The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-08-19
TODAY IN HISTORY
Sea Fight Between the GuerrIere and
Constitution
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 1910

Prondest among, the triumphs Of the
American Nag VIII forever be associated
Constitution. reehristened by popular ac-
claim "Old Ironsides," for her grand and
victorious resistance to British domina-
ton on the ocean In successive and hotly,-
vas the capture Of the British frigatc
Guerriere on August 10. 1872: OF this
battle the London ''Times" said Never
before In the history OF the world did an
English frigate strike 10 an American
under equal circumstances,
War having been declared against Great
Britain In June. 1912. preparations were
at once made By our government 10 get
all available vessels In fighting trim for
the conflict that naturally would have
TO take place on the sea, In the squad
ron that was prepared the Constitution
was one of the number OF vessels that
were expected TO give 81 good account OF
themselves. Captain Isaac Hull was In
command OF this vessel, and he was rec
ogniZed as no less a sea warrior than a
brilliant strategical navigator.
The Constitution at the outbreak Of the
war was at anchor in the Chesapeake,
but she started north to join the squad
ron that had sailed from New York. When
off EGG Harbor on the 18th OF July, Cap
tain Hull saw in the distance vessels
American feet. steaming up. to his
amusement, he found them to be the
British squadron. Then commenced what
may be justly termed the most remark
vers ever known-the most wonderful
chase recorded In nautical history. result
ing In the successful and almost m!racu-
Ious escape of the American frgate from
whole squadron of British vessels com
manded by Captain Broke. In close pur-
suit for nearly three days and nights.
Hull escaped and reached Boston.
where he remained a few days and then
steered out for the Newfoundland coast
to intercept the Canadian trade He sue
eeeded In inhictins much damage OH the
ust. AT 2 o'clock in the afternoon OF
that day he sighted the British frigate
Guerriere. commanded by Captain James
a, Dacres- I1ulPs announcement to pre-
eXultation by the brave American crew.
The Guerrere fred the first shot. a
broadside, but Hull restrained his crew
from answering, for the o2Pportune mo,
everything was In perfect readiness. and
at five minutes before 6 o'clock he gave
the command and every gun on the Con-
stltution was set 10 work. Thirty min
utes after the commencement of the con-
test by the Constitution the mainmast
and foremast of the Guerriere went by
the board. taking With them every spar
tion. Captain Hull ordered the firing TO
cease. Captain Dacres then struck his
colors, and at Z o'clock In the evening
returned In a short time with Captain
Dacres. !, was one OF the shortest and
most brilliant victories in the annals OF
our navy.
Captain Hull in his tribute to his crew,
said: They all fought with great brav-
cry, and from the smallest boy In the
ship to the oldest seaman, not a look Of
fear was seen" Fourteen of the crew of
the Constitution were killed or injured.
while the killed and wounded on the
Guerriere numbered more than eighty
The last OF August the Constitution
arrived in Boston harbor. Never did an
event spread such universal Joy over the
whole country and such astonishment
throughout Europe as this complete and
magnificent victory. The gallant Hull was
presented with the freedom OF all the
cities on his route TO the seat of govern
ment and with elegant services Of silver
plate, also the thanks OF legislative and
other bodies, AT home and abroad the