![]() ![]() The sight of British cannonballs bouncing off her live oak hull lead the crew to dub the ship "Old Ironsides". ![]() The British captain, a third of his crew dead or wounded, surrendered shortly thereafter. Constitution could still fire her broadside, while Guerriere was limited to her bow guns, and the cumulative damage, combined with the shock when the ships were finally freed, brought down the fore and mainmasts of the British vessel. Both captains attempted to board, but heavy seas kept them from doing so. ![]() 2 The drag of the downed mast caused Guerriere to collide with Constitution, her bowsprit tangling with the rigging of the American ship. Hull held his fire until he was within 25 yards, then unleashed a devastating broadside, bringing down the smaller ship's mizzenmast. A month later, on August 19th, 1812, Constitution sighted the frigate Guerriere. ![]()
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