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While approaching her destination during the afternoon of 17 July, she encountered a large group of unknown warships that was eventually determined to be British. This squadron, under the command of Captain Philip Vere Broke, included the small ship of the line ''Africa'' and the frigates ''Shannon'' (Broke's flagship), ''Belvidera'', ''Guerriere'' and ''Aeolus'', clearly a force much superior to ''Constitution''.

While approaching her destination during the afternoon of 17 July, she encountered a large group of unknown warships that was eventually determined to be British. This squadron, under the command of Captain Philip Vere Broke, included the small ship of the line ''Africa'' and the frigates ''Shannon'' (Broke's flagship), ''Belvidera'', ''Guerriere'' and ''Aeolus'', clearly a force much superior to ''Constitution''.

Through the night of 17–18 July, the British and American ships maneuvered for advantage in the continuing light breeze. At about 5:30 in the morning the wind failed completely. ''Constitution'' put out her boats, which towed her ahead of the enemy while four long 24-pounder guns were shifted to allow fire directly astern. The British also had their boats in the water, concentrating most of them to try and pull ''Shannon'' within gunfire range. At the suggestion of Lieutenant Charles Morris, Captain Hull had anchors dropped ahead for kedging, allowing the power of of her capstan to pull her more rapidly.

Through the night of 17–18 July, the British and American ships maneuvered for advantage in the continuing light breeze. At about 5:30 in the morning the wind failed completely. ''Constitution'' put out her boats, which towed her ahead of the enemy while four long 24-pounder guns were shifted to allow fire directly astern. The British also had their boats in the water, concentrating most of them to try and pull ''Shannon'' within gunfire range. At the suggestion of Lieutenant Charles Morris, Captain Hull had anchors dropped ahead for kedging, allowing the power of her capstan to pull her more rapidly.

All through the 18th and well into the following day, this effort of towing and kedging continued, with occasional use of sails when a small wind blew up. Though shots were exchanged the range was always too great to allow hitting, and ''Constitution'' slowly moved away from her pursuers. By late afternoon on the 19th the nearest British ship, ''Belvidera'', was some four miles astern. A few hours later, as a rain squall approached, Hull promptly got up his sails and greatly increased his lead. The chase continued through that night in slight and shifting winds, with ''Constitution's'' crew keeping their sails wet to enhance their effectiveness, and by daylight the enemy was so far astern that they soon gave up the pursuit. Realizing that the presence of the strong British squadron would keep him out of New York, Hull sailed instead for Boston, where he arrived on 26 July to begin preparations for another cruise.

All through the 18th and well into the following day, this effort of towing and kedging continued, with occasional use of sails when a small wind blew up. Though shots were exchanged the range was always too great to allow hitting, and ''Constitution'' slowly moved away from her pursuers. By late afternoon on the 19th the nearest British ship, ''Belvidera'', was some four miles astern. A few hours later, as a rain squall approached, Hull promptly got up his sails and greatly increased his lead. The chase continued through that night in slight and shifting winds, with ''Constitution's'' crew keeping their sails wet to enhance their effectiveness, and by daylight the enemy was so far astern that they soon gave up the pursuit. Realizing that the presence of the strong British squadron would keep him out of New York, Hull sailed instead for Boston, where he arrived on 26 July to begin preparations for another cruise.