The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-09-13

ANNIVERSARY
Hibernians to Celebrate
Commodore Barry's
Memory.

| One hundred and three years ago to-
| Barry, the Father of the American
| Navy" passed away, and on tomorrow
| CFriday) evening Division No. 1 and
the Ladies Auxiliary. A. o. H, will
| friends to properly commemorate the
| event A good program, including
| songs, recitations. orchestra numbers
and some excellent instrumental solos,
will be presented, to be followed by
refreshments and a social time. AS
. will be seen by the following sketch,
from the Army and Navy Journal.
Barry is a nan who deserves a place
in the affections of everyone who en-
joys the blessings of American free
dom:
The following account of John Barry
was given by DIR. john CT Coyle, in an
address on the subject of The Claims
of Commodore Barry TO the Title of the
Father of the American Navy:
John Barry was born in Wexford.
Ireland, in 1889, and came to America
in command of a schooner from the
West Indies in 1866. Thereafter he
made Philadelphia his home.
"When the Revolution began, John
Barry offered his services to the Colo
MES. Congress, the then government,
sa w the necessity for naval defense and
purchased two vessels. named the Lex
ingtOn and the Reprisal, and directed
them to be fitted out as priV3teers The
CO ptains appointed were John Barry of
the Lexington and Wickes of the Re
rrisal. The commissions were issued
bv the properly qualified authority. the
Marine Committee of the Continental
Congress, on December :. 1875. On the
an.e day Paul Jones was appointed a
lieutenant but was not assigned to any
ship. The first vessel ready for sea
was the Lexington. and. under John
Barry as captain, she left Cape May
on March 81, 1916. On April 7, John
Barry, in the Lexington, attacked the
British sloop Edward. and captured
her after a battle lasting one hour and
a half He returned to Philadelphia on
April II, 1916.
Thus John Barry, Irishman and
Catholic. was the first officer appointed
to the command OF the first vessel
owned by the United States Of Amer
lea, the Lexington, which vessel was
named for the first battle of the Rev"-
luton, and in this vessel fought the
first sea fight. under the authority of
Congress, capturing the first naval
prize for the navy of the United {
States
Barry captured more prizes than any
other commander in the navy. He /
commanded the fine ship Effingham,
named for Lord bingham, a British
peer, who resigned his army commits |
sion rather than fight against the /
Americans. whose cause his conscience
told him to be just. He also com /
manded the Raleigh, and IN this yes
sci fought nine-hour sea duel off the !
coast Of Maine. escaping with his men !
when his vessel was nearly annihi- |
lated.
when Philadelphia was on the verge !
of capture by the British troops. Barry /
raised Il company of volunteers and !
crossed the Delaware with Washing |
ton on that memorable Christmas of
1916. taking part in the battles of
Princeton and Trenton. He served for !
several months in Washington's army. /
When Phila delphia was finally cap
tured. Lord Howe offered Barry the |
sum Of $4,000 and the command of the |
finest vessel in the British navy to de- |
scrt the American cause. Barry |
spurned the bride Indignantly, assert !
ing that all the gold of England could |
not tempt him to fire one shot against !
the emblem of liberty. While the Brit
ish held Philadelphia, Barry took TWEEN