Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

His Majesty's Frigate Endymion and United States Ship President
1815
Thomas Rickards, publisher; Hill, aquatint
England: London
Aquatint on paper mounted on board
board: 17-1/4"h x 22-1/14"w; sheet:16-1/2"h x 22-1/4"w
Special Acquisitions Fund
85.21.2

Aquatint print showing battle scene between British frigate Endymion and United States ship President; reads at bottom, "Drawn by an officer of H.M.R.N. / Hill Aquat. / To the Captain, Officers, and Brave Crew of His Majesty's Frigate Endymion as a Humble record of British Skill and Valour-This Representation / of the Gallant Action on the 15th day of January with the United States Ship President commanded by Commodore Decatur / is Respectfully Inscribed / by their most Obedient Servant / Thomas Richards / Comparative Force / President Guns 56 Men 497 / Endymion guns 50 Men 340; London publishsed May 1st 1815 by Thomas Rickards 344 Strand.""; in blue, red, brown, gold.

This scene, from the War of 1812, on January 15, 1815, shows a battle between the British frigate Endymion and the American frigate President (which had previously fired the first shot of the War of 1812 on June 23, 1812). The War was already over when this battle took place, but word of the peace treaty had not yet reached Decatur and other U.S. combatants. On January 15, 1815, the President was commanded by Stephen Decatur and had grounded on a sand bar off of Sandy Hook. Decatur freed the ship, but was chased by four English ships, including the Endymion. Despite the President's defeat of the Endymion, Decatur eventually surrendered to the other three English vessels.