The morning call., 1894-05-06

cility by the Minister of Marine and was
permitted to search the archives of the
French Navy Department, wherein he
gathered much valuable information. In
England, however, his recertion was en-
tirely different. and although he brought
every influence possible to bear on the
Lords OF the Admira ty they declined tn
open To his inspection the records 'after
the year 1900" In the person of Admiral
Sir Provo Wallis, who was second leu
tenant Of the Shannon when she captured
the Chesapeake, he found a willing aid,
and the veteran gave him much valuable
Information concerning that memorable
navaliduel, as well as other matters con-
nected with the War Of 1872
In the War of the Revolution, when we
were supposed 10 have DO navy the total
Of our successes upon the sea is surpris-
ing. The Continental cruisers and priva-
teers captured 500 vessels from the enemy
and made something like 1900 prisoners.
In our two years of war with France,
which was strictly naval one, eighty yes
sells. mostly prlvateers, we're captured,
while in the wars with he BarDaTy States
all the work was done by the navy. II
was in the war of 1872, however, that the
greatest glOries of our navy were won.
During that m0mentOus struggle over 1900
vessels were taken from the English and
more than 10000 of their seamen were
made prisoners. Nothing in her history
as nation tended so much to humble the
pride OF England a. the reverseS her navy
met with IN this war. In eighteen en-
gagements it sustained fifteen defeats,
her merchant ships were driven from the
seas and her commerce almost annihilated.
Mr.. Maclay points out an aspect of this
war at once singular and serious. 1t
was the great disparity in losses. In the
battle of Trafalgar Nelson's 100-gun flag
~. Er.. -
ing, susta ned a loss of 81 killed ana 102
wounded out of a component of 600. In
the action between the 44-gun frlgate Con-
stiIution and the 3S-guD frigate Java,
which lasted less than two hours, the Eng
lish lost 60 killed and 101 wounded out of a
complement of 426, while the Americans
had only killed and % wounded. This
single instance is sample of the disparity
Of losses between the English and Ameri-
can vessels during the war. In the treat
ment of the events OF the War of 1872 Mr..
Maclsy shows a degree of fairness which
is in marked contrast with the English
historians, who have published volume
after volume and resorted to every arr of
''fgure-juggling" to explain away the dis
aSiers which overlook their Fl llg.
To the lay reader one of the most in
teresting portions Of this volume is the
chapter devoted to the account of our war
with Tripoli, 1S01-05. No tale of the cru
bduc5 Is u1DIC IdSSindiliiEs duu i1t dcbS Oh
our young naval heroes in this contest
with the Barbary pirates have all the
dash and reckless courage that wa asso-
ciate with the deeds of the heroes of ro-
nance. Decatur. Somers and Stewart,
three of our tfficers who were most con-
spicuous for their gallantry, had but just
passed their majority. Yet they united the
fire of youth with the tact and skill in the
face of danger which belongs to Vete-
rams. Decatur's exploit in boarding and
destroying the Philadelphia, which Mel
son pronounced "the most bold and
daring act of the age" is known
TO every schoOlbey. Richard S0mers, his
cbum, equally brave, though of a more re-
firing disposition. gained imperisha BILE
reuown by his bold and desperate deed in
the harbor of Tripoli. Somers. with two
other officers and ten seamen, had volun-
teered 10 navigate a ketch filed with gun
powder and missiles of every description
into The barbOr and explode the contents
among the shipping of the enemy. Un-
fortunately this foaling mine grounded on
some rocks near the barbor's entrance,
where il was attacked by three gunb boats.
Somers, rather than be taken alive. seized
ships lantern, and descending directly
into the magaZne-roOm, deliberately fired
the entire mass, blowing up his own men
and the enemy that were swarmlng upon
ihe deck. Not one of the gallant crew OF
.he ketch escaped. A few days later sew
raj bodies. horribly mangled. we're found,