ATTRIBUTED TO THOMAS BUTTERSWORTH (BRITISH, C.1768-1842)

The Capture of the U.S.S. 'President' by H.M.S. 'Endymion', 15th January, 1815

Oil on Canvas

19 x 23in. (48 x 58.5cm.)

The U.S.S. President (53), captained by Stephen Decatur, attempted to escape the British blockade of New York harbour when the British squadron was briefly blown off station. Decatur lost time when President grounded on a sandbar for two hours and was spotted by the British who gave chase. H.M.S. Endymion (47) captained by John Hayes - considered the Royal Navy's fastest ship - eventually caught up by about 2pm and, despite being considerably smaller (1277 tons to President's 1533 tons), managed to place herself off the President's stern quarter where her guns couldn't bear and exploit her larger 24pdrs to devastating effect. Aiming for the hull and guns, the President sustained heavy losses - including Decatur who was wounded by a huge splinter. At 7.58pm President surrendered. However, with no fit boats available, Endymion could not immediately claim her prize and concentrated on repairs. Decatur then tried to escape again, but ran into two of the British squadron which had finally caught up and who resumed action before Decator hailed them to say he had already surrendered and requested his sword be given to the Captain of the 'black ship'. Unusually Endymion used an all-black livery and this detail has been faithfully reproduced by Buttersworth in all his depictions of this action. The captured President was absorbed into the Royal Navy as H.M.S. President, but broken up in 1818 - although her lines were reused for a new H.M.S. President which was placed on the North American Station, captained by George Cockburn who had led the burning of Washington, to serve as a political reminder to the United States of its losses during the War of 1812.