In New York harbor was a squadron of five ships under Commodore John Rodgers, including two of the heavier frigates or forty-fours, the _President_ and the _United States_.
Rodgers had also the lighter frigate _Congress_, the brig _Argus_, and the sloop _Hornet_.

His orders were to look for British cruisers which were annoying commerce off Sandy Hook, chase them away, and then return to port for "further more extensive and particular orders." One hour after receiving these instructions the eager Rodgers put out to sea, with Captain Stephen Decatur as a squadron commander.

The quarry was the frigate _Belvidera_, the most offensive of the British blockading force.
This warship was sighted by the _President_ and overtaken within forty-eight hours.

An unlucky accident then occurred.

Instead of running alongside, the _President_ began firing at a distance and was hulling the enemy's stern when a gun on the forecastle burst, and killed or wounded sixteen American sailors.