American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1912-11-21
Blue JACKETS WRITING Ho7uK

t Morris asked If he could open fire. and
, tnree times he was answered with 9
calm Not yet, sir
But at last, having gained a posi-
l ton about 40 yards off the enemy's
port quarter, Captain Hull gave the
, order to fire as the guns bore. In an
instant the frigate belched forth a
storm OF iron hail that carried death
and destruction into the opposing
ship. The splinters were seen to fly
over the British frigate like a cloud.
some OF them reaching as high as the
m1zzen-top, while the cheers of her
men abruptly ceased and the shrieks
ana groans OF the wounded were
heard. The Americans had struck
their first earnest blow, and it Was a
staggering one. The Englishman felt
Its full weight, and perhaps for the
first time realized that this was no
child's play"
British Vessel Shattered.
Serving their guns with extraor.
binary rapidity and accuracy, the
Americans inflicted great damage on
the Guerriere's hull and rigging, and
a round shot brought down the Eng.
Iishman's mtzzenmast. This brought
the Guerrtere up into the wind and the
Constitution got in two raking broad.
ldes. The vessels came together
with the En%glishman's jib boom ex. |
tending across the Constitutions
quarter deck. Both crews prepared
for boarding, but the rolling of the |
ships prevented this. Meanwhile the
sharpshooters in the tops were work
ing with energy and several officers
and many men on both sides were
killed or wounded. Captain Hull
stepped upon a chest to lead the board
ers, but a seaman pulled him down, beg
g1ng him not to so expose himself
while wearing those swabs," re-
ferring to his epaulets. The ships
were SO close together that an Amer
lean sailor. after firing his pistol at
an Englishman, threw the weapon at
his enemy, hitting him in the face.
Another of the Americans, young John
Hogan. won a pension just about this
time. The American flag at the main
top gallantmast head was carried
away by a shot and Hogan ran I'D the
rigging and nailed the flag to the
mast, descending unhurt. Captain
Dacres was among those wounded
by the rf1emen, a bullet striking him
in the back.
The frigates now fell apart, and in
dropping astern the Guerriere's bow
spirit struck the Americans ~taffrail,
her forestays were slackened and her
foremast went by the side, falling
across the main stays. This brought
down the mainmast and the vessel fell ,
INTO the trough Of the sea, a complete =
wreck, at each wave rolling the main {
1eck guns in the water. :
Captain Hull, seeing that the en-
amy was done for, drew off to repair
so that he should not be ,
by any other British vessel q
hat might come along, and returning r
alter. sent Lieutenant Read to take y
possession. Captain Dacres reluct.
lntly admitted that he could not con-,
inue the combat and accompanied D.,
Read to the Constitution. As he came !.
Up the side on a rope ladder Captain =
Hull assisted him, saying: Give me q
our hand. Dacres. l know you are =
lurt." And when the conquered com.
nander offered his sword, Hull cried:
No, I will not take the sword from a
me who knows SO we'll how to use II, h
'ut I'll trouble you for that hat" .
The wager on the outcome Of q DOS. :,
ible meeting between their respective =,
had been made before the
reaking out Of hostilities.
Hull did all that was possible to re- W
eve the suffering Of the wounded n
The Guerr1ere was m
,und to be In q sinking condition and nj
as blown up. in
This victory Of the Constitution was
lie first of moment won by the Amer.
ans In the wal and cheered up the h<
Dung nation nightly. 1t was fol- "a
by many another, one of the a
ost famous being Commodore Perry's m
ctory in the battle of Lake Erie, the hs
.,ntenary Of which is to celebrated r.
sxt summer with great ceremonies II,
"a lo79 continued fetes.