Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-31

" .0VoAuuondIy Idme; the brave Hull, hero
OF the celebrated sea duel between the Con-
stitution and the Guerrero and both the
Porters, David and his son, William David
who achieved his fame in the civil war;
IN view OF the recent activity of the navy
renewed interest has been aroused in the
last resting place Of these famous commo-
1cres, ana special efforts were made to pay
hitting tribute to their gallantry yesterday
Decoration Exercises.
The Naval Veterans Branch of the
Grand Army Of the Republic and many
regfmental associations and posts Joined
heartily in the movement, and the services
celebrated at the various cemeteries in
cluded speechmaking and decorating.
Commodore Barry, styled the father of
the American navy" and the first of our
great leaders, is buried In the graveyard of
old st. Mary's Church, 4th street below
Locust.
He was born In Tocumshane county, Wex-
ford, Ireland, in 1745. He followed the sea
from childhood and made his home in Phil
adelphia. At the opening of the revolu-
tionary war he offered his services to Con-
gress, and In February. 1776, was given
command of the Lexington, in which he
made the first capture OF a British war YES
sci accomplished by an American cruiser.
For some time during the war he acted as
establishment of the Snewxnavy in 1894 he
was made senior officer With the rank of
commodore. e
He commanded the ifriga4e United States,
the building of which he sHperintended.
How He Won HI Fame.
The inscription on&CoInmodore Barry's
tombstone in old st Mays churchyard
gives resume of his valorous deeds and
tells how This achievements in battle and
his renowned naval tactics merited for
him the position ofTcommodore and the
title of the father Of tile american navy. y
He fought often and bled in the cause of
freedom and yet wfthaL was eminently
gentle, kind, just and charitable"
Leaving old st. Mary's Church and fol-
lowing 4th street toIsPine, the graveyard
attached to old st. Peters Church Is reach
ed: Far up toward the western end of
this inclosure looms. high and clear-cut
against the sky, pure Ionic column. sur
mounted by an American eagle, with wings
outspread. 1t marks the final resting place
Of Commodore Stephen Decatur.
Commodore Decatur came Of a seafaring
stock. The love Of the waves was inherited
from his father, who was a prominent ma
val man. When eight years of age young
Decatur made his first voyage under his
fathers care, and 1t Is said that even at
this early period he determined to follow
the footsteps of his sire. Through the aid
OF Commodore Barry, on April 80, 1896, he
obtained warrant as midshipman, and
was placed on board Of the frigate the
United States At that time he was only
nineteen years of age; a handsome boy,
wen formed. courageous, graceful and at
tractive.
Decatur labored hard to make himself
master of his profession, and he soon be-
came skillful officer, competent to com
mand and direct and worthy Of extreme
respect.
AS a naval officer Commodore Decatur
which time he was about twenty-three
years OF age, and had already become
known as a brave officer, with a talent for
managing men as well as ships.
Decatur Knew How.
While the little American squadron was
cruising in the Mediterranean, the frigate
Philadelphia In some way got aground in
the harbor of Tripoli, and was captured.
Decatur asked permission OF the comman-
der, Commodore Preble, to get her back
The chief thought this impossible to ao-
complish. but he commissioned Commodore
Decatur to attempt to burn the frigate so
that the Tripolitans could not use her.
With twenty men picked from the SQUAD
ron's crew one calm. dark night, Commo-
dore Decatur set out ON his perilous errand.
He managed to enter the harbor and get
alongside the philadelphia without attract
ing the attention Of the Tripolftans. and
when he WAS discovered his men were al
ready on board the vessel
In five minutes the deck was cleared and
before the Tripohtan crew had gained their
senses the ship was in flames from stem to
stern. and Commodore Decatur with his
gallant men were gliding safely out of the
harbor. For this deed Decatur was pre-
sented with sword by Congress.
During the seven years of peace that fol-
lowed the TripoMtan wars Commodore De-
catur was put In command Of a squadron
In the Chesapeake bay, and q little later of
the frigate Chesapeake And then, although
he was but twenty-eight years old, he re-
ceived the rank and title Of commander
OF the navy.
When the war of 1912 broke out he was
and his first act after the outbreak was $40 70
capture the English frigate Macedonia, for
which act Congress voted him a gold medal.
Death In duel.
After the war of 1912 iCotDmodore Decatur
held the Office Of navy commissioner for
Ave years, until his deathe which occurred
in q duel with Commodore Barron
1t had once been DecaSdr's duty. as q
member Of the court-niartieh to try Commo-
dore Barron for misconduc, and from that
day Barron imagined that Decatur was his
personal enemy. and,ninststed upon chal-
longing him to q Duel a9ehallenge which.
IN those days, no mann considered 1t honor
modore Decatur ended his brilliant career
on the I'D OF March, s1820.
In Old Christ Church Eburying ground Is
the grave Oh COmuUdbh0 William Balm
bridge, whose valorous career is celebrated
the world over. He wias born In Princeton,
N. Y, on the 7th dayrof May, 1774, but he
died in Philadelphia, July Is, 1888
When the United States navy was organ
lied in 1889 to protect our commerce
against invasion by tho French cruisers.
Commodore Bainbridge was selected to the
command of the frigate Constitution. and
also of the sloop Hornet He took charge
of the Constitution and was wounded in the
fight between that noted vessel and the
British frigate Java.
Upon his return to the United States he
was received with high honors.
Commodore Richard Dale also is buried in
Christ Churchyard. He was q native OF
Norfolk. Va, where he was born on the 9Th
OF November, 1850. At an early age he
chose the sea for his vocation. and In 1776
he enlisted as lieutenant In the Virginia
navy.
Gallant Richard Dale.
Soon afterward he was captured and con-
fined In prison ship at Norfolk. where