Editing USS Constitution (section)

===''Constitution'' vs ''Java''===
[[File:Constitution-Java battle plan.png|thumb|alt=A penciled line drawing depicting two ships and their course of engagement|Diagram of the battle between ''Constitution'' and ''Java'']]

William Bainbridge, senior to Hull, took command of "Old Ironsides" on 8 September and prepared her for another mission in British shipping lanes near Brazil, sailing with {{USS|Hornet|1805 brig|2}} on 27 October. They arrived near [[São Salvador do Mundo, Cape Verde|São Salvador]] on 13 December, sighting {{HMS|Bonne Citoyenne|1796|6}} in the harbor.<ref name="Hollis177178">Hollis (1900), pp. 177–178.</ref> ''Bonne Citoyenne'' was reportedly carrying $1.6 million in spice to England, and her captain refused to leave the neutral harbor lest he lose his cargo. ''Constitution'' sailed offshore in search of prizes, leaving ''Hornet'' to await the departure of ''Bonne Citoyenne''.<ref name="Hollis178179">Hollis (1900), pp. 178–179.</ref> On 29 December, it met with {{HMS|Java|1811|6}} under Captain [[Henry Lambert]]. At the initial hail from Bainbridge, ''Java'' answered with a broadside that severely damaged ''Constitution''{{'}}s rigging. It was able to recover, however, and returned a series of broadsides to ''Java''. A shot from ''Java'' destroyed ''Constitution''{{'}}s helm (wheel), so Bainbridge directed the crew to steer her manually using the [[tiller]] for the remainder of the engagement.<ref>Toll (2006), p. 376.</ref> Bainbridge was wounded twice during the battle. ''Java''{{'}}s bowsprit became entangled in ''Constitution''{{'}}s rigging, as in the battle with ''Guerriere'', allowing Bainbridge to continue raking her with broadsides. ''Java''{{'}}s foremast collapsed, sending her fighting top crashing down through two decks below.<ref>Jennings (1966), p. 235.</ref>

Bainbridge drew off to make emergency repairs and re-approached ''Java'' an hour later. It was a shambles, an unmanageable wreck with a badly wounded crew, and it surrendered.<ref>Toll (2006), p. 381.</ref> Bainbridge determined that ''Java'' was far too damaged to retain as a prize and ordered her burned, but not before having her helm salvaged and installed on ''Constitution''.<ref name="Hollis186">Hollis (1900), p. 186.</ref> ''Constitution'' returned to São Salvador on 1 January 1813 to disembark the prisoners of ''Java'', where it met with ''Hornet'' and her two British prizes. Bainbridge ordered ''Constitution'' to sail for Boston on 5 January,<ref>Jennings (1966), p. 236.</ref> being far away from a friendly port and needing extensive repairs, leaving ''Hornet'' behind to continue waiting for ''Bonne Citoyenne'' in the hopes that it would leave the harbor, though it did not.<ref>Toll (2006), pp. 403–404.</ref> ''Java'' was the third British warship in three months to be captured by U.S. Navy, and ''Constitution''{{'}}s victory prompted the British Admiralty to order all Royal Navy frigates not to engage the heavier American frigates one-on-one; only British ships of the line or squadrons were permitted to attack them.<ref Name="NHC6">{{cite web
 |title=Defeat of HMS ''Java'', 1812
 |publisher=Naval History & Heritage Command
 |date=25 October 1999
 |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/docs/war1812/const6.htm
 |access-date=13 July 2011
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011181038/http://www.history.navy.mil/docs/war1812/const6.htm
 |archive-date=11 October 2011
}}</ref><ref>Hollis (1900), p. 189.</ref> ''Constitution'' arrived in Boston on 15 February to even greater celebrations than Hull had received a few months earlier.<ref>Hollis (1900), p. 188.</ref>