Információ erről a könyvről
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
[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
CHAPTER II.
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. 20
CHAPTER III.
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. 30
CHAPTER IV.
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. 44
CHAPTER V.
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.
53
CHAPTER VI.
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-
65
ca.
CHAPTER VII.
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.
82
CHAPTER VIII.
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
Com. Preble. 109
litans.
CHAPTER IX.
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-
124
CHAPTER X.
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-
BLE.
141
CHAPTER XI.
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. 158
CHAPTER XII.
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.
178
CHAPTER XIII.
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--- His 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.
208
CHAPTER XIV.
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
and Peacock.
247
CHAPTER XV.
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.
268
CHAPTER XVI.
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
CHAPTER XVII.
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
CHARACTER.
ADDITIONS TO THE SECOND EDITION.
Sketch of the Life of Com. Wm. Bainbridge.
Com. David Porter.
do.
Capt. James Lawrence.
Com. Thomas Macdonough.
314
343
351
358
363
368
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
Yards.
