There has been a long-running debate over whether "Endymion" had beaten "President", or "President" had beaten "Endymion". Clearly, "President" could not fight a normal duel such as that which fought with . Had Decatur tried to fight "Endymion" broadside to broadside, he would have had little chance of escaping the other British ships. His only hope was to get rid of "Endymion" by dismantling her rigging, and in this he failed, striking to "Endymion" before this could be accomplished, a fact confirmed by Mr Bowie, ship's chaplain of "President" who confirmed the raising of the light indicating surrender to "Endymion". On the other hand, "Endymion" - as the smaller and weaker ship (see below) - managed to slow down and damage the American frigate, pouring in three raking broadsides that caused heavy casualties and forcing her to strike. "Endymion" had successfully disabled six guns on "President"s starboard side by shooting them off their carriages or damaging the gun barrels. A total 10 of the 15 starboard upper deck gunports on "President" were hit and the gun crew reduced. It was recorded that shot from "Endymion" had pierced "President" below the waterline and of water was found in "President"s hold when "Pomone" boarded her. Shot from "Endymion" was even found inside "President"s magazine. However, it is also asserted that far from surrendering to "Endymion", "President" had actually disabled "Endymion" and removed her from the pursuit. Instead "President" was only forced to surrender when "Pomone" and "Tenedos" came up. This uncertainty is of early date, and is reflected in Commodore Decatur's own recorded comments. Decatur made a deposition before the (British) Admiralty Court at St. George's Bermuda, in January 1815. In this it is recorded that when "Pomone"s boats boarded "President", Decatur insisted that his sword be sent to the captain of "the black ship" ("Endymion"), as he had struck to her alone. However, in his later despatch, primarily for American consumption, he contradicted this statement.