The New York herald., 1865-01-20

The Naval Heroes or this War.
England, Holland and the United States are
the only nations in modern history which have
produced great naval heroes. But although
this nation is not yet ninety years old, while
England and Holland count their ages by CEN
turies, we have already far surpassed them
both in naval warfare. The trident which Hol-
land took from Neptune, and Britannia snatched
from Holland, is now welded by the Genius Of
America We rule the seas as we have always
ruled the shore. Won Tromp, whose fame
answered to his name, and who carried broom
at his masthead to sweep the ocean; Drake,
who destroyed the Spanish armada; Cochran,
who ranks among England's celebrities, and
Nelson, the hero Of Trafalgar and Copenhagen,
have been superseded by our Farragut, Porter,
Dupont and other gallant sailors. The historic
roll of the worlds great men will have to be
rewritten; for Americans now claim the highest
places for their generals and their admirals.
Before our nation was fully organized it had
produced q naval hero who carried terror to
the English coast and broke the pride of Eng
lish sailors. More scientific fighters have since
crowned our arms with victory; but the daring,
skill and pluck Of John Paul Jones, the
first of American commodores, will always
remain immortal. The war with Tripoli and
the war of 1872 brought out host Of such
heroes as Hull, cambridge, Decatur, Preble,
McDonough, Somers, Truxton, Lawrence, Perry
and David Porter, and England could find no
rivals to such sailors. The war Of 1872, con-
Quoted while this country was yet in its infancy,
settled the question of relative superiority in
naval affairs between the Old World and the
New. During our present war, having no other
nation to surpass, we have surpassed ourselves.
The students and the sons of the heroes of 1872
have eclipsed their masters and their fathers.
Vice Admiral Farragut, who fought on the
Essex under old Commodore Porter, now stands
at the head of the United States Navy. Ad-
miral David d. Porter, the son Of that same
commodore, now ranks next to Farragut, and
is the hero Of our latest victory. Dupont, Dray-
ton, Winslow, Blake, Radford, Rowan, Macomb,
Rhind, Gushing, Thornton, Preston, young
Lieutenant Porter and a number Of other Off
GERS have also distinguished themselves and
their country; while on every ship in our SER
vice are unknown heroes, patiently waiting for
their opportunities to make themselves equally
famous. Should the war last long enough our
muster roll of glory will have to be largely
increased. Our army. and navy are vieing with
each other in giving us great men. Already
we can challenge the world to compare heroes
| with MS, name for name, and at the end OF
another war there will be no niche in the temple
of fame not occupied by great American.
Farragut won his present position by the
battles Of New Orleans and Mobile Bay. At
the former he sailed through a sea of fire, de-
molished forts and iron-clad rams, destroyed
fire ships, fire RATS and timber traps, overcame
every legitimate and Internal obstacle, and
finally sank the rebel feet and captured the
city. At the latter he laughed at submarin g
torpedocs, silenced heavy batteries, fought his
way into the bay, captured an iron monster ex-
pressly devised for his destruction, and dis
persed or took possession Of the rest Of the
rebel navy. These exploits, which arc perfectly
unparalleled, and beside which the victories Of
Won Tromp, Drake Nelson and Cochran seem
| quite Insignificant have rendered the Vice
Admiral illustrious for all time. Heroes may
appear who shall be able to rival him, but no
mortal can ever excel him. Dupont having
been retired after his magnificent victory at
Hilton Head, and Dahlgren having failed to
take Charleston, 1t was fast becoming the
settled conviction Of the public that Farm gut
was to be alone in his glory. But now Admiral
Porter has dispcllcd that conviction. His attack
1lu v,1au md
splendidly executed. He handled his inn
mensc feet as neatly and effectively as
his father handled the Essex. Although the
| first attempt failed through the incompetency
| Of Butler, Admiral Porter did not relin-
| quish the task before him. Had not Grant
| sent General Terry to assist him, he would
have attacked Fort Fisher with his sailors and
marines. Instead Of wasting any time, he
drilled his men for the assault by rcconnois-
sances at Fort Macon, on the Carolina coast.
| When General Terry arrived Porter ut once
heartily co-operated with him. In all his orders
the Admiral showed his determination to sue
| ceed. When he called for a storming party
from the feet, his only anxiety was that they
should aboard the fort on the river in sea-
manilte ,ody." During the fight he would not
''take any unfair advantage Of the enemy by
using the iron vessels alone" The only mis-
| take made in the attack was the excellent one
of Airing too rapidly Well may the country
be proud Of such hero, who is as chivalric as
he is brave. Never before did any nation de-
velop at once such soldiers and snch sailors.
Defended by them, the Stars and Stripes shall
float over every sea and be feared and re-
spcctcd 10 every land. Let the ancient poets
sing Of the heroes OF Greece and Rome; the
Troubadors sound the praises Of the knights Of
the middle ages, and France and England vaunt
their more modern but almost forgotten glories.
When America produces poet as sublime as