美国学生历史 第113期:第二次独立战争(5)(在线收听

   265. The Wasp and the Frolic,1812. 265."维斯普"号与"佛罗里克"号(1812年)

  At almost the same time the American ship Wasp captured the British brig Frolic. 几乎与此同时,美国的"维斯普号"夺取了英国的双桅船"佛罗里克"号。
  The Wasp had three masts, and the Frolic had only two masts. "维斯普"号有三个桅杆,而"佛罗里克"号只有两个,
  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. 但这两艘船几乎尺寸一样大,美国的船仅比其对手长5英尺,而美国船上的武器配备要相对差些。
  In a few minutes after the beginning of the fight the Frolic was a shattered hulk, with only one sound man on her deck. 开战不到几分钟"佛罗里克"号就成了一艘废船,甲板上只有一个能战斗的人。
  Soon after the conflict a British battleship came up and captured both the Wasp and her prize. 但这次战斗后不久就有一艘英国战舰赶上来捕获了"维斯普"号和它的战利品。
  The effect of these victories of the Constitution and the Wasp was tremendous. "维斯普"号和"宪法"号取得的这些胜利产生了巨大影响。
  Before the war British naval officers had called the Constitution "a bundle of sticks." 开战之前英国海军的军官们把"宪法"号叫做"一捆木棍子",
  Now it was thought to be no longer safe for British frigates to sail the seas alone. 但此时他们不再认为英国护卫舰可以单独在海上安全航行,
  They must go in pairs to protect each other from "Old Ironsides." 它们必须结对而行,彼此相互照应以免受到"老艾恩赛德家族"的攻击。
  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,"宪法"号(现在由本布里奇船长在指挥)夺取了英国的护卫舰"爪哇"号,"美国"号护卫舰在迪卡特船长的指挥下夺取了英国的"麦斯多尼"号。
  On the other hand, the Chesapeake was captured by the Shannon. 而美国的"切萨皮克"号被英国"香农"号捕获,
  This victory gave great satisfaction to the British. 这个胜利让英国人很是满意。
  But Captain Lawrence's last words, "Don't give up the ship," have always been a glorious inspiration to American sailors. 但劳伦斯船长最后所说的"永不弃舰"从此成为一个对美国水手的雄壮激励口号。
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