The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

The following is a Copy of a Letter received by the SECRETARY of the NAVY from Capt. RODGERS.

United States Frigate New-York.
Potomac, Dec. 6, 1803.

SIR,

I have the honor to make you acquainted with the particulars relative to the destruction of the Bashaw of Tripoli's largest cruizer, by referring you to the following extract from my journal:

"On the evening of the 21st of June last, owing to some extraordinary movements of the gun boats in the harbour of Tripoli, I was induced to conceive that the Bashaw either intended to send some cruizers to sea during the night, or that he had received intelligence of some bound in; I therefore, accordingly, made such disposition of the vessels engaged in the blockade as to enable us to intercept either, by stationing the Adams, Capt. Campbell, to the westward, the schooner Enterprize, Lieut. Hull, to the eastward, and remaining myself with the John Adams abreast of the town, and at half past seven A. M. on the following day, Tripoli, bearing W. S. W. distance 3 or 4 leagues, observed the Enterprize in the S. S. E. with a signal flying, its signification not distinguishable; made sail and stood towards her; at 8 do. spoke the Enterprize, when Lieutenant Hull informed me that a large ship of the enemy was anchored close in with the beach. At half past 8 A. M. Shortened sail and prepared to anchor, with springs on our cable, discovering that the enemy was anchored with springs on his cable in a deep narrow bay, about 5 or 6 leagues to the Eastward of the town, and in a situation very advantageous to the defence of their ship. At the same time observed nine gun boats close in with the shore, coming to her assistance, and a vast number of cavalry and armed men on the beach. At 7 minutes before 9 A. M. being in 7 fathoms water and supposing we were within point blank shot, commenced firing, which the enemy returned, and a constant fire was maintained on both sides for 45 minutes, when the enemy's fire was silenced. At which instant the crew abandoned the ship in the most confused and precipitate manner; such as her boats could not carry, leaping overboard. At this moment being in a quarter less 5 fathoms water and the rocks appearing under our bottom and in every direction around us, I thought it prudent to wear and lay the ship's head off shore, and in the mean time ordered Lieut. Hull to stand as close in as consisted with safety and amuse the enemy on the beach until our boats could be hoisted out to take possession. At a quarter before 10 A. M. discovering one of the enemy's boats returning to the ship whilst in the act of hoisting ours out, tacked, and renewed our fire and in a few minutes after had the satisfaction to see the enemy's colours hauled down at the same time firing both their broadsides, which was accompanied by the ship blowing up with a tremendous explosion which burst the hull to pieces, and forced the main and mizen-masts 150 or 160 feet perpendicularly into the air, with all the yards, shrouds, stays, &c. belonging to them. This Ship was polacre rigged, mounting 22 guns, and the largest cruizer belonging to Tripoli, to appearance a very fine vessel; and from the number of persons we saw abandon her, her crew must have consisted of upwards of 200 men. All the men who returned to the ship, were blown up in her, and I have reason to believe her Captain was among the number, as well as many lives lost before they abandoned her, as we saw several shot holes through her. Immediately after the ship blew up, I ordered the signal made to chase the gun boats, but was not able to approach them within gun shot, owing to the water being very shoal a great distance seaward of them."

I have the honor to be, with the utmost respect,
Sir, your ob't humble servant--
JOHN RODGERS.

Hon. ROBERT SMITH,
Secretary of the Navy.