Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1910-12-28
COMMODORE THOMAS
MACDONOUGH

orn at place once called Trapp in
It. Georges Hundred, New Castle
bunty, on December 23rd, 1873 His
kther was distinguished physician
nd major general in the war of the
revolution. Young Macdonough re-
eived his midshipmans commission
IN February 5th, 1900, and in the
Mediterranean Sea attracted the at
ention of his superior officers. He
as one Oh the daring characters who
Volunteered to accompany Lieuteu1-
hit Decatur in ketch to destroy the
figate Philadelphia, that had fallen
ito the hands of the Barbarians, and
reward for his bravery was pro-
noted to lieutenant In the bonn
ardment OF Tripoli he displayed con-
picuous bravery, especially while en-
aged in the hand to hand struggle
n the decks OF the enemy's gun boats.
hree of which were captured under
he massive stone forts OF the city.
At the opening OF the war OF 1872
e was dispatched to Lake Champlain
Fith instructions to keep a sharp eye
in the enemy, and act in conjunction
With the 1and forces to hold the
british in check. A large army of
licked British troops was assembled
ear Montreal, their object being to
invade New York, following the same
oute mapped out by the ill-,.ated Bur-
oyne. To oppose that splendid army
over 10000 warriors the Americans
ad but puny force. A tremendous
psk was thus laid upon the shoulders
the young lieutenant; namely to
ain control OF Lake Champlain, and
bus prevent the British army from
dvancing beyond the bounds of Can
da. All the vigor of his young man.
food was consecrated to the work OF
citing ready a squadron of ships to
ontest the supremacy of the lake with
he newly created British fleet. At
est he felt prepared to meet the foe.
he had built the corvette Saratoga,
onverted a merchantmen into war
choorer, bearing the name Ticon-
eroga. and hastily thrown together
he sloop Preble and few small gum
oats. His squadron consisted of IA
|essels manned by $50 men, and carry
bg SO guns, more than hai of which
we're cannonades, and hence OF no
alue at long range, The British fleet
Eas made tip of a frigate, large brig,
sloops, and 10 gun boats; in all I6
essels manned by 1000 men and carry
hg 95 guns. The guns on the frigate
IND brig were equal to the whole
over o, the American squadron.
laval experts praise Macdonough
Dr his Judgment in the selection OF
he spot for the battle. He chose.a
lace where he was sure to have the
Feather gauge. Furthermore he an
hored his ships near the shoals, SO
hat If would be impossible for the
nenlN 10 hank him, .1u :. ad the
Fisdom to provide anchors for the bow
nd stern OF the ships. This latter
ev;ce won him the victory, as we
hall see. AT 8 o'clock on Sunday
norning, September 18th, 1874, the
British we're sighted, and the, roll OF
he drums called the Americans to
uarters What do you suppose Mac
enough, whom his men called Com
hodore." did, as the British fleet bore
own under a spanking breeze'
Nhen you know that he was very
eligous man, you will not be sur
rised at his gathering his officers on
he quarter dec k OF the Saratoga, and
aving them kneel in prayer to God.
he action began with few trial
hots at long distance, and then
(esolved itseh into a steady, fierce
annonading. At first the advantage
vss with the Americans. In a few
minutes one OF the smaller ships of
he British feet drifted out OF the
ne disabled, and surrendered to. the
aratoga. But when the frigate was
nchored about 300 yards from the
aratoga and let go broadside of
ler long guns, the Saratoga fairly
eeled and shivered from the shock.
70 add to the flight the big Linnet
(lso managed to get close to the
american flagship. which suffered Sc
erely from the concentrated fire of
he two most powerful vessels in the
British fleet. But Marlborough held
(n fighting coolly and deliberately,
DING effective work, until every gun
in the starboard side of the Saratoga
Fas dismantled Something had to be
one, and quickly, or the day was
pst Thrice had the commander been
hurled violently to the deck, orce by
piece OF wood from the spllntered
pank boom, and again by the sew
red CORY head OF gun-captain. But
e soon recovered consciousness, and
ERECTED the battle. Here was the
Er:tical moment. While the frigate
md the brig hurled their heavy shot
hto the Saratoga, her crew called
way from the useless gums were hard
h work with the kedge anchors to
wing her around, so that she might
ave fresh broadside for the enemy;
nd then the British attempted the
anne Vancouver. The American sue
eeded, but the frigate became I'M
Manageable, and, lying in a position
There her gums could not be made to
ear on the Saratoga, she received
roadside after broadside without be-
hg able to reply, and finally was fore
d to lower her colors. In fifteen
hinutes the Brig Linnet struck her
olors, and the long and bloody con-
Est came to an end. Several of the
nemy's gun boats, even after they had
auled down their flags, and all be-
buse the American gun boats were
DO much injured in their rigging to
p,,% tha rtCtn