Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-10-02
Your o6t hiiin5fe scrVdnt,
JNO. RODGERS.
Capt. JAMES BARRoN,
commanding the u
s. irigate President.

>. irigate President.
IN conformity to The foregoing order,
the court convened on board the u. States
frigate President az anchor in the iarbor
of Syracuse, at 10 O'clock A. NJ. June
%, 1905, present--thc President and
members of the court, and |Vllisrn Esa.
ton, Esq. aching Judge Advocate, and be.
ing opened according to law, Capt. Balm
bridge was notified that they were ready
10 proceed 10 business: he attended and
the court entered upon the enquiry by ex
animation Of Witnesses.
Lieut.. David Porter, of the late frigate
Philadelphia, lieut.. Jacob Jones, Ieut.
Theodore Hunt, lieut.. Benjamin Smith Il
Mr.. William Knight, sailing master, lieut..
William Osborn, of,hc marine corps, Mr..
Keith Spence, pnrser, Daniel j. Patter-
son, Benjamin F.SRead and James Glib
bon, masters mates, Indshipmen James
Biddle, Jas. Henshaw and AN.
derson; Rich. Stephenson, gunner. Geo.
carpenter, all of the said frigate, were
sworn and improved aswitnesses.
! Lieut.. Dduid oorter, testified, tha, on
the Slst Oh. 1905, about o'clock, in the
! marning, the ship philadclshia then un
der the command Of Capt. William Dain
bridge, and cruising OF the port of Tri.
paii, the wind from the eastward, and the
t'1gaie standing in and along shore, dis
covered sail on her weather bow, run
ming 10 the westward, 10 which she gave
chase. The sail was soon distinguished
l he an Il,
| pert Of Tripoli. The Philadelphia con-
timed the chase until she came into about
eight faihom water, keeping up conslan,
IRE on the enemy with her bow guns, un
I'll it was found impossible to come up
with her without danger of approach
ing TOO near che shore consequently she
hauled out to gain an ofling. She had con.
siantly leads going, | dinscY and two
lhindleads; lieutenant tending the dip
sey and mIdshipman or masters mate
at each of the land leads. fhe s.fip had
about nots way upon her. This witness
vas ordered into the Eiizea top 10 look IN
10 the harbor of rripoli, and observe if a.
ny cruizers were in port. This instant
the water shoaled. and the helm was put
down. He had gotten about halfway up
the mizen rigging when he felt the ship
strike. He Immediately returned on
deck. All sails were instantly set tn en-
deayer TO force her over the bank. Find
'Dg this did not succeed, Captain Balm.
bridge asked the witnesses opinion what
could best be done VINO requested him
10 Consult his officers generally. The lead
had been hove under her bows in sbou
twelve feet water. The ship lifted at times
abait & the helm was then clear. The enc.
my's gun boats were already seen coming
ont OF port, nine in number, as neafly as
The witness recoIlecis. 4 beat was sent
out 10 sound around the ship, and deep
water was found as,ern, The officers b..
ing consulted were OF opinion that chGss-
vors should be used to back The ship oil
by press Of sail and if that should not
succeed, to run the guns abalt both were
done, and at the same time the anchors cut
from the bows but to no effect. 1t was
then the opinion tLat the guns should be
hJve overheard, rescryipg oGly enough 70
resist the gun boats: this was done. In
the mean time the enemy passed under
the fire of the figaie's Stern guns, ard
took position on the starboard and wea-
Their qusrter'where no gyms could be bro'l
10 bear on them by reason of their odyan
tageous position, and Inc deep heel TO port
and fixed posture Of The ship. Captain
: Bainbridgc now called smother council o
the officers, who we're Of opinion Chat IL,
water should be started 10 the hold ca,
pumped DOT, AID an the heavy article
hove overheard ii that Should no, sdc