Action between USS Constitution and HMS Guerierre 1812 - John Christian

NEW - Original watercolour, signed lower right, mounted.

During the US / British war of 1812, HMS Guerierre, under Captain James Dacres had been sent by her squadron the Halifax for a re-fit.

At 2:00 p.m. on 19 August 1812, USS Constitution, under Captain Isaac Hull, sighted a British ship and bore down to investigate. The weather was cloudy, and the wind was brisk. The strange ship proved to be HMS Guerriere, whose crew recognised Constitution at about the same moment. Both ships prepared for action, and shortened sail to "fighting sail".

Once the range had closed to within a few hundred yards, Captain Hull ordered extra sail (the foresail and main topgallant sails) to be set, to close the distance quickly. Dacres could not match this manoeuvre, and the two ships began exchanging broadsides at "half pistol-shot", with Constitution to starboard and Guerriere to port.  After fifteen minutes of this exchange, during which Guerriere suffered far more damage than Constitution due to the latter's larger guns and thicker hull, Guerriere's mizzenmast fell overboard to starboard, acting like a rudder and dragging her around.

Following this Constitution was able to cross ahead of Guerriere, firing a raking broadside which brought down the main yard. Hull then wore his ship to cross Guerriere's bow again.  Captain hull would have known the American ship’s greater size and firepower gave him significant advantage in close action and after exchanging of broadsides felled Guerriere's masts and reduced the ship to a sinking condition.

Constitution's crew took the British sailors on board and set Guerriere on fire, Dacres was escorted on board USS Constitution.  Hull refused to accept Dacres’ sword of surrender, saying he could not accept the sword of a man who fought so galliantly.  He also ordered that Dacres’ mother’s bible be returned to him.   With Guerriere sinking the crew were transferred on board Constitution so it could be set on fire, and she soon blew up and sank. The Constitution then returned to Boston with news of the victory, which proved to be important for American morale.

Mount opening size: 15.5 x 11.5 inches
Mount size 20 x 16 inches.
Frame size approx 23 x 19 inches