The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-09-22


we were coming up with him, he edged a.
way point or thcreabosts and set his
! top gallant studding sails: AT IL cleared
snip tor action, in the expectation that we
would soon be up with the chase the
breeze about this time however began TO
incline more to the westward and became
iighter, which soon discovered was com
parativeiy an advantage to our opponent
At quarter past p. NJ. the chase ho.s-
ted English coiors AT 9 the wind veered
to the w. 5. W.. and became lighter AT
~ minutes past 4. having got within gun
SHOT OF the enemy, when percaiving that
ne was training his chase guns and in the
act Gas supposedly OF firing, that tie breeze
was decreasing, and we now sailed so near
~ ankle, that to afford him an opportunity
OF dong the first injury to our spars and
| rigging would be to enable him to effect his
escape, gave orders to commence fire
| with the bow chase guns, at his spars and
rigging, in the hope of Gripping one or the
other, so tar as to enable us to get along
SIDE: The fire from our bow chase guns he
instantly. returned with those from his
stem, which was now ke up by both ships
without mtermiSslon, until so minutes past
q p. NJ. when one of the Presidents chase
| guns burst and killed and wounded I6 per-
sons, among he latter myself. This was
not however the most serious injury, as by
the bursting of the gun, and the explosion
of the passing box. from which it was SER
| we'd with powder, both the main and fore.
| castle decks. (near the gum were SO much
shattered as to prevent the use of the chase
gun, on that side, for some time Our
man deck guns being single sho-ted, now
gave orders to put our helm TO starboard
and fire the starboard broadside, in the ex
| pectation OF disabling some Of his spars,
but did not succeed, although could disco
er that his rigging had sustained consi-
aerable damage, and that he had received
some injury in the stern.
now endeavored, by altering course
halt point to port and wetting our sails
70 gam. more efecrual position on his
starboard quarter, but soon found myself
losing ground. After this a similar attempt
was made at his larboard quarter, but with
olt any better success, as the wind at this
time being very light, and both ships sail
| ing so nearly alike, that by making an an
gle OF only half point from the course he
steered, enabled him to augment his dis
tance: No hope was now left of bringing him
TO close action, except that derived from
oelng to windward, and the expectation
the breeze might favor us first accor-
aingly gave orders to steer directly after
him, and to keep cur bow chase guns play
ing on his spars & rigging, until our broad,
SIDE would more eftectually reach him.
At >, hnding, from the advantage his stern
guns gave him, that he had done consider
aoie injury to our sails and rigging, and
being within point blank shot ! gave or
deis to put the helm to starboard and fire
our main deck guns this broadsde did
some further damage to his rigging, and i
could perceive that his fore top sail yard
was wounded, but the sea was so very
| IN. iuit tlo +ei,. =.
done was not such as materially to affect
MS sailing. After this broadside cur course
was instantly renewed in his wake (rnder
gazing hre from his stern chase guns
directed at cur spars and rigging,] ana
continued until half past six at which
time being within reach Of his crane, and
hndins our sails, rigging, and several spars
lParticuiafly the main yard, which had lit.
tie lett to support it except the lifts and
braces) very much disabled, again gave
orders to huff across his stern and gave him
couple of broadsides
| The enemy at this time finding hip,self
so hardly pressed, and seeing while in the
act OF hiring, our mead sails to left, and sup
posing that the ship had in a measure lost
the effect OF her helm he gave broad vaw
( with the intention OF bringing his broadside
to bear: finding the President however gu
swered her helm too quick for his purpose.
he immediately re- assu,i ed his course and
precipitais y fired his .our-aft cr main deck
guns on the starboard side, altho' they did
not bear upon at the time be 25 or so
degrees, and he now commenced lighten-
ing his ship by throwing overheard all his
! boats, waste anchors &c. &c. and by thi.
means WAS enabled by quarter. before 7 to
get SO tar ahead as 70 prevent our bow
chase guns doing execution, and now per
ceiVed, with more modification than woi d.
can express, that there was little or no
chance left OF getting within gunshot of the
enemy again. Under every Disadvantage
OF disabled spars, sails and rigging, hoW
! ever, Continued the chase with ali the sail
We could set, until half past II p. II. when
perceiving he had gained upwards Of three
miles and not the slightest prospect left Of
coming up with him, / gave up the pursuit
and made the signal to the other ships as
they came up to do the sare
Durlng the first OF the chase, while the
breeze was fresh and sailing by the wind
Thought the whole of the squadron gained
upon the enemy. 1t was soon discoverabIe
however, the advantage he acquired bv sail
ms large, & this conceive he must have
derived lii SO great degree by starting hi
water could perceive, upwards of an hou1
before we camcw thin gun shot, water run
ning out of bis scuppers.
While in chase it was difficult 70 drtek
mine whether our own situation or that O
the other vessels of the squadron was ~,
most unpleasant. The superior sailing o
10 ps.acT rIxs.NA