The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-06-17
FATE OF THE FRIGATE PRESIDENT.
The Vessel Captured From Us in ISIS stu
Usedsas n British Drillship.

One evening during the recent war with Spain
several London newspaper correspondents
were seated around a table In the Cheshire
Cheese discussing the friendly attitude OF Eng
land toward the United States and Specializing
upon the chances Of an Anclo-American ALL
ance in consequence. In the middle OF their
conversation the representative OF an Ameri-
can newspaper burst suddenly into the room.
What do you fellows think" he cried excit-
edly. Here YOU all are discussing the friendly
attitude Of England toward the United States.
Friendly nothing! DO you fellows know that
your brotherly loving Britishers 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 surprised
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, l sup
pose. a young Englishman muttered.
The ship l refer to. gentlemen" continued
the American when they were all seated, is the
United States frigate President. captured on
New York some time in 1915 By his Majesty
frigate Endymion, commanded by Capt, Hope.
The President is at present a drillship for the
ROYAL Navy Reserves, and is stationed, as | 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 a mutton and a musty."
After the correspondents had applied APP
propriate names to the man who had beeu re-
sion ensued as to whether the President Of the
the British Navy was really the old United States
frigate captured In the war OF 1912, or whether
she was a more modern vessel named IN
was the cause of the discussion, stOutly main
taied that she was the same old President. save
for her compulsory change OF flag some eighty
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 dismantled In A gale OIL the Ber-
mudas, The American correspondence state,
ment, however IL In some degree corroborated
by the Navy Department at Washington. In
t tse sa TO aTesena .nao OF Ss sSaif Var ke e@e dsi fur.
| nished the following information. First this
extract wa quoted from The Navy Of the
IsSs;" compiled by Lieut., George r. EmInons.
PRESIDENT. Captured OF New York. 1915.
Jan. Is. While in. command OF Comma. :,
Decatur. by n British squadron, after a running
fight Of 0 hours. during which y + NJ, irlgate
Endymion, 40. Capt. Hope, found IL prudent to
haul out OF action. to repair damages. tBoth
this vessel and the President were soon after
dismasted in n gale. Commo. Decatur
finally surrendered TO the Majestic race. Capt.
HAYES. with a loss OF "a killed and IS wounded.
including, among the former. lieuts, Rabbit.
Hamilton and Howell. Was the flag ship Of
Commo. Richard Dale, in the Medi'crra-
mean, In 1901 and 1902. DO. do. S. Barron. do. 1904
and 1905. and subsequently Of Commo j.
Rodgers, on our coast. from 1909 TO 1872"
Then the communication continues.
Information Reiotire 10 the US, FriGdte Pres
idenf captured By The British in he ror Of 1912.
ION the sth Of March usl5l- after having
undergone a partial repair, the President. nc
companied by the Endynlion, sailed from Ber-
muda for England. and on the 2sth both ships
arrived at Splthead Ndrdi History Of Great
Britain. by william james, volume q, p. 248,
In the English Ndrp List of October, 1917.
n vessel called the President is spoken Of as
follows; President. 90. P%ort-mouth' She
Is referred 10 in the Navy lists OF 1920 as
President, 20, Portsmouth. building
"The presimDtion Is that she remained ut
Portsmouth until the year 1850 From 1850 to
1890 she was NJ Chatham, Some time between
1850 and 1867 sh" became drill ship Al the West
India docks. she IL y oxen Of as a fourth-rate
drillshin for ROYAL Navy Reserve, 1860 tons.
In the N0rdi Pocks'- Book for 1900, she is
referred to as an pN-frlEate. 70, drill ship, K y.
r.. West India Decks.
"The fair superstition is that this Is the orig
innl vessel captured from the United States.