Evening journal., 1895-10-19

Jones was received with demonstrations
Of mingled gratitude aud admiration. Bs
VAS entertained in various cities. the
Delaware Legislature voted him the
thanks o. the people. and presented 20
him 4 sword New York gave him the
freedom OF the city, while Congress, IN
addition to voting $4,000 the captain
aud his crew in lieu OF the prize money
they would have received had they
brought the Frslic into port, gave a gold
medal to the captain and silver one TO
each Of his officers. What more could
Delaware and the nation do for brave
Delawaresn2
Bat the brightest Delaware star that
arose during the war Of 1912 was
Thomas MeDonough. He served against
Tripoli under Commodore Prsble and
passed from that eminent naval officer to
Commodore Desatur In 1904 In 1918 be
was made master commander, and
these successive steps led to his
becoming the hero OF lLaks Cham
plain. Placed IN command OF al
dotilla In Pittsburg bay, tributary OF
the lake, he won a signal victory over
the British invaders. with but fourteen
vessels, carrying eighty-six guns and a
complement Of $50 men. he met aud
dsfssted in August. 1914, a British
squadron OF sixteen vessels having
ninety-fve guns and LOCO mon. The
defeat he administered was crushing aud
complete For this great service he was
made captain and given gold medal
by Congress. and the State Of Vermont
presented 10 him an estate near the
scene OF the memorable engagement
From captain he advanced to the station
Of commander OF the Mediterranean
squadron, and died . natural death at
sea In 1926
We now come down TO the War Of tho
Rebellion. Dslswareans played more
conspicuous part on land than on the sea,
but our state contributed her full share
OF men to both tho army and the navy.
The DelawareAn who won the greatest
distinction on the water was Admiral
DUPONT. While ho was born In New
Jersey he was IN every othsr respect
Delawsreen Bis naval service was both
long and honorable. He commanded the
trgsts Congress on the Pacific coast, and,
during our war with Mexico, com
manded the sloop OF war Cyrens. In
1865 be was made captain, and, two years
later, WAS sent to China on special
mission, commanding. at that time, tho
steam frigate Minneeota. After an absence
OF two years he returned. When the war
Of Secession burst upon the country Ia
1851 he was In command Of the Philsdel
phia navy yard, aud showed great ability
IN the manner In which he equipped
and organized tho naval force for service
He was appointed nsg-oiiloer In the same
year aud placed In command Of the
South Atlantic squadron Shermena
force OF 10. 600 men was carried by him
against Port Royal, g. c.. and this aotion
was followed by the capture Of Forts
Walker and Baauregard On the flagship
Wabash and followed by his squadron, he
swept down ths Florida coast, overy
town and post falling Into his hnnda.
In 1852 he wss made rear admiral. but
returned to Wilmington Ia 1853 after
being relieved by Admiral Daalgren.
While not seeking distinotlon a.
writer on naval subjects he.nsverthelssr.
wrote treaties on the uss OF coast
defenses and floating batteries It is
still authority In this country and Eu
rope.
With such a galaxy OF heroes Delaware
should have been recognized long ago.
Bat &c Is better late than never, and No
greet the gunboat as part and parcel Of
Delaware's history and as a recognition
Of the fidelity and services Of this little
commonwealth at all times when the
safety and integrity Of the nation was at
stake.