wind did force him from the coast, he invariably, on the gale moderating, placed the ships under his orders on the point of bearing from the Hook that he supposed, from existing circumstances, would be the enemy’s track. That his indefatigable exertions were crowned with success will be seen by the following extract from a letter addressed by him to Rear-Admiral Sir Henry Hotham, dated Jan. 17, 1815:
“On Friday (Jan. 13), the Tenedos joined me, with your order, to take Captain Parker in that ship under my command. We were then in company with the Endymion and Pomone, off the Hook, and in sight of the enemy’s ships; but that night the squadron was blown off again during a violent snow-storm. On Saturday, the wind and weather became favorable for the enemy, and I had no doubt but he would attempt his escape that night. It was impossible, from the direction of the wind, to get in with the Hook; and, as before stated, (in preference to closing the land to the southward) we stood away to the northward and eastward, till the squadron reached his supposed track. At the very instant of arriving at that point, an hour before day-light, Sandy Hook bearing W.N.W. 15 leagues, we were made happy by the sight of a ship and a brig standing to the S.E., and not more than two miles on the Majestic’s weather bow; the night signal for a general chase was immediately made, and promptly obeyed by all the ships.
“In the course of the day, the chase became extremely interesting by the endeavours of the enemy to escape, and the exertions of the Captains to get their respective ships alongside of him; the former by cutting away his anchors, and throwing overboard every moveable article, with a great quantity of provisions; and the latter by trimming their ships in every way possible, to effect their purpose. As the day advanced the wind declined, giving the Endymion an evident advantage in sailing; and Captain Hope’s exertions enabled him to get his ship alongside of the enemy, and commence close action, at 5h 30' P.M., which was continued with great gallantry and spirit on both sides for two hours and a half, when the Endymion’s sails being cut from the yards, the enemy got a-head. Captain Hope taking this opportunity to bend new sails, to enable him to get his ship alongside again, the action ceased, till the Pomone getting up at 11h 30' P.M. fired a few shot, when the enemy hailed to say he had already surrendered. The ship on being taken possession of, proved to be the President, commanded by Commodore Decatur. The vessel in company with her was the Macedonian brig, which made her escape by very superior sailing[1].
- ↑ Commodore Decatur had left the remainder of his squadron at Staten Island, with directions for them to join him at the island of Tristan d’Acunha.
