The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-10-26
Our Greatest Naval Victory.

the American points, when the glory
of the sea is being discussed, is to
the naval victory gained by the infant
American navy over the seasoned
British masters of the seattle fight
between the Constitution and the
Guerriere in the War of 1912. In
commenting on the result the London
Times said: Never before in the
history of the world did an English
frigate strike to an American under
equal circumstances"
Proudest among the triumphs of
the American flag will forever be as
sociated the career of that noble old
frigate, the Constitution, which was
rechristened, by popular acclaim, Old
.Ironsides. This great triumph came
at time when the whole nation,
deeply wounded by the ill-successes
of their arms on the frontier, were
suddenly thrilled by an action bril-
liant beyond all precedent in it's re-
suits in the annals of naval warfare.
The memorable sea battle occurred
on August 19, 1912. Capt. Hull, on
board the Constitution, was cruising
off the coast of Massachusetts, when
a>sail was discovered from his mast
head. He Immediately gave chase.
1t was plainly perceived that she was
a man-of-war, and it was soon learn
ed that the vessel was the Guerrero,
commanded by Capt. James A.
Dacres.
Eager for battle and hopeful for
victory, Hull cleared his ship for ac-
ton. He started for the enemy, and
on the Constitution coming within
gunshot, the Guerrero fired broad
side, but the shot fell far Short Hull
waited patiently and manoeuvred his
ship until he got it within the right
position when at five minutes before
6 O'Clock in the afternoon he ordered
q brisk firing to be commenced from
all the Constitutions guns. So ad-
mirably directed and so necessarily
was this fire kept up that in fifteen
minutes the mizzenmast of the Guer-
riere went by the board and her main
yard in her sings.
Thirty minutes after the COM
mencement of the contest the main
mast and the foremast of the Guer-
riere came down, taking with them
every spar except the bowsprit. See
ing her condition, Capt. Hull ordered
the firing to cease; and Capt. Dacres
then struck his colors, which had
been fastened to the stump of the
mizzenmast.
At 7 o'clock in the evening Capt.
Hull sent boat to the enemy; which
shortly returned with Capt. Dacres
on board. 1t was learned from a.
lieutenant, who accompanied the cap
tain, that the Guerrero was an un-
manageable wreck, with four feet of
water in the hold, and in sinking
condition. AS soon, therefore, as all
the crew were removed she was aban-
doned and her shattered hulk set fire
to and blown up.
During the whole period Of the en-
gagement the total loss on board the
Constitution amounted to seven kill
ed and seven wounded, and as soon
as she had drove new rigging, ap-
piled the necessary shoppers and bent
a few sails, she was ready to engage
another frigate. Capt. Hull, in his
tribute to his crew, says: "They all
fought with great bravery; from the
smallest boy on the ship to the old
est seaman and not look of fear
was SEEM
The news of this brilliant and un-
expected victory-the first, in fact,
of any Importance as yet obtained
by the United States in the War OF
1S12-was recognized by rapturous
applause by the American people, es-
pecially in view of the victory hav-
ing been achieved on the water, an
element upon which scarcely any Eu-
ropean nation dared to cope with
English prowess. The event was,
therefore, as. notifying to English
pride as can possibly be imagined.
The Constitution arrived in Boston
harbor the last of August. Never did
any event spread such universal JOY
over the whole country, and such as
tonishment throughout Europe as
this complete and magnificent VIC
tory.
On the Other Hand.