The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-04-17

captain Hull, nndlng that MS
friends in Boston are correctly in
formed of the situation when chased
by the British squadron off New York, |
and that they are good enough to give
him more credit for having escaped
than he ought to claim, takes this OPP
portunity of requesting them to trans
fer their good wishes to Lieutenant
Morris and the other brave officers
and crew under his command, for
their very great exertions and prompt
attentions to his orders while the
enemy were in chase. Captain Hull
has great pleasure in saying that, not
withstanding the length of the chase,
and the officers and crew being de-
prived of their sleep and allowed but
little refreshment during the time,
not a murmur was heard to escape
Them
+ Thus did Captain Hull modestly
idisclaim personal merit, and gener-
ously give credit to his subordinates
latter one of the most exciting and
most clever examples of naval STRAIT
legy on record.
Because of this and other deeds
of this naval officer of a century ago,
.the government named one of its de-
,stroyer flotilla in his honor. In re-
ports that are published from time to
time of naval engagements of the
World War it is probable that the
name Hull again will be emblazoned
lin front page headlines.
The little destroyer Hull is equipped
with two 3-inch SO calibre rapid fire
guns, six 6-pounder rapid fire guns,
and two 18-inch torpedo tubes. She
men, and makes 28.4 knots. The man
for whom she was named has left
traditions that throughout the years
maintained the American navy at the
highest standard.
In Fundamentals of Naval Service
lby Commander Yates Sterling, U. S.
IN, the author says:
1.-The cruise of the American Com.
imodore Rodgers during the war of
1872 was far greater in material pro-
effectiveness than the victory of the
sConstitution over the Guerrero, yet
this latter feat of American naval arms
Tin creating an immortal tradition, not
only for the navy, but the country, far
outclassed in Importance naval ex-
Fploits up to that time"
Isaac Hull was born in Connecticut
lin ITS, the son of an officer of the
Revolutionary army who died aboard
a British prison ship. Hull went to
sea as a cabin boy when IA years old
and at nineteen commanded a ship
In March, 1898 he entered the navy
as lieutenant, and first came into
prominence when, in command of the
Sally, he sailed into the harbor of
. Porte Platte, Hayti in broad daylight
captured the fort, spiked the guns,
and succeeded in getting away with a
French letter of marque.
In 1904 he served on the Argus, and
in the expedition to Tripoli under
Commodore Preble distinguished
himself at the storming of Tripoli and
the reduction of Deccan. Two years
later he was commissioned captain,
and in 1911 went to command of the
Constitution. After a voyage abroad
the Constitution returned to the Unit
ed States, on the return trip outdis-
tancing fleet of British ships he
feared could cause him trouble
On July 5, 1912, Captain Hull, in
command of the Constitution, was or
dered from Annapolis to New York
On the way he encountered a formid-
liable English squadron consisting OF
four frigates, a line-of-battle ship, a
q
Commodore Broke.
In a dead calm the squadron gave
chase. The only way Roadway could
be made was by towing, and the enemy
attached all their boats to two of the
frigates and succeeded in gaining
enough on the Constitution to brine
their bow guns to bear on her.
The chase continued in this way fol
two days, the frigates firing with hel
bow guns and the Constitution reply
ing with her stern chasers. The third
day a light breeze enabled the Con
stitution to escape.
About a month later, tired of wait
ing for. orders, Captain Hull set sal
from Boston and on August 18th fel
in with the British Frigate Guerrero
40 guns, Captain Dacres.
The Guerrero fired her starboart
broadside at long range and imme
diately wore around and let go he
port broadside. Captain Hull uset
only his bow guns as he could brin,
them to bear, his plan being to wai
Tntil quite close before beginning ser
ious action. For almost an hour thi
kind of engagement was continued
the Constitution avoiding a rakin
fire.
FINALLY Hull set his light sails an
headed straight for the enemy an
met her on the windward side. A
the Constitution drew slowly ahea
she opened with her forward guns. ]
was hard work to restrain the remain
der of the gun crews for all were anS
ious for the fray. Finally the orde
came and the guns roared. In tie
minutes the Guerriere's mizzenmas
went nv the hoard Neyt want II,