President

Posted by Brian Stephens on Saturday 10th of May 2014 17:32

The Gentleman's magazine. v.117 1815.
Majestic, at Sea, January 17, 1815 lat. 39 min. 43 deg. N., long 7 min. 53 deg. W.
Sir. I have the honour to acquaint you, that, notwithstanding my utmost endeavours to keep the squadron committed to my charge close in with Sandy Hook, agreeable to your directions, for the purpose of preventing the escape of the United States ship President, and other vessels ready for sea at Staten Island, we were repeatedly blown off by frequent gales; but the very great attention paid to my orders and instructions by the respective Captains, in situations difficult to keep company, prevented separation; and, whenever the wind did force us from the coast, I invariably, on the gale mode-rating, placed the squadron on that point of bearing from the Hook, I judged it likely, from existing circumstances, would be the enemy's track; and it is with great pleasure, I have now to inform you of the success of the squadron; in the capture of the United States ship President, Commodore Decatur, on Sunday night, after an anxious chase of eighteen hours. On Friday, the Tenedos joined me, with you order to take Capt. Parker in that ship, under my command. We were then in company with the Endymion and Pomone, off the Hook, and in sight of the enemy's ships; but that night the squadron was blown off again in a severe snow storm. On Saturday the wind and weather became favourable for the enemy, and I had no doubt but he would attempt his escape that night. It was impossible from the direction of the wind, to get in with the Hook, and, as before stated, we stood away to the Northward and Eastward, till the squadron reached the supposed track of the enemy; and that is a little singular, at the very instant of arriving at that point, an hour before day-light Sandy Hook bearing W.N.W. fifteen leagues, we were made happy by the sight of a ship and brig. standing to the Southward and Eastward and not more that two miles on the Majestic's weather bow. The night signal for a general chase was made, and promptly obeyed by all ships. In the course of the day, the chase became extremely interesting, by the endeavours of the enemy to escape and the exertions of the Captains to get their respective ships along side of him, the former, by cutting away his anchors and throwing over board every movable article, with a great quantity of provisions, and the latter by trimming their ships in every way possible to effect their purpose. As the day advanced, the wind declined, giving the Endymion an evident advantage in sailing; and Capt. Hope's exertions enabled him to get his ship along side of the enemy and commence close action. At half an hour past five o'clock in the evening, which was continued with great gallantry and spirit on both sides, for two hours and a half, when the Endymion's sails being cut from the yards, the enemy got ahead. Capt. Hope taking this opportunity to bend new sails to enable his to get his ship along side again, the action ceased, till the Pomone getting up at half past eleven at night, and firing a few shots, the enemy hailed to say, she had already surrendered. The ship being taken possession of, proved to be the President, as above stated. The vessel in company with her was the Macedonian brig which made her escape by very superior sailing. etc...John Hayes, Captain