263.The Frigate Constitution
One of the first vessels to get to sea was the Constit И- tion , commanded by Isaac Hull . She sailed from Chesapeake Bay for New York , where she was to serve as a guard - ship . On the way she fel in with a British squadron . The Constitution sailed on with the whole British fleet in pursuit . Soon the wind began to die away . The Constitution ＇ s sails were soaked with water to make them hold the wind better . Then the wind gave out altogether , Captain Hul lowered his boats and the men began to tow the ship . But the British lowered their boats also . They set a great many boats to towing their fastest ship , and she began to gain on the Constitution . Then Cap - tain Hull found that he was sailing over shoal water , although out of sight of land , so he sent a smal anchor ahead in a boat . The anchor was dropped and men on the ship pulled in the an - chor line . This was done again and again . The Constitution now began to gain on the British fleet . Then a sudden squal burst on the ships . Captain Hul saw it coming and made every preparation to take advantage of it . When the rain cleared away , the Constitution was beyond fear of pursuit . But she could not go to New York , so Captain Hul took her to Boston . The government at once ordered him to stay where he was ; but , before the orders reached Boston , the Constitution was far away .
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