Probably the most famed commanders of the USS Constitution, Isaac Hull was beloved by his men and feared by his foes. While his history is indeed deep, we'd like to focus on the time that the British tried to get the one up on our salty swabbie and commander of "Old Ironsides."The year was 1812 and the British decided that they hadn't had enough of an ass-kicking delivered to them in the previous war with the United States, so what better idea than to pick another fight with a better trained and equipped military? Gee Britain, GREAT IDEA! Except that it wasn't. Despite some early morale victories for the British, Isaac Hull made them pay big time in one battle. The HMS Guerriere thought that engaging Hull and his merry band of seaborne marauders was a great idea. We'll let you in on a little secret, it was indeed NOT a good idea to engage Hull whilst he commanded the USS Constitution.Isaac Hull was the kind of man that inspired loyalty in his men. In turn, that loyalty turned into trust and the trust led them to victory. As the HMS Guerriere came around, Hull's men held their fire much like the men at Bunker Hill. On the command of Commodore Isaac Hull, the USS Constitution let out a broadside from her starboard cannons. The volley crippled the British frigate and made it difficult for the enemy to maneuver her.

Commodore Hull made his way around the HMS Guerriere and in a last-ditch effort, the British fired at Isaac and his crew, except one small problem occurred. The mighty oaken sides of the USS Constitution were so hard that the cannonade did not penetrate her, thus the name was derived, "Old Ironsides" had won the day and reduced the British frigate to a heaping wreck. Upon surrender of the British Captain James Richard Dacres, Commodore Isaac Hull set the HMS Guerriere ablaze.Read more stories of American Grit:

JAMES DOOLITTLE: PAYBACK IS A B****

JOHN BASILONE: MOWIN EM DOWN

DONALD E. BALLARD: DOC PROTECTS HIS MEN