On This Day – December 29, 1812 – USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) was sailing in the Atlantic just off the coast of Brazil. In the morning sails were sighted on the horizon, and Constitution’s new captain, William Bainbridge, altered course to investigate. The ship proved to be HMS Java, a frigate similar to Guerriere which was recently defeated by the Consitution. Both frigates stood for each other and cleared their decks for action and maneuvered for advantage …
An excellent summary of this situation is available to read on the USS Constitution Museum website.
Image from the Naval History and Heritage Command website.