The Great Chase

Question 1

Constitution’s Orders Prior

Answer 1

Navy ordered her to ferry several diplomats around Europe and to deliver a debt payment to Holland. She arrived back in the US in Virginia and she was ordered to meet up with John Rogers squadron in NY.

Question 2

Date and Location

Answer 2

16-19 July 1812, Off the coast of Egg Harbor, New Jersey

Question 3

Length

Answer 3

The Great Chase lasted 57 hours and 15 minutes.

Question 4

Ships Involved in the Chase, Their Classes, and the Flagship

Answer 4

Belvadiere (Frigate)
Aeolus (Frigate)
Africa (Ship of the Line)
Guerierre (Frigate)
Shannon (Frigate) (Flagship)

Question 5

Commanding Officer of Constitution

Answer 5

Isaac Hull

Question 6

Tactics Used by Constitution

Answer 6

Jettisoning fresh water off of the ship. Dousing the sails with water to make them more able to capture the wind. Kedging: people with boats would take Kedging anchors out and drop them and the men aboard with turn the capstan, crawling along the ocean floor. Furling the Sails: Sailors would bring up the sails and then drop them to try and create a gust of wind.

Question 7

Location and Purpose of the Alteration to Constitution’s Structure

Answer 7

Made the holes on the spar deck aft gun ports bigger so that the 24 pound long guns could be moved up to the spar deck so that we could hit the ships following us.

Question 8

American Merchantman’s Involvement

Answer 8

British run up American ensigns so the merchantman would come closer, we ran up British ensign so that they would go away.