美国学生历史 第113期:第二次独立战争(5)

 　　265. The Wasp¹ 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 vessels² were really of about the same size, as the American ship was only five feet longer than her enemy, and had the lighter³ 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 naval⁴ 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 frigates⁶ 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 frigate⁵ 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。

1 wasp   

n.黄蜂，蚂蜂

参考例句：

• A wasp stung me on the arm.黄蜂蜇了我的手臂。
• Through the glass we can see the wasp.透过玻璃我们可以看到黄蜂。

2 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 lighter   

n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级

参考例句：

• The portrait was touched up so as to make it lighter.这张画经过润色，色调明朗了一些。
• The lighter works off the car battery.引燃器利用汽车蓄电池打火。

4 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

5 frigate   

n.护航舰，大型驱逐舰

参考例句：

• An enemy frigate bore down on the sloop.一艘敌驱逐舰向这只护航舰逼过来。
• I declare we could fight frigate.我敢说我们简直可以和一艘战舰交战。

6 frigates   

n.快速军舰( frigate的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Frigates are a vital part of any balanced sea-going fleet. 护卫舰是任何一个配置均衡的远洋舰队所必需的。 来自互联网
• These ships are based on the Chinese Jiangwei II class frigates. 这些战舰是基于中国的江卫II型护卫舰。 来自互联网