New York Naval Battle War Of 1812 Uss President & Hms Endymion Decatur

  
THE LAST FRIGATE ACTION OF THE WAR OF 1812: USS PRESIDENT VS. HMS ENDYMION depicted in an original 1838 aquatint. Drawn by an officer of H. Deeley 6 Pleasant Place Pentonville 1838. "President: Guns 66 Men 497". "Endymion: Guns 50 Men 340". Hand-colored aquatint, 21 x 16 1/2 in. Not examined out of frame, but not laid-down. Framed, measures 28 inches wide by 24 inches tall.

With the cessation of hostilities in Europe in 1814, the Royal Navy was able to allocate more resources to the war in America and by the close of that year, held tight control over much of the coastal waters of the United States. Bottled up in New York for months, Commodore Stephen Decatur despaired of getting his small squadron to sea and, as a fierce blizzard raged on 14 January 1815, he broke out with his flagship, USS President and a storeship, leaving orders for the sloops Peacock and Hornet to join him at a South Atlantic rendezvous point. The British blockading squadron off New York, blown off station in the same storm, soon was in hot pursuit. Its commander had anticipated Decatur's course and the following morning, President found herself the prey of a hunting party that consisted of 56-gun raisee Majestic, frigates Endymion, Pomone and Tenedos. Decatur crowded on all sail and wet them to catch more wind, meanwhile having his crew throw overboard boats, spare anchors, stores, etc.

But the Endymion, who had outpaced her consorts, could not be shaken. Finally, Decatur determined upon a new course of action.

Before closing with Endymion, he had his cannon loaded with dismantling shot (double-headed, star and bar shot) in order to cut Endymion's rigging and shred her sails. Endymion fired two broadsides into the American, but as she came alongside, President responded with a devastating fire, literally ripping rigging and sails to pieces. Thinking that he could now escape, Decatur found that it was too late, as Endymion's consort Pomone had arrived and was now firing on him, with Tenedos close behind.

He struck his colors, rather than needlessly sacrifice his crew.