On the Ocean ' 107 



sea, on June 2ist, and ran off toward the southeast 1 

 to get at the Jamaica ships. Having learned from 

 an American brig that she had passed the plate fleet 

 - four days before in lat. 36 N., long. 67 W., the 

 Commodore made all sail in that direction. At 

 6 A.M. on June 23d a sail was made out in the 

 N.E., which proved to be the British frigate Bcl- 

 videra, 36, Capt. Richard Byron. 2 The latter had 

 sighted some of Commodore Rodgers' squadron 

 some time before, and stood toward them, till at 

 6.30 she made out the three largest ships to be 

 frigates. Having been informed of the likelihood 

 of war by a New York pilot boat, the Belvidera 

 now stood away, going N.E. by E., the wind being 

 fresh from the west. The Americans made all sail 

 in chase, the President, a very fast ship off the 

 wind, leading, and the Congress coming next. At 

 noon the President bore S.W., distant 2 3-4 miles 

 from the Belvidera. Nantucket shoals bearing 100 

 miles N. and 48 miles E. 3 The wind grew lighter, 

 shifting more toward the southwest, while the ships 

 continued steadily in their course, going N.E. by E. 

 As the President kept gaining, Captain Byron cleared 

 his ship for action, and shifted to the stern ports 

 two long eighteen-pounders on the main-deck and 

 two thirty-two pound carronades on the quarter 

 deck. 



1 Letter of Commodore John Rodgers to the Secretary of 

 the Navy, Sept. i, 1812. 

 * Brenton, v, 46. 

 4 Log of Belvidera, June 23, 1812. 



