JOHN BARRY, WHO WON MORE SEA FIGHTS IN THE REVOLUTION THAN ANY OTHER CAPTAIN
103. John Barry. Although born on a farm in Ireland (1745), John Barry wanted to be a sailor lad. While still young he was put to service on board a merchant ship. Here young Barry learned more than being a mere sailor. Between voyages he studied hard, and soon gained a useful education. At the age of fifteen he came to Philadelphia, and was so pleased with the country and the people that he resolved to make America his home.
He rose rapidly as a sailor and, when the news of the first bloodshed between England and her colonies came, he offered his services to Congress.
JOHN BARRY
From the portrait painted by Colin Campbell Cooper after the Stuart painting, now in Independence Hall, Philadelphia
In 1776 Congress made him captain of the ship Lexington, the first Continental vessel to sail from William Penn's old city. Barry immediately put to sea, and met and captured the Edward after a fierce fight. Thus the Lexington was the first ship to bear the American flag to victory.
Congress, pleased with the result, put him in charge of a larger ship, called the Effingham. The British, however, bottled up the Effingham in the Delaware.
But Barry was not idle. Arming four boatloads of men, with muffled oars he rowed down the Delaware at night.
Just as the sun was rising Barry saw a British vessel of ten guns. With this ship were four transports loaded with forage for the British army. Barry's boats made for the British ship. His men climbed on board with guns and swords in hand. The British soldiers threw down their arms and ran below. Barry fastened down the hatchways, and then turned his attention to the four transports, which quickly surrendered. Barry then took his five prizes across the river to an American fort.
BARRY'S BOATS ATTACKING THE BRITISH
In 1778 Congress promoted John Barry to the command of the Raleigh. He set sail for Boston, and on his way met a British ship carrying thirty-two guns. His sailors had taken an oath never to surrender. They fought bravely, and had every hope of winning, when a British 64-gun ship came in sight. To keep their oaths, they ran the Raleigh ashore, and set her on fire. The British put out the fire and saved the ship.
104. Barry Given Command of the "Alliance." In 1781 Barry was placed in command of the Alliance, a ship whose name was given in honor of France's helping America in this war. In May the Alliance met two British ships, and a hard battle followed. Barry was badly wounded, but would not surrender. He fought on and forced the British ships to strike their colors.
In 1783 Barry, in the Alliance, sailed on his last voyage of the Revolution. His companion ship was the Luzerne. Three British ships discovered the Americans and quickly gave chase. The Luzerne was slow and threw her guns overboard.
Another vessel came into view; it was a French ship of fifty guns. With her aid Barry immediately decided to fight. He made a speech urging the men not to fire until ordered. A terrific battle with the foremost British ship followed. After fifty minutes' fighting, the British showed signals of distress. The remaining British ships now came up to rescue her, and the Alliance sailed away. The French ships took no part in the battle.
After the war was over, Congress provided for a navy, and General Knox, Washington's Secretary of War and of the Navy, named John Barry as first commodore. He served as the senior commander of the American navy until his death, in 1803. The people of Philadelphia have erected a monument to his memory (1907).
SUGGESTIONS INTENDED TO HELP THE PUPIL
The Leading Facts. 1. John Paul was born a sailor in Scotland and went to America. 2. He was in America when war broke out; offered his service and was made lieutenant. 3. Congress sent him to France, and Franklin sent him to prey on English commerce. 4. Paul Jones won the great sea fight in the Bon Homme Richard. 5. John Barry was born in Ireland, and went to sea early. 6. Congress made him captain in 1776, in charge of the Lexington. 7. Barry set the country talking by capturing a war vessel and four transports. 8. John Barry won more naval victories in the Revolutionary War than any other office. 9. Named first commodore in 1794 by the Secretary of the Navy.
Study Questions. 1. Give an account of John Paul's boyhood. 2. What of his first visit to America? 3. How did Paul happen, at so early an age, to have full charge of a vessel? 4. Why did he go to Virginia a second time? 5. Why did he hasten to Congress as soon as war began? 6. How did Paul Jones prove his right to be captain? 7. Tell the story of the battle between the Drake and the Ranger. 8. Picture the battle between the Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis. 9. What rewards came to Paul Jones? 10. Where is he buried? 11. Give an account of John Barry's youth. 12. When the war came, what was Barry's action? 13. What was the first victory on the part of the navy? 14. What was the outcome of the battle on the Raleigh? 15. What were Barry's experiences in the Alliance? Picture Barry's last battle.
Suggested Readings. Paul Jones: Beebe, Four American Naval Heroes, 17-68; Abbot, Blue Jackets of '76, 83-154; Frothingham, Sea Fighters, 226-266; Hart, Camps and Firesides of the American Revolution, 285-289; Hart, How Our Grandfathers Lived, 217-219; Seawell, Paul Jones.
John Barry: Griffin, Commodore John Barry, 1-96.