The action illustrates why a nominal positional advantage does not always translate into tactical advantage: Constellation initially held the weather gauge but heeled so far that the relevant gunports could not be opened. After yielding that position, Truxtun closed to around 50 yards and used double-shotted guns against the French ship. David Porter helped prevent damaged rigging from worsening Constellation's mast problems during the exchange. L'Insurgente's earlier storm damage made her attempted boarding attacks ineffective despite her larger crew. Constellation repeatedly crossed and raked the French frigate, disabling much of her battery before she surrendered after the third pass.
Notable Point · 35:15-39:45
How Constellation defeated L'Insurgente
Storm damage, control of the wind, close-range gunnery, and repeated raking fire decided the American frigate's victory over L'Insurgente.