PREFACE

THIS work is to tell the story of the American navy from the time when the fathers of the nation first conceived the idea of sending warships to sea "at the expense of the Continent" down to this year of our Lord 1897. It seems to me that the memory of what the naval heroes of the nation have done is worth preserving if only as a mark of gratitudegratitude to the men whose sole incentive was patriotism and whose only greed was for honor. It seems worth while to tell anew the story of these men who had a noble ambition. It may help to prevent their race becoming extinct. But if that appeal does not secure the attention of the reader, let me say that self-interest demands that he heed the lessons in the story of the navy.

Because naval officers and their friends are very properly jealous of their rights in the matter of titles and rank, it is necessary to explain that officers have very often held one rank on the naval list while entitled to a higher

one by courtesy. Farragut was a midshipman under Porter, and yet, for a time, while in command of a captured ship, was by courtesy called captain. Lieutenant Macdonough was entitled to the title of commodore while in command on Lake Champlain. I have in nearly all instances used the title which courtesy demanded, but, for reasons which I hope will be apparent, the title of actual rank seemed proper at times.

To sum it all up, I am bound to say I have tried to tell the story accurately, interestingly, and usefully. If there are errors, they are unpardonable blunders; if the story lacks interest or usefulness, the fault is entirely with the writer. Any story of the navy—even this one-should rouse the enthusiasm of the patriot because of the stirring character of the deeds that must be described; and I believe that when the reader has considered it well, he will conclude, as I do, that because of the growth of civilization and the spread of the pure doctrines of Christianity throughout the world, and the progress in the arts of making guns and armor-plate in the United States, we shall continue to pursue, for many years, our daily vocations in peace.

J. R. S.

CHAPTER I.

CONTENTS

ORIGIN OF THE AMERICAN NAVY

PAGE

I

The Curious Chain of Events that Led to the Creation of a National

Sea Power-The Gaspé Captured by Men Armed with Paving-stones-

Tea Destroyed in Boston-The Battle of Lexington and the Attack

of the Machias Haymakers on the Margaretta-British Vengeance on

Defenceless Portland and its Effect on the Continental Congress-

The Colonial Navy" Distinguished from the Temporary Cruisers-

The First Officers and the First Ships of the American Navy-John

Paul Jones and the First Naval Ensign-The Significant "Don't

Tread on me❞—Putting the First American Naval Ships in Commis-

sion.

CHAPTER II. FIRST CRUISE OF THE YANKEE

SQUADRON .

48

A Fairly Successful Raid on New Providence, but they Let a

British Sloop-of-war Escape-Character of the First Naval Com-

mander-in-chief and of the Material with which he had to Work-

Esek Hopkins, and his Record as Commander of the Fleet-Crews

Untrained and Devoid of Esprit de Corps-Good Courage, but a

Woeful Lack of other Needed Qualities—Hopkins Dismissed for

Disobedience of Orders.

CHAPTER III. ALONG SHORE IN 1776 .

63

Brilliant Deeds by the First Heroes of the American Navy-Why

Nicholas Biddle Entered Port with but Five of the Original Crew of

the Andrea Doria—Richard Dale on the sleek Lexington—The Race-

horse Captured in an even Fight-Captain Lambert Wickes in the

Reprisal Beats off a Large Vessel-John Paul Jones in his Earlier

Commands A Smart Race with the Frigate Solebay-Sixteen Prizes

in Forty-seven Days in Cape Breton Region-Poking Fun at the

Frigate Milford-The Valuable Mellish-An Able Fighter who

Lacked Political Influence.

PAGE

CHAPTER IV. HE SAW

THE ENEMY "

66 THE COUNTENANCE OF

84

The Story of Arnold's Extraordinary Fight against Overwhelming

Odds on Lake Champlain-A Thousand Sailors, of whom Seven-

tenths were Picked Men, Armed with the Heaviest Guns, were

Pitted under a Courageous Leader against 700 Yankees, chiefly Hay-

makers, Poorly Armed and with Insufficient Ammunition-Savages

with Scalping Knives Aided the British-A Desperate Struggle at

the End-The Best All-around Fighter under Washington.

CHAPTER V. UNDER THE CRAGS OF THE "TIGHT

LITTLE ISLE'

II 2

The Saucy Yankee Cruisers in British Waters-When Franklin

Sailed for France-Wickes in the Reprisal on the Irish Coast-

Narrow Escape from a Liner--A Plucky English Lieutenant-Harsh

Fate of the Americans in the British Prison-Starved by Act of Par-

liament-Deeds of the Gallant Connyngham-Well-named Cruisers

-A Surprise at a Breakfast Table-Taking Prizes Daily-Why Forty

French Ships Loaded in the Thames-Insurance Rates never before

Known.

CHAPTER VI. JOHN PAUL JONES AND THE

RANGER

. 134

The First Ship that Carried the Stars and Stripes-Dash at a Con-

voy that Failed-When the Dutch were Browbeaten-The Ranger

Sent on a Cruise in English Waters-A Ship Taken off Dublin—The

Raid on Whitehaven-When one Brave Man Cowed more than a

Thousand-The Whole Truth about Lord Selkirk's Silverware, with

the Noble Lord's Expression of Gratitude when he Got it Back-

How Captain Jones Missed the Drake at First, but Got her Later on

in a Fair and Well-fought Battle.

CHAPTER VII. THE FIRST SUBMARINE WARSHIP. 157

It was Small and Ineffective, but it Contained the Germ of a

Mighty Power that is as yet Undeveloped-When Nicholas Biddle

Died-He was a Man of the Spirit of an Ideal American Naval

Officer-Fought the Ship against Overwhelming Odds till Blown out

of the Water-The Loss of the Hancock-An American Captain Dis-

missed for a Good Reason-Captain Rathburne at New Providence

-Loss of the Virginia-Captain Barry's Notable Exploit-With