In a strange reversal, the outnumbered British Army along the Canadian border had triumphed but the tiny United States Navy had humiliated the world's largest and most prestigious navy. These losses could not have been more shocking to the Royal Navy and the British world. By the year's end, three British frigates and two sloops had been defeated in single ship actions against American opponents, throwing the British naval sphere into a crisis. Yet when the guns fell silent Guerriere was a shattered hulk and Dacres had struck to Constitution. He had the weight of Britain's naval reputation and confidence behind him. Captain James Dacres, Guerriere's commander, was eager for a fight and confident of victory. On 19 August 1812, lookouts of the British frigate HMS Guerriere spotted the American frigate, USS Constitution.
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