The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-21
OUR STATES NAVAL RECORD
Some North Caroinans Who Have Figured Conspcuousy
in the Wars of America.
By MARSHALL DeLANCEY HAYWOOD.

onieS, did not embrace Il very Formidable
array % vessels, and history records
yeIy little of the part borne by North
Carolina in the maritime branch of our
nltional defense. That the State, how
ever, did render some service on the
seas Is beyond question. ] have seen
IN 0U; records, both State and national.
refe ence to North Carolina privateer~,
AM there was quite number of vessels
u this class whose cruises and exploits
will never be known, even in the State
from which they hailed. Then, too,
though not strictly within the line oG
allis narratives il may be of interest to
recall the fact that the most picturesque
naval character in the Revolution, John
Paul Jones (whose name was originally
John Paul. assumed the surname OF
Jones us 4 compliment TO the family of
his North Carolina henefactor.
The first North Carolinian who attain
ed naticnal reputation in the naval
service Was not native of the State,
llut was brought there from Ireland
when an infant two years OF age. This
was JOHNSTON BLAKELEY, VINO
won fame in the War of 1872 He
was reared i'll Wilmington: and. afte:
caTp student in the University OF
Nrth Carolina ut Chapel Hill Having
obtained Midshilman's commission,
he left the above institution and enter
I'd the Navy. In 1918 he was placed
IN command of the Enterprise" ana
cid good service in protecting the coast
ing trade of the United States shortly
hereafter he became commander Of the
Wasp. With this vessel he engaged
the British ship Reindeer which was
captured after severe action. i'll which
Yer captain, William Manners, and
many Of the crew, were killed. During
the course OF the war. Captain Blake
ley captured inNlnlerabe vessels. among
which We're the "Atalan.a," the Let
flee, the "Bon Accord and the Mary"
The Avon" also surrendered to him.
hut he was prevented from taking pos
session by the approach Of a British
fleet. For his victory over the ''Rein>
deer" Congress voted Bakeley a gold
ns.dal
The last seen of this brave officer was
ON the 9th Of October, 18Th when his
vessel was hailed ny Swedish bark.
Whether the Wasp" foundeYed i'll Il
gale or Went down in "A sea-fght has
never been known. After Blakeleys
"tN"Nhs hiS OfiiA tillIu, al uduSulcI. NSN
educated at the expense of North Care
lnia, beiTg adopted by legislative enacr-
ment ", the Child of the State" Upou
reaching womanhood this LADY married.
but died without issue
While treating of the War at 49,,
The name of CAPTAIN OTWAY
BURNS. native of Onslow county.
North Carolina. should not he omitted.
'InIS 1I1 Tar DID mot holon,y pa,
lar service. but commanded the ''Sllal,-
dragon" a fleet, well-armed privateer.
During the war. his residence was at
Beaufort, in Carteret county. While
not On his cruises, he would sit for hours
at time with telescope i'll hand, in an
observatory on the roof of his house
which was near the SeaShore and peer
Out into the ocean for vessels hylng
British Jolors. When one was eSpied,
he would pounce down on it like
hawk. and bring it into port. The ter
rlDle havoc created by the Snapdragon"
among the shipping Of the enemy, caus-
ed TIE British authorities to tit up
veS el for the express purpose of cap
turing it. This was hcaviy-armed
sloop. disguised as merchantman.
which sailed up the Carolina coast. look-
ing as harmless as IA Sunday excursion
hoat. When hailed by Burns. She gave
token of surrender. but, as he attempt
ed to board, she suddenly uncovered
her guns and CAPTURED him and his sur
prised crew before a shot could be
fired. Burns and his men were not
released till the close of the war.
The rrize-money which fell to the share
OF Captain Burns. from the many cap
trTes he effected before he himself was
captured, would have made IL prudent
man wealthy for life. He. however, was
not of the prudent variety After be-
ing released, he Lived like a game-rock
rs long as his money lasted. but it didn't
last long. He represented Carteret
county in both branches of the Lcgis-
lature after the war. and the town OF
huntsville. in Yanccy county. was
named in his monor.
In his Tales and Traditions Of the
Lower Cape Fear" Mr. Sprunt. while
referring to the privateers Of ISL, says.
"On one occasion two of them came Ill
together-the Snap Dragon. under the
command of Captain Ctway Burns, who
had at that time Il considerable amount
of LEGAL notcriety: end the Kemp. com
manded by Captain Almidl. each ac-
companied by merchant vessel they
and cargoes were sold, but when the
proceeds of the sale were divided. Il
dispute arose between the two officers,
each claiming that the larger portion
should belong TO him as he was more IL
strtImcntal in securing the Prize than the
other. The quarrel waxed hot. and it
was feared that they would come to
blows at any moment when the fiery
Burns put an end TO the discussion by
challenging his antagonist to meet HIM
on the sea and fight it ont yard-arm
to yard-arm. The challenge was prompt
~ accepted. and each vessel got under
way Immediately. and sailed for the
appointed place Of meeting; hut while
manoevering for position. a feet of the
cncmys merchantmen. under the con-
voy of a ship of war, hove in sight. and
effectually put Il stop 10 the conten-
plated duel Adjourning their quarrel
to another time (but which was nevef
renewed, they dashed into the fleet and
succeeded in capturing two or three
ships, with valuable cargoes. and brought
them safely into pert much better
hDn ttzxelta a