CONTENTS

I. "ON TO CANADA!"
II. LOST GROUND REGAINED
III. PERRY AND LAKE ERIE
IV. EBB AND FLOW ON THE NORTHERN FRONT
V. THE NAVY ON BLUE WATER
VI. MATCHLESS FRIGATES AND THEIR DUELS
VII. "DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP!"
VIII. THE LAST CRUISE OF THE ESSEX
IX. VICTORY ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN
X. PEACE WITH HONOR

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
INDEX




ILLUSTRATIONS


"OLD IRONSIDES"

The old frigate _Constitution_ as she appears today in her snug berth at
the Boston Navy Yard where she is preserved as an historical relic.
Photograph by N. L. Stebbins, Boston.


THE THEATRE OF OPERATIONS IN THE WAR OF 1812

Map by W. L. G. Joerg, American Geographical Society.


OLIVER HAZARD PERRY AT THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

Painting by J. W. Jarvis. In the City Hall, New York, owned by the
Corporation. Reproduced by courtesy of the Municipal Art Commission of
the City of New York.


ISAAC CHAUNCEY

Painting in the Comptroller's Office, City Hall, New York, owned by the
Corporation. Reproduced by courtesy of the Municipal Art Commission of
the City of New York.


COMMODORE STEPHEN DECATUR

Painting by Thomas Sully, 1811. In the Comptroller's Office, owned by
the City of New York. Reproduced by courtesy of the Art Commission of
the City of New York.


CONSTITUTION AND GUERRIÈRE

An old print, illustrating the moment in the action at which the
mainmast of the _Guerrière_, shattered by the terrific fire of the
American frigate, fell overside, transforming the former vessel into a
floating wreck and terminating the action. The picture represents
accurately the surprisingly slight damage done the _Constitution_: note
the broken spanker gaff and the shot holes in her topsails.


ISAAC HULL

Painting by J. W. Jarvis. In the City Hall, New York, owned by the
Corporation.


WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE

Painting by J. W. Jarvis. In the City Hall, New York, owned by the
Corporation. Reproduced by courtesy of the Municipal Art Commission of
the City of New York.


A FRIGATE OF 1812 UNDER SAIL

The _Constellation_, of which this is a photograph, is somewhat smaller
than the _Constitution_, being rated at 38 guns as against 44 for the
latter. In general appearance, however, and particularly in rig, the two
types are very similar. Although the Constellation did not herself see
action in the War of 1812, she is a good example of the heavily armed
American frigate of that day--and the only one of them still to be seen
at sea under sail within recent years. At the present time the
_Constellation_ lies moored at the pier of the Naval Training Station,
Newport, R. I. Photograph by E. Müller, Jr., Inc., New York.