he guns of the
first division broke off the muzzle of one of the "Belvidera's"
stern-chasers; and a third shot, fired by Commodore Rodgers, crashed
into the stern of the chase, killing two men, and wounding several
others. Certainly in their first action the Yankees showed no lack of
skill in gunnery.

The chase was slow in responding to the fire; and although her
commander, Capt. Byron, sighted the guns for the first few discharges
himself, his aim was by no means so good as that of the Americans. The
British showed great energy, however, in defending their ship. Not
content with the stern guns already mounted, they shifted to the stern
ports two long eighteen-pounders on the main deck, and two
thirty-two-pound carronades on the quarter-deck. With these they kept
up a brisk fire, which soon became effective, many shots cutting the
rigging of the "President," while one plunged down upon the deck,
killing a midshipman and two or three men. But the superiority of the
American gunnery was beginning to tell, when, at a critical moment, a
main-deck gun, on the "President," burst with a stunning report; and
the flying fragments killed or wounded sixteen men. The force of the
explosion shattered the forecastle deck. Commodore Rodgers was thrown
high into the air, and, falling heavily on the deck, suffered a
painful fracture of the leg. The crew was at once thrown into
confusion and almost panic. Every gun was looked upon with suspicion.
Encouraged by this confusion, the enemy worked his stern guns with
renewed vigor, and at the same time lightened his ship by cutting away
boats and anchors, and starting fourteen tons of water. Thus
lightened, she began to draw away from the "President;" perceiving
which, the latter ship yawed several times, and let fly full
broadsides at the escaping chase. The shot rattled among the spars of
the "Belvidera," but the nimble topmen quickly repaired all damages;
and the British ship slowly but steadily forged ahead. Seeing no hope
of overtaking her, Rodgers ordered the chase abandoned; and the
American squadron again took up its search for the fleet of British
merchantmen.

But this, the first cruise of the United States navy in the war was
destined to be a disappointment to all concerned. The key-note set by
the affair just related--in which the "President" lost twenty-two men,
and permitted her adversary to escape--was continued throughout the
voyage. Always finding traces of the enemy they