Off the coast of Bermuda on 27 March 1814, it was discovered that her [USS Constitution] mainmast had split, requiring immediate repair.
Stewart set a course for Boston, where on 3 April two British ships HMS Junon and Tenedos picked up pursuit. Stewart ordered drinking water and food to be cast overboard to lighten her load and gain speed, trusting that her mainmast would hold together long enough to make way into Marblehead, Massachusetts. The last item thrown overboard was the supply of spirits.
Upon Constitution's arrival in the harbor, the citizens of Marblehead rallied in support, assembling what cannons they possessed at Fort Sewall, and the British called off the pursuit. Two weeks later, Constitution made her way into Boston, where she would remain blockaded in port until mid-December