The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-26

but three naval ships remained. CARRYING
eighty.four guns between them. Tho American
Navy had almost porished. Without its aid.
the war Of the Revolution must have
failed. From the day when the hearts of the
Continentals, encamped before Boston. were
fred by the long wagon train loaded with
war material captured by an American cruiser
from tho enemy, until the last service rem
dered by the Alliance in bringing specie
from Havana, there was never a time when tho
sea power OF the nascent republic did not render
invaluable assistance to the patriots ashore. In
the 800 ships taken from the enemy were found
the materials that succored the life Of the ma
ton. It Is further to DO noted that not one
American cruiser was captured by English pri.
vateere. whereas sixteen English cruisers were
taken by American privateors, manned, in many
cases, for the most part by boys and haymakers.
1t was characteristic OF the dread OF monarch
ical institutions then entertained that no sooner
was the war OF the Revolution over than all the
men who remained in the naval service were
paid Off and turned adrift, while every vessel
left was sold. 1t was some thirteen years before
we again had the nucleus Of a navy, and we
might have waited longer for 1t had not the
British Government melted the Barbnry pirates
to prey upon our m About this Incl.
dent there il no doubt, and Mr.. Spears has done
we'll to dwell upon 1t. for we hear too little Of 1t
in school histories. 1t is pointed out by the au-
thor Of this narrative that Lord Sheffield said
In Parliament in 1884: 1T is not probable that
tho American States will have a very free
trade in the Mediterranean. 1t will not he
to tho interests OF any of tho great maritime
powers to protect them from the Barbary States.
II they know their interests, they will not en-
~, - oa thn A n, arirn no IN ha on rrinru Tint thu
Barbary States are advantageous to maritime
powers is certain" The British Government
did not confine itself to tho avowal Of this infer.
nal policy in the halls Of Parliament. Mr.. Spears
reminds us that for some time previously to
1893 Portugal had maintained her rights upon
the sea, as against the Moslem pirates. by keep
ing a strong fleet at the Straits of Gibraltar.
which bounced upon every Barbary corsair
that came in sight. BY an understanding with
the United States the American flag was protect
ed. and American merchantmen were furnished
with conveys when such were needed. Under the
protection thus afforded American merchant
men swarmed in the ports on the east side of the
Atlantic. Tho increasing number Of American
ships there was viewed by English merchants
with dismay and disgust. and English diplomacy
soon interviewed. Taking advantage of a general
agreement among tho so-called Christian pow
ers, under which England was to be allowed TO
act for all in certain minor matters when nego-
tiating with the Barbary powers. tho British
Government instructed it's agent at Algiers to
bargain secretly for a truce between the Dey
and the Government OF Portugal. The truce
was to last n year, and in consideration Of the
Dey's allowing tho Portuguese ships to trade
free of backmail the Portuguese blockade was to
be removed from the Straits Of Glib.
raltar. and it was further provided that
1.-The Portuguese Government should not afford
protection to any nation against Algerian
cruisers" Tho significance OF this provision
will DO Appreciated when the fact is noted that
tho only nation which had been protected by
Portuguese men-o'war was the American. OBJ
viously, tho truce was planned to turn the
pirates against American ships, and, once
made. British influence at the court of Lisbon
prevented its abrogation. The moment British
diplomacy had freed the corsairs Of Algiers
from the Portuguese blockade they went forth
against the Stars and Stripes. In one cruise
they captured eleven vessels. and reduced one
hundred and twelve American sesmen to slav-
cry. For the ransom Of these prisoners. and
for an ill.kept promise of peace. tho United
States Government. which had refused to
build a navy for the protection OF Americans
abroad. had to pay the Dey of Algiers nearly n
million of dollars. O sum sufficient to have kept
the barbarian's port sealed had 1t been expended
in building warships. Even after the publication
of this fact. it was only by n majority OF two
that the House of Representatives passed, in
1894. O resolution to the effect that u naval
force adequate to the safeguarding of the COM
merce Of the United States ought to be provided.
In pursuance Of this resolution six frigates
were ordered to be laid down. three-the Consti
tuition, tho President, and the United States OF
forty.four guns each. and the other three-tht
Chesapeake. the Congress. and the Con
stellation-of thirty.six guns each. These
ships were constructed upon principles which
had much to do with our naval successes in tn,
war of 1912. 1t was decided that they SHOULD
DO made longer and broader than the existing
typo of frigato. and yet not 30 high out Of water
Framed on this model. they would be able t.
carry as many guns on ono deck as British frig
ates carried on two decks. could fight them II
better advantage. and. what was OF even NOR,
Importance. the bulls would possess 30 mucl
moro stability that much moro canvas coul,
DO spread aloft. and. accordingly. the Yankee
vessel would DO able to show her teeth O
her heels us occasion should demand
The United States was launched in July
1897, and the Constitution in Octobe
OF the same year. Later, in addition
to the six frigates ordered. a dozen smalle
ships wero built or purchased, besides galleys
schooncrs. and briggs, We had need of them
for the French cruisers were playing havoc witt
American chips carrying goods to European
ports. When. In 1898. open hostilities at Sc
began between tho United States and France
the American Navy had, in all, twenty-five vet
sells. mounting 456 guns, carrying 3,4s4 me
ready for battle. We need not run over in do
tail the victories gained by our cruisers owe
the French. merely noting that the Cor
oscillation captured the Insurgente and ben
the Vengeance, and that tho Bosto
captured the Berceau. The twelve.gul
schooner Enterprise captured eight FreIct
men and recaptured four American ship
which the French had taken. BY the peac
ratified in 1901 all Government vessels capture
on either side were 10 DO restored. but this prt
vision permitted the Americans to retail
seventy.six French ships, privateers and arme
+, merchantmen. which together carried 500 gun
AS Mr.. Spears remarks, the patriotic America
does not recall with elation this collision with
people who had rendered us indispensable a
!, sistance when we were struggling for on
national existence.