A commodore in the United States Navy, WILLIAM
BAINBRIDGE had captained several ships and was
a military prisoner for two years in Tunisia by the time
he was given command of the U.S.S. Constitution
in September 1812. "Old Ironsides," as the ship
was nicknamed, proved to be a formidable opponent. Bainbridge
commanded the destruction of the H.M.S. Java
in December of 1812 and wrote this blow-by-blow account
of the battle. Get
transcript
Victorious Bombardment of Port Royal, S.C. (GLC 02881.19)
