 The frigate was originally French-built, captured by the Royal Navy in 1806, and therefore not as sturdy as British-built ships.Also, "Guerriere" was badly decayed and proceeding to Halifax to refit at the time, and the fall of the mizzen mast which hampered "Guerriere" early in the fight was claimed to be due as much to rot as battle damage.There was no suggestion that Dacres and his men had not done their utmost, or that Dacres had been reckless to engage "Constitution".