Constitution

Posted by Brian Stephens on Tuesday 1st of April 2014 18:14

United States Frigate, Constitution,
off Boston Light, Aug. 30. 1812 - Rhode Island Gazette

SIR: I have the honor to inform you that on the 19th inst. at 2, P.M. being in latitude 40: 42, and longitude 55 : 48, with the Constitution under my command, a sail was discovered from the mast-head bearing E by S or E. S. E. but at such a distance we could not tell what she was. All sail was instantly made in chase, and soon found we came up with her. At 3, P.M. could plainly see that she was a ship on the star board track under easy sail, close on a wind; at half past 3, P.M. made her out to be a frigate; continued the chase until we were within about three miles, when I ordered the light sails taken in, the courses hauled up, and the ship cleared for action. At this time the chase had backed his main top-sail, waiting for us to come down. As soon as the Constitution was ready for action, I bore down with an intention to bring him to close action immediately, but on our coming within gun shot, she gave us a broad side and filled away, and wore, giving us a broad side on the other tract, but without effect; her shot falling short. She continued wearing and maneuvering for about three quarters of an hour, to get a raking position, but finding she could not, bore up, and run under her top-sails and jib, with the wind on the quarter. I immediately made sail to bring the ship up with her, and 5 minutes before 6, P.M. being alongside, within half pistol shot, we commenced a heavy fire from all our guns, double shotted with round and grape, and so well directed were they, and so warmly kept up, that in 15 minutes his mizen-mast went by the board and his main-yard in ths s???ings and the hull, rigging and sails were very much torn to pieces. The fire was kept up with equal warmth for 15 minutes longer when his main-mast and fore-mast went, taking with them every spar, except the bowsprit; on seeing this we ceased firing, so that in thirty minutes after we got fairly alongside the enemy, she surrendered, and had not a spar standing, and her hull above and below water so shattered, that a few more broadsides must have carried her down. After informing you that so fine a ship as the Guerriere, 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 a short space of thirty minutes you have no doubt of the gallantry and good conduct of the officers, and ships company, I have the honour to command; it only remains with me to assure you that they all fought with great bravery; and it gives me pleasure to say, that from the smallest boy in the ship to the oldest seaman, not a look of fear was seen.











They all went into action giving three cheers, and requesting to be laid close along side the enemy. Enclosed, I have the honour to send you a list of killed and wounded on board the Constitution, and report the damages she sustained, also a list of killed and wounded on board the enemy, with his quarter bill, &c. I have the honour to be, with very great respect, Sir, your obedient servant.
Isaac Hull.