Rhode Island Republican

Loss of the Philadelphia Frigate.

OFFICIAL.

On Tuesday the 20th ult., the following message from the President was delivered to the two Houses of Congress by Mr. Harvie.

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States.

"I communicate to Congress a letter received from Captain Bainbridge, commander of the Philadelphia frigate, informing us of the wreck of that vessel on the coast of Tripoli, and that himself, his officers, and men had fallen into the hands of the Tripolitans. This accident renders it expedient to increase our force, and enlarge our expenses in the Mediterranean beyond what the last appropriation for the naval service contemplated. I recommend therefore to the consideration of Congress such an addition to that appropriation as they may think the exigency requires."

TH: JEFFERSON.
March 20th, 1804.

"Tripoli, 1st Nov. 1803.

SIR,

Misfortune necessitates me to make a communication the most distressing of my life, and it is with the deepest regret that I inform you of the loss of the United States frigate Philadelphia under my command, by being wrecked on rocks between four and five miles to the eastward of the town of Tripoli. The circumstances relating to this unfortunate event are; at 9 A.M. being about five leagues to the eastward of Tripoli, saw a ship in shore of us standing before the wind to the westward. We immediately gave chase. She hoisted Tripolitan colours, and continued her course very near the shore; about 11 o'clock had approached the shore to seven fathoms water; commenced firing at her, which we continued by running before the wind until half past eleven; being then in seven fathoms water, and finding our fire ineffectual to prevent her getting into Tripoli, gave up the pursuit, and was bearing off the land, when we ran on the rocks in 12 feet water forward, and 17 feet abaft; immediately lowered down a boat from the stern, sounded & found the greatest depth of water astern, laid all sails aback, loosed top gallant sails, & set a heavy press of sail canvass on the ship, blowing fresh, to back her off; cast three anchors away from the bows, started the water in the hold, hove over board the guns, except some abaft to defend the ship against the gun boats which were then firing on us; found all this ineffectual, then made the last resort of lightening her forward by cutting away the fore-mast, which carries the main top gallant mast with it; but labor & enterprise were in vain! for our fate was direfully fixed. I am fully sensible of the loss that has occurred to our country, and the difficulty which it may further involve her in with this Regency: and feel beyond description for the brave unfortunate officers and men under my command, who have done every thing in their power worthy of the character and stations they filled, and I trust on investigation of my own conduct, that it will appear to my government and country consistent to the station in which I had the honor of being placed.

Striking on the rocks was an accident not possible for me to guard against by any information of charts, as no such shoals were laid down in any on board, and every careful precaution (by three leads kept heaving) was made use of on approaching the shore, to effect the capture of a Tripolitan cruizer, and after the ship struck the rocks, all possible measures were taken to get her off, and the firm determination made not to give her up as long as a possible hope remained, although annoyed by gun boats, which took their position in such a manner that we could not bring our guns to bear on them, not even after cutting away part of the stern to effect it.

When my officers and self had not a hope left of its being possible to get her off the rocks, and having withstood the fire of the gun boats for four hours, and a reinforcement coming out from Tripoli, without the smallest chance of injuring them in resistance, to save the lives of brave men, left no other alternative, but the distressing one of hauling our colours down, and submitting to the enemy, whom chance had befriended. In such a dilemma, the flag of the United States was struck; however painful it will be to our fellow citizens to hear the news, they may be assured that we feel in a national loss equally with them--zeal of serving our country in doing our duty, has placed us in that situation which can better be conceived than described, and from which we rely on our country's extricating us.

The gun boats in attacking fired principally at our masts, had they directed their shot at the hull, no doubt but they would have killed many.

The ship was taken possession of a little after sunset, and in the course of the evening myself and all officers, with part of the crew, were brought on shore, carried before the Bashaw who asked several questions--from his palace the officers were conducted to, the house which Mr. Cathcart lived in, where we lodged last night, and this day the minister has become the guarantee to the Bashaw for us officers, and we have given him our parole of honor.

Enclosed you will receive a list of the officers and a few of the people to attend them, who are quartered in the American Consular House, and are to be provided for by such ways and means as I can best adopt, which will be on as economical a plan as possible; the remainder of the crew will be supported by this regency.

We have all lost every thing but what was on our backs, and even part of that was taken off; the loss of the officers is considerable as they were well provided in every necessary for a long station.

Mr. Nissen, the Danish consul, has been extremely attentive, and kindly offers every service of assistance.

I trust, Sir, you will readily conceive the anxiety of mind I must suffer--after the perusal of the enclosed certificate from the officers on my conduct, should you be pleased to express the opinion of government you will much oblige me. I have the honor to be, Sir, with the greatest respect, your most obedient servant,

WM. BAINBRIDGE.

P.S. Notwithstanding our parole we are not permitted to leave the House or go on the top of it and they have closed our view of the sea.

The above letter was accompanied by a certificate of the officers of the Philadelphia, bearing testimony to the good conduct of Capt. Bainbridge; and a list of 43 officers and 264 men in captivity.

was immediately referred on the Message.

On motion of Mr. [something] the committee of Ways and Means.