The Life and Character of Stephen Decatur; Late Commodore and Post-captain ... - Samuel Putnam Waldo - Google Könyvek

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CONTENTS.

[INTRODUCTORY.]

NAVAL Heroes identified with Naval Glory-Commercial enter-

prise of Americans-British Jealousy against American Colo-

nies-First dawning of Naval Glory amongst Americans-Con-

stellation of Ocean-Warriors-STEPHEN DECATUR. P. 13

Decatur's birth-Birth-places-Difference between beginning and

ending great names-Brief notice of Decatur's ancestors-His

father, one of the original Post-Captains in the American Navy

-Dedication of his sons to the Republic-The inestimable va-

lue of the Legacy.

Extinction of Naval Power and Naval Spirit at the close of the

Revolution-A Seventy-four presented to Louis XVI.-Conjec-

ture concerning her-Astonishing effects of NAVAL POWER-

Encroachments upon American Commerce and humiliation of

American Seamen-Act of Congress 1794 for building six Frig-

ates-Enthusiasm excited by it-Frigate Constitution-Achieve-

ments of Truxton, Little, &c.-Anecdotes of the elder Decatur

and Tryon-Midshipman Stephen Decatur.

Stephen Decatur's early education-Peculiar advantages enjoyed

by him-Enters the frigate United States as Midshipman 1798-

Promoted to Lieutenant-Cruises in the West-Indies against the

French-Enters the brig Norfolk as 1st Lieutenant 1799-Sails

to the Spanish Main-Re-enters frigate United States-Barba-

rism of French and Spanish to American Seamen-Victories of

Truxton, Little, &c.-Humiliation of the French-Peace with

France-Rewards for heroism.

Progress of the American Navy-Reduction of it by Act of Con-

gress-Amount of it in 1801-Lieut. Decatur's views and de-

termination-Depredations of Barbary states upon American

Commerce-Measures of the American government-Decatur

enters into the first Mediterranean squadron as 1st Lieut. of the

frigate Essex-His unremitting vigilance as a disciplinarian-Ad-

dress to his seamen.

Lieut. Decatur sails in the frigate Essex to the Mediterranean,

1801, in the first American Squadron-Hazard of this enterprise

-Captain Sterrett's victory in the Schooner Enterprise-Impa-

tience of Lieut. Decatur in a blockading ship-He returns to

America in the Essex-National glory and National taxes--Lieut.

Decatur joins the second Mediterranean Squadron as 1st Lieut.

of the frigate New-York-Sails to the Mediterranean-Inces-

sant attention to duty-Returns in the New-York to Ameri-

Lieut. Decatur ordered to take command of the brig Argus-

Fortunate and unfortunate ships-Ideas of seamen concerning

them--He sails in the Argus, and joins the third Mediterranean

Squadron under Com. Preble-Com. Preble and the Emperor

of Morocco-Decatur leaves the Brig Argus, and takes command

of the schooner Enterprise-Disastrous loss of the frigate Phila-

delphia-Lieut. Decatur captures a Tripolitan corsair, and calls

her "Ketch Intrepid"-Rendezvous at Syracuse-Brief sketch

of Jussuff, Bashaw of Tripoli-Sufferings of Capt. Bainbridge

and crew-Lieut. Decatur volunteers to attempt the destruction

of the frigate Philadelphia.

Improper estimate of battles-Lieutenant Decatur sails for Tripo-

li in the Ketch Intrepid-Baffled by adverse winds-Diminution

of provisions-Reaches the harbour of Tripoli 16th Feb. 1804--

Loses the assistance of the Syren and the boats-Enters the har-

bour with the Ketch Intrepid-Boards the Philadelphia, follow-

ed by Morris, Lawrence, Macdonough and the crew-Compels

the Turks to surrender-Sets the Philadelphia frigate on fire,

and secures his retreat-Gen Eaton and Caramalli-Consterna-

tion of Bashaw-Joy of American prisoners-Small force of

Lieutenant Decatur promoted to the rank of CAPTAIN-Prepara-

tions for a general attack upon Tripoli--Capt. Decatur takes

command of a division of Gun-boats-Disparity of force be-

tween his and the enemy's-He grapples and captures a Tripo-

litan boat-Is bearing for the squadron with his prize-Hears of

the treacherous murder of his brother, Lieut. James Decatur—

Returns to the engagement, and followed by Midshipman Mac-

donough and nine seamen, boards the enemy's boat-Slays the

Turk who slew his brother, and bears his second prize to the

squadron-Other achievements of the squadron, Bombards, and

Gun-boats-Effects of the attack upon the Bashaw, and Tripo-

Capt. Decatur receives high commendations from Com. Preble-

Grief at the death of Lieut. J. Decatur-Notice of him-Pro-

posals of the Commodore to the Bashaw-Renewal of the attack

upon Tripoli-Capt. Somers, Lieuts. Wadsworth and Israel en-

ter into the squadron of the enemy's boats with the Ketch Intre-

pid as a fire ship-She explodes!-Awful effects of the explosion

-Reflection-Notice of Lieut. Wadsworth-Com. Preble su-

perseded by Com. Barron-Brief notice of EDWARD PRE-

Capt. Decatur takes command of the frigate CONSTITUTION—

Perfection of discipline in the American Navy-He takes com-

mand of the Frigate CONGRESS-Peace with Tripoli-Emanci-

pation of Capt. Bainbridge, his officers and seamen-Meeting

between them and Capt. Decatur, American officers and seamen

of the Squadron-Captain Decatur returns to America in the

frigate Congress-Visits his father, Commodore Decatur, at Phi-

ladelphia--He is appointed Superintendant of Gun-boats-Mar-

ries Miss Wheeler, of Norfolk, (Vir.)-Supersedes Com. Bar-

ron, and takes command of the frigate Chesapeake---" Affair of

the Chesapeake"---Captain Decatur takes command of the

Southern Squadron as COMMODORE.

Commodore Decatur takes command of the Frigate United States---

Interview with Capt. John Surnam Carden, in time of peace---

British Naval Officers on American station before the commence-

ment of War---Declaration of War against G. Britain---Im-

mense disparity of Naval force between America and Britain--

Com. Decatur puts to sea from New-York, June 21st 1812---

Makes an extensive cruise and enters the port of Boston---Sails

from thence 8th October---Upon the 25th captures the frigate

MACEDONIAN ---His official account of the action---Length of,

and incidents in the action---Meeting of Com. Decatur and Capt.

Carden---Dreadful slaughter in the Macedonian---Arrival of

frigate United States and that ship at New-London---Reception

of Flag at Washington---Arrival at New-York---Reception

there---Com. Decatur's humanity.

Honours conferred upon Com. Decatur---He takes command of a

Squadron---Immense disparity between American and British

Naval force on the American coast---List of both---Com. Deca-

tur sails from New-York in Squadron---is ship struck by light-

ning---Sails for a British 74---Retreats to New-London---Pre-

pares for defence---Razees---British Squadron---Contrast be-

tween Hardy and Cockburn---Stratagems of War---Passport for

the bodies of Lawrence and Ludlow---Com. Decatur attempts

to escape---Blue Lights---Steam frigate---Challenge to the ene-

my---Impressed seamen---Dignified and humane officers---Com.

Decatur and Com. Macdonough.

Com. Decatur dismantles the frigates United States and Macedonian

---Achievements of the Essex, Capt. Porter---Expedition to the

Fast-Indies resolved upon by the Navy Department---The

Squadron for that service---Com Decatur designated as com-

mander of it---Sails in the frigate President, encounters and

beats the frigate Endymion, and surrenders to the whole British

Squadron---His official account of the action---Additional parti-

culars-Falsehoods of an English editor, and the consequences

of them-The remainder of Com. Decatur's Squadron, Hornet

Com. Decatur returns from his fourth cruise---Reception---PEACE

ratified---Scenes of domestic felicity---Depredations of Barbary

powers---By whom instigated--Squadron to chastise and humble

them-Com. Decatur appointed to command the first Mediter-

ranean Squadron in 1815---Victory over Algerine Admiral---

Consternation of the Dey---Indemnifies Americans and concludes

a Treaty of Peace---Com. Decatur demands and receives in-

demnification from Tunis and Tripoli for British violations---

Demands release of Christian captives---Restores them to Na-

ples, and is honoured by the King---Surrenders squadron to

Com. Bainbridge, and returns to America---Com. Bainbridge---

Respect paid to him.

Recapitulation of Com. Decatur's achievements &c. in the Medi-

terranean in 1815---Rewards by promotion---Necessity of diffe-

rent grades of office---Arduous duties of Department of the Navy

---Board of NAVY COMMISSIONERS established---Com. Decatur

appointed Navy Commissioner---Duties of the Navy Commis-

sioners---Responsibility of the office---Naval Architecture---

Rates of Ships---Comparative power---Annual expense of ships

of different rates---Improvement in Ship-building---Inventions-

Assiduity of Com. Decatur---Honours paid him---Difficulty of

designating officers-Com. Macdonough...Com. Barron. 287

Com. Barron solicits a command in the Navy...Com. Decatur's

opinion as to his re-admission into the Navy...The unfortunate

misunderstanding between them...It eventuates in a challenge to

single combat, from Barron to Decatur...Duelling. Result of

the meeting...Immediate effects of it...Honours to the remains

of Com. Decatur...Funeral ceremonies at his interment...His

ADDITIONS TO THE SECOND EDITION.

Sketch of the Life of Com. Wm. Bainbridge.

Com. Thomas Macdonough.

A succinct sketch of the Navy from its commencement.

Navy Register...Board of Commissioners for the Navy...Navy List

...Captains...Masters Commandant...Lieutenants...Midshipmen

Vessels of War of the United States... Table shewing the cost of

the Navy when in service...A table shewing the places of birth,

and number of the different grades of officers in the Navy...Navy

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