulrs death, in 1913. Tradition
| has it that in this fight the CONSTITUTION
| obtained her s~oubriquet, "Old lronsldes.
| When struck by a shot from the Guer-
| riere. the outside planking did not yleid,
| and the shot fell into the sea.one OF Ine
| made of iron!"-Ira N. Hollis IN the At
| 1autic.