Page 33 - NS-2 Textbook

26 MARITIME HISTORY

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The U55 Constitution defeats the British frigate Guerriere on 19 August 1812, pounding her to a hulk that would sink the next day.

Captain Dacres of the Guerriere opened fire first, but guns, tmder the command of Stephen Decatu\~ met the
Hull calmly told his gunnery officers to wait. By 1800 British frigate Macedolli011, thirty-eight guns. In two
hours, Hull had brought the COllstitutioll to within 100 hours Decatur wore the enemy down and caphtred the
yards of his opponent. With both ships running before ship, a valuable prize.
the wind, he ordered his first broadside fired. Exchanges In December the COllstitution, now tmder the com-
of broadside after broadside followed. Dacres saw his mand of Captain William Bainbridge, defeated the
shot rip through the rigging or bounce harmlessly off the British frigate Java, thirty-eight guns, off the coast of
heavy oaken hull of the American ship, earning for her Brazil. In February 1813 Captain James Lawrence in the
the nickname "Old Ironsides." The U.S. captain first sloop of war Hornet met and sank the brig HMS Peacock
aimed his fire at the enemy ship's waterline, making gap- off British Guiana.
ing holes that let water pour inside. Next he aimed at the The opening months of the war at sea had given the
masts. Within twenty minutes the Guerriere's mizzen- Americans much success. Not only had three British
mast had been knocked off. It was soon followed by the frigates and several smaller men-of-war been beaten, but
foremast and maillmast. The battle was over, and Dacres Lloyd's of London, the major insurer of British merchant
surrendered. The Guerriere sank the next day. ships of the time, reported that nearly 500 merchant
Although at the time Americans called this one of the ships had been captured by Yankee privateers and com-
greatest battles of the war, in reality it was not of great im- merce raiders.
portance. Though surprised and dismayed, the British Despite these victories, the U.S. Navy also suffered
could easily afford to lose one frigate in battle. But for some significant losses. The most important of these hap-
Americans this was a great boost to morale. On the day pened on 1 JWle 1813, when the HMS Shanllon, thirty-eight
Hull returned to Boston, word had been received of bad gtms, under command of Captain Philip Broke, defeated
u.s. defeats in the land battles to the west. Detroit had the USS Chesapeake, thirty-six guns, now commanded by
fallen almost without a fight, and the Indians had cap- Captain James Lawrence, off Boston Harbor. During the
hIred Fort Dearborn (Chicago) and massacred everyone in conclusion of the fierce fifteen-minute battle, Lawrence
it. The victory of the Constitution was indeed cause for joy. was mortally wounded, and while being carried below,
he cried out the immortal vvords "Don't give up the ship!"
More than 200 men were dead or wotmded on both sides.
OTHER HIGH SEAS BATILES
The Chesapeake was sailed into Halifax, Nova Scotia, by a
In October 1812 another famous battle took place far prize crew, followed by the Sh0111l01l, pumps going to
across the Atlantic. The frigate United States, forty-four keep her afloat. Captain Lawrence died on the way.