265. The Wasp and the Frolic,1812.
265."維斯普"號與"佛羅里克"號(1812年)
At almost the same time the American ship Wasp captured the British brig Frolic.
幾乎與此同時,美國的"維斯普號"奪取了英國的雙桅船"佛羅里克"號。
The Wasp had three masts, and the Frolic had only two masts.
"維斯普"號有三個桅桿,而"佛羅里克"號只有兩個,
But the two vessels were really of about the same size, as the American ship was only five feet longer than her enemy, and had the lighter guns.
但這兩艘船幾乎尺寸一樣大,美國的船僅比其對手長5英尺,而美國船上的武器配備要相對差些。
In a few minutes after the beginning of the fight the Frolic was a shattered hulk, with only one sound man on her deck.
開戰不到幾分鐘"佛羅里克"號就成了一艘廢船,甲板上只有一個能戰斗的人。
Soon after the conflict a British battleship came up and captured both the Wasp and her prize.
但這次戰斗后不久就有一艘英國戰艦趕上來捕獲了"維斯普"號和它的戰利品。
The effect of these victories of the Constitution and the Wasp was tremendous.
"維斯普"號和"憲法"號取得的這些勝利產生了巨大影響。
Before the war British naval officers had called the Constitution "a bundle of sticks."
開戰之前英國海軍的軍官們把"憲法"號叫做"一捆木棍子",
Now it was thought to be no longer safe for British frigates to sail the seas alone.
但此時他們不再認為英國護衛艦可以單獨在海上安全航行,
They must go in pairs to protect each other from "Old Ironsides."
它們必須結對而行,彼此相互照應以免受到"老艾恩賽德家族"的攻擊。
Before long the Constitution, now commanded by Captain Bainbridge, had captured the British frigate Java, and the frigate United States, Captain Decatur, had taken the British ship Macedonian.
不久,"憲法"號(現在由本布里奇船長在指揮)奪取了英國的護衛艦"爪哇"號,"美國"號護衛艦在迪卡特船長的指揮下奪取了英國的"麥斯多尼"號。
On the other hand, the Chesapeake was captured by the Shannon.
而美國的"切薩皮克"號被英國"香農"號捕獲,
This victory gave great satisfaction to the British.
這個勝利讓英國人很是滿意。
But Captain Lawrence's last words, "Don't give up the ship," have always been a glorious inspiration to American sailors.
但勞倫斯船長最后所說的"永不棄艦"從此成為一個對美國水手的雄壯激勵口號。