COMMODORE BARRY
(After Chappelle)]
The Story
OF
Commodore John Barry
"Father of the American Navy"
BY
Martin I.J. Griffin
Historian of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick
of Philadelphia
"I serve the country for nothing"—Barry
"May a suitable recompense always attend your bravery"—Washington
PHILADELPHIA
1908
Dedicated
TO
The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick
for the Relief of Emigrants from Ireland
ST. PATRICK'S DAY
1908
Martin I.J. Griffin,
Historian of the Society.
Copyright
1908
The Story
OF
Commodore John Barry
"Father of the American Navy"
[Copyrighted]
CHAPTER I.
His Naval Renown—His Career in the Colonial Mercantile MarineService—Appointed to the "Lexington" by the Continental MarineCommittee—His First Cruise.
The American Navy by its achievements has won enduring fame andimperishable honor. The careers of many of its heroes have been narratedfully, and oft in fulsome terms. All Americans unite in these tributesof praise where justly due.
JOHN BARRY has, aptly and justly, been called "The Father of theAmerican Navy." His early, constant and worthy services in defenceof our country; his training many of those who became the foremost andmost distinguished sons of the sea in our early naval annals makes thetitle one fitly bestowed.
The Congress of his country having directed the erection in the CapitalCity of the Nation of a monument commemorative of the man and his deeds,this is a fitting time to present a brief record of his career and ofhis deeds during the Revolutionary War, which won the Independence ofour Country, and also in the War with France, which maintained theintegrity of the new Nation and the protection of its commerce. In bothwars he bore a heroic part. At all times his services were useful andbrilliant.
"Captain John Barry may justly be considered the Father of our Navy,"wrote Mr. Dennie in The Portfolio, July 1813, in giving the firstbiographical sketch of this distinguished naval officer. "The utility ofwhose services and the splendor of whose exploits entitle him to theforemost rank among our naval heroes."
Allen's Biographical Dictionary, published in 1809, declared he "was apatriot of integrity and unquestioned bravery."
Frost's Naval Biography states: "Few commanders were employed in agreater variety of services or met the enemy under greaterdisadvantages," and yet he did not fail to acquit himself of his duty ina manner becoming a skillful seaman and a brave warrior.
THE BARONY OF FORTH
"His public services were not limited to any customary rule ofprofessional duty, but without regard to