92     LIGHT SQUADRONS AND SINGLE SHIPS     1812

was rather unfortunate : in fact, such was the state of general decay in which the Guerrière at this time was, that, had the frigate gone into Portsmouth or Plymouth, she would, in all probability, have been disarmed and broken up.

On the 14th, when arrived off Sandy-Hook, Captain Broke received the first intelligence of the squadron of Commodore Rodgers having put to sea ; and, as may be supposed, a sharp look out began immediately to be kept by each of the British ships. On the 16th, at 3 p.m., when the British squadron was abreast of Barnegat, about four leagues off shore, a strange sail was seen, and immediately chased, in the south by east or windward quarter, standing to the north-east. This sail was the United States' 44-gun frigate Constitution, Captain Isaac Hull, from Chesapeake bay since the 12th, bound to New-York. The chase continued throughout the afternoon and evening, in light winds ; and at 10 p.m. the Guerrière, who since dusk had lost sight of her consorts to leeward, found the Constitution standing towards her, making signals. These two frigates continued to near each other, and at 3 h. 30 m, a.m. on the 17th were only half a mile apart ; when, observing on his lee beam two other frigates, the Belvidera and Æolus, and astern of them three more vessels, the Shannon, Africa, and a schooner, none of whom answered or appeared to understand his signals, Captain Dacres concluded that they were the squadron of Commodore Rodgers, and tacked. The consequence of this mistake was, that at daylight the Guerrière and Constitution were nearly two miles, instead of only half a mile, from each other.

At daylight it was quite calm. The Constitution, while she steered, kept her head to the southward. At this time the Belvidera was about four miles on her lee quarter, or bearing about north-east by north; the Guerrière at some distance astern of the Belvidera; the Shannon upon the latter's weather quarter, or about west-north-west, distant two miles; and the Æolus at no great distance from the Shannon. The Africa was considerably astern of these two ships, and gradually losing ground in the chase. At 5 h. 30 m. a.m., the Constitution no longer steering, the boats were sent ahead to tow the ship's head to the southward. At the same time a 24-pounder was hoisted up from the main deck ; and that and the forecastle 24-pounder were got aft to be used, along with the quarterdeck 24-pounder, as stern-chasers. The taffrail was then cut away, to give the three guns room, and two more 24-pounders were pointed through the stern ports on the chain deck. At about 5 h. 45 m. the Belvidera and other British ships began towing with their boats. At 6 a.m. the Constitution got her head to the southward, and set topgallant studding-sails and staysails. At 7 a.m., having a few minutes before sounded in 26 fathoms, Captain Hull, at the suggestion of Lieutenant Charles Morris, first of the ship,

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