USS Constitution vs HMS Victory

[SckizoBoy]

Yay, may the historic naval dick waving commence between the US & the UK...

So, the two oldest ships in commission duke it out (under the assumption that HMS Victory can still sail, laid up in dry-dock as she is... >_> ...), which one 'dja think would win?

To give a bit of perspective:

HMS Victory
Launched 1765 (104-gun First Rate Battle-ship of the line)
Armament at Battle of Trafalgar: 30 x 32lbers, 28 x 24lbers, 44 x 12lbers (of which two bow chasers) & 2 x 68lb carronade chasers
Complement: approx. 850 of which 100 marines
Specs: 2ft oak hull at the waterline, 9kt max speed, displaces 3500tons

USS Constitution
Launched 1797 (44-gun Heavy frigate)
Armament: 20 x 32lbers & 32 x 24lbers (of which two bow chasers)
Complement: approx. 450 of which 55 marines
Specs: live-oak scantling, 21in pine/oak at the waterline, 13kts max speed, displaces 2200tons

So, bear in mind that while Victory has a much heavier broadside and larger crew for boarding, she doesn't respond to her helm anywhere as well as the Constitution. However, because of her hull design, the Constitution was built for speed over manouevrability, but with quite a fair speed advantage, she can still cross the T effectively, though once Victory can train a full broadside...

 

[MASTACHIEFPWN]

Let's let total war decide.

 

[Frankster]

I know next to nothing about naval warfare so a lot of what i say is likely erroneous, though basic terms such as crossing the T are familiar to me.

Initial instinct would be HMS victory for patriotic "britannia rules the waves!" reasons and that stat wise its the bigger ship with more firepower, but crossing the T is kinda a big thing isnt it? And arent capital ships like HMS victory normally screened by smaller veseels to prevent this from happening?

So in 1vs1 situation maybe going with the biggest ship is not the answer... Plus hitting at distance without modern pathfinders is hard, especially for a fast ship, so im guessing unless the HMS victory scores hits at range then its gg when the faster Constitution closes the distance and crosses the Victorys T.
Vote goes out to USS consitution i think.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

If the HMS Victory can keep her guns trained on the USS constitution, even able to land a few broad sides, then the British would win. If the USS Constitution can stay out of it's firing arch, keep pounding the Victory from where no shots can be taken in return. Without support, a big ship like the Victory will just be unable to get a hit on before it's crew is depleted, it's masts are shredded, and the Constitution can move in for a kill. That is why Pirates almost exclusively used much smaller ships, often one masted ships, to raid enemies by avoiding their cannon fire and moving in for boarding action.