The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1912-08-16

: Morris asked II he could open fire, and
three times he was answered with Q
calm Not yet, sir
But at last, having gained a posi-
! tion 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 q
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
| miz2en-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 IL was a
staggering one. The Englishman felt
its full weight, and perhaps for the
first time realized that this was nc
child's play"
British Vessel Shattered.
Serving their guns with eXtraor
dlnary rapidty and accuracy, the
Americans inflicted great damage on
the Guerriere's hull and rigging, and
round shot brought down the Eng
lishman's mizzenmast. This brought
the Guerrere up into the wind and the
Constitution got In two raking broad
sides. The vessels came together
with the Englshmans jib boom ex
tending across the Constitution,
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
ging him not 20 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 Englishmau, threw Jthe weapon at
his enemy, hitting him in the face.
Another of the Americans, young John
Hogan, won 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 riflemen, a bullet striking him
in the back
The frigates now fell apart, and In
! dropping astern the Guerriere's bow,
gtr q -,
! 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, complete
| wreck, at each wave rolling the main
| deck guns in the water.
Captain Hull. seeing that the en-.
envy 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. know you are
hurt" And when the conquered com.
mander offered his sword, Hull cried +:
mo, will not take the sword from
one who knows SO well how to use IL
but I'll trouble you for that hat"
The WAGER on the outcome OF a DOS.
slble meeting between their respective
frigates had been made before the
breaking out OF hostilities
Hull did all that was possible 10 re-
lieve the suffering OF the wounded
Fnglishmen The Guerriere was
found TO be in n sinking condition and
was blown up.
This victory OF the Constitution wa,
the first Of moment won by the Amer
leans I'm the war and cheered up IN,
young nation nightly Il was fol
, lowed by many another. one OF tn,
most famous beng Commodor Perry
, victory IN the battle OF Lake Erie. IN,
! centenary OF which is 10 celebrate,
r next summer with great ceremonies
/ and long continued fetes.