The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-27

ers Of the vessels in his squadron. De-
catur was twenty-six, somers twenty
four, Stewart twenty-five. They've
given me lot OF schoolboy captains,
the commodore complained. Little did
he realize that each and every one OF
the schoolboys was his equal II not his
superior, in every department OF sea
warfare.
Saved the Constellation.
Stewart first got his name as lucky
captain in 1913. when he was appointed
to command the great frigate Constel-
lation. sister ship to the Constitution.
Out Of Annapolis he sailed one day,
open sea He was high with hope
whe he anchored at night off Norfolk.
but. alas! when morning dawned five
British warships blocked his passage
to the sea. Exercising every art which
he could employ. he endeavored to slip
past the blockading squadron. but when
he began to have hopes of success, the
wind failed. To save his ship now
seemed doubtful indeed. The British
squadron blocked the way and gradu-
ally frightened the net Stewards only
hope was in retreat. Putting out his
boats, he laboriously lowed the frigats
up toward Norfolk The tide was fall.
ing, and when the Constellation reached
what now is Fortress Monroe, she stuck
in the mud. The British commanders,
knowing there was no way out for the
frigate. and not believing it possible
for her to get through the crooked
channel to Norfolk. felt sure Of her
capture. But they did not know Charles
Stewart. When the tide rose and lifted
the Constellation out of the mud that
night he sent pilot ahead to mark
the channel with a light. Hour after
hour he towed the frigate.
When the light was reached 1t was
extinguished and the pilot sent ahead
to mark the next stage of the journey
Throughout the long winter night Stew
art and his men labored silently, Wig
orously and we'll, and when morning
dawned and the British admiral looked
for the frigate. he looked in vain. Far
up the Elizabeth River the. Constella-
ton was at anchor. safe from the
squadron. The British blockaded he1
there and made half dozen efforts
to capture her. Parties in boats and
parties from the shore side attacked
her, but Stewart was too wary. He
rugged up land batteries and rugged
netting about the frigate Every at
more men in these attacks than in any
OF the single encounters at sea, and
they got such respect for Stewart
that they were not willing to venture
within gunshot OF the Constellation
after few experiences with his gun
ners.
The Constitution.
But If they could not capture the
Cons tellation. they could maintain the
blockade, so Stewart, chaflng from his
confinement pleaded for command Of
the Constitution. He got 1t. "Old
IIronsde' was In Boston. refitting, ana
there he joined her. The harbor was
blockaded by seven British warships'
but he managed to get out, and away
he sailed for tho West indies. He cap
tured several prizes and sank cruiser
and then sailed back up along the coast
of tho United States. Off Massachu-
setts, he was chased by two British
4 frigates, the Tenedos and the Junon
They were more than match for the
/ Constitution, and his only recourse was
i In flight TO avoid his pursuers he had
1 to keep nshore, where the depth OF
water was perilously small, AT times
the Constitution had less than two feet
Of watertunder her keel, but she had
| a good pilot. Crowds watched the
struggle from the shore, and when
the Constitution got safely into Mar
blehead there was great rejoicing a
few days later she slipped into Boston.
Tho Great Cruise
On December IA. 1914. he was out
again, and then began the cruise that
made him famous He had married
shortly before, and when he was bid
! ding adeu to his bride he asked her
what he should bring back to her,
"A frigate." she replied.
"I'll bring you two" he declared.
From the prophecies Stewart made
on this cruise and the way they were
/ fulfilled the sailors got to look upon
7lhim with superstitious awe. They
were off the coast of Portugal, two
4 months after leaving Boston and thu
men We're restless because the trip had
been marked by only r few unin1por,
tant captures, when Stewart addresscd
the crew and told them to be patient
You'll have u fight within twenty
four hours he announced. Then, turn.
A ing ia them again, as he started u
4, sa away. he added .'You'll have twe