The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-12-20
(Trsm the Army and Navy JournaD
EDNA I'd n Prnhla

X
of Commodore Edward Prebe For four gen.
erations this family has been distinguished in
the service of the country. The great-gran O.
father was with Wolf on the plains of Abra-
ham, and near that hero when he fell. The
great grandson was with Winslow when he
sunk the Alabama. and sailed the Kearsarge
in the fight Their history is part OF the histo-
nv of their country since 1884, when Jedediah
Preble first came from York, in Maine, to Fal-
mouth, now Portland. He served in the In
dian and French wars with much distinction,
rising from captain to brlgadier gen eral,
was twice wounded and noted for energy, dar-
ing and ability. At the opening of the Revo-
luton his capacity and experience led to his
appointment as brigadier general, and in 1875
he as appointed major general by Congress.
These appointments he was obliged to decline
on account of the intirmities caused by age, by
wounds, and by much exposure. Nevertheless,
he was for 10 years member of the Legisla-
ture, member of the Governors Council, the
first Senator from Cumberland county, and
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He
lost large fortune by the bombardment and
destruction of Portland by the British feet
under Mowatt. OF the children of Brigader
Preble, as he was universally known, the most
distingu shed was Commodore Edward Preble
of the United States Navy. At the age OF six
teen he enlisted on privateer, and served
through an arduous and stormy voyage. In
ITO he was midshipman on the Protector, and
took part in the fight with the Admiral Duff,
of &c guns, which was captured. The follow
ing year he was captured, and was prisoner
on board the prison ship Jersey, where SO many
American prisoners persisted In 1881 he was
exchanged, and made first lieutenant of the
ship Winthrop, and on this cruise performed a
gallant exploit IN cutting out an
American vessel from under the guns of
British fort, a deed which gained for him the
reputation of undaunted courage and great
of mind. At the close Of the Revolu-
Z he rafi frnu fho To
ter the navy in 1885, when the nation was
threatened with trouble from France. He was
the second onthe list of five lieutenants in the
navy provided by Congress- He first COM
manded the Pickering in cruise among the
West Indies to protect our commerce against
French cruisers In June OF the same year he
was commissioned a captain, and put in COM
mand of the frigate Essex, which he sailed to
the East Indies to convoy home fleet of
American merchantmen, being the first to
take ship of war bearing the United States
flag beyond the Cape of Good Hope. In the
OF the Navy soon afterwards, Preble
was one of tho niue captains who was retained
in the service.
In 1903 Preble was put in command of the
squadron designed to act againt the Barbary
States, which had been making war upon our
Two squadrons had already been
sent against these powers without success. The
third, with less number of guns than the
former squadron, was Preble's command.
Preble first overawed Morocco, which was
preparing to depredate on American ships, and
then proceeded to blockade Tripoii. These
pratical African powers had compelled the
governments of Europe to pay large tributes
20 protect their commerce. 1t was the glory of
Preble that he chad an aversion to the pay
nent of ransom" The year was unusually
stormy In the Mediterranean. Lord Nelson
laid that its nature seemed altered that win
er. But difficulties seemed to stimulate Pre- BILE
% greater boldness, energy, and resources in
lis endeavors to humble the piratical despot
at Tripol. Although his best ship
inder cambridge was lost by getting aground
lnder the guns he borrowed some small
7essels from the King of Naples, and
With others he had taken from the enemy he
began operations. Five times he attacked
md bombarded Tripoli, and though peace was
lot concluded till the arrival of Barron, his
enior, with another fleet from the United |
States, yet Preble's repeated attacks had SO
frightened the Bashaw of Tripoli that an hon
,rable peace resulted from his bold operations. |
The European powers on the Mediteri anean |
vi testified in the highest praise to his deeds,
md the Pope declared s'that the American |
lime had done more for the cause of Chris |
ianity than the most powerful nations OF |
have done for ages" Preble |
vas born for naval commander To noble |
presence. a comprehensive mind. great dill |
fence, prudence and perseverance,, he united |
be boldest measures of execution, powers of |
prompt decision, and a total insensibility to |
ear. Neither pains nor sickness could over |
;ome his energy, and he left an example of |
zeal, capacity, courage and discipline which |
n de him one of the great characters in the |
lavy. He returned to America in 1904 with |
lis health undermined, to receive the thanks
II Congress and medal for his distinguished |
ervices His disease continued to battle his |
physicians, and though at times apparently re-
covering, he died in 1907 at the age of 46. He |
49,. i f-.C - k.k.N
IN the prospect of war with England he ap-
,lied Tor active service, saying he would rise
rom sick bed to take command of his ship. |
His wife was Mary, a sister of James Deering, |
distinguished merchant of Portland, and
trough her he received handsome estate.
Their one child, Edward Deering Preble, was
ducated at home and in Europe, and possess
ng ample means he lived a quiet and scholar
y life, dying at the early age of 40. This gem
ration of the family was represented in the |
avy hy Admiral George Henry Preble, who
vas a nephew of the Commodore. Admiral
'reble is too well known to require further
mention in this article. He was born in Port
and in 1916, entered the navy in 1885, and
erved through the Mexican war and the Re-
ellion, until he went on to the retired list in
las distinguished himself as writer and
historian, and is member of various
historical societies. Edward Deering Pre-
lie, the son of the Commodore, married |
beautiful Miss Wattes of Alexandria, Va,
y whom he had three children, two daughters
nd son. The son was Edward Ernest Pre-
lie, whose death occasions this notice of the
amily. He was born in Portland in 1912, en-
cred the Naval Academy in 1859, and went on
ctive duty in 1862. His first service was on
be steamship Mississippi, in the West Gulf
squadron. In 1S62-63 he was at
ached to the Kearsarge, and man9uvred that
essel in its fight with the Alabama off Cher
ourg, when the rebel steamer was sunk.
august 8, 1864, he was promoted ensign and at
ached to the North Atlantic squadron during |
$685. He participated In both attacks on
Fort Fisher. Feb %, 1864, hei was promoted |
o be lieutenant In 1S66-67 he was on special
ervice on the Susquehanna, was commissioned
commander July %, 1866, was at
ached to the Minnesota on special cruise in
86S, and to the Pacific squadron in 1869,
7hen he resigned from the service. Since his
esignation he has resided in Portland, in the
of a handsome fortune which he in
erited. For some years his health has been
roken, and during the past few months he
eemed to be failing. His death, however,
vas extremely sudden and unexpected, being
ccasioned by the rupture of blood vessel in
he brain, causing almost instant death.
During the day be had been about his house,
nd little while before his death he was con-
ersing with his sister, Mrs. Tucker. Hearing
i'm, as she supposed, calling, she went into
lis room to find him expiring
Lieut.. PreDl6 was handsome ana accom-
,ished officer and inherited those qualities of
GOODNESS, courage, and decision
which distinguished his grandfather the COM
nodore He possessed natural aptitude for
he naval service, and as o avigator of ship
lad no superior. To unquestioned capacity he
nited many amiable and entertaining quail
les, which made him popular in the Navy
nd won him troops of friends. He was
ever married. His eldest sister married Mr..
edgar Tucker, of New York, and the youngest
the wife of Mr. w. H. Anderson of Port
and, formerly paymaster in the Navy. The
anne still lives in the family of Admiral Pre-
lie and in collateral branches.
Fatal Accident.