HULL, ISAAC commodore in the U.S. Navy, was born at Derby (Conn.), on March 9, 1773. When only 14 he went to sea as a cabin boy. At 19 he commanded his first ship, and in 1798 received a commission in the U.S. navy as lieutenant. He served two years on the "Constitution," the ship which he later commanded, chased Barbary pirates as commander of the "Argus," and when the War of 1812 broke out he had already commanded the "Constitution" for six years, carrying the U.S. minister to France in 1811, and specie to Holland in payment of interest on a debt due from the United States. His ship was shadowed by British men-of-war. On July 19, 1812, five days out, the "Constitution" met a British blockading squadron. There followed one of the most remarkable sea chases ever recorded. For three days and nights Hull kept his ship ahead, using every device known to seamanship, outwitting his pursuers by brilliant manoeuvres, towing, and kedging. The British gave up the pursuit. On Aug. 2 he set sail without orders and encountered the British frigate "Guerriere," which he captured. For this Hull received a gold medal, and the "Constitution" the nickname of "Old Iron sides." Resigning his command, Hull became a member of the navy board; later he commanded the navy yards at Boston and Washington, and squadrons in the Mediterranean and the Pacific. After 37 years of active service he retired and made his home in Philadelphia (Pa.), where he died Feb. 13, See A. T. Mahan, Sea Power in its Relations to the War of 1812 (1905) ; and '1. R. Roosevelt, The Naval War of 1812 (1882) .