The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-06-12
Anecdotes of the American Navy.
U'rom an Address by Isaac Townsen
Smith,

CF'nOm an Address by Isaac Townsend
Smith,
At the close of the war of the Revolu-
ton, the Government sold off many of its
vesSels-of-war. being too poor to keep
them in commission, and when the war OF
1872 became obvious. it having only a
very small navy, an appeal was made to
patriotic citizens to provide one. receiving
in payment six per cent. bonds. The
frigate Constitution was built in Boston.
the Essex Tin which Farragut served as
Midshipmam in Salem. Mass, and the
President in New York.
1t was related To me by the late Mr..
William II. Webb. the eminent ship
builder. that the last-named ship. the
President. was built by Quaker. and
when he had constructed her as far rs
the portfolios for the guns his peace prin-
ciplrs forbade his going further. He then
went to his partner. who was one of the
worlds people. and said: Now thee must
go and get in the windows
When the Constitution had cleared for
action, and was bearing down to engage
with the Guerriere. Mr.. Morris. the First
Officer, came to Commodore Hull and
said that he ought to make Il speech To
the men: that they expected that he would
say something to them. Commodore Hull
was no spcecli-maker. but it being cx-
pccted, he replied: Well. Mr.. Morris,
pipe the men aft The Boatswain' 5
whistle rang out. and when they We're as
Sembled aft. Commodore Hull said: Men,
you see that big ship off there? Well.
that is British frigate. If we capture
her it il $500 apiece in your pockets. Pipe
to quarters. Mr.. Morris; pipe to quarters y
The men gave three ronsing cheers, and
went to their stations in high good humor.
Another incident may be related. 1t so
happened just before war was declared
that the Constitution and Guerrero Were
both lying at anchor i'll Hampton Roads.
and the commanders, as naval officers.
were interchanging courtcsies, dining and
taking wine together, and on one occasion,
after Capt. Dacres had shown Capt. Hull
through his ship, Capt. Hull said: Take
good care of this ship, Capt. Dacres. for
if we have war, and l meet her on the
high sea, / shall capture her Capt.
Dacres derisively laughed and replied: III
bet You hundred guineas YOU won't"
"Oh, no. rcjoined Capt. Hull. Il can't
bet you a hundred guineas, but I will bet
You hat" After the capture of the
Guerrero. Capt. Dacres came aboard the
Constitution and approached TO surrender
claimed: No. no. No matter about your
sword. l don't want that, but I'll trouble
You for that hat
A young naval officer. at n banquet III
London given by the DIXIE of Wellington.
having INDUCED in disparaging illusions
to the United States Navy, Admiral Sir
Isaac Coffin rose when the officer had
taken his seat, and said he had listened
with regret to the remarks disparaging
the American navy made by that young
officer. He knew personally something of
that navy. He was an American, born in
Boston. had entered his Majesty's service
when Massachusetts was colony, and
the Admiralty had respected his feelings
ard not sent him to fight against his own
ccuntrymen, but to fight the French and
Spaniards. and he would now say to that
young officer that. if Commodore Brock.
in the Shannon, instead of meeting the
Chesapeake just out Of port. whose crew
were in a state of subordination. had met
Commodore Hull in the Constitution, there
would have been no Tower gun fired in
rejoicing over q victory on that OCCASION
An example of intrepidity was that of
Lieut.. John Rodgers. who. with Midship-
man David Porter and II seamen, was
placed aboard the French frigate. the In
Surgent, on her capture by the COnstella-
ton, to superintend the transfer Of prison.
ers. While the work was going on gale
came on and the vessels became separated.
The next morning the Constellation was
nowhere to be seen. The situation was
most critical. Lieut.. Rodgers was to guard
113 prisoners and navigate the ship. which
was in crippled condition. On examin-
ing the fastcnings of the gratings for the
hatchways, the ordinary means of secur-
ing them had disappeared. and not a hand
cuff or shackle could be found It'll
looked as if the Americans were to be
made prisoners. Lieut. Rodgers. how
ever, was a man of herculean strength,
and, seconded by his ~ companions. he
forced the prisoners into the lower hold.
then cast loose one of the guns loaded
with canister and grape and pointed it
down the hatch, over which bag of shot
was suspended ready to cut away at Il
moments notice; all the muskets and
pistols were kept loaded and ready,
placed by the hatch. and two or three men
with pixies and battle-axes. to be used in
case of an emergency. stood at the open
ing. In this perlous condition the little
band of captors remained three days and
two nights. continually on duty. On the
third day they made st. Kits, where they
found the Constellation anxiously await
ing them