Evening star., 1940-02-25

so many glorious victories that cne
might write almost indefinitely about
its celebrated achievements and
then discover that some outstanding
event had been passed over. Take
for instance, Old Ironsides, which
we expect will some day be brought
to Washington to form a great naval
exhibit. This beloved ship, so
thoughtfully named the Constitu-
ton, was built at Boston and
launched October 81, 1897.
Celebrated Battle.
Her most celebrated battle took
place on August 10. 1912, when the
ship was commanded by Capt. Isaac
Hull. The enemy ship at this time
was the Guerriere and the fight is
recorded as having taken place
when Capt. Hull was cruising in
latitude Al AZ N, longitude
55' 49, w.. and discovered the
English boat at in the afternoon,
which was bearing ast-south-east,
and to leeward, though her char
acter could not be made out.
AL sail was instantly made, in
chase" it is said. land so rapidly did
the Constitution come up with her
that at 3 o'clock it was plainly seen
that she was ship on the starboard
tack, under easy SAIL close hauled,
and at $3.50 she was seen to be a
frigate, little doubt being enter
tanned that she was an enemy"
The Constitution continued on her
course until she had come within
3 miles OF the stranger, when Capt.
Hull ordered the light sells to be
taken in. the courses hauled up and
the ship prepared for action. At
the same time the stranger was
made ready for action and had
laid her main-top sail aback, wait
ing for the Constitution to come
down.
This unequivocal challenge by the
stranger caused Capt. Hull to pre-
pare for action with the greater
care. He ordered his topgallant
sails to be furled and slowed all
her light stay sails and her flying
Jib. Shortly afterwards she took
second reef in her top sails, hauled
up her courses, sent down her royal
yards and cleared for action.
Ships Maneuver.
"As soon as the Constitution was
ready" it is recorded, "she bore
down with the intention to bring
the enemy to close action, without
the usual preliminary maneuvers,
but as she approached at S o'clock
the latter hoisted three British
ens1gns, fired broadside, filled
away. and wore, firing broadside
on the other tack, without doing
any damage. Three-quarters of an
hour were spent by the stranger in
attempting to obtain a position in
which she could rake the Constitu-
tlon, during which time the latter
had fired but few guns, contenting
herself with maneuvering in such
q manner as defeated the attempts
OF the enemy to secure the weather.
guage."
At S minutes before 6 the ships
being alongside, within half pistol
shot, the fire became general and
very heavy from the entire forces of
both ships. 1t is further stated:
The Constitutions guns were
double-shotted, with round and
grape shot; and so well were they
managed, that, within IS minutes
after the fire was opened, the
stranger had lost her mizzenmast.
her main yard was in the sings,
and her hull, rigging, and sails were
TORN 10 pieces. This disaster en-
abled the Constitution to run ahead
OF the stranger, and by luff1ng short
round on her bows, to subject the
latter to q destructive raking fire.
as well as to q very destructive fire
from the topmen of the former, in
which both the officers and the men
OF the stranger suffered very Sc
verely. This maneuver was facili-
tated by the operation Of the wreck
OF her mizzenmast on the move
ments Of the stranger-the mast
having gone over the, weather side
the top acted as q complete back
water and the head Of the ship was
brought up to the wind, in spite
OF every effort Of the helmsman to
prevent 1t. At this time, also, from
the effects OF this maneuver, the
Constitution fell foul Of the stranger
the bow-sprit of the latter run
ming into the larboard quarter of
the former-and both crews pre-
pared to board" -
About the same time the sails of
the Constitution filed, and she shot
ahead OF the stranger; then the
foremast Of the latter went over,
carrying with 1t her mainmast, and
leaving her q helpless wreck In the
trough Of the sea.