Climax and End: Lt. William S. Bush USMC
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Medal commemorating the battle between USS Constitution & HMS Guerriere August 12, 1812 |
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· 5:00 The USS Constitution makes a run for the Guerriere after hours of sailing tetete. The Constitution holds it's primary fire, & Guerriere's broadside falls off of Constitution's "iron" sides.
· 6:05 In heavy seas, Constitution fires on the advantageous downslope of the waves. It's metal hits the Guerriere visciously while most of the Gurriere's fire flies over the Constitution.
· 6:20 On passing ahead of the splintered Guerriere & crossing her bow ,the ships crash. Sailors & marines, (American marines under under Lt. Bush) come forward for ship to ship fighting. Heavy small arms fire from sailors & marines, including sharpshooters riddles both ships. The British marine Lt. falls to a large splinter. Constitutions naval Lt. takes a shot to the abdomen while trying to lash the ships together. Bush leaps to the tafrail and shouts "Shall I board her" and is immediately struck in the left cheek by a crushing fatal ball. Hull is here warned to keep back as his "swabs" (or epulets) would surely draw fatal fire.
· 6:30 The ships tear away from each other.
· 7:00 The elegant Guerriere has been destroyed above and below the water line - on her decks a scene of horrific carnage. The Guerriere surrenders.
· Guerriere is abandoned and scuttled. Constitution is damaged but repairable.
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