The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-11-17

The cracking OF burning wood, clouds
of smoke and flashes of lurid light burst
suddenly forth from hatchways, ports
and cabins; the firing parties had per
formed well their share of the programme,
and the deep, ominous muttcr and mufhcd
roar of exploding combustiblas in tic
hold of the doomed frigate warned Deca
tur that his work had been accomplished.
The order to regain the 'IEtrepid' WAS
given, and without the loss Of \ man tie
leader drew off his forces, reaching safe
distance, when they paused to witness
the results OF their daring.
Hull, spars and rigging Were wreatl.s, i
in pillows of fire, while tie guns hccor-
ing heated Numbered forth Il parting
farewell, while the projectiles whist!ed
about the ears of the dignitaiies who had
clambered to their houSetops to ascCrta n
the cause Of the confusion and alarm.
The light from the burning ship brought
out in grand relief the minarcts, mosques
castles and pinnaclcs of the city, while
the harbOr was Illuminated; revealing lis
darkest recesses. The slight outline Of
the Intrepid" was discovered by the ar
tillerists and shower of balls directed
upon her. But with hearty Yankee cheers
rising above the din the little vessel, as
sisted by the boats Of the ''Sircn, passed
in safety from the barber.
The fasts of the philadelphia" burned
and parted, allowing tie irigate to DRIFT
from her berth, no one daring to venture
near the burning structure. Grounding
on the rocks near the entrance to the
harbor, the vessel continued to burn un-
til the flames reached her magazine, and
the Tripolitans were robbed Of even a
vestige of their prize.
Lord Nelson, in command OF the Brit
ish fleet blockading Tou!1I, when lie
heard of the achievement, said ''It Is
the most bold and daring act of the age. .
and the United States Government test
fed its appreciation OF the horos deeds
by comforting upon him the rank OF q
post captain.
Congress never appropriated a dollar
for prize money to the gallant band who
literally took their lives in their hands
when they penetrated unhesitatingly up
to the very muzzles of the Bashaw guns.
The captors of the ''Guerrierre'' and
Java" received $4,000 for each Of those
vessels, which were given to the torch.
The "Frolic' and 'Lavant" brought
s25, 900, though they were recaptured by
the enemy. Decatur and his men receiv-
ed 100000 for the Algerino frigate and
brig wrested from the foe in 1915, but
never dollar for the "Philadelphia.
Some time after Decatur's death bill
granting $1,000 to the captor of the
"Philadelphia" was introduced and pass
ed the Senate by a large majority, but
failed in the House. The widow of De-
catur died in poverty, i'll health and sor-
row, with naught but religion all,! a re-
signed spirit to comfort and support her,
leaving as legacy and reminder of her
husbands services to q grateful republic
the just claim, so CALAMITY won in the
face of desperate odds. Naturalization
for destroying the philadelphia.
For whipping the imbecile Egyptians
Woolsey, from the hands of his sovereign
and government. has received both titles,
decorations and acccssions OF wealth Tor
an achievement such as Decatur y :
formed, under an: other government, the
leader would have beef. knig1ed ana deco
rated with CORES pending ai.d appropriate
gifts accompanying the Foy.l favor.
The schooner Enterprise. - Which De-
catur once commanded, created fn.. i...c-
self an enviable ard remarkable leEuta-
ton. She was built on the las 7ra Shore
of Maryland great care having been he
slowed upon her construction and in Sc
Letting the material cnuatitut;ng her
frames. She was pierced to. twelve saLs.
and carried that number of long sizes.
Her long list of successes and adventures
rival in number the exploits OF cold
Ironsides.' Commodore John Shaw, an
1rishman, and a gallant officer Of /. 5.
Navy, was appointed her first commander.
sailing on cruise in December, 1873.
His orders carried him to the Wesl In
dies, where he joined the squadron OF
the Windward Islands. He was sent b.
Truxton to Philadelphia with dispatches
and returned with dispatches for Com
modore Talbot. While off the Mona Pas
sage large brig was sighted to the
southwark, to which she gave chase, dis,
playing the American ensign. The brio
hoisted the flag of Spain, opening fire or
the schooner at long range
Shaw kept steadily en-, paying no atter-
ton to the furious demonstrations OF the
Spaniard, until eaching a position on his
starboard quarter, the broadside Of the
"Enterprise" was delivered for the first
time with telling effect \ sharp action
ensued, the Spauiard mounting eighteen
guns all of heavier metal than Eer aEta1,
onist. After exchanging hroadsid2S fut
twenty minutes the vessels parted. each
holding their course without Offering a
word of explanation. Both vessel; auf
fered considerably, the ''EHterprise" 90,
ing into St. Thomas to reft Nothing
more was ever heard Of the singular 8 fair,
The ''Enterprise'' anchored in close
proximity to a large French luggcr
mounting twelve guns, which had beer
lying at st. Thomas for some time. Hen
crew numbered over one hundred, while
the American schooner rated the 1000
old Continental number of seventv-siy.
The commander of the lugger challenged
Shaw to a trial of strength between their
respective vessels in the offing. which
was at once accepted, the American sea
men greeting the news with three cheers.
At the hour named Shaw was on band.
his vessel hove to, in readiness for the
combat. But the luggcr remained a;
anchor, seemingly oblyioGS to the sigma
guns from the Yankee schooner.
Sometime afterward Shaw sighted 4
three masted French lugger, which he
Immediately recognized as the rccleaut
craft he had met at st. Thomas. Ran.
idly overhaulng the Frenchman tic
Enterprise" prepared for close action,
but before she could deliver broa.,;,e
the lugger hauled down her f!a@. Ga
board the prize were several oflicc!s ci
the French army, one of whom woe tie