Chapter III

1812 ON THE OCEAN

Commodore Rodgers' cruise and unsuccessful chase of the Belvidera—Engagement between Belvidera and President—Hornet captures a privateer—Cruise of the Essex—Captain Hull's cruise and escape from the squadron of Commodore Broke—Constitution captures Guerrière—Marked superiority shown by the Americans—Wasp captures Frolic—Disproportionate loss on British side—Both afterward captured by Poictiers—Second unsuccessful cruise of Commodore Rodgers—United States captures Macedonian—Constitution captures Java—Cruise of Essex—Summary