From: DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL FIGHTING SHIPS, Vol. V (1970), p. 371.

Frigate

 
t. 1,576;
l. 175' 0";
b. 44' 4";
dr. 13' 11";
a. 32 24-pdrs, 22 42-pdr. carronades, 1 long 18 pdr.

The first President (frigate) was built by Christian Bergh, East River, New York; launched 10 April 1800, and sailed from New York on her first cruise, 5 August 1800, Comdr. Thomas Truxton in command.

President was the flagship of Commodore Richard Dale in the Mediterranean in 1801 and 1802. She cruised in the Mediterranean in 1804 and 1805, participating in the actions against Tripoli. She cruised off the eastern coast of the United States f rom 1809 to 1812. She sailed from Annapolis Md., 12 May 1811 and met and fired on H.B.M. Sloop Little Belt, 22 guns.

She sailed from New York 21 June 1812 with United States; Congress, Hornet, and Argus on a cruise in the North Atlantic. Two days later she fell in with H.B.M. Frigate Belvidera, and after a running fight of 8 hours Belvidera escaped. Putting into Boston, she sailed again 3 October 1812 for the North Atlantic, turning to Boston 31 December.

She sailed from Boston 30 April 1813 on a cruise off the coast of Europe. On 23 September she captured H.B.M. Schooner Highflyer, 5 guns, off New York and arrived Newport, R.I., 27 September 1813. She sailed from Providence 4 December on a cruis e to the West Indies, returning to New York 18 February 1814, and was blockaded there for almost year by a British squadron.

She sailed from New York 14 January 1815 under Capt. Stephen Decatur, and the next day was captured by H.B.M. ships Endymion, Majestic, Pomone, and Tenedos.

President was taken into the Royal Navy and was broken up at Portsmouth, England, in 1817.