The San Francisco call., 1897-10-17

EXACTLY 100 years ago the story OF the
Constitution had its birth. Every one
knows that at the close of the last GEN.
tury the intolerance of Great Britain was
reaching point where it could be put up
with no longer, and Congress ordered six
vessels TO be built, of which 'Old Iron
sides" was one. Not long after her lannch-
ing, in the end of September, 1897, the
English attempted to hold the Constitu-
lion up to the derision of Europe by de-
nouncing her as "a bunch of pine boards
sailing under bit of striped bun ting"
The manner in which these taunts were
flung back by the Americans a few years
later will continue 10 call forth the admi-
ration of seamen and fighters alike to the
end of time.
The Constitution has a record which has
never been beaten, and the present petition
to Congress to restore her and preserve her
as a memento OF brave days long past will
m eet the approval OF all true Americans.
During the hottest two years and nine
months of the war "Old Ironsides," a.
she was affectionately called in the navy,
was in three actions, was twice critically
| chased, and captured FIVE vessels of war,
| thre of which were frigates. In ali these
| adventures she never was dismasted,
| never cot ashore, although twice she mar
rowly escaped being wrecked on the south.
west coast of England, and scarcely ever
suffered any OF the usual accidents of the
sea. Though in the midst of shot and
shell so often, no very serious slaughter
ever took place upon her decks. Four OF
her lieutenants were killed, one COM
ii
have been her most serious catastrophes.
Real active service of the Constitution
commenced when Captain Isaac Hull was
ordered TO take her 10 Europe 10 carry the
| interest due on the debt to Holland. On
her return trip she proceeded to Ports
mouth and while there had some trouble
with a British man. OF war (Havana) over
the giving up of a deserter. Two British
| frigates bore down on the Constitution in
| an Objectionable manner and the lieuten-
| ant in charge calmly weighed anchor on
the American frigats and cleverly out
nnaneuvered the British vessels. When
the Constitution went to sea the British
ers followed, and although they made
every indication o. wanting battle, when
they saw that Captain Hull was quite
ready TO give it 10 them, they calmly stood
| off on different course and the American
crew. which had been piped ready for &C.
ton, was sorely disappointed when the
drum beat e retreat as the British frigates
ran off before the wind.
Soon after returning to this country
war broke out and the Constitution was
cruising off the coast with instructions
not 10 Voluntarily encounter force su-
perior TO her own While pursuing an
apparently uneventful voyage the Consti-
tuition met the British frigate Guerrero
These two vessels were in company for
several days, the Guerrero trying to get
within gunshot of the Constitution. Ac-
companying the Guerrero was the Belvi-
dere, another British vessel, which was
also anxious to blow the Constitution to
pieces. The American was gradually be-
ing overhauled by the En- nglish frigate. and
slowly but surely the Beividere was draw
ing up to her prey. Captain Hull at this
iuncture succeeded by hedging in keeping
ahead of the Br.tisher in the shallow
water. There was but little wind and stun
sails were set from the water 10 the royal
masthead, and in order TO make the sails
hold what little wind there was buckets of
water were run up to the royal and top
kd4ldul anu over tue
When the Brltisher saw COW cleyerly The
Constitution was gradually leaving him
astern he followed the same devices and
was enabled to prove his position. At
this Junciure the enemy opened fire and
some of his shot actually passed over the
Constitution. A little breeze help d the
American, and as she forged away the
GueTriere fired a harmless broadside and
when the wind fell light Captain Hull
lightened his ship by pumping out 25O0
gallons of water.
Toward afternoon the Belvidere opened
ire on the Constitution, but as the Ameri-
can frigate was ena bled to increase this dis
tance between them the firing soon ceased.
Near midnight light breeze sprang up
and instantly the Constitution was
Trim med 10 tase advantage of every pos
sihie breath, and at midnight a calm fol-
lowed and towing with boats and hedging
were resumed until daylight. On the
third day of the chase a fresh breeze
sprang up and while the Britishers were
shortening sail Captain Hull spread every
stitch on the Constitution and had his
ship bowling along at eleven knots in
stead of having her on her beam ends as
the enemy had hoped. This celebrated
chase lasted sixty-seVen hours and the