So stout, indeed, were the sides that shot rebounded from them more than once and thus gave the _Constitution_ the affectionate nickname of "Old Ironsides." Sublimely indifferent to these odds, Captain Dacres had already sent a challenge, with his compliments, to Commodore Rodgers of the United States frigate _President_, saying that he would be very happy to meet him or any other American frigate of equal force, off Sandy Hook, "for the purpose of having a few minutes' tete-a-tete." It was therefore with the utmost willingness that the _Constitution_ and the _Guerriere_ hoisted their battle ensigns and approached each other warily for an hour while they played at long bowls, as was the custom, each hoping to disable the other's spars or rigging and so gain the advantage of movement.

Finding this sort of action inconclusive, however, Hull set more sail and ran down to argue it with broadsides, coolly biding his time, although Morris, his lieutenant, came running up again and again to beg him to begin firing.

Men were being killed beside their guns as they stood ready to jerk the lock strings.

The two ships were abreast of each other and no more than a few yards apart before the _Constitution_ returned the cannonade that thundered from every gun port of her adversary.
Within ten minutes the _Guerriere's_ mizzenmast was knocked over the side and her hull was shattered by the accurate fire of the Yankee gunners, who were trained to shoot on the downward roll of their ship and so smash below the water line.

Almost unhurt, the _Constitution_ moved ahead and fearfully raked the enemy's deck before the ships fouled each other.