At the commencement of the war, the navy of Great Britain was looked
upon as invincible. But an important victory changed the opinion of
the people of the United States. The frigate Constitution, commanded
by Captain Isaac Hull, sailed from Annapolis on the 25th of July,
1812, for New York. Falling in with a British fleet, she only escaped
by great skill and seamanship. Soon after she sailed from Boston, and
on the 19th of August encountered the British frigate, Guerriere,
commanded by Captain Dacres. A fierce conflict of about half an hour’s
length ensued. The Guerriere was reduced to a wreck, and after her
surrender, burned. In this action the Americans had seven men killed,
and seven wounded. The British loss was fifteen killed, sixty-two
wounded, and twenty-four missing. The effect of this victory was
to give the Americans confidence in the skill and bravery of their
seamen.
[Illustration: CAPTURE OF THE FROLIC.]