RODGERS, JoHN, 1771-1838; b. Md.; entered the naval service in 1798 as a lieuten ant, and was executive officer of the frigate Constellation under corn. Truxton at the time the French frigate L'hisurgente was seized off Nevis, Feb., 1799. For his brave conduct in this action, he was promoted to a captaincy, took command of the NaTv/and and cruised near the West India station. In June, 1803, he commanded the john Adams, and with the assistance rendered by the Enterprise, made a successful attack on a cruiser with 22 guns, and also on other vessels at anchor near Tripoli. In 1804 be commanded the Congress at Tripoli in the squadron fighting under corn. Barron, whom he succeeded in 1805. After peace was declared he sailed to Tunis accompanied by his squadron, and was successful in establishing friendly relations with its authorities. In 1811, while on the President, off Annapolis, hearing that a man had been forced into service on a British frigate then at Sandy Hook, he sailed at once for that point, and finding a man-of-war there hailed her; after some time an answer was given followed by a shot, and a short en gagement ensued in which the British vessel, Little Belt, was much injured. Corn. Rodgers discovering the crippled condition of his opponent, ceased firing and boarded the vessel, offering assistance, which was declined. The account given of this action by the com
manders differed widely, and added to the breach then existing between the British and the Americans. In 1812, war being declared against Great Britain by the United States, corn. Rodgers was placed in command of a squadron stationed near New York, and dis covering the British ship Belvidere, chased her, and a running fight followed, in which capt. Byron (British) was wounded, and corn. Rodgers also, the latter by the bursting of a gun on his own vessel, the President. On a cruise soon after he captured a number of British merchantmen, and also the packet Swallow, which carried a large amount of specie. In 1814 he was ordered to the command of the new frigate Guerriere, and ren dered valuable aid in the defense of Baltimore. From 1815 to 1824 he was president of the board of naval commissioners, and in 1823 acting secretary of the navy; from 1824 to 1827 he had command of the squadron in the Mediterranean. After his return he again served as navy commissioner till 1837. At his death, which occurred at Philadel phia, he was senior officer of the navy.