St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1899-01-07
The Consultations Famous Fight
with the Guerriere.

The CONSTITUTIONS Famous Fight
with the Guerriere.
Hull ran down before the wind to
take a look at the stranger, and found
him with his main topsaI aback, wait
ing for the Constitution to come up.
Both ships cleared for action, and when
the Constitution was still far astern the
Guerriere began firing at long range.
Only two or three shots were fired in
return, and then the American bore
down upon the Englishman in silence.
Nothing shows more forcibly the per-
feet discipline of the ship than this hour
of waiting, with men standing at quar-
ters and their comrades falling around
them. Even Mr.. Morris, the first lieu
tenant, found IL hard to restrain his
impatience, 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 giver. The
effect was almost instantaneous as a
whole broadside struck the Guerriere,
followed quickly by second stagger-
ing blow. Her mizzenmast went over
board, and the Constitution was able
to pass around the Guerriere's bow,
where she delivered q raking fire. which
cut away the foremast and much of the
rigging. In wearing to return across
her bow, the Guewiere's starboard bow
fouled the port quarter of the Consti-
tuition. It was while in this position
that both sides tried to board, and
Lieut.. Bush, of the Marine corps, was
killed, and Lieut.. Morris was danger
ously wounded Two guns in the bow
OF the Guerriere were fired pointrblank
into the cabin of the Constitution and
set fire to the ship. The danger was
grave, but the wind and sea swept them
clear, and Lieut.. Hoffman put out the
fire. As the ships separated. the Guer-
riere's foremast and mainmast went by
the board, leaving her q helpless hulk
in the trough of the sea. Capt. Dacres'
much desired Interview was over,
having lasted, from the first broadside
of the Constitution, just 80 minutes.
He was wounded, 70 of his men out of a
crew of 272 were killed and wounded,
and not stick was left standing on his
deck. There was no need to haul down
the flag; it was gone with the rigging,
and Capt. Dacres surrendered perforce.
The Constitution had lost Ia men and
sustained comparatively small injury.
Within few hours she was ready for
another fight. The Guerriere was so
cut to pieces that she could not be taken
into port, and Hull burned her. The
last act, after removing the prisoners
and wounded, gives one glimpse of
the Christianity and ehivalry Of these
two captains who spoke The same
tongue and in whose veins flowed the
same blood. Capt. Hull asked Capt.
Dacres If there was anything he would
like to save from his ship. He said.
yes, hts mothers Bible, which he had
carried with him for years. An officer
was sent to get it. Thus began friend
ship between these enemies which
lasted till Hul.s death IN 1s43. Tradi-
tion has it that in this fight the Consti-
tuition obtained her sobriquet "0ld
Tronsides.' When struck by shot from
the Guerriere, the outside planking
did not yield, and the shot fell into the
sea. One of the seamen shouted: ssHuz-
zal her sides are made of iron! ''--Ira
N. Hollis. in Atlantic.