The Rhode Island Republican

Glorious News.

Brilliant Naval Victory.

BOSTON, (Mass.) August 31, 1812.

The U. S. frigate Constitution, Isaac Hull, Esq. commander, anchored in the outer harbor yesterday morning, from a short but brilliant cruise. An officer has arrived in town from the frigate, with the particulars of a splendid victory obtained by the Constitution, over his Britannic Majesty's frigate Guerriere, Capt. Dacres. The action took place on Thursday, 20th Aug. [National Fast Day] and after a running fight of about an hour the Constitution succeeded in bringing the Guerriere to close action; in about seventy-five minutes after which, she struck! So destructive was the fire of the Constitution, that at the close of the action, it was found impossible to tow the Guerriere into port: the crew were accordingly taken out, and the Guerriere blown up! This brilliant exploit will excite the liveliest emotions in every American bosom, and rouse into action those national and patriotic feelings, which will eventually place this country upon the highest and most honorable ground. The Guerriere mounted 49 guns, 18's and 32's. She had 15 men killed, (some think 42) and 64 wounded. The Constitution had but 7 killed and 7 wounded! She has also taken and destroyed two British merchant brigs, and re-captured a very valuable brig laden with Bale Goods. captured 7 days before by the British sloop of war Avenger, and ordered her for first port. The prize master and crew are on board the Constitution. The American frigate received no material injury in her action with the Guerriere.

Particulars of the late action between the U. S. frigate Constitution, and the British frigate GUERRIERE.

[Communicated by an officer on board the Constitution.]

Lat. 41, 42, N. lon. 55, 33, W. Thursday August 20, fresh breezes, N. W. and cloudy; at 2, P. M. discovered a vessel to the southward, made all sail in chase; at 3, perceived the chase to be a ship on the starboard tack, close hauled to the wind; hauled S. S. W.; at half past 3, made out the chase to a frigate; at 4, coming up with the chase very fast; at quarter before 5, the chase laid her main topsail to the mast; took in our top-gallant sails, stay-sails, and flying jib; took a second reef in the topsails, hauled the courses up, sent the royal yards down, and got all clear for action; beat to quarters, on which the crew gave three cheers; at 5, the chase hoisted three English ensigns, at five minutes past 5, the enemy commenced firing: at twenty minutes past 5, set our colors, one at each mast head, and one at the mizen peak, and began firing on the enemy, and continued to fire occasionally, he wearing very often, and we manoeuvring to close with him, and avoid being raked; at 6, set the main-top gallant sail, the enemy having bore up; at five minutes past 6, brought the enemy to close action, sending before the wind; at 15 minutes past 6, the enemy's mizen-mast fell over on the starboard side; at twenty minutes past 6, finding that we were drawing ahead of the enemy, luffed short round his bows, to rake him; at twenty-five minutes past 6, the enemy fell on board of us, his bowsprit foul of our mizen rigging. We prepared to board, but immediately after, his fore and main-mast went by the board, and it was deemed unnecessary.

Our cabin had taken fire from his guns; but soon extinguished, without material injury; at half past 6, shot ahead of the enemy, when the firing ceased on both sides; he making the signal of submission, by firing a gun to leeward; set fore-sail and main-sail, and hauled to the eastward to repair damage; all our braces and much of our standing and running rigging and some of our spars being shot away. At 7, wore ship, and stood under the lee of the prize; sent our boat on board, which returned at 8, with Capt. Dacres, late of his Britannic majesty's ship Guerriere, mounting 49 carriage guns, and manned with 302 men; got our boats out, and kept them employed in removing the prisoners and baggage from the prize to our own ship. Sent a surgeon's mate to assist in attending the wounded, wearing ship occasionally to keep in the best position to receive the boats. At 20 minutes before 2, A. M. discovered a sail off the larboard beam, standing to the south; saw all clear for another action; at 8, the sail stood off again; at day light was hailed by the Lieutenant on board the prize, who informed he had 4 feet of water in the hold, and that she was in a sinking condition; all hands employed in removing the prisoners, and repairing our own damage, through the remainder of the day. Friday the 21st commenced with light breezes from the northward, and pleasant: our boats and crew still employed as before. At 3, P. M. made the signal of recall for our boats, (having received all the prisoners,) they immediately let her on fire, and a quarter past 3, she blew up. Our loss in the action was 7 killed, and 7 wounded; among the former, Lieutenant Bush of Marines, and among the latter Lt. Morris, severely; and Mr. Alwin, the master slightly. On the part of the enemy, 15 men killed! and 64 wounded. Among the former Lieut. Ready, 2d of the ship; among the latter, Capt. Dacres, Lieut. Kent, 1st; Mr. Scott, master and master's mate.

Recovering.

The Guerriere is the frigate which sailed from Halifax, immediately after the Little Belt affair, with her name painted in large letters on her canvass, and challenged any frigate in the American navy to single combat!