The Irish standard., 1891-01-24
Commodore John Barry.

| Commodore John Barry.
John Barry, who became one OF the
most distinguished officers Of the Ameri.
can navy, was born almost on the sea-
shore, the parish of Tacumshane,
County Wexford. Ireland, in the year
l745. His father, well-to do far@er.
would often see his little boy perched
upon the rocks, watching the waves
rolling in from the Atlantic. Some
thing told him that the boy would not
be long with him. But while his son
renamed at nome the good man IN
stilled into his mind the Catholic faith;
and to this faith John Barry was true
all his life He was barely fourteen
when he embarked before the mast on a
vessel bound for New EDgland; and,
finding America to his liking, ne de-
termlned to abide III America. In 1850
Young Barry was in Philadelphia, where
he made his home. But he was still a
sailor; he passed more time allDat than
ashore; he dearly loved his profession,
and i'm his twenty fifth wear he was cap"
tam of the Black Prince, one Of the
packets of the day, and owned bv Mr.
Nixon, Of Philadelphia. Barry also
commanded ships belonging to Mr..
Reese Meredith, and 1t was at Mr..
Meredlth's house that he first met
George Washington.
When the Revolution broke out he
Immediately offered his services to Con
gress. They were gladly accepted, and
In February. l776, he was put in COM
manded OF the brig Lexington, OF six
teen guns Barry lett the capes of tine
Della ware in the last week Of February,
and thus had the honor or being the
first American officer to sail into the
Open sea against the British. After
cruising six Weeks he fell in with and
captured after an hours fight ship
called the Edward, and this gave him
the additional honor OF. capturing the
lirst British man Of war. La October
Of that year Barry was appointed to the
Effingham, twenty-ei9ht guns, then on
the stocks at Philadelphia. BY the time
she was launched 1T was winter, the ice
prevented her from getting to sea, and,
as he could not endure inactivity, he
volunteered to serve in the army. He
took part in the battles Of Trenton and
Princeton, where he greatly distin'
gushed himself In September. IT'S.
Barry was given command of the
Raleigh, thirty two guns. But his
finest ship was the ALI lance, thus
named in honor OF our alliance with
France aud on which he sailed as COM
modore. Ia 1871 this beautiful frlgate
left Boston, having on board Colonel
Lalrens. who was charged with an i'm.
portant mission to the French court.
Having taken Laurens to France, Barry
went on cruise, during which ne met
two British ships, the Atlanta OF 10
guns, add the Treppasy OF IA, and after
a severe engagement, Ia which he was
badly W. uDded, he captured them both.
In 1882, being still in command OF the
Alliance, h. brought home SOM. specie
from Havana. Soon after leaving port
he was chased by two men Of-war. but
the Alliance, which was the fastest ship
In our navy, escaped. and this specie
helped to found the Bank Of North
America, the first institution OF the
kind in the United States. When peace
was made Barry did not leave the serv-
ice. He was now at it's head, and bY
his experience did much to lay the
foundations of our present navv. He
died September Is. 1903, aged So; and,
as he left no children. he bequeathed a
good part of his worldly possessions to
the Catholic Orphan Asylum of Phila
delphia, in which city he was buried, 10
the cemetery of st. Mary's Church. In
1875 the Centennial year -Barry's
time worn monument was renewed by
a few OF his grateful countrymen; and
whoever visits Philadelphia should go
to this old Gods acre and say prayer
over the grave of him who may justly
be called the Father Of the American
navy.