Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-22
Served in Barbary War.

Commodore Perry was actively engaged
during the remainder of the war of 1872.
and in 1916 sailed. in command of the
sloop Java TO serve under Commodore
Decatur in the Barbary war.
During his stay in the Mediterranean
controversy occurred between Perry
and John Heath, captain of marines. on his
ship. One evening two marines jumped
into the sea and swan ashore. deserving
the ship. Capt. Heath was summoned
instantly, but deliberately DELAYED an
swering the call. and when questioned
responded in such an indifferent manner
that Perry placed him under arrest.
Heath wrote a letter TO his superior
filled with contemptuous and insoient re
marks. whereupon Perry sent for him
and inquired the reasons for his course.
Heath replied with flood of profane
abuse. whereupon Perry knocked him
down. Later Perry offered an apology,
which Heath declined TO accept. Both
were court-fnartiaied. Heath was found
guilty Of disobedience OF orders, disre-
spectful language. insoient conduct
toward his superior officer. and Perry
was found guilty of striking a subaltern.
Three years later Heath visited Rhode
Island and challenged Perry 10 duel.
Perry accepted the challenge. because
as he explained in writing to Commodore
Decatur his commanding officer, who
consented 70 act as his second. he felt
under obligations TO make an atonement
for violating rules of the service. He
was determined however, not to return
Capt Heaths fire.
The duel occurred October 10. 1878, on
the Jersey shore of the Hudson river
near Hoboken. Perry received the fire OF
Capt. Heath without returning 1t. Com
modore Decatur then stepped forward,
read Perry's letter and asked If Heath
was satisfied. Heath acquiesced and the
party returned 10 New York.
Died at Port of Spain.
In the summer Of 1919 Commodore
Perry sailed from Norfolk In the ship Of
war John Adams To congratulate Simon
Bolivar, who had established republican
form OF government at Angostura, Eene-
zuela on the Orinoco river Having wit
messed the signing of the constitution OF
the republic. he departed down the river
for the Island of Trinidad. \ few hours
after his arrival al Port OF Spain. on the
evening of his birthday. August %. 1919.
his brilliant career was suddenly closed,
at the age of thirty-four years. by All
attack of yellow fever. The British au-
thorities paid every possible mark of re-
spect to his remains. which were buried
I'm the cemetery of that city. Seven years
later the body was removed TO Rhode
Island where IA monument was erected In
his honor.
The Congress Of the United States
voted him a gold medal and sword after
the battle of Lake Erie, but gave him no
other reward: the state Of Rhode island
erected a substantial granite monument
10 his memory. 1t stands upon grassy
mound on the west side of the Newport
cemetery and his remains and those OF
several OF his descendants are buried
around il.
on the four sides of the pedestal are
the words:
Oliver Hazard Perry.
Al the age Of twenty seven he achieved the
Victory Of Lake Erie.
September 10. 1913.
Born in South Kingston, X. l.,
August -. 1873.
Died at Port Spain, Trinidad,
August % 1919.
Aged thirty four years
His remains conveyed to
Ills native land In ship Of war
Accordin. 10 a resolution OF Congress-
Aud there inferred December !. 1876.
Erected by the state Of Rhode island.