The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-21
THE FR1GATE PRESIDENT.
Said to he Serving as British Drill
Ship.

| Ship.
(Ffpm the New York SUM-
One evening during the recent war with
| Spain, several London newspaper cores
| pondents were seated around table in
| the Cheshire Cheese discussing the friend
| ly attitude of England toward the United
| States and specializing upon the chances Of
an Anglo-American alliance in conse-
| Quence. In the middle of their CONVERSE
| ton the representative of an American
newspaper burst suddenly into the room.
What do you fellows think" he cried
excitedly. Here you all are discussing
the friendly attitude of England toward
the United States. Friendly nothing!
Do you fellows know that your brotherly
loving British have seized an American
war vessel and are at this very moment
holding her at the West India docks? Do
you"
What! Which one" chorused the sur
prised correspondents, starting from their
seats.
BE calm, gentlemen. Be calm, / beg
of you" The newcomer drew a chair up
to the table
Another of your fool American jokes,
1 suppose" a young Englishman NUT
tered.
The ship l refer to. gentlemen" con-
tinued the American when they were all
seated, 'is the United States frigate Pres
ident, captured of New York some time
in 1915 by his Majesty's frigate Endy-
mion commanded by Captain Hope. The
President is at present a drillship for
the royal navy reserves, and is station
ed. as l have already told you, at the
West India docks. But there is nothing
for Americans to be ashamed OF in this.
for although we have no British ships in
our navy at present, history informs me
that we had more than our full share
at one time. So do be calm, / beg Of
you. Waiter, you may bring me NUT
ton and a musty."
After the correspondents had applied
appropriate names to the man who had
been responsible for the excitement, a
general discussion ensued as to whether
the President OF the British navy was
really the old United States frigate cap
tured in the war Of 1872. or whether she
was a more modern vessel named in honor
OF that capture. The American who was
the cause Of the discussion. stoutly main
tanned that she was the same old Presi-
dent save for her compulsory change of
flag some eighty-odd years ago.
United States histories tell little about
the disposal of the President after her |
capture by the Endymion. further than |
that both she and her captor were dis |
mantled In a gale of the Bermudas. The |
American correspondents statement, how
ever. is in some degree corroborated by |
the Navy Department at Washington. In |
reply to a recent enquiry concerning the |
matter, the Superintendent of Naval War |
Records furnished the following informa-
ton. First this extract was quoted from
THE Navy of the United States. from the |
1875 to 1851 compiled |
by Lieut. George F. Emmons. U. S. N:
President Captured off New York. |
1915, Jan. Is While in command of /
Commo. S. Decatur. by British squadron.
after a running fight Of hours. during |
which H. B. NJ frigate Endymion. 40. Capt. |
Hope. found 1t prudent to haul out OF |
action. to repair damages. Doth this YES
sci and the President were soon after dis
nasted in gale.) Comma. Decatur finally |
surrendered to the Majestic razee. Capt. |
Hayes, with a loss of "a killed and So |
including. among the former. |
Lieuts. Babbitt Hamilton, and Howell. |
Was the flagship of Commo. Richard Dale. |
n the Mediterranean in 1901 and 1902. Do. |
10. s. Barron. do. 1904 and 1865; and SUBJ |
OF Commo. J. Rodgers, on our
coast, from 1909 to 1872"
Then the communication continues:
Information Relative to the U. S.
7rigate President, captured by the British
n the war of 1872.
e ON the Sth OF March Qs15). after hay
ng undergone partial repair. the Presi-
lent. accompanied by the Endymion. sailed
rom Bermuda for England; and on the
18th both ships arrived at Spithead.-
Naval History Of Great Britain by Will
lam James. volume 9, p. GAG.
in the English Navy List OF October,
1917. vessel called the President is
,poken of as follows: President. 60,
She is referred to in the
,avy lists of 1s2i-29 as President. 50,
building
THE presumption is that she remained
il Portsmouth until the year 1850. From
$50 TO 1860 she was at Chatham. Some
line between 1860 and 1867 she became
Irillship at the West India docks. She
spoken of as fourth-rate drillship for
oval naval reserve. 1869 tons.
In the Naval Pocket-Book' for 1900.
he is referred to as an ex-frigate. %.
R. n. r.. West India Docks.
THE fair supposition is that this is the
.riginal vessel captured from the United
;tates."