.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Built at Boston and launched on 21 October 1797, the Constitution was the third of six frigates ordered by Congress to form the basis of a new United States' Navy. Measured by her builders at 2,200 tons, she was 175 feet in length with a 42 foot beam, and was rated at 44 guns although she would often carry more in the years ahead. Leaving Boston on her first commission in July 1798, she played a minor role in the quasi-war with France (1798-99), but then went on to distinguish herself as flagship to the Mediterranean Squadron during the Barbary Wars of 1803-04. By the time war with England was declared in 1812, she was back in Boston and put to sea on 12 July under the command of Captain Isaac Hull. On 19 August she sighted the British frigate Guerriere and engaged her at close quarters in one of the most celebrated encounters in American naval history. After a desperate fight lasting two hours, Guerriere, by now battered into a dismasted wreck, struck her colours and surrendered; it was a bitter blow for British naval pride.
When the American War of Independence began in 1775, one of the earliest volunteers to the colonial cause was a Scottish immigrant John Paul Jones. His qualities as a seaman of considerable ability were quickly recognised and he soon rose to the command of the sloop Ranger, the first United States' vessel to hoist the 'Stars and Stripes' as its national flag. His success in Ranger resulted in him then being given the Bonhomme Richard, flagship to a small squadron of two frigates and several smaller vessels with which to raid merchant shipping around the coasts of Britain. Jones was off Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, in the late afternoon of 23rd September 1779, when he sighted a large homeward-bound Baltic convoy. A valuable prize, it was unfortunately under escort by the newly-built 44-gun fifth rate H.M.S. Serapis and the small sloop Countess of Scarborough. Watched by crowds of spectator on the cliffs, the action commenced just after 7 o'clock and soon developed into a memorable duel betweeen the two principal ships. Serapis took an early advantage but Jones fought on tenaciously and gradually gained the upper hand until Serapis finally struck her colours at about 10.30p.m. Both ships were seriously damaged and Bonhomme Richard sank the following morning, but Jones got Serapis away and she was subsequently absorbed into the French Navy.
When the American War of Independence began in 1775, one of the earliest volunteers to the colonial cause was a Scottish immigrant John Paul Jones. His qualities as a seaman of considerable ability were quickly recognised and he soon rose to the command of the sloop Ranger, the first United States' vessel to hoist the 'Stars and Stripes' as its national flag. His success in Ranger resulted in him then being given the Bonhomme Richard, flagship to a small squadron of two frigates and several smaller vessels with which to raid merchant shipping around the coasts of Britain. Jones was off Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, in the late afternoon of 23rd September 1779, when he sighted a large homeward-bound Baltic convoy. A valuable prize, it was unfortunately under escort by the newly-built 44-gun fifth rate H.M.S. Serapis and the small sloop Countess of Scarborough. Watched by crowds of spectator on the cliffs, the action commenced just after 7 o'clock and soon developed into a memorable duel betweeen the two principal ships. Serapis took an early advantage but Jones fought on tenaciously and gradually gained the upper hand until Serapis finally struck her colours at about 10.30p.m. Both ships were seriously damaged and Bonhomme Richard sank the following morning, but Jones got Serapis away and she was subsequently absorbed into the French Navy.