The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-02-09


notably the Alliance. being reiuotatiy part
ed with. When the country had rid Itself
of its naval forces. the Dey of Algiers be
gan to prey upon the commerce OF tie
young nation. The mariners of that day
VINO were captured by this corsair of the
Eastern seas, were held in bondage, and
for five years fourteen Americans were
imprisoned by a petty tyrant with whom
this Government was powerless to cope.
The cruelty and piracy of this Algerian
monarch eliminated in preposteTous de
mand for tribute from the American Gov
eminent. In 1895 for the lack of a navy
the United States agreed by treaty to pay
$500, 600 for the release of certain captives
and in addition to make the Dey present
of frigate worth 100000. Also an annua
tribute of $4,000 was to be paid. The
fr1gate for the Dey was built at Kitte1y
and launched in 1897.
The ravages of the Dey's pirates had
four years before this date led President
Washington to suggest naval force as a
protection to the commerce Of the country
Diplomacy was cheaper than naval force.
but diplomacy had no effect upon the Alge-
riap Government; so it was decided &c
build six frigates. to be known as the Con.
stitution, President. United States, Chesa.
neake. Constellation. and Congress, all OF
them destined to play prominent part in
The history of the United States.
The
WAS THE THIRD YES.
SCI
compIeied, being launched at Boston, Sep
r. 10 haf ho ns(i :
tntion would have been the first vessel to &c
into the water had it not been Tor an abor-
tive attempt TO launch her at an earlier
day. TIE ship got under way July 20, l79s.
with Cant. Samuel Nicholson in command.
That officer had served with credit in
srbordinate stations during the Revolu-
,;on and. in command of the Hague. was
at the head of small squadron. The first
cruise of the Constitution was in August.
1898. when, with four revenue vessels. a
trin was made along the Atlantic coast to
the southwark of Cape Henry.
The Constitution, ship of forty-fouT
onns and the United States, of similar ar
mament. were the most powerful vessels OF
the new navy, which was now rapidly in
creased. by the addition of smaller revenue
vessels. to twenty-eight ships. The Consti-
tuition in 1899 was assigned to the squadron
under Commodore Barry. brave and fear
lass TrishmaL, and was actively employed
in cruising in the West Indies. making sew
eral captures, principally of privateers.
The vessel continued OF this duty during
1soo Tn that year Commodore Talbot sue.
ceeded Commodore Barry, who planned an
ak pedition entirely in keeping with his en-
terprises of the Revolution.
French letter of marque was lying in
Porto Plata, San Domingo, and Talbot de-
termined to cut her out. One of the officers
Of the Constitution. Mr.. Hull, was sent
with party of men in AN American sloop
called the Sally. The officers and men on
his little craft secIeted themselves from
observation and surprised the French ves-
sci. ran her ''aboard." and enabled the peo-
nile of the Constitution to carry her with
out the loss of a man. Hull gained much
reputation for his gallantry and GOODNESS,
but this capture, which was clearly il egal.
cost the Constitution dear. for not only
was the French vessel given up, but all the
nrize money of the cruise went to pay dam
ages In 1901 the President was authordize
to sell most of the ships of the navy.
Among the thirteen vessels retained was
the Constitution
The experience of country with inade-
ouate naval force was repeated in 1868.
The Bashaw Of Tripoh. ususner n, the
throne Of that country. enticed by the