The Ordway new era., 1912-08-16

/ three times he was answered with 0
calm Not yet. sir
"But at last. having gained posi-.
tion about 10 yards OF the enemy's
port quarter, Captain Hull gave the
order to fire US 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
mizzen-top. while the cheers OF her
men abruptly ceased and the shrieks
and 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-
dinary rapidity and accuracy. the
Americans inflicted great damage on
the Guerriere's hull and rigging. and
q round shot brought down the Eng.
lishman's mizzenmast. This brought
the Guerriere up into the wind and the
Constitution got In two raking broad.
sides. The vessels came together
with the Englishman's jib boom ex.
tending across tie 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
| stepped upon a chest to lead the board.
ers. but a seaman pulled him down, beg
| ging him not to SO expose himself
while wearing "those swabs." re-
ferring to his epaulets. The ships
were SO close together that an Amer
ican 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 up the
rigging and nailed the flag to the
mast, descending unhurt. Captain
Dacres was among those wounded
by the riiemen. 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
deck guns in the water.
Captain Hull, seeing that the en-
emy was done for, drew off to repair
damages SO that he should not be
caught by any other British vessel
that might come along, and returning
later, sent Lieutenant Read to take
possession. Captain Dacres reluct-
antly admitted that he could not con-
tinue the combat and accompanied
Read to the Constitution. AS he came
up the side on a rope ladder Captain
Hull assisted him, saying: Give me
| your hand, Dacres. l know you are
hurt" And when the conquered COM
mander offered his sword, Hull cried:
mo, I will not take the sword from
one who knows so we'll how to use it,
but I'll trouble you for that hat"
| The wager on the outcome of a pos
sible meeting between their respective
frigates had been made before the
breaking out of hostilities.
Hull did all that was possible to re-
lieve the suffering Of the wounded
Englshmen. The Guerriere was
found to be in sinking condition and
was blown up.
This victory of the Constitution was
the first Of moment won by the Amer
leans in the war and cheered up the
young nation nightly. 1t was fol-
lowed by many another. one of the
most famous being Commodore Perry's
victory in the battle of Lake Erie, the
| centenary of which Is to celebrated
next summer with great ceremonies