The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-08-22
COMMODORE RODGERS.


Commodore JoHN RODGERS entered nh
Navy as a lieutenant in the wear l79s. III,
was lst lieutenant Of the CoNsrsII,rIo,
in the action with the INsuRGENrE, whicl
resulted in her capture. His zeal in per
forming his duty on the occasion, and com
plying strictly with the orders of his com
mander, Commodore Truxton,) was in
Commodore rs language, "not to be sur
passed After the action the command o.
the lnsurgenle was conferred upon him.
With Midshipman ID. Porter, (,he pres.
ent Commodore) and III men, he took
possession OF the prize, and commenced
removing her crew to the Constellation
Out before this could he done, the ships
we're separated in heavy gale of wind,
and l13 prisoners were left on board TO be
guarded by Lieutenant RoDaEns and his
handful Of men, whose situation was rem
dered peculiarly perilous by the circum.
stance OF there being no handouts or shack
les on board to secure the prisoners, who
manifested disposition to retake the prize
The energy of Lieut.. RoDGERs, assisted by
The gallant Midshipman Porter. conducted
the prize safely into St. Kits.
Returning to the United States, Lieut..
RODGERS was commissioned Captain in
the Navy, in consideration of his highly
meriorious conduct aud known qualifica-
tons. He was appointed to command the
Sloop of War Maryland, in which vessel
lie crulsed in the West Indies for many
months, rendering important services. In
lool he sailed in the Maryland for France,
with MIR. Dawson, sent as a diplomatic
messenger to that Court.
In 1902, he was appointed to the COM
manc of the John Adams-attached to the
Mediterranean squadron-destroyed the
Meshouda of % guns, ",he largest cruiser
belonging to Tripoli," aud performed 9TH
er valuable services.
In lSO4, he was appointed to the Frigate
Congress, and proceeded to the Medlter-
ranean as part ofa squadron of vessels, un-
der the command of Commodore SAMUEL
BARRON, sent thither against Tripoll.
From Commodore BARRoN's extreme i'll
health, he resigned the command of the
squadron in May, 1905, to Com. RODGERS.
whose decisive conducr soon disposed the
Bhshaw of Trlpoli to make peace with US. |
In less than two months after the command
devolved upon him, a treaty of peace was
concluded with that power, on terms dicta-
ted by him and Colonel LEAR.
In 1912, the command of souaJron
was gwen to him. He dashed into the
European seas, made number of captures,
most OF which he from necessity destroyed,
returning triumphant after an absence of
more than three months. At the time he
sailed, number of the enemy's vessels l.
were on our coast, greatly exceeding the S
Comnodore's squadron in force. These I
he successfully evaded, and, by DRAWN. /
'hem oil IN pursuit of him, enabled "A great
number of our merchant vessels. with val. '
uapIe eargoes, To return in safety to our
ports. One of the effects of this cruise was
20 save millions to our merchants and our d
Government. IL
when the British army marched upon s
baltimore, Com. RODGERS acted distin- {
5ulshed part IN the defence of tha, CITY. 10
Many believe Baltimore would have been
bu, for the seasonabIe aid of e
he force under his command. 5
After the war, he wa. appointed Com
missioner of the Navy, and presided over p
hat Board for several wears. He was n
mainly instrumental in making regulations
which have conducted to the economy of
he naval service. He was offered the sp o.
continent of Secretary of the Navy, bu, p
eclined it.-llaving acted as President of p
he Broad of Navy Commissioners, abou, +
en- years ago, the President invited him to
axe command of the Mediterranean squad n
on, mentioning considerations, inducing h
i'm 10 do so, highly honorable to the Com W
lodore. He accepted and his flag was nj
oisted on board the North Carolina shin p
the line, of which ID. II. Patterson, Esq. ly
'as appointed Captain. He cruised in the CO
Iedlierranean seas nearly three years.
lie had much intercourse with the COM >,
iasders of other naval Powers, and was y. "
eld by them in high estimation. The ~
mp was particularly distinguished for her i,
ne condition at all times, and the high "
ate of discipline maintained on board. .,
he Commodore, his accomplished Cap ~ =.
lin, and this noble specimen of American VI u
avail architecture, were objects of uniyer g.
II admiration. Returning to the United ~
tates, he was again appointed President u,
the Board Of Navy Commissioners, and w
TO discharge with great fidelity /
nd zeal the arduous duties of that station.
u his constitution was literally worn out, cit
nd his mind exhausted, in the service. y,
'e then retired made trip to England tn,
the hope of recovering his health, and W,
rs there received with those kind a,,en. ,b
ons which were gratefully remembered r.
u his last moments. mr.
National Intcihgeneer. N,