The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1859-10-25

How the Frigate President was Captured.
Tho following article, which we cut from the
Louisville Journal brings to mind an interesting
incident in the history Of the American Navy,
and will be read with pleasure by all who admire
the gallantry which characterized the early days
Of the fright arm" Of our national defence:
In many Of the ne wspaper articles which attempt
mirsl jams BoPx recently repulsed at Peiho, 1t has
been stat.d how the British frgste Endy mon, under
the command Of Cspt. HKsSy HorE captured the U.
states f,igate President, Capt srKruxs Dso.rUR. OF
COURSE familiar with the naval history Of the Wat OF
lsi2-ib, assre that this is not the fact. Tho
bocI.ded by large British fieet, DrcArU, intending
To run the gauntlt and trust to the hne sailing quail
tiles Of his ship un,ot tunatey she struck on San
tom and impsiripg those SAILING qualities, Tue day
after this incident, tho whole British fleet gave chase
The Endymion, being the heetes, was the first to get
Alongside Of her, and the following extract from Ds
CATUss official report TO the Secretary oi the Navy,
sets the matter In II. true light
our opponent kept oG st the same instant we did,
and conIneS I'd o. the same time. We conttnIed
pas cd, steering south with steering sails set two
hours and half, when we completely succeodod IN
dismanthng her. Previously TO her dropping entrely
/ when the ships were brosdside and brosdside, In
| which she did not hre a,gun. At this period Is 4
o'clock, although dark, the other ships Of the squat
| ron we're In sight and almost within guushot
/ We were, Of course, compelled To abandon
| her. In resumng our former course, for tue
purpose of avoiding the squadron, We were
compelled TO present our stern 10 our antsg
| onist but such was his state, though We were
thus exposed and within range Of his guns for hal
an hour that he did not avail himself Of this favor
| able oppoitu Of rakiDg us. We continued thu
course until II O'clock when two fresh ships Of thu
| enemy (the Pomona and Tenedos) had come ur
| The Pomona had opened her FIRE ON the larboAr'
bow, within musket shot the other about two cable
length .stern, taxing raking position on our guar
ter and the rest, with lhe exception of the Endymi
| on, within gan shot. Thus situated with about one
| ffth Of my crew killed aud wounded, my ship Grip
| plsd and more than fourfold force opposed n me
| without chance Of escape left, deemed 1t my dut
| 10 surrender.
Thus il will be soon that the Endymion did no
| capture the President, but that the Endymon wa
/ dt IN antled and her gums completely stncod by tn
guns Il the President. II was the design u DsoATU
| TO take the Endymion and try to escape with botl
vessels, but the crippled condition Of his prize pre-
| vented II, so ~ he WAS compelled TO leave hor, an
| start southwark to escape. This he would have Of
fected, hsd not his keel been injured on the bar,
| fought with energy until It became necessary to sur
render 10 over fourfo'd force. He delivered up hi
sword 10 the captain Of the Race Majestic, whic
vessel was In company with the frgatss renodos AM
| Pomona The action with the Endy mion was one
the most gallant OF the whole war. Her guns were
heavier cabre than those OF Pesdent aud this dh
advantage induced the resolution OF DsoArUs 10 boar
| her. He said TO his men: "Ny lads, that ship
coming up With As our ship won't Pail, wen q
= | on board OF theirs, every man and boy OF us, an
az d carry her into New York. All AK Of You Is
follow me. This Is fsyorite ship Of the country.
we allow hor IN be tsSen we shall be deserted by o'
wives and children. Whist lot such ship a. this
for ntbing. 1T would break the heart Il evory pret
| girl In New York" This appeal was received wi
| cheers, which warned the Endy ymion OF the des g
she stssred of, but crippled afterwards st lo
range, despite the advantage In the size Of her ca