The romance of the American Navy as embodied in the stories of certain of our public and private armed ships from 1775 to 1909

Front matter

V o - o

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I*p-

Foreword

IN considering a title for this record of the " Romance of the American Navy " it has been the thought of the writer to use the term " navy " not in its precise or strictly technical meaning, but as covering all vessels commanded or manned by American seamen, whether or not their vessels might, at the time, be included in the roster of the Colonial or American navy.

It is a noteworthy fact that in the Revolutionary War, and, later, in the War of 1812, not less than sixty of the most distinguished officers in our navy served for a time either in command or as officers on board privateers. Truxton, Hopkins, Talbot, Barney, Decatur, Porter, Biddle, Rodgers, Bainbridge, Little, Robinson, and Smith were all in this category.

To show how intimately connected the history of the United States navy has been with that of the privateers it is sufficient to state that in our first war the vessels built or purchased by Government numbered sixty-four, carrying one thousand two hundred and forty-two guns and swivels, which captured one hundred and ninety-six vessels. The privateers numbered seven hundred and ninety-two, carrying more than thirteen

V vi Foreword

thousand guns and swivels, which captured or destroyed nearly six hundred vessels.

In the War of 1812, the regular navy numbered only twenty-three vessels, carrying five hundred and fifty-six guns. This force captured or destroyed two hundred and fifty-four of the enemy's ships, public and private. The privateers, in the same war, numbered five hundred and seventeen vessels, carrying two thousand eight hundred and ninety-three guns, which took or destroyed one thousand three hundred prizes, valued at $45,600,000, and captured thirty thousand prisoners, more than one thousand of whom were officers and privates of the regular English army.

It is a very striking fact that, as against these thirty thousand prisoners captured by our private armed ships, there were less than six thousand prisoners taken by our land forces in the War of 1812.

In both of these wars the heroic deeds of our privateersmen were unparalleled in the history of naval warfare. In September, 1814, at a public meeting held in Glasgow by special requisition of the Lord Provost, it was resolved unanimously :

That the number of (American) privateers with which our channels have been infested, the audacity with which they have approached our coasts, and the success with which their enterprise has been

Foreword vii

attended have proved injurious to our commerce, humbling to our pride, and discreditable to the directors of the naval power of the British nation, whose flag, till of late, waved over every sea, and triumphed over every rival. That there is reason to believe that in the short space of less than twenty-four months above eight hundred vessels have been captured by that power whose maritime strength we have hitherto, impolitically, held in contempt. . . . and when in the plenitude of our power we have declared the whole American coast under blockade, it is equally distressing and mortifying that our ships cannot with safety traverse our own channels, that insurance cannot be effected but at an excessive premium, and that a horde of American cruisers should be allowed, unheeded, unresisted, and unmolested to take, burn, or sink our own vessels in our own inlets, and almost in sight of our harbors.

In view, therefore, of the undoubted fact that our saucy American privateers were such an important factor in determining the result of the first two wars of this nation, and that so many of the officers and men who fought in these private ships made their first essays in naval warfare as privateersmen, it seems to the writer that, in this volume at least, — side by side with the record of the officers and men of the regular establishment, — should be recorded some of the brilliant deeds of those privateersmen, untrained in military science, who by their viii Foreword

bravery, skill, and patriotism accomplished such extraordinary results.

In the preparation of this work the author has consulted the archives of the Massachusetts State Department, the libraries of the Boston Athenaeum and Harvard University, the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, the Life and Letters of Admiral D. G. Farragut, J. F. Cooper's History of the American Navy, the Biographical Memoir of Commodore Josiah Barney by Mary Barney, 1832, Harris's Life and Service of Commodore William Bainbridge, Waldo's Life and Character of Stephen Decatur, Thomas Clark's Sketch of the Naval History of the United States, 1813, Higgin's Naval Battles of the United States, Life and Battles of Paul Jones, [Written by Himself], 1830, Paul Jones, Founder of the American Navy, by A. C. Buell, J. F. Davis's Naval Annals, Maclay's History of American Privateers, Morris's American Navy, Roosevelt's War of 1812, London Naval Chronicles, Hollis's The Frigate Constitution, J. Butters's American Bravery in the War of 1812, Carital's Life of Silas Talbot, Wharton's Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, The United Service Magazine, Fanning's Narrative, Gardner Papers, Naval Battles and Our New Navy, H. W. Wilson's The Downfall of Spain, and her Ironclads in Action, Scharf's

Foreword ix

History of the Confederate Navy, and many other contemporaneous publications.

The writer has freely availed himself of these sources, supplemented, in the parts dealing with the Civil War, by such matters as came under his immediate knowledge or personal observation as an officer serving with Farragut at the capture of New Orleans and in the Gulf of Mexico and, later, with Admirals Porter and Lee in the upper Mississippi Eiver. He also gratefully acknowledges in the preparation of his work many valuable suggestions from Rear Admiral Stephen B. Luce, U. S. N., Retired, and from Rear Admiral George F. F. Wilde, U. S. N., Retired.

F. S. H.

Cambridge, November, 1909.

Contents

PAGE

Foreword v

Chapter I

Conditions in the colonies immediately before the Revolution. Commencement of the legislative usurpation on the part of the mother country. A sloop from Madeira seized by the royal officers. The tea-party of 1773 results in Parliament enacting the Boston Port Bill. A congress of representatives from the different colonies convened and royal military supplies seized by the patriots in Rhode Island and New Hampshire. The fights at Concord, Massachusetts, and at Lexington follow. Actual commencement of the War of the Revolution. The first recorded sea fight in 1636. Capture by the patriots of the British cutter Margaretta in 1775 at Machias, Maine. Captain Mugford's capture of the British armed ship Hope and his contest with the boats from a British frigate. Captain Harding's capture of three British transports laden with troops and military supplies. The Thorn takes an armed brig and several other prizes. Capture of the Gaspe at Providence, Rhode Island.

xii Contents

Chapter II

Young Barney goes to sea at the age of thirteen. He becomes master of the ship Sidney, of Baltimore. Passage in a leaky ship to Gibraltar. Gives a bottomry bond for the cost of repairs and sails for Nice. Is imprisoned by the Sardinian governor for refusing his demands. Makes a journey over the Alps to Milan to interview the British Ambassador and returns in triumph to Nice. Sails for Alicante, Spain, where his ship participates in the Conde O'Reilly's expedition against the Moors. He returns in the Sidney to Baltimore and learns of the outbreak of hostilities between the colonies and the mother country. Offers his services to his own country as master's mate of the Hornet and hoists the first American flag seen in Baltimore. The Hornet chased by the Roebuck's tender and Barney's breach of discipline. He is ordered as lieutenant to the Wasp and later to the Sachem on his seventeenth birthday. Barney ordered to the Andrea Doria. Captures a snow and while in charge of her Barney is captured by H. B. M. Perseus. His affray on board the British ship with her purser. Is paroled. Marries and immediately sails as lieutenant of the Saratoga. She is captured by the British Intrepid, 74. Barney's imprisonment on the Yarmouth, 74, and his subsequent incarceration in the English Mill Prison. His sensational escape, disguised as a British officer. His wanderings and final escape to France. His return home after eighteen months' absence. Is given command of the Pennsylvania State

Contents xiii ship Hyder Ally. The capture of the General Monk. She is given into Barney's command as the General Washington. Barney sails in her for France bearing despatches to Franklin. In the War of 1812 Barney, as captain U. S. N. is given command of Chesapeake Bay flotilla and is wounded at the battle of Bladensburg. Receives sword of honor. His death in 1818.

CHAPTER III The " Lucky Little ' Enterprise ' "

Officers afterward famous who served as junior officers in the Enterprise. Lieutenant Shaw's brilliant service in the West Indies. Summary of her captures. Lieutenant Charles Stewart takes command. She joins the Mediterranean squadron. Capture of the polacre Tripoli. Returns home and sails again for Mediterranean under command of Lieutenant Isaac Hall. Destroys an Algerine cruiser. Stephen Decatur assumes command. Destruction of the Philadelphia in harbor of Tripoli. The Intrepid sent in to Tripoli to destroy enemy's gunboats. Decatur's desperate combat with the enemy's gunboats outside the harbor. Attacks upon Tripolitan fortifications continue. Treaty of peace signed with the Bashaw. War of 1812 declared. Enterprise, as a brig, captures the privateer Fly. Her fight with and capture of the British brig-of-war Boxer. Funeral rites of the two commanders at Portland. Captain John Barry sails in the frigate Alliance for France. Takes a British privateer. Captures the Mars and the Minerva. Capture xiv Contents of the Atlanta and the Trepassy. The Constellation captures the Insurgente.

Chapter IV

His birth and ancestry. Goes to sea at age of thirteen. Finds his brother William in Virginia. He inherits the estate, taking the name of Jones. His experience as a tobacco planter. Affray with an English lieutenant. The outbreak of hostilities. Jones offers his services and he is appointed on a commission for the purchase of ships of war. Is commissioned as a lieutenant in the Colonial Navy. His cruises in the Alfred and Ranger. Carries the news of Burgoyne's surrender to France. Captures the British ship Drake in the English Channel. Assumes command of the Bon Homme Richard. Desperate combat with the British frigate Serapis in English Channel, and her capture, his own ship sinking at end of the engagement. Jones received in France with high honors and invested by Louis XVI. with Grand Cross of the Order of Military Merit. Receives Medal and Resolution from Congress. Returns home and is given state dinner in New York. Returns to France and is sent on mission to court of Denmark. Empress Catherine commissions him Rear Admiral in Russian Navy. The Liman campaign. Admiral Jones decorated with Order of St. Anne and promoted to Vice-Admiral. His death at Paris. The final formal ceremonies by order of United States Government at the Annapolis Naval Academy.

Contents xv

Chapter V

The Cruises op the Privateers " Yankee," " General Pickering," and " Prince de Neufchatel " 92

The Yankee makes six successful cruises. Large amount of prize-money from her forty prizes. Harraden's cruise in the General Pickering. Capture of the Golden Eagle. Fight with the Achilles. Last drawn battle. The Prince de Neufchatel beats off attack by boats of British frigate Endymion.

CHAPTER VI Three Cruises op the Frigate " Constitution " 106

Commodore Preble sails to take command of the Mediterranean squadron. His midnight meeting with the British frigate Maidstone. War declared with England and Captain Hull sails in command of the Constitution. She escapes from a British squadron after a sensational chase. Her contest with H. B. M. frigate Guerriere and capture of the British ship. Boston greets Captain Hull on his return. The old ship sails again, commanded by Captain Bainbridge, and captures the frigate Java, after a severe fight. The English ship is blown up and Bainbridge returns to Boston to receive honors. The Constitution sails under Captain Stewart, on her third cruise. Off the Western Islands encounters the frigate Cyane and the sloop-of-war Levant and captures them both in an hour. The Cyane brought safely home and taken into our service. The Levant recaptured by the British.

xvi Contents

Chapter VII

The Remarkable Cruise of the Frigate " Essex " and her Capture in Valparaiso Harbor 118

The Essex sails from Salem in search of the frigate Thetis and captures British cruiser Alert. Capture of the Nocton. Porter decides to enter the Pacific. Captures the Peruvian cruiser Nevada and recaptures the whaler Barclay. Captures the whalers Georgiana and Policy and arms them as cruisers. Captures the Atlantic and Greenwich with abundant stores and provisions. Lieutenant Downes captures the Catherine Rose and Hector. Rose sent as a cartel to St. Helena with prisoners. Porter renames the Atlantic and commissions her with Downes in command. Grand jollification of the Fourth of July. Five of the prizes sent to Valparaiso in convoy of the Essex Junior. The Essex captures three more prizes and rendezvouses at the Gallapagos Islands. Captures the Sir Andrew Hammond and goes to Nukahiva to refit. With the Essex Junior starts for Valparaiso. The British ships Phoebe and Cherub come into Valparaiso in search of the Essex. The desperate fight of the Essex with the two British ships and the loss of the American ship.

Chapter VIII

The " Wasp " and her Contests with the " Frolic " and the " Reindeer " and " Avon." Capture op the Tender of the " Hebrus " 136

The Wasp captures the Frolic. The Wasp and Frolic retaken by the Poictiers. The second

Contents xvii

Wasp captures the Reindeer in English Channel. Also takes several other prizes and later sinks the Avon. Wasp cruises forty days in Channel, captures many prizes and is never again heard from. A dashing capture by boats of the tender of British frigate Hebrus.

Chapter IX

The " Hornet " Captures the British Ships " Peacock " and " Penguin " and the " Peacock " Captures the " Epervier." Capture op "Macedonian" by the "United States" 148

Captain Lawrence captures the British ship Peacock off the Demerara River. The Hornet, in 1815, captures the Penguin and she is destroyed. Hornet chased by the Cornwallis, 74. The Peacock captures the Epervier. The United States captures the frigate Macedonian.

CHAPTER X The " Chesapeake " and the " Shannon " . 159

Captain Lawrence ordered to the command of the frigate Chesapeake. Difficulty in securing a crew for the ship. Captain Broke sends in a challenge. The Chesapeake sails from Boston. Incidents of the engagement. Captain Lawrence killed. Broke boards and the Chesapeake is taken.

CHAPTER XI The Battle op Lake Erie .... 170

Perry ordered to Lake Erie to organize a fleet. Strenuous work to get his vessels ready to meet the enemy. The battle. Perry changes xvni

Contents his flag from the L— tot* J ^ and leads her to , v ctoiy.^ perry , de _

fsr ^ p^° tion and the vanous

honors bestowed.

CHAPTER XII THE BiTTLE . ^.s^-SST: 189

STRUCTION OF THE U ^ LaWMsNC 10 " 18.)

AND THE CAP-- O'JHKJT; l ^ ^^

Captain MacDonougl ^rdere^ ^^

plain. He ^uiWb h« fl*gsh P ready for in forty days and ge a ■ * » n Cap .

service. The battle j at Plattsb g ^

surrenders. H<«o« tofte . n

vate- G,era' £*££ from a British S° r The pnvatee? Chasseur captures the St. Lawrence.

Chapter XIII ^

cedents. Ordered to ** J^ 1 * of vo yage. suspicious behavior on flrrtp^ ^ ^ Discovery of the plot. tQ Commande r

Wales reveals the P Spencer

McK enzie. It x^£j top ^ also under arrest. Small an d The prm -

rested. A court-martial ordere ^ for

• i, eantpnced to death. Ari<i"& cipals sentenced t lt# ih e

three men are executed, up

Contents xix

PAGE

public upon the case. Captain McKenzie tried by court-martial and acquitted. Loss of the Somers in Gulf of Mexico.

CHAPTER XIV Ellet's Steam Rams in the Fight at

Charles Ellet suggests the idea of constructing steam rams to the Secretary of War. He predicts the havoc to be wrought by the Merrimac if she comes out. After the contest in Hampton Roads Ellet made colonel and given authority to build rams on Western waters. Fort Pillow evacuated. The fight above Memphis. The Monarch sinks the General Price and the Queen of the West cuts the General Lovell in two. The Monarch disables the Beauregard. Colonel Ellet wounded. Complete victory over the Confederate river fleet. Death and state funeral of Colonel Ellet.

CHAPTER XV The Capture of the " Harriet Lane " at Galveston 223

The Confederate preparations for the assault upon the Federal fleet at Galveston. The first gun on New Year's morning the signal for the attack. The Bayou City's New Year's present. The Neptune sunk by a shot from the Harriet Lane. The Bayou City runs her aboard and carries her after the captain and executive officer are killed. The Westfield blown up with her commander. Escape of the Clifton, Owasco, Sachem, and Corypheus. Burial of Captain Wainwright and Lieutenant-Commander Lea. Sinking of the Hatteras by the Alabama.

xx Contents

CHAPTER XVI The Duel between the " Monitor " and the

"Merrimac" 230

The arming and equipping of the ram Merrimac. Her appearance in Hampton Roads in March, 1862. She attacks and sinks the U. S. S. Cumberland. The Congress, fast aground, is next attacked and captured. She is fired and her crew taken off. The Merrimac retires for the night. The Monitor arrives and prepares for the battle. The Merrimac comes down in the morning to complete the destruction of the fleet but is met by the Monitor. The duel between the two ironclads. Both are impregnable. The Merrimac retires and the victory is with the Monitor. Final destruction of the Merrimac and loss of the Monitor at sea.

CHAPTER XVII The Capture of New Orleans by Farragut 245

The selection of a flag officer for the contemplated attack upon the defences of New Orleans. Farragut notifies his wife and enjoins secrecy. The fleet and the troops rendezvous at head of the passes. The character of the defences. Orders for running the batteries. Order of sailing. The night before the attack. The chain opened by Caldwell. The fleet under way. The Hartford grounds and is on fire. The ubiquitous Manassas. The Varuna sunk. The Mississippi destroys the Manassas. The Brooklyn sinks the Warrior. The Kennebec and Winona forced to return. Victorious fleet anchors at Quarantine. They proceed up

Contents xxi

PAGE

the river, skirmish at Chalmette, and anchor off New Orleans. Wild disorder in city. Refusal of mayor to surrender. Landing of armed parties from fleet and flag raised over city. Arrival of General Butler and formal occupation of city by his force.

Chapter XVIII

Combined naval and military movement undertaken on Red River. Porter's fleet ascends the river to Alexandria. News of reverses to Banks's army causes a retreat to be ordered. Rapid fall of the river prevents gunboats from getting below the falls. Colonel Bailey builds a dam and releases the gunboats from their perilous position. Summary of results.

CHAPTER XIX The Destruction of the Ram " Albemarle " 277

The Confederate ram Albemarle built to control Albemarle Sound. Her contest with the Southfield and Miami. She sinks the Southfield. Captain Flusser killed. Engagement with the Sassacus whose boiler explodes and Federal fleet withdraws. First attempt to torpedo Albemarle fails. Lieutenant Cushing formulates plan for sinking the vessel, which is successful. Cushing's report of the affair. Admiral Porter's praise of Cushing. He receives thanks of Congress and is promoted. His services at taking of Fort Fisher.

Chapter XX

The " Kearsarge " and " Alabama " Fight . 284 Arrival of the Alabama at Cherbourg. Captain Winslow hears of this at Antwerp. Sails at once to meet his enemy. Semmes xxii Contents

PAGE

accepts Winslow's challenge and comes out to meet the Kearsarge. The battle in the channel. The Kearsarge the victor, receiving little damage. The Alabama sinks. Officers and crew saved by Kearsarge and English yacht Deerhound.

Chapter XXI

The crowning achievement of Farragut's naval career. The defences of Mobile Bay. Buchanan's formidable flagship the Tennessee. Farragut's arrangements for entering the bay. The fleet gets under way. Confederate fleet takes position in opposition. The Tecumseh blown up. The Brooklyn pauses and throws line into confusion. Farragut dashes ahead and takes the lead. Conflict with the Tennessee. Destruction and capture of enemy's gunboats. The fleet anchors. The Tennessee comes out from under the forts and is finally mobbed to death and captured. Farragut goes north after his victory and is present at surrender of Richmond with President Lincoln. Is made Admiral of the Navy by action of Congress. His European cruise in the Franklin and superb reception at foreign courts. Returns to United States and dies in 1870.

Chapter XXII

United States Ships Cast Ashore by Tidal Waves and Hurricanes. The " Monongahela," " De Soto," and " Wateree " Cast Ashore by Tidal Waves .... 303

The U. S. S. Monongahela carried ashore by a tidal wave at the island of St. Croix, and

Contents xxiii

PAGE

is carried back by a receding wave to a reef in the harbor. As a result of the catastrophe two naval marriages are celebrated. The De Soto thrown ashore at St. Thomas and carried back by a receding wave. The Wateree thrown ashore at Arica, sold and converted into a summer hotel. Total destruction of the Fredonia with great loss of life. The loss of the U. S. S. Trenton, Nipsic, and Vandalia in a hurricane at Apia, island of Samoa, in March, 1889. The Trenton prepares for heavy weather, but the hurricane sets her adrift with four anchors down. The British ship Calliope slips, and narrowly avoiding a collision with the Trenton, after receiving the cheers of her crew, gets safely to sea. Comments of the English press. Fate of the Vandalia and death of Captain Schoonmaker. The survivors sent to San Francisco. Loss of the U. S. S. Saginaw and the 1500-mile trip of her boat in search of aid. Loss of Lieutenant Talbot in the surf at Kanai. Rescue of surviving officers and crew of Saginaw.

Chapter XXIII

The battle-ship Maine ordered to Havana. She arrives and is moored to a buoy heretofore unused. Cool reception of officers by the authorities and public. The explosion on the night of February 15th. Reception of news of the disaster in the United States. The official investigation. Decision that explosion was caused by explosion of mine outside the vessel. Action of Congress and declaration of war with Spain. The Maxxiv Contents

PAGE

chias and Winslow go into Cardenas harbor to destroy Spanish gunboats; next day, with Wilmington and Hudson, they renew the attack. Brisk engagement. Death of Ensign Bagley. The Hudson tows the Winslow safely out and the Wilmington destroys the Spanish gunboats.

Chapter XXIV

Secretary Long telegraphs to Dewey at Yokohama to be in readiness for war with Spain. Dewey's characteristic letter to his sister. He sails for Manila. Reconnoitres Subig Bay. Passes Corregidor and opens on Spanish fleet. Passes five times by the enemy's ships. Destroys Montojo's flagship and withdraws his ships for breakfast. The engagement renewed. Total destruction of Spanish fleet. Dewey made Rear Admiral and receives other honors from Congress and from his native State.

CHAPTER XXV The Race of the " Oregon " around Cape

Horn 346

Captain Edgar Clark ordered to command the Oregon, which is to join the fleet for the attack on Cuba. The Marietta to precede her and make advance arrangements for coaling. The Oregon enters the Straits of Magellan. Three days lost in transferring wool from the coal. Captain Clark warned of Spanish torpedo-boat at Monte Video. Oregon arrives at Rio de Janeiro safely. Receives news of Dewey's victory at

Contents xxv

PAGE

Manila. The torpedo-boat Temerario fails to materialize. Oregon arrives at Key West. Captain Clark congratulated upon successful voyage by Secretary of Navy.

CHAPTER XXVI Hobson Sinks the " Merrimac " in Santiago

Harbor 356

Admiral Sampson decides to obstruct the harbor by sinking the collier Merrimac in the entrance. Consults with Assistant Naval Constructor Hobson upon plans. Hobson formulates a plan and asks to be allowed to take the vessel in. His request granted. Volunteers called for. A general response. Seven selected. The ship stripped and arrangements made for speedy sinking. The start made. The Merrimac sighted by the picket boat. The batteries open upon her. Furious fire as the ship sinks. The crew cling to a catamaran and are rescued by Admiral Cervera. Hobson taken on board the Reina Mercedes as a prisoner. News of his capture sent off by flag-of-truce boat to Admiral Sampson. The prisoners sent to the Morro, where they are kept for a month before exchange.

CHAPTER XXVII The Destruction of Cervera's Fleet at

Santiago 300

The elusive fleet at last placed at Santiago. The quiet Sunday morning of July 3d. Admiral Sampson starts for Siboney in the New York to confer with General Sh after. The signal " Enemy's ships coming out "

xxvi Contents startles the fleet into activity. The Maria Teresa leads the hostile procession. She is quickly driven ashore a blazing wreck. The Oquendo next meets her fate and the Vizcaya follows suit. The Gloucester takes care of the Pluton and Furor and the Cristobal Colon, after a forty-eight miles' run, succumbs to the fire of the Oregon and Brooklyn and runs ashore and surrenders. Complete annihilation of Spain's last and finest squadron.

CHAPTER XXVIII The Cruise of the Battle-Ship Fleet around

ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE

The Battleship Fleet at Anchor in San Francisco Harbor. The " Maryland " in Foreground . . . Frontispiece (Copyright, 1908, by Enrique Muller.)

Joshua Barney 20

From an engraving after a miniature by Isabey.

Commodore Esek Hopkins .... 26

From a mezzotint portrait published by Thomas Hart in London in 1776.

Isaac Hull 44

From the painting by Gilbert Stuart.

Decatur's Struggle with the Algerines . 50 From the drawing by F. O. C. Darley.

The Engagement between the "Enterprise"

and the " Boxer " 52

From an original painting.

Commodore William Bainbridge ... 54 From the painting by Gilbert Stuart.

United States Ship " Constellation " . . 60

Commodore John Paul Jones ... 62 From the portrait by G. W. Peale.

xxviii Illustrations

Jacob Jones 64

From an engraving of the painting by Rembrandt Peale.

Stephen Decatur 98

From an engraving of the painting by T. Sully.

Commodore Edward Preble .... 108 From the painting in Faneuil Hall, Boston.

The Battle between the " Constitution "

and the " Guerriere," August 19, 1S12 . 112 From the drawing by G. White.

The Battle between the " Constitution "

and the " Java," December 29, 1812 . 120 From a sketch by Lieut. Buchanan.

The Engagement between the " Essex " and British Ships "Phoebe" and "Cherub,"

From an old woodcut.

Johnston Blakeley ..... 130

From the painting by Gimbrede.

David Porter ....... 134

From an engraving of the painting by J. Wood.

The Battle between the " Wasp " and the

"Frolic," October 18, 1812 . . .136 From an old print.

Illustrations xxix

Admiral David Glasgow Farragut . . 140

From a photograph taken in New Orleans in 1862.

Isaac Chauncey ...... 144

From an engraving of the painting by J. Wood.

The " Hornet " and the " Peacock " . . 154 From an old print.

James Lawrence 160

From an engraving by Leney of the portrait by Stuart.

Lieutenant Augustus Ludlow . . . 164

The Battle between the " Chesapeake " and

the " Shannon," June 1, 1813 . . 168 From the painting by J. E. Schetky.

The Arrival op the " Chesapeake " and the

" Shannon " at Halifax .... 170 From an old print.

The Battle op Lake Erie .... 172

Oliver H. Perry 180

From an engraving of the painting by J. W. Jarvis.

Thomas Macdonough 190

From an engraving of the painting by J. W. Jarvis.

xxx Illustrations

The Battle between the " Monitor " and

"Merrimac" 216

From an old print.

The Sinking op the " Monitor " . . . 242 From the engraving by John Sartain after the drawing by J. Hamilton.

Rear-Admiral Farragut and Fleet-Captain Percival Drayton on the Deck op the "Hartford" in Mobile Bay in 1864 . 246 From a photograph.

The Construction op the Red River Dam . 268 Drawn by William J. Wilson.

Lieutenant Cushing's Torpedo Boat Sinking the " Albemarle " in Roanoke

River, N. C 280

From an old woodcut.

United States Ship " Kearsarge " . . 286

The " Kearsarge " Sinking the " Alabama "

off Cherbourg 290

The Battle of Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864 . 292 From an old woodcut by G. Gibson.

The Confederate Ironclad " Tennessee " . 294

From a photograph taken at Algiers, La., in 1864.

Admiral George Dewey 338

United States Cruiser " Olympia " . . 342

Illustrations xxxi

PAGE

United States Battleship " Oregon " . . 348

U. S. S. " Connecticut " at Hampton Roads . 374 (Copyright, 1908, by Enrique Muller.)

Admiral Robley D. Evans .... 378

(Copyright, 1907, by Enrique Muller.)

The Forward Deck of a Modern Battleship 382 (Copyright, 1908, by Enrique Muller.)

PART I

The War of the Revolution

and

The War of 1 812

Chapter I The Beginning Op The Struggle

PREVIOUS to the War of the Revolution the North American Colonies possessed no naval force, the defence of their seacoast and the protection of their commerce being entrusted to the British navy. Yet a large number of the colonists were more or less acquainted with naval affairs. The merchant vessels owned in the numerous seaports that had grown up within the colonies contributed to form a large body of brave, hardy, enterprising, and experienced seamen, who, in the early years of the eighteenth century, as one hundred years later, in 18G0, were ready and willing to officer and man a navy that was to be created in a dire emergency. As early as 1748, when the peace of Aix-la- Chapelle was declared, five hundred vessels are said to have cleared from Boston alone, in a single year, and four hundred and thirty to have entered that port. This was exclusive of coasting vessels. The trade of New York and Philadelphia was somewhat less than that of Boston.

About this time it became a practice among the gentry of the American provinces to cause their sons to be entered as midshipmen in the royal navy. It is generally known that George Washington was intended for such a life and that the tender affection of his mother, who could not be persuaded to part with her favorite son, alone prevented his entry into the British naval service.