8/19/1812, in the Gulf of St Lawrence: the USS Constitution won the sobriquet, "Old Ironsides" & captured HMS Guerriere. (Constitution was launched in Boston, 10/21/1797)
Then Dacres came on board
To deliver up his sword,
Loath was he to part with it,
It was so handy, oh!
"Oh, keep your sword," says Hull,
"Why it only makes you dull.
Cheer up, let's have a little
Bit of brandy, oh!"
"The Constitution and the Guerriere" Burl Ives, Song Book also Life Treasury of Folk
Song also Greig~Duncan FS Coll., #43
Note: Lucy Brewer served as a marine on the Constitution in that battle. She was the first known US female, transvestite marine in combat. She served in the navy three years under the name of Nicholas Baker.
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