Hull, Isaac, 1773–1843, American naval officer, b. Derby, Conn. He served in the undeclared naval war with France (1798–1800) and in the Tripolitan War before being promoted to captain in 1806. In 1810 he was given command of the Constitution. Early in the War of 1812 he slipped his ship out of Chesapeake Bay and, evading seven enemy ships, succeeded in making his way through the British blockade to Boston Harbor. On Aug. 19, 1812, the Constitution met the Guerrière in one of America's great sea battles. Hull's superior seamanship forced the British vessel to surrender.

Bibliography

See his papers, ed. by G. W. Allen (1929); biographies by B. Grant (1947) and L. T. Molloy (1964).

Hull, Isaac

(born March 9, 1773, Derby, Conn.—died Feb. 13, 1843, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.) U.S. naval officer. A nephew of William Hull, he was master of a ship by age 19. He was commissioned a lieutenant aboard the USS Constitution in 1798, becoming its commander in 1810. He distinguished himself in the undeclared naval war with France at that time and in the Tripolitan War (1801–1805). Early in the War of 1812 he engaged the British frigate Guerrière and, after a fierce battle, rendered it a wreck. He was recognized as one of the navy's ablest commanders, and his ship became known as “Old Ironsides.” He commanded the U.S. squadrons in the Pacific (1824–27) and in the Mediterranean (1839–41).

Hull, Isaac (1773–1843) naval officer; born in Huntington (now Shelton), Conn. (nephew and adopted son of General William Hull). He served in the undeclared naval war with France and the Tripolitan War. As commander of the USS Constitution (1810–12) he won an outstanding victory over the British Guerrière (1812), earning the Constitution the nickname of "Old Ironsides." During the next 30 years he alternated between commands of naval yards and overseas squadrons.