Constitution was becalmed and struggling to operate through the five British ships, but Hull acted on a suggestion from his Initially Lieutenant Charles Morris. He purchased the crew To place boats over the side to tow the ship out of array, utilizing kedge anchors to attract the ship ahead and wetting the sails to make use of every breath of wind.

Hull departed for France on five August 1811, transporting the new Ambassador Joel Barlow and his family; they arrived on 1 September. Hull remained in the vicinity of France along with the Netherlands through the Winter season months, continually holding sail and gun drills to maintain the crew Prepared for doable hostilities With all the British.