The _Constitution_ continued her cruise, and on the 29th, off the Brazilian coast, sighted the English frigate _Java_, carrying thirty-eight guns, Captain Lambert. Bainbridge tacked and drew the stranger off the land, which was not more than thirty miles distant, and when far enough away stood toward him. The enemy seemed quite as anxious for a contest, and about two o'clock it began. The firing was heavy and continuous. The _Java_ had the advantage of the wind, and attempted to cross the _Constitution's_ bow, to rake her. But the latter wore, and avoided it. This manoeuvre was repeated several times, and at length the _Constitution_, though her wheel had been shot away, making it difficult to manage the steering-gear, succeeded in getting the coveted position, and raked her antagonist. The Java, which had been badly damaged, ran down Upon the _Constitution_ with the intention of {080}boarding. But her jibboom became entangled in the _Constitution's_ mizzen-rigging, and she was held there and raked mercilessly. At this time her bowsprit and foremast were shot away. The two vessels now separated, and after considerable manoeuvring came together again, yard-arm and yard-arm, and reopened their broadsides. Now the _Java's_ mizzen-mast tumbled, and her main-mast was the only stick left standing. The _Constitution_ then hauled off, and spent an hour in repairing damages, at the end of which time she wore round and stood across her antagonist's bow, when the English colors were struck. The action had lasted an hour and fifty-five minutes. The _Constitution_ had lost nine men killed and twenty-five wounded, Commodore Bainbridge being slightly wounded. The loss on board the _Java_ was variously stated; the lowest estimate made it twenty-two killed and one hundred and one wounded. Bainbridge said that sixty were killed. Captain Lambert was mortally wounded. The whole number on board was four hundred, including General Hislop and his staff and other officers, who were on their way to the East Indies. The _Java_ was a complete wreck, and after a day or two it was determined to blow her up, which was done after all the prisoners and wounded had been {081}carefully removed. She might have been towed into Bahia; but Brazil was friendly to Great Britain, and Bainbridge did not want to trust his prize in a Brazilian harbor. He, however, landed his prisoners there, and paroled them. The _Constitution_--which received the name of "_Old Ironsides_," on account of escaping serious damage in this action--arrived at Boston in February. Here the same welcome that had been given to Hull and Decatur was extended to Bainbridge. The cities of New York and Albany gave him gold snuff-boxes, Philadelphia gave him a service of silver, and Congress voted the usual medals, with fifty thousand dollars of prize money for the crew.