| USS Constitution and the HMS Guerriere |
Just three weeks after escaping from the British squadron off of New Jersey, Constitution was once again at sea patrolling. On 19 August 1812, Constitution again came into contact with H.M.S. Guerriere, the same British frigate that had begun the chase of Constitution a month prior. This time, however, the English frigate was alone, and both ships closed in battle.
Captain Hull's official account of Constitution's victory over the 38-gun Guerriere is followed by the official British version of the battle by Guerriere's captain, James R. Dacres. The Constitution's victory was a rare bright spot for the United States' military in the opening months of the war and gained the ship her beloved nickname, "Old Ironsides."
Click on image above to view full size. |
