Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-09
Revolutionary Naval Heroes.
the Editor Of The Evening Star:

To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
1 have been entertained twice recently by
some interesting data in your valuable pa
per from the pen of that fascinating writer.
MFR. VIM. E. Curtis. concerning Paul Jones.
1.-THE romantic hero of the revolution Per-
nit me to invite attention to an article in
the Proceedings of the United States
Naval Institute" volume 30. page 1913. by
Capt. John S. Barnes, in which there is a
mine of information relating not only to
Jones, but to other naval heroes of that
Time Jones was not only gallant sailor.
but a. graceful and indefatigabe writer.
and much of his writing was about himself.
This, with his famous combats on the
Ranger and Bon Homme Richard, cause
him to be better known than others. Thus
1t Is shown that one "Gustavus Conyng-
ham,, of Irish birth, and who. like Jones,
fought with a halter round his neck" was
the first commissioned naval officer of the
continental navy, and had a career as
brave and almost as romantic as that of
Jones.
But it is not of Jones or Conyngham l
desire to speak at present as much as of
Commodore John Barry of that era, also
of Irish birth. There are bills now pend
ing in the House of Representatives to
erect statues at the public expense to both
Barry and Jones' and both should be pass
ed this session. In honoring them the ma
ton will honor itself. The duty has been
lpO iOIiS ueldycU. Dairy anu jules IOuSHt
together in the same sacred cause in life.
In death let them be honored alike, and at
the same time. In this connection l direct
the attention Of your readers to the reports
of the Senate and House committees in
recommending the erection of statue to
Barry. They show that to enter the revo-
lutionary service he gave up the command
of the finest ship and the best employment
in America In view of that fact and OF
his acknowledged "valor and discretion"
he was placed in command of the LeXing-
ton just named for the battle of that name.
which. i'll itself, speaks volumes. He i'm
mediatey put to sea and captured the Ed
ward, and was the first that bore the
continental flag to victory on the ocean.
When not engaged on the ocean he took
part in the land service, and fought with
distinction in the battles of Trenton and
Princeton. Resuming operations at sea, he
with twenty-seven men, captured the Alert,
of ten guns, with four conveys. and took
$50 prisoners. Frost's Naval Biography
said of this achievement that "for boldness
of design and deXterity of execution 1t was
not surpassed equaled during the war.
Returning from France, having conveyed
the American commissioners thlther, he
fought of the fiercest naval battles of
the war, and captured the Atlanta and Ire
passy. In September, 1871, he was placed
by Washington in command of the whole
navy of the colonies, which command he
retained till the end. He fought the last
battle of the war. in which he whipped the
British ship Sybil. His prizes from one
voyage alone amounted to S2S0O,OO0. and
caused the British merchants to petition
the government for peace.
After the close of the war he was made
ranking officer of the navy of the United
States which position he retained till his
death. Shortly after his death Mr.. Dennie,
the editor of the Portfolio, wrote: capt.
John Barry may justly be considered the
father of our navy"
/ think a generous public will admit that
the time has come to grant this man
statue. MICHAEL F. O'DONOGHUE.