The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1904-06-05
CITY OF COMMODORES
CEREMONIES AT THE GRAVES OF
NAVAL HEROES.
Feature of Decoration Day Tint Is
Always Observed with Elaborate
and Appropriate Exercises
In PhIlnlelnhia.

One of the most unique and inter-
esting celebrations of Memorial Day in
the United States is that which takes
place at the graves of the many cele-
brated naval commanders who are
buried in Philadelphia.
Few persons who are familiar with
almost every detail of history are
aware of the fact that more famous
sea- fighters are buried in Philadel-
phia than in any other city in the
United States.
Indeed. Philadelphia might well be
called the city of Commodores," for
within her borders sleep at least eight
celebrated commanders whose achieve
ments have challenged the admiration
of the world and who have contrib
uted to the luster of American arms.
Among them are the gallant Com
modore Barry. known as the Father
of the American Navy; the heroic De-
catur, whose exploit in the little Tri-
politan war Of blowing UP the frigate
Philadelphia created sensation;
Commodores cambridge and Dale, of
Revolutionary fame; the brave Hull,
hero of the celebrated sea duel he
tween the Constitution and the Guer-
riere, and both sho Porters, David and
his son, William David, who achieved
his fame In the civil war.
In view OF the recent activity of tho
navy renewed interest has been
aroused in the last resting places Of
these famous commodores' and specia
efforts will be made TO pay fitting tri-
butte to their gallantry this coming
Memorial day.
The naval veterans branch of the
Grand Army of the Republic and many
regimental associations and posts are
joining heartily in the movement and
the services to be celebrated at the
various cemeteries will include salutes.
speechmaking and decorating.
The Father of the Navy.
Commodore Barry. styled the "Fa-
Their of the American Navy and tho
first of our great leaders, is buried in
| the graveyard of old St. Mary s
| church. Fourth street, below Locust.
He was born in Tocumshane coun-
| ty, Wexford, Ireland, in 1745. He fol-
| lowed the sea from childhood and
made his home in Philadelphia. At the
opening of the Re, olutionary war he
offered his services to Congress, and
| in February, 1916, was given com
mand of the Lexington in which he
| made the first capture of British
war vessel accomplished by an Amer
| lean cruiser.
| For some time during the war he
| acted as aide de- camp to General
! Cadwallader. On the establishment OF
| the new navy m IS4 ne was hihue
senior officer. with the rank of COM
mOdore.
He commanded the frigate United
States. the building of which he SUI
perintended.
The inscription on Commodore Bar
rvs tombstone in old st. Mary
| churchyard gives n resume of his Val-
| orous deeds and tells how MS
achievements in battle and his renown-
ed naval tactics merited for him the
position of commodore and the title oil
| the Father of the American Navy
He fought often and bled in the cause
of freedom and yet withal was emil
nentIy gentle. kind, just and charita'
| BILE
Leaving old St. Marys Church anc
following Fourth Street to Pine. tn
graveyard attached to old st. Peter
Church is reached. Far up towarc
| the western end of this inclosurt
looms, high and clear-cut against this
sky, a pure Ionic column, surmount'
ed by an American eagle, with wings
outspread 1t marks the final rest
ing place of Commodore stephen De-
| catur.
Commodore Decatur came of sea
faring stock. The love of the waves
was inherited from HIS father who
was a prominent naval man When
s years OF age young Decatur made
hia first voyage under his father