Commodore in the U.S. navy, born at Derby in Connecticut on the 9th of March 1775. He went to sea young in the merchant service and was in command of a vessel at the age of nineteen. In 1798 he was appointed lieutenant in the newly organized U.S. navy. From 1803 to 1805 he served in the squadron sent to chastise the Barbary pirates as commander of the Enterprise, but was transferred to the Argus in November of 1803. When the War of 1812 broke out he was captain of the U.S. frigate Constitution (44), and was on a mission to Europe carrying specie for the payment of a debt in Holland. The Constitution was shadowed by British men-of-war, but was not attacked. In July of that year, however, he was pursued by a squadron of British vessels, and escaped by good seamanship and the fine sailing qualities of the Constitution. He was to have been superseded, but put to sea before the officer who was to have relieved him arrivedan action which might have been his ruin if he had not signalized his cruise by the capture of the British frigate Guerrière (38). Captain Hull had been cruising off the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the engagement, which took place on the 19th of August, was fought south of the Grand Bank. The Constitution was a fine ship of 1,533 tons, originally designed for a two-decker, but cut down to a frigate. The Guerrière was of 1,092 tons and very ill-manned, while the Constitution had a choice crew. The British ship was easily overpowered. Hull received a gold medal for the capture of the Guerrière, but had no further opportunity of distinction in the war. After the peace he held a variety of commands at sea, and was a naval commissioner from 1815 to 1817. He had a high reputation in the United States navy for practical seamanship. He died at Philadelphia on the 13th of February 1843.