but a few minutes sufficed to repair damages, when Captain Hull
stood under his adversary's lee, and the latter at once struck,
at 7.00 P. M., [Footnote: Log of the _Constitution_.] just two
hours after she had fired the first shot. On the part of the
_Constitution_, however, the actual fighting, exclusive of six
or eight guns fired during the first hour, while closing, occupied
less than 30 minutes.

[Illustration: _Constitution_ vs. _Guerriere_ (1): "The Engagement"
is the original title of this, the first in a series of four
paintings of the action done for Captain Hull by Michele F. Corne.
(Courtesy US. Naval Academy Museum)]

[Illustration: _Constitution_ vs. _Guerriere_ (2): "In Action."
The _Guerriere's_ mizzenmast goes down. (Courtesy U.S. Naval
Academy Museum)]

[Illustration: _Constitution_ vs. _Guerriere_ (3): "Dropping
Astern." The _Guerriere's_ mainmast and foremast follow. (Courtesy
U.S. Naval Academy Museum)]

[Illustration: _Constitution_ vs. _Guerriere_ (4): "She Fell in
the Sea, A Perfect Wreck." The puff of smoke over the _Guerriere's_
bow is from a gun being fired to leeward to signal her surrender,
the customary practice when a vessel no longer had a flag to strike.
(Courtesy New Haven Historical Society)]

The tonnage and metal of the combatants have already been referred
to. The _Constitution_ had, as already said, about 456 men aboard,
while of the _Guerriere's_ crew, 267 prisoners were received aboard