The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-10-01
JNO. RODGERS.
Capt. JaMEs BARRON,
commanding the US.
frigateP PRECEDENT.

IN conformity TO the foregoing order, the
court convened on board the u. States frisate
Prefidsnt It anchor in the harbour of Syracufe.
at ten O'Clock, A. M. June-2s, lsos, prefeut-
the PreGdent and members of the court, and
William Eaton, Efq. acting Judge Advocate,
and being opened according to law, Capt Balm
bridge was notified that they were ready 20 pro-
eced to buhnefs he attended and the court en-.
tered upon the enquiry by examination of wit
nefies.
Lieut.. David Porter, of the late frieate Phla.
delphia, lieut. Jacob Jones, lieut.. Theodore
Hunt, lieut.. Benjamin Smith; MIR. William
knight, falling matter, lieut.. William Oiborne.
of the marine corps, MIR. Keith Spence, purter.
Daniel ]. Patterfon, Benjamin F. Read and
James Gibbons, matters mates, midfhipmen
James Biddle, Jas. Henfhaw and Andcr-
ton; Rich Stephenson, gunner, Gen. Hodge.
bo,iwain, and William Godby, carpenter, ali of
the faid frigate, were fworn and improved 2,
witneffes.
Lieut.. David Porter tcftifed, that on the SIZE
Oct. 1908, about 8 O'Clock in the morning, the
hip Philadelphia, then under the command of
capt. William cambridge, and cruizing off the
port OF 1ripoli, the wind from the eaftward.
and the frigate Handing in and along fhore, dic.
covered a fail on her weather bow, running TO
the weRward, to which fhe gave chafe. The
fail was fooD ditinguilhed to be an ene,ny's COR
iair Handing into the port of Tripoli. The PHI
ladelpbia continued the ohafe until fhe came in
to about eight fathom water, keeping up A CON.
Rant fire on the entmy with her bow guns until
1t was found impoilible to come up with her
without danger of approaching too near the
ihore; coniequently fhe hauled out to gain an
dining. She had consequently 8 leads going,
diptey and two hind leads; lieutenant tending
the dipfey, and midbipman or matters mate
at each of the land leads. The fhip had about
eight nots way upon her. This witnefs was or
dered into the msen top to look into the hay.
bour OF Irpoli, and obierve if any CRITTERS were
in port. AT this infant the water fhoaIed. and
the helm was put down. He had gotten about
half way up the mizen rigging when he felt the
IMP ftrIke, He Immediately returned on deck.
All fails were nftantly ftt to endeayour to force
her over the bank. Finding this did not l,,c-
coed, Captain Bainhidge afked the witneGe,s
opinion what could beft he done? Who re-
quoted him to confult lis officers GENERALLY.
The lead had been hove under her bows in A.
bout twelve feet. The flip lifted at times A.
bait and the helm was then clear. The enemy's
gun ooats were already feen coming out of port,
nine m number, as nearly as the witnefs recol.
leds. a boat was fcut out to- found around the
IMP, and deep water was found aftern. The
officers beng couiulted, were of opinion that
endeavoUrs ihoud be ufed to back the f,ip eff
by prels OF Tail ! and, if that f1ould not fuc.
ceed, to run the guns abaft both were done
and at the fame time the anchors cut from the
bows, but to no effect. II was then the opinion
that the guns ihould be hove overheard, reGcrv-
ing only enough to relit the gun boats this
was done. In the mean time the enemy pafJed
under the fire Of tie frieate's ftern guns, and
took position on the farboard and weather
quarter where no guns could be brought TO
bear on them by reaion Of their advantageous
poiltion' and the deep heel to port and fixed
picture OF the hip. Captain Bainbridge now
called another council Of tic officers, who were
OF opinion that the wa'cr fhould be q ,rted i,
the hold and pumped ont, and all the heavy ar
ticles hove o'crbouard If that ahould no, fI,~