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THE

HISTORY OF THE NAVY

OF THE

UNITED STATES
OF

AMERICA.

BY

J.

FENIMORE COOPER.

IN

TWO
Vol.

VOLS.
I.

LEA & BLANC HARD,

SUCCESSORS TO CAREY AND CO.

18 39.

1,*.

.<.>'.

*>*%^r%^^^

^%

Entered accordingJ.

iij

to the act of Congress, in the year 1839,

by

FENIMORE COOPER,

In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States, in and
for the

I.

Northern District of

ASHMEAD AND

CO.,

New

PRIKTEHS.

York.

THIS WORK,
*-

AN IMPERFECT RECORD OF THE

SERVICES, PRIVATIONS,

HAZARDS AND SUFFERINGS OF THEMSELVES

AND THEIR PREDECESSORS,

IS

OFFERED AS

TRIBUTE OF PROFOUND RESPECT,

TO

THE OFFICERS OF THE NAVY,

INCLUDING THOSE OF

THE MARINE CORPS,

BY ONE,

WHO

IS

FULLY SENSIBLE OF ALL THEIR CLAIMS ON THE REPUBLIC

FOR GRATITUDE AND PROTECTION.

PREFACE.

While

biographies of naval

men

are usually replete

with interest, on account of the hazards and stirring incidents of the sea, few general records of nautical events

have been found

that

is

attached

to attract attention,
to

case with most of

naked

facts.

If

th.e histories of

beyond the value

such has been the

even the marine of

Great Britain, a service that admits of the unity and

interest that belong to the operations of fleets, still
more may it be looked for in the records of the isolated

and simpler incidents of a navy like that of the United

The difficulty of overcoming this great obStates.
been foreseen from the commencement of
has
stacle
work, and some attempts, that are connected with
the arrangements of the subject, have been made to
this

obviate

with
is,

it.

The

writer

is

far

from flattering himself

detached combats

entire success, for a history of

in truth, a series of episodes, the

mind scarcely be-

coming concentrated on one, when it is required to

magive its attention to another, while the connecting
according to the ordinary practice, are merely
a dry detail of documents.
terials,

PREFACE.

VIU

In order to overcome^ in some measure, this besetting difficulty, as little reference as possible
documents, in the body of the work.

The

is

made

to

and great desideratum of history, is

If the diftruth; the second, just reflections on it.
first,

ficulty of obtaining truth for the

more important

lead-

ing events of the world be universally admitted, this

its essendifficulty is increased when the subject by

Bat-

character, requires an infinity of detail.

tles, whether by sea or land, are never seen
tial

by the
contending parties, from the same point of view, and
their descriptions are usually more conflicting than
any other portions of history. Of course, a work that
contains

little

more than

a narrative of combats,

is

pe-

Great anxiety has been felt

as possible, this objection from the

culiarly liable to errors.

to

remove,

as

much

present book, and, while the writer is far from flattering himself with entire success, he trusts his honest

That
endeavours have not been altogether useless.
there are many omissions is highly probable, but in no
instance can he reproach himself with the commission
of intentional faults of any kind.

Authorities being of so

to the histo-

to quote them, but it was soon

would require nearly as much room to
these names, and all the minute circumstances by

rian, it

was intended

found that
cite

much moment

it

means of which information has been gleaned,

relate the events themselves.

It

is

as to

hoped that the

best authorities have been consulted, and

many

officers

of the highest rank and reputation have consented to

add their oral information to that which was to be ob-

PRErACE.

tained from

official

ix

reports, public

documents, and

other sources.

To

make

the latter gentlemen, the writer wishes to

his public acknowledgments, for the

liberality, patience and clearness with which they have favoured

him with
have

Witnesses of what they

their accounts have been given with a

their explanations.

related.,

caution, modesty and fairness that lend a double value to

their authority.

Much

liberal assistance has also

been

received from the Department, and from the eminent

citizen at its head.
To James E. De Kay, M. D., the

under peculiar obligations, for the friendly

and handsome manner in which he put at the disposal
of the latter, many notes taken with care, and which
writer

is

have proved of the greatest service,

To

the investigations.

in the course of

the library of the

Philosophical Society,
equally indebted for

in

is

Philadelphia,
valuable

much

American
the writer

and

inter-

esting matter, and he would be wanting in sensibility

were he not publicly to express his gratitude for
the generous manner in which its stores of information

have been thrown open

to

him.

To

the City Library

of Philadelphia, also, though established on a principle

that allowed him more claim to ask for aid, he is under

shelves usually supplying the required authorities when other sources have failed. He
desires also to mention his obligations to the Naval

great obligations,

its

Chronicle of Mr. Goldsborough, in which book he has

much accurate and useful matter.

found

Some

of the greatest writers of the age have imthe

dignity of their works, by permitting the
paired

PREFACE.

embellished their lighter

peculiarities of style that have
lessen
the
to
labours,
severity of manner that more

This danproperly distinguishes narratives of truth.

lias been foreseen, in the present instance, though
ger
the nature of the subject, which seldom rises to the
level of general history, offers a constant temptation to

middle course has been adopted, which it

is
hoped, while some defects of execution may probably be detected, will be found on the whole to be suitoffend.

ed

to a recital of facts, in

the familiar form that, in a

measure^ the incidents have demanded.

Without some

concessions to details, suflicient interest could not have

been secured, while those that were too minute might

have thrown discredit on the truth.
It will

work
tomed

be seen that some vessels are rated in this

differently from
to

what the public has been accus-

consider accurate.

Every mode

of rating

is

some objections, and nothing is more fidlacious

than to estimate the power of a ship by the number of
her guns. Two great elements of force enter into the
liable to

comj)Osition of a vessel of

and the

ability

tons burthen,

to

war: the

endure.

A ship

ability to

annoy,

of one thousand

armed with one heavy gun, might

resist,

dozen vessels of thirty tons, each

armed with the same species of gun. This advantage
would arise from the greater ability of the large vessel
for a long time, a

to endure.

On

the other hand, the same ship,

armed

with one heavy gun, would probably captui'e a similar

vessel armed with twenty very light guns, her ability
to annoy being the greatest.
32, according to the

old

mode

of rating, carries

26 twelves on her gun-

PREFACE.

XI

deck, and a 36 carries 26 eighteens on her gun-deck,

both vessels often possessing the same armaments on
their qnarter-decks .and forecastles.

Here

are

two

ships of the same number of guns, but of very unequal

force, the one being a twelve-pounder frigate, and

the other an eighteen-pounder frigate.

With a view
to give an accurate idea of comparative forces, the old

English mode of rating has been carried through the

American navy, in this work, in order to make one
vessel

properly compare with another. Thus the

frigate was properly called a 36, while

New-York
the Adams

w^as improperly called a 32, her true rate

been
that of a 28, &c. &c.
Some apparent
having
will
be
seen
in
this book. The
discrepancies, however,

Enterprise, for instance,

subsequently a 14.

The

is

at first called a 12,

difference

tions in the piercing of the

vessel,

is

owing
and in the nature

of her armament, as this schooner

underwent

Other small

altered.

With

vessels

were similarly

and

to altera-

repairs.

these few explanations, a task that has long

vi^hich, after all, has been hur-

been meditated, but

riedly accomplished,

quite as

is

submitted to the world, with

much apprehension

as

hope.

INTRODUCTION.

XXll

tions,

without adverting to

of things to which

it

was

its fitness

and carefully preserving the

promotion,

mode

is

no

to secure the

the affluent are at

most desirable stations

a difterent plan

was introduced

name

ing to this system, the

books of a

and

ship,

number of years,

power.

after
it

for their children; but,

to a sea-officer,

Accord-

was entered on

of a boy

the

he had been thus rated a cer-

was competent

became more

times enabled

into the marine.

raise him, at pleasure, as high as the

his career

all

knowledge being indispensable

professional

secret.

army and the

both the

of purchasing rank has been adopt-

by means of which

tain

in

the inevitable fruit of favour, or of personal

In the army, the

ed,

But a few explanations

rind.

nature of the English government

territorial aristocracy,

navy,

was unhealthy,

it

our meaning more clear.

will render

is

pecuUar state

This was Hke re-

be apphed.

to

heart of the fruit because

jecting the

The

for the

rank of captain, when

As

regular.

for the admiralty to

rank of captain,

this

however, afforded most of the opportunities for acquiring

reputation and
all

aspirants,

vernment

money,

and

it

make

to

it

was

first

great

suited the policy of such a

the intermediate steps,

dition of probation,

and that when the

rank for

permanent

relative

were found

in the British

that of a master and

object

of

form of go-

between the con-

officer obtained his

as few as possible.

life,

Thus

navy but two commissions between

the midshipman and the captain

litical

the

commander.

that of a lieutenant,

When

the

and

narrow po-

system under which these probationary ranks were

established

was

in full activity, the sons of

men

of

influ-

INTRODUCTION.

XXllI

ence often passed through the stations of lieutenant and

master commandant,

more common than

gates,

who had

in

Nothing was

two or three years.

to find captains

in

command

of

fri-

served but eight or ten years in the navy,

who had

with Heutenants to take care of their ships,

passed

double the time under that one commission alone.

Although
ranks

is

system, so far as the regulation of the

this

concerned, was adopted entire into the American

service,

nothing can be more unsuited to our state of

society,

to policy,

For many
rine, were

all

years,

wants of the navy.

the promotions of the American ma-

and

to the actual

limited to three!

Even

at this day, with full ex-

perience of the evils of a system of incentives so meagre, and

of a concentration of rank so destructive of self-respect and

discipline, the life of the

American naval

officer is

by only four promotions, two of which are

the changes that nature herself

little

cheered

more than

demands, by transferring

the officer from the duty of a boy, to duty

more becoming

a man.

He who

lives

without the inspiriting view of preferment

constantly before his eyes, literally lives without hope, and

necessarily without ambition.

country where

so

many

It is

a singular fact, that in a

social consequences of the last im-

portance are justly traced to the elasticity of a hope of ad-

vancement that

is

denied to no American,

this cruel

neglect

should have been manifested to the interests and character

of a branch of the public service which

the last importance.
will, the evil

As

all

admit to be of

events are stronger than the

consequences of

human

this indifference to the feel-

INTRODUCTION.

XIV

rights, principally

by means of a powerful marine,

are

all

this

branch

of the public service has been slow, uncertain, and

marked

has been fluctuating.

Three

compelled to acknowledge that the growth of

by

a policy as timid as

it

several times did the national legislature authorize the con-

were

struction of vessels of force, before they

built;

when they

they were finally put into the water, at a period

could not be rendered available against an enemy.

years since, the opinion that there

and

was something

Thirty
unsuit-

ed to American policy, in the employment of two-decked

ships,
it

was

appears to have been as general in the country, as

erroneous.

Because the nation had recently been

too feeble to employ agencies that implied so

it

was

secretly fancied that the obstacles

much

force,

were permanent.

In other words, opinion had not kept an even pace with facts.
It

has long been confessed that America possessed every

qualification for the creation of a powerful navy, but

and money.

The necessary

skill,

men

the required aptitude for

sea-service, and the other requisites have always been admitted; but it has been asserted that neither the finances,

nor the population would allow of the drain on their resources, that

The two
tainly be

is

unavoidably connected with a strong marine.

deficiencies, if they actually existed,

would

cer-

fatal.

In the years 1812, 1813, and 1814, the

republic expended

considerably more than $50,000,000, on

its

current military

operations, without reference to the large sums that were

subsequently paid on the same account. This war lasted but

two years and eight months, and during the

first

season

its

INTRODUCTION.
operations were very limited.

XV

Thus $30,000,000 more were

paid on account of military charges,

peace

that

making a
large sum

immediately succeeded,

$80,000,000.

known

It is

that

the

this

During the same

terially short of the truth.

money expended on

even

navy amounted

two years of

in the

to

total
falls

of

ma-

five years, the

only $30,000,000,

although the peculiar nature of the service on the lakes in-

volved an enormous and an unusual expenditure, and a

war

with Algiers occurred, during which the country maintained afloat a

much

employed.

In addition, the greatest part of this expendi-

ture,

was

larger force than

the cost of

new

it

had ever previously

constructions.

It

follows, that

America expended nearly two dollars on her army, and its

military operations, in the war of 1812, for every dollar
expended on her navy, including the expense of building

most of the costly vessels of the service.

been precisely reversed,

it is

Had

the fact

probable that the proportions

required by true policy would have been better observed,

and there can be but

doubt that the country would

little

have reaped the advantage,

for,

no serious invasion of Amer-

ica will ever be attempted in the face of a strong

fleet,

after

the country shall be provided with docks and arsenals, by

means of which accidental reverses can be remedied.

dividing the large

sum expended on

between the years 1812 and 1816,

would have

fallen to the

the

By

army and navy,

inclusively, $40,000,000

share of each branch of the ser-

which would have given $8,000,000 a year to the

navy. This sum would be amply sufficient to maintain a
vice,

force of twenty

sail

of the

line,

with

suitable

number

XVI

INTRODUCTIOrr.

of small vessels, to cruise in company. Against such a

fleet,

no European power could have attempted an invasion of a

coast so distant from

This

is

own

its

resources.

Those of the

facts of 1812.

an outline of the

present day, in no degree impair the principle, though the

introduction of steam
it

may

its

modify

application.

Nor can

be objected that these statements are liable to the deduc-

which practice

tions

is

usually found to

make

in estimates,

since they are, in truth, results and not premises.

known

departure from a

fact, is to transfer

The only

a portion of ihe

actual current expenditure of the country, a quarter of a cen-

tury since, from one branch of

It

may

men will

its

public service to another.

be taken as a rule, that wherever there

is

money,

not be wanting. But the government of the United

States has never resorted to the most obvious

means of

manning a large marine. Until the effort shall be properly

made, it is weak to assume the impossibility of the measure.

The number

much

of actual seamen necessary in a large ship

smaller than

that there

was

is

commonly
armed

contain people enough of

of landsmen, to

man

swept the American

men, who were put

nished nearly
the line,

it is

probable

when

not a moment, during the year 1814,

the public and private

declaration of

supposed, and

war

all

vessels of the country, did not

all sorts,

fleet

seas.

of sufficient strength to have

The impressed American

and had only those ten

it is

sea-

England, after the

would, of themselves, have fur-

the petty officers

years previously,

with a proper addition

into the prisons of

in 1812,

is

and seamen of ten

sail

sail

of

of the line existed a few

probable not one of these

men would

XVU

INTRODUCTIOIf.

have been the subject of the outrage by which he was deprived of Hberty. Whenever the government of the United States
shall

be engaged

shall see

to

fit

ing, at the

war with any

time, the proceeds of

of their public cruisers,

adventurers will not be wanting.

the vessels of

war were

all
it

prizes to the

will be

the coast,

whereas

blockades.
Pacific,

that

found that

directed to destroy the ships they

was almost impossible

it

a strong force

Most of

offi-

In the contest of 1812,

because the enemy was known so closely

took,

in,

great naval power, and

withhold commissions from privateers, grant-

same

men

cers and

in

to get a prize

would put an end

the prizes taken

to infest

to all sorts

by Capt. Porter

and which made the attempt

to get to

of

in the

America,

traversed the immense distance between Valparaiso, or the

Marquesas, and the American coast

the hands of their

enemy, when

hours run from port.

political

ness

is

It

measures, as in

all

in

safety, to fall into

a few

days,

or a few

should be remembered, that, in

the other interests of

weak-

life,

the parent of misfortune, while the results of energy

and force, are

in

an arithmetical proportion to

their

There can be no reasoning more unsound, than

to

means.

assume

that the consequences of a defective policy, are to be taken

as the premises of a wise policy.

careful review of these facts

satisfy all

who

and

principles,

must

study the subject, that the United States of

America have never resorted

to the

means necessary

develope, or even, in a Hmited sense, to employ their

naval resources.

As

to

own

a consequence, they have never yet

enjoyed the advantage of possessing a powerful marine

2*

in

XVm

INTRODUCTION.

a time of war, or have

and

negotiations,

done

little

supporting their national

in

As

a time of peace.

yet,

more than show

might do with

influence in sustaining their

felt its

the

ships of

America have

what

the world

energies duly directed, and

its

rights, in

the republic
its

resources

properly developed, by demonstrating the national aptitude

for this species of warfare.

But the probationary period of the American marine

is

passing away, and the body of the people are begin-

ning to look forward to the appearance of their

the ocean.

no longer thought there

It is

the republic's possessing

heavy ships

main

its

wants.

in the public

tant subject, and

rious

injury.

mode

in

vice

these,

self-respect, as the

slowly rising to

lingering prejudices re-

the

most

this all-impor-

prominent are,

vessels are

means of creating seamen

the fact that there

American coast

in

that threaten the service with se-

which the active

glect of the

many

is

mind, in connexion with

some

Of

Still

an unfitness

is

and the opinion of

the country, in this as in other respects,

the level of

on

fleets

is

no force

in

employed

the

a ne-

for the public ser-

commission on the

the substitution of m.oney for pride and

aim of military men; and the impairing

of discipline and lessening the deference for the justice of

the state,

Under
sels,

by

the denial of rank.

the present system of employing the public ves-

none of the peculiar experience that belongs

higher objects of the profession

may

is

obtained.

to the

While ships

be likened to regiments, as regards the necessity of ma-

nceuvring together, there

is

one important feature

in

which

INTRODUCTION.

they are totally dissimilar.

It

may be

that one disciplined regiment will

much, and occupy

fleet,

human

have been ascertained

improvement.

and, in a greater or less degree,

best cannot

enemy.

latter are

be clear to the dullest mind, that the evolutions of

be dependent on the qualities of

its

The

be improved by

may

their imperfections

in this species of

ships.

Intelligent comparisons, are the first step

by experiment.

It will

as far, endure as

station as certainly as another, but

its

machines, and their qualities

when

pretty safely thought

march

no such calculation can be made on

ingenuity,

XIX

abandon

The naval

stances, in

which the

its

its

success, must

poorest vessels; since

their less fortunate consorts to the

history of the world abounds with inefforts of the first sea captains of their

respective ages, have been frustrated

portion of the ships under their

number of

vessels in

by the defects of a
command. To keep a

compact order,

to

cause them to pre-

serve their weatherly position in gales and adverse winds,

and

to bring

them

all

as near as possible up to the stand-

ard that shall be formed by the most judicious and careful

commander,
rience.

On

is

one of the highest aims of naval expe-

the success of such efforts

depend the

results

more frequently than on any dexterity

An efiicient fleet can no more be formed,

of naval evolutions
in fighting guns.

without practice in squadrons, than an efficient

out evolutions in brigades.

By

not keeping

army

with-

ships in squa-

drons, there will also be less emulation, and consequently

less

improvement.

Under

the present system, three principal stations are

XX

INTRODUCTION.

maintained; two in the Atlantic, and one in the Mediterra-

On

would the presence of a

vessel larger than a sloop of war be necessary, on ordinary
nean.

neither of these stations

occasions, provided a force of heavy ships could periodically

and unexpectedly appear on all. It is seldom that a single ship

of the line is required on any service, and it is certain that a
solitary

two-decked vessel could have no great influence on

those important interests which

the practice of the rest

it is

of Christendom to refer to the agencies of

in

commission

ing them

to

six or eight

two-decked

appear, from time

important stations

this side

fleets.

ships,

to time,

By putting

and by caus-

on

all

the

more

of the two great southern capes,

the country, at no material additional cost,

would obtain

the several objects of practice in fleets, of comparative

trials

of the qualities of the most important class of ves-

sels in the

navy, of a higher state of discipline, and of a

vast improvement in the habits of subordination, on the

part of commanders, a defect that

is

peculiar to the desultory

mode

all

experience shows

of service

and which has produced more naval disasters

than probably any other one cause.

now

in use,

in the world,

In a word, the prin-

cipal ends of a

navy can no more be obtained, by the

services of single ships, than wars can be decided
by
armies cut up into battalions.

Small vessels are as

indis-

lower schools of practice, as

company drills in
an army; but squadrons alone can produce the
highest class

pensable, for

of

oflicers, the steadiest discipline,

or the desired objects.

In addition to this neglect of

accustoming the service to
the use of the particular sort of force
necessary to render

INTRODUCTION.

XXI

a marine effective for great ends, the history of the world

cannot probably supply a parallel

to that forgetfulness

the American government has manifested of

incentives of

navv.

human

exertions, in the

known

the

all

which

management of

the

under other

portion of the inducements, that,

forms of government, are freely used for this purpose, under a system like that of the United States, are necessarily
withheld, as they are believed to be opposed to the govern-

To

ing principles of the institutions.

tives

belong

all

those

confer honours of this nature,

influence of a government,
it

of incen-

rewards that are connected with

rank.
personal and hereditary social

carding

this class

is

is

That the power

to

a vast increase to the

incontrovertible

for objects that are thought to be of

and
still

in dis-

greater

not to neglect
importance, the utmost care should be taken

The man who,

substitutes.

its

medies that he believes unsuited

creet,

when

to

refusing

adopt

to his constitution,

is

redis-

he carries his system so far as to forget to

look for others to supply their places, becomes careless

and culpable.

Next

to personal reputation, military

stimulus of a military

life.

Its

rank

is

the highest

possession enters into

all

the

day dreams of the young aspirant for fame and honours,

is inseparable from self-respect, and is indissolubly con-

With

these indisputable truths in

who have had

the care of graduating and

nected with discipline.

full

view, they

regulating this important interest, for the

rine,

American ma-

have simply selected that part of the system of the

mother country,

that did not conflict with popular institu-

INTRODUCTION.

XXll

without adverting to

tions,

of things to which

it

was

its

fitness for the peculiar stato

heart of the fruit because

jecting the

This was

be applied.

to

like re-

was unhealthy,

it

and carefully preserving the rind. But a few explanations

will render our meaning more clear.

The

nature of the English government

territorial aristocracy,

navy,

is

no

secret.

army and

the

the inevitable fruit of favour, or of personal power.

In the army, the

ed,

both the

in

promotion,

is

mode of purchasing rank has been

by means of which

to secure the

the affluent are at all times enabled

most desirable stations for

their children; but,

knowledge being indispensable

professional

to a sea-officer,

a different plan was introduced into the marine.

ing to this system, the

adopt-

name

Accord-

was entered on

of a boy

the

books of a ship, and after he had been thus rated a certain

number of years,

it

was competent

raise him, at pleasure, as high as the

his career

became more

rank of captain, when

As

regular.

for the admiralty to

this

rank of captain,

however, afforded most of the opportunities for acquiring

reputation and
all aspirants,

vernment

to

money,

and

it

make

relative

was

the

first

great object of

suited the policy of such a

the intermediate steps,

dition of probation,

permanent

it

and that when the

rank for

form of go-

between the con-

officer obtained his

as few as possible.

life,

Thus

navy but two commissions between

the midshipman and the captain that of a lieutenant, and
When the narrow pothat of a master and commander.

were found

in the British

litical

system under which these probationary ranks were

established

was

in full activity, the sons of

men

of

influ-

INTRODUCTION".

XXUI

ence often passed through the stations of lieutenant and

master commandant,

more common than

gates,

who had

in

two or three years.

to find captains

in

Nothing was

command

of

fri-

served but eight or ten years in the navy,

who had

with heutenants to take care of their ships,

passed

double the time under that one commission alone.

Although
ranks

is

this

system, so far as the regulation of the

concerned, was adopted entire into the American

service,

nothing can be

society,

to policy,

For many
rine, were

and

all

years,

more unsuited

to the actual

to

wants of the navy.

American ma-

the promotions of the

limited to three!

Even

our state of

at this day, with full ex-

perience of the evils of a system of incentives so meagre, and

of a concentration of rank so destructive of self-respect and
discipline, the life of the

American naval

officer

by only four promotions, two of which are

the changes that nature herself

little

is

cheered

more than

demands, by transferring

the officer from the duty of a boy, to duty

more becoming

a man.

He who

lives

without the inspiriting view of preferment

constantly before his eyes, literally lives without hope, and

necessarily without ambition.

country where so

many

It is

a singular fact, that in a

social consequences of the last im-

portance are justly traced to the elasticity of a hope of ad-

vancement that

is

denied to no American,

this cruel

neglect

should have been manifested to the interests and character

of a branch of the public service which

the last importance.
will, the evil

all

admit to be of

As events are stronger than

consequences of

the

human

this indifference to the feel-

INTRODUCTION.

Xxiv
ings
facts

and rights of the navy, are easily to be traced;

having forced from the government substitutes for the
that are dangerous to

legitimate incentives of military

life,

the military character.

has been

the place of ambition,

pay-bill

sufficient corrective

and of

of

most crying

Money
and a new
all

made

to supply

thought to be a

is

the evils of a great moral neglect,

injustice!

time that America began to think for herself on a

It is

and to frame a
subject as important as that of her marine,
system of discipline and incentives, of resources and practice, better suited to her political, social and moral condition,

than the factitious and exclusive state of things which

has so long served her for a model.

Personal influence

availing nothing in procuring promotion, in the

marine,

all its

officers are obliged to pass

stages of probationary service,

of the cases

in

American

through the same

and, with the exception

which the expediency of rewarding sucis

obliged to pass an equal

cess prevails, each individual

portion

of his

life

in

the

same rank.

wise

policy

would impress the government with the importance of adding as

many

stimulants to this period of professional

as

life

comports with convenience; but an examination of facts

will

show

that,

while practice has exacted concessions to

necessity, the opportunity of adding the incentives of pro-

motions has been strangely neglected.

find the

by

lower ranks of the service separated

stations

unknown

to the laws, while the

withheld from the individual

the duty.

Thus

who

it is

that

we

in practice,

commission

is

temporarily performs

INTRODUCTION.
It is

the

not easy fully to impress on the minds of civilians

immense

dependent on a due division

results that are

The commission, which

of military rank.

power

XXV

represents the

of the state, in a short time gets to be the substitute

and produces that prompt and nearly

passive obedience which are indispensable to the success of
for personal qualities,

The common man,

military movements.

who

at

any moment

is

to

required

the orders of another, has need to

of submission, by

To

respect.

ordination, and

it

prevent a resort

have introduced the

Equality of rank

is

officers,

convenience.

substitute of

uniformly destructive of sub-

should be one of the aims of a wise admi-

nistration of the navy, to place in a ship as

grades of

under

life

which human inge-

nuity can devise, without injustice.

to abject dread, nations

his

strengthen his habits

the auxiliaries

all

or the officer,

risk

as

may comport

regiment has always

seven distinct classes of commissioned

ing department; and there

is

different

many

with simplicity and

six,

and sometimes

officers, in its tig(it-

no reason

why

a ship should

not be equally well protected against the evils of insubordination, though

The moral

it is

number

usual to limit the

effect of

a frequent recurrence of promotions,

Each

also, is incalculable.

step

is

an incentive

and improvement, and a corrector of

men,

in particular, are

condemned

years in the same rank, the

ter loses

its elasticity,

to three.

spirit

habits.

When young

to pass fifteen or

grows weary,

the ambition

to exertion

is

twenty

the charac-

deadened, and the duty

that, with a proper attention to these details, might be ren-

dered attractive, becomes monotonous and discouraging.

Vol. I. 3

INTRODUCTION.

XXVI

By

minute divisions of rank, those personal

which are apt

to seek relief in personal quarrels, are as-

suaged by the habitual deference that

The whole

mission.

sensibilities

is

paid to the com-

history of the navies of the world

furnishes very few instances of duels between sea-officers

of different ranks, while, unhappily, too

many

cases

may

be

found of meetings between equals.

While

the

American

service, without the

same motive,

has adopted the naked system of the EngHsh, for the

rior stations of the marine,

it

has stopped at the rank of

and rewards

captain, where, in truth, the great incentives

of the British navy really

there are only

commence.

In England, while

two commissions below

there are nine superior.

infe-

that of a captain,

In addition to these different mili-

tary commissions, must be enumerated several professional

with the incentives offered by knighthood and

dignities,

social rank.

The rank of a captain

cient
in

inducement

in the

navy never can be a

to attract the highest talents, in a

which every species of preferment

tion.

Hope

want of

open

has, hitherto, kept the service

fleets

to the future.
officers of the
sels, infers

is

suffi-

country

to competi-

together, the

furnishing an apparent apology for trusting

To

pretend, however, to

same rank as

the

manage
commanders of

fleets

with

single ves-

as great an absurdity as to pretend to

manage

no other rank than that of a midshipman. There

indeed, a greater connexion between rank and discipline,

ships with
is,

as applied to fleets, than between rank and discipline, as

applied to ships.

In the latter case, there

is

the constant

mxRODUcTioiv.

xxvii

personal inspection of the superior to aid authority; while

in the former,

obedience arises purely from deference

the commission, and the obligations of duty.

the nature of

man

to

It is

cavil at the opinions

idle to

much

as

to the instructions of

pay respect

clothed with an authority superior to his own, as

and instructions of

to

it

one

is

his equals.

to

It is

expect the implicit and confiding obedience on the

one hand, and the self-relying exercise of authority on the

other, that are indispensable to certain

tary operations, without imparting

power

and combined

mili-

to the superior all the

that habitually attaches itself to the possession

of

professional rank.

There

is

most available incentives

forms of government.

tive feebleness,

the cheapest and

to public service, in republican

Personal rank

general and wise principle

is

withheld, on a

but to increase this compara-

by denying professional rank,

to

is

add

wil-

to those peculiar defects of a political system, that

fully

wisdom would teach

It is

some of

a necessary denial of

us to repair

by

all

practicable means.

a rule of morals, that a high class of service must meet

a high scale of rewards, and that a low scale of rewards

will

produce a low class of service.

In addition to

claims of justice.

of

its

state.

try;

citizens,
It is

the

considerations of policy,

There

is

the

than a perfect reliance on the justice of a

man

to his coun-

in the

eyes of the

the quality that most binds a

which most elevates that country

world; which,

come

no stronger hold on the services

in truth, renders

spect, obedience and love.

it

If the

the most

worthy of

community

re-

that ceases

XXVm

INTRODUCTION.

to protect the characters,

persons
bers, loses

all

moral claim

state that denies the

man who

rewards due

tary

laid

down

to its servants,

raem-

weaken

and profitable exertions.

its

It

as a safe rule, that the mili-

does not desire military rank,

that generous ambition

its

to their allegiance, so does the

right to expect extraordinary

may, moreover, be

and property of

which courts

deficient in

is

responsibility

and

is

willing to encounter danger.

The

claims of justice cannot be dispensed with, in the

case of the navy, with the same

impunity as

abroad; they appear

most other

in

Seamen go

instances connected with the public service.

in their professional stations before the

observation of foreign states, and are placed in constant

contrast with the servants of other
systems.
itself is

brought

into disrepute, in

Republicanism

denying the just rewards

of long services to officers,

by attaching to

it

weakness

the

of a neglect of incentives, an
ignorance on the subject of
the general laws of
discipline, and the
It is

by forgetting the

latter quality,

odium of

injustice.

more through

the indif-

ference of a divided power, than from any other cause, that

republics have obtained their established character of being

They are

ungrateful.

means of

ungrateful because they neglect those

security that are connected with a just system of

rewards, which other states respect from apprehension.

The

necessity of creating higher rank in the navy, on

account of

when

its

acting in concert with

been pointed

more

especially

fleets,

has often

to this practical

argument,

influence on other services,

out.

The answer

American

has usually been a high pretension

in

behalf of the republic,

iPfTRODUCTIOy.
to act agreeably to

own

its

that

the station of a captain in

its

by

the agents of other

idea can be supported by

In the

sense.

be

settled

peculiar

first

and a right

policy,

any notion of superiority

XXIX

may

it

own

place,

common

international questions should

all

by the general consent of

captains, under

and not by the

states,

policy of any particular

its

to

This extravagant

governments.

neither usage, reason, nor

have the rank of ambassadors

say that

choose to attach

navy, shall be recognised

As

community.

might America pretend to say that

shall

to insist that

its

w^ell

charges d'affaires

at foreign courts, as to

any circumstances,

the rank of admirals on foreign stations.

have

shall

It is true,

a nation

has a right to say that a rank equivalent to that of an admiral shall exist in
but

it

its

marine, under another appellation;

has no right to say that a rank recognised by

itself

as merely that of a captain, shall be entitled to receive the

honours and

to claim the authority of

other people.

The usages

an admiral, among

of nations must control this

interest, as well as all others that equally affect different

states; and, as there is

tains occasionally

porary

title

nothing new, or peculiar,

commanding squadrons, under

of commodores,

among

of Christendom, other people

attaching a

new importance

to

may

all

in

cap-

the tem-

the naval powers

object

to

America's

an old commission.

The

pretension might as well be set up in behalf of a lieutenant

as in behalf of a captain;
likely to object to the

to say, that

we

and foreign services

one as

to the other.

It

is

will

be as

no answer

attach the consideration of an admiral to

the commission of a captain, since the fact

3*

is

not

so.

If

it

XXX

IlfTRODUCTION.

were, the question would be altogether unworthy of con-

would be a discussion merely about a name.

If a captain were in reality an admiral, there would be no
sufficient reason for calling him a captain, since it would be

troversy, for

rejecting

it

the

all

moral aid that

is

associated with establish-

ed language, without a corresponding object.

There can

be no more certain sign of the ignorance of a people, or of

their unfitness for self-government, than the practice of con-

founding the substance with the

reality,

nation should not hesitate to use the

takes,
is

and

is

it

is

the simplest

to insist

it

on

liberty,

politician

who

who
is

is

posthis

means of preventing mis-

answering the plainest ends of language.

no friend of

and the

name when

Other people have a right

sesses the thing.

frankness, as

and an enlightened

He

not the friend of sincerity;

afraid of simplicity

and frankness,

manifests his distaste for truth.

Without gradations

in military

rank there would be no

There can be no equality in an

One must always command, and the rest

subordination or discipline.

army

or navy.

must obey.

It is

system, by which

same

true
all

it

might be possible

to establish a

the officers of a fleet should have the

commanding according to seniority; but

no good could come of it. In the first place, the appellation

titular rank,

would

not, at once, indicate the relative station of the

individual, as at present, and

much would

be lost in time

There would be no general rule by which

to regulate pay and emoluments, and the laws to this effect
would become complicated and difficult of interpretation.

and

simplicity.

Foreigners would not

know whom

to address as the
supe-

XXXI

lITTRODUCTIOrr.

rior

whom

and

to address as the inferior,

government of the country

own

its

be able to understand

its

to rearrangements, without a constant recurrence

There

cords and registers.

the

itself

nor would the

commander

is

the

of a ship a captain, as there

disbursino officer a purser, and

These terms explain

geon.

same reason

their

for

calUng

medical officer a sur-

its

own meaning, which

What

one of the great ends of language.

The

of an admiral.

tain, is equally true

is

for calling

term commodore for that of admiral

is

is

is

true of a cap-

substitution of the

same

liable to the

objection as the substitution of the term lieutenant for that

of captain.

modore

does not

It

fills

mean what

is

expressed.

a brevet rank of the highest

enables the government to avail

itself

utility,

comfor

it

of the peculiar talents

of any active partisan captain, by detaching him for tem-

porary service, with a small squadron, usually of

ships, placing

movements,

He

merit.

it

in the

of those

power

who

to overlook seniority, in the search of peculiar

exists as a beneficial exception,

the rank into the rule, an authority that

the department

is

some appellation or
it

other,

and
is

in

converting

highly useful to

Admirals are as necessary to

lessened.

as captains to ships.

fleets,

light

control naval

The

and

if

thing must exist, under

the old term brings with

additional dignity, respect, authority, and adds fresh in-

centives to exertions,

There

is

no more

it

is

utter imbecility to discard

fitness in calling the

commander

it.

of a

fleet

a captain, or even a commodore, than in styling the

first

magistrate of the republic, a justice of the peace.

It

is

often asserted that the superior ranks

have been

withheld from the American marine, because there exists no

INTRODUCTION.

XXXll

tively jealous of

in a

titles

corresponding military

community

that

sensi-

is

every appearance of superiority. Generals

can be tolerated, because generals abound

in

common

life;

but admirals will not be tolerated, because admirals cannot

argue before courts, and hope

to

escape ridicule.

This,

indeed, would be subjecting the pohcy of a great nation,

and that too

and absurd

in

one of

highest interests, to the envious

its

The

feelings of a village rivalry.

objection

is

unworthy of a reply, and that it is false, is proved by the excessive number of another peculiar rank that does actually
exist, the

navy

commodores!

fast

tending towards becoming a service of

Indeed, one of the evils of withholding the

superior rank of admiral,

is

the disposition

vert the brevet and peculiar station of

permanent and common

The

it

creates to con-

commodore

into a

station, defeating its object.

propriety of adopting for the navy, a brevet rank

corresponding to that of the army, has been frequently

cussed, and, in one instance,
to

it

was

Congress, by the department.

fitness in

mode

seriously

recommended

While there

is

a peculiar

an American army's receiving brevet rank,

of preferment entirely unsuited to

dis-

all

it is

American army is unavoidably broken up into small

tachments; commands of companies, where brevet rank
comes

available; but the lieutenant

rank of commander would

tenant, since ships'

appointments that

still

who

now

brevet rank in a marine,

debe-

held the brevet

be obliged to act as a

companies must be

The

navies.

entire.

The

lieu-

acting

exist, are the best substitutes for

if it

be thought they ought not to

be replaced by commissions.

The

necessity of possessing a powerful marine, appears

XXXIU

INTRODUCTION.

now

to be generally conceded.

to admit the

force,

While

parties are ready-

expediency of creating a formidable naval

however, there

is

a division of sentiment as to the

Those who reason

method and the means.

for the future

to limit the national efforts, should

past, are disposed

from the

war occur with England,

another

all

to

predatory

hostilities

directed against her commerce; while the bolder and more

original

thinkers

America

is

believe

that the time has

as fully able to protect

come when

her interests at sea,

all

any other naval power of Christendom. They contend,

that nothing is wanting but the will, and the necessary
as

preparations.

There
steam

is

an opinion becoming prevalent that the use of

will supersede the

warfare.

old

mode

of conducting naval

Like most novel and bold propositions,

doctrine has obtained advocates,

who have

this

new

yielded their

convictions to the influence of their imaginations, rather than

to the influence of reflection.

That the use of steam

materially modify naval warfare,

cannot change

its

of

fuel,

probably true; but

is

No

general character.

built of sufficient force

and

and guns,

with even a heavy frigate, allowing the

It

may

vessel

it

can be

transport a sufficiency

size, to

provisions, munitions of war,

broadside to bear.

will

last to

to

contend

bring her

be questioned if the heaviest

steam vessel of war that exists could engage a modern two-

decked ship even

possessing

much

in a

calm, since the

latter, in

addition to

greater powers of endurance, could proba-

bly bring the most guns to bear, in

Shot-proof batteries might indeed be

all

possible positions.

built, that,

propelled

by

XXXIV

INTRODUCTIOJT.

steam, would be exceedingly formidable for harbour defence, but

illusory to suppose that vessels of that des-

it is

cription can ever be made

the

power

Even

to cruise.

in estimating

of steam-vessels in calms, as opposed to single

ships of no great force, there

torical facts will

is

much

exaggeration, as

The wars

amply prove.

his-

of this country

afford several instances of frigates carrying eighteen poun-

cannonade of

ders, lying exposed to the

two or three hours, and

gun-boats, for

fifteen or

yet, in

twenty

no instance,

has any such vessel been either captured or destroyed.

is

It

a heavy sea-steamer that can bring six guns to bear at a

time, and yet frigates have resisted twenty guns, advan-

tageously placed, for hours.

would dare

It

may

be said, that steamers

approach nearer than gun-boats, and

to

by obtaining more favourable positions, they

much the more formidable. There is but one
which a

ship

can

ance, and that

by.

Large

is

ships

be assailed, without the

directly ahead,

under these circumstances; as the

their position,

offer a variety of

head

office for

than

in

means

them.

variation in

their bringing three

expedients of seamen

of changing the direction of a

itself

perform that

Nothing, for instance, would be easier

to rig, temporarily,

bow

would bring a large

way

be defenceless, even

calms, even did not the sea

out of the stern or

in a

The

resist-

situation near

slightest

would always admit of

or four heavy guns to bear.

ship's

to

that,

be so

position in

means of

and from a

can hardly be said

will

wheels

ports, or

ship's

to

be propelled by hand,

even on the quarter, that

forward, or after guns, to bear,

to beat off, or destroy, a steamer.

INTRODUCTIOPf.

XXXV

There are certain great principles that are unchangeable,

and which must prevail under all circumstances. Of this
class,

the well established fact, that a ship

is

sesses the efficiency

to

annoy and

which

is

which pos-

contained in the double power

to endure, must, in all

ordinary circumstances,

prevail over a ship that possesses but one of these advan-

and that

tages,

too, in

and most probably

present

mode

to supplant

made a powerful

will be

of naval warfare, but

Fleets

it.

Steam may

a smaller degree.

may

it is

be,

auxiliary of the

by no means likely

be accompanied by steamers,

but their warfare will be conducted by the present classes

of heavy ships, since

not possible to give sufficient

is

it

powers of annoyance, or endurance,

steam, to enable

Even

them

to lie

to vessels propelled

under the batteries of the

latter.

as active cruisers, the efficiency of steam-vessels

probably overrated, on account of the consumption of

though

it

remains

employment may
light vessels

shows

by

to

is

fuel,

be proved by experience, whether their

not induce a change in the armaments of

of war.

The

history of the

war

of 1812,

have often cruised months without having

with convoys, and it is certain that no steamer, in

that ships

fallen in

the present state of science, can remain at sea thirty days,

with efficiency as a steamer.

In a word, while

introduction

the

of steam

into

na-

val warfare, will greatly modify maritime operations,

is,

by no means,

posed.

likely to effect the revolution that

is

sup-

In those portions of the art of seamanship that

will influence,

steam

will

meet steam, and,

be found that the force of

fleets will

the interests of states, as to-day.

in the end,

be required,

it

it

it

will

in settling

Perhaps the greatest

XXXVl

INTRODUCTION.

agency of

new

this

application of a steam-power

is

yet to

be seen, in the adoption of an invention of an officer of high

rank

in

our

own

other, though

of seamen
this

it is

threatening

the pur-

more than any

by no means certain that the resources

not yet discover the

may

For

navy, that of the steam-prow.

poses of harbour-defence this idea promises

means of resisting even

means of destruction.

Another of the provisions necessary to the efficiency of

a marine, that has been neglected by the American government,

is

the construction of dry docks.

It

is

hardly ex-

ceeding the bounds of a just discrimination to say that the

state

which possesses a

sufficient

fleet

of twenty heavy ships, with a

number of dry docks,

better provided with the

is

means of carrying on an active and vigorous naval war,

than the state which may possess double the number of
ships,

and no dry docks.

Indeed, a constant examination

of the copper of vessels, to say nothing of injuries received

in battle, is

already, a
at

necessary to sailing well; and, as has been said

fleet

once reduced

extent of the

of

its

poorest ships.

requires an unusual provision

Crippled vessels are compelled to

and no important naval

consideration of

flecting

man how

little

all

is

The great

make

the

station should be without

one dock capable of receiving any thing that

at least

The

vessels of unequal qualities,

to the level of

American coast

this nature.

"first port,

composed of

these subjects, will teach

has yet been done for

this

floats.

any re-

great na-

through the agency of foresight, precaution

and wisdom, while so much has been done by circumtional interest,

stances.

NAVAL HISTORY
OF THE

UNITED STATES.

CHAPTER
The empire
state of

modern

of Great Britain,

I.

much

the most powerful

times, has been gradually and progressively

advancing to its present high degree of maritime prosperity,

and its actual condition ought to be considered the result
of moral instead of physical causes, though the latter is probably the more prevalent opinion. Notwithstanding the
its seat of authority, its naval
ascendency

insular position of

of comparatively recent date; Spain, and even the diminutive communities of Portugal and Holland, manifesting as

is

if not a greater spirit of lofty nautical enterprise,

during the century and a half that succeeded the important
discovery of the western hemisphere, and that of a passage

great,

by sea

to India.

While these three nations were colonizing

extensively, and laying the foundations of future states, the

seamen of England expended their energies in predatory ex-

were rapacious in their objects and piratical

Familiar political causes, beyond a question, had

peditions that
in spirit.

Vol. I. 4

NAVAL HISTORY.

38
an influence

in

accession of the

and the

bringing about these results; for, while the

House of Hapsbourg to the throne of Spain

Indies, created a

able to cope with Europe,

power

then existed, England, driven entirely from her continental possessions, had Scotland for a troublesonne neighbour, and Ireland for a discontented and turbulent subas

it

check her

abroad.

probable, too, that

the civil contests, in which England was so long engaged,
had a serious effect on her naval advancement, and the

ject, to

efforts

It

is

struggle that succeeded the dethronement of the family of

Stuart, could not

fail to

lessen exertions that

were directed

without the territory more immediately in disAs a consequence of all these causes, or of that por-

to interests

pute.
tion of

them which was

in

existence at the

commencement

of the seventeenth century, when England seriously commenced the business of colonization, Spain, France and

Portugal were already in possession of what were then considered the most favourable regions on the American continent.

When,

indeed,

the

experiment was

finally

and

successfully made, individual enterprise, rather than that

of the government, achieved the object; and for many years

the

power of

the

crown was exercised with no other aim

than to afford an ill-regulated, and frequently an insufficient

It was Englishmen, and not England, that
protection.

founded the country which

States of America.
It

is

now known

as the United

would exceed the proper bounds of a work of this

were we to enter into a detailed account of the

nature,

events connected with the settlements in Virginia and

The first permanent establishment was
sachusetts.
in the

Mas-

made

former colony, during the year 1607, and that at

Plymouth followed in 1620. Nothing could be less alike

than the motives which inffuenced the adventurers in these
two enterprises, out of which has virtually arisen, within

NAVAL HISTORY.
the short space of little
that has already taken

more than two

39
centuries, a Republic

place among the great powers of

Christendom, and which has only to be true to itself and to
its predominant
principles, to stand foremost in the ranks of
its

Those who cast

nations.

their fortunes

on the

fertile

shores

of the waters of the Chesapeake sought worldly advancement for themselves, and affluence for their posterity, while
the Pilgrims, as it has become usual to term the parent
stock of New England, landed in quest of an asylum, where
they might erect their altars, undisturbed by the temporal

power

that profaned the rites of the church in the old world.

Natural

affinities attracted like to like,

and

for quite a cen-

tury the emigrants from Europe partook of the distinctive

traits of the original colonists; the one
portion of the country being distinguished for the gay and reckless usages of
successful pecuniary adventure, and the other for the more

sobered and reflecting habits of severe moral training, and

an industry that was stimulated by necessity and tempered

by prudence. The distinction did not end here. If the one
carried liberality and thoughtlessness to the verge of indiscretion, the other substituted fanaticism and bigotry for the
mild and affectionate tenets of Christianity. It is not easy
say what might have been the consequences of the prox-

to

imity of two establishments influenced by characters and

modes of thinking so antagonist, had not the conquest of

Dutch territories of New York bound them together,

means of a people who came from England at a
by
later day, and who brought with them most of the national

the

the

The

traits, less

influenced by exaggerations and accidents.

result has

been an amalgamation that is fast wearing off"

and which promises, at no distant period, to pro-

asperities,

duce a homogeneity of character that

in any great and numerous people.

The

vessels

employed

in the earliest

it is

not usual to find

communications be-

NAVAL HISTORY.

40

tweeii the colonies and the mother country, were small,

from fifty to two hundred tons in burthen. The

varying

in the May
expedition to Plymouth was first attempted
and the
and
hundred
of
one
a
tons,
Flower,
eighty
barque

after
Speedwell of sixty tons but the latter proving leaky,
and
the
to
was
to
twice returning
abandoned,
refit,
port
;

voyage was made in the former vessel alone. That to

a delay
Virginia under Newport, consumed four months,
that was owinfj to its steerinsr south until the trades were
struck, a practice which prevailed among most of the
navigators to the new world, for a long time subsequently
to

the

discoveries

of Columbus,

who had

himself been

favoured by those constant winds. The May Flower sailed from Plymouth, in England, on the 6th of September,

made Cape Cod on the 9th of

had been the intention of those on board
to go further south, it is probable that they met with southwest winds and currents, with a north-easterly set, in the
and, after a stormy passage,

As

November.

American

The

it

seas.

and any

conflict that took place between the colonists

of their civilized neighbours, occurred in 1613,

when an

expedition from Virginia, under the orders of

first

Capt. Samuel Argal, arriving on the coast of Nova Scotia,

made an attack on the new French post of St. Sauveur,
which was reduced without difficulty. Argal had eleven
vessels with him, most of which, however, were quite small,
and his armament amounted in the whole to fourteen light

The French were entirely without artillery. The

avowed object of this enterprise was fishing, but the arma-

guns.

ment has induced a suspicion

was
tion

also kept in view.

in

fitting out the

that the

end actually effected

Whatever might have been

first

the inten-

force under Capt. Argal,

it

is

he was formally
quite certain, that, on his return to Virginia,
sent ao;ainst the French in Acadie, with three vessels, better

NAVAL HISTORY.

41

prepared, and that he laid waste the whole of their possesBoth of these occurrences took place in a time of
sions.

profound peace, and grew out of a pretension in the English, to the possession of the whole coast, as far north as the
46th degree of latitude.

On

his return to Virginia, Capt. Argal entered the bay of

York, and demanded possession of that territory also,
under the plea that it had been discovered by an English-

New

Hendrick Christaens, whom Argal styled " a pretended Dutch Governor," had no force to resist such a
man.

was compelled to submit. On the return to Virone of the three vessels employed in this expedition

claim, and
ginia,

was

lost,

and another having been driven as

far east as the

Azores, proceeded to England, while Capt. Argal alone got

into the Chesapeake.
The prisoners taken on this occasion

narrowly escaped! being executed as pirates

This was the first warlike maritime expedition attempted
by the American colonists, if a few parties sent in boats
!

The Dutch were not disagainst the savages be excepted.

their settlement, which
the
useless
on
possessed by
attempt
appears to have been viewed more as a protest than a conquest, for they continued to increase and to govern themselves for near half a century longer.

The

first

vessel built within the old United States, of which

decked

we have

any account, was constructed by Schipper Adrian Block,

on the banks of the Hudson, and probably within the pre-

New York, during

This
the summer of 1614.
a " yacht," and describes as having
been of the dimensions of thirty-eight feet keel, forty-four
sent limits of

vessel

De Laet terms

and a half

feet

on deck, and eleven

feet

beam.

In this

"yacht" Block passed through Hell Gate, into the Sound, and
which he
steering eastward, he discovered a small island,
named after himself;
as far as Cape Cod, by the way
going

of the Vineyard passage.

4*

NAVAL HISTORV.

42

According to the same authority, the Dutch at New

Amsterdam, who had constructed a fort, and reinforced
soon after

their colony,

built

many more

small vessels,

and periaguas, opening a trade with the savages,

of the numerous bays, sounds, and rivers of their
means
by
sloops

territory.
It

was

also in 1614 that the celebrated Capt.

John Smith

arrived from England, and sailed on a coasting voyage,

with the double purpose of trade and discovery. He went

himself in a boat, having a crew of only eight men, and the

profits, as well as the discoveries, abundantly rewarded the
risks.
It

may

serve to give the reader a

more accurate idea of

the condition of trade in this part of the world, if we state

that in 1615 the English alone had one hundred and seventy
vessels

engaged

in the

Newfoundland

fisheries,

while the

French, Portuguese, and Spaniards had altogether about

three hundred.

Many attempts were made about this time to discover a

north-west passage to China; the well known expedition
in which Baffin was employed, occurring in 1616.
After the settlement at Plymouth the English colonies
began to increase regularly in population and resources,

New York became firmly established.

commenced a settlement in the Delaware,
coast, from Acadie to North Carolina, was

while the Dutch at

The Swedes

also

and the entire

occupied, from point to point. There was a

good deal of trade with the Indians, with whom wampum
was excharjged against peltries. As early as in 1629 the

more or

New

less

England Company employed

with the colony.

were armed, and all took colonists
size, in the trade

ages.

five ships of respectable

Most of these vessels

outward pass-

in their

The May Flower appears to have been retained in

A
for many years, after her first voyage.

this business

NAVAL HISTORY.
small ship
one of the

was

built at

or near Boston, in 1633, which

first vessels, if

structed in

New

43

not the

first

vessel of

was
con-

any size,
But the progress of the colony

England.

of Massachusetts-Bay, in navigation,

was

so rapid, that in

1639 laws were passed to encourage the fisheries, which

may be considered as the elementary school of American
The fishermen during the season, and
nautical enterprise.
the shipwrights at

all

were exempted from military

an infant community that was
Among those who gave an im-

times,

duty, a great privilege

surrounded by savages.

in

pulse to trade and navigation in this colony,

brated

Hugh Peters, subsequently

England, who actually caused a

was

the cele-

executed for treason in

hundred

vessel of three

tons burthen to be constructed at Salem, in 1641.

Within twenty years after the settlement of Plymouth,

ship-building and navigation began to occupy much of the
attention of

New

England, and as every vessel of any

size

had
most of the characteristics of an armed trade. In addition
to the ships and barks that crossed the ocean, many decked
carried

many

light guns, the navigation of the period

boats, or small sloops,

those

who

were used on

the coast, especially

dealt with the Indians for skins.

The

by

first

engagement that probably ever occurred between inhabitants of

the American colonies, and enemies afloat, was a conflict

between John Gallop, who was engaged in a trade of this

nature, in a sloop of twenty tons, and some Narragansett
Indians,

who had

person of the
larly occupied.

seized

upon a small vessel belonging

the earliest sea-fight of the nation,

to

to a

name of Oldham, known to have been simiAs this, in a certain sense, may be deemed

we

consider

it

worthy

be related.

Some time in May, 1636, Gallop, in his little sloop, manned

by two men and two boys, himself included, was standing
along the Sound, near Plum Island, when he was compelled

44

NAVAL HISTORY.

bear up by stress of weather, for a refuge, to leeward,

among the islands that form a chain between Long

to

Island and Connecticut.

a vessel very similar to

On

nearing the land, he discovered

own, in size and equipments,

which was immediately recognised as the pinnace of Mr.
Oldham, who had sailed with a crew of two white boys
and two Narragansett Indians. Gallop hailed on nearing
his

the other craft, but got no answer, and, on running still

nearer, no less than fourteen Indians were discovered lying

on her deck.
dians,

A canoe, conveying goods, and manned by In-

had also

just started for the shore.

Gallop

now began

Oldham had been overpowered by the saa suspicion that was confirmed by the Indians slip-

to suspect that

vages

ping their cable,

and running

oft^

direction of Narragansett-Bay.

before the wind, or in the

Satisfied that a

had been committed, Gallop made

sail in

robbery

chase, and run-

ning alongside of the pinnace, in a spirited manner, he fired

a volley of duck-shot at the savages. The latter had swords,
spears, and some fire-arms, and they attempted a resistance,
but Gallop soon drove them below to a man. Afraid to
board in the face of such odds, Gallop now had recourse to

a novel expedient to dislodge his enemies. As the pinnace

drifting with no one to manage her, she soon fell to
leeward, while the sloop hauled by the wind. As soon as

was

two vessels were far enough asunder. Gallop put his

helm up, and ran directly down on the weather quarter of

the

the pinnace, striking her with so

much

violence as to

come

near forcing her over on her side. The shock so much

alarmed the Indians, who were on an element and in a craft
they did not understand, that sis of them rushed frantically
on deck, and leaped into the sea, where they were all
sloop again hauled off, when Gallop lashed
an anchor to her bows in such a manner, that by running

drowned.

down on

The

the pinnace a second time, he forced the flukes

45

NAVAL HISTORY.

are represented as
through the sides of the latter, which
vessels w^ere now
The
two
having been made of boards.
fast to

each other, and the crew of the sloop began to

fire

into her hold.

Finding it
through the sides of the pinnace,
to drive his enemies up. Gallop loosenhowever,
impossible,
ed his fasts, and hauled up to windward a third time, when

jumped overboard and

had
shared the fate of those who
preceded them. One
Indian now appeared on deck and offered to submit. Gallop
ran alongside, and received this man in the sloop, when he
was bound hands and feet, and put into the hold. Another
soon followed this example, and he was also received on

four or five

more of

the Indians

board the sloop and bound, but, fearful that if two of his
would
wily foes were permitted to commune together, they
into
thrown
was
liberate themselves, the second prisoner

But two Indians now remained

the sea.

in

the pinnace.

and being
got into a small apartment below;
armed, they showed a disposition to defend themselves,
when Gallop removed all the goods that remained into his

They had

own

her in tow,
sloop, stripped the pinnace of her sails, took
But the wind increasfor the islands again.

and hauled up
ing, the

pinnace was cut

adrift,

and she disappeared

direction of Narragansett Bay, where it

stranded in the course of a few hours.

On
ham.

is

in the

probable she

was

board the pinnace. Gallop found the body of Mr. OldThe head had been cleft, the hands and legs were

much mangled, and

was thrown into the
Thus terminated

the flesh

was

still

warm.

The corpse

sea.

extraordinary conflict, in which

Gallop appears to have shown as much conduct as courage, and

which

this

in itself illustrates the vast superiority that

professional
gives on an element that requires practice
to be rendered successfully available.
As it was of the
last importance to create a respect for the English name,
that might protect small parties while trading with the saskill

46

NAVAL HISTORY.

vages, the report of the conqueror on this occasion induced

the government of Massachusetts to send an
expedition
against the offenders, under Mr. Endecott, one of the assist-

which did

ants,

much

the Indians

injury in the destruction

of their dwellings and crops, though the savages themselves

took to flight. This expedition, however, was followed up

by others that met with greater success.

The French in Acadie, also, gave rise
unimportant armaments, which led to no

to

two or three

results

worthy of

being recorded.

Notwithstanding the frequency of the Indian conflicts,

visits to the settlements of the French, the

and the repeated

regular cruisers employed by the American colonists

appear to have ov/ed their existence to misunderstandings
with the Dutch of the New Netherlands. The colony of
first

New Haven

had so far increased as

hundred and

to

cause a vessel of one

Rhode

Island, as early
fifty
as the year 1646, but this ship was lost at sea on her first passage. Shortly after, a small cruiser, carrying ten guns, and

tons to be built in

men, was employed by the united colonies of Hartford

Haven, to cruise in Long Island Sound, with a
view to prevent the encroachments of the Dutch, and to

forty

and

New

keep open the communication with the settlements they had

made on the opposite shore. In 1654, orders were received

from Parliament

to

communities were

treat the

still

too

Dutch

young and

as enemies, but both

feeble to

engage

in

warfare that was not considered of paramount necessity.

Nothing effective appears to have been done under these
instructions.

At a later day, or in 1665-6, Connecticut kept another

small vessel cruising off Watch-Hill, in order to prevent the
Narragansett Indians from crossing to attack the Montauk
tribe,

which had been taken under the protection of the

colonv.
In 1645, a ship of

some

size

was

built

at

Cambridge,

NAVAL HISTORY.

47

Massachusetts, and receiving an armament of fourteen guns,

and a crew of thirty men, she sailed for the Canary Isles.

This vessel

fell

with a rover, supposed to belong to Bar-

in

bary, of twenty guns, and seventy men, when an action took

The rover receiving
place that continued the entire da}\
some serious injury to her rudder, the New England ship

was enabled

to escape. Although the conflict between Galand the Narragansetts is, in one sense, entitled to the

lop

precedency, this action may be set down as the first regular

naval combat in which any American vessel is known to

have been engaged.

An important change occurred, in 1664, in the situation

of the American colonies,
by the capture of New Netherlands from the Dutch.
The vessels
on this seremployed

vice
nel

were under

the orders of Sir Robert Carr, while Colo-

Richard Nicoll commanded the troops.

No

resistance

was made.

In consequence of this accession of

territory,
and the submission of the Swedish settlements on the Dela-

now had entire possession of the

between the Bay of Fundy and the Floridas. It had
been computed, in 1660, that the English settlements contained about eighty thousand souls, and this increase of
numbers now made a total of more than one hundred thou-

ware, the English colonies

coast,

New

sand inhabitants of European extraction.

England

paid the most attention to navigation, however; and it appears by Hutchinson, that in 1676, or just a century before
the declaration of independence, the
following vessels

been constructed

in

Boston, or

its

vicinity,

ed to the ports of that neighbourhood, viz

had
and then belong-

30 vessels between 100 and 250

tons.

200 vessels between 50 and 100 tons.

200 vessels between 30 and 50 tons.
300 vessels between 6 and 10 tons.

Most of

the small vessels

were employed

in the fisheries,

48

NAVAL HISTORY.

and the ordinary communications between the settlements

on the coast were kept up by water.

The

principal build-

were Boston, Charlestown, Salem, Ipswich,

ing
and
Portsmouth, and there were at that early
Salisbury,
stations

day, even, thirty master shipwrights.

While the English were thus occupying the coast, the

French were gradually extending themselves along the

chain of Great Lakes in the interior, drawing a belt around
the territories of their rivals.
this nature,

Lake

de

la

In the course of events of

Salle launched a vessel of ten tons

Ontario, in 1678,

which was the

first

on

decked boat that

The

ever sailed on those waters.

following year, he caused

a vessel of sixty tons to be launched on Lake Erie.*
In 1680, according to Trumbull, Connecticut possessed

twenty-four vessels, with a total of 1050 tons, trading between that colony and Boston, Newfoundland, the West
The succeeding year, forty-nine vessels
Indies, &c. &c.
entered the harbour of Portsmouth alone.

The

well

known

a law to confine the carrying trade to Enghad

been
passed as early as 1651, but it had been
ships,

navigation act,
lish

regarded by the colonists; and this year Edmund

Randolph came a second time to Boston, where he made a

little

vigorous but unsuccessful effort to enforce the obnoxious staIn Massachusetts, in particular, this law had been
tute.

almost a dead letter from the

first, though the Dutch in

Netherlands had thought it necessary to insert a
clause in their articles of capitulation, to permit them to
trade with Holland for six months after the surrender.

New

The buccaneers began

American
smaller

seas, about the

scale,

The second

tons.

We

to

commit depredations

were not infrequent

vessel

is

in

the

year 1666; and piracies on a

at

differently stated to have

much

earlier

been often and of sixty

have chosen what has appeared to be the best authority.

Naval history.

These buccaneers were

da}'.

the

West

49

originally,

mere outlaws

in

at length to unite, they

India Islands.

Compelled
assembled at the Tortugas, and began to plunder such vessels as approached the shore; most of their robberies being

committed by means of open boats.

The Spanish

vessels,

the objects of their assaults; and ensuccess, they began to venture farther from the

in particular,

became

couraged by
land.
Their numbers rapidly increased, and ere long they
ventured to make descents on the coasts, more especially on
It is a
those of the Spanish settlements, in quest of plunder.
these
freeof
the
that
character
mark of the peculiar
age,

commenced

booters often

with prayer

their enterprises

spent their ill-gotten wealth as profligately as it had

like more powerful bodies of men, were

They

been obtained, and

destroyed by the excesses engendered by their

finally

own

prosperity.

We

do not know that there

authority for believing

these freebooters ever had any material connexion with the
English continental possessions, though Jamaica, at one period,

is

was thronged by them. There

on the coast, not

traditions

are,

however, too

to suspect that

some of

many

the ex-

which the loose condition of the western world

gave rise, were less ostentatiously committed by those who
The same odium was not then atfrequented the country.
tached to piratical acts, as in our own times; and what even

cesses, to

we

ourselves have seen done on the land,

heroes,

was then committed on

by men

styled

the water, almost without

comment.

The
tempt

first

to

authentic account

we

possess of a regular at-

suppress piracy on the American coast,

is

found

in

Winthrop's Journal, and it occurred as early as in the year

1632. A bark of thirty tons burthen had been launched the
of
year previous, at Mistick, which was called the Blessing
the Bay, and which was converted into a cruiser for the oc-

VoL. I. 5

NAVAL HISTORY.

50
casion to which

we

allude.

Information had reached the go-

vernment of the colony that one David Bull, who had fifteen
more Englishmen with him, had committed divers acts of
the fishermicn at ihe eastward, and that he

among

piracy

had plundered a settlement on shore. This expedition,

however, was suspended in consequence of intelligence
having been received that the people of the coast had manned
several pinnaces and shallops, and gone in quest of the maalso

Several months elapsed before any

be ascertained concerning Bull and
could
conclusive
thing
and
in
his party,
January, 1633, another fruitless expedition,

rauders themselves.

that

after them, returned, as did a third in

had been sent

One

May.

of the proofs of a lawless disposition adduced

is to be found in a report of his conduct,

Bull,

against

wherein

it

other ships

stated that, at the hour

is

v'ere

accustomed

when

the people of

to assemble for prayer, his fol-

lowers would meet on deck, to sing songs and utter senseIt is probable that this party was composed
of fur-traders from Virginia, and that their conduct appeared to the puritans of the east so light, in general, that some

less phrases.

trifling

excesses were misconstrued into piracy.

Another insignificant
Netherlands was

affair

that occurred at the

New

turned into piracy; a Capt. Stone having

been seized, and bound over

to

appear

at the

Admiralty

England; but the proceedings were dropped in

consequence of the belief that the whole transaction would
Court

in

turn out to be

curred also

in

little

1633

more than a mere assault.

and there is some reason

This octo believe

that the exaggerations of the puritans had misled them,

from the fact that this Capt. Stone wa's arrested for adultery

before he
the

bill

left

the colony, and that the grand jury returned

ignoramus.
that in
appears by the Journal of Governor Winthrop,
used
of
the
Boston,
1642, one Edward Bedall,
Diving Bell,
It

NAVAL HISTORY.
to

weigh

a vessel called the

the previous year.

Bedall

Mary
made

51

Rose, which had sunk

use of

two

tubs,

"

upon
which were hanged so many weights (600 lbs.) as would
The experiment succeeded
sink them to the ground."
the
and
ballast,
goods, hull, &c., were all
guns,
perfectly,
transported into shoal water, and recovered. The first
instance of a diving bell's being used, was at Cadiz, we
believe, in the presence of Charles Vth; the notion, so prevalent

in this

country, that

it

was an invention of

Sir

William Phipps', being an error.

Towards

the close of the seventeenth century, the shipof

the
American
colonies had so far increased, as to
ping
the
mother
supply
country with many transports, and to con-

duct no small part of the trade between the two great divisions of the empire.
The Whale Fishery at Nantucket,

appears to have been established in 1690; and in 1696, it

is said that the
shipping of New York amounted to 40
square rigged vessels, 62 sloops, and 60 boats.
In consequence of the great number of privateers that
sailed out of Acadie, the general court of Massachusetts
sent an expedition against Port Royal, in 1690.

The

forces

were commanded by Sir William Phipps, and amounted

to between 700 and 800 men, who were embarked in
This expedition sailed on the 28th
eight small vessels.
of April, and returned on the 30th of May, having been successful.
The good fortune that attended this enterprise, in-

duced the government of Massachusetts to attempt another

against a place as important as Quebec. Sir WilUam Phipps*

Sir

William Phipps was born

at

Pemaquid,

in 1650.

Until eig-hteen

years of age, he was principally employed in agricultural pursuits, and

subsequently he was apprenticed to a ship-wright. When of age, he
built a ship at
Sheepscote; he afterwards followed the sea, and hearing
of a Spanish wreck near the Bahamas, he
such accounts of it in

gave

52

XAVAL

HISTORY'.

again commanded, having between 30 and 40 vesselsr,

which was of 44 guns and 200 men, and the

the largest of

whole number of the troops and seamen employed was

about 2000. These forces reached Quebec October the 5th,
The force disembarked
1690, and landed October the 8th.
was about 12 or 1300 men, but it was repulsed without

much

On

fighting.

were
was gained by the

their return to Boston, the ships

dispersed by a gale, and

credit

little

undertaking.

The Falkland,
qua, in 1690, and

a fourth rate,

was

the

was launched

in the Piscata-

ship of the line ever built in

first

America.

Much

alarm existed along the American coast, about

this

who were

un-

to obtain its treasure.

In

lime, from an apprehension of the French,

England, that he was sent out with a

he was unsuccessful. The

him out a second

which

his

own

frig-ate,

Duke

of Albermale, however, sent

he broug-ht home near 300,000, of

this affair,

time, (1687,) when

share amounted to 16,000.

This transaction brought

and he was Knighted by James II.
He had been
roade High Sheriff of New England previously, and he was made Governor of his native colony in 1691; but having had a quarrel in 1693, with

him

into

notice,

a Capt. Short, of the Nonsuch frigate, about the extent of his Vice AdmiOn
ralty jurisdiction, he had that officer arrested and sent to England.
the representation of

England

in person, to

tified himself,

Short, the Governor was

Capt.

answer

for his

he was about to

I'eturn to

summoned

to

and having jushis government, when he was

London. Some accounts place

conduct

in this affair,

seized with a malignant fever, and died in

his death in 1694, and others in 1695
we believe the latter to be the
;

He

been honest, well-meaning and reliHe was uneducated of course,

gious, though passionate and imperious.
not knowing how to read and write, until he had become a man; but acmost correct.

is

said to have

quaintance with the world, considerable native

terprise had early brought him

abilities,

into conspicuous stations,

and a

restless en-

where he usually

The popular American opinion, that the

acquitted himself with credit.
Mulgrave family, of which the present head is the Marquess of Normanbyj,
is descended from Sir Williarn Phipps, is a mistake.

NAVAL HISTORY.

53

We

derstood to be cruising in those seas.

learn, indeed,
from the whole history of that period, how nearly balanced
were the naval powers of Europe, England, France, Spain

and Holland,

all

standing in

high seas.

5*

awe

of each other, on the

54

NAVAL HISTORY.

CHAPTER

The

close of the seventeenth century found the

in a
measure, occupied from the

can coast,

Fundy

II.

great

to the

Savannah

river.

The

vt^ar,

Ameri-

Bay

of

which terminated

with the peace of Ryswick, had greatly alarmed the colonists, and many small cruisers and galleys had been built and

armed,

at different ports, principally

with a view to cruise

Acadie and the

against the privateers that sailed out of
West Indies, but no action appears to have occurred at
sea.

The two

expeditions of Sir William Phipps,

were

the

most important military operations that had then taken

and
place in the colonies, if the Indian wars be excepted
;

they led

to

nothing worthy of commemoration,

point of view.
peared in the

The

in

a naval

royal cruisers that occasionally ap-

American

seas, at that

remote period, were

usually light frigates, of a class between the present sloops

and two-and-thirties, and in point of armament, and even
size,

were probably unequal

of the former.

We

contending with the largest

have seen that one of Sir William
to

Quebec, carried 44
the crew and
200
a
between
and
men,
disproportion
guns
the armament, that proves the latter to have been exceedPhipps' ships, in the expedition against

In that age, the importance of metal was not

appreciated; and the decks of vessels were crowded with

ingly light.

NAVAL HISTORY.

55

guns, which did so little execution, that great naval battles

frequently continued days at a time, without producing
decisive results.

The close of the seventeenth century was also the period

when the piracies had got to be the most serious, and when
Kidd was guilty of those acts that have since given him a
notoriety that would seem to be altogether disproportioned
During the wars of that day, the seas had

to his deeds.

been much infested with a species of privateers, that often

committed aggressions, and even piracies, on neutral vessels.

Most of

these rovers

were English

that they sometimes plundered their

and

it

is

said

own countrymen. New

York was not entirely exempt from the suspicion of having

equipped several vessels of this description, and very unpleasant surmises affected the characters of some distin-

men

of the colony, the governor, Fletcher, among

In appreciating such charges, it is necessary to
remember the character of the age, there being no disgrace

guished
others.

attached to adventures in private armed ships, and the tran-

from fighting for plunder, and plundering unlawfully,

trifling, in remote seas, where testimony is not ecisily
That which men can
obtained, and the law is impotent.
sition

is

very

practice with impunity, they are apt to undertake, when

tempted by cupidity; and that which is frequent, ceases to
It is by no means probable that
right.
Governor Fletcher, or any distinguis-'ied colonist,
but it is quite
deliberately engaged in piratical adventures
in the
concerned
possible that such men may have been
equipment of private cruisers, that subsequently committed

shock the sense of

either

acts that the laws

condemned.

If is

possible, that

when

such vessels have returned, a risid inquiry into the origin

of the plunder they brought with them, was not always
made. Such, in some measure, was the case with Kidd,

whose subsequent

as
notoriety appears to have been

much

56

NAVAL HISTORY.

which he sailed, sanctioned by

and
government,
supported by men of character, and to
some striking incidents that accompanied his return, as to
any extraordinary excesses as a pirate. The facts of his
c-ase appear to have been as follows

owing

to

the eclat with

Much odium having been cast on the colony of New

York, in consequence of the number of piracies that had
been committed by rovers sailing from the port of that
name, the government in England deemed it necessary
to take serious measures to repress the evil.
This duty

was in particular confided to the Earl of Bellamont, who had

been appointed the governor of several of the colonies. Mr.
Robert Livingston happening to be in England at the time
when the subject was under discussion, and being a man of

New

influence in the colony of

with, as to the most advisable

York, he was conferred

putting an end to

means of

Mr. Livingston advised that a cruiser of force

should be sent out expressly to seize all lawless rovers, and
he introduced to Lord Bellamont, Capt. Wm. Kidd, whom
he recommended as a seaman
qualified to be put at the
the practice.

head of such an adventure.

Capt.

Kidd was

said to

have

knowledge of the pirates, and of their places of resort; and

at the same time, to be a man on whose
integrity and services full reliance
be
The
first
might
placed.
proposition
was to employ a king's ship of 30 guns and 150 men on

war requiring all the regular cruisers,

a proof of the
spirit of the times, that the matter was
referred to privaio
enterprise, although the sanction of
government was no\ only promised, but obtained. Mr.
Livingston took one-fift\, of the shares, and became the

this service; "but the

it

is

usual security for the lav.-fulness of Kidd's

proceedings.
The Lord Chancellor, and several other distinguished noblemen, took shares in the adveniure
and the crown
also,

reserved to

itself

a tenth of the proceeds, as a

proof that

it

NAVAL HISTORY.

57

his commission
approved of the enterprise. Kidd received
and his orders from the Earl of Bellamont, whom he followed to America for that purpose, sailing from Plymouth
There is mucii
in England, April 169G, for New York.

reason for thinking that Capt. Kidd was not guilty of any
he found that his more legitimate
illegal act himself, until

was not likely to be successful. In the end, however, he went to the eastward of the Cape of Good Hope,
where he certainly committed piracies, though to what
He was accused of ravaging
extent is now questionable.
enterprise

the sea between

mandel

to

Madagascar and

the coast, from Babel-

Malabar, and of committing the usual excesses,

probable that there was much exaggeration

mixed up with the histories and rumours of the day. Some
accounts confine his piracies to a single ship, though it is

though

it

is

more than probable that he had a disposition to the vocation, and that he was easily diverted from the object with
which he had sailed, even if he did not contemplate piracy
on quitting

port.

After an absence of about three years,

Kidd returned to the American coast,

first

appearing ofT

About thirty miles to the

the east end of Long Island.
westward of Montauk, protected from the ocean by the
southern branch of the island just mentioned, is a capacious
bay that obtains its name from another small island, which
is

so placed as to defend it against the north-east gales.

latter island contains about three thousand acres of

The

and ever since the country has been settled, or for two
centuries, it has been the property of an honourable family

land,

of the

name

of Gardiner, which has given

Kidd

sailed

on

known
this

name

to

both

The

latter has an anchorage that

seamen, and into Gardiner's Bay,
occasion.
Anchoring near the island,

the island and the bay.

has long been

its

to

he landed, and buried some treasure; entrusting Mr. Gardiner with his secret, and making the life of the latter the

58

NAVAL HISTORY.

pledge of his

This effected, the pirate again

fidelity.

sailed,

and made similar deposits on other parts of the coast.

After a short interval, Kidd paid and discharged
crew, and

it is

burned

said

ton in 1699, and

He

his ship.

was immediately

seized

in

his

Bos-

appeared
by the order of

his papers was found a

of
his
several
record, containing
deposits, which it is
probable he held in reserve for his own share of the booty,
when he had made his peace with those in power with the

Governor Bellamont.

Among

lists

The authorities, however, were inflexible, and

commissioners were immediately sent in quest of the buried
When these persons presented themselves to Mr.
booty.
remainder.

was in confinement,
where the box was con-

Gardiner, as soon as assured that Kidd

that

gentleman led them

to the spot

The papers of the Gardiner

family show that the contents of the box were bags of
gold dust, bags of gold bars, the latter to a considerable
cealed, and

was recovered.

it

amount, coined gold and

silver, silver bars,

silver lamps, &c., &c., in all to the

thousand dollars.

were

Most,

also obtained.

not

Kidd was

He was

condemned.

if

precious stones,

amount of near twenty

all,

of the other deposits

sent to England, tried and

not executed, however, until

May

the 9th, 1701.

It

followed, almost as a matter of course, that suspicion

to sea.

The

who were concerned

in sending Capt. Kidd

of
usual profligacy
i)arty was exhibited by an

rested on those

attempt to impeach several noblemen concerned in the

affair, and one or two men of note in the colony of New

York were

also involved in legal proceedings, in conseof

these
quence
piracies; but nothing was ever established
of
the
accused, though Governor Fletcher fell
against any
into disgrace at

treasure,

gave

home.

rise to

The known

fact that

Kidd buried

rumours that he had buried much

was never discovered.

With

that

the blindness usual in matters

59

IVAVAL HISTORY.

of this sort,
that he

it

was

believed that he secreted his gold in spots

visited, and to this day it is not

had probably never

an unfrequent thing for diggings to be made on the coast,

under the influence of dreams that have been occasioned

by meditating on the subject, and

some of the long lost riches.
The same year that Kidd was
pirates

were executed

coast having been

In 1701

in the

sent to England, seven

in Charleston,

much

hope of finding

South Carolina, that

infested with these robbers.

the population

of the

American

colonies

estimated at

262,000, while the Newfoundland

were

employ 121

said to

vessels,

was

fisheries

2,700 men, and nearly

8,000 tons.

Another war soon occurring, the troubles on the coast

were revived, and as the colonies grew in importance, the
mother country not only extended her care towards them,

in

a greater degree, but the people of the provinces themselves,

felt a
disposition to participate more largely in the struggles.

heed was taken against the ordinary dangers,

New York, in 1705, was totally without
defence, or so nearly so, that a solitary French privateer
Still,

so

little

that the port of

entered

it,

and caused the greatest consternation.

The Spaniards, with whom England was

at

war, con-

ceiving that South Carolina properly belonged to the Floridas,

undertook an expedition against Charleston,

in

1706,

with four ships of war and a galley, commanded by a French

admiral.
A commission of vice-admiral was immediately
to
Lieut.
Col. Rhett, a gentleman who possessed the
given
public confidence.

Mr. Rhett hoisted

his flag in the

Crown

galley, and several ships that happened to be in port, were

In the mean time the enemy
hastily manned and armed.

had arrived and surrounded the place, but meeting with

some repulses on shore, Mr. Rhett got under way to engage
the hostile squadron,

when

the latter retired with precipita-

NAVAL HISTORY.

CO
tion.

The Spaniards

men

in this unsuccessful

Hearing of
after the fleet

are said to have lost near half their

undertaking.

enemy's ship on the coast, a few days

had disappeared, Mr. Rhett went in quest of

a large

her with two small vessels, and succeeded

and

in bringing in

in

capturing her,

90 prisoners.

From

an early day the possession of Port Royal in

Acadie, appears to have been a favourite object with the
colonists, most probably from the great interest they felt in

We

have already seen that expeditions were

sent against this place, in the earlier wars, while we are
now to find no less than three undertaken, with the same
the fisheries.

war of 1702-12.

The

of these expeditions
set on foot in 1707, being almost purely of colonial

object, in the

was

origin.

It sailed in

May,

in

first

23 transports and whale boats,

under the convoy of the Deptford man of war, Capt. Stuckley, accompanied by the Province, galley, Capt. Southack.
This expedition effected nothing.
not

made

until

the year 1709,

The second attempt was

when an enterprise on a

larger scale was planned.

According to Trumbull, the
colonies east of Connecticut were now ordered to raise
1,200 men, for this undertaking, and to provide transports,
pilots, and provisions for three months, while Connecticut

and the more southern provinces were to send a force

of 1,500 men, by land, against Montreal. The maritime
part of the expedition was abandoned, after waiting three

itself,

months

in the port of

Boston for the British ships that were

subduing the place. The attack

convoy
on Montreal was also given up, for want of the expected

to

it,

and

to aid in

The third attempt was made in 1710, when

a Col. Nicholson, of the English service, was entrusted witii
On this occasion the preparations were
the command.

co-operation.

made

conjointly

by the crown and

furnishing the transports

the provinces, the latter

and several

cruisers.

The

fleet

NAVAL HISTORY.
consisted, in
rates, five

all,

of 36

frigates,

sail; viz.

bomb

Gl

three fourth-rates, two dfth-

ketch, the Province, galley,

and 24 transports. In these vessels were embarked a regiment of marines, and five regiments of provincials. The
expedition sailed from Boston on the 18th of September, arrived ofFPort Royal on the 24th, and on the 1st of October
Its name was changed to Annapolis,
Stimulated by this
which
it is
by
yet known.
appellation
was
a
still
more
success,
got up in 1711,
important attempt
the
banks
on
of the St. Lawthe
French
possessions
against

the place submitted.

England now appeared disposed to put forth her

and a f^eet of 15 sail, 12 of which were
sent directly from England, and 3 of which had been
rence.

power

in earnest,

v.'as put under the orders of viceadmiral Sir Ploveden Walker, for that purpose. In this

stationed on the coast,

were several ships of the line, and it was accompanied

40
Five of the veteran
by
transports and 6 store vessels.
regiments that had served under Marlborough, were sent

fleet

fleet, and two regiments raised in New England being added to them, the land forces amounted to

out with the

between 6,000 and 7,000 men.

After considerable delay, the fleet sailed on the 30th of
July, 1711, when the Governor of Massachusetts ordered a
fast to

be observed every Thursday, until the result should

On the 14th of August the ships entered the

be known.
St.

Lawrence, and on the 18th the admiral,

lect his transports, put into the

remained

until the 20th,

when

in

order to col-

bay of Gaspd

the fleet proceeded.

Here he

On

the

20th the ships were off" soundings, out of sight of land, and
enveloped in a fog, with a gale at E. S. E. The fleet now

brought to with the ships' heads to the southward. Notwithstanding this precaution it was soon discovered that
the whole of

them were

in

imminent jeopardy among the

which was.

rocks, islands, and currents of the north-shore,

Vol. I. 6

NAVAL HISTORY.

62
moreover, a

Some

lee shore.

of the vessels saved them-

by anchoring, among which was the Edgar, 70, the

admiral's own ship but eight transports were lost, together
selves

with a thousand people, and the expedition was abandoned

The admiral now dismissed the provincial troops and vessels, and sailed for England with the remainder of the fleet.

These signal

disasters led to loud complaints and to bitter

between the English and the American

recriminations
officers.

To

the latter

was

attributed a fatal loss of time,

and making other preparations, which

the
expedition too late in the season, and they were
brought
also accused of furnishing incompetent pilots.
It is probain raising their levies

ble that the first accusation

since

has been a

was

not without foundation,

known

national failing to defer all milito

the
latest
tary preparations
possible moment, since the
has
been
peopled ; though the last was no doubt
country
it

unmerited, as there could be no motive for supplying any

other than the best pilots that the colonies possessed.
On
the part of the Americans, the admiral,

commanders

in genera],

were

and the English

and

said to be opinionated

indisposed to take advice; a charge quite as likely to be

true, as it also accords with national character, and more
especially with the superciliousness with which the English
to regard the provincials.
The admiral threw

were known

the responsibility of having hove-to the fleet on the pilots,

was done contrary to

are
said, by Charlevoix,
pilots
have warned the admiral of his danger also, but he

who,

in their turn,

their advice.

to

declared that

it

Some French

It is in favour of the
equally disregarded their information.
that
none of their own vessels, one small victualprovincials,

ler excepted,

were

was

Many

saved.

lost,

and that the crew of

this victualler

of the pilots were sent to England to

be examined before the Privy Council, but no investigation

into the affair took place.

The

loss of the admiral's pa-

\AVAL HISf ORV.

pers

is

63

thought to have put an end to the contemplated inEdgar having been blow^n up, by accident, at

quiry, the

Plymouth, shortly after her return, by which event 400 men

lost their lives; thus terminating a most disastrous expedi-

by a dire calamity. It ought to be mentioned, that the

colonies met the charge of delay, by showing that the

tion

orders to raise troops, and to make the other requisite presixteen days before Sir Hoveparations, were received only

den Walker arrived

in port

with his

fleet.

year 1713, Trumbull enumerates the

at only 2 brigs, 20 sloops, and a
of
Connecticut
shipping
number of smaller craft. The seamen he estimates at 120!

As

On

late

as

the

the other hand, the

commerce

of Massachusetts, as ap-

Custom-house returns, taken between the

pears by
and
1714
1717, employed 25,406 tons of shipping,
years
492 vessels, and 3493 sea-faring persons. The first schooner,
the

a description of vessel now so much in use in America as

almost to be deemed national, is said to have been built at

Cape Ann, by Captain Henry Robinson,

name has been

The pirates

in

1714.

Her

unfortunately lost.
rather increased than diminished after the

peace of 1713, frequenting the American coast much more

than had been their practice in the preceding century.

They had reached

to

New

Providence, vc4ience they pro-

ceeded both north and south,

in their

predatory excursions.

Samuel Bellamy, in the ship Whidah, of 23 guns and 130

men, was one of the most formidable of these freebooters,
and he even had the audacity to come off the coast of New
England, in 1717, where he made several prizes. At length
he was wrecked, with his captured vessels, on Cape Cod,
and most of the gang were lost. More than a hundred

who escaped were

The following year,
seized, tried at Boston and executed.
the celebrated Captain Woods Rogers, so well known for

bodies washed ashore, and six of those

64

NAVAL HISTORY.

on the Spanish Main, was sent against New

Providence, with a small squadron of King's ships, carrying
his exploits

a proclamation of pardon to all those who would abandon

and return to honest industry. The

their lawless practices,

was captured without resistance, and possession taken

crown. Most of the freebooters accepted
of the amnesty, though a party of ninety, under the command of one Vane, seized a sloop, and made their escape.
One gang, about thirty in number, repaired to the coast of
the Carolinas, where they established themselves near the
mouth of Cape Fear River, and continued their depredaMr. Wm. Rhett, who has already been mentioned
tions.
for his gallantry and enterprise, was sent out against them
by Governor Johnson of North Carolina, in a vessel of some
force.
This officer captured a sloop commanded by Steed
Bonnet, and manned by thirty of the freebooters. Shortly
after, the Governor himself went in person against the reisland

for the English

mainder, and falling in with another sloop, a desperate engagement took place, in which, it would seem, it was the
all in the sloop were
death
in
the
slain.
Those who escaped
action, were immediately tried, and, with the exception of one man, hanged.
These severe blows did much towards clearing the coast of

intention not to give quarter, as nearly

we

gang of twenty-five more

Island in 1723, by a British sloop of
war, and sentenced to be hanged.
many were exefreebooters, though

wore taken

into

find that a

Rhode

How

cuted,

The

is

not known.

peculiar condition of America,

where land of

the

greatest fertility abounded, M'hile manual labour was difficult to be obtained, early introduced the traffic in slaves
into the colonies,

though it speaks favourably for the people

of the country, that they generally received this species of
succour with reluctance; and a long period elapsed before
It would exceed our
the trade became important.
proper

65

NAVAL HISTORY.

were we to enter into a continuous history of this

branch of American commerce, and we shall confine our
remarks, therefore, to the few facts that were connected
office

with

its

navigation.
nesrro slaves brought into the country,

The

first

landed from a Dutch

man

of war, at James

Town,

were

in 1620.*

these poor Africans were obtained is not now

known, but they were most probably the victims of perThe increase among the blacks was very slow, howfidy.

Where

ever; for thirty years later the whites of Virginia were

said to outnumber the negroes, in the proportion of fifty to
one; and even

when

had been

the colony

were not at all numerous.f

American vessel engaged in the

settled seventy

years, the slaves

The

first

which we have any account,

coast of Guinea, in

slave trade, of

from Boston,

for the

out by Thomas
last of these worthies was

1645, having been

Keyser and James Smith.J

member

sailed

fitted

The
To the

credit of the people of

Boston, their sense of right revolted at the act, the parties
concerned were arraigned, and the slaves were ordered to

of the church.

be restored to their native country at the public expense.

Redemptioners were also early introduced into the country as servants, as well as the prisoners taken in the battles
of the civil wars. Thus the John and Sarah, which arrived

Boston

in 1652, brought with her freight for the Scotch

taken
at Dunbar.
prisoners
Many of the Royalists taken
at the battle of Worcester were also transported and sold

at

into servitude.

The

leaders of the insurrection of Penrud-

dock shared the same

of the prisoners taken

in Monmouth's rebellion were sentenced to
transportation
in turn.

fate.

Many

Indeed, at this period, England appeared to think

Beverly.
Suffolk

\ Bancroft.

Bancroft.

County Records, as given by Bancroft.

NAVAL HISTORY.

66

America
in

the best receptacle of her discontented,

whether

religion or politics.

As
linas

importation of slaves into the Carobut 439 souls. The trade was entirely

late as 1724, the

amounted

to

At a later day, however, Rhode Island,

and some of the other colonies, engaged extensively in this

in British ships.

traffic.

We

turn with satisfaction to the whale fisheries.

The

commencement of

this manly, lucrative and hardy pursuit

dates from an early period in the history of the country.
The whale frequenting the American seas, at that time, the

people of the coasts kept boats, organised themselves into

gangs, and whenever a spout was seen, they would launch
in pursuit.
until sloops,

This irregular system prevailed many years,

craft, began to be employed in

and other small

These vessels
the offing.
south as the West Indies,

would range the coast, as far

and north to Davis' Straights.

They occasionaly crossed to the Azores, where a rich

booty was sometimes obtained in the spermaceti.
The whale fishery on a larger scale, dates from about
the middle of the eighteenth century, when Massachusetts
engaged extensively in the enterprise. This
said to have had no less than three hundred
employed in the northern and southern whale fishe-

in particular,

colony alone
vessels

is

ries previous to the

to

war

of the Revolution-

South Atlantic,
way
the Pacific Ocean.
to the

the

to the

Her

vessels led

African coast, and

In 1731, Pennsylvania owned 6000 tons of shipping, and

Massachusetts near 38,000, of which about one half were

European trade; while the entrances into New York

sail, and its clearances to 220.
About the same time Philadelphia had 211 of the former,
and 215 of the latter. At this period in the history of the

in the
in

1737 reached to 211

country (1739.) Newport had a hundred

different sizes.

sail

of shipping of

67

NAVAL HISTORV.
After the

war which was terminated by

the peace of

a species
Utrecht, most of the maritime colonies employed
that were maintained
ofguarda-costas, small armed vessels,
for the suppression of piracies, and for the general protection of the coasts.

by young

officers,

tinction, either at

Some of these vessels were commanded

who afterwards rose to more or less dishome, or

in the British service.

Among

others was Lieut. Wooster, afterwards Captain Wooster, who

commanded the armed vessel employed by Massachusetts.

This gentleman was subsequently

killed at

Danbury, during

the Revolution, holding the rank of a Brigadier General in

the militia of his native state.

England declared war in 1739 against Spain, and the

American Colonies became the seat of many of her preparaNatives of the country were much emtions and levies.
known that
ployed in the different expeditions, and it is well
which has since acquired so much celebrity on
its having been the property of Washington,
obtained the appellation of Mount Vernon from the circumstance that an elder brother, from whom that great man

the estate

account of

had served

attack against
name.
In 1741, the
of
that
Carthagena, under the admiral
colonies supplied many of the transports sent against Cuba.
The year 1744 became memorable in the history of the

inherited

it,

in the celebrated

by a declaration of another war against France.

the importance of all the American provinces,
time
By
whether English, French, or Spanish, were certain to rencolonies,
this

der them,

more or

less,

the seat of the contests; and the

great European states interested, were

exhibiting their

power

in

the

now

found seriously

Western hemisphere.

The

short duration of the war, probably, alone prevented America from being the scene of those severe struggles that were
deferred a few years by the peace of Aix la Chapellc.

Short as was the contest, however,

it

afforded the colonists

68

NAVAL

HISTORY'.

an opportunity of manifesting both their spirit and

sources, by an expedition against Louisbourg.

their re-

The French had long been aware of the importance of a

port that commanded the entrance of the St. Lawrence, as
Gibraltar commands the approach to the Mediterranean,
and vast sums of money had been expended on the fortifiIt is said that no less than $6,000,000

cations of Louisbourg.

were appropriated to this object, and a quarter of a century

had been consumed in the preparations. The place was so
formidable as to be termed a second Dunkirk.

So conscious
had Massachusetts become of her
that
however,
strength,
no sooner was the declaration of war known, than Governor Shirley

laid propositions before both the

English ministry

and the colonial

naval and

legislature, for the reduction of this great

The General Court of Massamilitary station.

chusetts, at

first,

was

afraid to

embark

terprise without assurances of support

land

in so serious

an en-

from home, as Eng-

was then

affectionately termed, but the people of the

colony getting a knowledge of the Governor's Vv^ishes,
seconded him so strongly with petitions, that the measure

was finally carried by a majority of one. Connecticut,

Rhode Island and New Hampshire lent their aid, and
the
25th of March, 1745, the expedition was
ready to

by
Not

sail.

was employed, and when the fleet left

was with very uncertain hopes of being supported

a British soldier

Boston,

it

by any of the King's

The land

forces,

colony joining

ships.
all

levies of

New

England, no other

were led by Col. William

Maine, and the fleet was commanded

in the
enterprise,

Pepperel, of Kittery, in

by Capt. Edward Tyng, of the Massachusetts

rine.

colonial

ma-

The naval

part of these forces consisted principally of

vessels equipped, or hired, for this
There
especial service.

appear to have been twelve in

the largest carrying but 20
guns.

all,

besides the transports,

land forces amounted

The

NAVAL HISTORY.

69

to

4070 men. From the various and contradictory accounts

of

this

armament we gather

the following

of the colonial

list

cruisers engaged in the expedition, viz: Ships,

setts, 20,

Commodore Tyng;

Massachu-

Csesar, 20, Captain Snelling;

Snows, Shirley, 20, Captain Rouse; Prince of Orange, 16,

Smethurst; Brig Boston Packet, IG, Captain

Captain

12, Donahue;
8, Saunders;
Fletcher; and Sloops,
Bosch; a Ship hired by Rhode Island, 20, Captain
Griflen, and two vessels of IG guns each, belonging to Con-

necticut.

a circumstance

worthy of being mentioned, as charmanners of the day, and of the habitual

thrift of the New England colonists, that Governor Shirley,
in his written instructions, lays great stress on an order for
It is

acteristic of the

the ships to go well provided vvith cod-lines, in order to

subsist the troops and seamen, as much as possible, on the

products of the sea.

The fleet reached Canseau on the 4th of April, where it
remained some weeks, to be joined by the levies of New

Hampshire and Connecticut,

as well as to allow time for

the ice to dissolve in the neighbourhood of

For

the

first

Cape Breton.

time, probably, in the history of the colonies,

large military preparations had been made in season, and

the result triumphantly showed the benefits of this unwonted
alacrity.

Here

also

Commodore Warren,

of the British

navy, joined the expedition, with a part of the

West

India

squadron, in which seas, and on the American coast, he

had long commanded. This excellent and efficient officer,

than

whom

there

was not a braver

in the British marine,

brought with him the Superb, 60, and three ships of forty
guns; his broad pennant frying in the former. Of course,

he assumed the

command

of the naval operations, though

great distrust appears to have existed between him and

Colonel Pepperel to the last. After a conference with the
latter,

he went ofTLouisbourg, which he blockaded.

70

NAVAL HISTORY.

Louisbourg was invested by land on the 30th of April, and

after a vigorous
siege of forty-seven days, during which

was carried on, the place subAfter the surrender the French flags were kept
flying for some time, by which ruse tv/o East India men
time a severe cannonade
mitted.

and a South Sea

the

ship, all richly laden, were decoyed into

mouth of the harbour and captured. The value of these

three vessels has been estimated as high as $3,000,000.

While cruising off the port, Commodore Warren captured,

with no great resistance, the French man of war Vigilant,

This import60, with troops and supplies for the garrison.
ant event, no doubt, was of great moment to the result
of the siege.

Although the naval part of the colonial expedition could

have been of no great account after the arrival of Commodore Warren,*

it took the sea with creditable

vigour, as soon
as Louisbourg had submitted.
The Shirley, Galley, 20,
Capt. Rouse, or as the vessel is sometimes called, the Snow,

Shirley, captured eight French vessels, and, in one instance,

she brought in two after an obstinate and gallant resistance.
For this exploit, that oflicer received the commission of a

captain in the King's service.

No less than 400 privateers are said to have been out

from the colonies

in this

war, but the number

is

so incredible

as to give rise to the conjecture that the estimate includes

letters of marque and boats on the coast.
Nothing worthy

of

much

notice

occurred

in

Amercia, however, during

short war, besides the capture of

Louisbourg, and this
place was restored to the French, at the peace.
this

It

has been pretended that the VigUant 60, was

captured by the coCom. Tyng; but this statement, besides be-

lonial ship Massachusetts 20,

highly improbable in
of the day.

ing-

itself,

is

not properly sustained by the histories

NAVAL HISTORY.

71

Previous, however, to this event, the French

menaced

whole of the American coast, from Cape Breton to the

Delaware, with two serious invasions, both of which were
the

the first by the elements, and the

fortunately defeated
second by the victory obtained by Admirals Anson and
;

The peace did not take place until the

when
Acadie was finally ceded to the
following year,
British crown and took the name of Nova Scotia.
The general interest felt in the fisheries, and the desire to
extend the commerce of the country, caused a company in
Philadelphia to undertake the discovery of a North West
Passage. With this object the schooner Argo, Captain
Swaine, sailed for Hudson's Bay, March 4lh, 1753. After
Warren

in 1747.

an absence of several months the Argo returned to Philalittle more than

obtaining a better

delphia, having effected

knowledge of the coast, and of the

The

following year the attempt

inlets

of the great bays.

was repeated with

still

less

success, the vessel having lost three of her people in an encounter with the Indians.

72

NAVAL HISTORY.

CHAPTER

III.

The peace of Aix la Chapelle found the navigation of the

American colonies in a very flourishing condition. More
than a century had elapsed since the settlements had passed
the ordeal of their infant struggles, and although distant
from each other, and labouring under the disadvantages of
a scattered population, they were fast rising to the dignity
states. The necessity of maintaining all their
more important communications by water, had a direct

and power of

tendency to encourage a disposition to the sea, and although

without a regular warlike marine, their mercantile tonnage
probably equalled that of the mother country, when con-

The number of souls in

sidered in reference to population.
all the provinces, at that period, did not much exceed a
million, if the Indians

Of

the tonnage

is

be excluded from the computation.

not easy to speak with accuracy,

we

possess sufficient authority by which to form

general estimates. The year of the peace, 500 vessels

though

some

it

are said to have cleared from the single port of Boston, and
430 entered; this was exclusively of coasters and fishing
vessels.

At Portsmouth,

New

Hampshire, there were 121

clearances and 73 entries, besides 200 coasting vessels in

The trade of New York and Philregular employment.
adelphia

was

Thus

1749, or the year succeeding that of the peace, the

in

less

than that of Boston, but

still

respectable.

NAVAL HISTCRV.

73

clearances at Philadelphia were 291, and the entries 303;

while Boston, during the sanne period, had 504 clearances
In 1750, a year in which the navigation
entries.
had sensibly diminished, the clearances of the fornner port
were 286, and the entries 232. Many ports, which have

and 489

since lost most of their navigation, then enjoyed a respectable trade, among which may be nientioned Newport,

Rhode
The

Island,

and Perth

Amboy

settlements extended

in

New

nowhere

to

Jersey,

any great distance

from the ocean, the entire population being virtually ranged

along the coast, of which the American colonies then posmore in extent than that of the entire coast of

sessed rather

the Island of Great Britain.

Some

of the writers of the

day boast that the tonnage and guns employed in privateers

out of the colonies, during the late war, exceeded the tonnage and guns of the royal navy of England,
of

Queen

Elizabeth.

Although many

in the reign
of the clearances and

entries just enumerated, were, unquestionably, those of vessels

owned by

very

fair

the mother country, there

proportion belonged

is

no doubt that a

to the provinces.

The num-

ber of coasting and fishing vessels, in particular, was already

great, Massachusetts alone owning nearly one vessel, of
some description or other, for each hundred inhabitants.
to this period, the

Up
was

the

wood

common

white oak of the forest

used in naval

constructions,
principally
also
found
serviceable
in particular
chestnut
was
the
though
The
white
oak
of
North
of
the
frames.
America
parts
varies very much in quality, according to the latitude, and
other circumstances; that which grows in the southern districts,

erally

north,

which grows near the sea, being genmore esteemed than that which is found further
or remote from the coast.
The trees, moreover,

as well as that

which have been

left in the open lands, have a value that

does not belong to those which have acquired all their proVoL. I. 7

NAVAL HISTORY.

74

perties in the shades of the forest.

building

was

that greatly

of British America.

in ship

through the introduction of a wood

more southern maritime regions

at hand,

abounded

But a new era

in the

In 1750, a vessel called the Live

Oak

arrived in Charleston, South Carolina, having been built of

the invaluable timber, after which she was named, which

was now discovered

be one of the best materials for

to

naval architecture known. The Live Oak is said to have

been the first vessel in which this wood was ever used.
It also, about this time, became a practice among the

gentry of the American provinces, to cause their sons to be

entered as midshipmen in the royal navy. Occasionally an
American had been transferred from the colonial marine
to that of the king, but, hitherto,

regularly entered or rated

adopting it as a profession.

ington was intended

we now

it,

still

officers in

the

tained,

by

during; the

who were

stations,

among

thus rated

and several

the ablest and most

British

crown.

notoriety that a

few ob-

employment of
to a painful

activity against the

of the Revolution.

their

war

of those

rose to high

are, classed

might even point

life is

as to a Providential interference

Many

English marine

have been, or

We

Wash-

that

generally known, and

look back at the tender affection of his mother,

in behalf of the nation.

useful

very few boys had been

the service, with a view to

The circumstance

for such a

which alone prevented

in the

in

the

land of their

birth,

by the treaty of Aix la Chaproduced by the peace of Utrecht, was of

but short continuance. Disputes early commenced between
the English and French provinces, in relation to their boun-

The

tranquillity established

that
pelle, like

daries;

them

and an inland war aclually broke out between

though the peace of Europe was not imme-

in 17.54,

diately disturbed
sino-ular

state

by

this

remote and local contest.

of things continued throughout

This

1755, and

NAVAL HISTORY.

campaign of

the

ant that had

was one of the most importtlie American continent.

that year

then

75

occurred on

Both nations reinforced their troops from Europe, and

strong squadrons were employed to protect the convoys;
but there being no technical hostihties, commissions were
not issued to letters of marque and privateers.

After

many

attempts at an accommodation, however, the

Kino- of Great Britain made a formal declaration of war
ineffectual

on the 17th of May, 1756.

Such was the commencement of the struggle that in

America is familiarly called " the old French w\ar." Although this contest was of the last importance to the colonies, by driving the French from their part of the continent and by leaving the savages without an ally, its events
were more properly connected with the movements of
armies, than with any naval operations of magnitude, so far
The
as the latter belong to the subject of this work.

beginning of the war was disastrous, but in the end, the

celebrated Earl of Chatham succeeded in infusing a por-

own energy into the councils of the King, and

from that moment the most brilliant success rewarded his

tion of his

efforts.

An expedition against Louisbourg w'as attempted in 1757,

under Admiral Holbourn, but it was abandoned on ascertaining that, besides its regular garrison and important
works, the place was defended by a
line,

which was moored

in

fleet

of 17

the harbour.

We

sail

of the

learn the

growing importance of the colonies in the forces employed on this occcasion

Louisbourg having a garrison of
6000 regulars, while the army destined to attack it, mus;

tered something like 11,000 English troops, besides provincials.

The failure appears to have arisen out of the superiority of the
It is

French

in ships.

worthy of mention,

that,

while the

Enghsh

fleet

was

NAVAL HISTORV.

76

cruising off Louisbourg it met with a heavy gale, in which

its
ships, the Tilbury, was wrecked, and more than

one of

two hundred of her crew were drowned.

The remainder

hands of the French, who, with the humanity

and courtesy of a great and polished nation, sent the suf-

fell

into the'

ferers to Halifax, under the protection of a flag of truce.

Although Spain became a party to the war in 17G2, on

the side of France,

it

did not materially vary the nature of

which were mainly directed to

the exertions of the colonies,

by means of expeditions inand

the
Havanna
were both captured,
Martinique
but the fleets employed by the English were on a scale too
the reduction of the Canadas,
land.

large to require the aid of the light vessels of the provinces.

Many Americans served in these enterprises, both by land

and by water,
tropolitan

exertions

but, as

is

always the case, M^hen there is methe credit due their

to claim the glory,

power
was absorbed

in

the

renown

of

the

mother

country.

Peace was signed on the 10th of February, 1663, and

from that day France ceased to claim any portion of the

American Continent north of Louisiana, with the exception of two insignificant fishing stations, near the outlet of
the St. Lawrence.
The conquests of this war were an incipient step

towards the eventual independence of the colo-

nies, since the latter found themselves without

them

any enemy

on England for succour, or to divert their policy from those domestic measures which were more immediately connected with their
in their vicinity, to cause

to lean

internal prosperity.

The northern

colonies gained much credit by their exhaving raised a respectable army,

ertions in the late war,

made of their privateers than might have

been supposed, from which we are led to infer, that the enterprises of this nature did not attract as much attention as

but less mention

is

77

NAVAL HISTORY.

those which had characterized the earHer struggles of the

country.
the close of this great contest, the original American colonies, or those which have since constituted the

At

United States, without including the Floridas and Louisiana, are supposed to have contained more than 1,200,000
Censuses were actually taken
That of Massachusetts
the
of
two
or
one
provinces.
gave a return a httle exceeding 245,000, including 5000
souls, exclusively of Indians.

in

That of Maryland, taken in 1755, gave

people of colour.
a total of 107j208 whites, a numher considerably exceeding
the estimates after the peace.
This war, while, on the part of the colonists,

it

was

so

much

confined to expeditions by land, afforded, notwithon the

standing, some instances of hardihood and gallantry
or less
part of the privateers, of which, as usual, more
were at sea. One of these actions deserves to be noticed,
as

it

was among

the

authentic accounts.

most obstinate of which we possess any

It

was

in

January 1758,

teer Thurloe, 14, Captain Mantle,

fell

in

that the priva-

with the French

The Thurloe
privateer Les Deux Amis, 10, Captain Felix.
had a crew of 84 men, and Les Deux Amis a crew of
Perceiving the superiority of his antagonist

98.

the

Frenchman endeavoured

possible,
effort to

in

guns,

to escape, but finding this im-

he ran him atwhart hawse, and made a noble

He was met by a resoluthan two hours these

more
and
for
own,
are said to have remained foul of each other,

carry him by boarding.

tion equal to his

small vessels
their

crews contending

for victory,

with

all

the implements

The
day.
said to have thrown no fewer than 300

of destruction

known

Thurloe alone,

is

to

the

warfare

of the

powder-flasks, and 72 stink-pots on board her enemy, besides

making a liberal use of her guns and small arms. The

Deux Amis

struck, probably

7*

subdued by the guns of her

NAVAL HISTORY.

78
adversary, but not

until

she had rendered the combat one of

the bloodiest in naval annals,

by the obstinacy of her

re-

The Thurloe had 12 men killed, and 25 w^oundLes Deux Amis had more than 80 of her people in the

sistance.

ed;

same

situation.

Although the history of

this action is liable to the distrust

accounts that are not subjected to the

that accompanies
investigation of official forms and official scrutiny, it appears to be given with a particularity, in the accounts of
all

the day, that renders

it

worthy of

credit.

Immediately
peace of 1763, commenced that
on
the part of the mother country,
legislative usurpation
which twenty years later terminated in the independence
after the

of the colonies.

work of

It

would exceed the proper

this character,

limits of a

enter into the details of that

to

eventful period, or minutely to trace the progress of a system of encroachments that gradually undermined the alle-

giance of a people, whose confiding affection still resists

the animosities of two wars, and, the jealousies and competition

of commerce.

America,
tal
is

at the period of

which we write, had

that

men-

dependence on the mother country, which the province

known

to feel for the metropolis;

exaggerating

its

virtues,

and substituting its own images for

palliating
reason and truth. The temporary alienation that succeeded
was tl'.e work of time, and it required more than ten years
of progressive innovations, on the part of the parliament of
its

defects,

Great Britain, before the more daring and far-sighted of the

American leaders could bring

the

the point of open resistance.

All this time, however, the

body of the people up

to

provinces were rapidly increasing in numbers, in resources,

and in a spirit of nationality, as opposed to the ancient sentiment, v/hich identified the children of the colonists with a

land that they

which led

still

loved to term "home."

As

to the great results that followed lay

the causes

deeper than

79

NAVAL HISTORY.

was usual for the writers of the day to consider, a passing

word on so grave a subject may not be thrown away.
In the ase when the American colonies were founded,
it

their different charters

and received

prerogative of the King of England

from the crown, the

was

active, the

monarch

checked by the other branches

effectually ruling the empire,
of the government. The relation between a prince and his
subjects

simple, and,

is

direction,

it is

when

not diverted from

fostering and paternal.

its

legitimate

Under such circum-

and especially when there exist no unusual sources

of irritation, the several parts of an extended empire may be
governed equitably and on a common principle of justice.
The monarch of one portion of the territories is the monarch
stances,

of another, and he

and

interests of

is

supposed equally to respect the rights

when the revolution of 16G8 put

But,

all.

House of Hanover on the throne, a system of ministerial

responsibility was established, that gradually reduced the

the

power of

the crown, until the ministers,

who,

in effect,

form

the executive of Great Britain, got to be the creatures of

It is
parliament, instead of the real servants of the prince.

king named his cabinet, or rather its head; but

he was compelled to name those that parliament selected, or
This was effectually substithe latter stopped the supplies.

true, that the

power of parliament, in all the more important

the empire, for that of the king; and, as parliaof
relations
ment was composed of the representation, direct and indirect,
tuting the

of a small part of the territory nominally subject to the

British Crown, it followed as a consequence, that this portion
of the empire, by extending its legislation unduly over the
others,

was

prince

who might

substituting a

new and dangerous master, for a

know no difference in his

be supposed to

affection for his subjects.

While, however,

this

was probably

at the root of the difficulties with

the principle that lay

America, few saw

it

ia

NAVAL HISTORY.

80

in a country as
theory; facts invariably preceding opinion

as

purely practical
abstract,

was

between a

this.

Legislative

resisted; while

legislation that

usurpation, in the
the diflerence

few perceived
effectually checked by the

was

veto of an independent nnonarch, bearing an equal relation

not
to all the parts of a vast empire, and a legislation that
other material powers of the crown,
only held this, but all the
in subjection.
directly or indirectly,
are

the several parts

Empires maybe held together when
ruled by a central power that has a common, just, and obvious
interest in all; but nothing short of force can compel the
to be subservient
possessors of one detached territory
of authority.
the
seat
of
interests of the possessors

to the

This

at the root of the difficulties, and,

great obstacle, then, lay
of the day, which arose
keeping out of view the questions
rather than as causes, it is now clear that
as

consequences

the connexion could not have been perpetuated, while so

of the empire controlled so absolutely the
small a

fragment

the
great and moving power of

state.

measures adopted by parliament was

a duty on stamps, and another on tea. By the first, vessels

Among

the offensive

could not regularly proceed to sea, unless furnished with

the required stamps; yet so strong was the opposition that
the ocean without the necessary
ships actually ventured on

papers; nor

is it

known

that

any

serious consequences re-

In the end, the stamp-officers

to incur the
having resigned, and no one being willing
the courts of justice themtheir
odium of
sulted from so bold a step.

places,

filling

selves, transacted business without

regard to those forms

This

that the acts of parliament had rendered necessary.

tax

was

finally

abandoned, and substitutes were sought

that w'ere believed to be

for,

more manageable.

enforce the navigation act, which had

virtually become a dead letter, were made in 17C8, and a

Fresh attempts

to

NAVAL HISTORY.

81

sloop from Madeira, loaded with wine, was actually seized

and placed under the guns of the Romney man

in Boston,

A mob

of war.

followed,

and the public

officers

were

driven to seek protection in the castle.

Great Britain had never maintained a body of troops in
her colonies, except to protect them against the French and

These

Indians.

soldiers

had hitherto been principally kept

were now sent to Bosassumed ascenof

the
British
Parliament.
This
dency
step added greatly
to the discontent, and eventually was the direct cause of
on reinote

frontiers; but regiments

ton, evidently with a

commencement of
The first overt act

the

view

to enforce the

hostilities.

of resistance that took place in this

celebrated struggle, occurred in 1772, in the waters of
Rhode Island.
vessel of war had been stationed on the

coast to enforce the laws, and a small schooner, with a light

armament and twenty seven men, called the Gaspe, was

employed as a tender,

to

run into the shallow waters of that

On

the 17th of June, 1772, a Providence packet, that

between
York and Rhode Island, named the
plied
coast.

New

Hannah, and commanded by a Captain Linzee, hove in

The
sight of the man of war, on her passage up the bay.

Hannah was ordered

to bring to, in order to be examined;

but her master refused to comply; and being favoured by a
fresh southerly breeze, that was fast sweeping him out of

For five and

gun-shot, the Gaspe was signalled to follow.
miles
the
chase
a
under
continued,
twenty
press of sail,
when the Hannah coming up with a bar, with which her
master was familiar, and drawing less water than the
schooner. Captain Linzee led the latter on a shoal where she
struck.

The

tide falling, the

Gaspe sewed, and was not

in a

condition to be removesd for several hours.

The news
Hannah

the

of the chase
at

was

Providence.

circulated on the arrival of

strong feeling

was

excited

NAVAL HISTORY.

82

among the population, and towards evening the town drummer appeared in the streets, assembling the people in the ordinary manner. When a crowd was collected, this man led his
followers in front of a shed that stood near one of the stores,

on the
disguised as an Indian suddenly appeared
roof, and proclaimed a secret expedition for that night, in-

when one

" stout hearts" to assemble

viting all of
cisely at nine, disguised like himself

on the wharf, preAt the appointed

men in the place collected at the spot dewhen

sixty-four were selected for the bold undersignated,
taking that was in view.

hour, most of the

This party embarked

in eight of the

launches of the

dif-

ferent vessels lying at the wharves, and taking wuth them a

of round
stones, they pulled down the river

quantity
in a body.

paving

The commander

of these

men

is

supposed

to

have been a Captain Whipple, who afterwards held a commission in the service of Congress, but none of the names

were

mentioned

publicly

Gaspe, about two in

a sentinel on d6ck.

at

the

On

time.

nearing the

the morning, the boats were hailed by

This man was driven below by a volley

of the Gaspe now appeared,

he fired a pistol at them. This
discharge was returned from a musket, and the officer was

of the stones.

The commander

and warning the boats

off,

shot through the thigh.

By this time, the crew of the Gaspe
had assembled, and the party from Providence boarded.

The

conflict

was

short, the schooner's people being

were put into

Towards morn-

knocked down and secured.

All on board

and the Gaspe was

she
blew
up.
ing

set

the boats,

on

fire.

This bold step naturally excited great indignation

British officers,

and

cover the offenders.

all

possible

means

soon

in the

w^ere taken to dis-

The Government

reward of 1000 sterhng for the leader,

person who would discover the other

home oflTered a
and 500 to any

at

parties,

with the

83

NAVAL HISTORY.

promise of a pardon should the informer be an accomplice.

But the feeling of the times was too high for the ordinary

means of

detection, no evidence having ever been obtained

to arraign a solitary individual, notwithstandof Inquiry, under the Great Seal of Enga
Commission
ing
that
sat
with
land,
object, from January to June, during the
1773.
year

sufficient

even

Although this affair led to no immediate results, it doubtless had its influence in widening the breach between the
opposing parties, and it is worthy of remark, that in it was
slied the first blood that flowed in the struggle for American

Independence; the whole transaction being as direct a resistance to oppression, as the subsequent, and better known
fight at

Lexington.

The year 1773 is memorable in American history, for the

resistance made by the colonists to the duty on tea.
By
means of some management on the part of the British ministry, in permitting the East India Company to export their
teas free of charges, it was now possible to sell the article
at a

lower rate

in

America, subject

to

the duty, than

it

could have been sold previously to the imposition of the tax.

Fancying that this circumstance would favour the views of
all

the parties in Europe, for the warehouses of the

com-

pany were

glutted in consequence of the system of non-importation adopted by the colonists, several cargoes were

New York, Philadelphia,

inhabitants of the two former

sent to diflerent ports, including

Charleston and Boston.

The

places compelled the ships to return to London, without unloading, while the people of Charleston caused their vessel
to be discharged, and the tea to be stored in
damp cellars,
where it Anally spoiled.
Three ships loaded with the offensive article had been

sent to Boston, and the inhabitants succeeded in

persuading
their masters to consent to return to London, without dis-

84

NAVAL HISTORY.

charging, but the consignees refused to release them from

their charter-parties, while the authorities denied the neces-

The governor even withheld

sary clearances.

the permit

necessary to pass the fort. This conduct produced great

excitement, and preparations were made to destroy the tea,
under an apprehension that it might be gradually and clanSuddenly, in the dusk of the evening, a
destinely landed.
as
Indians, and which has been differently
party disguised
as
composed of twenty men up to eighty, aprepresented

peared

in the streets,

marching

swiftly in the direction of

was followed by a mob, and proceeded to

one of the tea-ships, which it boarded, and of which it took
The hatches were broken
possession without resistance.
the
chests
of
tea
and
were
struck
on deck, staved, and
open,
their contents were thrown into the water.
The whole proconducted
in
the
were
most
ceedings
orderly manner, and
with little or no noise, the labourers seldom speaking. So
the wharves.

It

much mystery

attended

at this

remote day,

this affair,

to ascertain

that

all

it is

not easy, even

the

particulars; and,
although the names of the actors have been mentioned
openly of late, for a long period apprehensions are said to
have been entertained, by some engaged men of wealth

that they might yet be made the subjects of a prosecution

Three hundred
for damages, by the East India Company.

and forty two chests of tea were destroyed, which was

probably the cargo of a single ship, the two others quitting
the port soon after.

This daring act was followed by the Boston Port

measure

that

Bill,

was

equally high-handed, since it

denied the people of the town all direct participation in

political

commerce.

This sudden check,

in

twenty days notice,

to

the trade of a place that had seen, the previous year, 411

clearances, and 587 entries, to and from foreign ports, produced much distress in the town itself, and greater indig-

85

NAVAL HISTORY.

It had been the misfortune

nation throughout the country.
of England, never to understand the character of the people

of the American colonies;

for,

accustomed

to

dependencies

humbled by conquest, she had not yet learned

who were rapidly shooting
the
spirit of those
appreciate
their
own efforts, and who had
manhood
into
by

that had been

to

political
up
beonly placed themselves in the situation they occupied,
insufcause they had found the liberty of England herself,
ficient for their opinions

The

people

to force,

and wants.

now began

seriously to prepare for an appeal

liberty that was still left

and they profited by the

that
organize military corps, with a view to recover
from
of
which they had lost. A Congress
representatives

them,

to

and a system of organizaand concert was adopted, that served to unite as many

the different colonies convened,

tion

as possible in the struggle that was fast approaching.

Towards the close of the year 1774, various steps were
taken in different parts of the country, that had a direct
to be at hand.
bearing on the civil war that was known
Laws had been passed in England, prohibiting the exportation of arms and military supplies to America, and the can-

non and powder of the crown were seized

at various points,

the local governments, or

by private individuals.
by
were found on Fort
difTerent
of
calibres,
Twenty-six guns,
Island and carried to Providence, and the people of Rhode

either

Island, are said to

have got possession,

in the

whole, of quite

At Portsmouth,

by these bold measures.

Hampshire, a body of 400 men proceeded

forty guns,

New

to the castle, at

the harbour's mouth, kept the garrison in check, and breakbarrels

ing open the magazine, they carried off' one hundred

of powder.

While means

like these

were u^ed

to collect the neces-

sary military equipments, provisions, as well as arms, were

collected in different parts of the co-Jiitry, in readiness for a

Vol. I. 8

NAVAL HISTORY.

86

campaign. Among other depots of this nature, one had been

made at Concord, a small town at the distance of eighteen
miles from Boston, and General Gage, who commanded the

America, deemed it essential that

A strong detachment was sent on

British forces in

be destroyed.
vice,

men

it

should

this ser-

with a small body of American minuteThese militia were dispersed by a

at Lexington.

and

volley, in

it fell

in

which a few men were

killed.

This

affair

has

always been considered the commencement of the War of

the Revolution; and justly, as the hostilities which were

commenced did not cease, until

was acknowledged by

then

the Colonies

the Independence of
treaty.

The

British

Concord, where they effected their object,

proceeded
The people now began to
without
resistance.
not
though
collect in force, and as soon as the British resumed their
to

march on

their return to Boston, they

were

former, from behind the walls and fences.

assailed

So vigorously

the troops pressed on this occasion, that it

have surrendered, had they not been
must
they

were

by the

is

thought

met by a
Lord
commanded
reinforcement,
by
Percy, which
strong
enabled them to halt and recover their breath. As soon as
the

march was begun

renewed the attack,

again, however, the provincials

and the British did not succeed in

gaining a place of security, until they reached Charlestown

In this affair the loss of the Americans has been
neck.
ascertained to have amounted to 50 killed, 34 wounded, and

4 missing; that of the British to 73

killed,

174 wounded,

and 2G prisoners.

The

intelligence of this important event circulated like a

raging fire throughout the country, and it everywhere was

received as a call to battle. Reserve was thrown aside; the
population flew to arms, and the military stores of the crown
were seized wherever they could be found. An irregular

body of 20,000 men appeared before Boston, with incredible

NAVAL HISTORY.

87

and formed a

line confining the royal army to the

With a view to reduce their enemy
town.
the
of
occupation
to still narrower limits, Breed's Hill, a height that commands

rapidity,

the inner harbour of Boston,

was

seized,

and a redoubt

This step brought on the combat that has

since been termed the Battle of Bunker's Hill, one of the

commenced.

most extraordinary conflicts of modern times, and which

may be said to have given birth to American Indepen-

Washington was now appointed Commander in

Chief by the Congress of the United Colonies, and the war
commenced under the usual laws of civilized nations, with
dence.

the exception of the formality of a declaration.

naval msTORy.

88e

CHAPTER

The

IV.

thirteen United Colonies that

now commenced

struggle with the mother country, not to obtain a political

independence, for few thought of so great a change when
blood was first shed, but to regain rights that were inherent

governing principles of the institutions under which

had
they
long lived, and which were assured to them for-

in the

mally in a variety of ways, possessed but scanty means to

contend with a power like that of Britain. Their population

was

less

than three millions, their pecuniary resources

of no great amount, and their military preparations were

But the fire of true patriotism had been
insignificant.
kindled,

and

that

which

in

other nations

is

effected

by means

of laboured combinations and political management, the

people of America were bent on doing of their own voluntary motion and united

efforts.

The

colonies of

New

Engwhich possessed a population trained to

liberty; hardy, simple, ingenious and brave, rose as it might
be to a man, and as this was the part of the country in which
the flame broke out, thither we must first direct our attenland, in particular,

tion in order to find the earliest evidences of

On

its

intensity.

the ocean, the preparations for the struggle

smaller than

those which

were even

had been made on the land.

Congress had done nothing, and the provisions for naval

defence which, from time to time, had existed among the

NAVAL HISTORY.

89

had never amounted to more than maina

few guarda-costas, or to the temporary exertions
taining
for some expedition.
As soon as the struggle commenced
different colonies,

however, the habits of the people, their aptitude

and the advantages of both a public and a
that
were to be obtained from successful
nature,
private
induced
to turn longing eyes to an elethousands
cruising,
in earnest,

for sea service,

ment

that promised so

many

flattering results.

Nothing

but the caution of Congress, which body was indisposed at

first to act as if
general warfare, instead of a redress of

was

grievances,

its

object, prevented a rushing

towards the

would probably have given the commerce of England a heavier and a more sudden blow, than
it had ever
yet received. But a different policy was pursued,
and the orders to capture, first issued, were confined to
vessels bringing stores and supplies to the British forces in
America. It was as late as the 10th of Nov. 1775, before
Massachusetts, the colony which was the seat of war, and
which may be said to have taken the lead in the revolt, established courts of admiralty, and enacted laws for the enprivate cruisers, that

couragement of nautical

enterprises.

Washington followed

example by granting commissions to vessels to cruise

the vicinity of Boston, with the object already stated.

this

in

But a due examination of the practical measures of that

day, will render it necessary to separate the subject into
three branches; viz, one that refers solely to the exertions
private, and frequently of unauthorized adventures;
another that shall speak of the proceedings of the different
colonies; and a last, which more properly comprises the

of

theme of
Congress,

this

in

distinctions,

work, that

behalf of the entire nation.

we

shall be

authentic documents
the sameness

shall refer to the policy

compelled

now

In

these

to use brevity, as but

exist for authorities,

few

and because

and unimportance of many of the

8*

pursued by

making

details de-

NAVAL HISTORY.

90

prive the subject of any interest beyond that which is connected with a proper understanding of the true condition of
the country.

The

first

nautical enterprise that succeeded the battle of

Lexington, was one purely of private adventure. The intelligence of this conflict was brought to Machias in Maine,
on Saturday the 9th of May, 1775. An armed schooner
called the Margaretta, in the service of the crown, was
lying in port, with two sloops under her convoy, that were
loading with lumber on behalf of the King's government.

Those who brought

the

news were enjoined

to be silent, a

Margaretta having been immediately

some of the more spirited of the inhabitants.

capture the

plan to

projected among
The next day being Sunday, it was hoped that the officers
of the latter might be seized while in church, but the scheme
failed in

consequence of the precipitation of those engaged.

Capt. Moore,

who commanded

sailants, and,

with

his officers,

the Margaretta, saw the asescaped through the windows

of the church to the shore, where they were protected by

The alarm was now taken,
the guns of the schooner.

were got on the Margaretta's cables, and

harmless shot were fired over the town, by way of

springs
dation.

down

few

intimi-

delay, however, the schooner dropped

below the town, to a distance exceeding a league.

After a

Here she was

little

followed,

summoned to surrender, and fired

own shot could not reach.

on from a high bank, which her

The Margaretta again weighed, and running

into the bay

two rivers, anchored.
The following morning, which was Monday, the 11th of
May, four young men took possession of one of the lumber
sloops, and bringing her along side of a wharf, they gave
at the confluence of the

On explaining that
three cheers as a signal for volunteers.
their intentions were to make an attack on the Margaretta,
a

party of about thirty-five athletic

men was soon

col-

91

NAVAL HISTORY.
ected.

Arming themselves

w^ith fire-arms, pitck-forks,

and

the
axes, and throwing a small stock of provisions into
with
a
freemen made sail on their craft,
these
spirited

sloop,

at north-west.
light breeze

When

the Margaretta observed

the approach of the sloop she weighed and crowded sail to

avoid a conflict, that was every way undesirable, as her

not yet apprised of all the facts that had

occurred near Boston. In jibing, the schooner carried
ran
away her main-boom, but continuing to stand on, she
and took a spar out of a vessel that
into Holmes'

commander was

Bay,

While these repairs were making,

the sloop hove in sight, and the Margaretta stood out to
The wind now freshened,
sea, in the hope of avoiding her.

was then

lying there.

and the sloop proved to be the better sailer, with the wind
on the quarter. So anxious was the Margaretta to avoid a
collision, that

Captain

Moore now

finding this ineffectual,

and that

cut

away

his boats;

but

were

fast

his assailants

schooner having an
closing with him, he opened a fire, the
armament of four light guns, and fourteen swivels. A

man was

killed on board the sloop,

fire with a wall piece.
the
turned

which immediately

re-

This discharge killed

cleared her quarand
the man at the Margaretta's helm,
The schooner broached to, when the sloop gave
ter-deck.
a general discharge. Almost at the same instant the two
A short conflict now
vessels came foul of each other.
took })lace with musketry. Captain Moore throwing hand
grenades with considerable effect, in person. This officer
was immediately afterwards shot down, however, when the

people of the sloop boarded and took possession of the

Margaretta.

was not very great, though

are
said to have been killed and
on
both
men,
sides,
twenty
wounded. The force of the Margaretta, even in men, was
The

much

loss of life in this aflfair

the most considerable, though the

crew of no regular

92

NAVAL HISTORY.

cruiser can ever equal in spirit and energy a

on an occasion

teers assembled

body of volunThere was origi-

like this.

nally no commander in the sloop, but previously to engaging

the schooner, Jeremiah O'Brien was selected for that station.

This

affair

was

the Lexington of the seas, for like that cele-

was

a rising of the people against a

regular force, was characterized by a long chase, a bloody
It was also the first blow struck
struggle, and a triumph.

brated land conflict,

it

after the war of the American Revolution had

commenced.
actually
The armament of the Margaretta was transferred to a
sloop, and Mr. O'Brien made an attack on two small English cruisers that were said to have been sent out from

on the water,

Halifax, expressly- to capture him.

them both, with

vessels, he took

prisoners were

all

separating these

resistance,

and the

where

the pro-

carried to Watertown,

vincial legislature of Massachusetts

The

By

little

was then assembled.

gallantry and good conduct of Mr. O'Brien was so

generally admired, that he was immediately appointed a

captain in the marine of the colony, and sent on the coast

with

his

bringing

two

last prizes,

with orders

to

intercept vessels

supplies to the royal forces.

Many adventures, or enterprises, more or less resembling

these of Captain O'Brien, took place on different parts of the
coast, though none of so brilliant and successful a character.

By way

of

j;etaliation,

and with a view

the English Commander-in-Chief,

to intimidate,

Admiral Graves, sent a

force under the orders of Captain Mowat, to destroy the

town of Falmouth, and four hundred buildings were burned.
An attempt to land, however, was repulsed, when the
ships retired.

This and similar

steps,

produced the law

of Massachusetts, already mentioned as having been passed

in Nov. 1775, granting commissions and directing the
seizure of British vessels under certain circumstances, and

NAVAL HISTORV.

which consequently put an end

93

to the expeditions

we have

the unauthorized.

classed

among
The colony of

Massaciiusetts had recourse to energetic

measures for annoying the enemy on the coast, and for

Many

procuring military supplies.

small

vessels

were

out by that as well as by other colonies, and ships

sent in difierent directions with a view to purchase

fitted

were

the stores that could not be seized.

of powder, in particular, was so severely felt,

practicable means were adopted with a desire to

The want
that

all

it.
Among others, General Washington borrowed
two schooners of Massachusetts and sent them into the

obtain

gulf of St. Lawrence, under the orders of Captain Broughton, to intercept

two

brigs, that

Quebec, with military stores.

were known to be bound to

brigs were not seen, but

The

ten other English vessels were captured by Captain Broughton, and all released as not coming within the hostilities

meditated by Congress.

That body, however, was by no means blind to the importance of naval means of defence, without which no war
can ever be conducted with credit and success by a country
situated like
at the point

America; and we now have properly arrived

where it is necessary to advert to the acts and

legislation of the

General Government on

this interesting

subject.

assumed the command of the troops before

Boston, General Washington, who so deeply felt the want of

Soon

after he

munitions of

commissions

war of nearly every

manders instructions
Bay,

in

description, issued several

to different small vessels, giving their

to cruise

in

com-

or near Massachusetts

order to intercept the British store ships.

The first vessel that got to sea under this arrangement,

was the schooner Lee, Captain John Manly, which sailed
from Marblehead near the close of November.

On

the

94

NAVAL HISTORY.

fell in with and captured the English

on
board ordnance stores, several brass
brig Nancy, having
a
considerable
guns,
supply of fire-arms, and various military

29th, Captain

supplies.

Manly

other things of this nature, was a

was justly deemed an important addition

Among

mortar, which

large
to the

means of a besieging army; for up to this time, the Americans before Boston were greatly in want of artillery of
every sort. On the 8th of December, Captain Manly captured three more store-ships, and succeeded in getting all
his prizes safely into port.

Although

it

may

not be strictly true to term the Lee, and

other small cruisers similarly employed, the first vessels

that ever belonged to the General Government of this

country, they

may

be deemed the

first

that ever actually

with authority to cruise in behalf of the entire

country. But, while we accord this precedency to Captain
Manly and his associates, who acted under the orders of
sailed

Washington, Congress itself had not been altogether idle,

and it is probable that the Commander-in-Chief took the step
he did

The

in

accordance with the expressed views of that body.

legislation of Congress on the subject of a navy,

first

preceded the law of Massachusetts,

the act

was worded with greater

in point

reserve.

of time, though
On the 13th of

October 1775, a law passed ordering one vessel of 10 guns,

and another of 14 guns to be equipped as national cruisers,
and to be sent to the eastward, on a cruise of three months,
to intercept supplies for the royal troops.

On

the 29th of

same month a resolution passed denying to private

ships of war and merchant vessels the right to wear penthe

nants in the presence of "continental ships, or vessels of

war," without the permission of the commanding officers of
the latter.
This law was framed in a proper spirit, and
manifested an intention to cause the authorised agents of
the public on the high seas, to be properly respected;

it

NAVAL HISTORY.

95

excites a smile, however, when we remember that the

whole marine of the country consisted, at the time, of two

small vessels that were not yet equipped.

The next day
another law passed, authorising the fitting out of two more
cruisers, one to carry 20, and the other 36 guns.

cautious policy was produced by the

depredations committed by the vessels under the command
of Captain Movvat. When the intelligence of that ruthless

change

in this

proceeding reached Philadelphia, it produced a general

prize law, with authority to capture all British vessels that

were in any manner connected with

As the country still acknowledged

the pending
struggle.

its
connexion with
crown, perhaps this reserve in conducting the war,
was, in a measure, due to sound policy. This law was

the

followed by another passed December 13th,

ordering thirteen sail of cruisers, to be constructed.
Of the latter

were to be of 24 guns, five of 28, and five of

Thus Congress, previously to the end of the year 1775,

vessels, three

32.

had authorised a regular marine, to consist of seventeen

cruisers, varying in force from 10 to 32 guns.
The keels of
the ships alluded to in the last law,
in the four colonies

were ordered

of New England, in

New

to be laid,

York, Penn-

sylvania and Maryland, and the following is a list of their

rates, as well as of the
colony where

names and respective

each was built, viz:

Pennsylvania.

Washington,

32

Raleigh,

32 New

Hancock,
Randolph,

Warren,
Virginia,

Trumbull,
Effingham,
Congress,

Hampshire.
Massachusetts.
32 Pennsylvania.
32 Rhode
28 Maryland.
28 Connecticut.
32

Island.

28 Pennsylvania.
28 New York.

96

NAVAL HISTORY.

Rhode

24 Massachusetts.
24 Pennsylvania.
24 New York.
28

Providence,
Boston,

Delaware,

Montgomery,

Island.

to have been judiciously appointed

The resources of
order to efiect the object in view.
America did not admit of the construction of ships of a size

These vessels appear

in

fit

to

contend with the

ileets

their
rine,

of England, and had the coloto make such an exhibition of

even

nies been in a condition

power, the time necessary to organize a proper mathe want of navy yards, and the impossibility of pro-

curing

in season,

naval stores of the required quality, would

l''rom attempting it. The ships ordered

have prevented them

were large enough to resist the small cruisers of the crown,

and were well adapted to destroy convoys, and to capture
We are not, however, to estitransports and store-ships.
mate their force by the manner of rating, as compared
with similar rates

our

in

own

time, the art of ship-building

and the mode of equipping vessels of war, having undergone

great changes since the commencement of the American Re-

were usually vessels varying

thousand
from six
tons, and rarely carried on
their main deck batteries, guns of a metal heavier than
volution.

Frigates, at that day,

hundred

to a

eighteen pounders.

There was usually no spar-deck, but

were connected by gang-

the forecastle and quarter deck

ways, with gratings

termediate

space.

to

cover a part, or even

all

of the

The armaments above were

in-

light

according to the respective rates,

Carronades had
but were commonly of trifling amount.
not then been invented, though they first came into use
sixes, nines, or twelves,

during

this

war.

cumstance of

its

This gun obtains its name from the cirhaving been been first made at the village

of Carron, in Scotland, a place celebrated for

its

foundries.

NAVAL HISTORY.
fis

the bayonet

We

France.

derives

believe

it

its

was

appellation
first

97
from Bayonnc

used with

efiect, in

in

the

between Lord Rodney and the Comte de Grasse,

was found to be an arm of more efficiency than had
been generally anticipated. For some time its use was conbattle

when

it

it make its
way into the Americommencement of the present century,

fined to the English, nor did

can marine,

until the

or the very close of the last.

]\Iost of the ships mentioned
in the list we have
given, were armed with nines and
twelves, having sixes, and even fours, on their quarterdecks and forecastles.
believe there was no eig;hteen

We

pounder iVigate constructed under the laws of 1775.

Bad

as

naval

was

the condition of the Colonies, as respects

and the

mtmitions of war, the country

stores,
be
said
to
be
even
worse off for persons suited to
might
form a navy list. There was no lack of competent naviga-

of brave seamen, but the high moral qualities which

are indispensable to the accomplished officer, were hardly
to be expected among those who had received all their

tors, or

training in the rude and imperfect schools of the merchant

service. Still, as a whole, the merchant seamen of America

were of a

class superior to those of most other nations; the

very absence of a res-ular marine, which induced vounsf

men of enterprise to incur the dangers of the seas in this

mode in preference to remaining on shore, and the moral
superiority of the level of the population, producing such a
result.
It has been said that the gentry of the country had

begun

to place their sons in the British

to the

commencement

marine, previously

of this war; but, while

many

instan-

ces occurred in which Americans threw up their commissions in the British

their native land,
in the

army, in preference to serving against

very few of those who had taken service

navy, followed their example.

that the

seaman acquires

in time,

the cord too tight to suffer

Vol. I. 9

it

to

The second
to

nature

have drawn

appears
be snapped even by the

NAVAL HISTORY.

98

violent struggles of a civil war,

who were born in the colonies,

and most of the young men

and who found themselves

arrayed against their proper country, on board the ships of

the king, continued to serve with the undiminished zeal and
singleness of purpose, that is apt to distinguish the fidelity
The Committee of Congress, to
of a seaman to his flag.*

which the

duties of a

compelled, in

Navy Department were

consequence of these

assigned,

difficulties, to select

was
the

new

corps of officers, principally, from such conspicuous

persons among the masters and mates of merchant ships as
the country afforded; a few of those

in the

English marine, but

struggle, excepted.

The

who had
result

who had been

trained

previously to the
such as might have

left it

was

been anticipated. While many gallant and suitable men

were chosen, some of the corps had little to recommend

them besides their practical knowledge of seamanship.

These were valuable qualities, certainly, but the habits of
subordination, the high feelings of personal pride and selfrespect that create an esprit de corps, and the moral courage

and

lofty sentiments that

come

in time, to

teach the trained

officer to believe

any misfortune preferable to professional disnot

were
always to be expected under such circumgrace,
stances. In short, a service created in this informal manner,
must necessarily depend more on accidental and natural
qualities for its success, than on that acquired character

which has been found

which

is

to be so

competent a

altogether indispensable

when

substitute,

there

is

and

demand

complicated and combined movements that can

alone render any arm efficient throughout a series of years.

for the

the colonies had possessed an

is true, that
irregular
school for the training of officers, in their provincial cruisers, or guarda-costas, but it was neither sufficiently exIt

We

can discover but a single instance of an American's quitting the

it is
probable more occurred.

EngLsh navy on account of the war, though

IVAVAL HISTORY.

99

tended, nor sufficiently disciplined, to afford the supply that

the extraordinary exigencies of the

was now demanded by

times.

The documents connected with

the early history of the

of
never
the country, were
navy
kept with sufficient method,

and the few that did

exist

have become much scattered and

consequence of there having been no regular navy

department; the authority of this branch of the government
lost,

in

having been exercised throughout the whole war, by Committees and Boards, the members of which have probably
retained many documents of interest, as vouchers to authen-

own proceedings.
other defects it has

ticate their

Among

who

become impossible

to estab-

who

did and

did not actually serve in

the marine of the United States, officers so frequently passing from the privateers into the public vessels, and from the
public vessels to the privateers, as to leave this important

lish, in all

cases,

much

Before
obscurity.
we enter more fully into the details on which reliance can
be placed, it may be well, also, to explain that the officers

branch of our subject involved

in the

from

navy of

in

the Confederation derived their authority

different sources, a

mentioned.

circumstance that adds to the

diffi-

In a

good many instances Congress

made the appointments by direct resolutions of its own, as
will appear in the case of the officers first named.
Subseculties just

quently, the Marine Committee possessed this power; and,

in the end, not only did the diplomatic agents of the Go-

vernment abroad exercise

this

high

trust,

but even the com-

manders of squadrons and of ships were put in possession of

blank commissions to be filled at their particular discretion.
It will

easily be understood,

how much this looseness in

much moment, increases the

managing an interest of so
embarrassment in obtaining the

truth.

The brave men who acted under

ington, at the commencement of the

the authority of Washwere not in the

contest,

100

NAVAL HISTORV.

navy, as

is

evident from the circumstance that several of

them obtained rank

in the service, as the

reward of

their

conduct, while cruising in the sort of semi-official vessels

that have already been mentioned.
It has been said, that
the

regular legislation of Congress, in reference to a

marine, with a view to resist the aggressions of the British
first

Parliament, dates from a resolution of that body, passed the

13th of October, 1775.
This resolution directed a committee of three, Messrs. Deane,

Langdon and Gadsden,

to

out two swift sailing vessels, the one of ten, and the other
of fourteen guns, to cruise to the eastward, to
intercept the

fit

supplies and transports intended for the British

Boston.

Under

law

army

at

believed that a brig called

the Lexington, and a
named
the Providence were
sloop
it
does
not
that
either went on the
equipped; though
appear
this

it

is

On the 30th of the

particular duty named in the resolution.
same month, the committee was increased to seven, and a ship
of 36 guns, and another of 20, were ordered to be
provided.
Under this law the Alfred and Columbus were purchased,

though neither was of the force implied by the highest rate

named. The first of these ships is said to have had a maindeck battery of 20 nines, while her armament on the quarter-deck and forecastle, varied in the course of her service,

from ten guns to two.

no guns above. Less

At

the end of her career she carried

known

of the Columbus, but she is

Both
deck
gun
battery of 18 nines.
were clumsy and crank ships, and neither proved to be a
is

believed to have had a

very good

On

sailer.

the 13th of Decem.ber, of the

directed thirteen ships of

day the Marine Committee

war
was

same year. Congress

to be

built,

and the next

increased, so as to contain

one member from each colony; all the proceedings that

have yet been mentioned, having been directed rather to a
redress of grievances, than to independence.
It will

aid in understanding

how complicated

the busi-

NAVAL HISTORV.

lOl

navy became, if we here give a brief outline of

modes that were adopted in managing its
affairs.
To the committee last named, very extensive
powers were given; but in November, 1776, a "Continental
Navy Board," of three competent persons, was established
as subordinate to this committee and soon after, this " Navy
Board" was divided into two; one being termed the "Eastern Board," and the other the " Board of the Middle Disness of the

the various

trict."

"

large portion of the executive functions of the

Marine Committee" devolved on these two " Boards."

In October, 1779, this

mode

of proceeding

was changed,

and a " Board of Admiralty" was established, consisting of

three commissioners who were not in Congress, and two
that were.

Of

this

board any three were competent

to

James Reed was appointed, by

"
to
resolution,
special
manage the affairs of the Navy
Board" in the "Middle Department;" and in February of
the same year, Alexander McDougall, a Major General in
the army, who had been a seaman in his youth, was chosen
"Secretary of the Marine." In August of the same year,
act.

In January,

1781,

the entire system was changed, by the appointment of an

"Agent of the Marine," who had full control of the service,
subject to the resolutions of Congress, and who superseded
all the committees, boards, and agents, that had been preHere closed the legislation of
viously established by law.

Congress on

this

branch of the subject, though we shall add

Agent of Marine," subsequently devolved

that the duties of "

on the " Superintendent of Finances," the celebrated

Robert Morris, a gentleman, who appears, throughout the
war, to have had more control over the affairs of the navy,
than any other civilian in the country.
order of time.

On

the 22nd, of

resolutions, viz:

To

return to the

December, 1775, Congress passed these

"Resolved, that the following naval officers be appointed

9*

NAVAL HISTORr.

102

Ezekiel Hopkins, Esquire, Commander-in-Chief.

Dudley Saltonstall, Captain of the Alfred.

Columbus.

Abraham Whipple,

do.

do.

Nicholas Biddle,

do.

do.

Andrea Doria.

John B. Hopkins,

do.

do.

Cabot.

First Lieutenants, John Paul Jones,

Rhodes Arnold,

Stansbury, Hoysted Hacker, Jonathan Pitcher.

Second Lieutenants, Benjamin Seabury, Joseph Oiney.
Elisha Warner, Thomas Weaver,
McDougall.

Third Lieutenants, John Fanning, Ezekiel Burroughs,

Daniel Vau^han.
"
the

Resolved, that the pay of the Commander-in-Chief of

be one hundred and twenty-five dollars a month."

fleet,

By

this

law

it

will

be seen that Mr. Hopkins

was

not

made

a captain, but the "Commander-in-Chief," a rank that was

intended to correspond in the navy, to that held by Washington in the army.

His

official appellation,

among seamen,

appears to have been that of "Commodore," though he was

frequently styled "Admiral," in the papers of the period.

The
ships,

captains

were

particularly

named

to the respective

and the construction put on the law was, that the

lieutenants should be attached to the different vessels, in the

which both were named.

By this resolution, or law, it would appear that two brigs,
the Andrea Doria, and the Cabot, had been purchased,
most probably by the Marine Committee, previously to its
order

in

passage.

Of

the precise force of the latter vessel no authen-

account can be found, but

it is
thought to have been 16
of
Paul
a
letter
Jones, however, that
appears by
14
of
Doria
was
armament
the
the
fours, and the Cabot ma}^

tic

sixes.

It

have been of the same

The equipment

of

all

force.

the vessels mentioned, as well as of

was going on in the autumn

of 1775, the appointment of their officers was made at the
close of the year, and the first ensign ever shown bv

two or three more of

less size,

103

NAVAL HISTORY.

a regular American man of war, was hoisted in the Delaware, on board the Alfred, by the hands of Paul Jones,
sometime about the last of December. This event could

have

not

previously to the vote appointing

chief, as we are expressly told that the

occurred

commander
was shown when
in

flag

ship.

but

What

to

it is

tree,

that officer
is

thought
with a rattlesnake about to

not

was

now

strike, coiled at its root,

with the motto " don't tread on me."

a flag

repaired on board his

first

certainly known,
have been a device representing a pine

that ensign was,

used, at the

It is

commencement

certain that such

of the Revolution,

and on board some of the vessels of war, though whether

was
Most of

this

the flag

worn by

the Alfred

is

not quite so clear.

the privateers of the period either

wore

the

arms

of the colony from which they sailed, and by which they

were authorized to cruise, or they also showed devices of
their own, according to the conceits of the different captains

and owners.

It

was not

until

1777, that Congress

formally adopted the present national colours.

The first regular cruisers that ever got to sea under the

new government were

the

Hornet

10,

and

Wasp

8, a sloop

and a schooner that had been equipped by the Marine Committee in Baltimore, and which sailed in November, to join

Commodore Hopkins, in the Delaware.

This passage, however, cannot properly be called a cruise.
For the first of these we must refer to the Lexington 14, a

the squadron under

command

of which had been given to John

Barry, a ship-master of Philadelphia, of credit and skill.
By other statements, the squadron under the orders of Comlittle

brig, the

modore Hopkins, got out before

the Lexington

but

we

are disposed to believe that this is an error; not only because

the sailing of the Lexington appears to be asserted on the

most probable authority, but because it is more reasonable

to believe, that, as between vessels fitted in the same place,
and near the same time, a single cruiser could precede a

NAVAL HISTORY.

104

The Lexington was purchased earher than the

in the nature of things, was more readily
The honour has long been claimed for Capt.

squadron.
Alfred,

and,

equipped.

Barry, and, on as close an examination of the facts, as our

means will allow, we believe it to be his due. The Lexington must have left the Capes of the Delaware late in
January, or early in February, 1776, and her orders were
to cruise to the southward.

The plans of Congress had changed between the time

when the vessels were ordered and that on which they
were ready for service. Commodore Hopkins was accordingly directed, also, to proceed to the southward, with a
view to act against the naval force, which was then rava-

ging the coast of Virginia, under Lord Dunmore. The

squadron had got into the Bay, and rendezvoused under
Cape Henlopen, early in February. It consisted of the
Alfred 24, Columbus 20, Doria 14, Cabot 14, Providence
12,

Hornet

10,

Wasp

8,

and Fly despatch

Commodore Hopkins
February. On the night of the
this force

vessel.

With

got to sea

on the 17th of

19th, as the

squadron was

steering south with a fresh breeze, the Hornet and Fly

parted company, and did not join again during the cruise.

No

any importance was met until the ships reached

Abaco, in the Bahamas, where the squadron had been ordered to rendezvous. Here Commodore Hopkins determined
to make a descent on New Providence, where it was understood a considerable amount of military stores were colFor this purpose, a body of 300 men, marines and
lected.
vessel of

landsmen, under the command of Capt. Nichols, the senior

marine officer of the service, were put into two sloops, with
the hope of surprising the place. As the squadron approached
the town, however, an alarm was given, when the sloops

were

sent

in,

the landing.

with the Providence 12, and Wasp 8, to cover

This duty was handsomely performed, and

Capt. Nichols got complete possession of the forts, and entire

KAVAL HISTORY.

105

of the place, in the course of the afternoon, and of

the following morning, after a very insignificant resistance.

command

Unfortunatelv, the ffovernor. aware of the motive of the

means to send away a considerable quantity

of powder, in the course of the night. Near a hundred
cannon, and a large quantity of other stores, however, fell

descent, found

hands of the Americans.

into the
first

that ever occurred

in the

On

this

occasion, the

regular American Navy,

the

marines under Capt. Nichols, appear to have behaved with

a spirit and steadiness that have distinguished the corps,

from that hour down

to the present moment.

After retaining possession a few days. Commodore Hopkins left New Providence on the 17th of March, bringing

the governor and one or two men of note with him,

and shaping his course to the northward. Some of the

away

smaller vessels appear to have left him, as he proceeded

along the coast, but, with most of his force in company, he

arrived off the east end of

Long

Island, early in April.

On

the 4th, he captured a tender of six guns, commanded by a

son of Commodore Wallace, and on the 5th he fell in with

and took

the British

Bomb

Brig Bolton

About one o'clock of the morning of

6, Lieut.

Snead.

the 6th of April, the

squadron being a little scattered, a large ship was discovered

The wind was light, and the
steering towards the Alfred.
sea quite smooth, and about two, the stranger having gone
about, the Cabot closed with her, and hailed. Soon after the
latter fired a, broadside.

The

first

discharge of this

little

ves-

have been well directed, but her metal was

like the one
too
altogether
light to contend with an enemy
she
was
she had assailed. In a few minutes
compelled to

sel

appears to

haul aboard her tacks, to get from under the guns of her
antagonist, having had her captain severely wounded, her
master killed, and a good many of her people injured.

The

Alfred

handsomely

now

took the place of the Cabot, ranging

enemv and delivering her

alona; side of the

NAVAL HISTORY.

106
fire.

Soon

Providence got under the stern of the

and the Andrea Doria was enabled to come

after, the

English ship,
near enough to do some service.

The Columbus was kept

want of wind. After a smart cannonade
of near an hour, the block and wheel rope of the Alfred
were shot aw'ay, and the ship broached to by which accident the enemy was enabled to rake fier with effect.
Being
at a distance for

satisfied,

however, that victory was impossible, the English

profited by this accident, to put his helm up,

commander

and brought

all

the

American

vessels astern.

Sailing bet-

any of the squadron, most of which were deep, as

well as dull, in consequence of the cannon and stores they
ter than

had taken on board, the enemy slowly but steadily gained

on his pursuers, though a warm cannonade was kept up by
both parties until past day-light.

had got so

By six o'clock the ships

Commodore Hopkins

far to the eastward, that

apprehensive the firing would bring out the Newport

squadron against him, and seeing little chance of overtaking

felt

the chase, he

wind.

made

a signal for his vessels to haul

Capturing a tender that was

ship that

in

by
company with

had escaped, the squadron now went

to which it was bound.

the

the

New

into

London, the port

The vessel that engaged the American ships, on this occasion, was the Glasgow 20, Capt. Tyringham Howe, with a
crew of about one hundred and fifty souls. In every thing
but the number of her men the Glasgow was probably superior to any one ship in the American squadron, but her
close encounter with, and eventual escape from, so
vessels, reflected great credit

on her commander.

many

She was

a good deal cut up, notwithstanding, and had four men

killed and wounded.
On the other hand, both the Alfred
and the Cabot suffered materially, the former from having
been raked, and the
vessel so

much her

latter

from lying close along

superior in force.

The

side a

Alfred

and

NAVAL HISTORY.

Cabot

lost

23 men

and wounded, and one

an arm while in chase.

killed

board the Columbus

The

107

lost

man on

American navy, when

announced, caused much exultation in the country. The
affair was represented as a sort of victory, in which three
light vessels of war had been taken, and one of force comresult of this first essay of the

pelled to run.

short time, however, served to correct

these errors, and public opinion probably

went

opposite extreme, where

have been perma-

it

would seem

nently fixed, by subsequent historians.

Commodore Hopkins was

to

as far in the

The

in suffering so

great error of
small a vessel as

the Cabot to run close along side of a ship of the Glasgow's

force, when the first attack should have been made by the
Alfred.

Had

the Cabot delivered

two or three as

efficient

broadsides from a favourable position, as the first she fired,

while the Glasgow was occupied by a heavier ship, it is
highly probable the enemy would have been captured.
Commodore Hopkins betrayed no want of spirit, but his
crew and vessel were much inferior to the regularly and
long-trained people of a cruiser, and to a ship properly constructed for war.
The lightness of the wind, and the obscurity of a night action, contributed to the disasters, as,
in such circumstances, when the ship broached to, it

required time to get her under the command of her helm

The reason for not continuing the chase was suffi-

again.
cient,

and

come

out of

it is

now known

Newport

and there can be

would have

much

lost all

that the English squadron did

as soon as the

little

his

farther in pursuit.

doubt that

Glasgow appeared,

Commodore Hopkins

dull sailing vessels,

It

had he gone

ought to be added, that the

small pox, then a malady of fatal effect, had broken out in

the ships while they were at New Providence, and it probably had an influence on their efficiency.
particular,

was known

to

The Doria,

in

be nearly useless, from the num-

ber of cases she had on board.

NAVAL HISTORV.

108

This was hardly the feelhig of the country, notwithstandunder disgrace, imaginary or
ing, for nations are seldom just

Commodore Hopkins was

real.

left

in

command some

to Rhode
time longer,
true,
he
but
never
made
his
arrival,
Island, a few weeks after

and he carried the squadron

it is

On the 16th of October, Conin the navy.

of
censure
on him, for not performing
vote
a
gress passed
the duties on which he had been sent to the southward, and
another cruise

on the 2d of January, 1777, by a vote of that body, he was

formally dismissed from the service. No commander in

was subsequently appointed, though such a measure

was recommended to the national legislature by a commit-

chief

own

body, August 24th, 1781.

escape of the Glasgow, the Lexington,
a
small
brig with an aritiament of 16 four
Capt. Barry,
the
in
with
fell
Edward, an armed tender of the
pounders,

tee of

its

As an

offset to the

Liverpool, on the 17th of April, off the capes of Virginia,

and after a close and spirited action of near an hour, cap-

The Lexington had four of her crew killed and

tured her.
wounded, while the Edward was cut nearly to pieces, and
met with a- very heavy comparative loss in men.
It

add

better connect the history of this little brig, if we

here, that she went to the West Indies the following

may

command

of Capt. Hallock, and on her

return was captured near the spot where she had taken
It was blowthe Liverpool's tender, by the Pearl frigate.

October, under the

ing fresh at the time, and, after taking out of his prize a
few officers, and putting a crew on board her, the com-

mander of
That night

the Pearl ordered her to follow his

the

Americans

rose,

own

ship.

and overpowering the prize

crew, they carried the brig into Baltimore. The Lexington

was immediately recommissioned, under the orders of
Capt. Johnston, and in

March

Europe, where we
her
movements.
note

sailed for

of the succeeding year, she

shall

soon have occasion to

NAVAL HISTORY.

CHAPTER

109

V.

When the American squadron had got into Newport it

becanae useless, for a time, from a want of men. Many of
the

seamen had entered

having

authorized

March,

so

many

the

for the cruise only,

capture of

persons were

the privateers, that

ail

British

now induced

crews were not

and Congress
to

vessels

in

go on board

to be obtained.

It is a

singular feature of the times, too, that the sudden check to

navigation, and the delay in authorizing general captures,
had driven a great many of the seamen into the army. It
is

also easy to imagine that the service

after the affair with the

this,
It

Glasgow,

for

was out of

by events as

favour,

trifling as

are the opinions of ordinary men

usually influenced.
has been said that the vessels were carried to Provi-

dence,

Rhode

Island,

and soldiers had

to

be borrowed from

the army, in order to effect even this.

At Providence,
courts martial, the usual attendants of
military misfortunes,
were assembled to judge the delinquents. Capt.

Whipple,

of the Columbus

was

tried for not

aiding the Alfred in the

action with the Glasgow, and seems to have been

acquitted.
Capt. Hazard, of the Providence, was cashiered, though it
does not appear on what
charge.
The day after the dismissal of her former commander,

or

May the 10th, 1770, Paul Jones was directed by Commodore Hopkins to take charge of the Providence, and to
carry the borrowed soldiers to New York, there to enlist a
Vol. I. 10

NAVAL HISTORY.

110

regular crew, and return to the station. This duty having

been successfully performed, the sloop was hove out,
On the
cleaned, refitted, armed and manned for a cruise.
13th of June, Capt. Jones sailed from

Newport with

a con-

voy loaded with military stores, which he saw into Long

Island Sound, a service attended with risk on account of
the

numerous

cruisers of the

enemy. While thus employed,

Capt. Jones covered the escape of a brig from St. Domingo,

laden also with military stores, and bound to New York.

This brig was soon after bought into the service, and be-

came the Hamden 14. After performing this duty, the

Providence was employed in cruising between Boston and
the Delaware, and she even ran as far south as Bermuda.

On

vice, this

the 1st of September, while on the latter ser-

little

sloop

made

five sail,

one of which was mis-

taken for a large merchantman. On getting near the latter

vessel, she proved to be a light English frigate, and a fast
After a chase of four hours by the wind, and in a
sailer.
cross sea, the

enemy had

so far gained on the Providence

as to be within musket shot, on her lee-quarter.

The

stran-

ger had opened with her chase guns from the first, and the
Providence now returned the fire with her light four pounders,

showing her colours.

Perceiving that capture,

some bold expedient must soon determine

Jones kept edging away,

his fate,

or

Capt.

he had got rather on the lee

the Providence suddenly went off
until

of the enemy, when

dead before the wind, setting every thing that would draw.
This unexpected manoeuvre brought the two vessels within

bow

but the English ship having been taken completely by surprise, before she could get her light sails set,
The Provithe sloop was nearly out of reach of grape.
pistol shot,

dence sailed the best before the wind, and in less than an
hour she had drawn quite beyond the reach of shot, and
This affair has been represented as an enhours with the Solebay 28, but, as has
several
of
gagement
finally escaped.

NAVAL HISTORY.
been

said,

it

was

little

Ill
artifice, in which
and address. Not a

more than a clever

much

steadiness

Capt. Jones discovered

shot touched the Providence, though the Solebay fired a

hundred.
Capt. Jones
several prizes.

now went

where he made

to the eastward,

the Milford 32, and

Here he was chased by

out of gun
finding he could easily outsail her, he kept just
shot for several hours, the enemy, who measured his dis-

tance badly, firing most of the time. This affair has also
been exaggerated into a running fight.
After this chase the Providence went upon the coast, off

Canseau, and did much damage to the enemy's fishermen,

taking no less than twelve sail. Having made sixteen
prizes, in

all,

some of which were

valuable, Capt. Jones re-

turned to Newport.
Ere the return of the Providence, independence was declared, and Congress had set about a more regular organi-

October the 3d,

zation of the navy.
and
two
cutters
to be built; and
frigate

it

ordered another

November

the 9th,

a law was passed, authorizing the construction of three

In
74's, five more frigates, a sloop of war, and a packet.
and
another
of
another
the
January
succeeding year,
frigate
sloop of war, were commanded.
Eight of the prizes were
also directed to be taken into the service, in the course of
the years 1776

and 1777, while, as the war proceeded,

vers small vessels were directed to be

built,

di-

or purchased.

But the most important step taken by Congress, at this

time, was a law regulating the rank of the different officers,
which had hitherto been very uncertain, and had led to
a resolution passed, April the 17th, 1776,
Congress had declared that rank should not be regulated by
the date of the original appointments, reserving to itself the

many disputes. By

power

to say

who were

who

should

command, when

it

had ascertain-

had now declared

the nation independent of the King of Great Britain, and
ed

disposed to serve.

But

it

112
there

NAVAL HISTORY.

was a long and bloody war

in perspective, before that

independence could be recognised. It was time to reduce

the confused elements of the service to order, and to quiet
the disputes

and claims of

sovereign power.

individuals,

resolution

by an exercise of

was accordingly passed on

the 10th of October 1776, directing that the captains in the

navy should take rank in the following order, viz:
1.

James Nicholson,

13.

2.

John Manly,
Hector McNiel,

14.

John B. Hopkins,
John Hodge,

15.

William Hallock,

16.

Hoysted Hacker,

3.

4.

Dudley

5.

Nicholas Biddle,

17. Isaiah

6.

Thomas Thompson,

18.

John Paul Jones,

7.

John Barry,
Thomas Read,

19.

James

8.

9.

Thomas

Saltonstall,

Robinson,

Josiah,

20. Elisha

Hinman,

10.

Charles Alexander,

21. Joseph Olney,

22. James Robinson,

11.

Lambert Wickes,

2-3.

12.

Abraham Whipple,

Grennall,

John Young,
24. Elisha Warner.

The Marine Committee was empowered

rank of the inferior

officers.

At

this

to

time

arrange the

Commodore

Hopkins was commander-in-chief, and he continued

serve in that capacity

commencement
Nicholson became

until the

of the

to
fol-

the senior
lowing January, when Capt.
officer of the navy, though only with the rank of captain.
the law regulating rank was passed, the vessels of
the navy, in service, or in the course of construction, were
as follows; the word building, which is put after most of
them, referring as well to those which had just been launch-

When

were still on the stocks; a few of the

mer, however, were nearly ready for sea.

ed as

to those that

List of vessels in the United States

Navy, October, 1776.

Hancock,

32, building at Boston.

Randolph,

32,

do.

for-

Philadelphia.

NAVAL HrSTORY.

114

The Andrea Doria 14, Capt. Biddie,

and was even more suc-

took a few prizes.

went

in the

same

cessful than the

direction, also,

Providence

in

This

annoying the enemy.

14 fours, actually took two

brig, carrying
armed transports filled with soldiers, and made prizes of so

vessel, a

little

many merchantmen, that, it is affirmed on plausible authoback into the Delaware, but five of the
rity, when she got
common men who composed her original crew were in her;
the rest having been put in the prizes, and their places supplied by volunteers from among the prisoners. Capt. Biddle

gained

much

credit for this cruise, and

on

his return,

he

was

appointed to the command of the Randolph 32, then recentOne of the transports, however, was retaken
ly launched.

by

the Cerberus frigate.

States' cruisers

While the United

were thus

active in

intercepting the British transports on the high seas, the

colony cruisers and privateers were busy in the same way

Boston had been evacuated by the enemy on the

17th of March, of this year, but vessels continued to arrive

in-shore.

from England

known
the

in

until

England

wrong

port.

midsummer;

in time to

No less than

the fact not having been

prevent their steering towards

thirty sail fell into the hands of

the Americans, in consequence of these mistakes.

of the occurrences of

this

As one

nature was, in a measure, con-

nected with a circumstance just related

Doria, it may be properly given here.

in the cruise

of the

The Connecticut colony

brig Defence 14, Capt. Harding,

Massachusetts,
early on the morning of the
Plymouth,
17th of June, and, on working out into the bay, a desultory
The Defence crowded
firing was heard to the northward.

left

direction of the cannonading, and about dusk she

with four light American schooners, which had been
in a running fight with two British transports, that had
sail in the
fell in

proved too heavy for them. The transports, after beating

off the schooners, had gone into Nantasket Roads and an-

NAVAL HISTORY.

One

chored.

was

of the schooners

115

the

in the service of Massachusetts, the

Lee

Capt. Waters,
cruiser that had

8,

little

so successfully begun the maritime warfare under Capt.

Manly. The three others were privateers.

After laying his plans with the commanders of the

schooners, Capt. Harding stood into the roads, and about
eleven o'clock, at night, he anchored between the transports, within pistol shot.

The schooners followed, but did

much service. Some

not approach near enough to be of

hailing

now

to strike.

"Ay, ay

passed, and Capt. Harding ordered the enemy

A voice from the largest English vessel answered,
a broadside was immediately
I'll strike," and

poured into the Defence. A sharp action, that lasted more

than an hour, followed, when both the EngHsh vessels struck.

These transports contained near two hundred soldiers of the

same corps as those shortly after taken by the Doria, and
on board the largest of them was Lieut. Col. Campbell, who

commanded

the regiment.

was a good
The transnumber wounded.

In this close and sharp conflict the Defence

deal cut up aloft, and had nine men wounded.

ports lost eighteen killed, and a large

Among the slain was Major Menzies, the officer

answered

who had

the hail, as just stated.

The next morning

company, saw a sail

the Defence, with the schooners in

in the bay,

and gave chase.

The

stranger proved to be another transport, with more than a

hundred men of the same regiment on board. Thus did

about five hundred men, of one of the best corps in the

British army, fall into the hands of the Americans, by

means of

these light cruisers.

It

should be

remembered

that, in this stage of the

was

war, every capture of this nature

of double importance to the cause, as it not only weak-

ened the enemy, but checked

American prisoners
means of retaliation,

as rebels,

of treating the
the
colonists the
by giving

his intention

as well as of exchange.

Col.

Campbell

NAVAL HISTORY.

116

was subsequently made

use of by Washington, to compel the

English to extend better treatment to the Americans

had fallen into their hands.

To

return to the vessels

left

at

Rhode

Island:

who

When

Capt. Jones came in from his last cruise in the Providence,

a project was formed to send a small squadron under his
orders to the coast of Nova Scotia, with the double view of

and of liberating about a hunsaid to be confined in the coal

distressing the British trade,

dred Americans
pits

who were

of that region.

For

this

purpose the Alfred 24,

Ham-

14,
12, were put under the orders of
Jones
but
not
Capt.
having men enough for all three, that
While clearofficer selected the two first for his purpose.
ing the port, the Hamden got on a ledge of rocks, and had
to be left behind.
The crew of the Hamden were now
transferred to the Providence, and in the month of Novem-

and Providence,

den

ber Capt. Jones got to sea, with both vessels rather short
manned. A few days out, the Alfred made one or two small
captures, and soon after she fell in with, and took, after
a short combat, the armed ship Mellish, loaded with supplies for the army that was then assembling in Canada, to

form the expedition under Gen. Burgoyne.

On board

this

many other articles of the last importten thousand suits of uniform clothes, in charge

vessel, in addition to

ance,

were

company of soldiers. It was said, at the time, that the

was the most valuable English ship that had then
fallen into the hands of the Americans.
Of so much imof a

Mellish

portance did Capt. Jones consider

nounced
her

his intention to

keep

this capture, that

his prize in sight,

and

he anto sink

preference to letting her fall into the enemy's hands

This resolution, however, was changed by circumagain.
in

stances.

The Providence had parted company

in the night,

and

having taken a letter of marque, from Liverpool, the Alfred

was making the best of her way to Boston, with a view to

NAVAL HISTORY.

117

get the Mellish in, when, on the edge of George's Banks,

she made the Milford 32, the frigate that had chased Capt.

Jones the previous cruise, while

in

command

of the Provi-

windward, but there was not

time for him to close before dark. The Alfred and the letter
of marque hauled up between the frigate and the other

The enemy was

dence.

to

cover them, and directions were given

stand on the same tack all night, regardless

prizes, in order to
to the latter to

At midnight

of signals.

the Alfred

and

letter

of marque

tacked, and the latter showed a top light until morning.

This artifice succeeded, the Milford appearing in chase of
the Alfred

when

day dawned, while

the

consorts had

The
night,

the Mellish

and her

in the southern board.

all disappeared
Milford had run to leeward in the course of the

and was now on the Alfred's

lee

quarter.

Some

manoeuvring took place to ascertain the stranger's force,

for it was not then known that the ship in sight was actually
a frigate.

In the course of the day, the Alfred

was com-

hard, but she escaped, though the letter

carry
of marque fell into the enemy's hands. After eluding her

pelled to

sail

now

her prizes, but the one just menwent into Boston, where she found

the rest of the vessels,

and where she landed her prisoners.

enemy and covering

tioned, the Alfred

took charge of the ship, and Capt. Jones,

had been flattered with the hope of having a still

Another

who

all

officer

was placed so low on the

larger force put under his orders,
list by the new regulation of navy rank, as to be obliged
to look round for a single ship, and that, too, of a force inferior to the

While

one he had just commanded.

this service

was

in the

north, several small cruisers

Indies, to convoy,

in

course of execution at the

had been sent

into the

West-

quest of arms, or to communicate

We

have
with the different public agents in that quarter.
seen the manner in which the Lexington had been captured
and retaken on her return passage from this station, and

NAVAL HISTORY.

118

now

we have

to allude to a short cruise of the Reprisal,

in the

Capt. Wickes,

summer

in the

same

quarter.

This ship sailed early

for Mai'tinique, capturing several prizes

by

When

near her port, the English sloop of war

way.
Shark 16, Capt. Chapman, laid her close alongside, and
commenced a brisk attack, the Reprisal being both lighter
the

than the enemy, and short handed. Capt. Wickes made so

that the Shark was repulsed
gallant a defence, however,
with loss, and he got into the island with credit, hundreds

having witnessed the

affair

from the shore.

As

this oc-

and before the declaration of

Shark
followed
the Reprisal in, and her
the
independence,
captain demanded that the governor should deliver up the
American ship as a pirate. This demand was refused of
course, and shortly after Capt. Wickes returned home.
curred early

in the season,

With a view

to

connect the train of events,

follow this excellent officer to the

we

European

we

will

now

seas, although

precede the regular order of time in

deem it preferable to concentrate the inte-

shall necessarily

doing so but we
on single ships as
;

rest

much

as possible,

whenever

it

does

not seriously impair the unity of history.

The

American man of war that ever

She sailed from home
the Declaration of Independence, and appeared

Reprisal

was

showed herself in
not long after
in

France

in the

the

first

the other hemisphere.

autumn of 1776, bringing

in

with her seve-

ral prizes, and having Dr. Franklin on board as a passenger.

A few privateers had preceded her, and slight difficulties

had occurred
gone
lish

some of their prizes that had

believed these were the first Eng-

in relation to

into Spain, but

it is

captured ships that had entered France since the comthe American Revolution. The English am-

mencement of

bassador complained of this infraction of the treaty between

the two countries, but means were found to dispose of the

The Reprisal having refitted, soon

towards the Bay of Biscay, on another cruise. Here

prizes without detection.

sailed

NAVAL HISTORY.
she took several vessels more, and

amoi^

119
the rest a king's
When the

packet that plied between Falmouth and Lisbon.

cruise

was

up, Capt.

prizes with him.

Wickes went

The complaints

into Nantes, taking his

of the English

now

be-

and the American commissioners were seof the necessity of using more reserve.
admonished
cretly
The prizes were directed to quit France, though the Reprisal,
being leaky, was suffered to remain in port in order to refit.
The former were taken into the offing, and sold, the state of

came

louder,

the times rendering these informal proceedings necessary.

losses v/ere the consequences, while it is not im-

Enormous

probable that the gains of the purchasers had their influence

in blinding the local authorities to the character of the

The

business appears to have been managed

with dexterity, and the proceeds of the sales, such as they
were, proved of great service to the agents of government,
transaction.

by enabling them

to

purchase other vessels.

In April the Lexington 14, Capt. Johnston, arrived, and

But the commissioners
the old difficulties were renewed.

of the government at Paris,

who had been

equip vessels, appoint officers,

authorized to

and do other matters,

to an-

enemy, now planned

a cruise that surpassed any

noy
had
been
done in Europe under the
yet
thing of the sort that
American flag. Capt. Wickes was directed to proceed to
the

sea, with

his

own

vessel

and the Lexington, and

to

go

directly off Ireland, in order to intercept a convoy of linen

that time.
cutter
ships that was expected to sail about
called the Dolphin, that had been detained by the
of ten

guns,

carry despatches to America, was diverted from her original destination and placed under the orders

commissioners

to

of Capt. Wickes, to increase his force. The Dolphin was

commanded by Lieut. S. Nicholson, a brother of the senior
captain, and a gentleman
the head of the service.

Capt. Wickes, in

who

command

subsequently died himself at

of this light squadron, sailed

NAVAL HISTORY.

120

from Nantes about the commencement of June, going

into the Bay of Biscay, and afterwards entirely around
land, sweeping the sea before

him of every thing

that

first

Ire-

was

The Hnen
not of a force to render an attack hopeless.
or
vessels
were
taken
but
were
missed,
many
destroyships
ed. As the American cruisers approached the French coast,
on

gave chase, and followThe Lexington and Dolphin

their return, a line of battle ship

ed them nearly into port.

appear to have escaped without much difficulty, by separating, but the Reprisal was so hard pressed, as to be
obliged to saw her bulwarks, and even to cut away some

expedients that were then much in favour

the seamen of the day, though their utility may be

of her timbers

among

questioned.

This was the

first

exploit of the kind in the war,

and

its

sation in England, that the

much senFrench government was driven

to the necessity of entirely

throwing aside the mask, or of

boldness and success seem to have produced so

more decided step in relation to these cruisers.

Not being yet prepared for war, it resorted to the latter exThe Reprisal and Lexington were ordered to be
pedient.
seized and held, until security was given that they would quit
the European seas, while the prizes were commanded to leave
France without delay. The latter were accordingly taken
outside the port, and disposed of to French merchants, in
the same informal manner, and with the same loss, as in
the previous cases, while the vessels of war prepared to retaking some

turn home.

In September the Lexington, a small brig armed with four

pounders, sailed from Morlaix, in which port she had taken

refuge in the chase, and next day she fell in with the British
man-of-war-cutter Alert, Lieut. Bazely, a vessel of a force
a

trifle less

than her own,

when an engagement took

place.

lightness of the vessels, and the roughness of the

water, rendered the fire, on both sides, very ineffective, and

The

NAVAL HISTORY.
after

an action of two hours and a

expended nearly
lant opponent.
aloft,

all

121

half, the

Lexington had

her powder, without subduing her gal-

The

Alert, however,

as to enable the

brisi;

had suffered so much

to leave her.

Notwithstanding::

much

activity was shown on board the

a chase of four hours, she was
after
English vessel, that,
this

advantage, so

enabled to get along side of the Lexington again, while the

was herself repairing damages. A one-sided battle

occurred, the Lexington not having it in her power to
keep up a fire of any moment, and after receiving that of
his persevering antagonist for another hour, Capt. Johnston

latter

now

was compelled to strike, to save the lives of his crew.

Thus closed the brief history of the gallant little cruiser
that is said to have first carried the American flag upon
the ocean.
Her career was short, but it was not without
credit

and

usefulness.

When

taken, she had been in service

about one year and eight months, in which time she had had
three commanders. Captains Barry, Hallock, and Johnston

had fought two severe battles with vessels of war; was twice
taken, and once recaptui-ed, besides having several times

The English
ships, and made many prizes.
received a good deal of credit for the persevering gallantry with which he lay by, and captured this brig.
The fate of the Reprisal, a vessel that had even been more
engaged armed

commander

successful than her consort,

was

still

harder.

This ship

made
America, agreeably
with the French government, and foundered on the banks
of Newfoundland, al! on board perishing with the exception
of the cook. In Capt. Wickes the country lost a gallant,
to the conditions

also sailed for

prudent, and eliicient officer, and one

risen high in his profession

To

had

who promised

his life

the untimely loss of the Reprisal,

to

have

been spared.

and the unfortunate

capture of the Lexington, must be attributed the little eclat

that attended the services of these two vessels in Europe.

They

not oniy preceded

Vol. I. 11

all

the other national cruisers in

122

NAVAL HISTORY.

seas, but they did great positive injury to the'

of the enemy, besides exciting such a feeling of
insecurity in the English merchants, as to derange their
plans, and to produce other revolutions in the course of

the

European

commerce

trade, that will be adverted to in the close of the chapter.

It being our intention to complete the account of the
pro-

ceedings of the American commissioners at Paris, so far

as they vi^ere connected with naval movements, during the
years 177G and 1777,

we come

next to the affair of Capt.

Conyngham, which, owing to some marked circumstances,

made more noise than the cruises of the Reprisal and Lexington, though the first exploits of the latter were anterior
as to time, and of not less consequence in their effects.

While the commissioners* were directing the movements

of Capt. Wickes, in the manner that has been mentioned,
they were not idle in other quarters. A small frigate was
building at Nantes, on their account, and we shall have
occasion hereafter to speak of her services and loss, under

name of the Queen of France. Some time in the spring

of 1777, an agent was sent to Dover by the American
commissioners, where he purchased a fine fast-sailing Engthe

lish

built

Here

she

and had her carried across

cutter,

was

privately equipped as a cruiser,

To

to

Dunkirk.

and named

command

of this vessel, Capt. Gustavus Conyngham was appointed, by filling up a blank commission from John Hancock, the President of Congress.

the Surprise.

the

March 1st, 1777, and it would

Mr. Conyngham to the rank of a
captain in the navy, as any other that was ever issued by
the same authority.
Having obtained his officers and crew
in Dunkirk, Capt. Conyngham sailed on a cruise, about the

This commission bore date

seem, as fully entitled

1st

of

Joseph.

May, and on

On

the 7th,

the 4th he took a brig called the

when within a few leagues of the

Dr. Franklin and Silas Deane.

NAVAL HISTORY.

123

coast of Holland, the Surprise ran along side of the Harwhich she boarded and

"wick packet, the Prince of Orange,

took with so

little

previous alarm, that Capt.

Conyngham,

on stepping upon the deck of his prize, walked coolly down

into her cabin, where he found her master and his passen-

The mail for the north of Europe being

gers at breakfast.
on board the Prince of Orange, Capt. Conyngham believed
his acquisition to be of sufficient

and accordingly he reappeared

By

referring to the dates,

importance
at Dunkirk

it

to return to port,
in

will be seen,

a day or two.
though both

the Reprisal and the Lexington, especially the first, had cruised in the European seas prior to the sailing of the Surprise,
that the latter vessel performed the exploit just mentioned,
shortly before Capt. Wickes sailed on his cruise in the Irish
and English channels. Coming as it did so soon after the

capture of the Lisbon packet, and occurring on one of the

great thoroughfares between England and the continent,
coupled with the fact that the cutter had been altogether
equipped in a French port, the loss of the Prince of

Orange appears

to

have attracted more

attention, than the

The remonstrances of

transactions before described.

the

English ambassador were so earnest, that Capt. Conyngham

and his crew were imprisoned, the cutter was seized, and
the prizes were liberated.
On this occasion, the commission of Capt. Conyngham was taken from him, and sent to
Versailles,

and

it

So completely

seems never

to

have been returned.

w^as the English

government deceived by

demonstration of an intention on the part of the French

ministry to cause the treaty to be respected, that two sloops

this

of

war were

nyngham

actually sent to Dunkirk to carry Capt. Coand his people to England, that they might be

tried as pirates.

The

When

the ships reached Dunkirk, the birds

be seen in the succeeding events.
commissioners had the capture of some of the trans-

had flown, as

will

ports with Hessian troops on board, in view,

and they were

124

NAVAL HISTORY.

no sooner

notified of the seizure of the Surprise, than

Hodge, an agent who was of great service

Mr,

to the cause,

was

directed to procure another cutter.

One was purchased accordingly at Dunkirk, and was fitted, with all
despatch, for a cruise. Means were found to Hberate Capt.

Conyngham and his people, and this second vessel, which

was called the Revenge, sailed from Dunkirk on the 18th of
July, or about the time that Capt.

Wickes returned from

cruise with the three other vessels.

had been obtained

for Capt.

A new

his

commission

Conyngham, previously

to

which bore date May 2nd, 1777. As this

second commission was dated anterior to the seizure of the

putting to sea,
old one, there
blank,
fill

is

no question that

which had been confided

it

was

also one of those in

to the

commissioners to

at their discretion.

The Revenge proved exceedingly

successful, making
and generally destroying them. Some of the
most valuable, however, were ordered into Spain, where

prizes daily,

arrived; their avails proving of great moment to the

agents of the American government in Europe. It is even

many

money advanced to Mr. Adams for travelhe landed in Spain from the French
when
ling expenses,
La
a
Sensible,
frigate
year or two later, was derived from

affirmed that the

this source.

Having suffered from a gale, Capt. Conyngham disguised

the Revenge, and took her into one of the small English
detection.
Shortports, where he actually refitted without
ly after, he obtained supplies in Ireland, paying for them
In short, after a cruise
bills on his agents in Spain.

by
of

almost unprecedented success, so far as injury to the Engmerchants was concerned, the Revenge went into Fer-

lish

and finally sailed for the American seas, where

would disturb the order of events too much, to follow
her, at this moment.
The characters of the Surprise and Revenge appear

rol, refitted,
it

NAVAL HISTORY.

125

never to have been properly understood. In all of the

accounts of the day, and in nearly, if not in quite all of the
subsequent histories, these vessels are spoken of as privateers, authorized to act by the commissioners at Paris.
It is not clear that the commissioners sent
private-armed

may have come within

That the two cutters commanded by Capt. Conyngham were public vessels, however,
is proved in a
Like the Dolphin 10,
variety of ways.
Lieut. Nicholson, an officer who may be said to have almost
passed hiS life in the navy, the Surprise and Revenge were
bought and equipped by agents of the diplomatic commisvessels to sea at

all,

though the act

the scope of their powers.

sioners of the United States, on public account,

and the

commissions granted to Capt. Conyngham were gifts of

personal authority, and not powers conceded to particular
It is known that Dr. Franklin, at a later day, and
with an especial object in view, granted temporary commissions in the navy, but there is no evidence that either

vessels.

of those bestowed on Capt. Conyngham possessed this conditional character.

The Revenge was finally given up to
the

Navy

account.

Board,

Philadelphia, and

in

was

sold on public

is
certainly competent for a government to
public vessels as it may see fit, or to put them
in the several classes of vessels of war, I'evenue cruisers,

consider

It

its

packets, troop-ships, transports, or any thing else, but it

would, at least, be a novelty, for it to deem any of its own
active cruisers privateers.
The very word would infer a

Paul Jones speaks of his desire to

obtain Capt. Conyngham as a member of a court martial,
as late as 1779, and in a remonstrance against the treatcontradiction in terms.

ment shown

made by

Conyngham, then a prisoner of war,

Congress, through its Secretary, Charles Thompto Capt.

son, of the date of July 1779, that officer

tavus

Conyngham, a

of an armed vessel

citizen of

America,

in the service

11*

is

termed,

late

" Gus-

commander

of said States, and taken

NAVAL HISTORY,

126

on board a private armed cutter," &c. &c.

tinction between public and private armed

Here the
vessels

is

dis-

une-

quivocally made, and the fact, that Capt. Conyngham had

served in both, is as clearly established, it being admitted
that he was acting in a privateer at the precise moment

when

The latter circumstance, in no degree afcaptured.

fected the rank of Capt. Conyngham, officers of the navy
quite

the

frequently

first

there

serving

in

private armed ships, after

the war, in consequence of

two or three years of

not

having

been public vessels

to

afford

them

employment. That there was some irregularity in giving

Capt. Conyngham two commissions for the same rank,
and bearing different dates, is true, but this arose from
necessity; and want of regularity and system was a fault
of the times, rather than of those

who conducted

the affairs

of the American marine, during the Revolution. There

can be no reasonable doubt that both the Surprise and the
Revenge were public vessels of war, and that Gustavus

Conyngham was a

captain in the navy of the United States

of America, in virtue of two commissions granted by a
competent authority; and that, too, subsequently to the
declaration of independence, or after the country claimed
the political rights of sovereign power.

ail

The

sensation produced among the British merchants,

by the different cruises in the European seas, that have

been recorded

in this chapter, is stated, in the

diplomatic
to
have
been
of
the
correspondence
day,
greater than that
in
the
the
war,
produced,
by
squadron of the celeprevious

brated Thurot.
and, in
lar,

Insurance rose to an enormous height,

speaking of the cruise of Capt. Wickes in particuin one of his letters to Robert

Mr. Deane observes

Morris, that it "eficctually alarmed England, prevented

the great fair at Chester, occasioned insurance to rise, and
even deterred the English merchants from shipping goods

any rate, so that in a few weeks,

of French ships were loading in the Thames on

in English bottoms, at

forty sail

NAVAL HISTORY.

127

an instance never before known."

freight;

In the same

commissioner adds, " In a word, Cunningham

(Conyngham) by his first and second bold expeditions, is

letter, this

become

the terror of

Scotland, and
late

is

all

the eastern coast of

England and

more dreaded than Thurot was,

in

the

war."

Insurance, in some instances, rose as high as twentyper cent., and it is even affirmed that there was a short

five

ten per cent, was asked between Dover and

a
distance
of only seven leagues.
Calais,
Having now related the principal maritime events that

period

when

were connected with

w^e shall

the

policy

and measures of the

France, during the years 1776 and 1777,

return to the American seas, and resume the

commissioners

in

thread of our narrative, where

it

has been interrupted, or

towards the middle of the former year. We shall shortly

have occasion, however, to revert to the subject that w^e
are now temporarily quilting, this quarter of the world
having been the theatre of still more interesting incidents
connected with the navy, at a later day. Before returning
to

the year

1776, and the

more chronological order of

events, however, one other fact may be well recorded

here.
With a view to increase the naval force of the

country, the commissioners had caused a frigate of extraordinary size, and of peculiar armament and construction

down

at Amsterdam.
This ship
two decker, though frigate
built, and her main deck armament was intended to consist of
thirty-two pounders. Her name was the Indien. But
in consequence of the
apprehensions of the Dutch govern-

for that period, to be laid

had the keel and

sides of a

ment, and the jealousy of that of England, Congress was

induced, about this time, to make an offering of the Indien to Louis XVI., and she was equipped and got ready
for sea, as a French vessel of war.
In the end, the manner
in

which

of the

this frigate

new American

was brought
States,

into the service of

and her

fate, will

one

be shown.

128

NAVAL HISTORY.

CHAPTER

We

shall

now

VI.

return nearer home, by reverting to events

back more than a

that will require the time to be carried

twelvemonth.

In renewing this branch of the subject,

it

may be well to take a brief notice of the state of the regular

marine of the country, in the spring of the year 1776, or
soon after the law for capturing

all

British vessels

had

moment when the independence of the

country was seriously contemplated, though not yet for-

passed, and at a

mally declared.

None

built, by the laws of the

were
and
previous year,
every public cruiser
yet launched,
of any size that was actually afloat had been bought into
the service.
Of these, the largest were little suited to war,
as they were necessarily selected from among the merchant

of the vessels ordered to be

vessels of the country, while the smaller had been chosen

principally from among the privateers. Copper, for ships, was
just

coming

into use,

and

it is

not believed that a single cruiser

of the United States possessed the great advantage of having

this material on its bottom, until a much later day.
Philadelphia being the seat of government, the largest

town in the country, and naturally strong in its defences,

more than usual attention was paid to the means of preventing the enemy from getting possession of it by water.
Thirteen galleys had been provided for this purpose, as well
as a

heavy

of the

floating battery,

name

of

and several

Hazlewood was put

in

fire rafts.

An

officer

command, with

the

NAVAL HISTORY.
title

120

of commodore, his commission having been issued by

the State of Pennsylvania. Similar arrangements were made

in the Chesapeake, where a gentleman of the name of Bar-

two

ron, the father of

officers

who have

subsequently risen

rank in the service, received the same commission

from the State of Virginia. James Nicholson, who so shortly

to high

after

became

ponding

the senior captain of the navy,

station in the colony of

some acts that did him credit.

Most of the colonies had their respective
or on their

own

swarm with

privateers from

filled

a corres-

Maryland, and performed

coasts, while the

ocean

cruisers at sea>

literally

began

to

parts of the country ; though

the New England States took the lead in this particular
Robert Morris, in one of his official
species of warfare.
all

date a little later than this precise time, remarks

that the passion for privateering w^as so strong in this part
of the country, that even agriculture was abandoned, in

letters of a

order to pursue

it.

The English evacuated Boston on the

17th of March of this

year, retiring to Halifax with their fleet

this place,

they directed their

movements

and army.

From

for a short period,

or until they were enabled, by the arrival of powerful reinforcements, to choose the points which it was believed would

be the most advantageous to possess for the future managementof the war. Charleston, South Carolina,was soon select-

ed for

this

purpose, and preparations for a descent on that coast

as early as April, or immediately after the eva-

were made

cuation of Boston.
held in view,

when

It is

not improbable that this step

the British quitted

New-England,

was

as the

occupation of that town would enable the English government to overrun all the southern colonies. Luckily, some
despatches, that were intercepted by Com. Barron, of the
Virginia State service, betrayed this design to the people of
Charleston, who were not slow in making their preparations
to

meet the enemy.

NAVAL HISTORY,

130

In furtherance of this plan, which is even said to have

British ministry itself, though some as-

emanated from the

cribe the attack that occurred to the officers immediately

in command, the main object being a secure footing in the

southern States at any eligible point that might offer, a

squadron consisting of several sail, under the orders of

Com.

Sir Peter Parker, arrived on the coast of North Caro-

lina as early as

May.

Here

it

was

joined by a

fleet

of

transports from Halifax, having on board nearly three thousand troops, at the head of whom was Lieutenant General,

afterwards Sir Henry, Clinton.

On the 4th of June this imposing force appeared off
Charleston Bar, and made immediate preparation for a descent and an attack by sea buoying out the channel for
the latter purpose, w'ithout delay.
A portion of the troops
;

were landed on Long Island, which is separated from Sullivan's Island by a narrow channel that is fordable in certain
states of the tide, with a view to pass over and take a strong
work made of palmetto logs that the Americans had erected
and which it was thought
the
rear.
be
reduced
from
might easily
Happily for the
a
continuance
of
Americans,
long
easterly winds drove the
water up into the passage between the two islands, convertfor the defence of their harbour,

ing the channel into a ditch that effectually kept the forces
of Gen. Clinton from crossing. On the 7th, the frigates

passed the bar, and on the 10th, a fifty gun ship succeeded,
with great difficulty, in accomplishing the same object.
The delay occasioned by the want of M'ater, and the indecision of the English general,

than his

associate

in

who

acted with

less

vigour

command, was eagerly improved

Americans, and a considerable force collected

and about the town, though the fort on Sullivan's island,

by the
in

which was subsequently named

Col. Moultrie, did not admit of
tional

fortifying.

This work

after

its

gallant

commander,

much enlargement

or addi-

contained twenty-six guns,

NAVAL HISTORY.

]31

eighteen and twenty-six pounders, and it was garrisoned by

about lour hundred men, of whom more than three hundred

were

regulars. Other troops

wore

hand

watch

the party
on Long Island, and to resist any attempt to land. Major
Gen. Lee, of the United States' service, commanded in chief

on the

made

side of the

Americans.

to save the garrison,

at

to

Preparations, however,

though

it

appears to

were

have been

the opinion of Col. Moultrie, that he could have maintained

the island even had the enemy crossed and landed.

On
other

the 28th of June, Sir Peter Parker, being joined

fifty,

and having completed

by an-

moved his
commence the

his preparations,

ships to their respective stations, in order to

attack. Between ten and eleven in the forenoon, the

Thun-

der began to throw shells at the fort, to cover the approach

of the other vessels, though without much effect. The shells

were well

directed,

and many

fell

in the centre of the fort

but they were received in a morass, and the fuses were

extinguished. But few exploded. The Bristol 50, Sir Peter

own ship, the Experiment 50, which had joined but

a day or two before, both vessels of two decks, the Active
28, and the Solebay 28, anchored in front of the fort, with

Parker's

springs on their cables; while the Acteon 28, Siren 28,

and

Sphinx 20, endeavoured to get into positions between the

island and the town, with a view to enfilade the works, to cut
off the communications with the main body of the American

The latter vessels got

three
took the ground.
entangled among
In the confusion, the Sphinx and Siren ran foul of each
other, by which accident the former lost her bowsprit. The

forces,

and

to intercept a

retreat.

the shoals,

Acteon stuck so

fast, that all

and

all

the efforts of her

crew

to ^et

her afloat proved unavailing; but the other two succeeded

in getting off in a few hours.
In consequence of these mistakes and accidents, the three vessels named were of little
or no use to the British during the engagement.

Of

the vessels that

came up

in front, the

Active 28,

led.

132

NAVAL HISTORY.

As she drew
range of
the

its

frigate

near, the fort fired a few guns, as if to try the

shot, but the battle did not properly begin until

had anchored and delivered her broadside.

when they all commenced as

severe and well supported a fire, as was probably ever kept
up for so long a period, by ships of their force.
The

other vessels followed,

The cannonade began in earnest about twelve o'clock,

it was maintained
throughout a long summer's after-

and

noon, and, with short intervals, until nine o'clock at night,

with undaunted resolution, on both sides. The fire of the
ships

was rapid

The

that of the fort deliberate, but of deadly aim.

to the peculiar nature of the wood of which

first, owing
works were composed, did but little injury, while the
heavy shot sent from the fort, passed through and through

the

At one period, the garrison

the sides of the enemy's ships.

had nearly expended

its

ammunition, and

its fire

ceased for

so long a time, that it was the impression of the enemy it

had evacuated the works.*
fresh supply arriving, how-

ever, this error of the English was soon corrected, the

that was renewed being, if possible, more destructive
than that which had preceded the pause. In the heat of

fire

the

engagement the springs of the

Bristol's cable

were

cut.

Some

curious errors appear in Sir Peter Parker's report of this affair,

of the distance at which he was placed, and the confusion of
out
arising'
a hot conflict. Among other things he says that large pai-ties were driven
out of the fort by the fire of the ships, and that they were replaced by

reinforcements from the main land.

He

also says that a

man was hanged

on a tree, in the rear of the fort, by a party that was entering it. Nothing
of the sort occurred. Colonel Moultrie explains the affair of the man in
the tree, by saying that a shot took a soldier's coat and carried it into the
branches of a tree, where it remained suspended during the rest of the

So far from any confusion or disorder having existed in the fort, when
General Lee visited the works during the height of the action, the officers laid aside their pipes in order to receive him with a proper respect.

day.

Twelve hundred shot were picked up

affair, besides many shells.

in

and about the

fort, after

the

NAVAL piSTORY.

133

and the ship swung round, with her stern to the embrasures.
That deadly dehberate fire, which had distinguished the
garrison throughout the day, now told with awful efiect on
In this scene of slaughter and destructhis devoted vessel.

seaman who commanded the British squadron,

displayed the high resolution which has distinguished so
many other officers of his name in the same service, during
tion, the old

the last century.

At one time, he

is

said to

have stood almost

alone on the quarter deck of his ship, bleeding, but deliverBy the applicaing his orders calmly and with discretion.
the
vessel
was
extricated from this
tion of a new spring,

awkward

position,

and her

firing

was renewed.

But no courage or perseverance on the part of the assailants could overcome the cool resolution of the garrison,

and when night

set in Sir

the ships to retire.

Peter Parker

made

the signal for

All the vessels effected their retreat but

the Acteon, which remained too firmly grounded to be moved.

From this frigate the enemy withdrew her people next

morning, when they set the ship on fire, leaving her with
her guns loaded and colours flying. She was immediately boarded
sign, fired a

by the Americans, who hauled down her enfew shot at the retreating ships, and left her.

In a short time her magazine exploded.

This was the most hotly contested

kind that

engagement of the
ever took place on the American coast, and it

goes fully to prove the important military position that ships

cannot withstand forts, when the latter are properly constructed,

Memoirs,

armed and garrisoned.

states that

twenty-eight rounds

he
of

General Moultrie, in his

with only

commenced the battle

powder. The supplies

received

during the fight amounted to but seven hundred pounds in

gross, which, for guns of so heavy calibre, would scarcely

make a total of thirty-five rounds. He is of opinion that

the want of powder alone prevented the Americans from
destroying the men of war.
Vol. I. 12

NAVAL HISTORY.

134

occasion the Americans had only thirty-six

killed and wounded, while the loss of the British was

On

this

The two

about two hundred men.

fifty

gun

ships suffered

most, the Bristol having the commodore himself, Captain

Morris, who died of his injuries, and sixty-nine men wounded,

besides

forty killed.

Among

the

former was Lord

William Campbell, a brother of the Duke of Argyle, who

had recently been governor of South Carolina, in which
province he had married, and who had taken a command
lower gun deck, with a view to animate her

on the

Bristol's

men.

The Experiment

suffered

little

less

than the Bristol,

several of her ports having been knocked into one, and

seventy-nine of her officers and crew were killed and

wounded. Among the latter was her commander, Captain

The

Scott.

frigates, attracting less of the attention of the

short
garrison, escaped with comparatively little loss.
time after this signal discomfiture, the British temporarily
abandoned their design on Charleston, carrying off the
troops,

which had been perfectly

useless during the opera-

tions.

Quitting the south for the present, we will now return to

the north, to mention a few of the lighter incidents that oc-

curred at different points on the coast. Soon after the British left Boston, a Captain Mugford obtained the use of a
small

armed

vessel belonging to government, called the

Franklin, and getting to sea, he succeeded in capturing the

Hope, a ship that had on board fifteen hundred barrels of

powder, and a large quantity of entrenching tools, gun carThis vessel was got into Boston,
riages, and other stores.
in sight of the British squadron.

Attempting another cruise

immediately afterwards. Captain Mugford lost his life in

making a gallant and successful effort to repel some of the

enemy's boats, which had endeavoured to carry the Franklin and a small privateer that was in company, by
boarding.

On

the 6th of July, or

two days

after the declaration of

NAVAL HISTORV.

135

independence, the Sachem, 10, Captain Robinson, sailed

from the Delaware on a cruise. The Sachem was sloop
rigged, and one of the lightest cru-isers in the service.
a few days out she fell in with an English letter of

When

marque, a Jamaica-man, and captured her, after a sharp

contest.
Both vessels are said to have suffered severely in
this affair, and to have had an unusual number of their
people killed and wounded. Captain Robinson was now
compelled to return to refit, and arriving at Philadelphia

with his prize, the Marine Committee rewarded him for his
success by giving him the command of the Andrea Doria,
14, then recently returned from her cruise to the eastward

under Captain Biddle, which

officer

had been transferred

to

the Randolph, 32.

The Doria sailed shortly after

home some arms; and it is said

for St. Eustatia, to bring

that the

first

salute ever

flag, by a regular government, was

fired in return for the salute of the Doria, when she went

paid to the

American

For

into that island.

was

this indiscretion the

Dutch governor

subsequently displaced.
her return passage, off the western end of Porto Rico,

On

made an English vessel of war, bearing down

her
with a disposition to engage. On ranging up
upon
abeam, the enemy commenced the action by firing a broad-

the Doria

which was immediately returned by the Doria. A

very sharp contest of two hours followed, when the Engside,

lishman struck.
Lieut. Jones,

The

who

expressly for his

prize proved to be the Racehorse, 12,

had been sent by his admiral to cruise

captors.

Lieut.

Jones was

mortally

wounded, and a very large proportion of the Racehorse's

officers and crew were either killed or wounded.
The
Doria

lost

twelve men, including

Robinson and
season.
after

all

the casualties.

Captain
due

his prize got safely into Philadelphia, in

The Doria never went

burned by the Americans

to sea again, being shortly

to

prevent her falling into

NAVAL HISTORY.

136

the hands of the British

Mifflin

gave

the

enemy

when the evacuation of Fort

command of the Delaware.

fleet,

the

Tlie galleys in the Delaware had a long and well contested struggle with the Roebuck, 44, Captain Hammond,

and the Liverpool, 20, Captain Bellew, about the first of May
of this year. The cannonade was handsomely conducted,

and

it

resulted in driving the

enemy from

the river.

During

Captain Alexander, was active and

conspicuous, cutting out a tender of the English ships from
under their guns.

this affair the

Wasp,

spirited attack

Rose, 24,

8,

was

also

made on

the Phoenix, 44,

and

the Hudson, on the third of August, by six

The firing was heavy and well maingalleys.

i"h

American

tained for two hours, both sides suffering materially. On

the part of the galleys, eighteen men were killed and woundThe loss
ed, and several guns were dismounted by shot.

of the

enemy

is

not known, though both vessels were re-

peatedly hulled.

But by

this

was alive with advenweek passing that did not

time the whole coast

tures of such a nature, scarcely a

give rise to some incident that would have interest for the

work permit us to enter into

Wherever an enemy's cruiser appeared, or attempted to land, skirmishes ensued and in some of these
little affairs as much personal
gallantry and ingenuity were
displayed as in many of the more important combats. The
reader, did the limits of our

the

detail^j.

coast of

New

England generally, the Chesapeake, and the

were the scenes of most of these

coast of the Carolinas,

minor

exploits,

which,

like all the

subordinate incidents of a

great struggle, are gradually becoming lost in the more engrossing events of the war.

October 12th, of

this vear,

an armed British

bria;,

fitted

out by the government of the Island of Jamaica, the name

of which has been lost, made an attempt on a small convoy

of American vessels, ofl'Cape Nicola Mole,

in the

West

In-

NAVAL HISTORY.
dies,

son.

137

then in charge of the privateer Ranger, 18, Capt. HudPerceiving the aim of the enemy, Capt. Hudson ran

under her

stern,

action thus

fire.

lasted nearly tvpo hours,

Ranger boarded, and carried

English

The
when the
hand to hand. The
thirteen men killed

and gave her a severe raking

commenced,

the brig,

vessel, in this affair, reported

and wounded, by the raking broadside of the Ranger alone.

In the whole, she had between thirty and forty of her people injured.

On

her return from

this

cruise, the

was purchased for the navy.

While these events were occurring on
armaments, and naval

Ranger

the ocean, naval

took place on those lakes,

that witnessed the evolutions of squadrons of force in the
battles,

subsequent war between the two countries.

In order to command the Lakes Champlain and George,
across which lay the ancient and direct communication

with the Canadas,

flotillas

had been constructed on both

To resist this force, and

these waters,

by

the Americans.

with a view

to

co-operate with the movements of their

commenced the construction of vessels

troops, the British

at St. Johns.

Several men-of-war were laid up,

Lawrence, and

the shipping thus built on

The American

to

Lake Champlain.
month of August, appears

to

force, in the

have consisted of the following

Schooner, Royal Savage,
Do.
Enterprise,
Do.

in the St.

and crews were transferred

their officers

vessels, viz:

12,

Wynkoop.

12,

Dixon.

138

NAVAL HISTORY.

most of the instances,

manded by

it

is

officers in the

believed, that they

army.

were com-

Their crews were prin-

American force was

were
names
new
given and new vessels
materially changed,
much
confusion
exists
in the accounts as
substituted, but so
At a

cipally soldiers.

to render

any formal attempt

at

accuracy

in

enumerating

not impossible.
the other hand, the British constructed a force, thai

the craft, difficult,

On

later day, the

enabled them

to

ing vessels, viz

if

take the lake in October, with the follow-

16, Lieut. Schank.

"
Starke.
14,
"
Dacres.
12,
"
Scott.
14,
"

Inflexible,

Ship,

Schodner, Maria,
Do.
Carleton,

Radeau,

Thunderer,

Gondola,

Langcroft.
Royal Convert, 7,
were added twenty gun boats, four long boats,
each armed with a gun, and twenty-four other craft,
The metal of this
loaded with stores and provisions.
flotilla was much superior to that of the American force,

To

these

the Inflexible carrying twelve pounders, the schooners sixes,

the radeau twenty-fours and twelves, and the gun boats,

pieces that varied from

down

eighteens

to

drafted from the

to

man

Isis,

The
men were

nines.

British accounts admit that 796 officers and

Blonde, Triton, Garland, &c.,

these vessels, and artillerists

in

order

and other troops were

also put on board to aid in fighting them.

October

American

General Arnold,

ilth.

was

who commanded

the

Cumberland Head, when

at
lying
the
in
to
the
force,
enemy appeared
eight in the morning,
flotilla,

ofl^

northward, turning to windward with a view to engage.

On that day the American vessels present consisted of the

Royal Savage,

12,

Revenge,

Lee, cutter,

10, Liberty, 10,

do.,

10,

Trumbull,

4,

do.,

Washington,
and eight gondolas. Besides the changes that had been
made since August, two or three of the vessels that were

Congress,

galley, 10,

10,

on the

lake,

were absent on other

duty.

The

best accounts

NAVAL HISTORY.

139

State the force of this flotilla, or of the vessels present, as

follows, viz:

90.

Guns,

Metal, 647

lbs.

600, including soldiers.

On this occasion, the British brought up nearly their
whole force, as it has been already stated, although having

Men,

the disadvantage of being to leeward, all their vessels could

not get into close action. Capt. Douglas, of the Isis, had
commanded the naval movements that preceded the battles,

and Lieut. Gen. Sir

Guy

was

Carleton,

present, in person,

The first officer, in his official report

of the events, mentions that the Inflexible was ready to sail,
within twenty-eight days after her keel had been laid, and
on board the Maria.

that he

all

had caused

to be equipped,

between July and Octo-

"

thirty fighting vessels of different sorts and sizes, and

carrying cannon.'* Capt. Pringle, of the Lord Howe,

ber,

was

the officer actually in charge, however, of the British

naval force on the lake, and he commanded in person in
the different encounters.

The

action of the 11th of October

in the forenoon,

commenced

at eleven,

was warm.
a long time, was

and by half past twelve

it

On

the part of the British, the battle for

princarried
on
the
which
w-ere
enabled
to
cipally
by
gun-boats,

windward, and which, by their weight of metal,

smooth water. The Carleton, 12,
were, very

sweep up

to

efficient in

much

distinguished on this day, being

the only vessel of size, that could get into close fight. After
maintaining a hot fire for several hours, Capt. Pringle judi-

Lieut. Dacres, w-as

ciously called off" the vessels that were engaged, anchoring

just out of gun shot, with an intention to renew the attack

morning. In this aflTair the Americans, who had discovered great steadiness throughout the day, had about 60

in the

and wounded, while the British acknowledged a loss

of only 40.
The Carleton, however, suffered considerably.

killed

NAVAL HISTORY.

140

Satisfied that it would be impossible, successfully, to resist

so great a superiority of force. General Arnold got under
way, at 2 P. M., on the 12th, with the wind fresh ahead.

The enemy made

sail in

chase, as soon as his departure

could

was

make much

progress on
account of the gondolas, which were unable to turn to
windward. In the evening the wind moderated, when the
discovered, but neither

flotilla

Americans gained materially on their pursuers. Another

change occurred, however, and a singular variation in the
currents of

Americans,

now

favoured the enemy; for while the

the narrow part of the lake, were contending

air,

in

with a fresh southerly breeze, the English got the wind at

north-east,

gun

which brought their leading

on the 13th.

vessels up within

shot at 12, meridian,

On

this

occasion Capt. Pringle, in the Maria, led in per-

son, closely supported

by the

Inflexible

and Carleton.

The

Americans were much scattered, several of their gondolas

having been sunk and abandoned, on account of the imposGeneral Arnold, in the Consibility of bringing them off'.
gress

galley,

covered the rear of

his

retreating

flotilla,

Washington galley, on board of which was

General
Waterbury, in company. The latter had
Brigadier
been much shattered in the fight of the 11th, and after re-

having the

ceiving a few close broadsides, she was compelled to strike.

now defended himself like a lion, in the

General Arnold

Congress, occupying the three vessels of the enemy so long

a time, as to enable six of his little fleet to escape. When
further resistance

gress on shore,

was

out of the question, he ran the Conand she blew up with her

set fire to her,

colours flying.
Although the result of this action

American arms gained much

the resistance.

was

credit,

General Arnold,

so disastrous, the

by the obstinacy of

in particular,

covered him-

with glory, and his example appears to have been

nobly followed by most of his officers and men. Even the
self

NAVAL HISTORY.

141

enemy did justice to the resolution and skill with which the
American flotilla was managed, the disparity in the force rendering victory out of the question from the first. The manner
which the Congress was fought until she had covered
the retreat of the galleys, and the stubborn resolution with
in

which she was defended

until destroyed,

converted the

dis-

asters of this part of the day, into a species of triumph.

In these affairs, the Americans lost eleven vessels, priticipally gondolas, while on the part of the British, two gondolas were sunk, and one blown up.
The loss of men was

supposed to be about equal, no

less

than sixty of the

enemy

This statement
perishing in the gondola that blew up.
differs from the published official accounts of the English,
but those reports, besides being meagre and general, are
contradicted by too much testimony on the other side, to
command our respect.

We

have had occasion, already, to mention Mr. John

Manly, who, in command of the schooner Lee, made the
first

the

The activity and

name conspicuous at

captures that occurred in the war.

resolution of this officer, rendered his

commencement of

the struggle,

and

it

followed as a

natural consequence, that, when Congress regulated the

rank of the captains, in 1776, he appears as one of them,
his

appointment having been made as early as April the

So highly, indeed, were his services

then appreciated, that the name of Captain Manly stands
second on the list, and he was appointed to the command
17th, of this year.

of the Hancock, 32.

navy, the

When Capt. Manly was

Lee was given

to Capt.

taken into the

Waters, and was present

at the capture of the three

transports off Boston, as has been

already stated.
will ever

This

little

schooner, the

name of which

remain associated with American history,

in

con-

sequence of her all important captures in 1775, appears to

have continued actively employed, as an iii-shore cruiser,
throughout this year, if not later, in the pay of the new

142

NAVAL HISTORY.
of

State

Massachusetts.

Capt. Waters, like his predeManly, was received into the navy, on the
recommendation of Washington, a commission to that
effect having been granted by Congress, March 18th, 1777,
cessor, Capt.

Much

enterprise and gallantry were exhibited in the enbetween the American privateers and heavily
merchant-ships of the enemy, at this period, and

counters

armed

England appears to have been so completely taken by surThe difprise, that they were of almost daily occurrence.
ferent colonies, also, fitted out

more

vessels purchased for that purpose,

commanded by

officers

who

cruisers, principally

and some of them were

also bore

commissions

in the

service of Congress, or of the United States of America, as

was called after the declaration of inde-

the confederation

South Carolina, on the 16th February, 1776,

had three of these vessels; a ship of 26 nine pounders; a
One of these
brig of 18 sixes; and a schooner of 12 sixes.
pendence.

cruisers drove a sloop of war from her convoy, and captured four transports loaded with stores.
Massachusetts

was never without

from time

to time,

several

and Pennsylvania,
Virginia had her little

cruisers,

had more or

less.

marine, too, as has been already mentioned, though its

attention was principally directed to the defence of her

numerous

rivers

and bays.

Some

of the English accounts of this period slate that

near a hundred privateers had been fitted out of New-Engfirst two years of the war, and the number of seamen in the service of the crown, employed against

land, alone, in the

new States of America, was computed at 26,000.

The colonies obtained many important supplies, colonial

the

as well as military, and even manufactured articles of ordi-

nary

use,

by means of

their captures, scarce a

day passing

that vessels of greater or less value did not arrive in some

one of the ports of their extensive coast. By a list published
in the

Remembrancer, an English work of

credit,

it

appears

NAVAL HISTORY.

143

that 342 sail of English vessels had been taken

by American
which number 44 had been recaptured,
18 had been released, and 4 were burned.
On the other hand, the Americans met with their disas-

cruisers in 1776, of

privateers were taken, principally by the fastvaluable merchantmen

sailing frigates of the enemy, and
In short, the war
fell into their hands, from time to time.
ters;

many

became very

destructive to both parties, in a commercial

sense, though it was best supported by the colonists, as the
rise in colonial

for their losses.

produce, in a measure, compensated them

NAVAL HISTORY.

144

CHAPTER

VII.

with new prospects on the AmeThe hardy movements of Washington in

The year 1777 opened

rican

cause.

New

Jersey had restored the drooping confidence of the

nation, and great efforts were made to follow up the advan-

the
tage that had been so gloriously obtained. Most of
and
built
vessels authorized by the laws of 1775 had been

equipped, during the year 1776, and America

said, for the first time, to

have something

may now

like

be

a regular

navy, although the service was still, and indeed continued

to be throughout the war, deficient in organization, system

and
at

could scarcely be deemed a regular service,

for after the first eflx)rt, connected with its creation,

unity.

all,

It

the business of repairing losses, of increasing the force, and

of perfecting that which had been so hastily commenced,
either totally neglected, or carried on in a manner so
little of
desultory and inefficient, as soon to leave very

was

method or order in the marine. As a consequence, officers

were constantly compelled to seek employment in private
armed ships or to remain idle, and the discipline did not
advance as would otherwise have been the case, during the
heat of an active war.

however, and not

To

the necessities of the nation,

to its foresight

tributed this state of things, the

and prudence, must be atraising and main-

means of

taining troops being obtained with difficulty,

many ships entirely exceeding its resources.
that

had not the public armed

vessels

and the cost of

It is

probable

been found useful

in

NAVAL HISTORY.

145

conveying, as well as in convoying the produce by means of

the loans obtained in Europe were met, and perhaps

which

indispensable in keeping up the diplomatic communications with that quarter of the world, the navy would have

been suffered

to

become

extinct,

beyond

its

emphoyment

in

the bays and rivers of the country.

This, however, is anticipating events, for at the precise moment in the incidents of

which we have now arrived, the exertions of the

were perhaps at their height, as respects its naval
armaments.
the war, at

republic

One of

the

not the very

first, if

that got to sea,

was

the

Randolph

first

32,

It

new

of the

vessels

has been said that

Capt. Biddle had been appointed to this ship, on his return

from his successful cruise in the Andrea Doria 14. The

Randolph was launched at Philadelphia in the course of the

season of 1776, and sailed on her first cruise early in 1777.
Discovering a defect

in his masts, as well as

of

in his people, too

mutiny
many
from among the prisoners, Capt. Biddle put
for repairs.

As soon

as the ship

a disposition to

whom were
was

volunteers

into Charleston

refitted,

he sailed

again, and three days out, he fell in with and captured four
Jamaica-men, one of which, the True Briton, had an arma-

ment of 20 guns. With these prizes, the Randolph returned

Here she appears to have been

to Charleston, in safety.

blockaded, by a superior English force, during the remainThe state authorities of South Carolina

der of the season.

were

much

pleased with the zeal and deportment of

Capt. Biddle, and so much elated with their own success
against Sir Peter Parker, that they now added four small
so

vessels of
16, the

war of

Notre

own, the Gen. Moultrie 18, the Polly

16, and the Fair American 14, to his

their

Dame

command, with which

vessels

company, and under

his

orders, Capt. Biddle sailed in quest of the British ships, the

Carrysfort 32, the Perseus 20, the Hinchinbrook 16, and a
privateer,

which had been cruising

Vol. I. 13

oflf

Charleston for some

NAVAL HISTORY.

146

The American

time.

so long

by

squadron, however, had been detained

no traces of the enemy were to

foul winds, that

For the further

got into the offing.
we
are
unhappily indebted to the
history of the Randolph,
British accounts.
be discovered

By

when

it

a letter from Capt. Vincent, of his Britannic Majesty's

64, dated March 17th, 1778, we learn that,

Yarmouth

ship
on the 7th of that month, while cruising to the eastward of

Barbadoes, he made six sail to the south-west, standing on

a wind. The Yarmouth bore down on the chases, which

proved

two

to be

ships, three brigs,

and a schooner. About

nine o'clock in the evening she succeeded in ranging up on

the weather quarter of the largest and leading vessel of the
strangers; the ship next in size, being a
leeward. Hoisting her own colours, the
the ship near her to

show her

ensign,

little

astern and to

Yarmouth ordered
when the American

and the enemy poured in a broadside.

A smart action now commenced, and was maintained with
vigour for twenty minutes, when the stranger blew up. The

flag

was run

up,

ships were so near at the time, that many fragments of

wreck struck the Yarmouth, and, among other things,
an American ensign, rolled up, was blown in upon her foreThis flag was not even singed. The vessels in
castle.
company now steered different ways, and the Yarmouth

two
the

gave chase to two, varying her own course for that purpose. But her sails had suffered so much in the short action,
that the vessels chased soon run her out of sight.
In this
the
of
her
own commander,
action the Yarmouth, by
report

and 12 wounded. On the 12th, while

same place, a piece of wreck was discomen on it, who were making signals for
These men were saved, and when they got on board

had 5 men

killed

cruising near the

vered, with four
relief

Yarmouth, they reported themselves as having belonged

Randolph 32, Capt. Biddie, the
vessel that had blown up in action with the Englishman on

the

to the United States' ship

NAVAL HISTORY.

147

the night of the 7th of the same month.

They had been
floating ever since on the piece of wreck, without any other

sustenance than a

httle rain

water.

They

stated that they

were a month out of Charleston.

We

regard with admiration the steadiness and spirit with

which, according to the account of his enemy, Capt. Biddle

commenced

this action,

against a force so vastly his supe-

rior; and, although victory

all his

find

it

was almost

hopeless, even

had

behaved equally well with his own ship, we

difficult, under the circumstances, to suppose that this
vessels

gallant

seaman

did not actually contemplate carrying his

powerful antagonist, most probably by boarding.*

Nicholas Biddle was descended from one of those respectable famipeopled West -Jersey, in the last quarter of the seventeenth

lies that first

century.

He was

the sixth son of William Biddle, of that colony,

who

of Philadelphia previously to his birth, and

where this child was born, in 1750. Young- Biddle went to sea at thirteen,
and from that early age appears to have devoted himself to the calling

had removed

to the city

with ardour and perseverance. After several voyages, and suffering much
in the way of shipwreck, he went to England, and by means of letters,
as a midshipman on board a British sloop of war, commanded
by Captain, afterwards Admiral, Sterling. It is a singular fact in the life
of this remarkable young man, that he subsequently entered on board one

was rated

of the vessels sent towards the North Pole, under the Hon. Capt. Phipps,
where he found Nelson, a volunteer like himself. Both were made cockswains by the commodore. This was in 1773, and the difficulties with the
American colonies were coming to a head. In 1775, Mr. Biddle returned

home, prepared

to share his country's fortunes, in weal or woe.

The first employment of Mr. Biddle, in the public service, was in command of a galley, called the Camden, fitted out by the colony for the defence of the Delaware. From this station he was transferred to the service
of Congress, or put into the regular marine, as it then existed, and given
the command of the brig Andrea Doria 14. In this vessel he does not

appear to have had much share in the combat with the Glasgow, though
present in the squadron, and in the expedition against New-Providence.
His successful cruise to the eastward, in the Doria, has been related in the

body of the work, and on his return he was appointed

the vessel in which he perished.

to the

Randolph 32,

In the action with the Yarmouth, Capt. Biddle was severely

wounded in

NAVAL HISTORY.

148

In March, 1777, the United States' brig Cabot, Capt..

Olney, was chased ashore, on the coast of Nova Scotia, by
the British frigate Milford, which pressed the Cabot so hard
that there was barely time to get the people out of the brig.
Capt. Olney and his crew retreated into the woods, and

subsequently they made their escape by seizing a schooner,

which they arrived safe at home. The enemy, after a

in

long

trial,

got the Cabot

off,

and she was subsequently taken

into the British navy.

Shortly after this

loss,

or on the 19th of April, the

Trum-

New

York, and
captured, after a smart action, two armed transports, with
stores of value on board.
In this affair the enemy suffered

bull 28, Capt. Saltonstall, fell in with, off

severely in casualties, and the Trumbull herself had 7

killed and 8 wounded.

The Hancock

32, Capt.

men

Manly, with the Boston 24, Capt.

company, fell in with the Rainbow 44,

It
Sir George Collier, accompanied by the Victor brig.
would seem that Capt. Manly had at first intended to enHector McNiel,

in

gage the enemy, but the Boston making

the

Hancock was compelled

the thigh, and he

examining

is

his hurt,

said to have

when

to imitate

been seated

his ship

blew up.

sail to escape,
her example. The

a chair, with the surgeon

His death occurred at the

in

early age of twenty-seven, and he died unmarried, though engaged, at the

time, to a lady in Charleston.

There is little question that Nicholas Biddle would have risen to high
rank and great consideration, had his life been spared. Ardent, ambitious, fearless, intelligent, and persevering, he had all the qualities of a
great naval captain, and, though possessing some local family influence
perhaps, he rose to the station he filled at so early an age, by personal
merit. For so short a career, scarcely any other had been so brilliant; for

though no victories over regular cruisers accompanied his exertions, he

had ever been successful until the fatal moment when he so gloriously
fell.

His

loss

was greatly regretted in the midst of the excitement and

and can scarcely be appreciated by those who

vicissitudes of a revolution,

do not understand the influence that such a character can produce on a

small and infant service.

149

NAVAL HISTORY.

Rainbow pursued

when that ship, after a long and

which much seamanship was displayed

the latter,

arduous chase, in
on both sides, was compelled

was

to surrender.

tried for the loss of his ship,

Capt.

Manly

and honourably acquitted,

while Capt. McNiel was dismissed the service for quitting

The Hancock had previously captured the

Fox 28, after a sharp contest, which vessel
company on this occasion, and was recaptured by the

the Hancock.

British frigate

was

in

we

regret that it is not in our power to

furnish any authentic details of the action in which the Fox
was taken.

Flora 32, though

The occupation of Philadelphia by

the British

army

in this

year, wrought a material change in the naval arrangements

of the country. Up to this time, the Delaware had been a
safe place of retreat for the different cruisers,

largest

unusual

town

facilities

ships

had

in security and to advantage.

United States, Philadelphia offered
for such objects, and many public and pri-

been constructed on

The

and

its

banks

in the

vate armed cruisers had been equipped at her wharves, previously to the appearance of the British forces, under Sir

William Howe.

That important event completely altered

and the vessels that were in the stream

this state of things,

at the time,

were compelled to move higher up the river, or

manner they could. Unfortunately,

to get to sea in the best

several of the ships constructed, or purchased, under the

in a situation to adopt the latter ex-

laws of 1775 were not

pedient,

and they were carried

supposed

to different places that

were

to offer the greatest security.

Asa part of the American

vessels and galleys were above,

a
and part below the town, the very day after reaching the
capital, the English commenced the erection of batteries to

Aware of
intercept the communications between them.
the consequences, the Delaware 24, Capt. Alexander, and
Andrea Doria
to the navy,

14,

and

seconded by some other

to the state

vessels, belonging

of Pennsylvania,
13*

moved

in front

NAVAL HISTORY.

150

of these works, and opened a cannonade, with a view lo

destroy them. The Delaware was so unfortunately placed,
that

when

the tide

fell,

she took the ground, and her guns

Some

were brought to
bear on her, while in this helpless situation, and she necesThe other vessels were compelled to retire.
sarily struck.
As the command of the river was now indispensable to
becan:ie unmanageable.

field

pieces

the British, they turned their attention at once to the deAn

struction of the American works below the town.

was made by the Hessians, on

Red Bank, and this was soon followed by another on Fort
Mitflin, which, as it was entrusted to the shipping, comes
more properly within our observation. With a view to effect
unsuccessful land attack

the reduction, or abandonment of Fort Mifflin, the British

assembled a squadron of ships of a

light

draught of water,

among which was the Augusta 64, which had been partially
stripped, and fitted in some measure as a floating battery.
As soon as the troops advanced against Red Bank, as stated,
the ships began to move, but some chevaux de frise anchored
in the river, had altered its channel, and the Augusta, and
the Merlin sloop of war, got fast, in unfavourable positions.
Some firing between the other vessels and the American

works and galleys now took place, but was soon put a stop
The next day the action was
to by the approach of night.
renewed with spirit, the Roebuck 44, Isis 32, Pearl 32, and
Liverpool 28, being present, in addition to the Augusta and
Fire ships were ineffectually employed by the
Merlin.
In the
Americans, but the cannonade became heavy.
midst of the firing, it is said, that some pressed hay, which
had been secured to the quarter of the Augusta, to render
her shot-proof, took fire, and the ship was soon in flames.
It now became necessary to withdraw the other vessels, in
order to escape the effects of the explosion, in so narrow a
passage, and the attack

blew

up,

was abandoned.

and the Merlin having been

The Augusta

set fire

to

by the

NAVAL HISTORY.
British, shared the

Augusta were

same

lost

151

A number

fate.

of the crew of the

in that ship, the conflagration being so

rapid as to prevent their removal.

second and better

concerted attack, however, shortly after, compelled the

to evacuate the works, when the enemy got
command of the river from the capes to the town. This

Americans

state of things induced the

Americans

to

destroy the few

sea vessels that remained below Philadelphia, among which

were the U. S. Brig Andrea Doria 14, and schooner Wasp
8,

and

it

is

believed the Hornet 10, though the galleys,

by

following the Jersey shore, were enabled to escape above.

While these important movements were occurring in the

middle

states, the Raleigh,

had been constructed

in

twelve pounder frigate, that

Hampshire, under the law of

fine

New

1775, was enabled to get to sea for the

commanded by Capt. Thompson, the
as sixth on the Hne, and sailed in
24, Capt.

Hinman.

men, bound

These two

first

who

company with
went

ships

She was

time.

officer

appears

the Alfred

to sea, short of

France, where military stores were in waiting

to be transported to America.
to

The Raleigh and Alfred had a good run off the coast, and
they made several prizes of little value during the first few
days of their passage. On the 2d of Sept. they overtook
and captured a snow, called the Nancy, which had been
by the outward bound Windward Island fleet, the

left

previous day. Ascertaining from his prisoners the position

of the West Indiamen, Capt. Thompson made sail in chase.

The

fleet

was under

the charge of the Camel, Druid,

and Grasshopper, the

first

of which

is

said to

Weasel

have had an

armament of twelve pounders. The following day, or Sept.

3d, 1777, the Raleigh made the convoy from her mast heads,
and by sunset was near enough to ascertain that there were
as well as the positions of the men of war.
Capt.
Thompson had got the signals of the fleet from his prize,
sixty

sail,

and he now signalled the Alfred, as

if

belonging to the con-

NAVAL HISTORY.

152
voy.

After dark he spoke his consort, and directed her

commander

to

keep near him,

it

being his intention to run

among
enemy, and lay the commodore aboard. At this
the
two
American ships were to windward, but nearly
time,
the

in

astern.

In the course of the night the wind shifted to the northward, and the convoy hauled by the wind, bringing the

American

leeward.
At daylight the wind had
became necessary to carry more sail than
tender-sided ship) could bear. Here occurred

ships

freshened, and

the Alfred, (a

to

it

one of those instances of the unfortunate consequences which

must always follow the employment of vessels of unequal

same squadron, or the employment of officers

not trained in the same high school. The Alfred would not
bear her canvass, and while the Raleigh fetched handsomely
qualities in the

into the fleet, under double-reefed topsails, the former

leeward more than a league.

Capt.

Thompson

fell

to

did not dare

character might be suspected, and

despairing of being supported by the Alfred, he stood boldly

to shorten

sail, lest

in

the British ships alone, and hove his ship

among

his

to, in

order to permit the merchantmen astern to draw more ahead

of him.

When

his plan

was

laid,

Capt.

Thompson

filled

away, and

stood directly through the convoy, luffing up towards the

In doing this he
vessel of war that was most to windward.

spoke several of the merchantmen, to which he gave orders

to steer, as if belonging himself to the fleet, repeating

how
all

the

signals. Up to this moment the Raleigh

have escaped detection, nor had she had any

commodore's

appears

to

signs of preparation about her, as

her guns

were housed,

and her ports lowered.

Having obtained a weatherly position, the Raleigh now

ran along side of the vessel of war, and when within pistol
shot, she hauled up her courses, run out her guns, set her
ensign, and

commanded

the

enemy

to strike.

So completely

NAVAL HISTORY.

was

153

taken by surprise, that the order threw her

into great confusion, and even her sails got aback.
The
Raleigh seized this favourable moment to pour in a broadthis vessel

side,

which was feebly returned.

The enemy were soon

driven from their guns, and the Raleigh fired twelve broadsides into the English ship in

twenty minutes, scarcely rea

shot
in
return.
A
heavy swell rendered the aim
ceiving
uncertain, but it was evident that the British vessel suffered

more

severely, and this the

squall

engaged.

so,

had come on, and

When

was of

as she

at first

it

inferior force.

shut in the

two

ships

cleared away, the convoy was seen

directions, in the utmost confusion, but the
it

steering in all
vessels of war, with several

heavy well armed West

India-

men, tacked and hauled up

for the Raleigh, leaving no doubt

of their intentions to engage. The frigate lay by her adversary until the other vessels were so near, that it became

absolutely necessary to quit her, and then she ran to leejoined the Alfred. Here she shortened sail, and

ward and

to come down, but it being near dark,

commodore tacked and hauled in among his convoy again. The Raleigh and Alfred kept near this fleet

waited for ihe enemy

the British

for several days, but

sels

of

The

war
ship

Druid 20.

to

come

no provocation could induce the vesit, and it was finally abandoned.

out of

engaged by the Raleigh, proved to be the

She was much cut up, and the official report of

made her loss six killed, and twenty-six

Of the latter, five died soon after the action, and
wounded was Capt. Carteret. The Druid was

her commander,

wounded.

among

the

unable to pursue the voyage and returned to England.

In this affair, Capt. Thompson discovered a
proper spirit,
for he might easily

have cut out of the

merchantmen, but he appears

to

fleet half

a dozen

have acted on the

princi-

war should first seek vessels of war. The

had
three
men killed and wounded in the engageRaleigh

ple that vessels of

ment, and otherwise sustained but

little

injury.

NAVAL HISTORY.

154

The commerce

of England suffered a loss of 467 sail of

merchantmen, during the year 1777, some of which were of

great value, though the government kept a force of about

seventy sail of men of war on the American coast alone.

Many American

privateers fell into their hands however,

and a scarcity of men began to be felt, in consequence of
It
the numbers that were detained in the English prisons.
was on the 14th of June of this year, that Congress finally
established the stars and stripes as the flag of the nation.

During

this year,

Bushnel made several unsuccessful

at-

blow up the ships of the enemy by means of tora

pedoes,
species of warfare that it can hardly be regretted
tempts

to

has so uniformly

failed.

NAVAL HISTORY.

CHAPTER
The year 1778 opened

155

VIII.

with cheerful prospects for the

great cause of American Independence.

The capture

of

Burgoyne, and the growing discontents in Europe, rendering a French alHance, and a European war, daily more

These

results, in truth,

probable.
from that

moment,

related to

its

soon after followed, and

the entire policy of the United States, as

marine, was changed.

Previous to

this

great

event, Congress had often turned its attention towards the

necessity of building or purchasing vessels of force, in

order to interrupt that absolute control which the enemy

possessed, in the immediate waters of the country, and
which even superseded the necessity of ordinary costly
blockades, as two or three heavy frigates had been able, at
any time since the commencement of the struggle, to com-

mand the entrance of the different bays and sounds.

The French fleet, soon after the war between England
and France broke

out,

appeared

in the

American

seas, and,

measure, relieved the country from a species of warfare that was particularly oppressive to a nation that was
in a

then so poor, and which possessed so great an extent of

coast.

As the occupation of New York and Philadelphia prevented several of the new frigates from getting to sea at
or occasioned their early loss. Congress had endeavoured to repair these deficiencies by causing other vessels
all,

be built, or purchased, at points where they would be out

of danger from any similar misfortune. Among these ships

to

156

IV

were

AVAL HISTORY.

the Alliance 32, Confederacy 32,

Deane

32, (afterwards

and Queen of France 28, all frigate-built,

and the Ranger, Gates, and Saratoga sloops of war. To
these were added a few other vessels, that were either
called the Hague,)

bought, or borrowed in Europe, which will be mentioned in

The Alliance, which, as her name intheir proper places.
dicates,

was launched about

the time the treaty

was made

with France, was the favourite ship of the American navy,

and it might be added, of the American nation, during the

war

filling some such space in the public

as
since
been
has
mind,
occupied by her more celebrated
She was a beautiful and an
successor, the Constitution.

of the Revolution;

exceedingly fast ship, but, as will be seen

rendered less efficient than she might

in the sequel,

otherwise

was
have

proved, by the mistake of placing her under the command

of a French officer, who had entered the service, with a

view

to

pay a compliment

to the

new

allies

of the republic.

This unfortunate selection produced mutinies, much discontent

ties.

among the officers, and, in the end, grave irregulariThe Alliance was built at Salisbiny, in Massachu-

a place that figured as a building station, even in the

seventeenth century.
The naval operations of the year open with a gallant
setts,

little

exploit,

dence

achieved by the United States sloop ProviRathbone. This vessel carried only four

12, Capt.

pounders, and, at the time, is said to have had a crew of but

on board. Notwithstanding this triffing force,
fifty men
Capt. Rathbone

dence, at the

made a

descent on the Island of

head of twenty-five men.

New

He was

Provi-

joined by

a few American prisoners, less than thirty, it is said, and,

while a privateer of sixteen guns, with a crew of near 50

men, lay in the harbour, he seized the forts, got possession

of the stores, and effectually obtained command of the
All the vessels in port, six in number, fell into his
an attempt of the armed population to overpower
and
hands,

place.

NAVAL HISTORY.
him,

157

was put down, by a menace to burn the town.

war appeared off the harbour, while

British sloop of

Americans were

in

A
the

possession, but, ascertaining that an

enemy was occupying the works, she retired, after having

been fired on. The following day, the people assembled in
such force, as seriously to threaten the safety of his party
and vessel, and Capt. Rathbone caused the guns of the fort
to be spiked, removed all the ammunition and small arms,

burned two of

his prizes,

man

without leavinjT a

and

Americans held

enterprise, the

sailed with the remainder,

behind him.

In this daring

the place

two

little

entire days.

Capt. John Barry, whose spirited action off the capes of

Virginia, in the Lexington 14, has been mentioned, and

whose capture of

the

Edward, on

that occasion,

is

worthy

of note, as having been the first of any vessel of war, that

American cruiser in battle,
was ever made bv a regular
CD
'

was placed on

the regulated

list

of October, 1776, as the

seventh captain, and appointed to (he command of the

Effingham 28, then building at Philadelphia. The Effing-

ham was one

of the vessels that had been taken up the

Delaware, to escape from the British army; and this gallant

ofiicer, wearied with a life of inactivity, planned an expedi-

down

the stream, in the hope of striking a blow at

the enemy's vessels anchored off, or below the
town. Manning four boats, he pulled down with the tide.
Some alarm was given when opposite the town, but
tion

some of

dashing
ahead, the barges got past without injury. Off Port Penn
lay an enemy's schooner of ten guns, and four transports,
with

freiarht

for

the

British

army.

The schooner was

boarded and carried, without loss, and the transports fell

Two cruisers apinto the hands of the Americans also.
soon
after
the
in
river, however, Capt. Barry despearing
troyed his prizes, and escaped by land, without losing a

man.
Following the order of time,
Vol. I. 14

we now

return

to

the

NAVAL HISTORY.

158

movements of
Thompson,

the

two

the Raleigh

ships under the

command

of Capt.
After taking in

and the Alfred.

military stores in France, these vessels sailed for America,

making a circuit to the southward, as was then quite usual

with cruisers thus employed, in order to avoid the enemy's

vessels of force, and to pick up a few prizes by the way.
They sailed from I'Orient in February, 1778, and on the
9th of

March, were chased by

the British ships Ariadne

and Ceres, which succeeded in getting along side of the

Alfred, and engaging her, while the Raleigh was at a distance. Believing a contest fruitless, after exchanging a few
broadsides, the Alfred struck, and the Raleigh, though hard
pressed, in the chase that succeeded, made her escape.
Capt. Thompson was blamed in the journals of the day,
for not aiding his consort on this occasion; and he appears

have been superseded in the

await the result of a trial.

to

The

command

of his ship, to

British accounts state the force of the Alfred, at the

time of her capture, at twenty nine-pounders, which will

give us a more accurate idea of the real character of a
vessel that filled so prominent a situation in the navy, at

formation.

Twenty

nine-pounders,

its

would not probably

above the rate of an English twenty gun ship,

even allowing her to have had a few sixes on her quarterdeck and forecastle; and this, probably, was the true class
raise her

and Columbus, ships that figure as

as thirty-twos, in some of the earlier
and
even
twenty-eights,
accounts of the war. But, it should always be remembered,
of both the Alfred

that a disposition to exaggerate the power of the country,

by magnifying the force of the ships, a practice peculiar to

an infant and aspiring

])eople,

was

a fault of the popular ac-

counts of not only the Revolution, but of a

of the United States.

still

later

period

in the history

Among

by the act of 1775, was one

which had been laid down in Mary-

the frigates ordered

called the Virginia 28,

NAVAL HISTORY.

To

land.

tliis

vessel

159

was assigned Capt. James Nicholson,

the senior captain on the

discovered conduct and

an

list,

spirit in

officer

an

who had

affair

already-

with one of the

enemy's tenders off Annapolis, while serving in the local

marine of Maryland. The great embarrassments which
attended most of the public measures of the day, and a vigifrom getting to sea,
of this year, when, having received her crew
and equipments, she made the attempt on the 30th of March.

lant blockade, prevented the Virginia

until the spring

The

frigate appears to

have followed another vessel down

the Chesapeake, under the impression that the best pilot of

the bay was in charge of her.

About three in the morning,
however, she struck on the middle ground, over which she
beat vs^ith the loss of her rudder. The ship was immediately anchored.
Day discovered two English vessels of
at no great distance, when Capt. Nicholson got ashore

war

v/ith his papers,

the enemy.

Capt.

An

and the ship was taken possession of by

inquiry, instituted

Nicholson of blame.

mander's abandoning

gave

rise to

ders

it

The

his vessel

some comments

by Congress, acquitted
peculiarity of a com-

under such circumstances,

at the time, but the result ren-

probable that considerations of importance, that

were not generally known, induced the step. A trial was

not deemed necessary, and Capt. Nicholson subsequently
fought two of the most remarkable combats of the war,
though successful in neither.
But merit in warfare is not always to be measured by
success, and least of all, in a profession that is liable to so

many
trol

accidents and circumstances that

of man.

An

unexpected

shift

lie

beyond the con-

of wind, the sudden loss

of an important spar, or the unfortunate injury occasioned

by a single shot, may derange the best devised schemes, or
enfeeble the best appointed ship; and it is in repairing these
in the steadiness, and order, and sub-

unexpected damages,
mission

to authority,

with which casualities are met, as well

160

NAVAL HISTORY.

as in the greater effect of their attack, that the trained offiand men manifest their vast superiority over the hurried

cers

and confused movements of those who are wanting

high qualities of disciphne.
Leaving the ocean for a moment,
attention to the proceedings of the

laware.

Early

under the

in

May, an

command

we

will

now

in these

turn our

again, in the

enemy

De-

left

expedition
Philadelphia,
of Major Maitland, and ascended that

American shipping, which

had been carried up it to escape the invading and successful army of the enemy.
The force consisted of the schooners Viper and Pembroke; the Hussar, Cornwallis, Ferret
and Philadelphia galleys; four gun boats, and eighteen flat
river with a view to destroy the

The
boats, under the orders of Capt. Henry, of the navy.
2nd battalion of the light-infantry, and two field pieces
composed the troops. Ascending the stream to a point
above
the

Bristol, the troops landed,

under cover of the guns of

without opposition.

Indeed, there does not apto

have
been
to
force
pear
oppose the British on this
any
if
little moment, as to
one
of
so
occasion, or,
any,
put a
flotilla,

serious contest out of the question.

The Washington 32,
and Efhngham 28, both of which had been built at Phil-

adelphia, but had never got to sea, were burned.

ships had not yet received their armaments.

These
At this

point several other vessels were destroyed, privateers and

merchantmen, and the party proceeded to Croswell creek,

where

Sturdy Beggar 18, and eight sail of

other vessels were set on fire and consumed.
The next
the privateer

day the British ascended

more craft, four of which
cending by land
ed.

After

this,

to Bristol,

four

new

to Bile's Island,

and burned

w"ere pierced for guns.

On

six

des-

a ship and a brig were destroyships, a new brig, and an old

schooner were burned by the galleys, the party returning to

Philadelphia that night, without losing a man.
By this
coup de main, the Americans

lost

two more of the

frigates

NAVAL HISTORY.

161

authorized by the law of 1775; and though it is not now

easy to ascertain facts so minute, it is believed that two or
three of the smallest of the cruisers that appear on the

list

of the navy, at its formation, were destroyed by the English on this occasion.
The Hornet, Sachem, Independence
and Musquito, are not to be traced subsequently to this
if not burned when this expedition occurred, it
probable that they all were burned with the Wasp, in
1777.
To compensate for these losses, not a single frigate

period, and
is

of the

enemy had

yet been brought into port, though the

had
been
28,
captured.
About this time the celebrated Paul Jones, whose conduct
as a lieutenant in the Alfred, and in command of that ship,

Fox

as well as in that of the Providence 12,

attention,

Ranger

18.

had attracted much

European seas in command of the

So cautious had the American government got
in the

appeared

to be, in consequence of the British remonstrances, that

orders were given to the Ranger to conceal her armament

while in France. This vessel, which is described as having

been both crank and slow, was not thought worthy of so

good an officer, by the marine committee, and it had pro-

mised him a better ship; but the exigencies of the service

its fulfilment of the
engagement, and Capt.

did not admit of

Jones, after a long delay, had been induced to" take this

command,

in

ever, that he

howEurope in the hope of obtaining the

vessel had been presented to the King of

preference to remaining

came

Indien, but that

France previously

idle.

It is said,

to

to his arrival.

After going into Brest to refit, Capt. Jones sailed from

that port on the 10th of April, 1778, on a cruise in the Irish

Channel.

As

the

Ranger passed along

the coast, she

made

several prizes, and getting as high as Whitehaven, Capt.

Jones determined, on the 17th, to make an attempt to burn
the colliers that were crowded in that narrow port.
The

weather, however, prevented the execution of

14*

this project,

NAVAL HISTORY.

162

and the ship proceeded as high as Glentine bay, on the coast

of Scotland, where she chased a revenue vessel without
success.

Quitting the Scottish coast, the

Ireland, and arriving

Ranger next crossed to

was boarded by-

off Carrickfergus, she

some fishermen. From these men Capt. Jones ascertained

that a ship which lay anchored in the roads was the Drake
sloop of war, Capt. Burden, a vessel of a force about equal

Ranger, and he immediately conceived apian

run in and take her. Preparations were accordingly
made, and darkness was only waited for, to make the
to that of the

to

attempt.
It

blew fresh

in the night, but

when

the proper hour

had

arrived, the

Ranger stood for the roads, having accurately

obtained the bearings of her enemy. The orders of Capt.
Jones were to overlay the cable of the Drake, and to bring
up on her bows, where he intended to secure his own ship,
and abide the result. By some mistake, the anchor was not
let

go

and instead of fetching up in the desired

Ranger could not be checked until she had

in season,

position, the

on the quarter of, and at distance of half a cable's

length from, the Drake. Perceiving that his object was defeated, Capt. Jones ordered the cable to be cut, when the
drifted

ship drifted astern, and,

making

sail,

she hauled by the wind

again as soon as possible. The gale increased, and it was

with difficulty that the Ranger weathered the land, and regained the channel.
Capt. Jones now stood over to the English coast, and believing the time more favourable, he attempted to execute

former design on the shipping in the port of Whitehaven.

Two parties landed in the night the forts were seized and

his

the guns

were spiked; the few look-outs

that

were

in the

works being confined.

was
port,

In effecting this duty, Capt. Jones

foremost in person, for,
having once sailed out of the

he was familiar with the situation of the

place.

An

NAVAL HISTORY.

163

both the parties into which the expedition had been divided, came near defeating the enterprise in
accident

common

to

They had brought candles in lanterns, for the

double purpose of lights and torches, and, now that they
were about to be used as the latter, it was found that they were
the outset.

all

consumed.

As

the

day was appearing,

the party under

Mr. Wallingford, one of the lieutenants, took to

without effecting any thing, while Capt. Jones sent

its

boat

to a de-

tached building and obtained a candle. He boarded a large

and by placing a barrel
ship, kindled a fire in her steerage,
of tar over the spot, soon had the vessel in flames. As this
ship lay in the midst of more than a hundred others, high

and dry,

the tide being out, Capt. Jones flattered himself with

the hope of signally revenging the depredations that the
enemy had so freely committed on the American coast.

But,

by

alarm was effectually given, and the

appeared on the adjacent high ground, or

this time, the

entire population

were seen rushing in numbers towards the shipping. The

latter were easily driven back by a show of force, and rehe thought, to make sure of an
extensive conflagration, Capt. Jones took to his boats and
Some guns were fired on the repulled towards his ship.

maining a

sufficient time, as

tiring boats without effect

ceeded

but the people of the place suc-

in extinguishing the flames before the

mischief be-

came very extensive.

The hardihood and character

of this attempt produced a

alarm
the
whole
English coast, and from that
great
along
hour, even to this, the name of Jones is associated, in the

minds of the people of Whitehaven, with audacity, destrucand danger.

tion,

While

cruising, with the utmost hardihood, as

it

might be

in the

very heart of the British waters, with the coasts of

the three kingdoms frequently in view at the same moment,
Capt. Jones,

who was

make an attempt

to

a native of the country, decided to

seize the Earl of Selkirk, who had a seat

NAVAL HISTORY.

164

on

St.

Mary's

the cliannel.

but

Isle,

near the point where the Dee flows into

A party landed, and got possession of the house,

master was absent.

its

The

officer in

command

of the

boats so far forgot himself as to bring away a quantity of

the family plate, although no other injury was done, or any
insult offered.

This plate, the value of which did not exceed

a hundred pounds, was subsequently purchased of the crew

by Capt. Jones, and returned to Lady Selkirk, with a letter
expressive of his regrets at the occurrence.
After the landing mentioned, the Ranger once

more steered

towards Ireland, Capt. Jones still keeping in view his design

on the Drake, and arrived off Carrickfergus again, on the
24th. The commander of the latter ship sent out an officer, in
one of

his boats, to ascertain the character of the stranger.

By means of skilful handling,

to the boat, and as the officer

the
in

Ranger was kept end-on

charge of the

latter

could

merely see the ship's stern, although provided with a glass,

he suffered himself to be decoyed alongside, and was taken.

From

the prisoners, Capt. Jones learned that intelligence of

on Whitehaven and St. Mary's Isle had reached

and that the people of the Drake had weighed the
anchor he had lost in his attempt on that ship.
his descents

Belfast,

Under these circumstances, Capt. Jones believed that the

commander of the Drake would not long defer coming out
in search of his boat; an expectation that was shortly realized,

by the appearance of the English

ship under

way.

The Ranger now filled and stood off the land, with a view
to draw her enemy more into the channel, and there lay to,
in waiting for the latter to come on.
Several small vessels
accompanied the Drake, to witness the combat, and many
volunteers had gone on board her, to assist in capturing the

American

privateer, as

it

was

the fashion of the

term the vessels of the young republic.

day

to

tide being un-

Drake worked out of the roads slowly, and

was approaching before she drew near the Ranger.

favourable, the
night

The

NAVAL HISTORY.

165

The Drake, as she got nigher, hailed, and received the

name of her antagonist, by way of challenge, with a request
As the two ships were standing on in this
to come on.
manner, the Drake a little to leeward and astern, the Ranger put her helm up, a manoeuvre that the enemy imitated,
and the former gave the first broadside, firing as her guns
bore. The wind admitted of but few changes, but the battle

was fought running

free,

under easy canvass.

It lasted

an

hour and four minutes, when the Drake called for quarter,
her ensign being already down.

The English

ship

was much

cut up, both in her hull

and

and Captain Jones computed her loss at about forty

men. Her captain and lieutenant w^ere both desperately
aloft,

wounded, and died shortly

Ranger

suffered

one man

killed,

much
and

six

after

antagonist.

engagement.

less, having Lieut. Wallingford

The
and

wounded. The Drake was not only

a heavier ship, but she had a

She had

the

also

much

two guns

stronger crew than her

the most.

After securing her prize and repairing damages, the Ranger went round the north of Ireland, and shaped her course
for Brest.

She had several chases, but arrived

safely at her

port, with the Drake, on the 8th of May.

Whatever may be thought of the conduct of Capt. Jones,
in turning a local knowledge acquired in his youth, in the

manner mentioned, to such an account, there can be no

doubt that the course pursued by the enemy on the American coast, would have fully
and it

officer in the service;

justified the act in

is

due

any other

to Capt. Jones, to say,

that he had, personally, been so much vilified by the British

press, as quite naturally to have weakened any remains of

national attachment that he

The

may

formerly have entertained.

natives of Great Britain, that served on the

American

great contest, were not essentially in a position

different from that of those who had been born in the colo-

side, in this

nies.

The war,

in

one sense, was a

civil

war, and the con-

166

NAVAL HISTORY.

all who took part in it, was to be measured

by the
merits of the main question.
The EngUshman actually established in the colonies, when the struggle commenced,

duct of

was

essentially in the situation of the native

had a moral

right to I'esist the

it

and

if

the latter

it was a
right that extended to the former,
not a question of birth place that was at issue,

Parliament,
since

encroachments of the British

was

but one of local and territorial interests.

By transferring
himself to England, the native of America would have
avoided the injuries, and shared in the advantages of the
offensive policy; and by transferring himself to America,
the native of England

became

the subject of its wrongs.

as a legitimate consefollows
legal,
of
such premises, that all the moral as well as legal
quence
rights dependent on their exercise were carried with them.

Both steps were

and

it

Mr. Silas Talbot, of Rhode Island, who had been a

seaman in his youth, had taken service in the army, and
October 10th, 1777, he had been raised to the rank of a
Major, to reward him for a spirited attempt to set fire to
one of the enemy's cruisers in the Hudson. In the autumn
of the present year, (1778) Major Talbot headed another
expedition against the British schooner Pigot, 8, then lying
in the eastern passage between Rhode Island and the main
land, in a small sloop that

was manned by 60
schooner without

was promoted

had two

light guns,

and which

Major Talbot carried the

and for his conduct and gallantry

volunteers.

loss,

to be

a Lieut. Colonel.

The Pigot had 45

men, and one heavy gun in her bows, besides the rest of her
armament. The following year this officer was transferred
to the navy, Congress passing an especial resolution to that
effect,

with directions

a ship on the
that

it

was

Talbot to a

and he

is

first

to the

occasion.

marine committee to give him

It does not appear, however,

power of the committee, to appoint Capt.

government vessel, at that period of the war,

in the

believed to have served, subsequently, in a private

NAVAL HISTORY.

1G7

The commander of

the Pigot showed great

alone
on
deck, in his shirt, when
bravery, actuall}'- fighting
had
below.
man
of
his
crew
run
every

armed

ship.

has already been intimated, that the appearance of a

It

French

fleet, in July, 1778, off Newport, materially changed

the character of the war, so far as the American marine

was concerned.

On

this

occasion, the

enemy destroyed

the following ships at, or near Newport, to prevent their

falling into the hands of the French, viz: the Juno, 32; Or-

pheus, 32; Cerberus, 32;

Lark, 32; Flora, 32; and Fal-

con, 18.
It will

marine

give some idea of the condition of the American

we state that a month previously to

at that time, if

the arrival of the French, the following vessels were lying

at Boston.
They appear to have composed most of the

disposable naval force of the United States, in the

American

Warren, 32, Capt. John Hopkins; Raleigh, 32,

Thompson; Deane, (afterwards Hague,) 32, Capt. S.

seas, viz:

Capt.

Nicholson; Tyrannicide, 14, colony cruiser, Capt. Harding;

Independence, 14, Capt. Hazard Sampson, 20; Hancock,
20, (formerly Weymouth, a packet:) and Speedwell, 10.
;

The

four last were colony cruisers, or privateers.

force, Capt. Thompson was the senior officer.

Of

this

Several

private armed ships were cruising off the eastern coast, at

the same time, among which was the Mars, 24, Capt.

Truxtun.
It

has been said that

ously to the period

arrived,

many officers of the navy, previwar at which we have now

of the

had been compelled

to

seek service in the priva-

want of more regular employment, and among

was Capt. Daniel Waters. While in command of
private armed ship Thorn, 16, out of Boston, Capt. Wa-

teers, for

others
the

engaged the letter of marque. Governor Tryon, 16,

Capt. Stebbins, and the Sir William Erskine, 18, Capt.
Hamilton, both full manned. After a sharp action of two
ters

hours, the

Tryon

struck,

and the Erskine made

sail to es-

168

NAVAL HISTORY.

cape.

Instead of stopping to take possession of his prize,

the Erskine, and getting
along side,

Capt. Waters pursued

compelled her to surrender also. Throwing a crew on

board this ship, the two vessels now went in quest of the

Tryon, which had profited by the situation of the Thorn, to

endeavour to escape. Favoured by the night, this vessel
succeeded in getting off", and the next day the Erskine was
sent into port.

The Thorn had now

but 60

men

left,

and

in a few days, she fell in with the Sparlin, 18, with 97 men,
which she succeeded in taking after a fight of near an hour.

The Thorn, and both her

prizes, arrived safely in Boston.

In consequence of the investigation connected with the

loss of the Alfred, or, at the time that Capt. Thompson

was

relieved from the

command

of the Raleigh 32, that

Under the orders of this

ship w^as given to Capt. Barry.

the Raleigh sailed

new commander,

from Boston on the

25th of September, at six in the morning, having a brig and

a sloop under convoy. The wind was fresh at N. W., and

At twelve, two strange sail were

the frigate run off N. E.
seen to leeward, distant fifteen or sixteen miles. Orders
were given to the convoy to haul nearer to the wind, and
to crowd all the sail it could carry, the strangers in chase.
After dark the Raleigh lost sight of the enemy, as by this
time the two ships were ascertained to be, and the wind

became

light

and variable.

The Raleigh now

cleared for

action, and kept her people at quarters all night, having

tacked towards the land. In the morning it proved to be

hazy, and the strangers were not to be seen. The Raleigh

was still standing towards the land, which she shortly after
made ahead, quite near. About noon, the haze clearinfr
away, the enemy were seen in the southern board, and to
windward, crowding sail in chase. The weather became
thick again, and the Raleigh lost sight of her

two pursuers,

when she hauled off to the eastward. That night no more

was seen of the enemy, and at day light Capt. Barry took

NAVAL HISTORY.

169

every thing, with a view to conceal the position of the

Findship, which was permitted to drift under bare poles.
in

ing nothing visible at 6, A. M., the Raleigh crowded sail

once more, and stood S. E. by S. But at half past 9, the

two

ships

were again discovered

The Raleigh now hauled

astern,

and

in

chase.

close upon a wind, heading N.

with her larboard tacks aboard.

The enemy

also

W.,

came

to

three vessels carrying hard with a staggering

The Raleigh now fairly outsailed the strangers,

the wind,

all

breeze.

running 11 knots 2 fathoms, on a dragged bowline.

Unfortunately, at noon the wind moderated, when the
leading vessel of the enemy overhauled the Raleigh quite
fast,

and even the ship astern held

way

with her.

At

4, P.

M., the Raleigh tacked to the westward, with a view to discover the force of the leading vessel of the enemy, and,

about the same time she

made

names of which were not known.

vessel of the

enemy having nearly

several low islands, the

At

5, P.

M., the leading

closed, the Raleigh

edged

away and

crossed her fore foot, brailing her mizzen, and

her
in
The enemy showed a battery of 14
taking
staysails.
a
of
side,
guns
including both decks, and set St. George's
ensign.

In passing, the Raleigh delivered her broadside,

which was returned, when the stranger came up under the

lee quarter of the former, and the action became steady and
At the. second fire, the Raleigh unfortunately lost
general.
her fore-top-mast, and mizzen-top-gallant mast, which gave
the enemy a vast advantage in manoBuvring throughout the

remainder of the

affair.

Finding the broadside of the Ra-

be too hot for him, notwithstanding, the

leigh getting
enemy soon shot ahead, and, for a short time, while the peoto

former ship were clearing the wreck, he engaged

at a distance. Ere long, however, the Engvessel edged away and
attempted to rake the Raleigh,

ple of the
to

windward, and

lish

when
side

Capt. Barry bore up, and bringing the ships along

each other, he endeavoured to board, a step that the

Vol.

L 15

NAVAL HISTORY.

170

and

Other, favoured by all his canvass,

ing

in a light breeze, easily

avoided.

his superiority of sail-

By

this time, the

second

ship had got so near as to render it certain she would very

soon close, and, escape by flight being out of the question
in the crippled condition of the frigate, Capt.

a council of his

officers.

It

was determined

Barry called
to make an

attempt to run the ship ashore, the land being within a few
The Raleigh accordingly wore round, and
miles of them.

already mentioned, her antagonist

sticking to her in the most gallant manner, both ships mainAbout midnight, however,
taining the action with spirit.
stood for the

the

islands

enemy hauled

course towards

seven hours,

much

and
land.

left

the Raleigh to pursue her

The engagement had

lasted

of the time in close action, and both

had suffered materially, the Raleigh,

vessels
in

off,

the

her spars, rigging and

sails.

The

in particular,

darkness, soon after,

concealing his ship, Capt. Barry had some hopes of getting

oft^
among the islands, and was in the act of bending new

when the enemy's vessels again came

The Raleigh immediately opened a
brisk fire from four stern guns, and every human effort was
made to force the ship towards the land. The enemy, how-

sails, for

that purpose,

in sight, closing fast.

ever, easily closed again,

was returned by

and opened a heavy

fire,

the Raleigh until she grounded,

which

when

the

largest of the enemy's ships immediately hauled off, to avoid

a similar calamity, and, gaining a safe distance, both vessels

continued their

Raleigh's quarter.

rocky, and that

and
ble

to

by

burn

from positions they had taken on the

fire,

it

Capt. Barry finding that the island was

might be defended, determined to land,

his ship

a project that

the fact that the

was rendered

enemy had ceased

chored afthe distance of about a mile.

men

landed, and the boats were about

mainder,
a petty

when

it

was discovered

officer, the ship

firing,

practica-

and an-

large party of

to return for the re-

that, by the treachery of

had surrendered.

NAVAL HISTORY.

171

The officers and men on the island escaped, but the ship
was got off, and placed in the British navy. The two ships
that took the Raleigh were the Experiment, 50, Capt. WalThe latter mounted 28 guns, and
lace, and the Unicorn, 22.
was

engaged the Raleigh so closely, so long,

and so obstinately. She was much cut up, losing her masts
after the action, and had'lO men killed, besides many wounded.
The Americans had 25 men killed and wounded in the
the ship that

course of the whole

affair.

this
Capt. Barry gained great credit for his gallantry on
a
considerable
He escaped to the main, with
occasion.

and
portion of his crew, though not without great suffering,
a new ship was given to him on the first opportunity.

Thus terminated the year 1778, so far as it was connected with the services of the regular marine, though like all
that had preceded, or which followed it, in this war, it gave
rise to

many handsome

among the colony cruisers

which we may have occasion to

exploits

and privateers, some of

mention in a separate chapter, that
branch of the

subject-

will

be devoted to that

172

KAVAL HISTORY.

CHAPTER

The

IX.

year 1779 opens with the departure of the Alliance,

It has already been stated that the com-

32, for France.

mand of
was said

had been given

this ship

to be a

French

to

a Capt. Landais,

officer of gallantry

who

and merit.

Unfortunately the prejudices of the seamen did not answer to the complaisance of the marine committee in this
respect,

and

it

was found

difficult to

obtain a

crew

willing

under a French captain. When General Lafayette,

after a detention of several months on the road, in conse-

to enlist

quence of severe

illness,

1778, in order to

embark

reached Boston near the close of

in the Alliance,

it

was found

that

the frigate was not yet manned.

Desirous of rendering
useful
to
their
themselves
illustrious guest, the government

of Massachusetts offered to complete the ship's complement by impressment, an expedient that had been adopted
on more than one occasion during the war; but the just-

minded and benevolent Lafayette would not consent to the

measure. Anxious to sail, however, for he was intrusted
with important interests, recourse was had to a plan to man
if less objectionable on the score of
prinscarcely less objectionable in every other point

the ship, which,

ciple,

was

of view.

The Somerset,

64, had been wrecked on the coast of

and
New-England,
part of her crew had found their way
to Boston.

By

accepting the proffered services of these

NAVAL HISTORY.

173

men, those of some volunteers from among the prisoners,

and those of a few French seamen that were also found in
Boston after the departure of their

was

fleet,

a motley

number

raised in sufficient time to enable the ship to sail on the

With this incomplete and mixed crew,

himself
on the ocean, and the result was
Lafayette trusted
near justifying the worst forebodings that so ill-advised a
11th of January.

measure could have

su^o-ested.
CO

After a tempestuous passage, the Alliance got within two

days' run of the English coast, when her officers and passengers, of

and

whom

there

were many besides Gen. Lafayette

information that a con-

his suite, received the startling

spiracy existed

among

the English portion

some seventy or eighty men

seize the vessel, and carry the
view

in

all,

to

latter into

of the crew,
the

officers,

England.

With a

kill

encourage such acts of mutiny, the British Parliament had passed a law to reward all those crews that should
to

away with American ships; and this temptation was too

strong for men whose service, however voluntary it might

run

in appearances, was probably reluctant, and which had

been compelled by circumstances, if not by direct coercion.
The intentions of the mutineers appear to have been of

be

the most ruthless and blood-thirsty character.

By the ori" Sail-ho !" was to be raised about
the
of
cry
ginal plan,
day-light on the morning of the 2d of February, when, as it
was known that the officers and passengers would immediately appear

mence by

on the quarter-deck, the attempt was to comthem in a body. The mutineers were di-

seizing

vided into four parties, of which one was to get possession

of the magazine, the second of the wardroom, the third of
the cabin, and the fourth of the upper-deck aft. In the event
of resistance by the officers at the latter point, the four nine-

pound guns on the forecastle were

sweep the quarter-deck.

who was a ringleader, had

With

to be pointed aft,

this

and

to

view, a gunner's mate,

privately put into the guns charges

15*

NAVAL HISTORY.

174

Some

of cannister-shot.

fire-arms had also been secretly

who belonged to the

obtained by a sergeant of marines,

mutiny.

On
plot

the night of the 1st of February, the execution of this

until four o'clock of the afternoon of the

was postponed

2d, instead of the hour of day-light, as had been previously

It

arranged.

had been determined

to put Capt.

Landais,

who was

exceedingly offensive to the conspirators, into a

boat, without food, water, oars or sails, heavily ironed, and
to turn him loose on the ocean. The gunner, carpenter, and

boatswain were
officer

to

have been

and surgeon were

to

killed

on the

spot.

The marine

have been hanged, quartered,

The

sailing-master was
to have been seized up to the mizzen-mast, scarified, cut into
morsels and thrown overboard. To each of the lieutenants

and

their bodies cast into the sea.

was

to

have been offered the option of navigating the ship

walking a plank. The
have been confined, and given up as

into the nearest British port, or of

passengers were

to

With these fell intentions in their

prisoners, in England.
hearts, the conspirators fortunately decided to defer the
execution of their plot until the hour last named.
Among the crew of the Alliance, was a seaman of

more

than usual knowledge of his calling, and of great decency

of exterior.
By his accent, this man, though regularly entered as a volunteer and an American,

was supposed

to

be

an Irishman, and the mutineers were desirous of obtainthat he might diing his assistance, under the impression
rect them, and take sufficient charge of the ship to prevent

deceiving them as to their position,

should the latter consent to navigate her into England. To
this person, then, in the course of the morning of the very day
the lieutenants from

set for the

execution of their murderous plan, the mutineers

revealed their conspiracy, and invited him to take a conspi-

cuous part

who had

in

it.

The seaman was

lived a long time in Ireland,

in fact an American,
where he had acquired

NAVAL HISTORY.
the accent of the nation, but

175

where he had

lost

none of the

feehngs of country and kindred. Affecting to listen to the

proposition with favour, he got most of their secrets out of
the mutineers, using the utmost prudence and judgment in
all his proceedings.
It was near three o'clock in the afternoon, before this new ringleader could manage to get into
the cabin unseen, where he made Capt. Landais and Gen.

Lafayette acquainted with all he knew. Not a moment was

to be lost. The officers and other passengers were apprised
of what was going on, such

on were put on

men

their guard,

as could certainly be relied

and a few minutes before the

time set for the signal to be given, the gentlemen rushed in

a body on deck, with drawn swords, where the American

and French seamen joined them, armed.

were instantly seized. Between

tineers

The

leading mu-

thirty and forty of

were put in irons, it being thought impolitic to

for at this inopportune moment a large
more,
any
vessel hove in sight, and was soon made out to be an ene-

the English
arrest

my's twenty gun ship.

As is usual in such cases, some of the ringleaders betrayed their companions, on a promise of pardon, when all the
previous arrangements were revealed. Believing the moment unfavourable to engage even an inferior force, Capt.

Landais, after a

little

sight to escape.

On

manoeuvring, permitted the ship in

the 6lh of February, the Alliance ar-

rived safely at Brest.

This is the only instance that has ever transpired, of a
plan to make a serious mutiny, under the flag of the United
States of America.*

A few cases of momentary

revolts

have

occurred, which principally arose from a defective mode of

enlistments, and in all of which the authority of the officers

has prevailed, after short and insignificant contests.

*

It

may

English prisoners who had enlisted in the navy, were frequentlytroublesome, but no other direct mutiny was plotted.

176

NAVAL HISTORY.

be added, as a just source of national pride, that, in. nearly

every emergency, whether on board ships of war, or on
board of merchant vessels, the native American has been

found true to the obligations of society; and it is a singular

proof of his disposition to submit to legal authority, however
oppressive or unjust
case, that in

be

may

many known

its
operation in his particular
instances in which English sea-

men have revolted against their own officers, and in their

own navy, the impressed and injured American has preferred order, and submission to even the implied obligations of
a compelled service, to rushing into the dangers of revolt

and disobedience.
teristic,

that

may

when

In opposition to this respectable characrelief, the well ascertained fact,

be put in high

captured vessels, or placed

left in

where the usages of mankind

men have

in

situations

tolerate resistance, these very

required as vigilant watching as any others,

being probable that more American ships have been retaken from their prize crews by American seamen left on
it

board them, within the

taken by

the

of Christendom.
the

and

last sixty years,

seamen of

all

than have been re-

the remaining captured vessels

Quiet, prudent, observing, hardy, and bold,

American seaman

is

usually ready to listen to reason,

to defer to the right; traits that

make him perhaps

the

most orderly and submissive of all mariners, when properly

and legally commanded, and the most dangerous when an
occasion arises for him to show his promptitude, intelligence,

and

spirit.

On

reaching Brest, the mutineers were placed in a French

after some delay, were exchanged as prisoners
and,
gaol,
of war, without any other punishment; the noble minded
Lafayette, in particular, feeling averse to treating foreigners
as it would have been a duty to treat natives under the cir-

cumstances.

We

shall next revert to the

period at

which we have now

more regular warfare of

arrived.

the

NAVAL HISTORY.

One

of the

occurred

177

nautical engagements of the year 1779,

Hampden, 22, a ship that sailed out of Mas-

first

to the

sachusetts, though

is

it

The

believed on private account.

Hampden was cruising in the Atlantic, lat. 47, long. 28^,

when she made a stran2;e sail to windward. A small armed
schooner was in company with the Hampden, and a signal
was made by the latter, for the former to join. Night coming on, however, the two vessels separated, when the Hampden stood towards the stranger alone. At day-light, the
American and the Englishman were a long gun-shot apart,

when

the former

crowded

drawing up under the

broadside.

Until this

guns housed, but he

sail,

and

at seven in the

lee quarter of the chase,

morning,
gave him a

moment, the stranger had kept all his

thirteen of a side, and de-

now showed

fire.
It was soon perceived on board the Hampden that they were engaged with a heavy ship, and one of
a force altogether
Still, hoping that
superior to their own.

livered his

she might be badly manned, and

receiving no material damage at the commencement of the fight, the commander of
the

Hampden

engagement
shot,

in

when

determined

followed,
the

to continue the action.

hot

which

Hampden

momentary danger of

lasted three hours, within pistol

was compelled to haul off", being

losing her masts.

The American

lost a Capt. Pickering killed,

but whether he was a marine
and had twenty
officer, or her commander, does not appear,

The Indiaman was much injured

her
loss
was
never ascertained. This was
though
one of the most closely contested actions of the war, both

men

killed

and wounded.

also,

sides appearing to

have fought with perseverance and gal-

lantry.

On

the 18th of April, the U. S. ships

Warren, 32, Capt. J.

of France, 28, Capt. Olney, and Ranger,
18, Captain Simpson, sailed from Boston, on a cruise in

B. Hopkins,

company

Queen

Capt. Hopkins being the senior officer. When a

port, these vessels captured a British priva-

few days from

178

NAVAL HISTORY.

teer of 14 guns, from the people of which they ascertained

that a small fleet of armed transports and store-ships had
just sailed

for the

from New-York, bound

to

Georgia, with supplies

enemy's forces in that quarter.

crowded

sail in

The

chase, and off Cape Henry,

three cruisers
late in the

day>
they had the good fortune to come up with nine sail, seven
of which they captured, with a trifling resistance. Favoured
by the darkness, the two others escaped. The vessels taken

proved

to be, his Britannic Majesty's ship Jason, 20,

crew of 150 men

with a

Maria armed

ship, of 16 guns, and 84

and
the privateer schooner Hibernia, 8, with a crew
men;
of 45 men. The Maria had a full cargo of flour. In addi;

the

tion to these vessels, the brigs Patriot, Prince Frederick,

Bachelor John, and schooner Chance,

fell into the hands of the Americans.

were twenty-four

British officers,

all

laden with stores,

Among the prisoners

who were on their way

to join their regiments at the south.*

The command of the Queen

of France

was now given

to

Capt. Rathburne, when that ship sailed on another cruise in

company with the Ranger, and the Providence, 28, Capt.
Whipple; the latter being the senior officer. In July, this

with a large

of English merchantmen,
that was convoyed by a ship of the line, and some smaller
cruisers, and succeeded in cutting: out several valuable

squadron

fell

in

fleet

which eight arrived at Boston, their estimated

value exceeding a million of dollars. In the way of pecuprizes, of

niary benefits, this

the war.
Capt.

was

Manly was compelled

called the Cumberland,

navy.

the most successful cruise

In this vessel he

in

to seek service in a privateer

to the want of ships in

was captured by the Pomona

owing

gate, and, obtaining his exchange, he

*

made

went on a cruise

the
fri-

in

Campbell was the highest in rank, and if this were the officer
name and rank taken off Boston, in 1776, he was twice made
a prisoner on board ti-ansports, during this war.
Col.,

of the same

NAVAL HISTORY.

179

the Jason private armed ship, in which vessel, in July of

the present year, he was attacked by two of the enemy's
privateers, one of 18, and the other of 16 guns, when, run-

ning boldly between them, the Jason poured in her fire,

larboard and starboard, with so much effect, that both surrendered.
Quitting the American seas,

we

will

once more return to

the other hemisphere.

Paul Jones had obtained so

in the

Ranger,

that he

much

remained

celebrity for his cruise

in

France, after the de-

parture of his ship for America, in the hope of receiving a more important command, the inducement, indeed,

which had originally brought him to Europe.

ferent projects to this effect had been entertained

Many

dif-

and aban-

doned, during the years 1778 and 1779, by one of which a

descent was to have been made on Liverpool, with a body
of troops

commanded by

Lafayette. All of these plans, however, produced no results, and after many vexatious repulses
in his applications for service,

made

an arrangement was

to give this celebrated officer

employment

finally

that

was

as singular in its outlines, as it proved to be inconvenient,

not to say impracticable, in execution.

By

a letter from

M. de

Sartine, the minister of the

ma-

rine, dated February 4th, 1779, it appears that the King of

France had consented to purchase and put at the disposition of Capt. Jones, the Duras, an old Indiaman of some

To this vessel were added

were procured by means of M. le Ray de
Chaumont, a banker of eminence connected with the
court, and who acted on the occasion, under the orders of
the French ministry.
Dr. Franklin, who, as minister of the

size,

then lying at I'Orient.

three

more

that

United States, was supposed, in a legal sense, to direct the

whole affair, added the Alliance, 32, in virtue of the authority that he held

from Congress.

thus chosen, formed a

little

The

vessels that

were

squadron, composed of the Du-

NAVAL HISTORY.

180

and Vengeance.

ras, Alliance, Pallas, Cerf,

was

merchantman bought

The

Pallas

occasion; the Ven-

for the

geance a small brig that had also been purchased expressly

Cerf was a fine large cutter, and,

for the expedition; the

with the exception of the Alliance, the only vessel of the

squadron fitted for war. All the ships but the Alliance were

French
by

built,

and they were placed under the American

flag,

the following arrangement.

The

officers received appointments,

main valid

who had

for a limited period only,

which were

to re-

from Dr. Franklin,

filled up at his own

ever
since
his
arrival
in
discretion,
Europe, while the vesIn
sels were to show the American ensign, and no other.

held blank commissions to be

short, the

can

French

ships,

during

ships

were

to be considered as

this particular service,

and when

Ameriit

was

terminated, they were to revert to their former owners.

The laws and provisions of the American navy were to

govern, and

agreeably
in the

command was

be exercised, and to descend,

Such officers as already had rank

to its usages.

American

service,

to

were

take precedence of course,

to

the dates of their respective

to

commissions,
be regulated by the
new dates. By an especial provision, however, Capt. Jones
was to be commander-in-chief, a post he would have been

agreeably
while the

new appointments were

to

fill
by his original commission, Capt. Landais of
the Alliance, the only other regular captain in the squadron,
being his junior. The joint right of the American minister

entitled to

and of the French government, to instruct the commodore,

and to direct the movements of the squadron, was also
recognised.

From what
which
nor

this

is it

source the

squadron was

now

money was
fitted

probable that

it

actually obtained

out, is not exactly

will ever

by
known,

be accurately ascer-

Although the name of the king was used, it is not

impossible that private adventure was at the bottom of the

tained.

NAVAL HISTORY.

181

enterprise, though it seems certain that the governme'rit was

so far concerned as to procure the vessels, and to a certain

extent to use

its

stores.

Dr. Franklin expressly states, that

made no advances for any of the ships employed.

As everything connected with this remarkable enterprise
has interest, we shall endeavour to give the reader a better

he

idea of the materials, physical and moral, that

force of

Commodore

Jones, in his

memorable

composed

the

cruise.

many more

vexatious delays, the Duras, her name

to that of the Bon Homme Richard,
in compliment to Dr. Franklin, was eventually equipped
and manned. Directions had been given to cast the proper
After

having been changed

number of eighteen pounders, but, it being ascertained that

there would not be time to complete this order, some old
twelves were procured in their place. With this material
change in the armament, the Richard, as she was familiarly
called by the seamen, got ready for sea. She was, properly,
a single decked ship, or carried her armament on one gun
deck, with the usual additions on the quarter deck and
forecastle; but Commodore Jones, with a view to attacking
some of the larger convoys of the enemy, caused twelve
ports

to

be cut in

the

gun room below, where

eighteen pounders were mounted,

it

six

old

being the intention

guns on one side, in smooth water. The

ship admitted of this arrangement, though

to fight all the

height of tlie
was foreseen that these guns could not be of much use,
except in very moderate weather, or when engaging to
it

On

her main, or proper gun deck, the ship had

twenty eight ports, the regular construction of an English
Here the twelve38, agreeably to the old mode of rating.
leeward.

On the quarter deck, forecastle,

pounders were placed.
and in the gangways, were mounted eight nines, making in
If the
all a mixed and rather light armament of 42 guns.
were taken away, the force of the Bon Homme
were concerned, would have
Vol. I.IQ

six eighteens

Richard, so far as her guns

182

NAVAL HISTORY.

been about equal to that of a 32 gun

was clumsily constructed, having been
fore,

frigate.
built

The

many

vessel

years be-

and had one of those high old fashioned poops, that

caused the sterns of the ships launched in the early part of

the eighteenth century to resemble towers.

To manage

armament and doubtful construction, Commodore Jones was compelled to receive on board a crew of a still more equivocal composition.
A few Americans were found to fill the stations of sea officers,

a vessel of this singular

on the quarter deck and forward, but the remainder of

were a mixture of English, Irish, Scotch, Portu-

the people

Germans, Spaniards, Swedes, Italians

and Malays, with occasionally a man from one of the islands.
To keep this motley crew in order, one hundred and thirty-

guese, Norwegians,

were put on board, under the command of some

These soldiers, or marines, were
recruited at random, and were not much less singularly
five soldiers

officers of inferior rank.

than the regular crew.

As the squadron was about to sail, M. Le Ray appeared
at rOrient, and presented an agreement, or concordat as it

mixed, as

to countries,

was termed,

for the signature of all the

in

this singular

some

commanders.

To

respects, reduced a

compact, which,
naval expedition to the level of a partnership. Commodore
Jones ascribed much of the disobedience among his captains, of

which he subsequently complained.

It will

be found

in the appendix.*

On

the 19th of

June 1779, the ships

sailed

from the an-

chorage under the Isle of Groix, off I'Orient, bound to the

southward, with a few transports and coasters under their

The transports and coasters were seen into their

several places of destination, in the Garonne, Loire, and
other ports, but not without the commencement of that course

convoy.

of disobedience of orders, unseaman-like conduct, and ne*

See Note A, end of volume.

NAVAL HISTORY.

which

183

marked the whole career of this ill

While lying to, off the coast, the Alliance,
by palpable mismanagement, got foul of the Richard, and
lost her mizzen mast; carrying away, at the same time, the
It now behead, cut-water, and jib-boom of the latter.
gleet,

so signally

assorted force.

came necessary

to return to port to refit.

While steering northerly again, the Cerf cutter was sent

in chase of a
The next
strange sail, and parted company.
morning she engaged a small English cruiser of 14 guns,
and after a sharp conflict of more than an hour, obliged
her to

strike,

but

was compelled

to

abandon her prize

in

consequence of the appearance of a vessel of superior force.

The Cerf, with a loss of several men killed and wounded,

now made the best of her way to I'Orient.

On the 22nd, three enemy's vessels of war came in sight
of the squadron, and,
having the wind, they ran down in a
when, most probably deceived by the height
and general appearance of the Richard, they hauled up, and,

line abreast,

by carrying a press of

sail, escaped.
the2Gth, the Alliance and Pallas parted company with
the Richard, leaving that
ship with no other consort than the

On

Vengeance brig. On reaching the Penmarks, the designated rendezvous, the missing vessels did not
On
appear.
the 29th, the Vengeance
made
the
best
of
her
having
way
for the roads of Groix
by permission, the Richard fell in
with two more of the enemy's cruisers, which, after some
indications of an intention to come down, also ran, no doubt
under the impression that the American
was a
frigate

of two decks.

On

this

occasion

pressed himself satisfied with the

Commodore Jones
spirit

ship

ex-

of his crew, the

people manifesting a strong wish to engage. On the last of

the month, the Richard returned to the roads from which
she had sailed, and anchored.
The Alliance and Pallas

came

in also.

NAVAL HISTORY.

184

Another delay occurred. A court was convened to inquire into the conduct of Capt. Landais of the AUiance, and
of other officers, in running foul of the Richard, and both
Luckily a cartel arrived from
England, at this moment, bringing with her more than a
hundred exchanged American seamen, most of whom joinships

underwent

repairs.

This proved to be a great and important

accession to the composition of the crew of not only the
Richard, but to that of the Alliance, the latter ship having

ed the squadron.

been but

little

better

oft'

than the former in

who came from

Richard Dale, who had been

Among

those

the Lexington, 14.

this particular.

the English prisons, was Mr.

taken as a masters mate, in

This young officer did not reach France

however, but escaped from Mill prison earlier,

and joined the Richard. Commodore Jones had now become sensible of his merit, and in reorganising his crew, he

in the cartel,

had him promoted, and rated him as his first lieutenant.

The Richard had now nearly a hundred Americans in her,
and, with the exception of the commodore himself and one
midshipman, all her quarter-deck sea-officers were of the
number. Many of the petty officers too, were of this class.
In a

letter

states the

written August the

crew of

the Richard,

11th,

Commodore Jones

all told, at

380

souls, inclu-

ding 137 marines, or soldiers.

On the 14th of August, 1779, the squadron sailed a second
time from the roads of Groix, having the French privateers
Xvfonsieur

of

and Granville

Commodore

Jones.

in

company, and under the orders

On

the 18th a valuable prize

was

taken, and some difficulties arising with the commander of

the Monsieur in consequence, the latter parted company in
This was a serious loss in the way
the night of the 19th.

of force, that ship having mounted no less than forty guns.

A prize was also taken on the 21st. On the 23d, the ships
and, while towing the Richard's
head round in a calm, the crew of a boat manned by En-

were

off

Cape

Clear,

NAVAL HISTORY.

185

glishmen, cut the tow-line, and escaped. Mr. Cutting Lunt,

the sailing master of the ship, manned another boat, and
taking with him four soldiers, he pursued the fugitives.

fog coming on, the latter boat was not able to find the ships
again, and her people fell into the hands of the enemy.
this desertion

Through
Richard

lost

The day

immediate consequences, the

its

after the escape of the boat, the

close in to reconnoitre,

and

Cerf was sent

to look for the missing people,

some circumstance that has never been

but which does not appear to have left any

and owing
plained,

and

twenty of her best men.

to

proach upon her commander,

this vessel

exre-

never rejoined the

squadron.

gale of wind followed, during which the Alliance and

Pallas separated, and the Granville parted company with a
The separation of the Pallas is
prize, according to orders.

explained by the fact that she had broken her tiller; but that
of the Alliance can only be imputed to the unofficerlike, as

commander. On the
morning of the 27th, the brig Vengeance was the only vessel in company with the commodore.
well as unseamanlike, conduct of her

On

morning of the 31st of August, the Bon Homme

Richard, being off Cape Wrath, captured a large letter of
marque bound from London to Quebec, a circumstance that
the

proves the expedients to which the English ship-masters

were then driven to avoid capture, this vessel having actually

track.

hove
in

gone north-about to escape the cruisers on the beaten

While in chase of the letter of marque, the Alliance

in sight,

having another London

ship,

a Jamaica-man,

company as a prize.
Capt. Landais, of tlie Alliance, an officer,

who, as it has
French

since been ascertained, had been

obliged to quit the

navy on account of a singularly unfortunate temper, now

began to exhibit a disorganizing and mutinous spirit, pretending that as his ship was the only real American vessel
16*

NAVAL HISTORY.

188
in the squadron, he

modore, and that

was superior
he would do

to the orders of the

as he

com-

pleased with that

frigate.

In the afternoon a strange sail was made, and the Richard

the Alliance's number, with an order to chase.
In-

showed

stead of obeying this signal, Capt. Landais wore and laid

the head of his ship in a direction opposite to that necessary
to execute the order!

Several other signals were disobeyed

an equally contemptuous manner, and the control of

Com. Jones over the movements of this vessel, which, on
the w'hole, ought to have been the most efficient in the
in

squadron, may be said to have ceased.

Com. Jones now shaped his course for the second rendez-

vous he had appointed,

in the hope of meeting the missing

2d of September, the Pallas rejoined, having
captured nothing. Belvv^een this date and the 13th of September, the squadron continued its course round Scotland,
the ships separating and rejoining constantly, and Capt.

ships.

On

the

Landais assuming powers over the

his

and

own

vessel, that

prizes, as well as

were altogether opposed

usages of every regular marine.

named, the Cheviot Hills were visible.
to the

over

to discipline

On

the last

day

Understanding that a twenty gun ship with two or three

man-of-war cutters were lying at anchor off Leith, in the
Frith of Forth, Com. Jones now planned a descent on that

At

town.

this

time the Alliance

and Vengeance having chased

was

absent,

and the Pallas

southward, the nevessels produced a

of
with
those
cessity
communicating
fatal delay to a project which had been admirably conceived, and

which there

is

to the

reason to think might have suc-

After joining his two subordinates, and giving his

orders, Com. Jones beat into the Frith, and continued work-

ceeded.

ing up towards Leith, until the 17th, when, being just out of
gun shot of the town, the boats were got out and manned.

The

troops to be landed were

commanded by M. de Cha-

If

milliard, while

AVAL HISTORY.

187

Mr. Dale, of the Richard, was put at the

The latter had received his orders,

head of the seamen.

and was

just

about

to

go

into his boat,

when

a squall struck

commodore. Finding
the ships, and was
himself obliged to fill his sails, Com. Jones endeavoured to
keep the ground he had gained, but the weight of the wind
a severe
finally compelled all the vessels to bear up, and
the
where
were
driven
into
North
Sea,
gale succeeding, they
near dismasting the

one of the prizes foundered.

It is

not easy to say what would have been the result of

dashing enterprize, had the weather permitted the atThe audacity of the measure might have insured
tempt.
a victory; and in the whole design we discover the decision,
high moral courage, and deep enthusiasm of the officer who

this

conceived

it.

It

was

the opinion of

Mr. Dale, a man of

singular modesty, great simplicity of character, and prudence, that success Vv'ould have rewarded the effort.

Abandoning

this

bold project with reluctance,

Com. Jones

appears to have meditated another still more daring but his

colleagues, as he bitterly styled his captains in one of his
;

letters,

refused to join in

when Com. Jones

laid this

It is worthy of remark, that

second scheme, which has never

it.

been explained, before the young sea-officers of his own

ship, they announced their readiness as one man to second

The enterprize was dropped, however,

consequence of the objections of Capt. Cottineau, of the
Pallas, in particular, an officer for whose judgment the

him, heart and hand.

in

commodore appears to have entertained much respect.

The Pallas and Vengeance even left the Richard, probably with a view to prevent the attempt to execute this nameless scheme, and the commodore was
compelled to follow

southward, or to lose them altogether.

Off Whitby the shipslast named joined again, and on the 21st,
the Richard chased a collier ashore between Flamborough

his captains to the

Head and

the Spurn.

The next day

the

Richard appeared

NAVAL HISTORY.

188

mouth of the Humber, with the Vengeance in comand

several vessels were taken or destroyed.
Pilots
pany,
and
a
of
the
state of
were enticed on board,
knowledge
in the

things in-shore was obtained.

coast was alarmed, and that
their plate.

burying

It

appeared that the whole

persons were actually

twelve or thirteen vessels in all

Some

many

had now been taken by the squadron, and quite as many

more destroyed and coupling these facts with the appear;

ance of the ships on the coast and in the Frith, rumour had
swelled the whole into one of its usual terrific tales. Perhaps no vessels of war had ever before excited so
local alarm on the coast of Great Britain.

Under
prudent

Com. Jones

the circumstances.

to

remain so close

out towards

in

much

did not think

it

with the land, and he stood

Flamborough Head. Here two large

sail

were

made, which next day proved to be the Alliance and the

Pallas.
This was on the 23d of September, and brings us

down

to the

most memorable event

in this

extraordinary

cruise.

The wind was

light at the

and many vessels were

southward, the water smooth,

in sight steering in different direc-

About noon, his original squadron, with the exception of the Cerf and the two privateers, being all in company, Com. Jones manned one of the pilot boats he had detions.

tained,

and sent her

in

On board

windward.

the second lieutenant,

chase of a brig that was lying

this little

and

to, to

were put Mr. Lunt,

men, all of whom were

vessel

fifteen

out of the ship for the rest of the day. In consequence of

the loss of the two boats off Cape Clear, the absence of this

party in the pilot boat, and the number of men that had been
put in prizes, the Richard was now left with only one sealieutenant,

and with but

little

more than

on board, exclusively of the prisoners.

were between one and two hundred

The

pilot

boat had hardly

left

the

three hundred souls

Of

the latter, there

in the ship.

Bon

Homme

Richard,

NAVAL HISTORV.

when the
were seen

leaduig ships of a fleet of

stretching out from behind

189

more than

forty sail

Flamborough Head,

on a bowHne, evidently with the intention of turning down

towards the Straits of Dover. From previous intelHgence
this fleet

was immediately known

to contain the Baltic ships,

under the convoy of the Serapis 44, Capt. Richard Pearson,

and a hired ship that had been put into the King's service,
called the Countess of Scarborough.
The latter was com-

manded by

Capt. Piercy, and mounted 22 guns.

As

the

interest of the succeeding details will chiefly centre in the

Serapis and the Richard, we will give a more minute account of the actual force of the former.

At the period of which we are now writing, forty-fours

were usually built on two decks. Such, then, was the construction of this ship, which was new, and had the reputation of being a fast vessel.

On

her lower gun-deck she

mounted 20 eighteen-pound guns on her upper gun-deck,

20 nine-pound guns; and on her quarter-deck and fore;

guns; making an armament of 50 guns

She had a regularly trained man-of-war's

castle, 10 six-pound

in the

whole.

crew of 320

souls,

15 of

whom, however, were

said to have

been Lascars.

When

the squadron

made

this

convoy, the

men

of

war

were in-shore astern and to leeward, probably with a view

to keep the merchantmen together.
The bailiffs of Scarbothe
into
which
this little fleet was
rough, perceiving
danger
running, had sent a boat off" to the Serapis to apprise her of
the presence of a hostile force, and Capt. Pearson fired two

guns, signalling the leading vessels to come under his lee.

These orders were disregarded, however, the headmost
ships standing out until they w^ere about a league from
the land.

in

Com. Jones having ascertained the character of the fleet

sight, showed a signal for a general chase, another to

recall the lieutenant in the

pilot boat,

and crossed royal

NAVAL HISTORY.

190

These signs of
yards on board the Richard.
the nearest English ships,
fired

alarm guns,

let

hostility

alarmed

which hurriedly tacked together,

and made

fly their top-gallant sheets,

other signals of the danger they were in, while they now
of the presence of the ships of
gladly availed themselves
or
sought shelter closer in with the
war, to run to leeward,
the ScarboSerapis, on the contrary, signalled
out to sea, until she had
rough to follow, and hauled boldly
to windward, when she tacked and stood infar

land.

The

enough
got
shore again, to cover her convoy.
The Alliance being much the fastest vessel of the American squadron, took the lead in the chase, speaking the
It has been proved that Capt. LanPallas as she passed.
dais told the commander of the latter vessel on this occasion,

they had nothing to

His
do but to endeavour
subsequent conduct
had he run down
sooner
no
for
fully confirmed this opinion,
of
war, to ascertain
near enough to the two English vessels
their force, than he hauled up, and stood off" from the land

that if the stranger proved to be a

fifty,

to escape.

All this was not only contrary to the regular order

again.
of battle, but contrary to the positive command of Commodore Jones, who had kept the signal to form a line abroad,

which should have brought the Alliance astern of the

Richard, and the Pallas in the van. Just at this time, the
Pallas spoke the Richard and inquired what station she
should take, and was also directed to form the line. But

movements of Capt. Landais appear to

have produced some indecision in the commander of the
Pallas, as he too soon after tacked and stood off" from the
land.
Cotlineau, however, was a brave man, and

the extraordinary

Capt.

manoeuvre

and this
subsequently did his duty in the action,
has been explained by the Richard's hauling up suddenly
for the land, which induced him to think that her crew had
mutinied and were running away with the ship. Such was
the want of confidence that prevailed in a force so singu-

NAVAL HISTORY.

191

composed, and such were the disadvantages under

larly

combat was fought

So far, however, from meditating retreat or mutiny, the
people of the Bon Homme Richard had gone cheerfully to
their quarters, although every man on board was conscious
which

this celebrated

of the superiority of the force with which they were about

to contend; and the high uiiconquerable spirit of the com-

mander appears to have communicated itself to the crew.

It was now getting to be dark, and Commodore Jones was
compelled to follow the movements of the enemy by the aid
of a night glass.
It is probable that the obscurity which
prevailed added to the indecision of the commander of the
Pallas, for from this time until the moon rose, objects at a

distance were distinguished with difficulty, and even after

The Richard, howthe moon appeared, with uncertainty.
ever, stood steadily on,

and about half past seven, she came

up with the Serapis, the Scarborough being a short distance

to leeward.
The American ship was to windward, and as
hailed.
The answer
and
delivered
both
their
entire
broadequivocal,
ships
sides nearly simultaneously.
The water being so smooth,

she

drew slowly near, Capt. Pearson

was

Com. Jones had relied materially on the eighteens that

were in the gun-room but at this discharge two of the
six that were fired bursted, blowing up the deck above, and
;

or wounding a large proportion of the people that

were stationed below. This disaster caused all the heavy
guns to be instantly deserted, for the men had no longer
killing

confidence in their goodness to use them. It, at

once, reduced the broadside of the Richard to about a third
sufficient

than that of her opponent, not to include the disadvantage of the manner in which the metal that remained was
less

among light guns. In short,

now between a twelve-pounder and an

distributed

frigate

know

the

combat was

eighteen-pounder
a species of contest in which, it has been said, we
not with what truth, the former has never been
;

NAVAL HISTORY.

192

known

Com. Jones informs

to prevail.

his hopes, after this accident, rested

us himself, that

all

on the twelve-pounders

were under the command of his first lieutenant.

The Richard, having backed her topsails, exchanged several broadsides, when she filled again and shot ahead of
the Serapis, which ship luffed across her stern and came up
on the weather quarter of her antagonist, taking the wind
that

out of her

sails,

and, in her turn, passing ahead.

All this

which consumed half an hour, the cannonading was

The Scarborough now" drew near, but
close and furious.
time,

it is

On

uncertain whether she fired or not.

Americans

it is

the side of the

afl^irmed that she raked the Richard at least

once; but, by the report of her own commander, it would

appear that, on account of the obscurity and the smoke, he

was

afraid to discharge his guns, not

might be the friend, or which the foe.

knowing

v,fhich ship

Unwilling to lie by,

and to be exposed to shot uselessly, Capt.Piercy edged away
from the combatants, exchanged a broadside or two, at a
great distance, with the Alliance, and shortly afterwards

was engaged

at close quarters

compelled him

to

strike,

after

Pallas, which ship

creditable resistance of

by the
a

about an hour.

Having disposed of

the inferior ships,

selves to the principal combatants.

As

we can confine

our-

the Serapis kept her

and working better than the Richard, it was the

intention of Capt. Pearson to pay broad off across the latter's
forefoot, as soon as he had got far enough ahead; but mak-

luff,

sailing

ing the attempt, and finding he had not room, he put his
helm hard down to keep clear of his adversary, when the
double movement brought the tvvo ships nearly in a line,
the Serapis leading.

English ship

lost

By

these uncertain

some of her way, while

evolutions, the
the

American,

having kept her sails trimmed, not only closed, but actually
ran aboard of her antagonist, bows on, a little on her weather
quarter.

The wind being

light,

much time was consumed

NAVAL HISTORY.
in

thc^

193

and near an hour had elapsed

guns, and the moment when the

different manoeuvres,

between the

firing of the first

vessels got foul of each other in the

The English now thought that it

manner
was the

just described.

intention of the

board them, and a few minutes passed in the

such an expectation would create; but
which
uncertainty

Americans

to

the positions of the vessels were not favourable for either

party to pass into the opposing ship. There being at this

moment
manded,

a perfect cessation of the firing, Capt. Pearson de"'Have you struck your colours'?" "1 have not

yet be^Tun to

fio;ht,"

The yards
sails

was

the answer.

of the Richard were braced aback, and, the

As soon
full, the ships separated.
her
helm
hard
the
down,
asunder,
Serapis put

of the Serapis being

as far

enough
aback forward, shivered her after-sails, and wore
short round on her heel, or was box-hauled, with a view,
laid all

luffing up athwart the bow of her enemy,

order to again rake her. In this position the Richard
would have been fighting her starboard, and the Serapis

most probably, of

in

her larboard guns; but

Com.

Jones,

by

this time,

was con-

scious of the hopelessness of success against so much heavier

metal, and after having backed astern some distance, he
filled

on the other tack, luffing up with

came

t!ie

intention of

and of layenemy
In the smoke, one party or the
ing her athwart hause.
other miscalculated the distance, for the two vessels came
as she

meeting the

to the wind,

bowsprit of the English ship passing over

of
the
American. As neither had much way, the
poop
collision did but little
injury, and Com. Jones, with his own
foul again, the

the

hands, immediately lashed the enemy's head-gear to his

mizzen-mast. The pressure on the after sails of the Serapis,

which

was nearly before the wind at the time, brought

her hull round, and the two ships
gradually fell close alongside of each other, head and stern, the
jib-boom of the Sevessel

rapis giving

Vol.

way

L 17

with the strain.

spare anchor of the

NAVAL HISTORY.

194
English ship

now hooked

additional lashings

cure her

quarter of the American, and

the latter to se-

in this position.

Capt. Pearson,

who was

regular combat

in a

in the

were got out on board

as

much aware

of his advantage

as his opponent could be of his

disadvantage, no sooner perceived the vessels

foul,

own

than he

dropped an anchor, in the hope that the Richard would drift

But such an expectation was perfectly futile,
clear of him.
as the yards

were interlocked, the

hulls

were pressed

close

against each other, there were lashings fore and aft, and
even the ornamental work aided in holding the ships toge-

When

ther.

the cable of the Serapis took the strain, the

bows of the Serapis and the

vessels slowly tended, with the

stern of the

Richard

to the tide.

made an attempt

lish

At this instant the Engwere repulsed without

to board, but

loss.

All this time the battle raged.

The lower

ports of the

Serapis having been closed, as the vessel swung, to prevent

boarding, they were now blown off, in order to allow the

guns to be run out; and cases actually occurred in which
the

rammers had

ship in

to

be thrust into the ports of the opposite

order to be entered into the muzzles of their proper

It is evident that such a conflict must have been of

guns.
short duration.

In effect, the

heavy metal of the Serapis,

one or two discharges, cleared all before it, and the maindeck guns of the Richard were in a great measure aban-

in

Most of the people went on the upper-deck, and a

collected on the forecastle, where they were
number
great
safe from the fire of the enemy, continuing to fight by throwdoned.

ing grenades and using muskets.

In this stage of the combat, the Serapis wis tearing her
antagonist to pieces below, almost without resistance from

her enemy's batteries, only two guns on the quarler-deck,

and three or four of the twelves, being worked at all. To the
former, by shifting a gun from the larboard side, Com. Jones

NAVAL HISTORY.
succeeded
effect,

adding a third, all of which were used with

immediate inspection, to the close of the

in

under

action.

He

people

aloft.

195

his

could not muster force enough to get over a

second gun. But the combat would now have soon terminated, had it not been for the courage and activity of the

Strong parties had been placed in the tops, and,

Americans had driven every

at the end of a short contest, the

man
up

belonging to the

so animated a

fire,

enemy below

after

which they kept

on the quarter-deck of the Serapis

particular, as to drive nearly every

man

off

it,

that

was

in

not

shot down.

Thus, while the English had the battle nearly all to themabove the upper-

selves below, their enemies had the control

deck.
rican

Having cleared the tops of the Serapis, some Ameseamen lay out on the Richard's main-yard, and be-

throw hand-grenades upon the two upper decks

of the English ship; the men on the forecastle of their own

gan

to

vessel seconding these efforts, by casting the same combustibles through the ports of the Serapis. At length one man,
in particular, became so hardy as to take his post pn the
extreme end of the yard, whence, provided with a bucket
filled with combustibles, and a match, he. dropped the gre-

much precision that one passed through

main-hatchway. The powder-boys of the Serapis had
nades with so

the

got

more cartridges up than were wanted, and, in their hurry,

they had carelessly laid a row of them on the main-deck, in
a
to

line

with the guns.

some loose powder

The grenade just mentioned set fire

that was lying near, and the flash

passed from cartridge to cartridge, beginning abreast of the

main-mast and running quite

The

effect of this explosion

men were

aft.

was

awful.

More

than twenty

of them being left with nothing on them but the collars and wristbands of their shirts,
and the waistbands of their duck trowsers while the official
instantly killed,

many

returns of the ship, a

week

after the action,

show

that there

NAVAL HISTORY.

19G

were no

less

than thirty-eight

who had been

have been then

wounded on board,
manner, and of

injured in this

still

whom

alive,

thirty

Capt. Pearson
described this explosion as having destroyed nearly all the
men at the five or six aftermost guns. On the whole, near

were

said to

sixty of the Serapis' people

in

great danger.

must have been instantly

dis-

abled by this sudden blow.

The advantage thus obtained, by the coolness and intrepidity of the topmen, in a great measure restored ihe chances

of the combat, and, by lessening the fire of the enemy, enabled Com. Jones to increase his. In the same degree that it

encouraged the crew of the Richard, it diminished the hopes

of the people of the Serapis. One of the guns under the
immediate inspection of Com. Jones had been pointed some
time against the main-mast of his enemy, while the two
others had seconded the fire of the tops, with grape and
cannister. Kept belowdecks by this double attack, where a

scene of frightful horror was present in the agonies of the

wounded, and the efl^ects of the explosion, the spirits of the

English began to droop, and there was a

trifle would have induced them to submit.

moment when

From

this de-

spondency they were temporarily raised, by one of those

unlooked for events that ever accompany the vicissitudes of
battle.

After exchanging the ineflective and distant broadsides

already mentioned, with the Scarborough, the Alliance had

kept standing off and on, to leeward of the two principal

ships, out of the direction of their shot, wlien, about half
past eight, she appeared crossing the stern of the Serapis
and the bow of the Richard, firing at such a distance as to

render
most.

own

impossible to say, which vessel would sufier the

As soon as she had drawn out of the range of her
it

guns, her helm was put up, and she ran down near a
mile to leeward, hovering about, until the firing had ceased
between the Pallas and Scarborough, when she came within

NAVAL HISTORY.

197

and spoke both of these

vessels. Capt. Cottineau of the

Pallas earnestly entreated Capt Landais to take possession
of his prize, and allow hitn to go to the assistance of the

hail

Richard, or to stretch up to windward in the Alliance himself, and succour the commodore.
After

some delay, Capt. Landais took the important

duty of assisting his

consort,

into

his

own

hands,

and

making two long

stretches, under his topsails, he appeared,

about the time at which we have arrived in the narration

of the combat, directly to windward of the

the head of the Alliance to the westw^ard.

two ships, with

Here the latter

more opened her fire, doing equal damage at

and foe. Keeping away a little, and still
her
fire, the Alliance was soon on the larboard
continuing
ship once

least, to friend

quarter of the Richard, and, it is even affirmed, that her

guns were discharged until she had got nearly abeam.
Fifty voices now hailed to tell the people of the Alliance
that they were firing into the wrong ship, and three lan-

were shown, in a line, on the ofT side of the Richard,

which was the regular signal of recognition for a night action.
An officer was directed to hail, and to order Capt.
terns

Landais

to lay the

enemy aboard, and the question being

was comprehended, the answer was

put whether the order

in the affirmative.

the moon had been up some time, it was

impossinot to distinguish between the vessels, the Richard
being all black, while the Serapis had yellow sides, and the

As

ble

impression seems to have been general in the former vessel,

that they had been attacked
intentionally. At the discharge
of the first guns of the Alliance, the
people left one or
two of the twelves on board the Richard, which they had

begun to fight again, saying that the Englishmen in the

Alliance had got possession of the
ship, and were helping
the enemy.
It
that
this
appears
discharge dismounted a
17*

198

WAVAL HISTORV.

gun or two, extinguished several lanterns on the main deck,

and did a good deal of damage aloft.
The Alliance hauled off to some distance, keeping always
on the offside of the Richard, and soon after she re-appeared edging down on the larboard beam of her consort,
hauling up athwart the bows of that ship and the stern of

On

her antagonist.

this

occasion,

it

is

affirmed that her

re-commenced, when, by possibility, the shot could only

reach the Serapis through the Richard. Ten or twelve
fire

men appear

to

have been

killed

and wounded on the forecas-

of the latter ship, which was crowded at the time, and

among them was an officer of the name of Caswell, who,
tle

with his dying breath, maintained that he had received his

wound by

the fire of the friendly vessel.

After crossing the bows of the Richard, and the stern of

the Serapis, delivering grape as she passed, the Alliance ran
off to leeward, again standing off
the remainder of the combat.

The

fire

and on, doing nothing, for

of the Alliance added greatly to the leaks of the

this time, had received so much

Richard, which ship, by

water through the shot-holes, as to begin to settle. It is

even affirmed by many witnesses, that the most dangerous
shot-holes on board the Richard, were under her larboard
bow, and larboard counter, in places where they could not
have been received from the fire of the Serapis. This evidence, however,

is

not unanswerable, as

that the Serapis luffed up

it

has been seen

on the larboard-quarter of the

in the commencement of the action, and, forging

was
ahead,
subsequently on her larboard-bow, endeavouring

Richard

to cross her fore foot.

certainly possible that shot may

have struck the Richard in the places mentioned, on these
It is

occasions, and that, as the ship settled in the water from other
made may have suddenly increased the

leaks, the holes then

danger. On the other hand, if the Alliance did actually fire

while on the bow and quarter of the Richard, as appears by

NAVAL HISTORY.

199

a mass of uncontradicted testimony, the dangerous shotmay very well have come from that ship.

holes

have been received from what quarter

after
the Alliance had run to leeward, an
soon
they might,
alarm was spread in the Richard, that the ship was sinking.
Let the

injuries

had been on

Both

vessels

culty

had been experienced

here was a

new enemy

to

fire

several times, and

some

diffi-

in extinguishing the flames, but

contend with, and as the infor-

mation came from the carpenter, whose duty it was to

sound the pump-wells, it product^d a good deal of consternation.

The Richard had more than a hundred

Ensrlish

prisoners on board, and the master at arms, in the hurry of

the moment, let them all up from below, in order to save
In the confusion of such a scene at night, the
master of a letter of marque, that had been taken oft' the

their lives.

north of Scotland, passed through a port of the Richard into

one of the Serapis, when he reported to Capt. Pearson, that

a few minutes would probably decide the battle in his favour,

or carry his enemy down, he himself having been liberated
in

order to save his

who had

little

to

life.

quarters, came on
Com. Jones, or Mr. Dale, both of

occupy him

deck, and not perceiving

whom were

Just at this instant the gunner,

at

his

occupied with the liberated prisoners, and bethe only other superior he had in the

lieving the master,

ship,

to

colours.

be dead, he ran up on the poop to haul down the

Fortunately the flag-staff had been shot away,

and, the ensign already hanging in the water, he had no

other means of letting his intention to submit be known,
than by calling out for quarter. Capt. Pearson now hailed
inquire if the Richard demanded quarter, and was
answered by Com. Jones himself, in the negative. It is
to

probable that the reply was not heard, or, if heard, supposed
to come from an unauthorized source, for
encouraged by

what he had learned from

the escaped prisoner, by the

and
the
confusion that prevailed in the Richard,
cry,
by

NAVAL HISTORY.

200

the English captain directed his boarders to be called

away,

and, as soon as n"iustered, they were ordered to take possesSome of the men actually got on the
sion of the prize.
latter ship, but finding boarders ready to
boarders,
they made a precipitate retreat. All this
repel
the
time,
top-men were not idle, and the enemy were soon

gunwale of the

driven below again with loss.

In the mean while, Mr. Dale,

who no

longer had a gun

that could be fought, mustered the prisoners at the pumps,

turning their consternation to account, and probably keeping the Richard afloat by the very blunder that had come

The ships were now on fire again,

near losing her.
with
the
parties,
exception of a few guns on each
side, ceased fighting, in order to subdue this dangerous

so

and both

enemy. In the course of the combat, the Serapis is said to

have been set on fire no less than twelve times, while,
towards

its

close, as will

be seen

was burning all the while.

As soon as order was restored
call for quarter,

in the sequel, the

in the

Richard

Richard, after the

her chances of success began to increase,

while the English, driven under cover, almost to a man,

appear to have lost, in a great degree, the hope of victory.
Their fire materially slackened, while the Richard again

brought a few more guns

Serapis began
lessen.

to totter,

About an hour

to

bear

and her

the main-mast of the

resistance, in general, to

after the explosion, or

between three

first gun was

and between two hours and two hours and a half after

hours and three hours and a half after the

fired,

the ships were lashed together, Capt. Pearson hauled down

the colours of the Serapis with his own hands, the men refusing to expose themselves to the fire of the Richard's tops.

As soon

as

it

was known

that the colours of the English

had been lowered, Mr. Dale got upon the gunwale of the
Richard, and laying hold of the main brace pendant, he
swung himself on board the Serapis. On the quarter deck

NAVAL HISTORY.

201

of the latter he found Capt. Pearson, almost alone, that

gallant officer having maintained his post, throughout the

whole of

this close

and murderous

Just as

conflict.

Mr.

Dale addressed the English captain, the first lieutenant of

the Serapis came up from below to inquire if the Richard

had

struck, her fire having entirely ceased.

Mr. Dale now

officer to understand that

he was mistaken

gave the English

of things, the Serapis having struck to the

Richard, and not the Richard to the Serapis. Capt. Pearson confirming this account, his subordinate acquiesced,
in the position

go below and silence the guns that were still

playing upon the American ship. To this Mr. Dale would
ofiering to

both the English officers were immeThe firing was

diately passed on board the Richard.
then stopped below.
Mr. Dale had been closely follownot

consent, but

ed to the quarter-deck of the Serapis, by Mr. Mayrant,

a midshipman, and a party of boarders, and as the former
struck the quarter deck of the prize, he was run through the
thigh,

by a boarding

pike, in the

hands of a

man

in the

who was

ignorant of the surrender. Thus did the close

of this remarkable combat, resemble its other features in sinwaist,

gularity, blood being shed

officer

was

in

and shot

fired,

amicable discourse with

while the boarding

his prisoners!

As soon as Capt. Pearson was on board the Richard, and

Mr. Dale had received a proper number of hands in the
prize.

Com. Jones ordered

the lashings to be cut, and the

vessels to be separated, hailing the Serapis, as the Richard

drifted from along side of her, and
ordering her to follow

own

Mr. Dale, now had the head sails of the Serapis braced sharp aback, and the wheel put down, but the
vessel refused both her helm and her canvass.
Surprised
and excited at this circumstance, the gallant lieutenant
his

ship.

sprang from the binnacle on which he had seated himself,

and fell at his length on the deck. He had been severely

wounded

in the leg,

by a

splinter,

and

until this

moment had

202

NAVAL HISTORY.

been ignorant of the injury. He was replaced on the binnacle, when the master of the Serapis came up and acquainted him with the fact that the ship was anchored.

Mr. Lunt, the second lieutenant, who had

had got along side, and was
on board the prize. To this officer Mr. Dale now consigned
the charge of the Serapis, the cable was cut, and the ship

By

this time,

been absent

in the pilot boat,

followed the Richard, as ordered.

Although this protracted and bloody combat had now

ended, neither the danger nor the labours of the victors
were over. The Richard was both sinking and on fire. The
flames had got within the ceiling, and extended so far that
they menaced the magazine, while all the pumps, in constant use, could barely keep the water at the same level.
Had it depended on the exhausted people of the two com-

batants, the ship must have soon sunk, but the other vessels
of the squadron sent hands on board the Richard, to assist

pumps. So imminent did the danger from the fire

become, that all the powder was got on deck, to prevent an

at the

manner

did the night of the battle pass,

with one gang always at the pumps, and another contending with the flames, until about ten o'clock in the forenoon
explosion.

In this

when the latter were got under. After the

or
ten Englishmen in the Richard, stole a boat
action, eight
from the Serapis, and ran away with it, landing at Scarboof the 24th,

rough.

Several of the

men were

dition of their ship, as to

so alarmed with the con-

jump overboard and swim

to the

other vessels.

When

the

day dawned, an examination was made

into

Abaft, on a line with the guns

of the Serapis that had not been disabled by the explosion,
the timbers were found to be nearly all beaten in, or beaten

fhe condition of the Richard.

out, for in this respect there

two

sides of the ship

decks would have

and

it

was little difference between the

was said that her poop and upper

fallen into the

gun-room, but for a few

fut-

WAVAL HISTORY.

203

tocks that had been missed. Indeed, so large was the vacuum,
that most of the shot fired from this part of the Serapis, at the

must have gone through the Richard

without touching any thing. The rudder was cut from the
stern-post, and the transoms were nearly driven out of her.
close of the action,

All the after part of the ship, in particular, that was below
the quarter-deck, was torn to pieces, and nothing had saved

those stationed on the quarter-deck, but the impossibility of

elevating guns that almost touched their object.

The

result of this

examination was

to

convince every one

of the impossibility of carrying the Richard into port, in the

event of its coming on to blow. Com. Jones was advised to

remove

his

wounded while

the weather continued moderate,

and he reluctantly gave the order

to

commence.

The

fol-

lowing night and the morning of the succeeding day were

employed in executing this imperious duty, and about nine
o'clock, the officer of the Pallas,

who was

in

charge of the

ship, with a party at the pumps, finding that the water had
reached the lower-deck, reluctantly abandoned her. About

ten,

the

roll,

and

The

Bon

Homme

Richard wallowed heavily, gave a

settled slowly into the sea, bows foremost.

Serapis suffered much less than the Richard, the

guns of the latter having been so light, and so soon silenced;

but no sooner were the ships separated, than her main-mast
fell,

bringing

down

with

the mizzen-top-mast.

it

Though

jury-masts were erected, the ship drove about, nearly helpless, in the North Sea, until the 6lh of October, when the

remains of the squadron, with the two prizes, got into the
Texel, the port to which they had been ordered to repair.
In the

combat between

the Richard and the Serapis, an

unusual number of lives was

lost, though no regular authenhave

been
report appears
given by either side. Capt.
Pearson states the loss of the Richard at about 300 in killed
and wounded; a total that would have included very nearly

tic

all

to

hands, and which

was

certainly a great exaggeration,

204

NAVAL HISTORY.

or, at least,

a great mistake.

According

to

a muster-roll of

the officers and people of the Richard, excluding the

rines,

which

42 men were

killed,

ma-

or died

shortly after the battle, and 41 were woundThis would make a total of 83, for this portion of the

of their
ed.

in existence,

is still

wounds

crew, which, on the

roll,

amounted

to

227

souls.

But

many

of the persons named on this list are known not to have

been in the action at all; such as neither of the junior lieu-

men that were with them, besides

those absent in prizes.
As there were a few volunteers on
board, however, who were not mustered, if we set down
tenants, and

some

thirty

200 as the number of the portion of the regular crew that

was in the action, we shall probabl}^ not be far from the
truth.

By

estimating the soldiers that remained on board at

120, and observing the same proportion for their casualties,

shall get 49 as the result, which will make a total of

we

132, as the entire loss of the Richard.

ever, that, in the

commencement of the

It is

known, how^-

action, the soldiers,

or marines, suffered out of proportion to the rest of the

crew, and general report having made the gross loss of the

Richard 150 men,

far from the fact.

we

are disposed to believe that

it

was not

Capt. Pearson reported a part of his loss at 117 men,

admitting, at the same time, that there were many killed

and wounded whose names he could not discover.

probable that the loss of the
equal,

and

two

ships, in

that nearly or quite half of all those

engaged, were

either killed or

private letter, written

wounded.

some time

an opinion, liowever, that the

It

is

men, was about

Com.

who were
Jones, in a

after the occurrence,

gives

loss of the

Richard was

less

than that of the Serapis. That two vessels of so much

force should lie lashed together more than two hours, making use of artillery, musketry, and all the other means of
annoyance known to the warfare of the day, and not do

even greater injury

to the crews, strikes us with astonish-

NAVAL HISTORy.

205

ment; but the fact must be ascribed

to the peculiarities of

the combat, which, by driving most of the English under

cover so early in the battle, and by driving the Americans

above the

line

of

fire

of their enemies,

in

ed each party from the missiles of the

proved a murderous and sanguinary

a measure protect-

other.

As

conflict,

it

was,

though

it

its

duration would probably have been much shorter, and its

character still more bloody, but for these unusual circumstances.*
*

The

detail,

writer has given the particulars of this celebrated sea-fight in

on account of the great interest that has always been attached to

the subject, no less than from a desire to correct many of tlie popular
errors that have so long existed in connexion with its incidents. In framing his own account, he has followed what to him have appeared to be
the best authorities. Scarcely any two of the eye-witnesses agree in all
their facts, but by dint of examination, the writer has been enabled to

where the weight of credible testimony and proit

accordingly. Com. Dale, a witness every way
so far as his position enabled him to note occurrences,

discover, as he believes,
bability lies,

and has used

entitled to respect,

was kind enough while

the ships, which

der them
of

it is

intelligible

living to describe to the writer the manoeuvres of

hoped have now been given in a way that will rento seamen. There are but two leading circumstances

this sort that, to the writer,

appear doubtful.

The

Alliance thrice ap-

pi'oached, each time firing into both the combatants; but the accounts, or
for there are many certificates given by the officers
rather testimony,

is so
not only of the Richard, but of the Alliance herself, Pallas, &c.,
obscure and confused, that it is difficult to get at the truth of the manner,

order, and exact time in

which these attacks were made.

With the view

no opinion as to the precise time of the last firing of the Alliance,

the writer has condensed the account of all her proceedings into one,

to give

though he inclines to think that the second attack of this ship may
have occurred a little later in the contest than would appear from the

manner

in

which

it is

told in the narrative.

The word may

is

used from

uncertainty, most of the testimony, perhaps, placing the occurrence in

the order of time given in the text. Capt. Pearson says, or is made to
"
kept sailing round us the
say, in his official report, that the Alliance
whole action, and raking us fore and aft," &c. This statement is contra-

dicted by the formal certificates of nearly every officer in the Richard,

by persons on board the Alliance, by spectators in boats, as well as by
The first lieutenant and master of
officers of the other vessels near.

Vol. I. 18

NAVAL HISTORV.

206

the Alliance herself admit that they were never on the off side of the
Serapis at all, and of course their ship never could have gone round her.

engaged the Scarborough,

at very long* shot, for

Scarborough corroborates.
They add, moreover, that their ship was a long time aloof from the combat, and tiiat she only fired three broadsides, or parts of broadsides, at

They

also say that they

a short time; a fact that Capt. Piercy of the

From the testimony, there is little doubt that

the Alliance did materially more injury to the Richard than to the Serapis;
though, as Capt. Pearson could not have known this fact at the time, it is
the Richard and Serapis.

highly probable that her proximity

inducing him

The second

may have

influenced that officer in

to lower his flag.

point

is

the fact whether the Scarborough raked the RichThe writer is

ard before she was herself engaged with the other ships.
of opinion that she did, while he admits that the matter
doubt.

is

involved in

NAVAL HISTORY.

CHAPTER

207

X.

The

arrival of Paul Jones in Holland, with his prizes,

excited a great deal of interest in the diplomatic world.

The English demanded

and

that the prisoners should be released,

that Jones himself should be given up as a pirate.

Dutch government, though well disposed

ricans, was not prepared for war, and

to
it

favour the

The
Ame-

was induced

to

long correspondence followed, which termitemporize.

nated in one of those political expedients that are so common, and in which the pains and penalties of avowing the
truth are avoided by means of a mystification.
The Serawhich
had
been
was
re-masted
and
transferred
equipped,
pis,
to France, as was the Scarborough, while Com. Jones took

command

of the Alliance, Capt. Landais having been susand

was ordered to quit Holland.
pended,
It would seem that there were two parties in Holland:

and that of the people. With the latter

American cause was popular; but the former employed

that of the prince,

the

an admiral

at the Texel,

succeeded

who,

after

a vexatious course,

finally
forcing the Alliance to put to sea, in the
face of a fleet of enemies, which w^as anxiously awaiting

her appearance.

in

The

Alliance went to sea on the 27th of

December, 1779, and reached the roads of Groix again, in

safety, on the 10th of February, 1780. She passed down the
Channel, was near enough to the squadron in the Downs to
its force, was several times chased, and made a

examine

short cruise in the

Bay

of Biscay, after having touched in

208

NAVAL HISTORY.

Spain.

Conyngham, who had been captured

Capt.

in

privateer, had joined the Alhance, and went round

to

I'Orient in the ship.

Although
year,

we

be anticipating the events of another

of this vessel, so far as she

will

it

shall finish the history

was connected with

the officer

who

first

commanded

her,

This gentleman had been sent for to Paris,

to account for his conduct to the American minister, and

Capt. Landais.

subsequently his claim to command the Alliance was referred to Mr. Arthur Lee, who was on the spot, and who had

long been in Europe as a conspicuous agent of the government. The decision of this commissioner restored Capt. Lan-

ground that his command having

him by the highest authority of the country, a

dais to the Alliance, on the

been given

to

vote of congress, he could not legally be deprived of it by

any subordinate authority. In June, Capt. Landais sailed in
the ship for America, where she was given to an officer
better fitted to

show her

excellent qualities, and

who,

in the

end, succeeded in redeeming her character.

During the
the comLandais
was
from
home,
passage
Capt.
deposed
under
the
idea
that
and
he
was
soon
after he
mand,
insane,
was discharged from the navy. It is thought that the absence of Com. Jones, alone, prevented his receiving severer

punishment.

Com. Jones, anxious to get back to America,

mand of the Ariel 20, a little ship that the king

took comof France

lent to his allies, to aid in transporting military supplies

and, in this vessel, with a portion of the officers and men

who had belonged to the Richard, he sailed from under

Groix on the 7th of September. The Ariel encountered

a severe gale, when a day or two out, in v/hich she came
near being lost. The ship was so pressed upon by the wind
that her lower-yard-arms frequently dipped,

anchor was

keep

and though an

In order to
go, she refused to tend to it.
her from foundering, the fore-mast was cut away, and
let

209

NAVAL HISTORY.
the heel of the main-mast having
that spar followed, bringing

down

worked out of
with

it

the step,

the mizzen-mast.

a second
Returning to L'Orient to refit, the Ariel sailed
time for America, on the 18th of December. During the
her own size, in
passage, she fell in with an enemy of about

the night, and after much conversation, a short combat followed, when the English ship intimated that she had struck,

but taking advantage of her position, she made sail and

or
escaped. Some unaccountable mistake was made by,

an extraordinary hallucination appears

Com.

reference to this affair,

Jones, in

to

have come over,

for, in his journal,

he

speaks of his enemy as having been an English twenty-gun

The
ship called the Triumph, and the result as a victory.

Triumph, if such was truly the name of the English ship,

was probably a letter of marque, unable to resist a vessel of
war of any force, and, though not free from the imputation
of treachery, she escaped by out-manceuvring the Ariel.*
On the ISthof February, 1781, after an absence of more than
three years, Paul Jones reached Philadelphia in safety.f
*

Private communication of

tlie late

Com. Dale,

to the writer.

f John Paul was born on the 6th of July, 1747, at Arbig-land, on the
Frith of Solway, in the king-dom of Scotland. His father was the gardener
of Mr. Craik, a gentleman of that vicinity. At the age of twelve, the boy

was apprenticed to a ship-master in the Virginia trade, and -he made his
in America, in consequence, when in his thirteenth year. An
elder brother had married and settled in Virginia, and from this time

appearance

young Paul appears to have had views of the same sort. The failure of his
master induced him to give up the indentures of the apprentice, and we
soon find the latter on board a slaver. The master and mate of the vessel
he was in dying, Paul took charge of her, and brought her into port; and
from that time he appears to have sailed in command. About the year 1770,
he caused a man named Mungo Maxwell to be flogged for misconduct, and
the culprit

made

a complaint of ill-treatment, menacing a prosecution.

The complaint was

rejected by the local authorities (West Indies) as frivoMaxwell went to sea in another ship, and died

lous; but, not long after.

rather suddenly.
When the fact became known, the enemies of Paul
circulated a report that tlie death of this man was owing to the ill-treat-

18*

NAVAL HISTORY.

210
Before

we

return to the

American

seas,

and

to the

more

regular incidents of the year 1779, we will add that, after

an inquiry into the conduct of Capt. Jones, as it was con-

nected with

all his

proceedings

in

Europe, Congress gave

ment he had received when punished by his former commander. AUhougl*

rumour was completely dispi-oved in the end, it raised a prejudice
against the young seaman, and, at a later day, when he became conspicu-

this

ous, it was used against him, for political efiect, by those who ought to
have been superior to injustice of so low a character.
Mr. Paul was soured at this ill-treatment, and, in a manner, abandoned
his native countrj'.
In 1773, his brother died, and he went to Virginia to
settle,

with the intention of quitting the seas.

that

unknown, he added the name of Jones

is

Here, for some reason

to his

two

The

others.

of 1775, however, brought liim forward again, and he was the

senior lieutenant ever commissioned regularly, in the service of Congress.
hostilities

As

this

was before the declaration of independence, the

not established; but iu October, 1776, his

relative rank

name appears on

the

list

wa&

as the

eighteenth captain.
His first cruise was in the Alfred 24, Capt. Saltonstall, the ship that bore
the broad pennant of Com, Hopkins, and his first engagement was that

with the Glasgow. From tlie Alfred, he was transferred to the sloop Providence 12, as her captain. He then commanded the Alfred 24. In 1777

he was appointed to the Kanger 18, a cr.'ink, clumsy ship, witli a gundeck, but no armament above, and a dull sailer. In 1778, after the cruise
in the Irish Channel, in which he took the Drake, he gave up the com-

mand of

the Rang-er, and in 1779, obtained that of the squadron, under

His subsequent movements, until the peace,

the celebrated concordat.

are to be traced in the text.

In 1782, Capt. Jones was launched in tlie America 74, and the same
day delivered her up to the Chevalier de Martigne, the late commander
of the l^lagnifique, the ship she was now to replace. After this he made

a cruise in the French

fleet, as

a volunteer, in which situation he

was

found by the peace. In November, 1783, he sailed for France with a

commission to negotiate for the recovery of prize-money in different parts
of Europe. In 1787, he returned to America on business, but was

back again

in

Europe

in the

course of

tlie

same season. He now went

About tliis time he

to the north on business connected with his prizes.

received some proposals to enter the Russian navy,

and in the spring of

1788, he obtained the rank of rear-admiral accordingly. Siiortly after, he
was placed in an important command against the Tiu-ks, in which situation

NAVAL HISTORY.

211

him a vote of thanks, and, by a formal resohiiion, bestowed

on him the command of the America 74, the only one of the
six ships of that class that was ever laid down under the law
of 1776.

In order to dispose of this branch of the subject at

But personal hostility

returned to Paris, retaining- his rank,
and pensioned. From this time he remained in France and the adjacent
countries of Europe, until his death, which occurred at Paris, on the 18th
he

is

said to have rendered material services.

drove him from Russia

in 1789.

He

of July, 1792. A commission appointing- him the agent of the American

g-ovcrnment to treat with Alg;iers, arrived after he was dead.
That Paul Jones was a remarkable man, cannot justly be questioned.

He had

a respectable English education, and, after his ambition

had been

awakened by

success, he appears to have paid attention to the intellectual parts of his profession. In his enterprises are to be discovered much
of that boldness of conception that marks a g-reat naval captain, though his

most celebrated battle is probably the one in which he evinced no other

very high quality than that of an invincible resolution to conquer. Most of
the misfortunes of the Bon Homme Richard, however, may be very fairly
attributed to the insubordination of

of his

own

like himself,

and

liis

captains, and to the

The expedient of running

vessel.
it

Paul Jones was a

bad equipment

the Serapis aboard was one

was the only chance for victory that was left.

man rather under than above the middle size, and

countenance has been described

marks deep enthusiasm.

There

as possessing
is

much of that

his

sedateness that

no doubt that his eminence arose from

the force of his convictions, rather than from his

power of

combining-,

were respectable. His associations in Paris

appear to have awakened a taste which, whenever it comes late in life, is
almost certain to come attended with exaggeration. Personally he would
though

his reasoning faculties

seem to have been vain: a very excusable foible in one of his education
and previous habits, that was suddenly exposed to the flattery and seductions of Parisian society.
He never married, though he was not averse to
the sex, as appears from his letters, poetic effusions, and gallantries. An
affectation of a literary taste, that
expended itself principally in homage
to those he admired,

formed indeed one of his principal weaknesses.

was brave; in enterprise, hardy and original;

In battle, Paul Jones

victory, mild

and generous;

in motives,

much disposed

in

to disinterested-

ness, though ambitious of renown and covetous of distinction; in his pecuniary relations, liberal; in his affections, natural and sincere; and in his

temper, except
giving-.

in those cases

He wanted

which assailed

his reputation, just

the quiet self-respect of a

man capable

and

for-

of meeting

NAVAL HISTORY.

212
once,

be well to say here, that the America never

under the national colours. Congress presenting

may

it

got to sea

the ship to their ally, Louis XVI., to replace the Magnifique

74, which had been lost in the port of Boston. This friendly
offering

and, as

was made by
was now near

it

resolution,

September the

3d, 1782,

the end of the war, Paul Jones never

got to sea again in the service. In consequence of the America's having been presented to France, while still on the
stocks, the United States properly possessed no two-decked

war of the Revolution.

To return to the more regular order of events.
During the summer of 1779, the Deane 32, Capt. Samuel
Nicholson, and the Boston 24, Capt. Tucker, made a cruise
ship during the

in

company.

many

In

August of that year, these two

prizes, though no action of

moment

others were the Sandwich, (a packet,) 16,

with the Glencairn 20, and the Thorn 18.
vessels

were

letters

ships took

occurred.

Among

two privateers,
The two last

of marque.

spring of this year, the Providence 12, Capt.

a vessel of equal force, called the Diligent,
took
Hacker,
after a sharp action.
The particulars of this engagement
In

are

the

lost,

though they are known

able to the

American

officer.

to

The

have been highly creditDiligent appears to have,

been taken into the service.

bloody action also occurred, about the same time, be-

tween the Massachusetts

state cruiser

Hazard

14, Capt.

composure and dignity; and his complaints of illtreatment and neglect, for which there was sufficient foundation, piobably lost him favour both in France and America. Had circumstances
acts of injustice with

put him in a situation of high command, there is little doubt that lie would
have left a name unsurpassed by that of any naval captain, or have perish-

ed

in

endeavouring to obtain

it.

From

the American government, Paul Jones received many proofs of

commendation. Louis XVI. created him a knight of the order of Merit,
and Catharine of Russia conferred on him the ribbon of St. Anne. He also

received other marks of distinction, with a pension from Denmark.

213

NAVAL HISTORY.

John Foster Williams, and the Active

supposed to have belonged to the king.
half an hour, and

was determined

in

18, a vessel that

The combat

is

lasted

favour of the Hazard.

The Active

is said to have had 33 killed and wounded, and

Hazard 8. Shortly after this handsome affair, Capt.
Williams was appointed to the ship Protector, 20, belonging
to the same state, and in June he had a severe action with
one of those heavy letters of marque, it was much the custom to send to sea, at the period of which we are writing,

the

called the Duff; a ship said to have been quite equal in force

After a sharp contest of more than an

hour, the Duff blew up. The Protector succeeded in saving
55 of her crew, having had 6 of her own people killed and
to the Protector.

wounded

Taking and manning many prizes,

narrow escape from capture, by falling
in with the enemy's frigate Thames 32, from which ship,
however, she escaped, after a sharp running fight, in which
in the battle.

the Protector had a

the

Thames was much crippled aloft. On returning to

who bore a high reputation as an offiand a seaman, was immediately engaged in the expedi-

port, Capt. Williams,

cer

tion that it is our duty to record next, and which proved to

be much the most disastrous affair in which American sea-

men were

ever engaged.

The enemy having

established a post on the Penobscott,

and placed a strong garrison in it, the state of Massachusetts determined to drive them from its
territory, without

As the country was

calling upon Congress for assistance.
then nearly a wilderness, it is probable a
feeling of pride
induced this step, it being worthy of remark, that, after
General Gage was expelled from Boston, the enemy had, in
no instance, attempted to maintain any other post than this,

which lay on a remote and uninhabited frontier, within the

territories of New
England. For this purpose, Massachusetts made a draft of 1500 of her own militia, and
got an
order for the U. S. ship,

Warren

32, Capt. Saltonstall, the

NAVAL HISTORY.

214
Diligent 14,

Hacker,

Brown, and the Providence

Capt.

to join the expedition, these

12, Capt.
being the only regular

Three vessels belongcruisers employed on the occasion.

ing to Massachusetts were also put under the orders of
Capt. Saltonstall, and a force consisting of thirteen privateers

was added.

In addition there

were many transports

Gen. Lovel commanded the brigade.

This armament made its appearance off the Penobscott

and

store-vessels.

While the militia were making their

Warren, and another vessel of some force, en-

on the 25ih of July.

descent, the

gaged the enemy's works. The cannonading was severe,

and the Warren is said to have had 30 men killed and
wounded, in the action with the batteries, and in landing the

The

duty, however, was successfully performed by General Lovel, with a loss of about a hundred
troops.

latter

men, including all arms. Finding it impossible to carry

the place with his present force, the commanding officer
now sent for reinforcements. On the I3th of August, while
waiting for a return of the messenger, information was received from the Tyrannicide, the look-out vessel, that
Sir

George

four other

Collier,

vessels

in the

of war,

Rainbow 64, accompanied by

was entering the bay. The

troops immediately re-embarked, and a general, hurried and

confused flight ensued. The British squadron, consisting of
five vessels of war, quickly appeared, and a pursuit up the

was commenced, and continued for a long distance.

The enemy soon got near enough to use their chase guns,
and the fire was returned by the Americans. It was unriver

doubtedly the wish of Capt. Saltonstall, to reach the shallow

waters before he was overtaken, but, finding this impracticable, he run his ship ashore,

and

set her

on

fire.

Others

followed this example, and most of the vessels were destroyed, though three or four fell into the hands of the

enemy.
Capt. Saltonstall

was much, and,

in

some

respects, per-

NAVAL HISTORY.

215

haps, justly censured, for this disaster, though it is to be

feared that it arose more from that habit of publicity, which

peculiar to all countries much influenced by popular

Had a due regard been
feeling, than from any other cause.

is

paid to secrecy, time might have been gained to effect the

object, in that remote region, before a sufficient force could

have been collected

to

go against the

have been a mis-

commencement, and

calculation of means, at the

to raise such batteries, as

In a mili-

assailants.

tary sense, the principal faults appear to

a neglect

might have protected the shipping

could not surely

have been thought that privateers, armed with light guns,
could resist two-deckers, and the fact, that the English had
against the heavy vessels of the enemy.

It

was generally known.

among the Americans, was

a fleet of such vessels on the coast

The Warren,

the largest vessel

common

a main-deck
frigate of thirty-two guns, and had
Whatever
of
twelve
might have been
pounders.
battery
out
of the question
a
was
attempted by
regular force,
put
a

the insubordination of the privateers-men, each vessel

own safety, as her captain saw best.

b}'

seeking her

The

troops and seamen that landed, found themselves in

the centre of a wilderness,

their sufferings, before they

the severest kind.

that,

the

on

this

demand

is

different directions,

a fact, worthy of being recorded,

Warren being short of men at

occasion, the

commencement

to obtain

It

and taking

reached the settlements, were of

of the expedition, and finding it difficult

in consequence of the sudden

them by enlistment,

for

seamen, Capt. Saltonstall made up the deficiency

by impressment.

The

disastrous result of this expedition inflicted a severe

blow on American nautical enterprises. Many privateers

and state vessels, that had been successful against the
enemy's commerce, were either captured or destroyed.
Among the vessels blown up, was the Providence 12, one of
the

first

cruisers ever sent to sea

by the United

States,

and

216

.VAVAL HISTORY.

which had become noted for exploits greatly exceeding her

force.
As far as can now be ascertained, we find reason
to believe, that this little cruiser

brig-rigged, in the

privateer out of

was both

course of her service.

Rhode

Island, at the

sloop-rigged and

She had been a

commencement

of the

war, and was bought of her original commander, Capt.

Whipple,* who was himself admitted into the service, as the
first commander of the Columbus 20, and who subsequently
was numbered as the twelfth captain, on the regulated list

of 1776.
* This officer

Gaspe

in 1772.

is

supposed to have commanded

at the burning'

of the

217

NAVAL HISTORY.

CHAPTER

At

the

coirimencement of the year 1780, the French

under Comte d'Estaing retired

the entire

XI.

American

to the

West

fleet

Indies, leaving

coast, for a time, at the

command

of

Clinton profited by the opportunity

to sail with a strong force in ships and troops, against
Charleston, which town he reduced after a short but vigourthe British.

Sir

Henry

ous siege. Several American ships of war were in the

harbour at the time, under the command of Capt. Whipple,

and finding escape impossible,

this officer carried his squadron into the Cooper, sunk several vessels at its mouth, and
landed all the guns and crews, for the defence of the town,

with the exception of those of one ship. The Providence

28, Capt. Whipple, the Queen of France 28,* Capt. Rathburne, the Boston 24, Capt. Tucker, Ranger 18, Capt Simpson, and several smaller vessels, fell into the hands of the

enemy.

The English government, by this time, found the system

of privateering so destructive to their navigation, that it
had come to the determination of refusing to exchange any
more of
on

the

seamen that

fell

into their

power.

By

acting

policy, they collected a large body of prisoners,

them
to England'in their return ships, and sensibly
sending
affected the nautical enterprises of the Americans, who, of
this

Tliis ship is supposed to have been a small

frigate built at Nantes, by
the American commissioners in P'rance.

Vol. I. 19

218

NAVAL HISTORY,

course, had but a limited

number of

officers

and men

fit

to

act on the ocean.

the

By

fall

of Charleston, too, the force of the regular

American marine, small as it had always been, was still

more reduced. Of the frigates, the Alliance 32, the Hague
(late Deane) 32, Confederacy 32, Trumbull 28, and a ship
or two bought or borrowed in Europe, appear to be all that
were

left,

while the smaller cruisers,

broken by going too often

like the pitcher that is

to the well,

had not fared much

better.

In consequence of all these losses, the advanced state of

the wai', and the French alliance, which had brought the

of France upon the American coast, Congress appears

have thought any great efforts for increasing the maThe privateers and state
rine unnecessary at the moment.
fleets

to

cruisers
in

were out and active

as usual, though

numbers, and consequently

in

general efficiency.

we

trast to these diminished effnrts

ment authorizing the

much reduced

ministr}' to

In con-

find the British Parlia-

keep no

less

than 85,000

men employed in the English navy, including the marines.

The first action of moment that occurred this year beand the enemy, notwithstanding, has the reputation of having been one of the most
June
hotly and obstinately contested combats. of the war.

tween any United

Stales' vessel

Trumbull 28, then under the command of

the senior officer of the navy, while
James
Nicholson,
Capt.
lat.
35
in
54', long. 66 W., made a strange sail to
cruising
windward from the mast-heads. The Trumbull immediately
2d, 1780, the

furled

all

her canvass^ in the hope of drawing the stranger

her before she should be seen. At eleven, the

down upon
stranger

was made

out to be a large ship, steering for the

Trumbull's quarter; but soon hauling more astern, sail was

got on the American ship to close. After some manoeuvring,
order to try the rate of sailing and to get a view of the
stranger's broadside, the Trumbull took in her light sails,
in

NAVAL HISTORY.
hauled up her courses, the chase

219

all this

time betraying no

desire to avoid an action, but standing directly for her adversary. When near enough, the Trumbull filled, and, out-

windward of her.
showed English colours,

sailing the stranger, she easily fetched to

The chase now

fired three guns,

and edged away, under short

sail,

evidently with an inten-

tion to pursue her course.

Capt. Nicholson harangued his men, and then made sail

up with the enemy. When about a hun-

to bring his ship

dred yards distant, the English ship

fired a broadside, and

the action began in good earnest.
For two hours and a
half the vessels lay nearly abeam of each other,
giving and
broadsides
without
intermission.
At
no
time were
receiving

they a hundred yards asunder, and more than once the

yards nearly interlocked. Twice was the Trumbull set on
fire

by the wads of her enemy, and once the enemy suffered

same way. At last the fire of the Englishman slack-

in the

ened sensibly, until it nearly ceased.

Capt. Nicholson now felt satisfied that he should make a
prize of his antagonist, and was encouraging his people with
that hope,

mast was

when

a report

tottering,

was brought

and that

if

it

to

him, that the main-

went while near the enemy,

would probably be the sacrifice. Anxious to secure

the spar, sail was made, and the Trumbull shot ahead
again,
her superiority of sailing
being very decided. She was soon
his ship

clear of her
adversary, who made no effort to molest her.
The vessels, however, were scarcely musket-shot
apart,
when the main and mizzen top-masts of the Trumbull went

over the

side,

and, in spite of every effort to secure them,

spar after spar

fore-mast.

came down,

until

nothing

Under such circumstances,

the

was

left

but the

enemy, who had

manifested no desire to profit

by her advantage, went off on
her proper course. Before she was out of
sight, her main-

top-mast was also seen to

It

fall.

was afterwards ascertained

that the ship

engaged by

220

NAVAL HISTORY.

Trumbull was a

of marque called the Watt, Capf.

Couhhard, a vessel of size, that had been expressly fitted to
Her force is not mentioned in the English
fight her way.
the

letter

commander, in his narrative of the aflair,

which he claims the victory, admits his loss to have been

accounts, but her

in

92 men,

and wounded.

in killed

Capt. Nicholson estimates

her force at 34 or 36 guns, mostly twelve-pounders and

he states that of the Trumbull to have been 2,4 twelve;

pounders and 6

sixes,

wounded, among

with 199 souls on board when the

The Trumbull

commenced.

action

the

former of

lost 39, in killed

whom were two

and

of her lieu-

tenants.

In the

way of a regular

cannonade,

this

combat

is

general-

thought to have been the severest that was fought in the

war of the Revolution. There is no question of the supely

riority of the

Watt

in

every thing but sailing, she having been

and strongest ship, besides carrying

essentially the largest

more guns and men than her opponent. Owing

to the difficul-

ty of obtaining seamen, that has been so often mentioned,

the Trumbull's crew was composed, in a great degree, of
raw hands, and Capt. Nicholson states particularly^ that

many

of his people

they went

were

suffering under sea-sickness

when

to their guns.

This action was not followed by another, of any importance, in which a government cruiser was concerned, until
the month of October, when the U. S. sloop of war Saratoga
16, Capt.
brigs, the

armed.

fell in with and captured a ship and two

Ibrmer of which, and one of the latter, were well
The conliict with the ship, which was called the

Young,

Charming Molly, was conducted with a spirit and promptitude that are deserving of mention.
Running alongside,
Capt.

Young

delivered his

fire,

and threw

fifty

men en

the

enemy's decks, when a fierce but short struggle ensued,

that ended in the capture of the British ship. Lieut. Joshua
Barney, afterwards so distinguished

in

the service, led the

NAVAL HISTORY.
boarders on

this

occasion

221

and the crew that he overcame

numbers to his own

said to have been nearlv double in

is

party.

After mailing these and one other capture, the Saratoga

sail for the capes of the Delaware, with the intention
of convoying her prizes into port. The following day, how-

made

ever, the

convoy was chased by the Intrepid

74, Capt.

Molloy, which ship retook all the prizes, but was unable to
It is said, and we find
get the Saratoga under her guns.

no evidence
turned

to contradict

to port, the vessel

ing at sea,

it,

that the Saratoga never re-

foundering, and her crew perish-

unheard of

The

brevity of the regular naval annals of the three last

years of the war, compels us to compress iheir incidents into
a single chapter, as it is our aim, except in extraordinary
instances, not to blend the exploits of the private
ships with those of the public cruisers.

armed

has been stated already that Capt. Landais was dismissed from the service soon after his return home, when
It

the

command

of the Alliance 32

was given

to Capt. John
so gallant a resistance
in the Raleigh, not
long previously. In February, 1781,
sailed
from
Boston for France, in command
Capt. Barry

Barry, the officer

who had made

of this

ship,

favourite

\vhich well

with

Colonel Laurens

on board,

known and much

regretted young officer was

charged with an important mission to the French court.
On the outward passage the Alliance captured a small privateer, called the Alert, but no event of any moment occurred.
After landing Mr. Laurens, the
frigate sailed from I'Orient
on a cruise, with the Marquis de la
Fayetie 40, in

company,
Three days afterwards, or on
the 2d of April, 1781,
they fell in with and captured two
Guernsey privateers, one of which, the Mars, is said to have
been a heavy vessel of 26 guns and 112 men, and the other,
the Minerva, to have had an armament of 10
guns, and a
bound

to

America with

stores.

19*

NAVAL HISTORY.

222

crew of 55

made any

souls.

Neither of these cruisers appears to have

resistance.

AlUance parted company with her

consort and the prizes, and continued to cruise until the
28th of May, when she made two sail, that were standing
After

this success, the

directly for her.

It

when near enough

was

late in the day,

remain

and the strangers,

during the darkness,

the
course
with
hauled up on the same
Alliance, evidently
with a view to defer the action until morning. At day-light
to

in sight

it was
nearly a dead calm, and
wiien the mist cleared away, the two strangers were seen
at no great distance, with English colours flying.
They

on the succeeding day,

out to be a sloop of war that

The sea was perfectly
rated 16 guns, and a brig of 14.
smooth, and there being no wind, the two light cruisers of

were now

the

distinctly

made

enemy were enabled

to

sweep

up,

and

to select tiieir

positions, while the Alliance lay almost a log on the water,

without steerage way. Owing to these circumstances, it

was noon before the vessels were near enough to hail, when
For more than an hour the Allithe action commenced.
ance fought

enemy having

got on

the aftermost guns

would

to great disadvantage, the

iher quarters,

bear on them.

where only a few of

The advantage

the English ves-

possessed by
consequence of the calm, at one time, indeed, gave
their people the greatest hopes of success, for they had
sels, in

the fight principally to themselves.

While things were

in this

unfortunate state, Capt. Barry received a grape-shot through

This additional and
his shoulder, and was carried below.
disheartening calamity added to the disadvantages of the
Americans, who were suffering under the close fire of two
spirited

and persevering antagonists.

of success did the

enemy now appear

Indeed, so confident
to be, that

when

the

ensign of the Alliance was shot away, this fact, coupled with
the necessary slackness of her firei induced their peoj>]e to
quit their guns,

and

to

give three cheers for victory.

This

NAVAL HISTORY.
occurred at a moment when a
liance's sails,

and she came

light

fairly

223
breeze struck the Al-

under steerage way.

from a manageable ship changed the entire

of the combat, and sent the enemy to their guns, again,

single broadside
state

with the conviction that their work yet remained to be done.

After a manly resistance, both the English vessels, in the
end,

were compelled

to haul

down

their colours.

The prizes proved to be the Atalanta 16, Capt. Edwards,

with a crew of 130 men, and the Trepassy 14, Capt.
Smith, with a crew of 80 men.

Both vessels were much

cut up, and they sustained a joint loss of 41 men in killed and wounded. Nor did the Alliance escape with impunity, having had 11 killed and 21 wounded, principally by
the fii'e of her enemies, while they lay on her quarters and
across her stern. Capt. Barry made a cartel of the Tre-

passy, and sent her into an English port with the prisoners,
but the Atlanta was retaken by the enemy's squadron that

was

cruising off Boston, while attempting to enter that

harbour.

Fortune

now became

capricious, and

to present the. other side of the picture.

we

are compelled
Among the ships

war, was the Confederacy 32. This vessel

had been launched in 1778, at, or near Norwich, in Connecticut, and the command of her was given to Capt. Seth
built late in the

Harding, the officer who commanded the Defence 14, in the

action in Nantasket Roads with the two transports captured in 1776.
the navy, in

Capt. Harding had been commissioned in

which

his first

The Confederacy

command

appears to have been

Europe in 1779, with

Mr. Jay, the minister to Spain, on board, and was suddenly
dismasted, a little to the eastward of Bermuda.
Spar followed spar, in this calamity, until the ship lay a log on the

this ship.

sailed for

water, with even her bowsprit gone. This misfortune must

probably be attributed, like so many similar, that have suc-

ceeded

it,

to the

after having
rigging's having slackened,

NAVAL HISTORY.

224
been
a

set

warm

up

cold weather at home,

in

when

the ship got into

latitude.

After several anxious weeks, the Confederacy got into

Martinique, where Mr. Jay obtained a passage in the French
frigate I'Aurore,

From

and the American

that time to the

vessel

remained

to refit.

commencement of

the present year,

the Confederacy was employed, like most of the large vessels of the service, in that stage of the war, in keeping open

the communications between the country and the difierent

ports

were

supplies

the

were obtained, and in transporting

went to Cape Fran<jois, and, on

in 1781, she

stores.

Early
22nd of June, while on her

return, with clothing

and

other supplies on board, and with a convoy in charge, she

was chased by a large

along side of her.

and was about

to

which succeeded in getting

Capt. Harding had gone to quarters,

open

ship,

his fire,

when

the

enemy ran

out a

of guns, and, a frigate being in company a short

distance astern, he struck. Several of the convoy were also

lower

tier

taken.

The

British stated the

armament of

the Confederacy to
sixes, or 36 guns.

have been, when taken, 28 twelves, and 8

Quitting this unlucky vessel, we shall now return to the only

other frigate that was built in Connecticut, during the war.
Ca])t.

Nicholson continued

in

command

after his severe conflict with the

of the Trumbull,

Watt, and we

find

him

at

sea again in that ship, in the summer of 1781. She left the
Delaware on the eighth of August, with a crew short of 200

men, of which near 50 were of the questionable materials to

be found among the prisoners of war. She had a convoy
of twenty eight sail, and a heavy privateer was in company.
Off the capes, the Trumbull made three British cruisers
astern.

Two

of the enemy's cruisers, one of which

was a

frigate, stood for the Trumbull, which ship, by hauling up,

was enabled to gain the wind of them. Night was near,

and

it

blew heavily.

The merchantmen began

to

diverge

225

NAVAL HISTORY.

from the course, though, by carrying easy sail, the Trumbull was enabled to keep most of them ahead, and in their

While standing on in this manner, hoping every

Trnmthing from the darkness, a squall carried away the
stations.

bull's fore-top-mast,

which,

in falling,

brought down with

it

the main-top-gallant mast.

As the weather was thick and
the
vessels
in
squally,
company of the Trumbull took advan-

tage of the obscurity and scattered, each making the best

of hei- way, according to her particular rate of sailing.

The Trumbull

herself

was compelled

to

bear up,

carry the canvass necessary to escape,

to

in

order

but with the

wreck over her bows, and a crew that was not only deficient
in numbers, but which was raw, and in part disaffected, her
situation became in the last degree, embarrassing.
Indeed,
her condition has been described as being so peculiarly disits own, of the
tressing, as almost to form an instance of

sometimes accompany naval warfare.

About 10 o'clock at night, the British frigate Iris* 32, one
of the vessels in chase, closed with the Trumbull, which ship,
difficulties that

on account of the lieaviness of the weather, had not yet been

able to clear the wreck.
In the midst of rain and squalls,
tempestuous night, with most of the forward hamper of
the ship over her bows, or lying on the fore-castle, with
in a

one of the arms of the fore-topsail yard run through her

and the other jammed on deck, and with a disor-

foresail,

ganized crew, Capt. Nicholson found himself compelled to

go to quarters, or to strike without resistance. He preferred
*

The

Iris

had been the United States ship Hancock 52, Capt. Manly,

and was captured by the Rainbow 44, Sir Georg-e Collier, with the Victor
16, in sight, and Flora 32, in chase of her prize, the Fox. The Hancock,
or Iris, proved to be one of the fastest ships on the American station, and

made the

fortunes of all

who commanded

her.

Capt. Manly

is

thought

to have lost her, in consequence of

having put her out of trim, by starting
her water, while chased. The ship, in the end, fell into the hands of the

French

in the

West

Indies.

NAVAL HISTORY.

226
the

first,

but the

Enghsh

volunteers, instead of obeying the

order, went below, extinguished the lights, and secreted

themselves. Near half of the remainder of the people imi-

tated this example, and Capt. Nicholson could not muster

crew he had, at the guns. The
fifty of even the diminished
battle that followed, might almost be said to have been

fought by the officers. These brave men, sustained by a

party of the petty officers and seamen, managed a few of the
guns, for

coming

more than an hour, when

up,

and joining

the General

in the fire of the Iris, the

Monk

18,

Trumbull

submitted.
In this singular combat, it has even been asserted that at
no time were 40 of the Trumbull's people at their quarters.
It

was probably owing

to this

circumstance that her

loss w^as

so small, for the ship herself is said to have been extensively

cut up. She had five men killed and eleven wounded. Among

the latter

were two of

the lieutenants,

and Mr. Alexander

Murray, a gentleman of Maryland, who had been educated

to the seas, and had been in the action with the Watt, but
who was then serving as a volunteer, and who, after commanding several private cruisers, entered the navy, and
subsequently died at the head of the service in 1821.

Murray was

particularly distinguished in this affair,

Mr.

and the

conduct of Capt. Nicholson* met with much applause. The

* As the
family of Capt. Nicholson may be said to be naval, it is due to
The ancestor of this officer emiour subject to give some account of it.
g-rated from Berwick-upon-Tweed, at the commencement of the eighteenth
century, and established himself in Maryland, where he obtained a grant
called Nicholson's Manor, near the passage through the Blue Ridge which

known as Nicholson's Gap. This property was subsequently sold,

and an estate was purchased on the Eastern Shore, where James Nicholson was born in 1737.

is still

James Nicholson was the second son of a numerous family, and he

sent to England for his education.

He

\vas

home young, however,

common with many Ame-

returned

and chose the sea as a profession. In 1762, in

In 1763, he married.
ricans, he assisted at the siege of the Havana.

227

NAVAL HISTORY.
suffered

Iris

more than could have been expected under

such circumstances, and reported seven

men

killed

and

wounded.

When the war broke out, in 1775, Mr. Nicholson was residing- on the
Eastern Shore, and he was immediately appointed to the command of a
vessel called the Defence, that was equipped by the Colony of Maryland,
and in which cruiser he was active and

useful.

tain of the Virginia 28, took place

6th, 1776,

June

His appointment as capand when the rank was

arranged on the 10th of October, of the same year, he was put at the head
of the list of captains.
At this time Com. Hopkins was commander-inchief,

but when he was dismissed, Capt. Nicholson became the senior

of-

of the navy, a station that he held to its dissolution.

The Virginia being blockaded, Capt. Nicholson and his crew joined the
army under Washington, and were present, in the darkest moment of the
ficer

war, at
lost

tiie

battle of Trenton.

The manner

in

which the Virginia was

has been related.

The two battles fought by Com. Nicholson while in command of the

Trumbull 28, were sanguinary and hotly contested. In both cases the
crews were, in a great degree, composed of landsmen? and in the last action, none but a man of the highest notions of military honour would have
thought resistance necessary. To say nothing of the condition of his
ship, the Iris (Hancock) was one of the largest frigates built by the Americans in the Revolution, and the

Trumbull was one of the

smallest.

The

Monk was

a heavy sloop of war, for that day, as is known- from her subsequently falling into the hands of tlie Americans.
Com. Nicholson was not exchanged until near the close of the war, and

there being no ship for him, he never went to sea again in service. He
subsequently settled in New-York, where he held a respectable civil appointment under the general government. He died September 2d, 1804,
leaving three daughters, one of whom married Albert Gallatin, ex-secretary of the treasury, &c. &c. &c.
Samuel and John, the brothers of James Nicholson, were both captains
in the

navy of the Revolution, and the former died at the head of the serCom. S. Nicholson had four sons in the navy, and his brother

vice, in 1811.

John, three.

Indeed, the third generation of this family, as in the case of

now in the service. In the whole, fifteen gentlemen of

the Perrys, are

name and family have served since 1775, of whom two have actually
worn broad pennrnts, and a third died just as he was appointed to one.
In addition, several officers of distinction were near relatives, Com. Murray having been a cousin-german of Com. Nicholson, and Capt. Gordon

this

his

nephew.

NAVAL HISTORY.

228

As

affording
to a

now come

some relief to the

handsome exploit

which ought, perhaps, properly,

loss of the

Trumbull,

wc

that occurred soon after,

to take

its

place

among

the

deeds of the private cruisers, but which is of sufficient importance to be mentioned here, and this so much the more,
as a portion of those engaged belonged to the regular service of the country.
private cruiser called the Congress
had been fitted out in Philadelphia, in the course of the

in September she was cruising on the coast of

The Congress had an armathe Carolinas and Georgia.
ment of 20 guns, according to the American accounts, and

summer, and

of 24 according to the English, and she was commanded by

Few of her people were seamen, of which
Capt. Geddes.

was now a great

plement was made up,

there

scarcity in the country, but her

great degree, of landsmen.

com-

in a

On the morning of the 6th of September, cruising to the

eastward of Charleston, the Congress made a sail, to which
she gave chase.
The stranger was soon discovered to be a
and at first showed a disposition to engage, but,
some manoeuvring she stood off. At half past ten the

cruiser,
after

Congress began to fire her bow guns, and at eleven being

close up on the enemy's quarter, she opened a heavy fire of
musketry, which did

good deal of execution.

Drawing
was

ahead, the Congress now delivered her broadside, and it

returned with spirit. At first the enemy got a cross

and the

fire

meeting with an acBut soon closing again, the

combat was renewed with fresh vigour, and the Congress

upon the Congress,

cident,

fell

astern to

latter ship

refit.

having got her enemy fairly under her guns, in less than an
hour, left her a nearly unmanageable wreck on the water.

Englishman showed no
and the Congress ran so close along
that the men were said to be reciprocally burned by

Notwithstanding

his condition, the

disposition to submit,
side,

the discharges of the guns.

castle of the

The

quarter-deck and fore-

enemy had scarcely a man

left

on

it,

and

his

NAVAL HISTORY,
fire

began

to slacken in

229

consequence of several of

his

guns

having been dismounted. In this stage of the engagenaent

shot were even thrown by hand and did execution.
At
length the mizzen-naast of the English ship fell, and the
nnain-mast threatening to follow it, her boatswain appeared
on the forecastle, with his hat in his hand, and called out

commander had struck. The prize proved

war Savage 16, Capt. Stirling,

that his

to

be the

British sloop of

The accounts of the respective

in this

force of the vessels engaged

and, as is usual in such

warm contest, differ essentially;

matters,

There

it

is

is little

probable that the truth lies between them.

question of the superiority of the Congress in

guns, metal and men but when it is remembered that the

conqueror was a private armed ship, with a raw crew, and
that the captured vessel was a regular cruiser that had been
;

long actively employed,

would not be just

it

to

withhold from

Capt. Geddes and his people, the credit of having performed

a handsome naval exploit.
As in other things, there is a

discrepancy also

in the

account of the losses of the two

The Congress is said, by Capt. Stirling, to have had

ships.
about fifty men killed and wounded; and by the American
The former makes the
accounts, to have lost only thirty.
loss of the

Savage

eight killed, and twenty-four wounded;

it as
high as to a total of fifty-

while the Americans raise

There

a reason to question the accuracy of the

published English account of this affair, to be found in the
four.

fact, that

is

Capt. Stirling, while he does not state that he

us that he had but forty men left at

was short-handed, tells

their quarters when he

struck.

the thirty-two killed, or disabled

this number to
by wounds, we get a total

By adding

of but seventy-two for the crew of a frigate-built

sloop of
war, a fact that requires explanation to receive credit, and

which,

if

true,

would have so

fairlv entered into the relation

of the defeat, as an extenuating circumstance.

Official accounts of defeats so often undergo
and mutilations

changes

Vol.

I. 20

NAVAL HISTORY.

230

between the hands of the writer and

their publication, that

we

are not necessarily to attribute wilful misrepresentation

because the documents
a
to
gallant but unfortunate officer,

laid before the

world do not always rigidly coincide with

probability, or the truth as it has been derived from other

sources. The Savage was re-captured by a British frigate,
and taken into Charleston. Capt. Geddes got much credit
for this affair; and, at a later day,

we

find his

name among

those of the captains of the navy.

have now reached the year 1782, which

We

was

virtu-

war of

the Revolution, though some

events will remain to be recorded in the early part of the

the last of the

ally

In the commencement of this year, the Deane

made
a
successful
cruise, in which she took, several pri32,
vate armed vessels of the enemy. By some accounts, three
of her prizes were sloops of war, viz. the Regulator 18,

year 1783.

the

Swallow

and the Jackall 14

16,

bable, that there

may

On

characters.

this

but

we

think

have been some mistake as

occasion, the

it

pro-

to their

Deane was commanded

by Capt. Samuel Nicholson.

The favourite ship, the Alliance* 32, Capt. Barry, was

much employed this year, her superior sailing making her a
vessel in constant

demand.

was

Among
sent to

other services that she

the

Havana

for specie,

performed,

this ship

whence she

sailed, in

ed with

supplies.

vessels

fell

Shortly after quitting port, some enemy's

While running
in with them, and gave chase.

company

with the Luzerne, a ship load-

was seen on the Alliance's

weather bow, which was soon made out to be a French 50,
from

this force,

of two decks.

French
*

vessel

a large

sail

Exchanging signals, and supposing that the

would sustain him, Capt. Barry immediately

One of the

traditions of the service states that the Alliance was chased

by an enemy's two-decker, and that she ran 15 knots by the
with the wind abeam, in making her escape

this year,

log,

NAVAL HISTORy.

wore round, and brought

to

others

action; the

the attention of the

wind and
;

the leading vessel of the

manoeuvring

fifty.

231

The

after a sharp fight of

in

latter,

way

to

enemy
engage

however, kept her

half an hour, the

more than

English ship engaged with the Alliance, finding herself hard

pushed, made signals to her consorts to join, when Capt.

Barry hauled ofl'. The Alliance now stood for the French
to bring the
ship, and speaking her, it was determined
to action again, in

enemy

chase, however,

it

company.

was soon found

On making

that the fifty

sail

was

in

too

a sailer to give the least hope of overtaking the enemy,

and the attempt was abandoned.
dull

In this action, the Alliance had 3 killed and 11 wounded;

it is said that the loss of the enemy was very heavy.

while

statements place the latter as high as 87 men but

no accounts can be discovered, that give a very clear hisEven the name of the English ship aptory of this afl!air.

Some

pears to be
counts,

lost.

gaged by

the

enemy, by some of the ac-

said to be a ship of the line, and the ship enthe Alliance, a heavy sloop of war.

The command

now

One of

was

left

in

the

of the Hague, one of the two

American marine, was given

frigates
to

Capt.

Manly, after her return from the cruise under Capt. Nicholson; and this officer, who had virtually begun the maritime war, on the part of the United States, in a manner
closed

it,

by an arduous and

brilliant chase, in

which he

escaped from several of the enemy's ships in the West Indies, after being for a considerable time under the guns of

a vastly superior force. This occurrence may be said to

have brought the regular naval warfare of the United
States to an end, so far as the government cruisers were
concerned, peace having been

made

early in 1783.

232

NAVAL HISTORY.

CHAPTER

XII.

Although we have introduced

a few of the prominent

which the privateers were concerned in this war,
has been as exceptions. Most of the accounts of such

actions in
it

conflicts are of a questionable nature, depending principally

on the rumours of the day, as they were written out for the

newspapers, though

is

it

known

that

many

of the exploits

of this description of vessels were of a brilliant kind, and

way entitled to respect. Indeed, the private cruisers

of America have always had a character superior to those of
other countries; a fact that is owing to the greater degree of
I'elative respectability that is attached to the profession of

every

a seaman in this country, than

and

to the

been sufficiently large

willingly take service

gaged

in

usual to find elsewhere,

it is

circumstance that the public marine has never

to receive all of those

in

it,

when

who would

the nation has been en-

war.

Privateering, in the abstract,

is

a profession of which

reason and good morals can scarcely approve; for whatever may be its legality, its aim is to turn the waste and

But circum-

destruction of war, to the benefit of avarice.

stances may,

and

in

the

two contests

that

have taken

place between Great Britain and the United States, these

circumstances did offer so many apologies for engaging in
the pursuit, as almost to raise

approved warfare.

it

to

the dignity of a

Without regular

fleets,

more

borne upon by

NAVAL HISTORY.

233

a powerful nation that claimed to command the ocean, and

unable to assail their enemy in any other manner, most of

the

American seamen have found themselves reduced

to

the necessity of choosing between idleness, during struggles

that involved the dearest rights of the country, or of en-

gaging

in this

to terms.

mode of endeavouring

It is

bring their enemies

due to these brave men to say, that, as a
to

conduct while afloat, has generally coincided

with the sentiments here attributed to them; American prirule,

their

vateering having in all ages, been as little stigmatized by

acts of oppression and rapine, as the conduct of most re-

gular marines.
In many instances, during the

war

of the Revolution, the

private armed cruisers displayed an honourable chivalry, by

engaging vessels of war, that sufficiently shows the spirit of
their commanders
and we find them nearly always ready,
when occasions have offered, to quit their more peculiar oc;

cupation, that of assailing the enemy's commerce, in order

any of the regular military expeditions of the country, that required it.
In short, in this war,

to lend their aid in

the officer and the

common man,

appear equally

to

have

passed, at need, from the deck of the public, to that of the

private cruiser, knowing little difference between ships that

carried the ensign of the republic, and which, in their eyes,

were engaged in the same sacred cause.
As respects the service of the colonial or state cruisers,
there would be les^ reason to regard the accounts with distrust,

but their records are scattered in so

offices,
it is

many

different

and the marines themselves were so irregular, that

almost impossible to obtain authentic details, at

distant day.

In

many

this

instances, these vessels did excellent

service; and, in addition to a few that have already been

incorporated in this work, among the more regular inci-

dents of the war,

of their actions,

we

add the accounts of one or two

as they have been obtained from the best
20*
shall

234

NAVAL HISTORY.

authorities that

cedence, before

now offer, considering them entitled to prewe give an outline of the service perform-

ed by the private armed cruisers.

March

In

1782, the Delaware

was much

infested by-

barges and small cruisers of the enemy, which not unfrequently made prizes of vessels belonging to the Americans,
as well as molesting the people who dwelt near the water.
With a view to keep the navigation open against these
the

of Pennsylvania

marauders,

at

mined

out a cruiser or two,

to

fit

least,

state

at

its

and with such materials as could be

With

this object,

purchased.

own

hastily

deter-

expense,
collected.

Hyder Ally was

government come
named, when bought,

a small ship called the

So suddenly

did the local

to its resolution, that the vessel just

had actually dropped down the

bound voyage, loaded with flour.

river,

on

an outward-

She was brought back,

was discharged, and an armament of sixteen
So little, however, was
six-pounders was put upon her.

her cargo

ready for war, that she had to be pierced in orIndeed so pressing was the
her guns.
that
the
merchants
of Philadelphia anticipatemergency,
this ship

der to receive

ed the passage of the law to authorize the purchase and

equipment of this ship, by advancing funds for that purpose ;

and the act had not actually gone through all its legal
forms, until after the exploit we are about to record had
The commissioners entrusted with the
been performed
!

duty of preparing the ship, selected Lieut. Joshua Barney,

of the United States navy, as her commander, a young otiicer of great decision of character and personal bravery,
already distinguished himself in subordinate sta-

who had
tions,

on board of different cruisers of the general govern-

ment, but who,

like so

many more

of the profession,

was

obliged frequently to choose between idleness, or a service

less regular than that to which he properly belonged.

crew of 110 men was put on board

the

Hyder

Ally;

NAVAL HISTORY.

and within a fortnight

Barney

her, Capt.

was appointed to comnnand

was not the intention of the

after he

sailed.

235

It

state of Pennsylvania, that their ship should

go to

sea, but

merely that she should keep the navigation of the river and
bay open, and drive otf privateers, and other small cruisers.

On

the 8th of April, the Hyder Ally got into the bay with a
considerable convoy of outward-bound merchantmen. The
whole fleet had anchored in the roads off Cape May, in

waiting for a wind to get to sea, when two ships and a

the
brig, one of the former a frigate, were seen rounding

Cape, evidently with a view to attack them.

immediately run up a signal for the convoy

Capt. Barney
to trip,

and

to

stand up the bay again, the wind being to the southward.

This order was principally obeyed, and in a few minutes,
the merchant vessels, with one exception, were running
off before the wind, with every thing set that would draw,
the

Hyder Ally covering

their retreat,

under easy

sail.

The

vessel that remained, endeavoured to get to sea, by hauling

close round the cape, but grounded and fell into the hands

of the enemy. Another vessel got on the shoals, and was

taken by a boat from the nearest of the English cruisers.

An

extensive shoal, called the " Over Falls," forms two

the lower

channels, in

of the Delaware Bay, and

part

while the convoy passed up the easternmost of these channels, or that

which

is

known

as the "

Cape May Channel,"

which offered a betthe point where the two

the frigate stood towards the western,

ter

chance

to

head the fugitives

at

and which had the most water. The remaining ship

and the brig, stood on in the direction of the Hyder Ally.

united,

It

was not long before

the brig,

British privateer out of

New

can,

came up with

Hyder

her

battle.

the

which proved

York, called the Fair

Ally,

when

to

be a

Ameri-

the latter offered

But, firing a broadside, the privateer kept

aloof, and continued up the bay.
Capt. Barney declined to
return this fire, holding himself in reserve for the ship astern.

236

NAVAL HISTORY.

a large sloop of war,

which was

latter got quite near, the

to the shoal, luffed

Hyder

and threw

coming up. When the

which had kept close
her broadside, and imme-

fast

Ally,

in

The enediately righting her helm, keeping away again.

and
as
his
forward
stood
my
boldly on,
just
guns were
within
the
two
vessels
to
bear,
being
pistol shot,
beginning
the

to luff

Hyder Ally attempted

athwart

his

hawse, when

the jib-boom of the English ship ran into her forerigging,

and the two vessels got foul. It is said that Capt. Barney

obtained this advantage by deceiving his enemy, having

given an order to port the helm, in a loud voice, when secret instructions had been given to the quarter-master at the
wheel, to put his helm hard a-starboard. The Hyder Ally
now opened a severe raking fire, and in less than half an

hour from the commencement of the action, the stranger

struck, the ships remaining foul of each other.

The

frigate,

which had not actually got

into the

western

channel, perceiving the state of things, changed her course,

with a view to get round to the combatants, and Capt. Bar-

ney had no time

to lose.

Throwing

his first lieutenant,

with a party, on board the prize, he ordered her to continue

up the bay, while he covered the retreat with his own ship.
In the

mean while,

There

of the convoy.

had run aground above, in chase

some reason to suppose that the

the brig
is

the frigate did not know the result of the

action, for he made signals to the prize, and anchored about

.commander of

Hyder Ally, which had been kept a long

distance astern of the other vessels, with a view to divert
sunset, leaving the

his attention, to

proceed to

Philadelphia without further

molestation.

moment, Capt. Barney did not even know the

He now made sail, however, and runof his prize.
of
for the first time he learned he had
side
her,
ning along
his
Britannic
Majesty's ship. General Monk, 18,
captured

Up

to this

name

Capt. Rogers.

This vessel had formerly been the American

NAVAL HISTORY.
privateer, General

237

Washington, and having

fallen into the

power of Admiral Arbulhnot, he had taken her

into the

new name, and promoted a facommand.

The Monk mounted

king's service, given her a

vourite

twenty

officer

her

to

and

nines,

is

said to

have had a crew of 136 men.

his loss at

Capt. Rogers reported

but Capt. Barney stated

it

at

20

killed,
killed,

and 29 wounded;
and 36 wounded.

probable that the latter account is nearest the truth, as

the commander of a captured vessel has not always as
good an opportunity as his captor, to ascertain his own loss.
It is

The Hyder

Ally had 4 killed, and 11 wounded.

This action lias been justly deemed one of the most

liant that

ever occurred under the American

flag.

It

bril-

was

fought in the presence of a vastly superior force that was

not engaged and the ship taken, was in every essential re;

to her conqueror.
The disproportion in
metal, between a six pounder and a nine pounder, is onehalf; and the Monk, besides being a heavier and a larger
Both vessels appeared before
ship, had the most men.

superior

spect,

Philadelphia, a few hours after the action, bringing with

them even their dead and most of the leading facts were
;

known
*
it

to the entire

community of

the place.*

A biography of the liie of Capt. Rogers has appeared; and, hi this work,

is

asserted that the

carronades,

armament of the General Monk was of nine-pound

light, that they were dismounted

and that the guns were so

The

by the

recoils.

action,

mentioned

defeat

is

imputed

in the text, the

to this cause.

In the subsequent

Monk, then the General Washington,

said to have suffered a disadvantage, in

consequence of her nines being

bored out to the former calibre, the guns not having weight enough
to bear the recoil.
This is a professional fact, that might well enough
occur. It is, therefore, prob.able that, wlien taken, the Monk had these
is

sixes

same

nines, and that some may have been dismounted by the recoil. But,
en the other hand, the Monk could have lost near half her
guns, in this
way, and still have been equal to the Hyder Ally; and the fact appears to
be certain, that the combat was settled by the bold manoeuvre of Capt.
Barney. It is mentioned, moreover, in this same biography, that Capt.
Rogers had been two years very actively employed in the Monk, when

NAVAL HISTORY.

238

The

which Capt. Barney protected

steadiness with

his

convoy, the gallantry and conduct with which he engaged,

and the perseverance with which he covered the retreat of
his prize, are all deserving of high praise.

whole

Throughout the

discovered the qualities of a great

that distinguished
failing in no essential of

affair, this officer

naval captain
character.

The Monk,

name having been

her old

restored,

was

ta-

ken into the service of the State of Pennsylvania,* and

she was taken; and

be admitted

will

It

as singulai", that

he did not under-

by that time. Reduced charges, too, would

have obviated the difficulty in a combat in which the ships touched each
other. Carronades were scarcely known in 1782, and the Monk received
stand the

power of his

g-uns

her outfit in 1779. Besides, she would have carried much heavier carronades, had she carried any, the weight of an eig-hteen-pound carronade being about the same as that of a six-pounder. The biographer has,
that calibre, the
light nines with carrojiades of

no doubt, confounded the

latter

gun being much

in use

when he wrote.

of Com. Barney has assumed that, as the Gen. Washwas

ington
employed on duty in behalf of the United States, Mr. Barney
was made a captain in the navy. By the instructions published in this
*

The biographer

biography, it appears that the commissioners of Pennsylvania put the ship

at the disposition of Mr. Robert Morris, in oi-der to transport specie from
the Havana to tliis country. This fact alone would not have made Mr.

Barney a captain
is

in the navy; or the master of every

employed by government might claim

man

that rank.

merchantman who

It

does not

make

command a frigate even, as that duty may

gunner, at need. The commission is necessary to

a captain in the navy, to

be performed by a
make a captain; and

not
this, Mr. Barney, however deserving of it, does
it was given to him in 1794, although
until
have
ever
appear
possessed
he remained a lieutenant in the service to the close of the war. The Gen.
to

Washington was employed by the United States down to the peace, it is

true; but this no more puts a ship on the list, than an officer of a merchantman

is

put on the

Government may put

its officers;

or

chant-officers,

forcibly

it

list

may put

and the

by

his vessel's

being hired as a transport.

and they will remain

officers in merchant-ships,

its

its

of merships temporarily under the charge

be in the navy. It may hire, borrow, or

latter will not

employ vessels, without necessarily placing either the ships or

their

NAVAL HISTORY.

was

shortly after sent

West

States, to the

ney had a
supposed

on duty

in

239
behalf of the United

During this cruise, Capt. Barwith an English armed brig,

Indies.

warm engagement

have been a privateer, of about an equal

to

force, but she escaped from him, the meeting occurring in

the night, and the enemy manoeuvring and sailing particu-

The name of her

In
antagonist is not known.
Washington received some damage in her
spars, but met with no serious loss.
larly well.

this affair, the

Massachusetts and South Carolina were the two states

that
their

most exerted themselves, in order to equip cruisers of

own. As early as September, 1770, one of the vessels

of the former

is

said to

have captured an English sloop of

but we can discover no more

war, after a sharp action

than general and vague accounts of the affair.

Among the vessels of Massachusetts was one

named

and a brig called the Tyrannicide.

was a successful cruiser, and made many cap-

after the state itself,

The

latter

was

tures, but she

nobscott.

It

lost in the

unfortunate affair in the Pe-

beUeved that the Tyrannicide was built

a cruiser. But the favourite officer of this
is

expressly for
service appears to have been Capt. John Foster Williams,
who commanded a brig called the Hazard, in 1779. In
this vessel, in

Active,

addition to the action already related with the

Williams performed

Capt.

many handsome

ex-

on its regular lists. It does appear, however, that the United States
end owned the Washing-ton; pi'obably throug-h some subsequent
arrang-ement with Pennsylvania; she being- sold on public account.
There is no question that Capt. Barney oug'ht to have been presented
officers

in the

with the commission of a captain in the American

navy, for the capture of
Monk; and it is probably owing to the state of the war, then known to

the

be so near a

was

not; but

of this dutv.

and to the general irregularities of the service, that he

can find no evidence that Congress ever acquitted itself

close,

we

NAVAL HISTORY.

240

proving himself, on

ploits,

all

an

occasions,

officer

of

merit.

After quitting the Hazard, Capt. Williams was transferred

In this vessel he
to the Protector 20, equally a state ship.

had the two actions mentioned in another chapter, that

with the Duff, and that with the Thames, in both of which
this gallant officer greatly distinguished himself. Soon after

this brilliant cruise

which was

he resumed the

command

of the Hazard,

also lost to the state in the unfortunate expedi-

tion against the British in the Penobscott.

It

would proba-

bly have been better for Massachusetts had it named this

meritorious officer to the command of the naval armament

This unhappy affair appears, in a great

have put an end to the maritime efforts of Massachusetts, a state, however, that was foremost to the last, in

on that occasion.
degree, to

aiding the general cause.

Of the vessels of Carolina mention has already been made.
In the early part of the war several light cruisers were employed, but as the contest advanced, this state entertained a
plan of obtaining a few vessels of force, with an intention of
striking a heavier blow than common against the enemy.

With

this

view.

Com.

Gillon,

the officer

who was

at the

marine, went to Europe, and large amounts

of colonial produce were transmitted to him, in order to

head of

its little

raise the necessary funds.

In his correspondence, this of-

complains of the difficulty of procuring the right sort

of ships, and much time was lost in fruitless negotiations for
At length an
that purpose, in both France and Holland.
ficer

arrangement was entered

into,

for a

sii)gle vessel, that is

so

singular as to require particular notice.

At Amsterdam, Com. Gillon finally found a ship that
every way answered his purpose. This vessel was the

which had been laid down by the American commissioners, and subsequently presented to France. She had

Indien,

the dimensions of a small 74, but

was a

frigate in construe-

241

KTAVAL HISTORY.

however, an armament that consisted of 28

and of 12 Swedish
thirty-sixes on her gun-deck,

tion, carrvins:,

Swedish

twelves on her quarter-deck and forecastle, or 40 guns in

the whole. This ship, though strictly the property of France,

had been

who

lent

by Louis XVI.

to the

years, on condition that the state

at its

Duke of Luxembourg,

hired her to the State of South Carolina for three

own

expense, and render

would insure her, sail her

owner one-fourth of

to her

Under this singular compact,*

the proceeds of her prizes.
South Carolina for the octhe
named
was
the ship, which
casion, got out in 1781,

and made a successful cruise

in the

Narrow

Afterwards
Seas, sending her prizes into Spain.
she sailed for America, capturing ten sail, with which she

went

into the

to distress the

Havana.

Here, Com. Gillon, with a view

enemy, accepted the command of the

nauti-

cal part of an expedition, that had been set on foot by the

Spaniards, against the Bahamas, and in which other Ame-

rican cruisers joined.

The

expedition

was

successful,

and

Com. Gillon now left

the ship proceeded to Philadelphia.
her, and after some delay, the South Carolina went to sea, in
December, 1782, under the orders of Capt. Joyner, an officer
who had previously served on board her as second in command. It is probable that the movements of so important
a vessel were watched, for she had scarcely cleared the
capes, when, after a short running fight, she fell into the
hands of the British ship Diomede 44, having the Astrea

and the Quebec 32, in company.

The South Carolina was much the heaviest
sailed under the American flag, until the new

32,

ship that ever

frigates

were

*
It appears to be generally imagined that this Duke of Luxembourg-, or
Chevalier de Luxembourg as he was sometimes called, was the sover-

eign prince of that country, but

we suppose him

to

have been

French

nobleman of the well-known family of Montmorency, which bears this title.

Could the truth be come at, it is not improbable that the whole affair would
be discovered to have been an indirect species of princely privateering.

Vol.

L 21

NAVAL HISTORY.

242
constructed during the

war

of 1812, and she

described as

is

having been a particularly fast vessel; but her service appears to have been greatly disproportioned to her means.

She cost the

state a large

have returned
excited

sum of money, and

nothing

literally

believed to

is

Her

to its treasury.

loss

much comment.

Admiral Arbuthnot reports among the "rebel ships of

war" taken or sunk at the capture of Charleston, "the Brimounting 44 guns, twenty-four and
&c.
As there never was a vessel of
eighteen pounders,"
cole, pierced for 60,

this

name

in the

that this ship

navy of the United

was another heavy

States,

it

is

probable

frigate obtained

by the

State of South Carolina, in Europe.

Although this state
had the means to equip a better marine than common, it had
neither vessels, building yards, nor seamen of
moment. Most of its vessels were purchased, and

any great
its seamen

principally obtained from places out of its limits. Com.

Gillon and Capt.. Joyner being both natives of Holland.

were

We
sers,

shall

now

briefly allude to a

fev>^

private

armed

crui-

and close the narrative of the naval events connected

Of the general history of this part of

the warfare of the period, the reader will have obtained
some idea from our previous accounts; but it may be well

with the Revolution.

here, to give a short but

more connected summary of

its

outlines.

The

first

to assailproceedings of Congress in reference

reserved
were
has
been
as
seen,
commerce,

ing the British

and cautious.

War

accommodation
sufl^ered to

pass

far

many

from hopeless, the year

away

and reprisal; for

serve as

not being regularly declared, and an

it

1775 was

without granting letters of marque

the interest of the nation to pre-

was

friends in

England as

possible.

As

the

breach widened, this forbearing policy was abandoned, and

the summer of 1776 let loose the nautical enterprise of the
country upon the British commerce. The effect at

first

was

NAVAL HISTORY.

243

astounding. Never before had England found an enemy so

destructive to her trade, and, during the tvi'o first years of
the privateering that followed, something like eight
sail

of merchantmen

efforts of the

v^^ere

Americans necessarily

cautions of the

enemy

proved destructive

increased.

to the

After

captured.

hundred

this period, the

v^'hile the prethese enterprises

and it is a proof

lessened,
Still,

end of the war;

of the efficiency of this class of cruisers to the last, that

small privateers constantly sailed out of the English ports,

with a view to make money, by recapturing their own

vessels; the trade of America, at that time, offering but few

inducements

to such undertakings.
the
vessels employed as private cruisers, the
Among
the
Black
Prince, the Pickering, the Wild Cat,
Holker,

the Vengeance, the Marlborough, in addition to those else-

where named, were very conspicuous. The first sailed

under different commanders, and with almost uniform suc-

The Marlborough

cess.

is

said to

have made twenty-eight

one cruise, and other vessels were scarcely less

fortunate. Many sharp actions occurred, and quite as often

prizes in

advantage of these cruisers as

to the

to that

of their enemy.

In repeated instances they escaped from British ships of

war, under unfavourable circumstances, and there is no

few cases, they captured them.

ought also to be added the letters of marque,

question, that in a

To

this list
in

which,

many

and the country.

the service,

made

great credit to themselves

Capt. Murray, since so well known to
one of the most desperate defences on

cases,

did

record, in one of these vessels, near the close of the

war

and Capt. Truxtun, whose name now occupies so high a

among those of the naval captains of the republic,

another, in the St. James, while conveying an American agent to France,. which was so highly appreciated

station

made
that

it

probably opened the

quently

filled.

way

to the

rank that he subse-

NAVAL HISTORY,

244

The English West-India

largely by

trade,

in

particular,

the private warfare of the day.

Two

suffered

and

fifty

engaged in this branch of commerce, are stated to

have been taken as early as February, 1777. The whole
number of captures made by the Americans in this contest,
sail,

is

not probably known, but six hundred and fifty prizes are
Many of the remainder

said to have been got into port.

were ransomed, and some were destroved

can be no minute accuracy
jury done the

and there

is

commerce

There

at sea.

in these statements, but the in-

of Great Britain

was enormous;

no doubt that the constant hazards

it

run,

had

a direct influence in obtaining the acknowledgment of the

independence of the United States of America, which great

event took place on the 20th of January, 1783.

Thus terminated

the

first

war

in

which America was enhad endured

gaged as a separate nation, after a struggle that

seven years and ten months. Orders of recall
diately given to the different cruisers,

of

all

privateers and letters of

were imme-

and the commissions

marque were revoked.

The

proclamation announcing a cessation of hostilities, and that

the country was in a state of peace, was made on the 11th
of April,

when

the

war

finally terminated at all points.

NAVAL HISTORY.

CHAPTER

245

XIII.

Before we proceed to give an account of the state in

which the war left the American marine, a brief review of
its
general condition, throughout, and at the close of the
struggle,

When

may

be found useful.

law of 1775 was passed, directing the construction of the first frigates, for the twenty-eights and
the

twenty-fours are included in

stations
to

were

this class, different

selected, at points thought to be least

the enemy.

The

vessel that

was

laid

down

building

exposed

New

in

Hampshire, was said to have been put into the water

But
sixty days from the time the work commenced.
this activity

rigging, or

in
all

was of little avail, the want of guns, anchors,

some material article, interfering with the rapid

equipment of nearly every one of the thirteen ships.

The vessel just mentioned was the Raleigh, and her
career can be traced

The two

in

our previous pages.

in Massachusetts, the Hancock

ships constructed

and Boston, got

annoyed by

the

country was

little

after the evacuation of Boston;

and

to sea; for this part of the

enemy

their fortunes are also to be found in our pages.

The Rhode
These

were the Warren and Providence.

most indifin
were
launched
177G, and
They

Island ships

vessels are described as having been the

ferent of the thirteen.

their services

and

fates

have been given.

The Montgomery and Congress were

to be built in

New

York.

These
21*

ships,

the vessels ordered

it is

believed,

were

246

If

AVAL HISTORr.

constructed at, or near, Pouglikeepsie, on the Hudson, and

did not get to sea, as the British held the mouth of the river
from August 1776 to November 1783. They were burned
in 1777, in

order to prevent them from falling into the hands

when Sir Henry Clinton took the forts in the

of the enemy,
highlands.

The name of the Maryland

ship

hard fortune has been recorded

was

in the

the Virginia,

and her

course of the events

of the year 1778.

Pennsylvania had the four remaining vessels, the Randolph, the Washington, the Delaware, and the Etfingham.
Of the first it is unnecessary to say any thing, as her fate is
identified with the glory of the service.

ever got to sea,

we

find

If the

Delaware
She

no traces of her movements.

was equipped

certainly, and most probably blockaded, fallhands of the enemy when they got possession
of Philadelphia. The other two were burned in Capt.

ing into the

Henry's expedition up the

Thus of the

river, in 1778, as has

thirteen vessels

been related.

from which so much w"as ex-

pected, but six got to sea at all, in the service in which

they were built. To these were added, in the course of the

war, a few other

(Hague,) Alliance,
is

some permanently, and some only

were the Deane,
and
Queen of France. It
Confederacy,

frigates,

for single cruises.

Of

the former class

believed that these four ships, added to the thirteen or-

dered by the law of 1775, and the Alfred and Columbus,

will

comprise

all

the frigate-built vessels that properly be-

marine of the country, during the war of the

longed
Revolution. The French vessels that composed most of the
to the

squadron of Paul Jones were lent for the occasion, and we

hear no more of the Pallas after the cruise had ended. She
reverted to her original owners.
Of the sloops of war and smaller vessels

it

is

now

diffi-

complete and authentic account. Several

were employed by the commissioners in France, which it
cult

to give a

247

NAVAL HISTORY.

Congress occasionally borrowed

impossible to trace.
and
vessels of the states,
generally with their officers and
crews on board. Of this class of vessels was the General
is

Washington,

General Monk,) which unquestionably

(late

of Pennsylvania, when first equipped,

have been subsequently transferred to
to
she
appears
though
the General Government, by which she was employed as a

belonged

to the state

packet, as late as the year 1784, w^hen she

account.

Under such circumstances, and with

rials that

perfect

war

are

list

now

to

be obtained, the

of the vessels that

of the Revolution

such record,

this

book

is

were

fully felt,

will

was

sold

on public

the defective mate-

difficulty of

making a

navy during the

yet, without some

in the

and

have an

air of incompletenes.

One, that has been corrected with care,

is

accordingly^

given, and as nothing is admitted into it, without authority,

it is believed to be correct as far as it
goes; its defects

being those of omission, rather than positive errors. Annexed to the name of each vessel is her fate, as an Ameri-

can cruiser, so far as the facts can be ascertained.

List of vessels of war, in the American navy between the
years 1775, and 1783.
Alliance 32, sold after the peace and converted into an Indiaman.*

Deane (Hague)

32.

Virginia 28, taken

by a British squadron near the capes

of the Chesapeake, before getting to sea, 1778.

Confederacy 32, taken by a ship of the line, off the capes of
Virginia, June 22d, 1781.

Hancock

32, taken in 1777, by Rainbow 40, and Victor 16.

Flora 32, retook'her prize.
Randolph 32, blown up in action with the Yarmouth 64, in

1778.

Her wreck

still lies

on the island opposite

to Philadelphia!

248

NAVAL HISTORY,

Raleigh 32, taken by the Experiment 50, and Unicorn 22,

1778.

Washington 32, destroyed in the Delaware by

army, 1778, without getting to sea.

Warren

burned

the British

Fenobscott

in 1779, to prevent her

hands.
enemy's
of France 28, captured at Charleston in 1780.

32,

in the

falling into the

Queen

do.
do.
Providence 28,
do,
Trumbull 28, taken by the Iris 32, and General Monk

18,

1781.

Effingham 28, burned by the enemy

in the

Delaware, 1778,

without getting to sea.

to prevent her
without
hands,
getting to sea.
enemy's
Alfred 24, captured by the Ariadne and Ceres, in 1778.

Congress 28, destroyed

in the

Hudson, 1777,

falling into the

Columbus
Delaware

20.

24, captured

by the

British

ware, in 1777.
Boston 24, captured at Charleston,

Montgomery

24, destroyed in the

army

in the Dela-

in 1780.

Hudson, without getting

to sea, 1777.

Hamden

14.

Reprisal 16, foundered at sea, 1778.

Lexington 14, taken by the British cutter Alert, in the channel, 1778.

14, burned in the Delaware, 1777, to prevent

her falling into the enemy's hands.
Cabot 16, driven ashore by the Milford 32, in 1777, and

Andrea Doria

abandoned.

Ranger

18,

captured

at

Charleston by the British army,

1780.

Saratoga

10, lost at sea in 1780;

Diligent 14,

Gates

14.

Hornet

10.

burned

never heard of

in the Fenobscott, 1778.

249

NAVAL HISTORY.

in 1777.
Surprise 10, seized by the French government,
in 1780.
sold
10,
Revenge

Providence

12, taken in the

Wasp

Independence 10

loj

Dolphin

To

Penobscott in 1779.

10^ Supposed to have been destroyed in the

8
Delaware by the enemy, or by the

Sachem

-Americans, to prevent their faUing into

the enemy's hands.

these vessels must be added the following ships, which

to have made one or more cruises under the Ameri-

appear
can flag, commanded by American
part, by American seamen.

Bon Homme Richard

officers,

Serapis 44, in 1779.

left the service when the cruise

Cerf

12,

18,

in

40, sunk after her action with the

Pallas 32,

Vengeance

and manned,

was ended.

do.

do.

do.

do.

do.

do.

Ariel 20, borrowed by the commissioners from the Jving of

France, and supposed to have been returned.

These

lists

contain nearly,

if

not quite

all

the vessels of

of the Ameri-

to the

size that

navy
any
properly belonged
can Confederation. There were several more small

cruisers,

mounting from 4 to 10 guns, but their service appears to

have been as uncertain as their fates, though, like the privamost of them, it is believed, fell into the hands of their
powerful and numerous foes. Several ships, also, appear
to have belonged to the government, such as the Due de
Lauzun, the Luzerne, Washington, &c., that we do not

teers,

think entitled to be classed

Most of
first

among its regular cruisers.

make the America 74,

the popular accounts

two-decked

the

ship ever built within the limits of the

That this is an error, has already been

one of our earlier pages, and there is reason to
suppose that the English caused several small vessels on
two decks to be constructed in the American colonies, pre-

United States.

shown,

in

viously to the

war

of the Revolution.

It

would have been

NAVAL HISTORY.

250

more accurate

have stated that the America was the

to

heaviest ship that had been laid down in the country, at the
time she was built. This vessel was captured from the

French, by the

British, in the

The management

of the

engagement of the

little

1st of

June.*

navy that the United States

long and important struggle, was nepossessed during

controlled
much
by circumstances. When the
cessarily
this

conflict commenced, it could scarcely be termed a war, and

the country hardly possessed an organized government at
all.
It had been the policy of England to keep her colonies

as dependent as possible on herself for all manufactured

articles; and w^hen the Revolution broke out, the new
states

were almost

destitute of the

means of carrying on a

Much

as has been said and written on this subject,

the world scarcely seems to possess an accurate notion of

war.

the embarrassments to which the Americans

consequence of deficiencies of

in

important

relief

were subjected

this nature.

was obtained through

The

the cruisers, and

first
it is

scarcely saying too much to add, that, without the succours

that were procured in this manner, during the years 1775
*

left

We give the

following outline of the description of the America, as

to show what were then deemed peculiarities in the

by Paul Jones,

The iipper deck bulw.irks are particconstruction of a ship of the line.

" breast works
ularly described as
pierced for guns," and he adds, that
all the quarter deck and forecastle guns could be fought, at need, on one
side;

from which

The poop had

were lowered

it is

to

be inferred that the ship had ports in her waist.

a "folding breast-work," grape-shot proof, or bulwarks that

and hoisted in a minute. The quarter-deck ran four feet

forward of the main-mast, and the forecastle came well

ways were wide, and on the level of the quarter-deck and

The gangThe
forecastle.
aft.

ship had only single quarter galleries, and no stern gallery.

feet 6 inches beam, over all, and her inboard length, on the

deck, was 182 feet 6 inches.

fours in the world, had,

when

She had 50

upper gunthough the largest of seventy

the lower battery was sunk, the air of a deli-

" Yet

this ship,

cate frigate; and no person, at the distance of a mile, could have imagined
she had a second battery." Unfortunately her intended armament is not

given.

251

NAVAL HISTORY.

and 1776, the Revolution must have been checked

in

the

outset.*

In addition to the direct benefits conferred

by the capmarine was of incalculable advantage in bringing

Europe in contact with America, by showing the flag and
Notwithstandships of the new country in the old world.

tures, the

ing the

many

maritime

obstacles that

were

to be

overcome, the high

of the nation broke through all restraints;

enemy that almost possessed ubiqui-

spirit

and, in defiance of an
as well as an

tv,

overwhelming power, the

conflict

between

Britain and her despised and oppressed colonies had not

continued a twelve-month, when the coasts of the former

country were harassed and agitated by the audacity and

Insurance rose to a
enterprise of the American cruisers.
height hitherto unknown, and for the
felt

the effects

first

time in her his-

which a people thoroughly

England
imbued with a love of maritime adventure, could produce
on a nation so commercial.

tory,

The

activity

ried the

war

and merit of the brave men who

first

car-

have not been

into the

enemy's seas,
fully apForemost ought to be placed
preciated by the present age.
the name of Wickes, who led the way, and who appears to
have performed the duty confided
*

The

to

him, with discretion,

following anecdote rests on the authority of the secretary of the

marine committee of Congress, the body that discharged the duties that
are now performed by the navy department. The committee was in secret session, deliberating on the
that were indispensable to the

means of obtaining certain small

articles

equipment of vessels of war, but which

articles were not to be had in the country, when a clamour for admitAdmittance was denied,
tance at the door, interrupted the proceedings.
but the intruder insisted on entering. The door was finally opened, when
a gentleman appeared, with an inventory of the stores found in the Nancy,

by Capt. Manly, and among which were the very

Mr. Adams, when the fact was ascertained, arose and
must succeed Providence is with us vre
said with earnestness:

the

first

articles

vessel taken

wanted.

must succeed!"

"We

NAVAL HISTORY.

252

The untimely fate of this gallant offiobtained the respect and confidence of the
American commissioners, probably was the reason that he
spirit

cer,

and steadiness.

who had

does not occupy as

much

of the public mind as his services

merit.

Capt.

Conyngham,

also, to his other claims,

adds that of

He

fell into the hands of the

enemy, after his
American seas, while cruising in a small private armed vessel, and was sent to England in irons, with
His imprisonment was
a threat to treat him as a pirate.
was
his
severe
nor
and
liberty obtained, until months
long
had
been
bitter
of
passed in a gaol.
privation
The naval names that have descended to us, from this

suffering.

return to the

war, with the greatest reputation, are those of Jones, Barry, Barney, Biddle, Manly, Nicholson, Wickes, Rathburne,
Conyngham, and Hacker. To these may be added that
of Williams,

who was

in

the

service of Massachusetts.

Other officers greatly distinguished themselves, cither in

subordinate situations on board vessels of w^ar, or on
board the other cruisers. Many of the latter subsequently
rose to high stations in the national marine, and we shall
have occasion to allude to their conduct in our subsequent
pages.

The nature of

the warfare,

unquestionably trammelled

the national elTorts in this contest.

The circumstance

that

only six out of thirteen new cruisers that were laid down
under the law of Oct. 1775, ever got to sea, shows the dif-

with which the country had to contend on account

many of its ports having been occupied by invading

ficulties

of so

armies, of a force and discipline that no power of the young

No less than six of these
republic could then withstand.
vessels

fell

into the

enemy's hands, by means of their land

by the Americans themselves, to

forces, or w^ere destroyed

In New York, the British held the

prevent such a result.
all others, which would have been of the greatest
of
port,

NAVAL HISTORY.

253

Fervice to the country, in a naval war, as its central position, many natural advantages, difficulty of being blockaded
on account of a double outlet, and resources, will always

render

the centre of maritime operations, in every strug-

it

gle for the

command

of the American seas.

But the greatest obstacles with which the young marine

had to contend, were a total absence of system, a looseness
of discipline, and a want of vessels of force. The irregularities of the service, it is true, grew out of the exigencies of
the times, but their evils

source of contention
ly defined

were

Rank, that great

which it is not clear-

incalculable.

in all services in

and rigidly regulated, appears to have created

endless heart-burning's.

The

dissensions of the officers, na-

turally communicated themselves to the men and, in time,

this difficulty was added to the others which existed in ob;

It is a singular fact, that, with the excepthat favourite ship the Alliance, we canof
perhaps

taining crews.
tion

not find that any frigate-built vessel left the country, after
first year or tvv'o of the war, with a full crew on board

the

of her

and even those with which they did

in

sail,

a good measure, of landsmen, or

composed,
had been compelled

were
tlie

either

officers

to resort to the dangerous expedient

have
of seeking for volunteers among the prisoners.
with
h(;r
the
Alliance
seen that
herself,
precious freight,
was near being the sacrifice of this ill-judged, not to say

We

The Trumbull, when taken, was fought prinher

officers; and, at the very moment when concipally by
fidence was of the last importance to success, the vessels of
unjust policy.

Paul Jones's squadron appear to have distrusted each other,

and to have acted with the uncertainty of such a feeling.

To

the lightness of the metal used during this war, is to

It has been seen,
be ascribed the duration of the combats.

Homme Richard had a few eighteen-pounders

her gun room; and there are occasional allusions in the accounts of the day, that would induce us to

that the

mounted

Bon
in

Vol. I. 22

NAVAL HISTORY.

254
believe that

some of

had a few guns of

the larger vessels built for the service,

this calibre,

mixed

in

with their more

was not a
American navy, during the whole war of the
Revolution, that was properly any thing more than a
twelve-pounder frigate. The America 74, would have
regular armaments; but, strictly speaking, there
ship in the

been an exception, of course, could she properly be said

to have belonged to the service, but she was transferred
to

France previously to being put into the water. The Bon

Richard had the dimensions of, and was pierced

Homme

for a thirty-eight, but her regular

and only

efficient batte-

were composed of twelves and nines. The Indien, or

South Carolina, as she was subsequently called, was probably as heavy a frigate as then floated, but she sailed in
the service of the single state of South Carolina, and never
ries,

belonged to the marine of ihe country.

No correct estimate can be ever

made

of the merits

whose acts have been recorded

gallant seamen,
in these pages, without keeping in constant view, all the
With vessels,
disadvantages under which they served.
of the

with such guns,

quite often imperfectly equipped; frequently
ammunition and stores, as are known to be disposed of to
nations, the necessities of

which supersede caution

with

crews badly, often dangerously composed, and without the

encouragement that power can proffer to success, these
faithful

men went

ed with the

forth

cruisers

upon an ocean that was cover-

of their

enemy,

to

contend with

way prepared for war, who were incited by all

awaken ambition, and who met them with the

foes every

that can

is the inseparable
a consciousness of force.

confidence that

While pointing out the claims of

companion of habit and

the

seamen of

the

Revo-

honourable place in history which it is our aim

to contribute in securing to them, there is another corps,
lution to that

one that has so long been associated with navies as to be

NAVAL HISTORY.
almost necessarily included

in iheir

to a distinct notice in our pages.

255

renown, which

It is

so

much

is

entitled

a matter of

course, to identify the marines with the ship in which they

serve, that we have not hitherto thought it necessary to
digress from the course of events to speak particularly of
this body of men.
The corps, however, is so necessary to

the military character of every service, has ever been so efficent and useful, not only in carrying on the regular routine
of duty, but in face of the enemy, and was so all-important
to the security of the ships, during the period of

which we

have been writing, that we have reserved a place

brief account of

for a

In order
organization in this chapter.
that the general reader may more clearly comprehend this
branch of the subject, however, and obtain a better idea of
its

the composition of the

will be devoted to a

crew of a

vessel of war, a

paragraph

few explanations.

The men

of a pubUc armed ship are divided into two

distinct bodies ; the portion of the people that do the ordi-

nary duty of the vessel, which includes the petty officers,

seamen, ordinary seamen, landsmen and boys, and the marines.
The former pass under the general name of sailors,
while the latter are always known by their own distinctive
appellation. The marines are strictly infantry soldiers, who
are trained to serve afloat; and their discipline, equipments,
spirit, character, and esprit de corps, are altogether those

of an army.

The marines impart

to

a ship of war,

in a

great degree, its high military character.

They furnish all
the guards and sentinels; in battle they repel, or cover the
assaults of boarders
and, at all times, they sustain and
;

protect the stern and necessary discipline of a ship by their

organization, distinctive character, training, and we might
It is usual to
add, nature.
place one of these soldiers on

board a ship of war

absolute.

It is

not,

for

each gun, though the rule is not

to be understood bv this, that

however,

256

NAVAL HISTORY.

the marines are regularly dispersed in the ship, by

placing
at the guns, as, unless in cases that form exceptions,

them

they act together, under their

ket

and bayonet as

own

their proper

officers, using the

mus-

weapons.

Aware
Vflh

of the importance of such a body of men, on the

of November, 1775, or before any regular cruiser had

yet got to sea. Congress passed a law establishing a marine

By this law, the corps was to consist of two battalcorps.

commanded by a colonel.
on the 30th of the same month, directing
that these two battalions should not be drafted from the
ions of the usual size, and to be

resolution passed

army

before Boston, but resrularlv enlisted for the war.

does not appear that

was ever carried

this law^

plete effect; the great difficulty

which existed

in

into

It

com-

obtaining

men for the army, no less than the impracticability of getting

so many of the vessels to sea, most probably contributing
to defeat its objects.
On the 25th of June, 1770, notwithstanding, the corps received something like the contemplated

organization, and officers were appointed to serve in it.

That there were marines in the squadron of Com. Hopkins,
is

known from

the fact of their having been landed at

the assailing force; but

New

Providence, where they were

even
on
that
employed
of appointment, and, it is to be

the greater portion of the sea-officers,

occasion, had merely letters

presumed, that such was also the case with the gentlemen
of this arm. We give the following list of the officers of
the marine corps,

who were

appointed

in

June, 1775, as

containing the names of those who properly formed the

nucleus of this important and respectable part of the navy.
Officers of Marines appointed June 25th, 1775.

Samuel Nichols, Major.

Andrew

Porter, Captain.

Joseph Hardy,

do.

Samuel Shaw,

do.

Benj. Deane,

do>

257

NAVAL HISTORY.
Robert Mullin, Captain.

John Stewart,

do.

Daniel Henderson, First Lieutenant.

David Love,

do.

Franklin Read,

do.

Peregrine Brown,

do.

Thomas

do.

Barnell,

Second Lieutenant.

James McClure,
William Gilmore,
Abel Morgan,

do.
do.

Hugh Montgomery,

do.

Richard Harrison,

do.

Other nominations followed, from time

is

believed that in

were empowered

many

cases, officers

to time,

though

commanding

to give letters of appointment.

In short,

and want of system that prevailed

in a degree to a branch of
extended
navy generally,
is usually so trained, so methodical and certain.
the irregularity

it

ships,

in the
it

that

At no period of the naval history of the world, is it probawere more important than during the war

ble that marines

instances they preserved the

by suppressing the turbulence of
assorted crews, and the effect of their fire, not only

of the Revolution.

In

many

vessels to the country,

their

ill

the subsequent confficts, under those circumstances in which it could be resorted to, has usually

then, but in

all

been singularly creditable

to

their

steadiness and disci-

The

history of the navy, even at that early day, as

pline.
well as in these latter times, abounds with instances of the

of soldiers, and we
gallantry and self devotion of this body
not to add, that
we
were
to
our
be
unfaithful
should
trust,
it

many proofs of
The marine
country.

also furnishes too

the forgetfulness of its

incurs the same risks

merits by the
from disease and tempests, undergoes the same privations,
suffers the same hardships, and sheds his blood in the same
battles as the

seaman, and society owes him the same

22*

re-

yAVAL HISTORY.

258

While on ship-board, necessity renders him in a

certain sense, the subordinate, but nations ought never to

wards.

overlook the important moral and political truth, that the

highest lessons they can teach are those of justice; and no
servant of the public should pass a youth of toil and danger,

without the consciousness of possessing a tenour to a certain and honourable reward, that is dependent only on him-

That

self.

reward has hitherto been as unwisely as

this

has been unfairly withheld, from

navy, it is our duty as historians to
has

this justice

all

it

connected with the

state,

and

no instance

in

been more signally denied, than

of the honourable and gallant corps of which

in the

we

case

are par-

ticularly writing.

Before the thread of the historical incidents

proper that

it is

vessel of

war

in registering her

late to

sufficient interest

that evei; carried the

the ocean, to render

is

resumed,

allude to one other branch of our sub-

There may be

ject.
first

we

it

connected with the

American

flag

on

important that no error be committed

name.

pretend to entire

On

this point

it

is,

perhaps, too

accuracy, for three reasons; the

want of documents,
cumstance

that

alluding to
cess.

The

the conflicting testimony, and the cirthe journals of the day abstained from

movements
first

that required secrecy to insure sucnotice that is taken of the squadron of

Com. Hopkins, in tiie papers of the town from which it

It has been said
sailed, was to record its return to port.
that the Lexington 14, was the cruiser entitled to the honour
just mentioned, but it has been admitted, at the same time,
that the claim in behalf of this

favour of
It

is

all

little

brig,

is

the vessels of the squadron of

met by one in
Mr. Hopkins.

even uncertain that the Lexington and Providence

were purchased previously to the Cabot and Doria, although

there are, perhaps, more reasons for believing that they
were, than that they were not. If the authority of Paul
Jones is to be deemed conclusive, the vessels of the squad-

NAVAL HISTORV.
ron

in

which he

first sailed,

composed

259
the entire naval force

of the country, at that precise time; but Com. Jones makes

many mistakes in his allusions, and, in this particular, he is

known

to

have been

His correspondence

in error.

is

en-

great respect as authority, though like all authority

of this nature, its focts are to be received with caution, and
titled to

collated

with care.

Providence made at

There
least

is

reason to think thai the

one cruise under Capt. Whipple,

as a privateer, out of Rhode Island, before she was purchased into the navy, nor does there appear to be any evi-

dence that a single vessel of war was ever

built for the re-

gular service of the general government of the country, or

the United American Colonies, previously to those authorized

by the law of October, 1775. Of these, it is impossay which was first got into the water, though there

sible to
is

proof that the Raleigh 32, was one of those earliest

launched.
It

remains only to say that the navy of the Revolution,

army, was disbanded at the termination of the strug-

like its

gle, literally leaving

of

its

nothing behind

services and sufferings.

it,

but the recollections

260

NAVAL HISTORY.

CHAPTER

The peace

XIV.

of 1783 found the finances of the

new

altogether unequal to the support of a marine.

republic
the

Most of

public cruisers, as has been seen, had fallen into the hands
of the enemy, or had been destroyed, and the few that re-

mained were sold. The Alliance, which appears to have

been the favourite ship of the service to the very last, was
reluctantly parted with but a survey being held on her, she
;

was

also disposed of in June, 1785, in preference to en-

countering the expenses of repairs.

Although the United States now kept no vessels of war,
several of the states, themselves, with the consent of Congress,

which was necessary by

the articles of confedera-

own, that did the duties of

tion,
At this period in the
and
revenue
cutters.
guarda-costas
that each state
be
remembered
it
will
history of the country,

had small cruisers

had

-of their

own custom-houses, levied

its own policy in trade, with

its

its

own

duties,

and pur-

the single exception that

could not contravene any stipulation by treaty that had
been entered into by Congress.

sued
it

After the peace, the trade of the United States revived,

as a matter of course, though it had to contend with many
difficulties,

try.

the

It

besides the impoverished condition of the counfirst carried

has been a matter of question, what vessel

American

flag into the Chinese seas, but there

can be

261

NAVAL HISTORY.

it was
the ship Empress of China, Capt.
New- York, the 22d of Februsailed
from
which
Green,
to
the same port on the 11th of
ary, 1784, and returned

no doubt that

This vessel, however, did not make a direct

voyage, touching in Europe, on her outward-bound passage; and the honour of going direct belongs to the Enter-

May,

1785.

Dean, a sloop of 80
which went and returned in 1785.

tons, built

in

Albany,
mentionought
ed, to the credit of the English factory at Canton, that, notwithstanding the jealousies and interests of trade, which,
prise, Capt.

It

to be

perhaps, oftener lead to unprincipled acts, than any other

one concern of life, struck with the novelty and boldness
of the experiment, it received these adventurers with kindness and hospitality.
In 1787, the Alliance frigate, converted into an Indiaman, went to Canton, under the command of Capt. Thomas Read, formerly of the navy. This
officer

took a

new

of New-Holland,

route, actually going to the southward

in consequence of the season of the year,

which had brought him

into the

unfavourable monsoons.

long circuit, the noble old ship made

Notwithstanding
the passage in very tolerable time.
Capt. Read discovered
some islands to the eastward of New-Holland.
this

The

period between the peace and the year 1788,

was

one of troubles, insurrections in the states, and difficulties

growing out of the defective

political organization

of

To these grievances may be added the embarrassments arising from the renewal of the claims of the
British merchants, that had been suspended by the war.

the country.

All these circumstances united to produce uncertainty

distress.

Discreet

men saw

the necessitv of a

and

change of

system, and the results of the collected wisdom of the nation

offered to the world in a plan for substituting the con-

were

stitution of

an identified government, in the place of the

and of creating what has since been

articles of association,

popularly termed the Union, in lieu of the old Confederation.

262

NAVAL HISTORY.

The scheme was

vernment went

adopted, and in April, 1789, the

into operation, with

Washington

new

go-

at its head,

as President.

The

entire

miUtary organization underwent

many

portant alterations, by this change of government.

President became the commander-in-chief of both the

and navy, and he possessed the

civil

im-

The

army

power of appointing

their officers, subject only to the approbation of a senate,

which was

also instituted

on

this occasion,

and

to

a few

In addition to this

subordinate regulations of congress.

high
was confided to him one of still heavier responsibilities, by which he could dismiss any civil or military officer,
trust,

however high
supplies were raised

the judges excepted,

vices.

The

his rank, or

long his serdirectly by the federal

power, without the intervention of the

states

and the entire

government, within the circle of its authority, became as

direct and efficient, as that of any other polity which possessed the representative form.

The

beneficial

consequences of these fundamental altera-

were visible, in all the departments of the country. It

was deemed premature, nevertheless, to think of the re-establishment of a marine for, oppressed with debt, and mentions

aced with a renewal of the war with England, the administration of Washington was cautiously, and with the greatest prudence, endeavouring to extricate the country from the various entanglements that were perhaps inseparable from its
peculiar condition, and to set in motion the machinery of a
new and an entirely novel mode of conducting the affairs

of a

While Washington, and

his ministers, appeared

importance of a navy, the poverty
of the treasury alone, would have been deemed an insuperstate.

to be fully sensible of the

able objection to encountering its expense. Still, so evident

the connexion between an efficient government and a

was

permanent and strong marine,

when Paul Jones

first

a country like this, that

heard of the change, he prepared to
in

NAVAL HISTORY.

2G3

return to America, in the confident hope of being again

employed.
In the mean time, the Dey of Algiers, discovering that a
new country had started into existence, which possessed

merchant

vessels

and no cruisers, as a matter of course be-

On

commerce.
prey on
the schooner Maria, belonging
gan

to

its

the 25th of July, 1785,

to Boston,

side of the Straits of Gibraltar,

by a

was

corsair,

seized, out-

and her crew

were carried into slavery. This unprovoked piracy,

though committed under the forms of a legal government,

the act deserves this reproach,

was followed, on the 30th
of the same month, by the capture of the ship Dolphin, of
Philadelphia, Capt. O'Brien, who, with all his people, was

made to share the same fate. On the 9th of July, 1790, or

a twelvemonth after the organization of the federal government, there still remained in captivity, fourteen of the unfortunate persons

who had been

thus seized.

Of

course, five

years had passed in slavery, because, at the period

named, the United States of America, the country to which
bitter

they belonged, did not possess sufficient naval force to compel the petty lyrant at the head of the Algerine government
to
it

do justice!
difficult to

In looking back at events like these, we feel

persuade ourselves that the nation was really

so powerless, and cannot but suspect that in the strife of

parties, the struggles of opinion, and the pursuit of gain, the
sutferings of the distant captive were overlooked or for-

One of the first advantages of the new system, was

connected with the measures taken by the administration of

gotten.

Washington to relieve these unfortunate persons. A long

and weary negotiation ensued, and Paul Jones was appointed, in 1792, to be

captives.

At

the

an agent for effecting the liberation of the

time, a commission was also sent to

same

This
him, naming him consul at the regency of Algiers.
celebrated man, for whose relief these nominations were

NAVAL HISTORY.

2G4

probably made, was dead before the arrival of the difierent

commissions at Paris. A second agent was named in the
person of Mr. Barclay; but this gentleman also died before
he could enter on the duties of the office.
Algiers and Portugal had long been at war, and, though
government seldom resorted to active measures

the latter

against the town of its enemy, it was very useful to the rest
of the Christian world, by maintaining a strong force in the
Straits of Gibraltar, rendering it difficult for any rover to
find

her

way

out of the Mediterranean.

pectation, this

Contrary

war was suddenly terminated

to all ex-

in

1793, through
the agency of the British consul at Algiers, and, as it was said,
without the knowledge of the Portuguese government. This

come again
American com-

peace, or truce, allowed the Algerine rovers to

into the Atlantic,

and

its

consequences

merce were soon apparent.

to the

squadron consisting of four

three
and
a
xebecks,
ships,
brig, immediately passed the
straits, and by the Uth of October, 1793, four more Ameri-

can vessels had

barians.

At

commenced
demand for

fallen into the

the

same

hands of these lawless bar-

tirne^ the

Dey

of Algiers, v;ho had

quarrel without any other pretence than a

tribute, refused all accommodation, even me-

this

nacing the person of the minister appointed by the American government, should he venture to appear within his
dominions!

During the first cruise of the vessels mentioned,

they captured ten Americans, and made one hundred and
five additional prisoners.

These depredations had now reached a pass when further

submission became impossible, without a total abandonment
of those rights that

it is

pendent government

to

absolutely requisite for every indemaintain.

The cabinet took the

subject into grave deliberation, and on the 3d of March,

1794, the President sent a message to Congress, communi-

cating

all

the facts connected with the Algerine depreda-

NAVAL HISTORY.
tions,

265

2,7th of the same month, a law was apthe executive, authorizing the construction, or the

and on the

proved by

purchase of six frigates, or of such other naval force, that

should not be inferior to that of the six frigates named, as
fit
to order, provided no vessel
should mount less than 32 guns.
This law had a direct reference to the existing difficulty with Algiers, and it contained a paragraph ordering that all proceedings under its

the President might see

provisions should cease, in the event of an accommodation

of the quarrel with that regency. Notwithstanding this limit
to the action of the law, the latter
may be considered the
first

towards the establishment of the present

step taken

navy, as

some of

the ships that

under

are

in use,

it

appointed to

were eventually constructed

and some of the officers who were
them, passed the remainder of their lives in

still

the service.

The executive was no sooner

the

authorized to proceed by
law of the 27th of March, 1794, than measures were

vessels ordered.
The provision of the
was
and the six frigates
followed,
paragraph
virtually
were laid down as soon as possible. These vessels were the
Constitution 44, laid down at Boston.

taken

to build the

first

President

"

44,

Chesapeake

New

York.

"

United States 44,

Philadelphia.

38,

Constellation 38,

"

Portsmouth, Va.

"

Baltimore.

"

38,
Congress
The most capable builders

Portsmouth, N. H.

country were consulted,

models
the
of Mr. Joshua Humphreys, of Philadelphia, being
those accepted.
On this occasion, an important and rein the

cent improvement in ship building was adopted, by which

frigates were increased in size and in efficiency, by so far
to ships on one deck, the metal
that had formerly been distributed on two. The three ships

lengthening them, as to give

first

mentioned

Vol. I. 23

in the

foregoing

list,

were of

this class

of

NAVAL HISTORY.

266

vessels, being pierced for thirty twenty-four-pounders,

on

their gun decks, while their upper deck armaments varied

with circumstances. On this account they were rated as

forty-fours, a description of vessel that had previously borne

guns on two decks, besides the quarter-deck and forecastle.

its

The

others

were of

common

the force of the

English thirty-

28 eighteens below, and as many lighter

eights, carrying
guns above as was deemed expedient. From a want of system, the Chesapeake was known in the accounts of the day as
a forty-four, and she even figures in the reports under the law,
as a vessel of that rate, owing to the circumstance that she

was

and

originally intended for a ship of that force

size.

But, in consequence of a difficulty in obtaining the necessary

frame, her dimensions were lessened, and she took her

place in the navy, by the side of the two vessels last menBut so much inaccuracy extioned on the foregoing list.
isted at that day,

many

and the popular accounts abound with so

errors of this nature, that

we

shall find

sions to correct similar mistakes, before

when

the service

was brought within

we

many

occa-

reach a period

the rules of a uni-

form and consistent system.

In selecting

commanders

for these ships, the President

very naturally turned to those old officers who had proved

themselves fit for the stations, during the war of the Revolution.
Many of the naval captains of that trying period,

however, were already dead, and others, again, had become

incapacitated by age and wounds, for the arduous duties of
sea officers.
rank, in the

The following is the list selected, which took

order in which the names appear, viz:

John Barry,
Samuel Nicholson,

Joshua Barney,
Richard Dale,

Silas Talbot,

Thomas Truxtun.

With

the

exception

of

Capt.

Truxtun,

all

of

these

gentlemen had served in the navy during the Revolution.

Capt. Barry was the only one of the six who was not

267

NAVAL HISTORV.

in America, but he had passed nearly all his life in it,

and was thoroughly identified with his adopted country in
He had often distinguished himself
feeling and interests.

born

of ail the naval

during the preceding war, and, perhaps,
who
one
the
he
was
that
remained,
possessed the
captains
The
skill.
and
conduct
greatest reputation for experience,
did any
appointment met with general approbation, nor
reason to regret
thing ever occur to give the government
its

selection.

Capt. Nicholson had served with credit in subordinate

situations, in command of the Hague, or Deane 32, and in one
instance, at the head of a small squadron. This officer also
commanded the Dolphin 10, the cutter that the commissioners sent with Capt. Wickes, in his successful cruise in the

narrow

seas.

singular, for though connected

he had entered the army, at the
commencement of the Revolution, and was twice promoted

Capt. Talbot's career

with the sea

was

in his youth,

branch of the service, for gallantry and skill on the

water. This gentleman had been raised to the rank of a
captain in the navy, in 1779, but he had never been able to
in that

obtain a ship.
Subsequently to the war, Capt, Talbot had
retired from the sea, and he had actually served one term
in

Congress.

Capt. Barney had served as a lieutenant in many actions, and commanded the Pennsylvania State cruiser, the

Hyder

Ally,

when

she took the General

Monk.

This

offi-

cer declined his appointment in consequence of having been

put junior to Lieut. Colonel Talbot, and Capt. Sever was

named

in his place.

Capt. Dale had been Paul Jones' first lieutenant, besides

seeing much other service in subordinate capacities, during
the

war

of

tiie

Revolution.

Capt. Truxtun had a reputation for spirit that his subsequent career fully justified, and had seen much service du-

268

NAVAL HISTORY.

ring the Revolution, in

commandof different

private vessels

of war.
The rank of the subordinate officers eventually appointed to these ships, was determined by that of the different
the senior

commanders,

taking rank of

sel

lieutenant of Capt. Barry's ves-

the other

all

first

lieutenants,

and the

junior officers accordingly.

All these preparations, however,

were suddenly suspended by the signing of a treaty with

Algiers, in Nov. 1795.
a
of
the
the
work
was not to be proseBy
law,
provision

cuted, in the event of such a peace, and the President immediately called the attention of Congress to the subject.

A new
tion

act

was

passed, without delay, ordering the compleforty-fours, and of one of

and equipment of two of the

the thirty-eights, while it directed the work on the

remaining
three ships to be stopped, and the
perishable portion of their
materials to be sold.
sum which had also been voted for

the construction of

yet been used,

sels

ordered

to

was

some

galleys, but no part of which had

applied to the equipment of those ves-

be launched.*

The reader
when it

will obtain some idea of the spirit which

may prevail in a
neglects to use, or does not possess, the means of causing
its
rights and character to be respected, by the tone of the following article, which is extracted from a journal of the date of 1798, and which

nation,

would seem

to be as much in unison with the temper of that

day, as one
of an opposite character would comport with the spirit of our own times.
Algiers will not extort tribute, again, from America, but other rights, not
less

dear to national honour, national character, and national

interests,
sacrificed to a temporising spirit, should not the
be

may be

navy

enlarged,

and made the highest aim of national policy.

" Crescent
Frigate.

"PonxsiTOUTH, Jan, 20th.

"On

Thursday morning about

sunrise, a

gun was discharged from the

Crescent frigate, as a signal for getting under way; and at 10, A. M., she
cleared the harbour, witli a fine
Our best wishes follow
leading breeze.
Captain

Newman,

his officers

and men.

May they

arrive in safety at the

269

NAVAL HISTORY.

The President, in his annual speech to Congress, December 1796, strongly recommended laws for the gradual inIt is w^orthy of remark, that, as
crease of the navy.
appears by documents published at the time, the peace
obtained from the Dey of Algiers cost the government of
the United States near a million of dollars, a

sum

quite

have kept the barbarian's port hermetically

blockaded until he should have humbly sued for permission
sufficient

to

to send a craft to sea.

While these events were gradually leading

to the for-

mation of a navy, the maritime powers of Europe became

involved in what was nearly a general war, and their measures of hostility against each other, had a direct tendency
to trespass on the privileges of neutrals.
It would exceed
the limits of this work to enter into the history of that sys-

tem of gradual encroachments on the rights of the American

people, which distinguished the measures of both the two
great belligerents, in the war that succeeded the French
Revolution; or the height of audacity to which the cruisers
of France, in particular, carried their depredations, most
place of their destination, and present to the Dey of Algiers, one of the
specimens of elegant naval architecture which was ever borne on

finest

the Piscataqua's waters.

" Blow

all

ye winds that Jill the prosperous sail.

And hushed in

peace be every adverse gale.

"The Crescent is a present from the United States to the Dey, as compensation for delay in not fulfilling our treaty stipulations in proper time.
" Richard
O'Brien, Esq., who was ten years a prisoner at Algiers, took
passage in the above frigate, and is to reside at Algiers as Consul General
of the United States to all the Barbary states.
" The Crescent has
many valuable presents on board for the Dey, and
when she sailed was supposed to be worth at least three hundred thousand
dollars.

"

Twenty -six

barrels of dollars constituted a part of her cargo.

worthy of remark, that the captain, chief of the officers, and

many of the privates of the Crescent frigate, have been prisoners at AlIt is

giers,"

23*

270

NAVAL HISTORY.

probably mistaking liie amount of the influence of their own

country, over the great body of the American nation. Not
only did they capture British ships within our waters, but
they actually took the same liberties with Americans also.
All attempts to obtain redress of the
failed,

and unable

to submit

French government

any longer

to

such injustice,

recommended to Congress a
of
armament
and
that
it was
defence,
plan
hoped would have

the government, in April 1798,

the effect to check these aggressions, and avert an open

conflict. Down to this period, the whole
military defence of
the country, was intrusted to one department, that of war ;
and a letter from the secretary of this branch of the government, to the chairman of a committee to devise means of

protection and defence, was the form in which this high interest was brought before the nation, through its representatives. Twenty small vessels were advised to be built, and,
in the event of

an open rupture,

it

was recommended

to authorize the President to

Congress
be constructed.

line to

cause

This force was

to

six ships of the

in addition to

the

law of 1794.
by
The United States 44, Constitution 44, and Constellation
These three
38, had been got afloat the year previous.
ships are all still in the service, and during the last forty

six frigates authorized to be built,

the

years, neither has ever been long out of commission.

The United States was the first vessel that was got into
the

water,

under the present organization of the navy.

She was launched at Philadelphia, on the 10th of July, 1797,

and the Constellation followed her on the 7th of September.
Congress acted so far, on the recommendation of the secretary of war, as to authorize the President to cause to be
purchased, or hired, twelve vessels, none of which were

built,

to exceed twenty-two guns,

equipped and manned.

To

and

to see that

they were duly

efiect these objects

$950,000

were appropriated. This law passed the 27th of April, 1798,

and on the 30th, a regular navy department was formally

NAVAL HISTORY.

271

Benjamin Stoddart, of Georgetown,

created.

was

in the Dis-

secretary put at the head of

trict

of Columbia,

this

important branch of the government, entering on his

tlie first

same year.
After so long and so extraordinary a forgetfulness of one
of the most important interests of the nation, Congress now
duties in June of the

depredations of the French

having reached a pass that could no longer be submitted to
with honour. On the 4th of May, a new appropriation was

seemed

made

to

be

in earnest; the

for the construction of galleys

and other small

vessels,

and on the 28th of the same month, the President was em-

powered

to instruct the

capture and send

commanders of the public vessels to

French cruisers, whether

into port all

public or priv^ate, that might be found on the coast, having

committed, or which there was reason to suppose might
commit, any depredations on the commerce of the country;

and, to recapture any

fallen

already
soon passed

into

American

their

for the

vessels that

hands.

might have

were
prizes, and
June, another law

Additional laws

condemnation of such

for the safe keeping of their crews.

In

was passed, authorizing the President to accept of twelve

more vessels of war, should they be offered to him by the
citizens,

and

in this act,

to issue public stock in

it

was provided

payment.

By

a clause

that these twelve ships, as well

as the twelve directed to be procured in the law of the

27th of April of the same year, should consist of six not exceeding 18 guns, of twelve between 20 and 24 guns, and of
six of not less than 32 guns. The cautious manner in which
the national legislature proceeded, on this occasion, will remind the reader of the reserve used in 1775 and in 1776;

and we trace

distinctly, in both instances, the

moderation of

a people averse to war, no less than a strong reluctance to

break the tics of an ancient but much abused amity.
Down to this moment, the old treaty of alliance, formed

between France and

the United States during the

war of the

272

\AVAL HISTORY.

Revolution, and some subsequent conventions, were legally

in existence ; but Congress by law solemnly abrogated them

on the 7th of July, 1798, on the plea that they had been
repeatedly disregarded by France, and that the latter counall,

try continued, in the face of the most solemn remonstrances,

uphold a system of predatory warfare on the commerce

to

of the United States.

be seen that an express declaration of war was

measures, nor was it resorted to, at

It will

avoided
all,

in all these

throughout

this

existed from the

controversy, although war, in fact,

moment

the

first

American

cruisers ap-

peared on the ocean. On the 9th of July, 1798, another

law passed, authorizing the American vessels of war to cap-

French cruisers wherever they might be found, and

empowering the President to issue commissions to private
armed vessels, conveying to them the same rights as regarded captures, as had been given to the public ships. By
ture

this act, the prizes

became

liable to

condemnation, for the

benefit of the captors.

On

the 11th of July, 1798, a new marine corps was estaby law, the old one having dissolved with the navy
of the Revolution, to which it had properly belonged.
It

blished

contained 881

officers,

non-commissioned

officers,

musicians

and privates, and was commanded by a major. On the 16th

of the same month, a law was passed to construct three
more frigates. This act was expressed in such terms as to
enable the government immediately to complete the ships
commenced under the law of 1794, and which had been

suspended under that of 1796. The whole force authorized

by law, on the 16th of July, consequently, consisted of twelve
twelve ships of a force between 20 and 24 guns,
frigates
inclusive
and six smaller sloops, besides galleys and reve;

nue cutters

Such

is

making a

total of thirty active cruisers.

the history of the legislation that

gave

rise to the

present American marine, and which led to what

is

com-

273

NAVAL HISTORY.

monly called the quasi war against France. There appears

to have been no enactments limiting the number of the officers, who were appointed according to the wants of the
service, though their stations and allowances were duly
regulated by law.

While the government of the United States was taking

these incipient and efficient steps to defend the rights and
character of the nation, the better feeling of the country was

Families of the highest social and

their sons to the
political influence pressed forward to offer
service, and the navy being the favourite branch, nearly all
of those who thus presented themselves, and whose ages did
not preclude the probationary delay, had their names enentirely in

its

rolled on the

men were

favour.

list

of midshipmen.

Young and

intelligent sea-

taken from the merchant service, to receive the

rank of lieutenants, and the commanders and captains were

either chosen from among those who had seen service in
the

war of

the Revolution, or

who by

their experience in

the charge of Indiamen, and other vessels of value,

accustomed

to responsibility

and command.

It

may

were

be well

seamen of the nation joined heartily in

of the day, and that entire crews were frequently

to add, here, that the

the feeling
entered for frigates in the course of a few hours.
men was hardly experienced at all in this contest

deem

it

by

of

and v^e

a proof that seamen can always be had in a

that offers active service,

an

Want
;

war

voluntary enlistments, provided

outlet be not offered to enterprise through the

medium

of

Although commissions were granted to

privateers and letters of marque, on this occasion, comparatively few of the former were taken out, the commerce of

private cruisers.

France

offering but slight inducements

to

encounter the

expense.

During the year 1707, or previously to the commencement of hostilities between the United States and France,
the exports of the former country

amounted

to 857,000,000,

274

NAVAL HISTORY.

and the shipping had increased to quite 800,000 tons, while

the population, making an estimate from the census of 1800,
had risen to near 5,000,000. The revenue of the
was
year

$8,209,070.

NAVAL HISTORY.

CHAPTER

275

XV.

Although three of the frigates were launched in 1797,

was quite ready for service when the necessities of

neither

the country required that vessels should be sent to sea.

The

want of suitable spars and guns, and other naval stores, fit for
ships of size, had retarded the labour on the frigates, while
vessels had been readily bought for the
sloops of war, which,
though deficient

in

many

of the qualities and conveniences

of regular cruisers, were made to answer the

exigencies of
the times. Among others that had been thus
provided, was

an Indiaman, called the Ganges.

was brought

vessel

a 24, and put under the

who was

Retaining her name,

into the service,

this

armed and equipped

as

command

of Capt. Richard Dale,

ordered to sail on a cruise on the 22d of
May.

This ship, then, was the first man of war that ever
got to
sea under the present organization of the
or
since
the
navy,
United States have existed under the constitution.
Capt.

Dale was instructed

do no more than pertains generally

is
cruising on the
coast of the country to which she
belongs, in a time of
peace the law that empowered seizures not passing until a
few days after he had sailed. His
cruising ground extended
from the east end of Long Island to the
capes of Virginia,
to the
authority

to

of a vessel of war, that

with a view to cover, as

ant ports of Baltimore,

much

as possible, the three import-

Philadelphia, and New-York, and, in

of
the
act of the 28th of May, Capt. Dale was
anticipation
directed to appear off the
capes of the Delaware on the 12th

276

NAVAL HISTORY.

of June, to receive

new

orders.

On

that day, instructions

were accordingly sent to him to capture all French cruisers

that were hovering on the coast with hostile views on the
American commerce, and to recapture any of their prizes
he might happen to

The

fall in

with.

Constellation 38, Capt. Truxtun, and the

Delaware

20, Capt. Decatur, next went to sea, early in June, under the
last of the foregoing orders, and with directions to cruise to

the southward of

Cape Henry, as far as the coast of Florida.

When a few days out, the Delaware fell in with the French
privateer schooner Le Croyable 14, with a crew of 70 men.
Being satisfied that this vessel had already made several
prizes, and that she was actually cruising on soundings, in
search of more, Capt. Decatur took her, and sent her into

As the law directing the capture of

ai-med French vessels passed soon after her arrival,
the Delaware.

all

Le

Croyable was condemned, and bought into the navy. She

called the Retaliation, and the command of her was

was

given to Lieut. Bainbridge.

Le Croyable was, consequently, not only the first capture
made, in what it is usual to term the French war of 1798,
but she was the first vessel ever taken by the present navy,
or under the present form of government.
The activity employed by the administration, as well as

by the navy, now astonished those who had so long been

accustomed to believe the American people disposed to
submit to any insult, in preference to encountering the
The United States 44, Capt. Barry, went
losses of a war.
to sea, early in July, and proceeded to cruise to the eastward.

This ship carried out with her many young gentlesince risen to high rank and distinction in

men, who have

the service.*

The

first

But the law of the 9lh of that month, occur-

lieutenant of the United States on this cruise,

was Mr.

Ross; second lieutenant, Mr. MuUony; third lieutenant, Mr. James Barron;

NAVAL HISTORY.
ring immediately

277

afterwards, the government altered

its

policy entirely, and determined to send at once, a strong

force

among

the

West

India islands,

where the enemy

abounded, and where the commerce of the country v,'as

most exposed to his depredations. On the 11th, instructions

were

sent to Capt. Barry,

who now

hoisted a broad

pennant, to go off Cape Cod, with the Delaware 20, Capt.

Decatur, where he would find the Herald 18, Capt. Sever,
that officer preferring active service in a small vessel, to
waiting for the frigate to which he had been appointed, and

then to proceed directly to the

West

Indies, keeping to

windward.

That well known

frigate, the Constitution 44,

had been

launched at Boston, Sept. 20th, 1797; and she first got

under way, July 20th of this year, under Capt. Samuel
Nicholson, who, in August, with four revenue vessels in company, was directed to cruise on the coast, to the southward

These revenue vessels were generally

brigs, between one hundred and fifty and two hundred tons
measurement, with armaments varying from ten to four-

of Cape Henry.*

At the
teen guns, and crews of from fifty to seventy men.
close of the year, many of them were taken into the
navy, and

we

find

some of

their officers,

soon after the

commencement of the contest, in the command of frigates.

The celebrated Preble is first seen in actual service, as the
commander of one of these revenue vessels, though his
rank was that of a lieut. com., and he had been previously
attached to the Constitution, as one of her officers.

Early

in

August, the Constellation 38, Capt. Truxtun, and

fourth lieutenant, Mr. Charles Stewart.

Decatur, Somers, Caldwell, &c. &c.

joined her soon after.
*

It is

said that the Constitution

Among

the midbhipmen were

Messrs. Jacob Jones and Crane,

would have been the

first

vessel ever

got into the water under the new organization, had she not stuck in an
abortive attempt to launch her, at an earlier day.

Vol. I. 24

278

NAVAL HISTORY.

the Baltimore 20, Capt. Phillips,

States; several

French

went

to the

Havana, and

safety to the United

cruisers then lying in the port, ready

brought a convoy of sixty

sail

in

merchantmen, but for this force, the presence

of which prevented them from appearing outside the casto follow the

tle.

By

the close of the year, the following force

was

at

sea; most of the vessels being either in the West Indies, or

in convoying between the islands and the United

employed
States.

United States' Ships at sea, during the year 1798, viz:

279

NAVAL HISTORY.

Of

these vessels, those

marked with an

asterisk, w^ere

built expressly for the public service, while the remainder,

with the exception of the Retaliation, captured from the

French, were purchased.

guns, were

The

vessels rating

ried, in general, long nines

and

20 and 24

gun decks, and carThe smaller vessels

old fiishioned sloops, with

sixes.

were deep waisted, like the modern corvette, and carried

Even the frigates had, as yet, no carrolight long guns.
their quarter-deck and forecasThe carroand nines.
twelves
being long
nade was not introduced into the service, until near the

nades

in

their

armaments,

batteries

tle

close of this contest.

named in
more were already laid down
Besides the vessels

the foregoing list, many

and so great was the

commercial towns, in particular, that no less

than two frigates, and five large sloops were building by
zeal of the

subscription, in the different principal ports of the country.

In addition to this force, must be enumerated eight large

galleys, that were kept on the southern coast, to defend
their inlets.

The sudden

exhibition of so

many

Indies, appears to

have surprised the

common enemy;

and, while the

tain,

men

cruisers in the

West

British, as well as the

of

on the whole, treated their new

war of Great

allies

Bri-

with sufficient

were not wanting, in which a worse

was shown, and a very questionable policy pursued

cordiality, instances

feeling

towards them.

The most

flagrant instance of the sort that

took place, occurred in the autumn of this year, off the port
of Havana, and calls for a conspicuous notice, in a work of
this character.

On the morning of the Kith November, 1798, a squadron

of British ships was made from the United States sloop of
war, Baltimore 20, Capt. Phillips, then in charge of a convoy, bound from Charleston to the Havana. At the time,
the

Moro was

in

sight,

and knowing

that

the English

280

NAVAL HISTORY.

cruisers in those seas,

tious

were

in the habit of

course towards the American

Phillips, as

soon as he had ascertained the characters of the

made

strangers,

pursuing a vexa-

merchantmen, Capt.

a signal to his convoy to carry sail hard,

bearing up in the Baltimore, at

in order to gain their port,

the

same

was

commodore. The latter

Queen 98, Thunderer 74,

time, to speak the English

in the

Carnatick 74, with the

Maidstone 32, and Greyhound 32, in company. The English

ships cut off three of the convoy, and captured them, probably under the plea of a blockade, or,

some of

their

own

con-

structions of the rights of colonial trade. When the Baltimore

joined the Carnatick, Capt. Loring, the commander of the
latter ship,

and the senior

Phillips to repair
this invitation, a

cers, in

officer of the squadron, invited Capt.

on board

On complying

his vessel.

which Capt. Loring informed

tended to take

with

conversation ensued between the two

all

the

men

his

offi-

guest that he in-

out of the Baltimore, that had

American protections. Capt. Phillips protested

against such a violation of his flag, as an outrage on the
dignity of the nation to which he belonged, and announced
his determination to surrender his ship, should any such
not regular

proceedings be insisted on.

Capt. Phillips now returned on board the Baltimore, where
he found a British lieutenant

in the act

of mustering the crew.

the muster roll from his hand, Capt. Phillips ordered

the Carnatick's officer to walk to leeward, and sent his own

Taking

people to their quarters. The American commander now

found himself in great doubt, as to the propriety of the course
he ought to pursue. Having a legal gentleman of some reputation on board, he determined,
to be influenced

his advice.

however,

to consult him,

and

The

following facts appear to

have been submitted to the consideration of this gentleman.

by

The Baltimore had

sailed without a

commission on board

her, or any paper whatever, signed by the President of the

and under instructions that " the vessels of
United
States,

NAVAL HISTORY.

281

every other nation (France excepted,) are on no account to

be nnolested; and I wish particularly to impress on your
mind, that should you ever see an American vessel captured by the armed ship of any nation at war, with whom we
are at peace, you cannot lawfully interfere to prevent the
capture, for it is to be taken for granted, that such nation

compensate for such capture, if it should prove to have

We have quoted the whole of this
illegally made."
clause, that part which is not, as w-ell as that which is, perwill

been

tinent to the point that influenced Capt. Phillips, in order

that the reader may understand the spirit that prevailed in

the councils of the nation, at that time.

There may be
some question how far a belligerent can, with propriety,
have any authority over a vessel that has been regularly
admitted into the convoy of a national cruiser, for it is just
as reasonable to suppose that a public
ship of one nation

would not protect an

by countenancing such a
would not
her seizures; and an appeal to the

illegality,

fraud, as to suppose that a public ship of another

do violence

to right in

justice of America to deliver up an offending ship might be

made quite as plausibly, as an appeal to the justice of

Eng-

The papers of a

land to restore an innocent ship.

vessel

under convoy, at all events, can properly be examined nowhere but under the eyes of the commander of the convoy,
or of his agent, in order that the ship examined
may have the
benefit of his
protecting care, should the belligerent feel dis-

posed to abuse his authority.

that Capt. Phillips had trusted

It

will

more

be observed, however,

to the sailing of his con-

voy, than to any principles of international law ; and when

inquire further into the proceedings of the British com-

we

mander, it will be seen that this decision, while it may not

have been as dignified and firm as comported with his official
station,
ests he

was probably as much

was deputed to protect,

have been.
24*

for the benefit of the inter-

as

any other course might

282

IVAVAL HISTORY.

Whatever may be thought of

to ships, there

regard
of the British

officer,

the rights of belligerents in

can be no question that the conduct

in insisting, under the circumstances,

on taking any of the Baltimore's men, was

The

fiable.

right of

impressment

is

totally unjusti-

a national, and not an

international right, depending solely on municipal regulations, and in no manner on public law; since the latter can

confer no privileges, that,

in their nature,

are not reciprocal.

founded on those principles of public

common
to all forms of government, and it
which
are
good
is not to be tolerated that one particular community should
International law

set

is

up usages, arising out of

attempt to exercise

them

its

at the

peculiar situation, with an

expense of those general

which the

civilized world has recognised as necessaNo principle is better settled than

and
just.
ry, paramount,
the one which declares that a vessel on the high seas, for

rules

the purposes of personal rights, is within the protection

of the laws of the country to which she belongs; and Eng-

all

land has no more authority to send an agent on board an

American vessel, so situated, to reclaim a deserter, or a
subject, ihan she

can have a right

to arrest a thief.

If

services of a particular and

jects,

contrary

to

send a sheriff's officer

her institutions allow her to

to their

insist

limited class of her

wishes,

it

is

no

affair

on the

own

sub-

of other na-

long as the exercise of this extraordinary regulabut when she

confined to her own jurisdiction

tions, so

tion

is

into the legal jurisdictions of other

she
not
communities,
only invades their privileges by vio-

attempts to

extend

it

but she offends their sense of

lating a conventional right,
to the commission of an act
justice by making them parties
In the case
that is in open opposition to natural equity.

before us, the British commander, however, did

for he reversed

all

the

known and

still

more,

safe principles of evi-

dence, by declaring that he should put the accused to the

at once, assume that every
proofs of their innocence, and,

NAVAL HISTORY.

283

Baltimore was an Englishman, who should

to establish the fact that he was an American.

man

in the

fail

Capt. Phillips, after taking time to deliberate, determined

to submit to superior force, surrender his ship,

own government. The

the matter to his

and

to refer

colours of the Bal-

were accordingly lowered Capt. Loring was informed that the ship was at his disposal, and fifty-five of
the crew were immediately transferred to the Carnatick.

timore

After a short delay, however,

fifty

of these

men were

sent

back, and only five were retained.

Capt. Loring
that

was

now made

a proposition to Capt. Phillips,

any part of his previous conhad a number of Americans in his

as extraordinary as

duct, by stating that he

squadron,

whom
man

country,

for

he would deliver up to the flag of their

man,

in

exchange

for as

many

English-

These Americans, it
presume, had been
impressed, and the whole of these violent outrages on neutral rights, were closed by a proposal to surrender a cermen.

tain

is fair to

number of American

against their will,

and

in the

citizens,

face of

who were
all

detained

law, to fight battles

which they had no

interest, if Capt. Phillips would

crew by yielding an equal number of Englishmen, who had taken voluntary service under the American

in

weaken

flag,

his

for the

consideration of a liberal bounty and ample

pay.

was
American
commander
no
more
aurejected
possessing
thority to give up any portion of his legal crew, in this
manner, than he had to insist on the services of the AmeriIt

is

scarcely necessary to say that this proposition

;

cans

the

whom

squadron

he might receive

now made

sail,

exchange. The British

carrying with them the five men
in

and the three ships. Nothing remained for Capt. Phillips

but to hoist his colours
again, and to proceed on his cruise.
On his return to America, this oflicer hastened to Philadelphia, and laid the whole transaction before the

government,

284

NAVAL HISTORY.

and on the 10th January, 1799, he was dismissed from the

w^ithout trial.

navy

We

look back on this whole transaction with mortifica-

tion, regret

and

surprise.

We

feel

deep mortification

that,

after the experience of the contest of the Revolution, the

American character should have

fallen so low, that

an

officer

of any nation might dare to commit an outrage as violent as

by the commander of the Carnatick, for it

presume that no man would incur its responsibility

that perpetrated
is fair

with

to

his

own government, who

that his superiors

did not feel well assured

would think the

risk of a conflict

with

America, more than compensated by the advantage that

would be thus obtained in manning the English fleets ef;

fectually proving that the prevalent opinion of the day

must have been, that America was so little disposed to insist

on her

merce

rights, that in preference to putting her

com-

jeopardy, she would not only yield her claim to

seamen under her flag generally, but under that
pennant which is supposed more especially to represent naThis opinion was untional dignity and national honour.
in

protect

deniably unfounded, as regards the great majority of the

American people, but it was only too true, in respect to a
portion of them, who collected in towns, and sustained by
the

power of

active wealth,

countries, been enabled to

have, in

make

all

ages and

in

all

their particular passing in-

on
which nations or individuals can alone, with any due reliance, trust for character and security. In 1798, the contest
with France was so much the more popular with the merterests temporarily superior to those eternal principles

cantile part of the

community, because

with England; and some

learn, that a

were

now

living

it

favoured trade

may

be surprised to

numerous and powerful class in the country,

by their interests, and perhaps misled by

so blinded

prejudices of a colonial origin, as actually to contend that

Great Britain had a perfect right to seize her seamen

NAVAL HISTORY.

wherever she could

find

285

them; a privilege that could be no

to insist that Great Britain

more urged with reason, than

had an equal

any other municipal power

that conflicted with general principles, on the plea of private necessity. An act of spii'ited resistance at that moment might have put a stop to the long train of similar
right to exercise

aggressions that followed, and which, after an age of forbearance, finally produced all the evils of the very warfare

seems

that

On

this

have been so much apprehended.

branch of the subject, no more need be said
to

present, than to add that while the British

government

at

did

not appear disposed to defend the

principle involved in the
act of its officer, the American so far
forgot what was due
to its real interests, as not to insist on an
open and signal
reparation of the wrong.
The conduct of the commander of the Baltimore ought,
in a measure, to be
judged by the spirit of the day in which
the event occurred, and not

by the better feelings and soundStill, he

prevail on the same subject.
appears to have fallen into one or two material errors. The
inference put on the words "no account" in his instrucer notions that

now

was palpably exaggerated and feeble; since it would

equally have led him to yield his ship, itself, to an attack
tions,

from an
the

one

inferior force, should

commander of any
;

and the case goes

have suited the views of

it

vessel but a
to

Frenchman

to

make

show

possessing a corps of trained and

mand vessels of war, it being as

the great importance of

instructed officers to com-

much

a regular qualifica-

tion in the

accomplished naval captain, to be able to make

distinctions that shall render him
superior to sophisms of

work his ship.

The circumstance that there w^as no commission,

this nature, as to

paper signed by

or anv

the President of the United States, in the

Baltimore, though certainly very extraordinary, and going

prove the haste with which the armaments of 1798 were

to

NAVAL HISTORY.

286

made, ought

to

have had no influence on the decision of

Capt. Philhps, in the presence of a foreign ship.

This officer

would not have hesitated about defending his convoy, under

his instructions alone, against a Frenchman; and, by a
similar rule, he ought not to have hesitated about defending
his people against

Any

an Englishman, on the same authority.

defect in form, connected with his papers,

was a

ques-

no foreign officer having a right to

enter into the examination of the matter at all, so long as

tion purely national,

there

was

sufficient

evidence to establish the national cha-

racter of the Baltimore, which, in extremity, might have

been done by the instructions themselves; and we see in

on this head, the deficiencies of

a merchantman, or a service in which

the doubts of Capt. Phillips

man

educated

in

clearances and registers are indispensable to legality, instead of the decision and promptitude of an officer taught
from youth to rely on the dignity and power of his govern-

ment, and the sanctity of his flag. The commissions of her

officers do not give to a ship of war her national character,
but they merely empower those who hold them to act in
their several stations; the nationality of the vessel depending on the simple facts of the ownership and the duty on
is
employed. Nations create such evidence of

which she

this interest in their vessels as

may

suit

themselves, nor can

foreigners call these provisions in question, so long as they

answer the great ends for which they were intended.
Different opinions have been entertained of the propriety
of the course taken by Capt. Phillips, without reference to
the grounds of his submission.
By one set of logicians he

yielding without resistance, on account of the

overwhelming force of the English; and by another conis justified in

demned, on the plea that a vessel of war should never

her colours with her guns loaded.

We

distinctions false, as applied to this particular case;

latter, as applied to most others.

strike

think both of these

and the

When the commander of a

NAVAL HISTORY.
vessel of

war

sees no

means

287

of escape from capture, nothing

gained, either to his nation or himself,

broadside and hauling down his colours.

by merely firing a
So far from being

an act of

we concede some-

is

spirit,

it is

the reverse, unless

thing to the force of prejudice, since it is hazarding the lives

of others, without risking his own, or those of his crew ; for,
to pretend that Capt. Phillips should not only have discharged his guns, but have stood the fire of the Carnatick,
is

an officer ought to consummate an act of

others, by an act of extreme folly of his own.

to affirm that

injustice in

We
in

think,

however, that Capt. PhilHps erred

manner

that

was completely within

his

in

not resisting

power.

When

he took the muster-roll from the hands of the English lieutenant, and called his people to quarters, he became master of

own

and might have ordered the Carnatick's boat

with
a message to Capt. Loring, expressive of
it,
The case was not one
his determintion to defend himself.

his

ship,

to leave

of war, in which there

was a

would be assailed, but an

mander of a ship belonging
gression to a point that

certainty that, resisting, he

on the part of the com-

effort

to a friendly power, to push agno one but himself could know. An

in boats might have been

when
credit instead of disand
resisted,
successfully even,
credit would have been reflected on the service; and did

attempt to board the Baltimore

the Carnatick

open her fire, all question of blame, as respects Capt. Phillips, would have been immediately settled.
It may be much doubted if the British officer would have

had recourse

to so

extreme a measure, under such circum-

stances; and if he had, something would have been gained,

by at once placing the open hostility of a vastly superior
force,

between submission and disgrace.

Neither was the course pursued by the government free

from censure. It is at all times a dangerous, and in scarcely

no instance a necessary, practice,

to cashier

an officer

288

NAVAL HISTORY.

without

Cases of misconduct so flagrant,

trial.

may

cer-

tainly occur, as to justify the executive in resorting to the

prompt use of the removing power; as for cowardice in the

presence of the commander-in-chief, when disgrace in face of the army or fleet, might seem as approbut,
priate as promotion for conduct of the opposite kind
field, in

open

as a rule, no military man should suffer this heavy penally

without having the benefit of a deliberate and solemn inves-

and the judgment of those who, by their experience, may be supposed to be the most competent to decide
on his conduct. The profession of an officer is the business
of a life, and the utmost care of his interests and character,
tigation,

is

the especial duty of those

his destinies, in

civil

who

are called to preside over

In the case before us, we

capacity.
learn the danger of precipitation and misconception in such
matters, the reason given by the secretary for the dismissal
of Capt. Phillips being contradicted by the facts, as they are

now

understood. In the communication of that functionary

"
degraded officer, the latter was charged with tame

to the

submission to the orders of the British lieutenant, on board

your own ship;" whereas, it is alleged on the part of Capt.

Phillips, that he did not permit the English officer to muster
his crew, but that the act was performed while he himself
was on board the Carnatick.

As recently as the year 1820, an attempt was made to

revive an investigation of this subject, and to restore Capt.
Phillips to his rank. It is due to that officer to say, many of
were found

the facts

to be

much more

in his

favour than

had been generally believed, and that the investigation,

while

it

failed in its principal object,

relieve his

name from

previously rested.

judgment,

were

it is

now

tended materially to

the opprobrium under

Although many

still

which

it

had

think he erred in

the general impression that his mistakes

the results of a

want of experience, and perhaps of

the

NAVAL HISTORY.

289

of any want of a suitable

opinions of the clay, rather than
The punishof the flag.
honour
defend
the
to
disposition
ment inflicted on him, appears to have been as unnecessarily severe, as

may

set

also

add

down
to the

it

was

indiscreet in

its

same catalogue of

if we
we may

manner; and

the outrage as a fault of the times,

errors,

most of the other

distinctive features of the entire proceedings.

has been stated that the privateer Le Croyable 14,

captured by the Delaware 20, had been taken into the serIt

under the name of the Retaliation. In November, 1798,

or about the time that the Carnatick impressed the men of
vice,

the Baltimore, the

18, Capt.

Montezuma

20, Capt.

Murray, Norfolk

Williams, and Retaliation 12, Lieut. Com. Bain-

bridge, were cruising in company off Guadaloupe, when

three sails were made to the eastward, and soon after two
more to the westward. Capt. Murray, who was the senior
officer, was led to suppose, from circumstances, that the
vessels in the eastern board were British, and speaking the
Retaliation, he ordered Lieut. Bainbridge

to

reconnoitre

company, he gave chase,

himself, in the Montezuma, to the two vessels to the westward. The Retaliation, in obedience to these orders, immethem, while, with the Norfolk

in

and getting
diately hauled up towards the three strangers,
near enough for signals, she made her own number, with a

view

to ascertain if they

were Americans. Finding

that he

was not understood, Lieut. Bainbridge mistook the strangers

for English cruisers, knowing that several were on the station,

and unluckily permitted them

to

approach so near, that

were ascertained, it was too late

The leading ship, a French frigate, was an unto escape.
commonly fast sailer, and she was soon near enough to
open her fire. It was not long before another frigate came
to lower her flag.
up, when the Retaliation was compelled
Thus did this unlucky vessel become the first cruiser taken
by both parties, in this war. The frigates by which the

when

their real characters

Vol. I.25

NAVAL HISTORY.

290

was captured, proved

Retaliation

to

be

tiie

Volontaire 36,

and the Insurgente 32, the former carrying 44, and the latMr. Bainbridge was put on board the Volatter 40 guns.
lontaire, while the Insurgente, perceiving that the

schooner

safe with the former, continued to carry sail in chase

was

Montezuma and

of the

could be thrown

her consort.

sail to join

interesting,

ingly

Norfolk.

As soon

the

crew
crowded

as a prize

into the Retaliation, the Volontaire

The chase now became exceed-

two American

vessels being

fully

aware, by the capture of the schooner, that they had to

deal with an enemy. The Insurgente was one of the fastest
ships in the world, and her
skill

and

resolution.

commander an

The two American

officer of great

vessels

were small

were overrated, the Montezuma

of
347
a
Utile
tons, and the Norfolk a brig
only
ship
being
Their armaments were merely nines and sixes;
of 200.
shot that would be scarcely regarded in a conflict with frifor their rates, and, indeed,

gates.

The

officers of the Volontaire collected

castle of their ship to witness the chase,

and

on the fore-

the Insurgente

this time, a

long way ahead, Capt. St. Laurent,

the commander of the Volontaire, asked Mr. Bainbridge,
who was standing near him, what might be the force of the
being, by

two American vessels. With great presence of mind, Mr.

Bainbridge answered without hesitation, that the ship carried 28 twelves,

and the brig 20 nines. As this account

Americans, Capt. St. Laurent,

quite doubled the force of the

who was

senior to the

commander

of the Insurgente, imme-

diately threw out a signal to the latter to relinquish the

This was an unmilitary order, even admitting the
chase.
fact to

been

have been as

fully able to

stated, for the Insurgente

employ two such

would have

vessels until the

Volon-

come

up: but the recent successes of the English

had rendered the French cruisers wary, and the Americans
taire could

and English, as seamen, were probably identified in the

minds of the enemy. The signal caused as much surprise

NAVAL HISTORY.

291

Murray, in the Montezuma, as to Capt. Barreault,

of the Insurgente, for the latter, an excellent and spirited
officer, had got so near his chases as to have made out their

to Capt.

force,

and

to feel certain

of capturing both.

was obeyed, however, and

the

The

signal

Montezuma and Norfolk

escaped.

When the two French vessels joined each other, Capt.

Barreault naturally expressed his surprise at having been
recalled under such circumstances.
An explanation folwhen the ruse that had been practised by Mr. Bainbridge was discovered. It is to the credit of the French
officers, that, while they were much vexed at the results of
lowed,

this artifice,

they never visited the offender with their

dis-

pleasure.
It is

one of the curious incidents of

that a proposition

was made

governor of Guadaloupe, into

frigates

went with

their prize,

this singular contest,

Mr. Bainbridge, by the

which place the two French
to restore the Retaliation, a
to

French themselves, and to liberate

her crew, provided he would stipulate that the island should
remain neutral during the present state of things. This pro-

vessel captured from the

position Mr. Bainbridge had no authority to accept, and the

termination of a long and prevaricating negotiation on the
part of the governor, whose object was probably to enrich

command, or himself, by possessing a monopoly of the American trade for a time, was to send the
Retaliation back to America as a cartel; for, now that the
his particular

United States had taken so bold a stand, the French government appeared even less anxious than our own, to
break out into open war. On the arrival of Mr. Bainbridge
in this country, his

conduct received the approbation of the

was immediately promoted to the

rank of master commandant, and appointed to the Norfolk
18, one of the vessels he had saved from the enemy by his
administration, and he

presence of mind.

NAVAL HISTORY.

2t>2

The

governor of Guadaloupe to obtain a

own island, had been accompanied by

efforts of the

neutrality for his

some acts of severity towards his prisoners, into which he

had suffered himself to be led, apparently with the hope that
it might induce Mr. Bainbridge to accept his propositions;
and that officer now reported the whole of the proceedings

The result was an act authorizing

to his ovv'n government.
retaliation on the persons of Frenchmen, should there be
any recurrence of similar wrongs. This law gave rise to
some of the earliest of those disgraceful party dissensions
which, in the end, reduced the population of the whole country, with very few exceptions, to be little more than par-

French or English aggressions.

Delaware 20, captured the
privateers Sans Pareil 16, and Jaloux 14, in the course of
the autumn, and sent them in.
Thus terminated the year 1798, though the return of the
tisans of either

The United

States 44, and

Retaliation did not occur until the

commencement

of 1799,

leaving the United States with a hastily collected, an imper-

and unequally disciplined squadron of ships,

true; but a service that contained the germ of all that

fectly organized,
it is

is

requisite to

marine.

make an

active,

an

efficient

and a glorious

NAVAL HISTORY.

CHAPTER

293

XVI.

The
laid

year 1799 opened with no departure from the policy

down by the government, and the building and equip-

ments of the

different ships in various parts of the country,

were pressed with as much diligence as the public resources

would then allow. In the course of this season, many vessels were launched, and most of them got to sea within the
year. Including all, those that were employed in 1798, those
that were put in commission early in the ensuing year, and
those that were enabled to quit port nearer to its close, the
entire active naval force of the United States, in 1799, would
seem

to

have been composed of the following

United States

vessels, viz

NAVAL HISTORY.

294

To

these must be

added a few revenue

vessels,

though

of cruisers appear to have been kept

on the coast throughout this year. As yet, the greatest

most of

this description

confusion and irregularity prevailed in the rating, no uni-

have been adopted. The vessels

and presented to the public, in
built by
too high, from a natural desire to
particular, were rated
make the offering as respectable as possible and it does

form system appearing

to

the different cities,

not appear to have been thought expedient, on the part of

But
the government, prematurely to correct the mistakes.
the department itself was probably too
detect the discrepancies, and some of

little

instructed to

them continued

to

It may help the

exist as long as the ships themselves.
reader in appreciating the characters of the different ves-

we explain some of these irregularities, as a speciof the whole.

sels, if

men

The United

States and Constitution, as has been elsewere

where, said,
large ships, with batteries of 30 twentytheir
on
four pounders
gun-decks, and were appropriately
rated as forty-fours.. The Congress and Constellation were
such ships as the English were then in the practice of rating as thirty-eights, being eighteen-pounder frigates, of the
The Essex was the only ship in the navy that
largest size.

was properly rated

as a thirty-two,

battery of 26 twelves, though she

class.

having a main-deck
large vessel of her

was a

The John Adams, General Greene, Adams and

Boston, were such ships as the British had been accustomed

to rate as twenty-eights, and the two latter were small ships
of this denomination.

The George Washington, though

she

appears as only a twenty-four, while the Boston figured as a

thirty-two, was, as near as can now be ascertained by the officially reported tonnage,

more than a fourth larger than

the

be questioned if the Boston

ought to have been rated higher than a twenty-four, the
Connecticut which was thus classed, being thirty tons larlatter

ship.

Indeed,

it

may

NAVAL HISTORY.
It

ger.

ought, however, to be remarked, that differences

in the rule of

colonies

295

measuring tonnage, had prevailed

among

in different

known still to
probable that some con-

the shipwrights, as they are

exist in different nations,

and

it

is

may have

entered into these reports, in consequence

of the want of uniformity. It may be added, that the

fusion

smaller vessels
rates,

generally were light of their respective

to be estimated by those of

and were by no means

similar rates, at the present day.

At the close of the year 1798, the active force in the

West-Indies had been distributed into four separate squadrons, in the following manner.

One squadron under Com. Barry, who was

officer of the service, cruised to

the senior

windward, running as

far

south as Tobago, and consisted of the vessels about to be

named,

viz:

Com. Barry.

United States

44,

Constitution

44, Capt. Nicholson.

"
Fletcher.
24,
"
Brown.
24,
"
M'Niell.
24,

George Washington
Merrimack
Portsmouth
Herald

18,

Master Com. Russel.

14, Lieut.

Pickering

Eagle

14,

Scammel

14,
12,

Diligence
This force was

Com.
"
'

"

Preble.

Campbell.

Adams.
Brown.

now kept actively employed, the ships

from
passing
point to point, with orders to make a general
rendezvous at Prince Rupert's Bay. This squadron made
several captures, principally of privateers, and as none of
them were accompanied by incidents deserving of particular mention, they

be recorded together, though occurThe United States 44, Com. Barry,

I'Amour
de
la
Patrie
captured
6, with 80 men, and le Tartuffe 8, with 60 men.
The Merrimack 24, Capt. Brown,

may

ring at different periods.

NAVAL HISTORY.

296

la Magicienne 14, with 63 men, and le Bonaparte.

The
Portsmouth 24, Capt. M'Niell, le Fripon, and I'Ami 6, with
16 men. The Eagle 14, Capt. Campbell, le Bon Pere 6,
with 52 men.

second squadron, under the orders of Capt. Truxtun,

had its rendezvous at St. Kitts, and cruised as far to lee-

ward

as Porto Rico.

It

Baltimore

consisted of the

Com. Truxtun.

Constellation 38,

Richmond

20, Capt. Phillips.

"
S. Barron.

Norfolk

18,

18,

"

14,

Virginia

Williams.

"
Bright.

took I'Esperance, and was present at the

Sirene
This ship was put
of
la
4, with 36 men.
capture
under the command of Capt. Barron, soon after the dis-

The Baltimore

missal of Capt. Phillips from the service, and before the

close of the season was commanded by Capt. Cowper.
The Constellation took la Diligente and I'Union.

small force under the orders of Capt. Tingey, watched

Cuba and St. Domingo. It consisted

the passage between

of the

Ganges
Pinckney

24, Capt. Tingey.

"

South Carolina

12,

The Ganges

took

Hayward.

18,

le

"

Vengeur

Payne.
Rabateuse, I'Eugene,

6, la

and I'Esperance 8.
The Delaware 20, Capt. Decatur, with the revenue vessels Governor Jay 14, and General Greene 10, was directed
to cruise in the vicinity of the Havana, to protect the trade
on the coast of Cuba. The Delaware captured the Marsuin
10,

and the same

ship, later in the season,

of Capt. Baker, took

le

under the orders

Renard and I'Ocean.

The Mon-

tezuma 20, Capt. Murray, after the capture of the Retaliation, and the return of the Norfolk 18, to America, cruised

some time

alone, taking a small privateer of six guns.

NAVAL HISTORY.

297

Although the year commenced with

this disposition

of

the vessels, many changes occurred, as the new ships were

got to sea, and particularly on account of the great mistake

of shipping the crews for a term as short as one year. It

followed, of course, that the vessels which sailed in July and

August 1798, for the West India station, if called there by

no other cause, were compelled to return home in the sum-

mer of

1799, to discharge their crews, and to obtain others

in their places. It was fortunate that the spirit of the times,
the absence of privateers,

measure, remedied

were not

and an abundance of men, in some

and that the delays it caused

this defect,

have been otherwise appre-

as material as might

hended.

On

the 9th of February, the Constellation 38,

Com. Trux-

tun, was cruising on her prescribed ground, Nevis, bearing

W. S. W., distant five leagues, when she made a large ship
in the southern board.

The

Constellation being to wind-

moment, Com. Truxtun ran down towards the

who
now set American colours, when the private
stranger,
were
shown.
As the chase was unable to answer,
signals

ward

at the

he seemed
hoisted the

to think

further disguise unnecessary,

French ensign, and

fired a

gun

to

for

he

windward, by

of a challenge, keeping under easy sail, to invite the

This was the first opportunity that had occurred
contest.

way

since the close of the Revolution, for

war

an American vessel of

an enemy, of a force likely to render a combat certain, and the officers and men of the Conto get

along side of

stellation displayed the greatest

eagerness to engage.

On

the other hand, the stranger betrayed no desire to disappoint

his enemy, waiting gallantly for her to come down.
When

the Constellation had got abeam of the French

frigate, and
so near as to have been several times hailed, she
opened her

which was returned promptly and with spirit. The

drew gradually ahead, both ships maintaining
a fierce cannonade. The former suffered most in her sails

fire,

Constellation

298

NAVAL HISTORY.

and rigging, and while under the heaviest of the fire of her
antagonist, the fore-top-mast was badly wounded, quite near
the lower cap. The fore-top was commanded by Mr. David
Porter, a midshipman of great promise, and finding that his

communicate

this important circumstance were disheat

of the combat, this young officer took
regarded, in the
on himself the responsibility of cutting the stoppers and of

hails to

lowering the yard. By thus relieving the spar of the pressure of the sail, he prevented the fall of the top-mast and all
its hamper.
In the mean time the weight and effect of the
fire

were altogether

in

favour of the Constellation, and not-

withstanding the injury received in her fore-top-mast, that

ship was soon able to throw in two or three raking broadsides,

which decided

the

combat.

After maintaining a

close contest, in this manner, of about an hour, the Constel-

smoke, wore round, and hauling

athwart her antagonist's stern was ready again with every

lation shot out of the

gun

to

when

rake her,

The

the

enemy

struck.

be the French frigate I'lnsurgente,

prize proved
the
vessel
that has already been mentionBarreault,
Capt.
to

ed, as having captured the Retaliation,

Montezuma and Norfolk, and one of the

world. She was much cut up, and had
70 men,

in killed

the latter.

The

and chasing the

fastest ships in the

sustained a loss of

and wounded; 29 of the former, and 41 of

Constellation, besides the loss of the foretop-

mast, which had to be shifted,

was much damaged

aloft,

hull, however, and had

3
the
men wounded. Among
latter, was Mr. James
only
M'Donough, a midshipman, who had a foot shot off. Early

suffering no material injury

in

her

combat, one of the men flinched from his gun, and

he was instantly killed by the third lieutenant, to whose division he belonged.
in the

The

Insurgente's armament consisted of 40 guns, French

twelves, on her main deck battery, and her compliment of

men was

409.

She was a

ship a

little

heavier than a regu-

NAVAL HISTORY.

299

which would probably have been her rate in the

English marine, although a French twelve-pound shot
lar 32,

weighs nearly thirteen English pounds. On this occasion, the

Constellation is said to have carried but 38 guns, twelve less
than have been put upon her since the introduction of carroBut the main-deck
nades, and she had a crew of 309 men.
battery of the Constellation was composed of twenty-fours,
a gun altogether too heavy for her size and strength, and

from which she was relieved

at

the termination of this

cruise, by exchanging her armament for eighteens.*

The result of this engagement produced great exulta-

America, and

tion in

it

was deemed a proof of an

was very grateful to the

to nautical service, that

Without pausing

pride.

claimed

it

to

examine

aptitude
national

details, the

as a victory of a 38 over a 40;

country
and the new ma-

rine was, at once, proclaimed to be equal to

any

in the

world; a decision somewhat hazardous when made on a

single experiment, and which was certainly formed without
a

full

understanding of the whole subject.

enemy,

gallant

his ship as

come by
tun,

and

to

say that Capt. Barreault,

It is

due

to

who defended

long as there was a hope of success,

a superior force;
to those

under

and

his

it

is

due

also

command,

to

was overCom. Trux-

add that they did

to

work with an expedition and

effect every way protheir

portioned to the disparity in their favour. There is scarceare not certain there is one,)
ly an instance on record, (we
of a full manned frigate, carrying twelves, prevailing in a

contest

with even a ship of eighteens

stance,

we

pose.

Victory was next to

and, in this in-

had twenty-fours to ophopeless, under such circum-

see that the Insurgente

stances, though, on the other hand,

the readinqss with

which a

we

are not to overlook

conflict with

* See note
B, end of volume.

an unknown an-

300

NAVAL HISTORY.

tagonist was sought, and the neatness and despatch with

which the battle was won.

The Insurgente struck about half past three in the afternoon, and Mr. Rodgers,* the first lieutenant of the Constellation, together with Mr. Porter,f and eleven men, were
thrown on board

her, to take possession,

tend the ren:)oval of the prisoners.

It

and

to superin-

now began

and when the darkness rendered it necessary

duty, 173 of the prize's crew were still in her.

to

blow,

to defer the

The wind

and, notwithstanding every effort, the

in
the
darkness.
ships separated
The situation of Mr. Rodgers was now exceedingly cri-

continued to

The

rise,

was

covered with the wreck, while the

wounded, and even the dead were lying scattered about
her decks, and the prisoners early discovered a disposition
tical.

vessel

still

The gratings had been thrown overboard by the

the Insurgente after she struck, and no handcuffs
of
people
could be found.
Fortunately, Mr. Rodgers was a man of
to rise.

great personal resolution, and of herculean strength, while

Mr. Porter, though young and comparatively slight, was as

good a second,
could desire.

in

such trying circumstances, as any one

As soon

as

it

was ascertained

that the pri-

soners could not be got out of the ship that night, they were
all sent into the lower hold, the fire-arms were secured,

and a sentinel was placed at each hatchway, armed to the

teeth, with positive orders to shoot every man who should
attempt to appear on deck, without permission.

awkward

situation,

Mr. Rodgers and

his

In

this

party continued

three days, unable to sleep, compelled to manage a frigate,

and to watch their prisoners, with the utmost vigilance, as

were constantly on the look-out for an opportuAt the end of that time, they carre-take the ship.

the latter
nity to

Late Com. Rodg-ers.

Com. Porter.

NAVAL HISTORY.

301

ried the Insurgente, in triumph, into St. Kitts, where they

found that the Constellation had already arrived.

Mr. Rodgers and Mr. Cowper, the first and second lieuwere soon after promoted to be

tenants of the Constellation,

captains, great irregularity existing in the service, at that

day, on subjects of this nature. The rank of master com-

mandant had been

established, but

it

government ap-

organizing a marine, and

was empowered to exercise its discretion, in trans-

peared to think that

that

was

the

it

still

ferring ofiicers at will, from one grade to another, so long

as no one was reduced from a former station.
Capt. Rod-

gers

was appointed

to the

One

to the

Maryland

20, and Capt.

Cowper

Baltimore 20.
of the effects of the victory of the Constellation

render the navy

still

more

was

to

popular, and the most respectable

families of the nation discovered greater anxiety than ever to

The new ships were put

get their sons enrolled on its lists.
into the water as fast as possible, and, as soon as manned and
equipped, were sent on the different cruising grounds. I/Insurgente was taken into the service as a thirty-six, the com-

mand
zuma

was given to Capt. Murray, late of the Monteand she was permitted to cruise with a roving
commission.
of her
20,

In the
to

mean

extend

time, the care of the

itself,

and

it

began

government appeared

to cast

its

eyes beyond the

hazards of the American seas.

At the close of the year,

and Essex 32, Capt. Preble,

the Congress 38, Capt. Sever,

sailed with orders to

convoy

The former of these vessels met

with an accident to Vv'hich all new ships are liable on quitHer rigging having been set
ting America in the winter.
in
cold
it
became
slack when she got into the
weather,
up
vessels as far as Batavia.

gulf stream, where she also encountered a strong southerly

gale, and she lost not only all her masts, but her bowsprit.
The main-mast went while Mr. Bosworth, the fourth lieu-

VoL. I. 26

NAVAL HISTORY.

302

was aloft, endeavouring to lower the main-top-mast,

accident that officer was lost. The crew of the
which
by
top were all happily saved.*
tenant,

The Congress returned

to port, for

repairs,

but Capt.

Preble proceeded on his cruise, carrying the pennant, for

the first time, in a regular cruiser, to the eastward of the

Cape of Good Hopei

The

active measures resorted to

by the American goFrance to nego-

vernment having
and pledges having been given that new ministers
would be received with more respect than had been shown
better disposed that of

tiate,

to the

last

who had met

sent,

the United States 44,

Rhode

Island,

on the

with insults and neglect,

Com. Barry, sailed from Newport,

3d of November, having on board

envoys to the French Directory. Notwithstanding these

measures to obtain peace, Congress proceeded in the legislation necessary to establish a marine.
Many of the laws

government of the navy were amended, and new

regulations were introduced as substitutes for such of the
for the

old ones as

were found

The

defective.

appropriation for

year 1800, the marine

$2,482,953 90.

the support of the navy, during the

corps included, amounted to

The new year consequently opened with increased efibrts

war that had now existed eighteen
months. Many acquisitions were made to tlie navy, and
to continue the singular

the following
*

is

list

was near occurring- to the United States 44,

similar accident

first cruise,

of the vessels that appear to have been

under Com. Barry.

the rigging' slackened,

when

After

in

her

the gulf stream,

she was scudding ten knots in a gale, and
tlie

ship

g'ot into

gunwale to. While all on board were trembling for the

masts, Mr. James Barron, the third lieutenant, proposed to Com. Barry to
set up the rigging, confidently declaring his ability to do so.
This bold
offer was accepted, and Mr. Barron got purchases on every other shroud,

rolling nearly

and by swaying together

at the call,

under the vigilant superintendence of

the officers, this delicate undertaking was accomplished with success, and
the ship's masts were saved. It ought to be remembered that few of the

masts in this war were made, but that they were mostly single sticks.

NAVAL HISTORV.

employed

in the

course of the season, principally in the

Indies, viz:

United States

303

West

304

NAVAL HISTORY.

Notwithstanding

this exhibition

of a respectable and ac-

tive force, the great facilities offered

strong temptations that

were

to be

by the
found

islands,

in the

and the

American

West-India trade, then one of the most considerable of the

country, induced the enemy to be constantly on the alert,

and the seas were

still

swarming with French

cruisers,

principally privateers.
Guadaloupe, in particular, was distinguished for the number of captures made by its vessels;

and it was for this reason that we now find

American squadron cruising in that vicinity.

On

the heaviest

the 1st of February, 1800, the Constellation 38,

Truxtun, was again

off the island of

Com.

Guadaloupe, alone,

when a sail was seen

westward. Com. Truxtun at first

Basseterre bearing east five leagues,

to the south-east, steering

supposed the ship in sight to be a large English merchantman, from Martinico, of which he had some knowledge,
and, unwilling to .be drawn to leeward of his cruising
ground, he hoisted English colours, b}-^ way of inducing her
to run down and speak him.
This invitation being disre-

garded, sail was made in chase, the Constellation gaining

on the stranger. As the latter drew nearer, the ship
to windward was discovered to be a French vessel of war;
fast

when

the English colours

were hauled down, and

stellation cleared for action.

The chase was now

the

Con-

distinctly

As
out to be a heavy frigate mounting 52 guns.
her metal was in all probability equal to her rate, the only
circumstance to equalize this disparity against the Constelmade

was very deep, which

of
a
sending valuable articles
by practice
to France, at that time, in the ships of war, as the safest
was the
was accounted

lation,

means of

fact that the stranger

for

transmission.

Com. Truxtun was not

discou-

raged by his discovery, but continued to carry every stitch

of canvass that would draw. Towards noon, however, the
wind became light, and the enemy had the advantage in sailing.

In this manner, with variable breezes, and a smooth

NAVAL HISTORY.
sea, the chase continued until

305

noon on the 2d, when the

freshened, and the Constellation again drew ahead.

the middle of the afternoon, the wind had every appear-

wind

By

ance of standing, and the chase was rising

eight in the evening,

nevertheless,

fast.

before the

It

two

was
ships

were within speaking distance of each other, the stranger

having come up to the wind a little, and the Constellation
doubling on her weather quarter. Com. Truxtun was about
to

speak the enemy, when the latter opened a fire from his
In a few moments the Constella-

stern and quarter guns.

tion,

having drawn

chase, poured
It was a

in

nest.

still more on the weather quarter of the

a broadside, and the action began in ear-

when

the firing

commenced,
was maintained with vigour until near one in the
morning, the two ships, most of the lime, running free, side
by side, when the stranger hauled up, and drew out of the
combat. Orders were given on board the Constellation to
brace up in chase; but, at this moment, a report was brought
to Com. Truxtun that the main-mast was supported almost
and

past eight

it

the wood, every shroud having been shot

away,
many of them cut so repeatedly as to render the use

solely

and

little

by

of stoppers impossible. At that time, as has been said already, masts were usually, in the American navy, of single
spars, when they gave way, went altogether.
of this danger. Com. Truxtun ordered the men from
the guns, to secure this all-important mast, with the
hope
sticks,

and the

Aware

of getting alongside of his enemy again, and, judging by

the feebleness of her resistance for the last hour, with the

But
certainty of taking her, could this object be effected.
no exertions could obviate the calamity, the mast coming

by

the board within a

sheered

off.

midshipman

in

few minutes

after the

enemy had

topmen, including Mr. Jarvis, the

command aloft, went over the side with

All

the

the spars, and, that gallant young officer,

to abandon his post, with all but one man,

26*

who had
was

lost.

refused

NAVAL HISTORY.

306

The

was no longer in
and her enemy was in a

Constellation

the action,

a situation to resume
far

worse condition,

with the exception that she still retained spars enough to

enable her to escape. Finding it impossible to reach any
friendly port to

windward, as soon as

the

wreck was

clear

of his ship, Com. Truxtun bore up for Jamaica, where he

arrived in safety.

14

In this close and hard fought action, the Constellation had

men killed and 25 wounded, 11 of the latter dvins of their

Her

injuries.

masted, and

in

antagonist afterwards got into Curacoa, disa sinking condition, reporting herself to have

had 50 of her people killed, and 1 10 wounded, in an engagement with the Constellation, that had lasted five hours within
pistol-shot.

This statement

is

now known

to

be essentially

enables us to form a comparative estimate of

The French vessel proved to be
the merits of the action.
true,

la

and

it

Vengeance, Capt.

Pitot.

The armament

of the Constellation had been changed

action
with
the Insurgente, and her main-deck
her
since
battery

now

consisted of 28 eighteens, and she had 10 twen-

ty-four-pound carronades on her quarter-deck, which were

among the first, if not the very first guns of this description

ever introduced into the American navy.

composed of 310 souls.
said that the force of la

It is

Her crew was

Vengeance has been ascer-

tained to have been 28 eighteens, 16 twelves, and 8 forty-

two-pound carronades. Her crew has been variously stated

as having been between 400 and 500 men. The metal was
according to the French mode of weighing, which adds
one pound to every twelve.*

all

Various statements have been giTenofthe construction of la Vengeance,

The papers of the day contain an account of

as well as of her armament.

a Mr. James Howe,

and who
that he

is

who was

said to have

a prisoner on board her during the action,

in with him a certificate from Capt. Pitot,

brought

and the other prisoners on board, 36

in

number, refused

to fight

307

NAVAL HISTORY.

no question that the Constellation engaged a

that she would have
materially superior force, or any doubt

There

is

brought la Vengeance into port, hut for the loss of the mast.
It is even said, that la Vengeance did strike her colours
three times, during the action, but findhig that the ConstelIf such an
lation continued her fire, they were re-hoisted.

event occurred,

it

must have arisen from the fact that

it

was not perceived in the obscurity of the night.

Com. Truxtun gained a great name by this action, and, on
his return to America for repairs, he was appointed to the
Congress gave him a
the gallantry of Mr.
and
gold medal for his good conduct,
The ConstelJarvis was approved in a solemn resolution.
President 44, then

fitting for sea.

lation was now given to Capt. Murray, who had just returned from a short cruise in the Insurgente, and that officer

went

in

her to

the

West

Indies,

where she joined the

squadron under Com. Talbot.

against their country, when the ships engaged. According to the statement of this witness, la Vengeance carried on her gun-deck 32 eighteens,

2 of which were mounted

aft;

on her quarter-deck, 4 long twelves and 12

thirty-six-pound brass carronades; and on hex forecastle, 6 twelves; making

Her crew is stated at 400 men,
in all 54, and a broadside of 26, guns.

many passengers, all of* whom were mustered at quarLa Vengeance was described by Mr. Howe to have suffered severely,
having received 186 round shot in her hull. The slaughter on board was
including a good

ters.

terrible.

much about it that is probable. The presence of Mr.

authenticated by the certificate; the stern-guns agree with
Com. Truxtun's account of the commencement of the action; and the
This account has

Howe was
armament

is

very

frigate of the day,

much what would have been used by

a heavy French
on board of which carronades had been introduced.

report that she was a ship on two decks, which was current at the
may very well have arisen from the circumstance of her carrying so
many guns on her quarter-deck and forecastle; but it is probable that Com.

time,

Truxtun would have reported her as a two-decker, had such been the fact.
The number of the crew is a circumstance in which a passenger might
very well be mistaken; and it is well known the French were in the practice of over-manning, rather than of

under-manning their

ships.

NAVAL HISTORY.

308

The latter
St.

Domingo

officer

had been cruising for some months on the

and about this time he planned an ex-

station,

quite in character with his own personal

enterprises during the war of the Revolution.
It was ascertained that a valuable French letter of

pedition that

was

Port Platte, a small harbour on the

Spanish side of the Island of St. Domingo, and as she was a
dangerous ship on account of her sailing, Com. Talbot de-

marque, was lying

termined

to

in

attempt cutting her out. This vessel had been the

Sandwich, and she only waited to com-

British packet the

make a run for France. The

legality of the enterprise was more than questionable, but
the French picaroons received so much favour in the
Spanish colonies, that the American officers were less scruplete a

cargo of

cofiee, to

pulous than they might otherwise have been.

As soon as it was determined to make the effiart, Mr. Hull,
the

first

lieutenant of the Constitution

one of the

frigate's cutters,

was compelled

An

in,

at night, in

and reconnoitered. Com. Talbot

want of a proper
one
was found by
fortunately
American sloop called the Sally had been
to defer the expedition, for

craft to avoid suspicion,

accident.

went

when

employed on the coast of the island, under circumstances

that rendered her liable to detention, and she was brought
out of one of the small French ports,

by a boat of the

This sloop had recently left Port Platte, with an

frigate.
intention of soon returning there, and she, at once, afforded
all

the facilities that could be desired.

Com. Talbot, accordingly, threw a party of seamen and

marines into the Sally, and giving the

command

to

Mr.

was directed to proceed on the duty without

The sloop was manned at sea, to escape de-

Hull, that officer

further delay.
tection, and she sailed at an hour that

would enable her

to

reach Port Platte, about noon of the succeeding day. In the

course of the night, while running down for her port, under
easy

sail,

a shot suddenly flew over the Sally, and, soon

NAVAL HISTORY.

309

an English frigate ranged up along side. Mr. Hull

and when the boarding lieutenant got on the sloop's
where
he found so large a party of men, and offideck,
cers in naval uniforms, he was both startled and surprised.
after,

hove

to,

He was

told the object of the expedition,

pressed his disappointment, as his

to let the

out also

however, and ex-

own ship was

Sandwich complete her cargo,

in

only waiting
order to cut her

The

Sally's movements were so well timed, as to permit

her to arrive off the harbour's mouth at the proper hour.
The Sandwich was lying with her broadside bearing on the

approach, and there was a battery at no great distance to

As soon as near enough to be seen, Mr. Hull

protect her.
sent most of his people below, and getting an anchor
ready
over the stern, to bring the sloop up with, he stood directly
enemy's bows. So admirably was every thing arranged, that no suspicion was excited, the Sally ran the
for the

Sandwich aboard, the Constitution's people went into her,

and carried her without the loss of a man. At the same
moment, Capt. Carmick landed with the marines, entered
the battery, and spiked the guns.
Notwithstanding a great commotion on shore, the x\mernow went to work to secure their prize. The Sand-

icans

wich was stripped

to a girtline,

and every thing was below.

Before sunset she had royal yards across, her guns scaled,
her new crew quartered, and soon after she weighed, beat
out of the harbour, and joined the frigate.
No enterprise of the sort was ever executed with greater
steadiness, or discipline. Mr. Hull gained great credit by the

neatness with which he

fulfilled

his orders,

and

it

was not

possible for an officer to

absence of

loss, in all

have been better sustained; the

cases of surprise, in which the assail-

ed have the means of resistance,

being one of the strongest
not
of
the
cooland
proofs
only
gallantry
spirit, but of the
ness of the assailants.

NAVAL HISTORY.

310

In the end, however, this capture, which was clearly

Not only was the Sandthe Constitution dear.
illegal, cost

wich given up, but

pay damages.
Early

in

May

all

the

the prize

money

Chesapeake

38,

of the cruise went to

went

to sea,

under the

command

Her first duty was to conof Capt. S. Barron.

from
to Philadelphia,
of
Charleston
a
specie
quantity
vey
after which she proceeded to cruise between the coast and

West India islands.

The Insurgente 36, had been given to Capt. Fletcher,
when Capt. Murray was transferred to the Constellation,
the

and in July she sailed on a cruise, with instructions to keep

between longitudes 66 and 68, and to run as far south as
30 N. L. After this ship left the capes of Virginia, no authentic accounts, with the exception of a few private letters
sent in by vessels spoken at sea, were ever received of

She had been ordered

her.

latitude

to cruise

and longitude mentioned,

after

a short time in the

which her comman-

left at liberty to pursue his own discretion, provided

he returned to Annapolis within eight weeks. Thirty-eight
years have elapsed and no further tidings of any belonging

der was

to this ill-fated ship

The Pickering
the

Guadaloupe

have ever reached

their friends.

14, Capt. Miliar, also sailed in August, for

station,

and never returned. As

in the case

of the Insurgente, all on board perished, no information that

could be relied on ever having been obtained of the manlost. Vague rumours were
was even affirmed that they had
run foul of each other in a gale, a tale that was substantiated by no testimony, and which was probably untrue, as
the Pickering was sent to a station, which the Insurgente,

ner in which these vessels were

set afloat at the time,

and

it

under discretionary orders, would be

was known

be already
These two ships swelled the
it

been

to

lost in this

manner

filled
list

little

apt to seek, since

with American cruisers.

of vessels of

to three, viz: the

war

that

Saratoga

had

16, the

NAVAL HISTORY.

311

Insurgente 36, and the Pickering 14;

was saved.
The nature of

to

which may be

16, though the cook of the latter sloop

added the Reprisal

which was now confined

the warfare,

principally to chases and conflicts with small fast sailing privateers, and a species of corsair that went by the local name

of picaroons, or with barges that ventured no great distance

at sea,

soon

satisfied the

government

that, to

carry on the

service to advantage, it required a species of vessel different

from the heavy, short, sloop of twenty, or twenty-four guns,

of which so

Two

test.

many were

used in the beginning of the conbuilt with this view, and

schooners had been

each of them

fully

proved their superiority over the old

had been inherited, as it might be,

cruiser, that

clumsy
from the Revolution.

One of

these vessels

was

called the

Experiment, and the other the Enterprise, and they were

rated at twelve guns.
The modern improvements, however,

not extend

did

to

ihe

armaments of even these

schooners, the old fashioned six pounder being still used,

where an 181b. carronade would now be introduced. The
Enterprise, Lieut.

capturing
la Seine 6,

Com. Shaw, was very

active this year,

of
6
Citoyenne, privateer,
guns and 47 men;
57
and
men; I'Aigle 10, and 78 men; la Pauline

la

and 40 men; and la Guadaloupeenne 7, and 45 men.

Most of these vessels resisted, though neither was of a force
6,

much hope of success. La Citoyenne had 4 killed

wounded before she struck; la Seine made an obstinate resistance, holding out until she had 24 of her crew
killed and wounded, which was near half her
complement;
and I'Aigle lost 12 men, among whom was her first lieuto afford

and

11

tenant, in an action of fifteen minutes.

In the last affair the

Enterprise had three men killed and wounded.

Near the close of her cruise, the Enterprise
sail

a long distance to

strange
and hauled up for her.

made a

late in the day,

windward,
Night coming on, the chase was

lost

NAVAL HISTORY.

312

when

sight of in the darkness,

keep her station.

brig, was seen to
position in

now

When

windward

which she had

last

the schooner hove to,

day dawned

the

to

the stranger, a

as before, and nearly in the

been observed.

discovered a disposition to close.

Both vessels

At noon

the Enter-

signal, which was not answered,

prise
The signals that had
the brig showing English colours.
been established between the English and American commanders were next shown, but the stranger could not re-

made

the

American

Believing the brig to be an

ply.

enemy

of a force at least

own, Lieut. Com. Shaw, now

set his ensign as

a challenge to come down, but, instead of complying, the
chase immediately hauled his wind. The Enterprise immediately began turning to windward on short tacks, and

equal to his

sailing

uncommonly

fast, it

was soon apparent

would be overhauled.
As soon as the French were

that the ene-

my

satisfied that

escape was im-

possible, they cleared for action, and, waiting until the Enterprise was within half a mile to leeward, they began to

Instead of returning a gun, Lieut. Com. Shaw kept

the schooner under all her canvass, and, about half an hour
fire.

had opened on him, he tacked in her wake, and

under her lee, within pistol shot. As
handsomely
ranged up
her guns bore the Enterprise now poured in a close and
after the brig

destructive

when

fire,

which lasted

for a

little

more than an hour,

and the

being shot away,

vessel otherwise seriously injured, she struck.

The

the brig's fore-top-mast

prize

was

the

Flambeau

privateer.

She mounted 14

guns, and had more than 100 men. Her loss was very heavy,
about half her crew having been killed and wounded. The

Enterprise had 3 men killed and 7 wounded. This little afiair

was considered one of the warmest combats of the war, and
it is

seldom that so sharp a conflict occurs between vessels

of so small a force.
Lieut.

Shaw was justly applauded for his

activity while in

NAVAL HISTORY.

command

313

of this schooner, recapturing eleven

American

vessels, besides taking those just mentioned, in a cruise of

only eight months.

It viras a proof of the greater

efficiency
of this description of vessel than any other, in a warfare of
such a nature, that the Enterprise, a schooner of only 165

tons,

crew

carrying an armament of 12 light guns, and with a

that varied from 60 to 75 men, destroyed more of the

enemy's privateers, and afforded as much protection

to the

trade of the country, as any frigate employed in the war.

In March, the Boston 28, Capt. Little, being near the

Point of

way

St.

Marks, having a merchant brig in tow, on her

barges were discovered pulling

to Port-au-Prince, nine

towards the

vessels,

coming from

the small island of

Go-

The
naives, with every appearance of hostile intentions.
barges were large, as usual, pulled 20 oars, and contained
40 men each. As soon as their characters were
made
out, the guns of the Boston were housed, and
properly
the ship was otherwise disguised. This stratagem succeeded
so far as to draw the barges within gunshot; but discoverfrom 30

to

ing their mistake before they got as near as could have been

wished, they turned, and began to retreat. The Boston now

cast off her tow, made sail in chase, ran out her guns, and
opened her fire. For two hours, she was enabled to keep

some of the barges within reach of her shot, and three of

The remainder did
all their crews, were sunk.

them, with

not escape without receiving more or less injury.

After this punishment of the picaroons, who were often
guilty of the grossest excesses, the Boston, having been
home to refit, was directed to cruise a short time, previously to going on the Guadaloupe station again, between the
American coast and the West-India islands. While in the

discharge of this duty, November, 1800, in lat. 22 50' N.,

and long. 51 W., she made a French cruiser, which, instead of avoiding her, evidently sought

Vol. I. 27

an encounter.

Both

NAVAL HISTORY.

314

parties being willing, the ships were soon in close action,

after a plain, hard-fought combat of two hours, the

when,

enenny struck.

The

prize proved to be the

French corvette

le Berceau, Capt. Senes, mounting 24 guns, and with a

crew a little exceeding 200 men. The Berceau was much

cut up, and shortly after the action, her fore and main masts
Her loss in killed and wounded was never ascer-

went.

tained, but from the number of the latter found in her, it

was probably between 30 and 40 men. Among the former

were her

first

lieutenant, master,

The Boston mounted

boatswain and gunner.

more light guns than the Berceau,

and had about an equal number of men. She had 4 killed and
11 wounded. Among the latter was her purser, Mr. Young,
who died of his injuries. The Berceau was a singularly
fine vessel of her class, and had the reputation of being one
Like the combat
of the fastest ships in the French marine.
eight

between the Constellation and I'Insurgente, the superiority of

was certainly in favour of the American ship, on this

force

occasion, but the execution

was every way

in proportion to

the difference.

The year 1800 was

actively employed on both sides in

the West-Indies, for while the force of the French in vessels of war seemed to decrease, as those of England and
America increased, the privateers still abounded. A great
many American merchantmen were captured, and the recaptures also amounted to a number that it is now difficult
to ascertain, but which is known to have been large. Most
of the privateers were small schooners, filled with men, suf-

ficient to

subdue a

letter of

marque by boarding;

but, as

they offered no resistance to any of the cruisers except the

smallest, a brief catalogue of the prizes taken by the difl^ferent large vessels, will at once give an idea of the nature of
the service that was performed by the West-India squadrons

during

The Baltimore 20, Capt. Cowper, took

Jeunesse 12, with a crew of 62 men, and a

this year.

la Brilliante

NAVAL HISTORY.
a vessel whose

name

is

not

315

known;

the

Merrimack

24,

Capt. Brown, the Phenix 14, with 128 men; the Connecticut 24, Capt. Tryon, le Piege 2, with 50 men, I'Unite 1,
le Chou Chou; the Boston 28, Capt. LitFortune, I'Heureux, and an open boat; Pickering 14,
Capt. Hillar, hi Volligeuse 10, with 6 men, the Fly, and I'Active 12, with 60 men; Boston 32, in company with diflerent

with 50 men, and

tle, la

Flying Fish, la Gourde, le Pelican, and I'Espoir;

Herald 18 and Augusta 14, la Mutine 6, with 60 men John
vessels, the

Adams

50 men,

28, Capt. Cross, le Jason, with

la

Decade;

the Trumbull 24, Capt. Jewett, la Peggie, la Vengeance 10,

la Tullie; Enterprise 12, Lieut. Com. Sterrett, I'Amour

and
de

men; the Palapsco 18, Capt. Gedwith

40
6,
men; the Adams 28, Capt. MorI'Heureuse Rencontre 4, with 50 men, le Gambeau, 4

la

Patrie 6, with 72

Dorade

des, la
ris,

swivels and 10 men, la

Renommee,

the

Dove, and

le

Mas-

Several of the frigates also made

prizes of different small privateers, barges and boats; and
many vessels were chased on shore, and either destroyed

sena

by

6,

with 49 men.

boats, or

were bilged

in striking.

The

privateers taken

and brought into port, during the years 1798, 1799 and
To
1800, amounted in all to rather more than fifty sail.
But
of
few
must
be
these
added several letters
marque.

merchant ships were taken, the French venturing but little

on the ocean, except in fast-sailing armed vessels. Still, some
valuable prizes of this nature were made, and several ships
of the class were driven ashore

among

the islands.

occurred among the commanders of the different vessels, render it difficult to give

The constant changes

that

movements of both. These changes

were owing to the rapidity and irregularities of the promotions in an infant service, officers who went out at the commencement of the season lieutenants, in many instances,
clear accounts of the

returning

home

captains, at

its

close.

In short, the officers,

NAVAL HISTORY.

316

crews, were constantly passing from vessel to vesseveral

sel,
serving in two or three ships in as many years.
The Experiment 12, made her first cruise under the com-

like the

mand

of Lieut.

Com. Maley, and was much employed

in

convoying through the narrow passages, where the vessels

were exposed to attacks from large barges manned from
About the close of the year 1799, or at the
the shores.

commencement of

1800, this schooner

was becalmed

in the

Bight of Leogane, wiih several sail of American merchantmen in company and under convoy. While the little fleet
lay in this helpless condition, a good deal scattered, ten of the
filled with negroes and mulattoes, came
The barges contained from 30 to 50 men
each, who were armed with muskets, cutlasses and pikes,
and in some of the boats were light guns and swivels. As
the Experiment was partially disguised, the enemy came
within reach of her grape before the assault was made,
when Lieut. Com. Maley ran out his guns and opened his
fire.
This was the commencement of a long conflict, in
which the barges were beaten oft'. It was not in the power

barges mentioned,
out against

it.

of the Experiment, however, to prevent the enemy from

seizing two of her convoy, which had drifted to such a dis-

tance as to be beyond protection. A third vessel was also

boarded, but from her the brigands were driven by grape,
though not until they had murdered her master and plun-

dered the cabin.

The barges went twice to the shore, landed their killed

and wounded, and took on board reinforcements of men.
The second attack they made was directed especially at the
Experiment, there being no less than three divisions of the
enemy, each of which contained three heavy barges. But,
after a protracted

engagement, which, with the intermisenemy abandoned further de-

sions, lasted seven hours, the

signs on this convoy, and retreated in disorder.

periment endeavoured

to follow,

The Ex-

by means of her sweeps.

NAVAL HISTORY.

317

but finding that some of the more distant of the barges

threatened two of her convoy, that had drifted out of gun-

was obliged to give up the chase.

In this arduous and protracted engagement the Experi-

shot, she

ment was fought with spirit, and handled with skill. The
absence of wind gave the enemy every advantage;

total

but, notwithstanding their vast superiority in

numbers, they
of the barges were sunk, and
and wounded was known to have been

did not dare to close.

their loss in killed

Two

heavy, while the Ex|)eriment had but two wounded, one of

whom was

Lieut.

David Porter.

Shortly after this affair, the

was given

to

command

of the Experiment
of the United

Lieut. Charles Stewart, late

Not long after he had got upon his station, this

and took, after a slight resistance, the
French privateer les Deux Amis, of 8 guns, and between
40 and 50 men. The Deux Amis was sent in.
About a month after this occurrence, while cruising on
her station, the Experiment made two sail, which had the
appearance of enemy's cruisers. The Frenchmen were a
brig of 18 guns, and a three-masted schooner of 10, and
Lieut. Com. Stewart,
they gave chase to the American.
States 44.

otiicer

fell

in with,

having soon

satisfied himself of the superior sailing of his

own

manoeuvred

and

vessel,

in

way

to

separate the enemy,

At length,
finding that the Frenchmen had given up the chase, and
that the brig was ahead (jf the schooner about a league, he
cleared for action, closed with the latter, by running up on
to

keep them at a distance

until after dark.

her weather quarter, and gave her a broadside.

The attack was so vig(jrous and close, that the eneiriy struck in a

few minutes. Throwing

his first lieutenant,

ter, into the prize, Lieut.

sail after the brig; but

Mr. David Por-

Com. Stewart immediately made

she had gained so

much

ing the time lost with the schooner, that she

21*

ahead, dur-

was soon aban-

318

NAVAL HISTORY.

doned, and the Experiment returned to her prize, which she

carried into St. Kitts.

Mr. Stewart probably owed

cess to the boldness of his mancEUvres, as the brig

force sufficient to capture him in a few minutes.

his suc-

was

of a

The vessel taken by the Experiment, proved to be the

French man-of-war schooner la Diane, Lieut. Perradeau,
of 14 guns, and about 60 men. She was bound to France,
with General Rigaud on board; and in addition to her
regular crew, 30 invalid soldiers had been put in her, having
served their times in the islands.

Her commander had been

lieutenant of I'lnsurgente, and the prize-officer of

the Retaliation.

the

first

station, the Experiment now had a comwas of a less agreeable nature. A suspicious sail had
been made in the course of the day, and chase was given

Returning to her

bat that

until dark.

Calculating the courses and distances, Lieut.

Com. Stewart ordered

the

Experiment

to

be kept

in the

required direction until midnight, when, if he did not close

with the stranger, he intended to give up the chase. At that

was hauled by the wind, accordingly;

few minutes, a sail was seen quite near, and to
windward. The Experiment went to quarters, ran up under
the stranger's lee, and hailed.
Finding the other vessel inCom. Stewart ordered a
Lieut.
an
answer,
disposed to give
hour, the schooner

but, in a

which was returned by a broadside.

sharp action now commenced, but, it blowing heavily, and

gun

fired into him,

the schooner lying over, it was found impossible to depress

Planks were cut
the guns sufficiently to hull the enemy.

and placed beneath the trucks of the gun-carriages, Vvhen

the shot of the Experiment told with so much effect, that her
antagonist struck.

Mr. Porter,

the

first

lieutenant pf the

Experiment, was now directed to take possession of the

on getting alongside, he was refused permission

prize, but,

to board.

As soon

as this

was known

boat was directed to pull out of the

line

in the schooner, the

of

fire,

with a view

319

NAVAL HISTORY.

recommence

to

when

the action,

the stranger hailed to say

he submitted.

This vessel proved to be a privateer called the Louisa

of 8 nineBridger, out of Bermuda, with an armament
pounders, and a crew of between 40 and 50 men.
much cut up, and had four feet water in her hold
surrendered.

As soon

Her

captain was among

the

She was

when

as the nature of this unfortunate mistake

every aid

known,
ment lying by her

was
all

she

wounded.

was

afforded the privateer, the Experinext day, to assist in repairing her

damages. The Experiment received a good deal

jury in her rigging, and had one man killed, and

of

in-

a boy

wounded.
Active negotiations had commenced, and

in the

autumn

of 1800 the hopes of peace became so strong, that the

efforts to increase the navy were sensibly relaxed, and the
sailing of
stations,

the

many

ships, that

was suspended.

had been intended

In

May

for distant

of this year, however,

George Washington 24,f Capt. Bainbridge, was ordered

to sail with tribute to the

back with wonder

Dey

of Algiers.

We

now

look

maritime people, like

those of the United States, should consent to meet the unjust
demands of a power as insignificant as that of Algiers, with
at the fact, that a

any other answer than a

close blockade,

and a vigorous

\ In giving the rates of vessels, except in flagrant instances, such as

those in which the Chesapeake and Philadelphia are called forty-fours,

and the Adams, John Adams, and Boston, thirty-twos, we follow the irregular rule which appears to have been laid down in the service at the
time.

The George Washington was much nearer

a thirty-two in size,

than most of the twenty-eights of the navy, though in the official reports
she is called a twenty-four. The tonnage of this ship was 624 tons, while
that of the Boston was only 530.

She had been an Indiaman, and when

sold out of service, in 1803, returned to her old employment. The prothan any
per rate of this ship would have made her nearer a twenty-eight,

thing else.

Her

last service

under Lieut. Com. Shaw.

was to carry tribute to the Mediterranean,

320

NAVAL HISTORY.

No

war.

better school for the education of an efficient

corps of officers could have been desired, than a contest

with all Barbary, should the latter invite it, nor would the

expense have greatly exceeded that connected with the

support of the small naval force, that nearly all parties

now

appeared

to

admit was indispensable

to the country.

Opinion had probably as much connexion with this want of

would be easy to show,
spirit, as expediency or policy, for it
not only in this but in all other cases, that there is no more
certain means for a nation to invite aggressions, than by
making undue concessions, or no surer method of obtaining

by insisting on its rights. The great maritime

nations of Europe, with England at their head, influenced

justice than

their own, had long been in the

the
of
Barbary States to respect the laws
bribing
practice
and
it
was
of nations,
perhaps too soon to expect that

by motives peculiarly

America, a country that had so recently been a colony,

should step boldly out of the circle of its habits, and set the
first

example of

for that

little

ence, under

self-respect

marine, which

all

and wisdom.

It

was reserved

was

just struggling into existthe unfavourable circumstances of a hurried

a want of arsenals, docks,

organization, defective vessels,
and system, to bring the nation up to the level of its own
manliness and independence, at a later day, and to teach
the true policy of the country to those whose duty it was to
direct

it.

The George Washington

arrived in the port of Algiers

September, and feeling that he had come on a duty that,

at least, entitled him to the hospitalities of the Dey, Capt.
Bainbridge ran in and anchored under the mole. As soon
in

as the tribute, or presents, whichever

to

it

may

suit the

tone of

term them, were put into the hands of the consul,

diplomacy
a request was made to Capt. Bainbridge to place his ship
at the disposal of the Dey, with a sole view to the convenience and policy of that prince.

It

appears that the Sultan

321

NAVAL HlSTORV.

had taken offence with the regency of Algiers, on account

of a treaty it had lately concluded with France, a power
with which the Ottoman Porte was then at war, and his
anger was

be deprecated by a timely application of

offices of Capt. Bainbridge were now
conveying these offerings, with a suitable agent,
to

The good

presents.
solicited in

to Constantinople.

As soon

as apprised of his wish, Capt.

Bainbridge sought an audience with the Dey, and having obtained one, he expressed his regret at not being able to comply wath his request, as it would be disregarding the orders

of his superiors at home. The Dey now gave his guest to understand that both he and his ship were in his power, and
his request

long and

was put more

in the

shape of a demand.

spirited altercation ensued, until influenced

by

A
the

representations of the consul, Mr. O'Brien, the certainty that

his ship would be otherwise seized and sent by force, the

apprehension of a war, and the knowledge that near two

sail of merchantmen were
exposed in those seas,

hundred

Capt. Bainbridge entered into stipulations on the subject.

He consented to carry the agent and presents of Algiers,
on condition that peace should be maintained, that the Dey

deem the act one of friendly concession on the part

of the United States, and not one of right, and that, on his
return from Constantinople, no further demands should be
should

preferred.
When the ship

was about to sail from Algiers a new

arose
on
the subject of the flag; the Dey indifficulty
that
his
own
should be hoisted at the main, while
sisting
that of the United States should be shown forward.
In
maintaining

this claim,

he affirmed that

it

was

a compli-

ment always paid him by the English, French and Spanish

captains, who had been employed on similar service in his
behalf.
After a strong remonstrance,
Capt. Bainbridge
yielded in appearance, but as he refused to make any

pledges on the subject, as soon as he

was beyond

the reach

322

\AVAL HISTORY.

of the guns of the works, he set his

own

ensign as usual.

Under these circumstances, the George Washington sailed.

At this distance of time from the event, a dispassionate
opinion may perhaps be formed concerning the propriety of
the course pursued by the oificer in command of the George

Washington. On the one hand was the war with France,

which might have rendered the management of a war with
Algiers more dilBcult than common, and the probability that
the latter would ensue in the event of a refusal.
But, if

France was

at

war with America, she was

also at

war with

England, and the appearance of the George Washington in

the Mediterranean was a proof that cruisers might be employed in that sea, although the nation was without ports,
or arsenals. As opposed to the general hazards of war,

and the particular risks incurred by the crew of the George

Washington, were those common and enduring principles
of honour and right, by maintaining which nations, in the
end, assert their claims in the promptest, cheapest, and
most efficient maimer. It is the peculiar province of the

and men of a vessel of war

officers

and

life

liberty,

to incur risks equall}^ of

and as no man manifested more of the true

than Capt. Bainbridge, on all other

occasions, the consideration of his own peculiar danger, or
in this respect,

spirit,

that of his crew, probably had no influence on his decision.

The question then is, whether an ofHcer in his situation
to

ought

by a

have taken the responsibility of producing a war

refusal to

whether

comply with

the

demand of

the

Dey, or

duty pointed out the course pursued by Capt.

Bainbridge. No one can hesitate about saying that the first
should be the decision of a commander of a vessel of war,
in

our

Algiers

pay

his

own
in

time.
But Capt. Bainbridge was not before
an age when America was as ready as she is to-

to assert all those great principles of

right

tions

must maintain with

are to be maintained at

all.

He

which na-

and treasure, if they

had himself just been em-

their blood

NAVAL HISTORY.

323

transporting tribute to Algiers, under a solemn

ployed

in

law of

his country,

sumption indeed,

to

and

it

would have been a

violent pre-

suppose that a government, which had

so far neglected the just feelings of national pride, and the

and simplest principles of policy, as to expend in tribute

first

that would nearly, if not quite, extort justice by

look with favour on an act that should produce
would
force,
a
naked
a war, on
point of honour. We dislike the decision

the

money

of Capt. Bainbridge, while we distinctly see, that in requiring

him to have acted otherwise, we require him to have been
in advance of the opinion of his day, and of the policy of his

government.*
It is understood that Capt.
Baiiibridge was much influenced by the advice and opinions of Mr. O'Brien, the consul.

This gentleman had been one of the first prisoners

in 1785, and he had passed many weary

taken by Algiers

years in captivity, almost abandoned by hope, and apparHe had

ently, though not really, forgotten by his country.

probably
is

ready

saw

little

faith in the existence

to sacrifice

of that patriotism which

immediate interest

in perspective a piratical

to future

warfare, and

good, and

captivities like

own, which, unrelieved by any feelings of humanity,

would be nearly allied to despair. This gentleman is not
to be censured; for bitter experience had taught him how

his

care taken of individual rights, by popular

governments, when the evil does not present itself to the

little

is

the

senses of bodies of men,

and how strong

shrink from responsibility in those

judgment and clamour.

This

is

is

the desire to

who

are subject to their

the weak side of the

It has been
conjectured that Capt. Bainbridg-e consented to go to
Constantinople, with the view to show the American flag- to the Ottoman
Porte, and to open the way for a treaty, and a trade in the Black Sea; but

we know

of no evidence of the truth of this

supposition.

It oug-ht to

be

added, moreover, that the ships of the greatest powers of Europe, often
performed offices like that required of Capt. Bainbridg'e, for the Dey,

and that he was perfectly aware cf the

fact.

NAVAL HISTORY.

324
polity,

and were

it

not redeemed

by so nnuch that is supeit is one that would

rior to the effects of all other systems,

totally unfit a nation to maintain the respect of

mankind.
had
been
educated
a
Mr. O'Brien, too,
as
ship-master, and
probably reasoned more like the agent of a commercial

wanted none of
That neither he nor

house, than the agent of a government that

the elements of greatness but the will.

Capt. Bainbridge, frank seamen, discovered much of the

finesse of diplomacy, is evident; for a practised negotiator,

detecting the necessity of submission, would have anticipated the final demand, and averted the more disagreeable
features of compulsion, by apparently conceding that to solicitation,

When

which was

finally yielded to

menace.

the Americans, feeble, scattered colonists, without

military stores, posts, fortified towns or navy, determined

to resist the usurpations of the British Parliament, they were

influenced by those lofty principles of right, which are cerIt is not

pretended that the taxa-

tain to lead to greatness.

England bore heavily on America in practice, but

grew out of the maintenance of a principle;
and the result of sacrificing immediate interests to the true
and elevating policy of the right, is before the world. Even
tion of

the resistance

many
those
litical

of the well-disposed, who belonged to the school of

are for consulting temporary good, and whose powisdom too often savours of the expedient, thought the

who

contest premature; but, happily, a better temper prevailed in

the country, and the nation escaped the risks of losing its
the gradual operation of usage, as might have
spirit under
attended delay. Immediate good was sacrificed to the great
objects of a more liberal policy, and we now find that England, so far from persevering in a wish to tax colonies over
which she does not possess the right, even hesitates about

taxing those which, in the

way

of principle,

at her

mercy

the Geo.

Wash-

lie

by conquest.
It

was

the 19th of October, 1800,

when

NAVAL HISTORY.

325

ington left Algiers. She entered the Bosphorus with a fresh

breeze at the southward, and on approaching the Darda-

where are two castles that command the passage,

and where ships are obliged to exhibit passports in order to
proceed, Capt. Bainbridge felt some embarrassment as to
nelles,

the course he ought to take.

try

was scarcely known

He

at the

had no firman,

his

coun-

Ottoman Porte, and he

might be delayed weeks, negotiating for permission to go

up to the town. From this dilemma he relieved himself by
the happy and prompt expedient of a seaman. The castles
stand nearly opposite each other, on the European and
Asiatic shores, and guns carrying stone balls, that weigh,

some
manner

instances, eight hundred pounds, are pointed in a

command the channel. These guns, however,

in

to

are stationary like mortars, and become nearly useless the

moment a ship is out of their regulated range. The rest of
at that time, were very immaterial.
The
width of the Bosphorus, here, a little exceeds three thousand feet. As^his ship approached the castle, Capt. Bain-

the defences,

bridge hauled up his courses, clewed up his top-gallantsails,

and made the usual preparations for anchoring.

When

nearly up with them, she commenced firing a salute, which

was instantly returned from the shore, and, at this moment,
the vessel was partly concealed in smoke, sail was
made, and before the Turks recovered from their surprise,
being totally unprepared for a thing so unusual, she was

when

beyond

their reach.

Capt. Bainbridge now pursued his way to Constantinople,

where he arrived as much unexpected as he was unan-

nounced and unknown. The George Washino;ton anchored

the 9th of November, in the outer harbour, where she was
soon visited by an
sailed.

his leave.

that his

officer, to

demand under what

flag she

The

usual reply was given, and the officer took

An hour or two afterwards he returned, to say

government bad never heard of such a nation as

Vol. I. 28

NAVAL HISTORY.

326

the United States of America,

The

explicit answer.

officer

and

to request

was now

sent

some more

back with the

information that the George Washington belonged to the

"New World," which was received as satisfactory, the

Turkish government extending

polished hospitality for

which

to

it is

strangers much of that

justly esteemed.

The George Washington remained at Constantinople until

the 30th of December, when she again sailed for Algiers,
which port she reached on the 21st of January, 1801.
Though much solicited to do so, Capt. Bainbridge now
refused to carry his ship within the mole, but kept her out
The Dey made a new
of the reach of the batteries.

request that he would return

to Constantinople with his

threats
the
old
were not exactly resorted
and,
though
agent,
to, the ship being beyond his reach, war was still held in

perspective as the alternative. Capt. Bainbridge, however,

peremptorily refused to put himself and ship again at the

orders of the Dey.

Having borrowed some

about to have

it

landed

to be indignant at his

ballast,

in lighters,

Capt. Bainbridge was

the Dey, affecting

when

want of confidence, forbade

the light-

undertake the job, announcing at the same time,

unless the ballast was returned, that he would declare war.

ermen

to

The
to

consul again so earnestly entreated Capt. Bainbridge

comply, that the latter, on receiving a solemn stipulation

that

no more should be said on the subject of a new voyage

Constantinople, took the George Washington into the

mole, and landed the ballast, which consisted of a number

to

of old guns.
Capt. Bainbridge soon after had an audience with the
Dey, when the latter got into such a rage as to threaten

personal violence. Fortunately, the Capudan Pacha had

become pleased with the manly conduct and fine personal
appearance of the American officer, while the latter was at
Constantinople, and, at parting, he had given him a firman

NAVAL HISTORY.
of protection.

This paper was

now

327
presented, and

it

im-

the savage ferocity of a barbarian into

mediately changed
From that
expressions of friendship and offers of service.
moment the tone of the Dey was altered and the man,
;

whom

a minute before he had threatened with irons,

was

converted into a person of influence and authority. Such

was the effect of Asiatic despotism and a ruthless discipline.

good opportunity now offered to relieve some of ihe

mortification which Capt. Bainbridge had experienced, by
affording him an occasion to be the instrument of rescuing

many

christians from slavery.

One of

the causes of quar-

between the Regency and the Porte, as has been stated,

was the separate peace made by the latter with France.
rel

To
cut

expiate for that crime, the Dey had been compelled to

down the flag-staff of the French consul, to declare war

against his country, and to condemn him and fifty or sixty

of his countrymen to slavery. Notwithstanding the war

which

still

existed between

America and France, Capt.

Bainbridge interfered in behalf of these unfortunate people,

and, profiting by the unexpected influence of his firman, he
obtained a stipulation from the Dey, that all who could get
out of his dominions within eight-and-forty hours, might go

away, while those who could

not, should be slaves.

No other

George Washington was employed in

this grateful office, and by great exertions she went to sea
within the stipulated time, carrying with her all the French
vessel offering, the

The passengers were landed

at Alicant, and
where
the
conduct
of
her commanhome,
der, throughout these novel and trying circumstances, met
with the fullest approbation of the government, and he was
in Algiers.

the ship returned

immediately transferred

to a

much

finer ship, the

Essex

32.

While these events were taking place in the Mediterranean, the negotiations for peace with France had been going on at Paris, and a treaty to that effect was ratified by
the Senate on the 3d of February, 1801.

All the necessary

328

NAVAL HISTORY.

forms having been complied

18, Capt. Russel,

was

vi'ith

sent to the

on both

West

sides, the

Herald

Indies, with orders

of recall fur the whole force.

in

Thus ended the short and irregidar struggle with France,

which the present marine of the United States was

founded, most of the senior officers

commenced
istence.

their

careers as

now

in service

midshipmen during

having
its

ex-

329

NAVAL HISTORY.

CHAPTER

XVII.

Every form of government has evils

democracy there exists a standing

In a

peculiar to

itself.

necessity for re-

ducing every thing to the average comprehension, the high

intelligence of a nation usually conceding as much to its
ignorance, as it imparts. One of the worst consequences
of this compromise of knowledge, in a practical sense, is to

be found

and

in the

want of establishments

that require foresight

be well managed, for the history of every

has
shov/n that it has been deficient in the
democracy
wisdom which is dependent on those expenditures which
liberality to

economy, by anticipating evils and avoiding the

waste of precipitation, want of system, and a want of knowThe new government of the Union was now to exledge.
foster true

perience evils of

this

nature, that are perhaps inseparable

to contend with the cry of ex-

from popular power, and

travagance, as extravagance is usually viewed by those who

have not sufficient information to understand that, as in

commands the
expenditures made

ordinary transactions, the highest pay

best

services, so in public things, the

in

time of peace are the surest means of obtaining economy

in a time of war.

The commencement

of the year 1801, was distinguished

a
of
administration, for the first time since the
by change
adoption of the constitution; Mr. JcflTerson and his political
friends,

who were

usually

known by
28*

the

name

of the repub-

330

NAVAL HISTORY.

lican party, expelling the federalists

Adams

from power, with Mr,

by a large majority of the electoral

of the charges brought against the federalists

at their head,

One
was an undue
votes.

love for unnecessarily large and expensive

establishments, in imitation of the English school of politicians, while the republicans

were accused of a wish

to de-

ceive the ignorant, by pretending to a nakedness of legislation and an absence of precautionary measures, which, while

they would save money at the moment, might involve the

country in eventual ruin, and which would unfit the people
for the great exertions certain to be required in the hour of

danger.
In this controversy, as is commonly the case', both parties maintained
principles that were false, and insisted on

measures, which,

The

impolitic.

ought

pay

to

if

not utterly impracticable, were at least

federalists held the doctrine that the people

be taxed,

were merely to accustom them to

government; and the democrats, or

if it

for the support of

republicans, applied to the management of political interests

the notion that all that was necessary was to provide for

the

demands of

attend to

its

the day, virtually leaving the future to

own

The

wants.

first

theory was like that

which would prescribe periodical depletion

to the

young

order that he might be ready to shed his blood

in the hour of trial; while the other may be likened to the
soldier, in

folly of the agriculturist

who

should expect a crop, without

taking the precaution to sow the seed.

In addition to the extremes into which political struggles

are apt to push political controversialists, Mr. Jetferson is

known to have been averse to most of the measures taken

by

his

predecessor against France, and he probably entered

into the exercise of his duties, with a strong disposition to

erase as

many

ble, frotn the

of the evidences of their existence as possi-.

A president of the

statutes of the nation.

United States, however,

is

little

more than an executive

NAVAL HISTORY.
officer,

331

while confined to the circle of his constitutional

powers, and the Congress that terminated on the 4th of

March 1801, the day he came into office, had passed a law,

some measure regulating a peace establishment for the

navy. This law gave great discretionary authority to the
president, it is true, for it empowered him, whenever he
should deem it expedient, to sell any, or all of the vessels of
in

the navy, with the exception of thirteen of the frigates,

in the act, as in his opinion the good of

which were named

the country might require.

To this part of the law no
could
be
taken
even by the friends of an
great objections

enlarged and liberal policy, as most of the vessels not excepted had been bought

into,

and were unsuited

to the ser-

more

especially at a period, when new improvements

in naval architecture, that had been borrowed from the
vice,

French, were

The law

fast

superseding the old

also directed the

mode of

guns and

construction.

stores of the vessels

sold to be preserved, a
provision that proved singularly unin
the
as
the carronade now began to superend,
profitable
sede the small long gun, in naval warfare, and two of the

sloops would probably have supplied all the nines and sixes
that have been used in the
navy for the last five and thirty
years.

But the most capital error of

limitation

it

The whole

law was

this

set to the lists of the different

ranks of

in the

officers.

of the sea-officers, sailing masters

excepted,
to nine captains,
thirty-six lieutenants, and

were confined

one hundred and

commandant being

fifty

midshipmen; the rank of master

abolished, should the president see

fit

to

discharge those then in commission. The phraseology, as

well as the provisions of this law,
betrayed that ignorance
of the details of the service, which has been so common in
the legislation of the country,
omitting many directions that

were indispensable in practice, and laying

that were of little, or no moment.
Notwithstanding

all

stress

on others

the accusations brought against

it,

at

NAVAL HISTORY.

332

the time, the administration of 1801 exercised

its

authority

which, it will be remembered, was

enacted previously to its accession to office, with a reasonable discretion, and though it may have made a few of those

under the

statute,

mistakes that are incidental to the discharge of all such

trusts, it conformed to the spirit of the law% with a due re-

gard

Mr. Jefferson soon discovered, as

to liberality.

to the lot of all strong oppositionists to discover,

attain their wishes, that he

predecessor

in

must follow

it

falls

when they

in the footsteps

of his

managing most of the ordinary interests of

the nation, though the party that went out of power did not
appear to recognise (he wholesome but unanswerable truth,
that, in

the nature of things,

all

administrations must be

mode

of treating a vast majority of the conThe selection of the officers

cerns entrusted to their care.

right, in their

was one of great delicacy and importance,

navy depended more on the
proper discharge of this duty, than on that of any other. The
greatdefectof the law, indeed, was the narrow- limits to which
the list of the superior sea officers was confined, it being
to be retained

as the future character of the

form professional

at all times easier to build ships, than to

men

fit

to

command

This part of

them.

duties, the president discharged in perfect

his

good

delegated
faith,

ap-

We

parently altogether disregarding party considerations.

give in notes* the names of the superior officers who were in
service, at the close of the

war with France,

historical interest with the country,

and

as a subject of
the names

we add

the quarter-deck officers who were retained, to which

gentlemen the nation must look for those who perfected the
school which has since reflected so much credit on the

of

all

American name.
Although some meritorious

officers

missed, on this occasion, there

is

were necessarilv

dis-

no question that the navy

See Note C, Appendix.

NAVAL HISTORY.

was

greatly benefited by the reduction

ner in which

also

some

the hurried

man-

appointments were originally made,

the

having been the means of introducing

the service,

333

who were

unfitted for

irregularity in the

mode

its

many

persons into

duties.

There was

of reduction, the

name

of Capt. M'Niell not appearing on the list of the retained

captains, though it is certain that he commanded the Boston
as late as 1802.
for

This discrepancy can only be accounted

was used in retaining a

supposing that a discretion

by
few more
ascertain

officers
if all

than the legal number, with a view to

those

who were

first

selected might choose to

serve.
In the case of Capt. M'Niell, he was on foreign service at the time the reduction was made.

The law

of Congress directed that thirteen vessels,

named

be disposed of, leaving it discretionary

with the president to sell the remainder or not. The folin the act, should not

lowing were the ships retained, viz:

Constitution

24,

NAVAL HISTORY.

335

gerated at the time, so far as the vessels alone were concerned.

At the peace with France, the cruising vessels in

were

service
the best

thirty-four in

were

retained.

number, and of these, fourteen of

frigate, unless the Geo. Wash-

No

ington could be considered one,

was

sold,

been purchased into ihe service, and not

As regards force, materially more than

and

this ship

had

built for the public.

half,

perhaps four-

was preserved, the eight largest frigates retained

being more than strong enough to contend with all the vessels sold.
This was not the opinion of the day, however,
fifths,

for interested political

clamour was directed by ignorance,

and most men counted one gun as another, without reference to its weight, or its disposition in the vessel. The most
impolitic of the measures of the government, and it, was one
of which it soon had reason to repent, was the law suspend-

ing the construction of the six ships, to carry not less than
seventy-four guns each, authorized by the act of 1798.*

The

recklessness of political opposition soon made itself

apparent, in its usual inconsiderate and acrimonious forms;

a recommendation that emanated from the government, for

the establishment of dry-docks, one of the first and most

important measures in the formation of a serviceable marine, meeting with all the ridicule that ignorance and hostieven from those who professed to be the
lity could invent,
strongest friends of the navy. Profiting by the most vulgar
association that a want of knowledge could connect with the

word "dry,"

the papers of the

day kept ringing

the changes

accusing the administration of wishIt is, however, just to add,

a
on
shore
to
have
ing
navy
that the views of the president extended a little beyond the

on

this tune, virtually

common

practice, his recommendation going so far as to

docks
for the preservation, as well as for the repairs,
advise
*

The

were

to

materials collected for these vessels, principally live-oak timber,

have been preserved; but much of the latter was subsequently

used in the construction of smaller ships, and frequently to great waste.

NAVAL HISTORY.

336

of ships. Thus did the gallant little service, which alreadymerited so much from the nation, and which is so inseparably connected with all the great considerations of national
character, national rights, and even of national existence,
find itself compelled to struggle

nominal friends,

its

through

infancy, equally

who were

injuring its vitals

while loudest in their professions of amity, and distrusted by
those who, having made the cry of economy a stalking
assailed

horse

by

its

in their

that this, like

way
all

to

power, shrunk from the heavy charges

other complete means of national defence,

must unavoidably entail on the public. Still it preserved its

from the association of
spirit, and finding itself relieved
those who were never worthy to wear its livery, and believing, with truth, that in passing a
tion,

it

saw a

flattering perspective

peace without dissoluof service before

it,

the gallant corps that remained, prepared itself to enter

on its new duties with the confidence and zeal of men

who

felt

had

that they

profession for

This period

fairly

embarked

in

an honourable

life.

may

crisis in the fate

be deemed that which produced the

At the peace of

of the American navy.

1783, the service had been entirely disbanded, and even the

commenced in 1794, had been suspended when

was
made
with Algiers, leaving little besides the
peace
name of a marine behind them. The relations of the counpreparations

try with Tripoli, one of the Barbary powers, doubtless, had

its influence on the fortunes of the service at this particular
moment, the government feeling the necessity of being in

readiness to resist the aggressions of another of those semipirates who then infested the Mediterranean.

In the mean time, the proper officers proceeded to carry

out the conditions of the recent treaty entered into with

France, agreeably
sels

of

to the conditions of

war captured on

either side

The Insurgente having been

lost,

which, all the vesto be restored.

were

this

stipulation

became

NAVAL HISTORy.

337

as regarded her; but le Berceau, and la

the small cruiser taken by the Trumbull,

impracticable

Vengeance,
were returned

to the

French.

In the whole, eighty prizes

American ports, and of these,

Most of
three were the vessels of war already mentioned.
Of the latter, eight were
the remainder were privateers.
had been brought

into the

was retaken,
and the remaining sixty-eight were condemned and sold.
The loss of American shipping in this war was consideracquitted as illegal captures, one,

able

tilities

but fewer vessels

le

were taken,

Croyable,

in

had commenced on the side of

proportion, after hoscountry, than had

this

been previously seized. No vessel of war but the Retaliahands of the French, under any circum-

tion, fell into the

stances.

was satisfied wath the results

made
of the exertions it had
during this irregular and
informal contest, and a strong feeling was awakened in
favour of a permanent navy. Whatever may have been

On

the whole, the country

on this important
branch of national policy, ^and it is believed they were
neither as liberal, nor as far-sighted, as comported with
his views in general, though they were far from merit-

the private opinions of the new. president

he put at the head

ing all the reproaches they received,
of the department, Mr. Robert Smith, of Maryland, a

who rendered
who continued for

gentleman
service,

serve
left

its

himself justly popular with the

the long space of nine years to

interests with zeal

and intelligence, and

behind him, in the breasts of

all

who

who

has

then composed the

navy, a feeling that while their interests were in his care,

they were intrusted to one well disposed to serve the country and themselves.
In the war with France, very few privateers went to sea,
that country having little trade to suffer by such enterprises,

though scarcely a merchantman sailed without an armament, and a crew at least double that she would have carVoL.

29

NAVAL HISTORY.

338

The years 1798, 1799 and 1800,

a
of
general maritime war, and the
virtually years
drain
of seamen for the entire
that
great
English navy,
ried in a time of peace.

were

civilized world,

was

as actively

employed as

at

any pre-

vious or subsequent period of its teeming history. Notwithstanding these circumstances, the American government,
while it suffered many inconveniences from the shortness of
the enlistments, found no difficulty in obtaining men during
although a number but little short often thou-

this struggle,

sand must have been constantly employed during the year

At that time, the tonnage of the country was about
1800.

was

number of seamen.
The enemy was very active, a fact that is proved by the
circumstance that more French privateers were taken and
half what

it is

to-day, as

also the total

destroyed by the vessels of the American navy alone, in the

West-Indies, than the country sent cruisers to sea, at any
period of the war. Including the revenue vessels employed
in 1798 and 1799, America had at sea forty-two different
cruisers during the three years of this contest; and their
captures, limiting them to the vessels that were actually
taken into port, amounted within two to double this number;
these, considerably more than half were privateers
Still we find the trade but little
of the enemy.
interrupted,
In 1797, when America
after the armaments were made.

and of

had not a vessel of war

in

commission, the exports of the

more than $57,000,000; in

when the coast was cleared of the French privateers,
and the war was carried first into the West-Indies, these ex-

country amounted to a

little

1798,

ports reached to $61,327,411; in 1799, to $78,665,528; and

in 1800, to $70,971,780. Some fluctuations in trade
probably

produced the diminution of the latter year, as the American

coast was then nearly unapproached by the French. This
truth, indeed, quite clearly appears by the revenue on imports, which,

in

the

same

three

1798, $7,106,061; 1799, $6,610,449

years,
;

was

as follows:

1800, $9,080,932.

NAVAL HISTORY.

339

This war, like every maritime contest, in which America

has been engaged with any civilized nation, was also distinguished by many obstinate actions between letters of
cruisers of the enemy.
The papers of the day
of accounts of this nature, and, although they are not
altogether free from the suspicion of exaggerations, or from

marque and

are

full

the boastful representations of most similar ex parte statements, it is known that some are essentially true. Among

other combats of this nature,

was one which deserves

to

be

mentioned, not only on account of the general gallantry of

the defence, but of the presence of mind displayed at a

most

critical

moment by a young man of Philadelphia, unwe regret to add, was lost at sea, in the suc-

der age, who,

ceeding voyage, and, because the facts are derived from

a source that put them beyond dispute.
In the course of the year 1800, a lightly armed letter of

marque brig, belonging to Philadelphia, called the Louisa,

was standing into Gibraltar, when several privateers came
out of Algesiras, as was the practice of the French in that

A long and desultory

day, to cut her off from her port.
action ensued, in the course of which one
latine-rigged
vessel

full

of

men

pressed the Louisa hard, and made

all of which, however, she

several bold efforts to board, in

was

The crew of the Louisa consisted of only

when their captain fell, with a shot through
his shoulder, and the mate went below for a moment to
lay
him in the cabin, believing that the battle was over,
they
deserted their guns in a body, going down into the forecastle, with the exception of the man at the wheel.
At
that moment the
enemy was at a little distance, keeping up
his fire, and, it was
thought, making preparations for a fresh
With a view to meet this effort, the
attempt to board.
frustrated.

a few men, and

quarter-deck guns of the brig had been properly loaded and

trained, but when the mate, after an absence of only three
or four minutes,
re-appeared on deck, one passenger ex-

NAVAL HISTORY.

340
cepted, there

was

was

not a soul to sustain him, while the

enemy

up under his lee quarter, with his forecastle

crowded, and a long bowsprit lined with boarders, ready
luffing

to take the leap.

He knew

if

the latter

gained the brig's

would be out of the question, even if all

at
their stations.
This was a critical
on board were
instant for so young a man; but he was a seaman of Philadecks, resistance

delphia, the port that then furnished the readiest, the best,
and many of the brav^est mariners that sailed out of Amer-

He ran to the fore-scuttle and summoned the people

" to
up,
get a last shot at the Frenchmen, before they

ica.

should get out of their reach!" Such an appeal admitted

of no delay. The men rushed on deck with cheers, were
instantly ordered to their guns,

the enemy.
was swept of

fire

and were

was poured

in time to
in,

meet

the bowsprit

raking
boarders, the privateer tacked and hauled
and
the
was
off,
brig
permitted to proceed without further
The Louisa entered the roads of Gibraltar in
molestation.
its

triumph, the engagement having been witnessed

sands on the rock.

b}^

thou-

NAVAL HISTORY.

CHAPTER

341

XVIII.

We have now reached the period when the American

marine assumed a fixed and permanent character. No
more reductions were anticipated by those who understood
the necessities of the country, nor have

any ever been

time necessarily elapsed

Some
seriously attempted.
before it could be ascertained which of the officers seHttle

lected might choose to remain in service, and resignations

were frequent for many succeeding years, in consequence

of the narrow limits to which the policy of the day had rethis important branch of the public service, but,

duced

from

that time to this,

no

abandon the profession,

trench,

ever been compelled to

consequence of the wish to re-

officer has

in

or of a disposition

to

reduce the establishment.

of things tended to create has

been gradually increasing, until it would be scarcely too
much to say, that both the country and the navy, have
exists between them as
got to consider the relation which
and indissoluble. This confidence on the one

The

security

which

this state

permanent
hand, and fostering policy on the other, have not been the
work of a day, however, but are the consequences of a long
train of historical events, that

it

has become our duty to

record.
It

has already been said that the necessities, rather than

the foresight of the new government prevented it from at

once incurring the expense of a marine, and it is probable
that, in

causing such ships to be built as those which were

29*

342

NAVAL HISTORY.

down under the law of 1794, it looked forward to their

forming the commencement of a navy suited to the wants
and dignity of a country, that all but those who were
laid

blinded by passion and malignancy, could easily see was

destined to become powerful. Something, notwithstanding,
must be attributed to the peculiar condition of the relations

between one or two of the Barbary States and the young

republic, at the precise

France, and

moment when peace was made with

pursuing the regular chain of events connected with our subject, we are next to turn our eyes towards the Mediterranean and to the coast of Africa, as
in

their scene.

As early
malli,

as in 1800, the

who had deposed

his

Bashaw of Tripoli,

Jussuf Cara-

brother Hamet, and

now

sat

on

dependency of the Porte, manifested a

war. He had learned the concessions made

the throne of this

disposition to

manner

to Algiers, the

had been bribed

that

was

in

which the Dey of

that

regency

do

justice, and, by a course of reasoning

certainly plausible, if not true, he inferred that the
to

government which had been induced to pay tribute to one

The
pirate, might be induced to pay tribute to another.
on
which
this semblance of
complaints
royalty grounded
his justification for

rally

known.

He

war, are such as ought to be geneaccused the American government of

having bribed the subordinates of Tunis at a higher price

than it had bribed him
he added, that Algiers had re;

ceived a frigate, while he had received none; and even

in a letter to the president he said
significantly, in reply
to some of the usual
diplomatic professions of friendship,

"we

could wish that these your expressions were followed by deeds, and not by empty words. You will therefore endeavour to satisfy us by a good manner of proceeding." "But if only flattering words are meant, without

performance, every one will act as he finds convenient.

beg a speedy answer, without neglect of time, as a

We

NAVAL HISTORY.

343

delay on your part cannot but be prejudicial to your

interests."

Shortly after, the

money, and

if it

Bashaw informed

the

American consul

months for a present in

did not arrive within that time, he would

at Tripoli, that he

would wait

six

formally declare war against the United States. Jussuf

Caramalli was as good as his word. No tidings of the

money having reached Tripoli, the

can consulate was cut down on the
war was proclaimed in the act.

flag-staff of the

14th of

May,

Ameri-

1801, and

While Tripoli went so directly to work, difficulties existed with the other states of Barbary. Algiers complained
that the tribute was in arrears, and Tunis found fault with
the quality of various articles that had been sent to her, by
way of bribing her not to seize American vessels. Certain

planks and oars were too short, and guns of a particular

description

were much wanted.

Morocco was

trusted, although the prince of that country

deigned to intimate his wishes.

Timid as was the policy of the United

also dis-

had not yet

States,

and

dis-

graceful as was that of all Christendom, at that period,

in reference to the Barbary powers, the former was too

much

flushed with

too proud of

its

recent successes against France, and

infant marine, to submit to all these exacits

tions without resistance.

Before

it

was known

that Tripoli

had actually declared war, a squadron was ordered

fitted for the Mediterranean, with a view to awe the

to

be

differ-

ent sovereigns of Barbary, by its presence.

The vessels
selected for this purpose consisted of the President 44,
Capt.
J.

Barron, Philadelphia 38, Capt. S. Barron, Essex 32, Capt.

Bainbridge, and Enterprise 12, Lieut. Com. Sterrett. At the

this force was
Capt. Dale, an officer whose career

head of

we have had

frequent occasion to notice, in the course of

past events, and

President 44.

who now

hoisted his broad pennant in the

NAVAL HISTORY.

344

The
proceed

to Gibraltar,

the

among

things

Com. Dale, directed him to

where he could ascertain the state of
distrusted regencies, when he was to be

instructions given to

governed by circumstances.
war, he was to act against

Had

either

power declared

under certain restrictions;

otherwise he was to go off Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli, in
succession, to deliver presents and promises at each place,

and

event of his succeeding in maintaining the peace,

make the circuit of the Mediterranean, in the

in the

he was

it,

to

course of the summer, re-appear off the ports of Tripoli, Tunis

and Algiers, and the peace still continuing, he was ordered
to sail for

home

in

have commenced
authority as to
to leave the
it

latest,

October.

Should either of the regencies

however, he had discretionary

the disposition of the ships, but was ordered
hostilities,

Mediterranean on the

1st of

having been deemed unsafe

December,

at the

to cruise in that sea in

the winter.

Soon
voused

after these orders

in

tination.

were received,

Hampton Roads, and

On

the ships rendez-

sailed for their place of des-

the 1st of July they anchored at Gibraltar,

where they found

name

the Tripolitan admiral, a renegado of the

of Lisle, in a ship of 26 guns, with a brig of 16, in

company. There is no question that the timely appearance

of the American squadron prevented these two vessels from
have struck a
getting into the Atlantic, where they might

commerce of the country. The admiral,

however, protested there was no war, though the information derived from other sources, induced Com. Dale to disThe Essex was sent along the north
trust his sincerity.
shore to collect the American trade, and to give it convoy,
the Philadelphia was ordered to cruise in the straits to watch
severe blow at the

the

two

shaped
latter,

Tripolitans, while the President

towards Algiers, as

their course

and Enterprise
ordered.

The

however, soon parted company from the President

on duty.

NAVAL HISTORY.

The appearance of a

345

ship of the President's force at Al-

giers and Tunis, had an extremely quieting effect on the

resentments of their two princes; and Mr. O'Brien, the
consul at the former regency, gave it as his opinion, that
the arrival of the squadron in the Mediterranean, had more

weight

in

preserving the peace, than if the George Washvessel was soon expected, had come in with

ington, which

the tribute.

On

the 1st of August, while running for Malta, the

Com.

En-

with and spoke a

polacre-rigged ship of 14 guns and 80 men, belonging to
Tripoli, that was known to be out on a cruise against the
terprise 12, Lieut.

Sterrett,

fell

in

American commerce. Runnino; close along side, an action

was commenced within pistol shot, and it continued with
little intermission for three hours, when the Turk submitted.
During the combat, however, the Tripolitan struck three
several times, twice re-hoisting his colours, and opening his
again, when he thought an advantage might be obtained by attacking the Americans unprepared. Irritated by
this treachery, on the last occasion the Enterprise resumed
fire

her

fire

with an intention to sink her opponent, but after

some

further though fruitless resistance, the Turkish captain appeared in the waist of his ship, and threw his ensign
into the sea,

bending

his

body and supplicating

for quarter

when the fire of the schooner was stopped.

The name of the captured ship was the Tripoli, and that
of her rais, or commander, Mahomet Sous.
Although the

by

signs,

Turks showed courage, or desperation w^ould be a better

first trial of skill with their trans-atlantic enemies
was far from creditable to them. The Enterprise raked
term, this

her enemy repeatedly, and the consequences were dreadfully apparent in the result, 50 of the corsair's people
having been kUled and wounded in the battle. The ship
herself

On

was a wreck, and her mizzen-mast was

the other hand, the

Enterprise sustained but

shot away.
little

injury

NAVAL HISTORY.

346

even

aloft,

materially

The

and had not a

her

in

man

hurt.

Neither did she suffer

hull.

instructions of Lieut. Sterrett did not permit

carry the Tripoli

in,

him

to

and Lieut. David Porter took posses-

and proceeded to dismantle her. Her armament was

thrown overboard, and she was stripped of every thing but

sion,

and a single spar, that were left to enable her

After attending to the wounded, the prize
was abandoned, and it is understood a long time elapsed
one old

sail,

to reach port.

before she got

in Tripoli,

even

When

in.

his

her unfortunate rais appeared

He was
avail him.

wounds did not

placed on a Jack Ass, paraded through the streets, and received the bastinado. The effect of this punishment appears
to have been different from what was expected, for it is

among the sailors became so great, in conit was found difficult to obtain men for the
corsairs that were then fitting for sea. One thing is certain,
that, though this war lasted three years, and in the end became both spirited and active, very few Tripolitan cruisers
said the panic

sequence, that

ventured from port during

port,

its

they were cautious

from the

to

continuance; or if they quitted

an extreme about venturing

land.

By a message of Mr. .Tefferson's, sent to congress on the

8th of December, 1801, we learn the reasons why the
powers given in the instructions to Com". Dale, did not extend to captures.

In alluding to the action between the

Enterprise and the Tripoli, after relating the facts, the pre" Unauthorized
sident adds
by the constitution without the

sanction of congress, to go beyond the line of defence, the

vessel, being disabled from committing further hostilities,

was

liberated with

consider, whether,
it

will place

its

crew.

The

legislature will doubtless

by authorizing measures of offence

also,

our force on an equal footing with that of

its

adversaries."
It

must be admitted that

this

was carrying

the doctrine

347

NAVAL HISTORY.
of

construction to extremes.

literal

While,

nature

in the

may require the consent of two independent

sovereignties to change the legal relations of the people of

of things,

it

different countries,

of a state of peace,

from those of a
it is

opposed

to

state of

warfare

to those

reason and practice

to

say

not competent for either of these sovereignties, singly,

to change these relations from those of a state of peace to

it is

The power

those of a state of war.

to

commence

hostili-

depends on international law,

belongs
and in no degree on the subordinate regulations of particuIt is both an affirmative and a
lar forms of government.

ties,

as

to states,

it

negative right: the

clares the

ed with

first,

war; and

as

it is

the latter, as

used by the party that devests the nation assail-

it

and privileges of a belligerent. It

that the American citizen who
contended
cannot
be
surely
should aid a hostile force sent against his country, would
all

the authority

not be guilty of treason, because congress had not yet declared war, though the enemy had and it is equally fallacious to maintain that one nation can carry on war, clothed
;

with

all

the

powers of a

act, vesting its

belligerent, without,

enemy with

the

same

by the very

The

provision
of the constitution which places the authority to declare
war in congress, can only allude to the exercise of the afrights.

firmative authority; and to advance a contrary doctrine,

to impair that absolute and governing principle of reci-

is

procity on which all international law depends. As it would

be possible for a nation in Europe to declare war against a
nation in

known

America many weeks before

to the

Mr. Jefferson were

privilege

all

the fact could be

party assailed, the former, if the doctrine of

true,

would evidently be enjoying a

that time, to the disadvantage of the latter,

The
equally opposed to common sense and justice.
error of this opinion was in supposing that, by curtailing
and dividing the powers of their servants, the people of the

that

is

United States meant

to limit the rights of the nation.

What

\AVAL HISTORY.

348

still more
singular, is
established a blockade, and ac-

renders the course of the executive

the fact that

Com. Dale had

tually captured neutrals that

were entering

Tripoli, as will

be presently seen.
The President appeared off Tripoli on the 24th of August,
when an ineflectual attempt was made to establish a truce.

Remaining eighteen days

discovering no movement
ran

down

the coast

in

the vicinity of the town,

and

or about the port. Com. Dale

distance, when he crossed over to

some

in

Malta, in order to water his ship. As soon as this necessary duty was performed, the President returned to Tripoli,

and on the 30th of August, she overhauled a Greek

bound in, with a cargo of merchandise and provisions.
board

this vessel

was an

officer

and 20 Tripolitan

ship

On

soldiers,

besides 20 other subjects of the regency. All these persons

were taken on board the frigate, and an attempt was made,

by means of
change.

Nissen, the

lucky capture,

to establish a

system of ex-

negotiations were carried on through Mr.

Danish consul, a gentleman whose name, by

benevolence, philanthropy and probity, has beindissolubly connected with the history of the Ameri-

means of

come

this

The
his

can marine.
It was soon discovered that the Bashaw cared very little
about his subjects, as he declared that he would not exchange one x^merican for all the soldiers. There was a

of the arts of the negotiator in this, however, as he

agreed, in the end, to give three Americans for all the sol-

little

diers, the officer included,

and three more for eight of the

merchants, disclaiming the remaining six merchants as his

Com. Dale appears to have become disgusted
subjects.
this unworthy mode of bargaining, for he sent his
prisoners on board the Greek again, and allowed the ship to
go into Tripoli, relinquishing his claim on the merchants

with

altogether, as non-combatants,

three

Americans

and consenting

for the soldiers.

to

take the

NAVAL HISTORY.

349

Finding it necessary to go down to Gibraltar, the commodore now left Tripoli, and proceeded direct to the former place. He was soon succeeded by the Essex, which
also

appeared off the different Barbary ports.

mean

two Tripolitan cruisers at Gibraltar, on its being ascertained that it was impossible for them
to get out while they were so closely watched, were disIn the

time, the

mantled, and their crews were privately sent across to

Teutan

in

to

boats,

men enough

find

their

way home by

land; just

and to
being
occur
to
should
an
opportunity
get to sea.
navigate them,
of
the
as
an innoThe Bashaw complained loudly
blockade,
mode
of
vation on the received
warfare, and the governleft

to take care of the ships,

ments of Algiers and Tunis, which appeared to distrust the

precedent, manifested a disposition to join in the protest.
The Dey of Algiers even went so far as to ask passports for
the crews of the
his

two

vessels at Gibraltar, with a

view to aid

was denied.
manner described, from one

neighbour; but the request

While passing,

in the

port to

another, an accident occurred, by which the President

came near being lost. She had gone into Mahon, and the

miscalculating his draught of water, struck a rock

on the starboard hand of that narrow passage, in quitting

pilot,

The

the harbour.

the time,
tion

was

ship

had

five

or six knots

and she ran up three or four

lost.

impression

It

was a

was very

way on

her, at

feet before her

breathless instant, and the

mofirst

general, that she must infallibly

go

down.

Rolling heavily, the hull settled off towards the

These are
passage, slid from the rock, and again floated.

moments that prove the training of the sea-officer, as much

as the more brilliant exploits of battle.
The commodore
instantly

appeared on deck, and issued

his

orders with

The ship stood through the narand having got room, she was brought to the

coolness and discretion.

row

outlet,

wind, until the extent of the danger could be ascertainVoL. I. 30

NAVAL HISTORY.

350

the pumps, no more than the usual

was found, and confidence began to be
Still it was deemed imprudent to run off the
restored.
land, as the working of so large a ship, in a heavy sea,
might open seams that were yet tight. But the elements

On sounding

ed.

quantity of water

were against

the vessel, for

heavy weather

set in,

and that

blew a gale of wind. Under the circumstances,

night
Com. Dale decided to run for Toulon, as the most eligible
port in which to repair his damages. This place was reachit

ed

in

safety,

when

the ship

was

stripped, lightened,

hove

out and examined.

As soon
as

its

as

a view

was obtained

of the stem as low

junction with the keel, every one became conscious

of the danger that the vessel had run.

large piece fortwisted
and
a
ward had been literally
off,
part of the keel,
for several feet, was broomed like a twig.
Nothing saved
the ship but the skilful manner in which the wood-ends had
been secured. Instead of the ends of the planks having
been let into a rabbetting grooved in the stem itself, they had

been fastened into one made by the junction of the apronpiece and the stem, so that when the piece was wrenched
off,

the

seams of the wood-ends remained

officers,

who

tight.

The French

discovered great science and mechanical

skill

making the repairs, expressed their delight at the mode

of fastening that had been adopted, which it is believed was
in

then novel, and they were so much pleased with the model
of the frigate generally, that they took accurate measurements of all her lines.*

* On this occasion, the President was hove out on one side

In
only.
order to fasten, caulk and copper underneath the keel, the following ingenious plan was adopted: A deep punt, or scow, was sunk, by means of

upper edge was brought nearly a-wash. This scow had

three compartments, one in the centre to hold tiie ballast, and one in
each end to contain a workman. \\'hen sufficiently down in the water,

ballast, until its

the scow was floated beneath the keel, and as the

workman

stood erect.

It

NAVAL HISTORY.

351

has been said that the return of

Com. Dale's squadron

was ordered

to take place

on the

1st

of December, at the

latest, but discretionary powers appear to have been subsequently given to him, as he left the Philadelphia and Essex
behind him, and proceeded home with his own ship and the

The practice of entering men for only a twelveprevailed, and it was often imperative on vessels
to quit stations at the most unfortunate moments. The Philadelphia was left to watch the Tripolitans, making Syracuse
Enterprise.

month

still

in Sicily her port of resort, while the

the Straits, to blockade the

two

Essex was kept at

and

vessels at Gibraltar,

Both ships gave coninto the Atlantic.

voys when required.
Thus ended the first year of the war with Tripoli. Although little had been effected towards bringing the enemy
guard the passage

much was done

to terms,

in raising the

tone and discipline

Gibraltar, Malta, and other ports, the

finest cruisers of Great Britain were constantly met, and
the American ships proving to be entirely their equals,
in construction, sailing and manoeuvring, a strong desire

At

of the service.

was soon

excited to render them, in all other respects, as

as
those
that were then deemed the model-ships of the
good
world.
similar opportunity had occurred while cruising
in the West-Indies; but then a large proportion of the ves-

employed were of inferior qualities, and some of the

officers were unfit to hold commissions in any service. All
the purchased ships had now been sold, and the reduction
sels

law had cleared the

lists

of those

who would

be likely to

lessen the ambition, or alarm the pride of an aspiring and

Each day added to the knowledge, tone,

de
and
esprit
corps
seamanship of the younger officers; and
sensitive marine.

and had

sufficient

room

to use his limbs

and

his tools,

it is

evident that he

could execute his task as readily as any ordinary shipwright on a

who was obliged to work above his own head.

staging',

352

NAVAL HISTORY.

as these opportunities continued to increase throughout the

"whole of the Mediterranean service, the navy rapidly went

on improving,

was

until the

connnaander of an American ship

commander of

as ready to meet comparisons, as the

vessel
of war that floated.
any

353

NAVAL HISTORY.

CHAPTER

Early
viated

which

in the

XIX.

year 1802, congress enacted laws that ob-

the constitutional scruples of the executive,

of
fully authorized the capture and condemnation
all

and
any

It is worthy of reTripolitan vessels that might be found.

a formal declaradid
this
law
itself
not
contain
that
mark,

tion of

war, while

it

provided for

all

the contingencies of

such a state of things, even to empowering the president to

and
issue commissions to privateers and letters of marque
;

it

may

be inferred from the fact, that

act of the

enemy was

it

was supposed

the

render the country techof the sections of this law, how-

sufficient to

nically a belligerent. One

ever, was of great service to the navy,

by enabling crews
two years.
As the President and Enterprise had returned home, and
the time of service of the people of the two ships that were
left in the Mediterranean was nearly up, preparations were
to be shipped for

now made

to send out a relief squadron.

following ships

were commissioned,

Lieut. Chauncey, acting captain

Murray; New-York

36, Capt.

For

this

service the

the Chesapeake 38,

Constellation 38, Capt.
viz.

James Barron; John Adams

Rodgers; Adams 28, Capt. Campbell; and EnterCom. Truxtun was selected
prise 12, Lieut. Com. Sterrett.
to command this squadron, and he had proceeded to Nor28, Capt.

folk for that purpose,

when

a question arising about allow-

30*

NAVAL HISTORV.

354

ing him a captain in the flag-ship, he

Com. Morris was appointed

to

was induced

to resign.*

succeed Com. Truxtun, and

in the Chesapeake.
shortly after he hoisted his broad pennant

Thomas Truxtun, who will appear no more in our pag'es, was born on
Long' Island, New-York, February the 17th, 1755, and went early to sea.
At the commencement of the Revolution, he entered on board a heavily
*

privateer, in the capacity of a lieutenant, and was frequently enthe enemy's letters of marque and privateers. In 1777, he
with
gag-ed
commanded a private cruiser, called tlie Independence, with success, and

armed

shortly after, he

to the Mars, a ship of some force, in

In 1782, he sailed for France, in the let-

was transferred

which he made many captures.

marque St. James, with an American agent on board, and had a

combat with a heavier vessel, that had been expressly sent out of New-

ter of

York to capture him, which ship he beat off with

commanded Indiamen after tlie peace of 1783, and

loss.

Capt. Truxtun

in 1794,

he was com-

the navy, as the fifth captain, and ordered to superintend the

construction of the Constellation 58, then just laid down at Baltimore. In

missioned

in

he went to sea, in the war against France, and in 1799, he captured rinsurgente 36.
The following year, he had the well-known and
bloody combat with la Vengeance and soon after, he was transferred to
the President 44.
In this vessel. Com. Truxtun made cruises in the
this ship

West-Indies until the war ended.

Com. Truxtun twice commanded on the

Guadaloupe station; previously

to quitting the Constellation, and subsequently to his hoisting his broad
pennant in the President. At one time, he had as many as ten vessels

under

his orders;

discretion.

a force that he directed with zeal, efficiency and

a good seaman, and a very brave man. To him be-

He was

longs the credit of having fought the first battle under tlie present organization of the navy, in which he acquitted himself skilfully and with suc-

The action with la Vengeance has always been considered one of

rmest combats between frigates that is on record; and there is not
the smallest doubt that he would iiave brought his enemy into
port, but
cess.

the

for the loss of his main-mast.

Congress awarded him a gold medal for

hi.^

conduct on that occasion.

It is said Com. Truxtun did not intend to
resign his commission in the
navy, in 1802, but simply tlie command of the squadron to which he had
been appointed. The construction put upon his communication by tlie

department, however, was opposed to this idea, and he consequently retired to private

life.

After his resignation. Com, Truxtun

died in 1822, aged 67.

filled

one or two

civil offices.

He

355

NAVAL HISTORY.

The

vessels fitting for the Mediterranean being in difand there existing a necessity

ferent states of forwardness,

for the

immediate appearance of some of them in that sea,

sail in a squadron, but as each was ready. The

they did not

Enterprise was the first that left home, sailing in February,

and she was followed, in March, by the Constellation. The

Chesapeake did not get out until April, and the Adams followed her in June. The two other ships were detained until
September. There was, however, one other vessel at sea,
all this

time, to

which

it

will be

necessary to make a brief

allusion.

Shortly after his accession to oflice, in 1801, Mr. Jeflferson appointed Mr. Robert R. Livington minister to France,
and the Boston 28, Capt. M'Niell, was directed to carry the

new envoy

to his place of destination.

ed, the ship

had been ordered

This duty perform-

to join the

squadron in the
Mediterranean, for service in that sea. The departure of
the Boston was so timed as to bring her on the station under both commands, that of Com. Dale, and that of Com.
This cruise has become memorable

Morris.

on account of the eccentricities of the

in the service,

officer in

command

of the ship. After encountering a heavy gale of wind in

the Bay of Biscay, in which he discovered perfect seamanship,

larly

and the utmost coolness, under circumstances particutrying, Capt. M'lNiell landed his passengers, and pro-

ceeded

to

Here he cruised for some

oflicers, whenever he could, pass-

the Mediterranean.

time, avoiding his senior

ing from port to port, appearing off Tripoli, and occasionally affording a convoy. After a time, the Boston returned

home, and was put out of commission, her commander quitThe Essex and
ting the service under the reduction law.*
Philadelphia also returned home, as soon as relieved.
*

The

vice.

eccentricities of Capt. M'Niell have become traditional In the serat Sicily,

during' this cruise, a band belonging' to one of the

While

regiments quartered

at Messina,

was sent on board the

ship,

and he

NAVAL HISTORY.

356

We

have now reached the summer of 1802, and must

confine the narrative of events to the

movements of

the dif-

ferent vessels that composed the squadron under the orders

of Com. Morris. In some respects, this was the best ap-

pointed force that had ever sailed from America. The

had
ships were well officered and manned, and the crews

been entered for two years, or double the usual period.

The powers given

commanding officer, appear to

have been more ample than common; and so strong was the
expectation of the government that his force was sufficient
to bring the enemy to terms, that Com. Morris was assoto

the

ciated with Mr. Cathcart, the late consul at Tripoli, in a

commission to negotiate a peace. He was also empowered
to obtain gun-boats, in order to protect the

American trade

in the Straits of Gibraltar.

As

means of bringing the Bashaw of

Tripoli to terms, blockade or bombardment, two material
errors seem to have been made in the composition of the
force employed, which it is necessary to mention. There was
there were but two

no frigate in this squadron that carried a long gun heavier

than an eighteen-pounder, nor was there any mortar vessel.

Heavy carronades had come

ships carried

more or

less

suited to battering under

into use,

of them

it is

true,

and most

but they are guns un-

any circumstances, and were par-

brought the musicians to America, it is said, without their consent. A pormen were on their way back in the Chesapeake, in 1807,
when that ship was attacked by the Leopard. On another occasion, he is
tion of these

said to have sailed from Toulon, leaving three of his

own

officers

on shore,

and carrying off three French officers who had been dining on board,
with a view to keep up his complement! The latter were carried across
to the African coast, and put in a fishing vessel; but many months elapsed
all his own officers could rejoin their ship.
Capt. M'Niell sub-

before

sequently commanded a revenue cutter, and performed a gallant thing in

the war of 1812. He is said to have been the son of the Capt. M'Niell

who commanded

the Boston 24, in the war of the Revolution, though

possess no other evidence of this fact than

common

seamanship, nor his gallantry, was ever questioned.

report.

we

Neither his

357

NAVAL HISTORY.
ticularly unfitted for

an assault on works that

it is

difficult

to approach very near, on account of reefs of rocks. There

a singular deficiency in small vessels, without

which a close blockade of a port like Tripoli, was extreme-

was

also

It will be remembered, that

not impossible.
ly difficult, if
the schooner Enterprise was the only vessel left in the navy
by the reduction law, that was not frigate-built, and none

had yet been launched to supply the defect. The government, however, had become aware of the great importance
of lisht cruisers, and several were laid down in the summer
of

this

year, under authority granted for that purpose.

As has been seen, the Enterprise 12, Lieut. Com. Sterrett, was the first vessel of the new squadron that reached
the Mediterranean. She was soon followed by the ConstelMurray, which ship arrived off Tripoli early
in May, where she found the Boston 28, Capt. M'Niell,
blockading the port. The latter ship, in a few days, quitted
lation 38, Capt.

A Swedish cruithe station, and never re-appeared on it.

ser was also off the port, assisting to blockade.*
After being off the port some time, the

Constellation

M-as lying three or four leagues from the town, when the
look-out aloft reported several small vessels to the west-

ward, stealing along shore. The wind was quite light, and
the Swedish frigate, at the moment, was a long distance outSail was got on the Constellation, and towards noon
side.
the strangers

were made out

gun-boats, which, as

it

to be

seventeen Tripolitan

was afterwards

ascertained, had

with the intention of convoying into port,

gone
an American prize that was expected from Tunis, but
out at night,

which had

failed to appear.

Fortunately, the wind freshin with the land, and about

ened as the Constellation drew

one o'clock, hopes were entertained of cutting off

* Sweden was at war with
Tripoli,
made in the course of the summer.

at this time, also,

all,

or a

but peace was

NAVAL HISTORY.

358

The

portion of the enemy.

divisions,
to

were divided

latter

however, and that which

windward, effected

its

The

escape.

into

two

by pulling directly
division in the rear,

led,

consisting often boats, was less fortunate, the Constellation

being enabled to get it, for a short time, under her fire.

The wind blew nearly from the direction of the town,

and the Tripolitans still endeavoured to cross the bows of
the ship, as she was standing in; but Capt. Murray, having
run into ten fathoms, opened upon the enemy, time enough
to cut off all but one boat of the rear division.
This boat,
notwithstanding a hot discharge of grape, succeeded in getting to windward, and was abandoned to attend to the re-

The enemy now opened

mainder.

return, but the

fire in

Constellation having, by this time, got the nearest boats

fairly under her broadside, soon compelled the whole nine
to bear up,

and

Here they got

towards the shore.

to pull

into nooks behind the rocks, or in the best places of refuge

that offered, while a large body of cavalry appeared on the

above them,

sand-hills

imprudent

to

prevent a landing.

Deeming

it

to send in the boats of a single frigate against

so formidable a force, Capt. Murray wore and stood off

shore, soon after speaking the Swede, who had not been
able to close in time to engage.
This little affair was the first that occurred in the war,
off the port of Tripoli,

and

it

had the

effect of

rendering the

The gun-boats
was never ascermaterially, and it was

enemy very cautious in his movements.

were a good deal cut up, though their loss
tained.

The

cavalry, also, suffered

said that an officer of high rank, nearly allied to the Bey,

was killed. The Constellation sustained some trifling damage aloft, but the gun-boats were too hard pressed to ren-

der their
ship, also,

fire

on

very serious.
this

The

occasion, but

batteries

all

opened upon the

their shot

fell

short.

After waiting in vain, for the re-appearance of the Boston, Capt.

Murray was compelled

to

quit

the station for

359

NAVAL HISTORY.

want of water, when

force before

Tripoli

was again

left

without any

it.

The Chesapeake 38, Act. Capt. Chauncey, wearing the

broad pennant of Com. Morris, reached Gibraltar May 25th,
1802,
still

was

where she found

the Essex 32,

Capt. Bainbridge,

blockading the Tripolitan cruisers. The latter vessel

sent home, and the Chesapeake, which had need of

repairs,

having sprung her main-mast, continued in the

and of watching the ene-

straits, for the purposes of refitting,

Com. Morris also deemed it prudent to observe the

movements of the government of Morocco, which had
manifested a hostile disposition. The arrival of the Adams
my.

28, Capt. Campbell, late in July, however, placed the flagship at liberty, and she sailed with a convoy to various ports

on the north shore, having the Enterprise in compatiy.

This long delay below, of itself, almost defeated the possiof acting efficiently against the town of Tripoli that
summer, since, further time being indispensable to collect the

bility

and

make

the necessary preparations, it

would bring the ships before that place too late in the season.
The fault, however, if fault there was, rested more
different vessels

with those
the

to

who

directed the preparations at home, than with

commanding officer, as ihis delay at Gibraltar would

seem

to

have been called

for,

by circumstances.

The

Chesapeake, following the north shore, and touching at

many ports, anchored in the roads of Leghorn, on the 12th

At Leghorn

of October.

was

the Constellation

met, which

home, in consequence of a disthat

had
been left with the commodore.*
cretionary power
ship shortly after returned

The officers of the

ships lay at Leg'horn, it blew a gale.
were on the quarter-deck, just at dusk, and they observed a

while the

Constellation

boat of the Enterprise going off to the schooner, carrying- sail in a way
was thought dangerous. At that moment, the gentlemen were sum-

that

moned

to their supper,

overboard.

man,

and while

in fact,

at table, an alarm

was found hanging

was given, of a man

rudder chains, and

to the

NAVAL HISTORY.

360
Orders were

now

ceeded with

his

sent to the different vessels of the

squadron to rendezvous at Malta, whither the commodore pro-

own

ship.

in

Here,

the

course of the

month of January, 1803, were assembled the Chesapeake

38, Act. Capt. Chauncey; New York 36, Capt. J. Barron;
John Adams 28, Capt. Rodgers, and Enterprise 12, Lieut.
Com. Sterrett. Of the remaining vessels that had been put
under the orders of Com. Morris, the Constellation 38, Capt.
Murray, had gone into a Spanish port to repair some damages received in a gale of wind, and she shortly after sailed
for home; the Boston 28, Capt. M'Niell had not joined, and
the Adams 28, Capt. Campbell was cruising off Gibraltar.

On the 30th of January, 1803, the ships first named left

Malta, with an intention to go off Tripoli, but a severe gale
coming on, which lasted eleven days, the commodore was
induced

to

bear up, and

to

run

down

to Tunis,

where

it

was

understood the presence of the squadron would be useful.

On the 11th of March he left Tunis, touched at Algiers,

and anchored again

at Gibraltar

The reason assigned

it

on the 23d of the month.

for carrying the ships below,

had been the original design

to

appear

off the

when

enemy's

he was got in, nearly exhausted. All he could utter was " Sterrett's boat."
This recalled the boat that had been seen, and three cutters immediately
left the ship, to

search for the rest of the crew.

Lieutenants went in the

Com. Stewart, the present Com. J, Jones, and the

The night was very dark, it blew furiously, and the

boats, viz., the present

regretted Caldwell.
object was almost hopeless.

The

boats pulled off in different directions,

and Mr. Jones picked up a man, outside tlie ship. Mr. Caldwell, after a
long pull, found no one. Mr, Stewart went a mile to leeward, and found a

man swimming towards

the Melora, and on returning, against the wind

he met another senseless, floating with his arms over an oar.
Thus were three men almost miraculously saved, but the midshipman, Mr.

and

sea,

Innes, and three others

were drowned. The

man picked up was found,

kept him from sinking! The
circumstance proves the usefulness of exertions, at such a moment, howby the

last

boat's accidentally hitting the oar that

ever hopeless they

may

appear.

NAVAL HISTORY.

361

was the want of provisions, and to make the transfers

and arrangements dependant on shifting the pennant of the
commanding officer, from the Chesapeake to the New York,

port,

home by
The squadron was now reduced

the former ship having been ordered

the

navy de-

partment.

to

the

York

36,

Enterprise

Adams

the
12.

Act.

the

28,

Capt.

New

John Adams 28, and the

Chauncey accompanied the

commodore to the first of these vessels, and Capt. Barron

was transferred to the Chesapeake. The Adams was despatched with a convoy, with orders to go off Tripoli, as
soon as the first duty was performed.
On the 10th of April the New York, John Adams and
Enterprise sailed, to touch at Malta, on their way to the

enemy's port. While making this passage, just as the music

had been beating to grog, a heavy explosion was heard
near the cock-pit of the flag-ship, and the lower part of the
vessel

was immediately

filled

with smoke.

It

was an

appall-

ing moment, for every man on board was aware that a quantity of powder, not far from the magazine, must have exploded, that fire was necessarily scattered in the passages,
that the ship was in flames, and that, in all human probaAct. Capt. Chauncey
bility, the magazine was in danger.

was passing

the

drummer when

and he ordered him

the explosion occurred,

to beat to quarters.

The alarm had

not been given a minute, when the men were going steadily
to their guns, and other stations, under a standing regulation, which directed this measure in the event of a cry

of

fire,

as the

most certain means of giving the officers enof the ship, and of preventing confusion.

tire

command

The

influence of discipline

occasion;

for,

man

while there

was
is

well exhibited on this trying

nothing so fearful to the sea-

as the alarm of fire, the people went to their quarters,

as regularly as in the moments of confidence.
The sea being smooth, and the weather moderate, the

Vol. I. 31

NAVAL HISTORY.

3G2

commodore himself now issued an order to hoist out the

boats. This command, which had been given under the influence of the best feelings of the human heart, was most
The people had no sooner left the
unfortunately timed.
guns

to

execute

it,

than the jib-boom, bow-sprit,

sprit-sail-

yard, knight-heads, and every spot forward was lined with

men, under the idea of getting as far as possible from the

magazine.

Some even

leaped overboard and

swam

for

the nearest vessel.

The situation of the ship was now exceedingly critical.

With a fire known to be kindled near the magazine, and a
crew in a great measure disorganized, the chances of escape
were much diminished. But Act. Capt. Chauncey rallied a
few followers, and reminding them that they might as well
be blown up through one deck as three, he led tlie way below, into passages choked with smoke, where the danger
There, by means of wetted blankrapidly increasing.
the
taken
from
ets,
purser's store-room, and water thrown
to
contend with the fire, in a spot where
by hand, he began

was

a spark scattered even by the efforts

made

flames, might, in a single instant, have

to extinguish the

nothing of all
on board, but their names. Mr. David Porter, the first
lieutenant, who meets us in so many scenes of trial and
left

danger, had ascended from the ward-room, by means of

a stern ladder, and he and the other officers, seconded the
noble efforts of their intrepid commander.

got

in

plied,

The men were

from the spars forward, water was abundantly supand the ship was saved.

This accident

is

supposed to have occurred

in

conse-

quence of a candle's having been taken from a lantern,

while the gurmer was searching some object in a store-

room

that led

from the cock-pit.

quantity of- marine

cartridges, and the powder horns used in priming the guns,

and it is thought some mealed powder, exploded. Two
doors leading to the magazine passage were forced open.

NAVAL HISTORY.

and nearly
Nineteen

all

363

the adjoining bulkheads

officers

were blown down.

and men were injured, of whom,

The

four-

magazine passage, was

driven quite through to the filling-room door.
After the panic caused by quitting the guns to hoist out
the boats, all the officers and people of the ship, appear to
teen

died.

have behaved

sentinel

well.

at the

The order

to hoist

be explained by natural affection

but

out the boats, might

we have

recorded the

whole transaction, as it is replete with instruction

young officer, on the subjects of system, submission
ders, and the observance of method.*

to the
to or-

The

ships appear to have been detained some time at

Malta, by the repairs that were rendered necessary in con-

sequence of the accident just mentioned.

John Adams was sent

May, however,

the

with orders

blockade that port.

reached her

to

station, she

made

On

the

Shortly after

sail in

3d of

off Tripoli, alone,

this

the offing,

ship

which

she intercepted. This vessel proved to be the Meshouda,

one of the cruisers that had been so long blockaded at
Gibraltar, and which

was now endeavouring

to get

home

under an assumed character.

She had been sold by the

bashaw to the emperor of Morocco, who had sent her to
Tunis, where she had taken in supplies, and was now standing boldly for the harbour of Tripoli. The reality of the
transfer was doubted, but as she was attempting to evade a
legal blockade, the

About the

close

Meshouda was detained.

of the month. Com. Morris hove

in sight,

* It is
a tradition

that,

"a

of the service, we know not on what foundation,

an order was given to a quarter-master to hoist the signal of
on board," in the hurry of the moment he bent on a wrong flag,

when

fire

signal for "a mutiny on board," was shown. Capt. Rodgers of the
John Adams, observing an alarm in the New York, and smoke issuing
from her ports, beat to quarters, and ranged up under the stern of the
commodore, with his guns trained, in readiness to fire. The threatened
consummation to a calamity that was already sufficiently grave, was prevented by explanations.

and a

NAVAL HISTORY.

364
in the

New

pany.

As

vessels,

York, with the Adams and Enterprise in comflag-ship neared the coast, several small

the

convoyed by a number of gun

covered close

in

were

dis-

with the land, making the best of their

way

boats,

Chase was immediately given, and finding themselves cut oft^ from the harbour, the merchant vessels, eleven in all, took refuge in Old Tripoli, while the gun
towards the

boats,

port.

by means of

the batteries of the

their sweeps,

were enabled

town

No

itself.

to pull

under

sooner did the vessels,

small latine-rigged coasters loaded with wheat, get into Old

Tripoli, than preparations were made to defend them.

large stone building stood on a bank some twelve or fifteen

feet from the shore, and it was
occupied by a considerable

body of soldiers. In the course of the night breast-works

were erected on each side of this building, by means of the
sacks of wheat which composed the cargoes of the feluccas.
The latter were hauled upon the beach, high and dry, immediately beneath the building, and a large force was
brought from Tripoli to

Mr. Porter, the

man

the breast-works.

lieutenant of the flag-ship, volunteered to go in that night, with the boats of the squadron, and
destroy the enemy's craft; but, unwilling to expose his people under so

first

much

uncertaint}', the

commodore decided

to

wait for day-light, in order that the ships might co-operate,

and in the hope of intimidating the Tripolitans by a show
of

all his

force.

Mr, Porter, however, went

reconnoitered in the dark, receiving a heavy

musketry of the troops when discovered.

in

alone and

fire

from the

Next morning, the offer of Mr. Porter was accepted, and

sustained by Lieut. James Lawrence of the Enterprise, and
a strong party of oflicers and men from the other ships, he
went boldly in, in open day. As the boats pulled up within
reach of musketry, the enemy opened a heavy
there

was very

fire,

which

opportunity of returning. Notwiththe

standing
great superiority of the Turks in numbers, the
little

NAVAL HISTORY.
party landed, set

fire

to the feluccas,

365

and regaining

their

boats, opened to the right and left, to allow the shot of the
The enemy now appeared as
ships to complete the work.

desperately bent on preserving their vessels, as their assailants, a few minutes before, had been bent on destroying

Regardless of the fire of the ships, they rushed on

board the feluccas, succeeded in extinguishing the flames,
them.

and, in the end, preserved them.

This attack was made in the most gallant manner, and
reflected high credit

on

all

engaged.

so near each other, that the

at

the

close.

Americans,

The

and

their

The

parties

were

Turks actually threw stones

fire was sharp, heavy and

enemy could never be ascertained,

Of the Americans, 12
among the latter, was
who received a slight wound in the right, and a
loss of the

but a good many were seen to fall.

or 15 were killed and wounded; and

Mr. Porter,
musket ball through the

left thigh, while advancing to the

Mr.
attack, thousrh he continued to command to the last.

Lawrence was

particularly distinguished, as

was Mr. John

Downes, one of the midshipmen of the New York.*

Com. Morris determined to follow up this attack on the
wheat vessels, by making one on the gun-boats of the ene-

The harbour

of Tripoli is formed by an irregularly

indentation
of
the coast, which opens to the north.
shaped
The greatest depth is about a mile and a half, and the width

my.

may

be a

little

more.

On

its

western

side, this indentation

runs off at an angle of about 25 degrees with the coast,

while on the eastern, the outline of the bay melts into that
of the main shore

much

less perceptibly,

leaving the an-

chorage within, a good deal exposed to northeast winds.

But at the point where the western angle of the bay unites
* It is
worthy of remark, that this is the fifth instance in which we
have had occasloa to record the good conduct of Lieut. David Porter,
in four years, and the third time he was wounded.

31*

NAVAL HISTORY.

S66

with the main coast, there

stretches

oft'

is

in a northeast

a small rocky peninsula that

considerable dis-

direction a

tance, forming a sort of natural mole, and, at the end of

this again, an artificial mole has been constructed in a line

extending nearly east-south-east.

to add, that the real port is behind
is

water for

tected from

galleys,

It is

this

scarcely necessary
mole, in which there

and where vessels are

The town, which

any winds.

sufficiently prois

small,

crowd-

ed, and walled, stretches along the shore of this port, for less
than a mile, then retires inland about a thousand feet, and

following the general direction of the wall along the harbour, it strikes the sea again at the distance of about a

quarter of a mile from the angle at the point of junction

between the bay and the

coast.

Of

course,

the

town

The
open
and
rocks
lie
in
shore, however,
rocky, though low,
sight
On one of these rocks,
at some distance from the beach.
extends

the

latter

distance

along

the

sea.

is

town that lies exposed to the

work has been built some distance oft' in the water,
which is called the French Fort. On the natural mole are
in

front of the end of the

sea, a

batteries,
tificial

one of which

mole

is

is

in

two

tiers; at the

end of the

ar-

another, and several are distributed along

the walls of the place.

Near the south-eastern angle of the town, and immediately on the shore of the port, stands the Bashaw's castle;
the entrance into the inner harbour, or galley mole, lying
necessarily between it and the mole-head; the distance be-

tween the two being about a quarter of a mile. The advanced peninsula, which forms what we have termed the natural
mole,
selves
pistol

surrounded by broken rocks, which show themabove the water, but which suddenly cease within
shot of its batteries.
At a distance of a few hundred
is

line of these rocks re-appears, stretching

a north-easterly direction, about a mile further. These
rocks are broken, and have many small passages between

feet,

oft'in

however, the

NAVAL HISTORY.

367

them, through which it is possible for boats to pull. They

form a sort of breakwater to the bay, and the eastern portion of the latter being

gether

covered with shoals, the two

to-

make

a tolerably safe anchorage within.

east of south, from the north-easterly extremity

little

of the rocks, stands fort English, distant rather more than

a mile, on an angle of the coast, that
may be said to form
the eastern point of the bay,
it is
though
by no means as

much advanced as ihe western. The main entrance is between the end of the rocks and the shoals towards fort
English, the water being deep, and the passage near half a
mile wide.

Thus a

about south-west
raking

fire

batteries,

vessel

coming from sea, would steer

and would be exposed to a
the mole, and all the adjacent

in entering,

from the

castle,

and a cross

fire

from

fort English.

There

is,

how-

ever, an entrance by the passage between the natural mole

and the rocks, or through the open space
already mentioned.
This is called the western, or the little entrance it
;

be six or eight hundred feet in width; and vessels

using it are obliged to pass close to the batteries of the natural and the artificial moles.
As they round the mole-

may

head, they open those of the castle and of the town also.
In addition to the fixed batteries of the
place, were the gun
boats and galleys.
class, latine-rigged,

These boats were large vessels of their

capable of going to sea on emergen-

one of their principal occupations had been to

convoy along the coast. Several that were subsequently
cies,

as

examined by-^the American

ofilcers,

had a brass gun

11|^

with a bore to receive a shot that weighed 29

pounds, mounted in the bows, besides two brass howitfeet long,

zers

The guns were

aft.

pounds.

commonly
artificial

fine pieces,

and weighed 6600

When

not otherwise engaged, the gun-boats were

moored just within the rocks, and without the

mole, where they answered the purpose of addicommand the entrance. By this dispo-

tional batteries to

'

NAVAL HISTORY.

368
sition of his

means of defence,

the

Bashaw

could, at

all

times,

open a fire of heavy guns afloat, on any vessel that ventured close in, in addition to that of his regular works.

There were two or three

light

cruisers

moored

in

the

upper part of the harbour, that could be of little use except as against attacks within the rocks, and two galleys.

On emergencies, the smaller vessels could take shelter behind the rocks, where they were nearly protected from fire.
At the time of which we are writing, the gun boats were
stationed well out, near the rocks

and the mole,

man-

in a

admit of their giving and receiving a fire and

ner
on the afternoon of the 28th of May, the preparations havto

ing been previously made, a signal

New

York, for the John Adams

enemy and commence an attack.

to

was shown from

bear down upon

the
the

Capt. Rodgers obeyed

the order with promptitude, taking a position within reach
of grape, but, owing to the lightness of the wind, the two
other ships were unable to second her, as was intended.

In consequence of these unforeseen circumstances, the attack proved a failure, in one sense, though the boats soon

withdrew behind the rocks, and night brought the affair to

an end. It is believed that neither party suffered much on
this occasion.

The next day Com. Morris made an attempt to negotiate

a peace, through the agency of M. Nissen, the Danish consul, a gentleman who, on all occasions, appears to have
been the friend of the unfortunate, and active in doing

To

this proposal the Bey listened, and one of his

was
ministers
empowered to meet the American commander on the subject. Having received proper pledges for
his safe return, Com. Morris landed in person, and each
party presented its outlines of a treaty. The result was

good.

an abrupt ending of the negotiation.

This occurred on the 8th of June, and, on the 10th, the
New York and Enterprise left the station, for Malta. At

NAVAL HISTORY.

369

the latter place, Com. Morris received intelligence concerning the movements of the Algerine and Tunisian corsairs,
that induced

him

to

despatch the Enterprise, with orders to

blockade of Tripoli, anJ to join

to raise the

Capt. Rodgers
him, as soon as circumstances would permit, at Malta,
After the departure of the flag ship, the John Adams 28,
Capt. Rodgers, and the Adams 28, Capt. Campbell, composed the force left before the enemy's port. The speedy

return of the Enterprise 12, which

by

Lieut.

Com.

ments

in the

Hull,

Some movesquadron.
harbour, on the evening of the 21st of June, in-

added that

rett,

light vessel to the

duced Capt. Rodgers, the senior

that

it

was then commanded

Lieut. Com. Ster-

who had succeeded

was intended

officer present, to suspect

to get a cruiser to sea that night, or to

cover the return of one to port.

either of these plans, the

With a view

Adams was

to defeat

sent to the westward,

the Enterprise to the eastward, while the John

mained in the offing.

Adams

re-

On

the following morning, about 7 o'clock, the Enterprise was seen to the southward and eastward, with a
At that moment, the John Adsignal flying of an enemy.

ams

w-as a

before

the

few leagues out at sea, and it was 8 o'clock

two vessels could speak each other. Capt.

Rodgers now found that a large ship belonging to the Bashaw, had run into a deep narrow bay, about seven leagues
to the eastward of Trij)oli, where she had taken a very favourable position for defence, and anchored wuth springs on

At the same time, it was ascertained that nine

were
sweeping along the shore, to aid in defendgun-boats
as
usual, a large body of cavalry was hovering her, while,
about
the
coast, to resist any attack by means of boats.
ing
her cable.

The

ship

was known

to be the largest of the Bey's

ing corsairs, mounting 22 guns, and she

remain-

was very

full

of

men.
Capt. Rodgers

owed

the opportunity that

now

offered to

NAVAL HISTORY.

370

attack his enemy, to the steadiness and gallantry of Lieut.

Com. Hull, who, on making his adversary at day-light, had

cut him ofF from the town, with a spirit that did infinite
The Tripolitan was treble the force
credit to that officer.
of the Enterprise, and had he chosen to engage the schoonto sacrifice
er, Mr. Hull would, probably, have been obliged
his little vessel, in order to

prevent his

enemy from

getting

into port.

Rodgers were soon made. He

stood in, with the Enterprise in company, until the John
Adams was within point-blank shot of the enemy, when she
on
opened her fire. A smart cannonade was maintained

The

both

dispositions of Capt.

sides, for forty-five

minutes,

when

the people of the

corsair abandoned their guns, with so much precipitation,

that great numbers leaped overboard, and swam to the

The John Adams was now in quarter-less-five, by

At the
the lead, and she wore with her head oflf shore.
atthe
same time, the Enterprise was ordered to occupy

shore.

tention of the

enemy on

the beach, while boats could be got

out to take possession of the abandoned ship.

returning to the corsair, the

But a boat

John Adams tacked and

re-

In a few minutes the colours of the corsair

newed her fire.

were hauled down, and all her guns were discharged those
which were pointed towards the Americans, and those
which were pointed towards the land. At the next moment
;

she blew up.

The

was very heavy, and it tore the hull of the

The two after-masts were
entirely to pieces.

explosion

Tripolitan

forced into the

air, to

twice their usual height, with

all

the

The cause of this

yards, rigging, and hamper attached.
is unknown, though it might have been thought
explosion
intentional,

were

it

not for the fact that the people of the

boat that had returned to her, were blown up in the ship,

none having left her after their arrival. As the shot of
the John

Adams was

seen to hull the

enemy

repeatedly,

NAVAL HISTORY.
the corsair

also supposed to

is

before her people

first

371

have sustained a severe

abandoned

loss

her.

The John Adams and Enterprsie

attennpted to cut off the

boats, but found the water shoal too far to

division of

gun
seaward of tliem,

Knowing

the

to

render the

fire

of their guns effective.

whole coast intimately, the

latter

were enabled

to escape.

The ships before Tripoli, in obedience

Com. Morris, now sailed for Malta to join

to the orders of

that officer,

when

the whole squadron proceeded to different ports in Italy,

together. From Leghorn, the John Adams was sent down to

the straits with a convoy; the Adams to Tunis and Gibraltar, and the Enterprise back to Malta, in quest of des-

New York, herself, went below,

where
Com. Morris found letters of
touching
Malaga,
recall.
The command was left temporarily, with Capt.
Soon

patches.

after, the

at

Rodgers, who hoisted a broad pennant in the New York,

while Com. Morris took charge of the Adams, to proceed

America. Capt. Campbell, late of the

ferred to the John Adams.
to

Adams, was

trans-

Com. Morris reached home on the 21st of November,

1803; and the government, which professed great dissatisfaction at the manner in which he had employed the force
intrusted to his discretion, demanded the usual explanations.
These explanations not proving satisfactory, a Court* of
Inquiry was convened, by order of the department, dated
March 10th, 1804, and the result was an opinion that this
officer

had not discovered due diligence and activity

in

an-

noying the enemy, on various occasions, between the 8th

of January, 1803, and the period of the expiration of his

command.

In

consequence of the finding of the Court

*This court consisted of Capt. S. Barron, President; Capt. Hugh G.

Campbell, and Lieut, John Cassin. Walter Jones, jun. Esquire, Judge
Advocate,

NAVAL HISTORY.

372

of Inquiry, the president disnnissed Com. Morris from the

navy.

Whatever may be thought of

the court, there can be

little

ecutive, in this instance,

power

the justice of the opinion of

question that the act of the ex-

was

precipitate

of removal from office

is

and wrong.

The

given to the president to

be exercised only on important occasions, and for the pubgood; and it has been much questioned, whether the

lic

power

itself is

who

salutary, in the cases of military

does not do

men.

The

must be replaced immeor

the
office
becomes
vacant, but no such
virtually
diately,
exists
in
the
and
army
navy, as subordipressing necessity
civilian

his duty,

nates are always ready temporarily to discharge the duties

of their superiors. In the navy, this necessity is still less
striking than in the army, since officers of the same rank

are never wanting to fill vacancies.

But there is a far higher consideration,

why no military
of
his commission, except in
man should ever be deprived
very extraordinary instances, unless by a solemn trial and a
formal finding of a court. His profession is the business of
a

life;

his

conduct

is

at all times subject to a severe and.

exacting code, and dismission infers disgrace. So general,

indeed, is the opinion that every officer is entitled to be
tried

by

his peers, that

greater disgrace

is

apt to attach

an arbitrary dismission, by an exercise of executive

than
to a sentence of a court itself, since the first
power,
to
proceed from conduct so flagrantly wrong,
ought only
itself to

There was
as to supersede even the necessity of trial.
with
have
the gomotive
that
to
another
weighed
ought
vernment, before it resorted to the use of so high a power.

The gentlemen who composed

the Court of Inquiry on Com.

Morris, were his juniors in rank, and one was his inferior.
Although the characters of these officers were above sus-

on general principles,
benefit
the
a
to
the
of
had perfect right
exception, and was
picion, as to motives, the accused,

NAVAL HISTORY.
entitled to

was

demand

finally

all

373

the forms of the service, before he

condemned.

more or less, been a leading defect of the civil

administration of the military affairs of the American government, that too little of pi'ofessional feeling has preIt

has,

sided in

its

councils, the

men who

are elevated to political

popular governments, seldom entering fully

into the tone and motives of those who are alive to the

power,

in

sensibilities

of military pride.

of this influence of those

to

of the consequences
habits of

on the fortunes
educated,
be traced in the manner in which the executive au-

civilians,
is

One

who have merely the

of men so differently

thority just alluded to has been too often wielded; presenting

on one side ex parte decisions that have been more charac-

by precipitation and petulance, than by dignity,

or
discretion; and on the other, by a feebleness that
justice,
has too often shrunk from sustaining true discipline, by refusing to confirm the decisions of courts that have deliberterized

ately heard

and dispassionately sentenced.

The death

of

Com. Barry,*

the

resignation's

of

Com.

*
John Barry was a native of the count)' of Wexford, Ireland, where
he was born in 1745, He came to America a youth, having adopted the

of a seaman as a profession.
Circumstances early brought him into
and he was one of the first officers appointed to a command in the
navy of the united colonies. He is also supposed to have been the first
life

notice,

regular officer

who

got to sea on a cruise, tliough this honour lies between

In command of the Lexington 14, he took the

him and Com. Hopkins.

Edward

tender, after a smart action, in 1776.

In 1777, he performed a

Delaware, at the head of four boats, carrying an

enemy's man-of-war schooner without the loss of a man. For a short time,
he also served with the army, during the eventful campaign in New Jer-

handsome exploit

in the

In 1778, he

made

sey.

most gallant resistance against

a superior force,

Raleigh 32, losing his ship, but saving most of his crew. In 1781,
in the Alliance 32, he took the Atalanta and Trepassy, after a bloody
combat, in which he was severely wounded. In 1782, he fought a close

in the

West Indies, being driven oflT by a

At the establishment of the new marine.

battle with an English ship in the

superior force that was in sight.

Vol. I. 32

NAVAL HISTORY.

374

and Com. Truxtun, with the dismissals of Cora.

Dale,*

under the present g-overnment in 1794, Capt. Barry was named the
officer, in which station he died.

scnioi*

and a man, ranked very high. His affection

was never doubted, and was put to the proof", as
the British government is said to have bid high to detach him from its
He died childless and greatly respected,
service, during the Revolution.

Com. Barry,

as an officer

to his adopted country

Sept. 18th, 1803, in the city of Philadelphia, where he had made his home,
in the country, and where he had married.

from the time of his arrival

*

Richard Dale was born in the year 1757, at a short distance from NorHe went to sea young, and was mate of

folk in the colony of Virginia.

After serving a short time irregularly, Mr. Dale joined

the United States brig Lexington in July 1776, as a midshipman. When
the Lexington was taken by the Pearl, Mr, Dale was left in the brig, and
a vessel in 1775.

The succeeding year he sailed, as a masLexington; was in her, in her cruise round Ireland, and
was captured in her by the Alert, after a long action. Mr. Dale escaped
from Mill prison in February 1778, was retaken in London, and sent back
he was active

in

her recapture.

ter's mate, in the

For an entire year he remained a captive, when he escaped

a second time, and succeeded in reaching France.
Here he joined the
to confinement.

celebrated squadron fitting under Paul Jones, an officer who soon discovered his merit, and made him first lieutenant of his own ship, the Bon

Homme

Richard.

The conduct of Mr. Dale

in that capacity,

is

recorded

After the cruise in the squadron he went through the British

channel with his commander in the Alliance 32, and subsequently came to

in the text.

America with him in the Ariel 20, in 1780. Mr. Dale was not yet twenty
three years old, and he appears now to have first obtained the commission
of a lieutenant in the navy from the government at liome, that under which
he had previously acted having been issued in Europe. Mr. Dale was

appointed first lieutenant of the Trumbull 28, in which ship he served in

her action with the Iris and Monk, when the Trumbull was taken. He

was made

a prisoner a second time, of course, but

he was shortly

after ex-

changed.
Mr. Dale does not appear to have served any more, in public vessels,
during the war of tlie Revolution, but in 1794, he was commissioned as the
fourth captain, in the present marine.
Capt. Dale commanded the Ganges 20, the first vessel that went to sea under the new organization. He

continued but a short time

in this ship,
getting a fiu'lough in 1799, to

make

an East India voyage. In 1801, he made the cruise in the Mediterranean

which has been related in the body of this work, as commander of the
squadron, and the following year he resigned.

NAVAL

375

HISTORY'.

Morris,* and Capt. M'Niell, reduced the list of captains

to nine, the number named in the reduction law, for that
act does not appear to have been rigidly regarded from the
moment of its passage. After the death of Com. Barry,

Few men passed youths more chequered with stirring' incidents than
Com. Dale, and few men spent the evening of their days more tranquilly.
On

quitting the navy, he remained in Philadelphia, in the enjoyment of a

and a tranquil mind, up to the hour of his

spotless name, a competency,

death, which event occurred February 24th, 1826, in the 69th year of
his age.

Com. Dale had the reputation of being both a good

He was

officer

and a good

modest, and just. Notwithstanding his short

service in the present marine, he has left behind him a character that all
respected, while none envy.

seaman.

cool, brave,

* Richard Valentine Morris

belonged to one of the historical families of

the country, which has been seated a century and a half at Morrissania, in
West Chester county, New York. He was the youngest son of Lewis
Morris, of Morrissania, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of

Independence, and he early adopted the sea as a profession. Without

having had an opportunity of seeing much service, the great influence

and

fair

pretensions of his family, caused him to be appointed to the sta-

new navy, his commission having been

dated June 7th, 1798. Capt. Morris was probably the youngest man, among
those originally named to the rank he held, but he acquitted himself with
tion of the ninth captain in the

credit, in the

command

of the

Adams

28, during the

war with France.

At

the reduction of the navy, in 1801, Capt. Morris was retained as the
fifth in rank, and his selection to command the Mediterranean squadron
to his place on the list; the age and state of health of the few
above him, rendering them indisposed to actual service of the nature on which he was sent.

was due
officers

The

fault

of Com. Morris in managing the force entrusted to him, was

merely one of judgment, for neither his zeal nor his courage was ever questioned. Had he been regularly tried by a court martial, a reprimand, in all
probability, would have been the extent of the punishment; and it is due
to his character, to add, that his dismissal from the navy has usually been

deemed
nation.

a high-handed political measure, rather than a military condemHe lived respected, and died in his original position in life, while

attending the legislature at Albany, in 1814. He was considered a good

officer, in general, and was a seaman of very fair pretensions.

376

NAVAL HISTORY.

Com. S. Nicholson, who first appears in our history as the

commander of the Dolphin 10, during the cruise of Capt.
Wickes in the Irish and English channels, became the senior
officer of the service,

same family who had

making
filled

the second

member

that honourable station.

of the

APPENDIX.

Note A.
AGREEMENT
Between Capt. John Paul Jones and the

Officers

of the Squadron.

[Translation.]

Agreement between Messrs. John Paul Jones, Captain of the Bon

Homme

Richard ; Pierre Landais, Captain of the Alliance; Dennis

Nicolas Cottineau, Captain of the Pallas; Joseph Varage, Captain
of the Stag (le Cerf ) ; and Philip Nicolas Ricot, Captain of the
Vengeance ; composing a squadron, that shall be commanded by
the oldest officer of the highest grade, and so on in succession, in

None of the said commanders, whilst they

are not separated from the said squadron, by order of the minister,
case of death or retreat.

shall act but by virtue of the brevet which they shall have obtained
from the United States of America and it is agreed that the flag of
;

the United States shall be displayed.

The

division of prizes to the superior officers

squadron, shall be

made agreeably

to the

and crews of said

American laws

but

it is

agreed, that the proportion of the whole, coming to each vessel of

the squadron, shall be regulated by the minister of the marine de-

32*

378

APPENDIX.

partment of France, and the minister plenipotentiary of the United

States of America.

copy of the American laws

shall be

annexed

to the present

having been certified by the commander of the

Richard but as the said laws cannot foresee nor de-

after

agreement,

Bon Homme

concern the vessels and subjects of other

nations,
expressly agreed, that whatever may be contrary to
them shall be regulated by the minister of the French marine, and

termine as to what
it

may

is

the minister of the United States of America.

It is

likewise agreed, that the orders given

by the minister of the

French marine, and the minister plenipotentiary of the United

States,

shall be executed.

Considering the necessity there

each

is

for preserving the interests

of

individual, the prizes that shall be taken shall be remitted to

the orders of Monsieur

Ray de Chaumont, Honorary Intendant of

who has furnished the expenses of the

le

the Royal Hotel of Invalids,

armament of said squadron.

It is
agreed, that M. le Ray de Chaumont be requested not
the part of the prizes

up

coming

to all the crews,

and

to

to give

each

indi-

vidual of the said squadron, but to their order, and to be responsible

for the

same

Whereas
injuring the

in his

own

proper name.

the said squadron has been formed for the purpose of

common

enemies of France and America,

it

has been

agreed that such armed vessels, whether French or American,

be associated therewith, as by common consent shall be found

may
suit-

able for the purpose, and that they shall have such proportion of the
prizes which shall be taken, as the laws of their respective countries

allow.
In case of the death of

any one of the before mentioned comman-

ders of vessels, he shall be replaced agreeably to the order of the

tariff, with liberty, however, to choose whether he will remain in
his

own

ship, or give

up

to the

next in order the

command of

the

vacant ship.
It has moreover been agreed, that the commander of the Stag (le
Cerf) shall be excepted from the last article of this present agreement, because,

in

case of a disaster to M. de Varage, he shall be

APPEXDIX,
replaced by his second in

of his cutter, the Stag

379

command, and

so on

by the other

officers

(le Cerf.)
J.

P. JoiN'ES,

P.

Landais,

De Cottineau,
Vaeage,
p. RiCOT,

Le Ray de Chaumont.
(Sparke's Diplomatic Correspondence, page 205, vol.

Note

iii.)

B.

In consequence of the infancy of the arts in America, both the

soldiers

wars

and seamen have had

to

contend with their enemies, in the

under the disadvantages of possessing inferior

and
even
shot.
How far these deficiencies in the
arms, powder,
and
shot
have
been
felt
in the Revolution, it is not easy
may
guns
that are passed,

to say, as a large portion of the military supplies

either

from the enemy himself, or from Europe.

however, down

were obtained

After the Revolu-

of the last war with England, the

under
navy
great disadvantages on account of
defective armaments and stores. In many of the actions, more men

tion,

to the close

in particular laboured

were injured by the bursting of guns, than by the fire of the enemy,
and the shot, from imperfect casting, frequently broke when they
struck.

Another consequence of

this defective casting

nution in weight, and consequently, in

momentum.

was a dimi-

The

latter fact

having been alluded to, in the course of the war, the writer, with a
view to this work, personally weighed a quantity of shot, both Eng-

and American, and made a note of the results. It was found

which the ships were supplied at the
commencement of the war of 1812, were comparatively lighter than
lish

that the old shot, or those with

those which had been cast at a later day

but in no instance

On

was an

American shot even then found of full weight.

English shot were uniformly of accurate weight. Some of the Amerithe other hand, the

380

APPEXDIX.

can 32 pound shot, weighed but 30 pounds and a gentleman present

on the occasion, assured the writer that, a kw years earlier, he had
met with many which did not much exceed 29 pounds. The heaviest
;

weighed was 31 pounds 3 ounces. An average of four, all of

which were of the later castings, gave 30 pounds 11 ounces. The
average of the 18 pound shot was about 17 pounds; but, it was understood, as this examination occurred several years after the peace,
that the shot, as well as the guns,

they had been previous

The

reader will

were then materially

better than

and during the war.

bear in mind that twelve French pounds make
to

Thus, while the gun-deck batteries of I'lnwere

nominally twelves, the shot weighed about 13 pounds.
surgente
On the other hand, the gun-deck batteries of the Constellation were
nearly thirteen English.

nominally twenty-fours, but the shot probably weighed about 22

pounds.
In the action with la Vengeance, the two ships had the same nominal weight of metal on their gun-decks, viz. eighteen-pounders.

But the eighteen-pound shot of the Vengeance must have weighed

nearly 19| English pounds, while those of the Constellation did not
probably weigh 17 pounds,

if

indeed they weighed more than 16

pounds.
It has been asserted that the
English shot were over- weight, but
the writer weighed a good many himself, and he found them all surprisingly accurate.

Note

C.

List of the Officers of the Navy, before the Peace Establishment

Law

of 1801, teas passed.

CAPTAINS.
John Barry,
Samuel Nicholson,

Thomas Truxtun,

Silas Talbot,

Stephen Decatur,
Christopher R. Perry,

Richard Dale,

James Sever,

APPENDIX.
Richard V. Morris,

381

George Little,
John Rodgers,

Alexander Murray,
Daniel M'Niell,

Edward

Thomas Tingey,

John MuUowny,
James Barron,

Patrick Fletcher,

Preble,

Thomas Baker,

George Cross,
Samuel Barron,

Henry Geddes,

Moses Brown,
Moses Tryon,

Thomas Robinson,

Richard Derby,

Hugh G.

William Bainbridse,
Campbell.

MASTERS COMMANDANT.
Charles C. Russell,

Cyrus Talbot,
David Jewett,

Benjamin Hillar,
John A. Spotswood.

William Cowper,
Richard Law, Jr.
L

EUTEN

David Ross,
Charles Stewart,

Richard C. Beale,
Isaac Hull,

ANTS.
Wilson Jacobs,
John Ballard,
John Warner,
Zachariah Rhodes,

Archibald M'EIroy,

James Burns,

Andrew Sterrett,
Thomas Wilkey,

Samuel Heyward,
John Archer,

David Phipps,
Josias M. Speake,

Killian

Joseph Strout,
Francis H. Ellison,

Ambrose

Shirly,

John Shaw,

M. Simmons

Bunburj'',

H. Van Rensselaer,

John Davidson,

Henry

Seton,

Richard Marner,

Thomas Laing,
Isaac B. Hichborn,
Robert Has well,

John M'Rea,

Samuel

Isaac Chauncey,

William Smith,
John Rush,

Robert

W.

Hamilton,

John Cruft,
Samuel Chase,

Phillips,

Robert Palmer,

William Flag,

APPENDIX.

382
John Smith,

Charles Jewett,

Jeremiah Fenner,

John Cassin,
Saml. M'Cutchen,

Samuel Parker,
John May,

Jos. E. Collins,

Cornelius O'DriscolI,

James Murdock,

Edward Meade,

Richd. Clark,

Thomas

Freeborn Banning,
Richard Somers,
Stephen Decatur,

Jr.

B. Davis,

Samuel Evans,
John Love,

Joseph Saunders,

George G. Lee,

Mark

Charles Gordon,

Fernald,

W.

"William Peterkin,

John

John H. Jones,
John Carson,

Richd. H. L. Lawson,

Thos. N. Gautier,

Joseph Ingraham,

Godfrey Wood,

George Cox,

Wm.

Gerald Byrne,
Jonathan Titcomb,

Edward
James

Jr.

Edwd. Wyer,
George W. Tew.
Jos. Beale,

Watson,

Robert Wells,

Henry Vandyke,
James Smith,

Samuel Brookes,
John H. Dent,

Thomas Robinson,

Wells,

Stephen Clough,

Boss,

P.

Whidbie,

John Galven,
Jr.

Miles King,

John M. Claggett,
Phil. C. Wederstrandt,

John Latimer,

Joshua Blake,

John Cowper,

Seymour Potter,
Edwd. Brock,

L. S. Daubeney,
James Campbell,
John T. K. Cox,

Abraham Ludlow,

Redmond M'Clannan,
Joseph Tarbell,

John Foot,

William C. Jenks,

Wm.

David Porter,

James R. Caldwell,

Crispin,

Benjamin F. Knapp,

Wm.

Robt. Harrison,

Lewis C. Bailey,

Wm.

Jacob Jones.

Penrose,

Davis,

APPENDIX.

383

SAILING MASTERS.
Nathanial Harraden,

James Trant,

Lemuel

Joshua Johnson,

Little,

Nathl. Stanvvood,

Benj. Sayer,

Loudon Bayley,

William Glover,

William Knight,
George A. Hallowell,

Edward

Shubael Downes,
James F. Goelete,

John King,

Thos. Rodgers,

Samuel Plummer,

Josiah Hazard,

William Wescott,

Moses Durkham,

Neils C. Bang.

Ballard,

Levi Barden,

Rich. C. Brandt,

MIDSHI P3IEN.
James Macdonough,

John

Wm.

Joseph Bush,
William Morrell,

W.

Duncan,
M. Livingston,

Sybrand Van Schaick,

W.

Thomas Burrows,

George

Robert C. Pugh,

George Boyd,
John Gault,

George Calder,
Arthur Sinclair,

Reed,

Benj. Carpender,

Samuel Douglass,
Daniel M'Niell, Jr.

Jacob R. Valk,

James Roache,

Richard Thomas,

Robert Warren,

Abner WoodrufT,
Theodore Hunt,

Michael Carroll,

WiUiam Lewis,

William Fleming,

James Lawrence,
Arnold Whipple,

Christ.

Benjamin Smith,
Charles V. S. Carpenter,

John Gallaway,
James T. Leonard,

Joshua Herbert,

Th. R. Hardenburgh,
William Rhodes,

Humphry Magrath,
Gadsden,

Thomas

Joseph Murdock,

Jr.

Ellis,

James Decatur,

Samuel Ling,

Charles Ludlow,

John T. Ellsworth,

Thomas Truxtun,
Samuel

Elbert,

jr.

Henry Morrison,
Joseph Maxwell,

384

APPEiVDlX.
Peter Bonnetheau,

Simon Hart,

Maurice Simons,

Joseph Willitson,

Thomas Deveau,
Aaron F. Cook,

Habijah Savage,
James E. West,

Hugh K.

Richard B. Randolph,

Toler,

Daniel Polk,

Joseph Prince,

Edward Ford,
Kennith M'Kenzie,

Henry Somes,
David Service,

Charles Morris,

George Pierce,

John Dubose,

Timothy Pickering,
Lewis W. Henop,

Benjamin Yancy,
William M. Miller,
Walter Winter,
Daniel C. Heath,

W.

George
John Trippe,

Coffin,

Edward N. Cox,

Joseph Gantt,

John E. Fisher,
William Giddeons,
Robert Stewart,

William Ingraham,
William Neilson,

Oliver H. Perry,

Joseph B. Hennessey,

Thomas Gordon,
Robert Henley,

James P. Hunt,
Samuel G. Blodgett,

Joseph Bainbridge,
Isaac Cox,

Wm.

William Hartigan,

Charles Miles,

Archibald Frazer,

James Gibbon,

Robert L. Tilghman,
Whitesides,

John M. P. Gardner,

Alex. Harrison,

Owen

Samuel Bullen,
John G. Norwood,

Smith,

George Williamson,
I. T.
Clark,
Abel Lincoln,

Fred. N. Hudson,
John Kiddall,

Joseph Cordis,

Archibald B. Lord,

Benjamin Conant,

Thomas

Joseph Richardson,

Enoch Brown,

James Dick,
William M. Crane,

Franklin Reid,

Joseph Williston,

Daniel Murray,

John S. Webb,

John Garlick,

Elias Willis,

George

Jones,

William M'Hatton,

W.

Spottswood,

APPENDIX.
Richard Gantt,
L. Warfield,

385
George Jewett,
John N. Chester,

John F, Fox,
William Dunn,

Charles Bulkley,

S. Leonard,

Samuel Angus,

Edward

O'Brien,

John Longley,

Caleb Allen,

Benjamin Shattuck,
James MuUie,

Robert Flinn,
J.

Jon a. P. Hitchcock,

William F.

Thomas N.

Willis,

William B. Suggs,

James Cox,

Thomas Homan,
Henry Wadsworth,

B. Wilkinson,
Gist,

George Dabney,

Keyran Walsh,
Philip

Henop,

Francis Patton,

James Penrose,

John Livingston,
Geo. A. Marcellin,

Daniel Sim,

Benj. B. Provoost,

Joseph Dorr,

James H. Adams,
Samuel Stubbs,

George Tryon,
Owen Tudor,
Matthew Talcott,

John Shattuck,
John Rowe,

Thomas Robinson,
Thomas Randall,

George W, Ridgely,
John Polk,

Samuel Conant,

William Scellend,

Samuel Clements,

John Wood,

David Deacon,

Joseph Field,

Ralph Izard,
John D. Henley,

Charles Read,

William Butler,

George H. Geddes,

Louis M'Lane,

Charles G. Ridgely,

WiUiam Smith,

Joseph B- Wharton,

Charles Wilson,
Clem. Lindsey,
John Legg,

James

Hite,

Reuben Bronghton,
William Campbell, Jr.
Charles G. Cannon,
James S. Higinbotham,
William Blake,

Thomas M. Rogers
Vol. L--33

John Goodwin,

Jr.

Jonathan Bulkley,
William Kean,

William Burrows,
Westwood T. Mason,

386

APPENDIX.

Edward

Bennett,

P. L. Ogilvie,

W.

Charles

William Henderson,
Charles Coombes,

Jones,

Lewis Warrington,
Octavius A. Page,
Allen J. Green,

James Rogers,
Darius Dunn,
William Gregory,

Archibald M'Call,

John Stevens,
Robert C. Rosseter,

Ephraim

Blaines,

John Hartley,
Alfred Hazard,

John Rawling,
Robert M'Connell,

John Tapley,
Phineas Stone,

Benjamin Page,

Daniel Brown,

Wm. W.

George Parker,

Thomas

George

Merrill,

Robert Dorsey,
Johnston Blakeley,

Barker,

F. Pennington,

Peter Ferrall,

William H. Smith,
Isaac Whitlock,

Shinkin Moore,

Joseph Tuffs,

Henry Page,

Jesse V. Lewis,

Wirilock Clarke,

Peter E. Bentley,

Charles Moore,

Seymour Hooe,

Thomas Macdonough,

George Gray,

John Witherspoon,

Richardson Taylor,
Mordecai Gist,

Charles Chilton,

John D.

James Biddle,

Henry Bettner,
Thomas O. Anderson,
Thomas Hunt,

Edward

Biddle,

Matthew French,

William

Griffith,

Richard Carson,

Sloat,

Clem. Biddle,

Thomas T.

Jr.

Beall,

William T. Nicholls,
Abijah

J.

Henton,

Foster Perkins,

W.

Steinhauer,
George
William Duncanson,
James Eakin,

Samuel Child,

James Harmum,

Jr.

William Whistler,

Edward Trenchard,

Wm.

M'Intosh,

John Smith,

Thomas Hughes,

George Mitchell,
Sloss H. Grinnel,

Stephen Cassin,

Archibald K. Kearney,

APPENDIX.
Jr.

Henry Geddes,

Jonathan Thorn,

Robert Miller,

WiUiam Thornton,
John Rowand,
David Byers,

WiUiam H.

387

John Orde Creighton,

Jacob Vickery,
Richard Harrison,

James Renshaw,
Walter Lawrence,
Samuel Aldrick,

Allen,

Joseph Stickney,

James Bryden,
Andrew H. Voorhees,

John Nicholson,

Henry

John Palmer,
Robert N. Page,

John Wood,

P. Casey,

Sidney Smith,

Philip C. Blake,

Ezra Manfz,

George Levely,
A. D. Wainvvright,

James Nicholson,
Charles Robinson,

Samuel Proctor,

Isaac B. Forman,

Charles Neyle,

Wm.
Wm.

John Cochran,

Edward Giles,
M. T. Woolsey,

Miller,

H. Thorn,
Walter Boyd,

Daniel S. Dexter,

John M. Haswell,
John D. Henley,

Wilson

Edward Randolph,

Elliott,

Calvin Stevens,

John Pemberton,
Alexander Lavv^s,

Edward Attwood,

Daniel T. Patterson,
Charles Angier,

James Mackay,
James Saunders,

Robert T. Spence,

Sewall Handy,

Philip Moses,
George D. Evans,

Robert Innes,

Benjamin Fendall,

Leroy Opie,
James Ferguson,

Benjamin Turner,
John Davis,

Marshall Glenn,

Benjamin F. Stoddert,
Bernar Henry,

John Harris,
Charles Morris,

John Goodwin,

Montg. Newman,
Wallace Wormly,

Jr.

James Biggs,

Lawrence Keen,

John Patton,

William Cutbush,

Thomas Swartwout,

John Brown,

388

APPEM>IX.
Samuel Allen,

Wm.

Jon. C.

Jos. Israel,

Shaw,

Smith,

Lloyd Nicoll,

George Mann,

Geo. S. Hackley,
Richard B. Baker,

Samuel Cooper,

Jno. Provaux,

Charles Clarke.

Wm.

M. Smith,

List of Officers retained on the Peace Establishment.

We

have

set opposite to

every name, the ultimate station each

can be ascertained, and as a means of

individual attained as far as

showing the average fortunes of those who have been engaged

'o"&^

in

the hardy service of the sea.

CAPTAINS.
John Barry

died at the head of the navy, in 1803.

Samuel Nicholson

do.

Richard Dale

Thomas Truxtim

do.

resigned in
-

do.

in

do.

in

1811.

1802.

1802.

Richard V. Morris

dismissed without

Alexander Murray
Samuel Barron

died at the

died 1810.

John Rodgers

died at the head of the service, in 1838.

Edward

died in 1807.

Preble

trial, in

1804.

head of the service,

head of the

James Barron

at the

William Bainbridge
Hugh G. Campbell

died in 1833.

service,

1821.

in

Nov. 1838.

died in 1820.

LIEUTENANTS.
Charles Stewart

second on the

Isaac Hull

third

Andrew
John Shaw

Sterrett

John M'Rea
Isaac

list

of captains, Nov. 1838.

do.

do.

died a captain, in 1823.

resigned 1803.

Chauncey

do.

resigned a master commandant, in

fourth on the

list

805.

of captains, Nov. 1838.

APPENDIX.
Robert

W.

Hamilton

John Ballard

389

resigned 1802.
resigned 1801.

John Rush

resigned 1802.

John Smith

died a captain, in 1815.

resigned 1802.

Freeborn Banning
Richard Somers

killed in battle, a

Stephen Decatur

killed in a duel, a captain, in

George Cox John H. Dent

resigned, a master

Thomas Robinson,

Jr.

resigned, a master

resigned in

1822

in

1824.

George G. Lee

resigned in 1805.

Charles Gordon

died, a captain, in

Richard H. L. Lawson

Wood

resigned

in

1826

in

Samuel Evans

1817

1804.

resigned in 1802.

Edward Wyer

resigned in 1805.

W. Tew

died on the Mediterranean station, 1803.

a duel, in 1803,

killed in

lost in the

Wederstrandt

Joshua Blake

Bay of Gibraltar, 1801.

resigned, a master commandant, 1810,

resigned in 1806.
died, a captain, in 1815.

Joseph Tarbell
James R. Caldwell

Lewis C. Bailey

808.

commandant, in 1809.

resigned, a captain, in
-

Henry Vandyke
John M. Claggett

in 1

1801.

died, a captain,
died, a captain,

Phil. C.

commandant,

dismissed in 1804.

David Porter

Geo.

1804.

resigned in 1804.

William C. Jenks

Godfrey

in

1820.

died, a captain, in 1823.

John Cowper
John T. R. Cox

John Cassin

master com.,

killed in battle, in

1804.

dropped subsequently, under the reduc

tion law-

Jacob Jones

fifth

on the

list

of captains, Nov. 1838

MIDSHIPMEN.

Wm.

killed in battle, a

Henry Allen
Samuel Angus

master com., 1814.

dismissed and subsequently pensioned

captain, in 1824.

1807.
resigned, a lieutenant,

Thos. O. Anderson

33*

390

APPENDIX.

William Butler

resigned 1807.
died, a captain, in 1824.

Joseph Bainbridge
William Burrows -

killed in battle, a lieut. com., in 181.S.

William Blake

did not join,

Samuel G. Blodgett
Clement Biddle

drowned, a lieutenant,
resigned 1804.

James Biddle

ninth captain,

P. C. Blake

resigned 1804.
died, a lieutenant, in 1810.

and was dropped.

in 1810.

November, 1838.

Edward Bennett

Johnston Blakely

lost at sea,

Thomas T.

resigned 1803.
dismissed in 1810.

resigned 1802.

Beall

Walter Boyd
Peter E. Bentley

a mast, com.,

James Biggs

resigned 1803.

E. R. Blaine

resigned in 1804.

in

1814.

Thos. Brown

died, a captain, in 1828.

Michael B. Carroll

resigned a master commandant.

George Calder

Edward N. Cox

resigned 1802.
-

resigned, a lieutenant, in 1809.

Aaron F. Cook

permitted to retire, in 1801.

William Campbell
William M. Crane

eighth captain,

Stephen Cassin

fifteenth captain, in

J.

Orde Creighton

resigned 1802.

H.

P. Casey
William Cutbush

Henry

J.

Cobb

D. H. Craig
Richard Carey
J. P.

Charles

1805.

resigned 1805.
resigned 1803.
retired in

1805.

under peace establishment law,

in 1801.

retired

Coomb

AVinlock Clark

1838.

died, a captain, in 1838.

retired in

November, 1838.

died in 1804.
-

drowned, a lieutenant,

in

1810.

James Decatur

killed in battle, a lieutenant, in

William Duncanson

dropped from

John Dorsey
Daniel S. Dexter

killed in battle, in

John Davis

1804.

list,

1804.

died, a master and commander, 1318.

died, a lieutenant, in

1818.

APPENDIX.
David Deacon

391

twenty-first captain,

George Dabney
John Downes

resigned 1805.

Samuel Elbert

died, a lieutenant, in

John Gallaway
James Gibbon

died in 1804.

twelfth captain,

M.

P.

November, 1838.
1812.

burnt in Richmond theatre, a lieutenant,

in

J.

November, 1838.

Gardner

1811.

died, a master

commandant,

Sloss H. Grinnell

retired, a lieutenant, in

Ed. Giles

resigned 1804.

Allen

J.

Green

in

resigned 1803.

Jno. Goodwin, Jr.

died in 1804.

Geo. H. Geddes

resigned, a lieutenant, in 1811.

Wm.

did not accept,

Gregory

Jas. S.

Higginbotham

Alex. C. Harrison

Philip
J.

in

1808.

died in 1805.

resigned 1802.
resigned 1804.
did not join,

and was dropped,

resigned 1801.

Henop
Hinton

John D. Henley

a lieutenant,

resigned, a lieutenant, in 1812.

-

Sewal Handy
Thos. R. Hardenburgh

A.

died,

died, a lieutenant, in 1809.

Bernard Henry

George Hackley
James Haight

1815.

1807.

subsequently discharged under reduction

law.
-

died, a captain, in 1835.

Seymour Hooe
Alfred Hazard

resigned 1801.

John Hartley
John Montresor Haswell

resigned 1802.
resigned, a lieutenant, in 1810.

Theodore Hunt

resigned, a master commandant, in 1811.

Daniel C. Heath

dismissed in 1809.

resigned, a lieutenant, in 1805.

1828.

Robert Henley

died,

Ralph Izard

resigned, a lieutenant, in 1810.

Joseph Israel
Robert Innes

drowned on

in

killed in battle, in

A. K. Kearney
Charles Ludlow

a captain,

1804.

service, in 1802.

resigned, a lieutenant, in 1808.

resigned, a master commandant,

in

1813.

392

APPENDIX.

James T. Leonard

died,

James Lawrence

William Livingston

A. B. Lord

Daniel M'Niell,

Jr.

Joseph Murdock
Louis M'Lane

a captain,

1832.

unknown.
retired,

in

a captain, in 1813.
resigned, a lieutenant, in 1804.

killed in battle,

1807.

lieut., in

died in service.

resigned in 1802

afterwards secretary

of state, &c.

William Miller

retired in

Joseph Maxwell

died,

1807.

a lieutenant, in 1806.

Charles Mills

resigned 1804.

Daniel Murray
Geo. A. Marcellin

lesigned, a lieutenant, in 1811.

died,

Charles Morris,

sixth captain,

Jr.

Charles Moore

George

a lieutenant, in 1810.

November, 1838.

died, in service, early,

Merrill

died,

Archibald M'Call

William M'Intosh

Mitchell

a lieutenant, 1822.

resigned 1802.
resigned, a lieutenant, in 1808.
fate

unknown,

George
James Mackay

resigned 1803.

Thomas M'Donough

died, a captain, in 182.5.

Humphrey Magrath
George Mann

resigned, a lieutenant, in 1811.

W.

killed in a duel, in

R. Nicholson

Jno. B. Nicholson

resigned, a lieutenant, in 1809.

James Nicholson

resigned 1804.

William F. Nicholls

resigned 1804.

William

Newman

1805.

resigned, a lieutenant, in 1810.

resigned 1803.

Edward O'Brien

retired in 1 804.

Peter S. Ogilvie

lost at sea,

Francis Pat ton

resigned, a lieutenant, in 1806.

Daniel Polk

Oliver H. Perry
Benj. Page

Octavius A. Page

Henry Page

Daniel T. Patterson

a lieutenant,

in

1805.

resigned 1804.
died at sea, a
captain, in 1818.

resigned 1803.
died,

a lieutenant,

in

1813.

resigned 1803.
eleventh captain, November, 1838.

393

APPENDIX.

died at sea, a master com., in 1814.

George Parker
States Rutlcdge

resigned 1803.
resigned 1802.

Charles G. Ridgely

tenth captain,

Stephen Proctor

Heathcote

George

Reed

J.

W.

Reed

Charles Reed

Read

died,

a master commandant,

died, a lieutenant

in

James Renshaw

resigned 1807.

Benjamin Smith
Arthur Sinclair

died,

drowned, a lieutenant.
resigned 1806.

John Shattuck

fate

unknown, a

Spottsvvood

lieutenant.

declined.

Simms

resigned 1804.

resigned 1803.

H. Savage W. P. Smith

resigned 1801.

Sidney Smith

died, a

resigned, a lieutenant, in 1808.

Thomas Swartwout,

Jr.

master commandant,

killed in a duel, in

died at sea, in 1806.

M. Smith

declined.
-

John Trippe
Rob. L. Tilghman
William Thorn

resigned 1802.
died, a lieutenant

commandant,

in 1810.

resigned 1802.
-

retired in

1805.

Edward Trenchard
Jonathan Thorn -

died, a captain, in 1824.

Benjamin Turner
Jacob R. Valk

killed in a duel,

resigned in

Jacob Vickery

1827.

a captain, in 1827.

died,

Simon Smith
Richard Thomas

in

1801.

Robert T. Spence

W.

1808.

resigned 1803.

Maurice Simons

John Shore

1812.

a lieutenant, in 1807.

Robert Stewart

Daniel

in

in

died, a captain, in 1831.

William Scallen

W.

1813.

November, 1838.

fifteenth captain,

Charles Robinson

G.

in

commandant,

resigned 1803.
resigned, a lieutenant,

Richardson

John Rowe

1812.

a lieutenant,

resigned 1806.

Benj. Franklin
Jos.

November, 1838.

died,

blown up, a

declined.

lieutenant, in 1810.

a lieutenant, in 1807.

1808.

APPENDIX.

394
Sybrant Van Schaick
A. Woodruff

resigned, a lieutenant, in 1807.

resigned in 1803.
resigned in 1802.

Daniel Wurts

E. Willis

drowned

Wood

John

in

Bay of Gibraltar, 1800.

killed in battle, a lieutenant, in

Henry Wadsworth

resigned in

1804.

1804.
1813.

Walter Winter

drowned, a lieutenant,

Lewis Warrinsjton
Charles Wilson

seventh captain, November, 1838.

resigned 1803.

M. T. Woolsey

died,

Wallace Wormley
Samuel Woodhouse
This

list

a captain, in 1838.

entered marine corps.

twentieth captain, November, 1838.

contains the

service, after various

many

names of the

changes, and

soon after resigned.

it

dery,

who were

left in

declined.

Among

these

twenty-three medical gentlemen retained, but one, Dr.

now

the oldest surgeon,

is still

of the marine corps, all have

trace the public career of but one,

Gen. Fenwick, of the

the

be seen that, of even them,

however, were retained, whose

Officers,

ficers

Brig.

officers

will

names do not appear here, but who

Com. Talbot, dec. &c.

Of

in

in service.
left it,

who

Of

still

Cow-

thirty-one of-

or are dead, and

is

was

we can

living, the present

artillery.

Note. In describing' Tripoli the author was unable to procure an accurate chart, though he has since been more successful. On examination,
he finds that his distances are a ti'ifle too great. The town is also a
little

larger in

some

directions than he

had supposed.

given will correct these mistakes.

END OF

VOL.

I.

But the chart

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