On the afternoon of August 19, when several hundred miles to the eastward of Halifax, he sighted the British frigate _Guerriere_.

Her commander, Captain James E.Dacres, was an old acquaintance of Hull, and the two had made a wager of a hat during peace that if they ever met in battle the other would run.
The British officer was as anxious as Hull for a fight, and they drew near each other, both confident of winning the wager made half in jest a brief time before.
Great interest attaches to this naval battle, for it was the first of its kind and a fair test of the respective prowess of ships of and crews of that nature.

The _Constitution_ was somewhat the superior, carrying 55 guns and four hundred and sixty-eight men, while the _Guerriere_ had 49 guns and two hundred and sixty-three men, but all of the latter were under fine discipline, while most of the Americans were green hands.
Captain Dacres was confident of his superiority, and had no doubt that when the two frigates met the _Constitution_ would be compelled speedily to strike her colors.

He waited for the American to come up, each having cleared for action.
A little after four o'clock the two exchanged broadsides, but they were so far apart that no damage was done.

Dacres manoeuvred for a raking position, but Hull would not permit it, nor could he obtain one for himself.