The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1918-04-10

LII q uSdu Calm Tie 6Heiny gave
chase. The only way Roadway could
be made was by towing, and the enc
my attached all their boats to two of
the frigates and succeeded in gaining
enough on the Constitution to bring
their bow guns to bear upon her.
The chase continued in this way for
two days, the frigates firing their bow
guns and the Constitution replying
with her stern chasers. The third day
light breeze enabled the Constitution
to escape.
About month later, tired of wait
ing for orders, Captain Hull set sail
from Boston and on August 10Th fell
in with the British frigate Guerrero,
40 guns, Captain Dacres.
The Guerrero fired her starboard
broadsides at long range and immedi
ately wore around and let go her port
broadside. Captain Hull used only his
bow guns as he could bring them to
bear, his plan being to wait until quite
close before beginning serious action.
For almost an hour this kind of en-
gagement was continued, the consti-
tuition avoiding raking fire.
Finally Hull set his light sails and
headed. straight for the enemy and
met her on the windward side. AS the
Constitution drew slowly ahead she
opened fire with her forward guns. 1t
was hard work to restrain the remain
der of the gun crews, for all were
anxious for the fray. Finally the or
der came and the guns roared. In ten
minutes the Guerriere's mizzenmast
went by the board. Next went the
mainmast. Before a half hour had
passed the splendid British ship had
been reduced to dismantled hulk.
The following day, the engagement
having been ended as darkness fell,
it was found that the Guerrero was
SO badly damaged that she could not
be saved. Captain Dacres and his
crew were taken aboard the Constitu-
ton, and the Guerrero was scuttled
and set afire.
The superiority of the Constitution
in gunnery and maneuevering was
shown in the casualty lists. The Con-
stitution had but fourteen killed and
wounded, while the Guerrero lost sew
enty-nine in killed and wounded.
The Constitution sailed for Boston
with her prisoners, arriving there
August Both. Congress voted Captain
Hull a gold medal, with silver medals
for the officers, and $4,000 prize mon
ey for the officers and men.
In his official report of the engage
ment Captain Hull said:
"After informing you that so fine a
ship as the Guerrero, commanded by
an able and experienced officer, had
been totally dismasted and otherwise
cut to pieces, so as to make her not
worth towing to port, in the short
space of thirty minutes, you can have
no doubt of the gallantry and good
conduct of the officers and ships COM
Ipany / have the honor to command.
1t only remains for me to assure you
that they all fought with great BRAY
cry, and it gives me great pleasure
to say that from the smallest boy in
the ship to the oldest seaman not
look of fear was seen. They all went
into action giving three cheers, and
requested to be laid alongside the en-
envy"
Captain Dacres described the con-
uct of Captain Hull as chat of
rave enemy; the greatest care being
AIKEN to prevent the men losing the
slightest article, and the greatest at.
ention being paid to the wounded.
Captain Hull died in Philadelphia,
February 10, 1843, after many years
of active service following the war
of 1917.