The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-28

by David Porter, then a Midshipman, who was
destined to distinguished himself in future
engagements. After an hours firing between
the ships, the Constellation hanling athwart
her antagonists stern, made ready to rake her,
when the enemy surrendered The prize
proved to be the French frigste Llnsurgente
70 OF whose men bad ueeu killed and wounded,
while the Constellation had only three men
wounded. LInsurgente was adopted into the
American service.
In 1900 the Constellation was still found in
the West India service, and in February of that
year she encountered French vessel-of- war
after a spirited chase. The ship proved to be
La Vengeance. The fight was a fierce one, and
the Constellation lost % men and was badly
damaged. The French ship had so Of her peo.
pie killed and reached port in sinking con-
ditioR- The French vessel was much the su-
perior of the Constellation, and TruxtnB's per-
formance added greatly to bis reputation.
Alterations were made In the Constellation after
this action, and the ship was turned over TO
Capt. Murray, who had just returned from a
short cruise in LInsurgente The vessel was
sent to the West Indies again after being re-
paired in this country
In 1850 the Bashaw of Tripoli, by process
OF reasoning aud "A method of expression which
at this day seems incredible, demanded tribute
of the United States, and in May, 1901 finding
no response TO his demands declared war against
authorized the capture of auy Tripolitan YES
sels that might he found. and the same law was
OF great service TO the Navy by enabling crews
TO be shipped for two years. A Mediterranean
squadron was formed. with Morris in command
and the Constellation, still under Capt. Murray
as one of his ships.
The Constellation arrived off TripoIi in May,
1902, finding the Boston blockading the port.
The latter ship eventually left, leaving the
Constellation and small Swedish cruiser. The
Constellation engaged force of a dozen Trip
Olitan gunbOats which were aided by land cav
airy, and did much damage TO the force ashore
and afoat, with only slight damage to herself
This was the first engagement of the war, and
il bad the effect Of rendering the enemy very
cautious. After waiting IN vain for the reap
pearanee Of the Boston, Capt. Murray was COM
PEELED to quit the station for want of drinking
water. The ship went into Spanish port TO
repair some damages received in gale of wind.
and early in 1903 sailed for home.
In 1901 the Mediterranean squadron was COM
posed of 10 vessels the strongest force that had
| ever been collected under the orders of any
! officer beneath the American flag. That officer
! was Commodore Barron, and he used the Presi-
dent for his flagship. The Constellation. under
! Capt. Campbell, was OF the force. The blockade
| of Tripoli was maintained by different vessels
| The Tripolitan Bsshaw, who had given so
much trouble with his arrogant demand. was a
usnrper. and some one conceived the idea of
eHlisting the assistance OF his deposed brother,
! Hamet. He joined q land force under an ex-
! American naval officer, and they took n prov
! ince of the Regency. Barron refused further
aid on the ground that Hamet ought to be able
| to effect his object, if he had the influence he
pretended 20 have, without extraordinary CO.
| operation. Barron's decision subjected him to
much political and military criticism at the
time. In 1865 the war closed with treaty with
Tripoli The conduct Of the Constellation and
other ships in the Mediterranean produced a
! favorable impression of the American Navy,
and the Pope publicly declared that this coun-
try had done more for Christendom against the
barbarians than all the combined Europcon
powers
The war Of 1872 found the Navy in a very
| imperfect condition. The Constellation was
not ready even TO receive its crew. Other
vessels had 10 be entirely rebuilt. Early In
January, 1879, the Constellation was made
ready for sea under Capt. Stewart and while
anchored in Hampton Roads was exposed to
the attacks of several English frigates and
sloons-o war. Everything was made ready to
guard against a surprise boarding. An Ameri-
can passenger Oh board Portuguese ship over