I have taken great pleasure recently in writing a concise narrative of the great sea battle of January 1815 between HMS Endymion and USS President, which took place at the close of the War of 1812 with America – after which the Napoleonic Wars in Europe also drew to a close. I received the other day the Captain’s Log from the Endymion from National Archives in United Kingdom – a fascinating insight into this crazy “wooden world” of warfare.
Why is this relevant? Because midshipman Henry Williams was on board the British vessel, in what was also his last major engagement before his retirement on half-pay; a few years later he became leader of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) mission to New Zealand.
Here’s some quotes from the primary sources and a couple of images of the Endymion‘s logbook – yes, difficult to read!, but I was assisted by some expert secondary sources. My fuller narrative will have to await the release of the eventual biography.
Reading this primary material has really brought this episode in Williams’ life alive. These gun battles were brutal. In this battle, the Americans suffered 105 casualties (dead and wounded) and the British 25 casualties. Four years later, Henry wrote to the CMS, in October 1819: ‘I rejoice that He has called me out of darkness into His marvellous light, and from the pursuit of war … to convey the Gospel of peace to a far distant nation’.[1]
Here are the primary source quotes and images:
HMS Endymion at Sea …. Thursday 12th January [1815] … squadron in Company … Saturday 14 January … Bearings and Distance: Sandyhook [New York] … Sunday 15 January … Gen[era]l Signal to Chace bore up and made all Sail day light a Frigate and Brig ahead … supposed [to be] the US Ship President a Brig of War … the Chace commenced firing from her Stern Guns … returned the Enemy’s fire from our Bow Guns… 4:20[pm] … gaining fast on the Chace observed that our shot does considerable Execution, the Enemy’s shot passing over us … 5:30[pm] …. brought the Enemy to close action…. at 6:04 the Enemy commenced firing musketry from his Tops, returned it with the marine party …. at 7:32 the Enemy hauled Suddenly to the Wind, trimmed sails & again obtained the advantage of giving him a raking Broadside which he returned with one shot from his Stern Gun, the Enemy much Shattered…
Captain Henry Hope, Captain’s Log, HMS Endymion [Atlantic Seaboard, United States]
I have the honour to enclose Captain Hope's letter, with a return of killed and wounded, on board the Endymion; I have not yet been able to ascertain the loss of the President, but I believe it to be much greater than the Endymion's; and she had six feet water in the hold when taken possession of: both ships were very much cut in masts and rigging, and had the present most severe gale commenced twelve hours sooner, the prize would undoubtedly have sunk: as soon as the weather will permit a communication, I shall procure further particulars, and then send the Endymion and Pomone, with the prize and prisoners, to Bermuda.
Captain John Hayes to Rear Admiral, Hon. Sir Henry Hotham, HMS Majestic, 17 Jan. 1815,Lat. 39 min. 43 deg. N. Long. 71 min. 53 deg. W. [Atlantic Seaboard, United States]
[1] Henry Williams to Rev. E. Marsh, 7 Oct. 1819, in Carleton, Life of Henry Williams, vol. 1, 18.
Samuel D Carpenter 