CAPTURE OF THE GUERRIF.RE. 479 
Captain Dacres had but too soon the short-lived satisfaction 
of being introduced to the ''tete-a-tete^^ he had so eagerly 
courted. 
The frigates saw each other at 2 o'clock P. M. and at half 
past three the Constitution, sailing before the wind, had gained 
so much upon the Guerriere that her character as a frigate 
was known. A little before five, both frigates (then three miles 
apart) prepared for the bloody strife; the crew of the Constitu- 
tion giving three cheers, and petitioning to be brought close 
alongside the enemy. This was an eventful hour. The 
American people were at the time humbling themselves be- 
fore God, solemnizing a day of national fasting and prayer. 
Captain Hull and Captain Dacres weremeetingfor the decision 
of a contest, to which all eyes, both in England and America, 
could they have been witnesses, had turned. It was the first 
time, after a lapse of thirty years' peace, where the equality of 
the force to be engaged gave to each the hope, as well as the 
determination to conquer. It was America with England ; it 
was England with America. 
As soon as the Constitution was ready for action, Captain 
Hull bore down with an intention to bring him to close action 
inmiediately. A little after five the Guerriere displayed the 
English ensigns, and began firing, giving first a broadside, 
then filling and wearing away, and adding a second broadside 
upon the other tack, but without effect, her shot falling short. 
Fifteen minutes after the fire from the Guerriere, the Constitu- 
tion set her colors and fired. For three-quarters of an hour 
the frigates were now engaged, the Guerriere wearing very 
often, and endeavoring to get a raking position ; the Consti- 
tution manoeuvring to close w^th him, and at the same time 
avoid being raked, each firing occasionally. Disappointed in 
getting a raking position, the Guerriere bore up. Five min- 
utes before six they were alongside within half pistol shot. 
In this situation the superiority of American gunnery became 
at once splendidly manifest. All the guns of the Constitution, 
double shotted with round and grape, poured in so heavy a 
fire, and so well directed, that in sixteen minutes the mizen 
mast of the Guerriere went by the board ; her main yard in 
the slings : her hull, rigging, and sails very much cut to pie- 
cee. The fire continued to be kept up with equal warmth for 
ten minutes, when the Guerriere fell on board the Constitu- 
tion, her bowsprit foul of her mizen rigging. The firing still 
kept up, and the cabin of the Constitution took fire from the 
Gwerriere's guns, but was extinguished. After remaining en- 
