Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1911-02-22
COMMODORE
ISAAC CHAUNCEY

Chauncev was one of the sea cap
tains who performed valorous service
in the war OF 1872. He was born at
Black Rock, Conn, on February goth,
I772. Shortly following the declara-
ton Of war against Great Britain he
received orders to take command Oh the
American naval forces on Lake On
tario. He FASTENED to the scene of
conflict, and set to work TO meet the
enemy Untiring in his efforts to
create a force able to cope with the
British he personally supervised the
launching OF war ships, and the gather
ing OF supplies and tackling, the labor
entalled beirg very great. In the lace
of hostile crircism passed on his con-
duct. let us hear the testimony OF a
naval expert. Fennimore Cooner, who
says Of Chauncey: 1T was generally
admitted by all conversant with his
professional character, that better
selection could not have been made"
His opponent was Sir james Lucas
Geo, whom American writers on naval
affairs characterize as braggart. He
is the officer who sent the following
challenge to Captain Porter, of the
Essex: Sir James Yeo ~resents his
compliments to Captain Porter, of the
American frigate Essex. and would be
glad to have a tete-a-tete, anywhere
between the capes of Delaware and
Havana, where he would have the
pleasure to break his sword over hi
ID head and put him down forward
in irons The ardor OF Sir James
must have cooled down b." the time he
arrived on the lake to take charge Of
the British forces gathered there.
Again and again he avoided a general
engagement with the American squad
ron, apparently waiting for some event
to occur that would enable him to fight
a division OF the American iorces.
Thrice there were skirmishes between
the two squadrons, but before the &C
ton could become general, the Brit
ish slipped away. The third meeting
was the most spirited OF the three,
when the VIII he squadron attacked
few of the leading American ships.
and were worstec, the crinnled British
boats managing to escape by running
into Burlington Bay. Perhaps Chaun-
cey made mistake in not following
the foe and compelling him to fight if
out to the end. The British were de-
moralized, and hence might have lost
their entire squadron. But Chauncey
gave the orders to haul off, since he
feared that a gale would play havoc
with his ships. Once again Cooner
chooses to defend the Commodore:
The motives which influenced the
American commander, however, were
marked by the discretion and thought
fulness, which are among the highest
attribu es Of an officer and which dl-
tinguisned his whole career. while en-
trusted with the arduous and respon-
sible service over which he presided
during the war" As to his personal
bravery there can be no question. He
sought the most EXPOSED snot in the
battle, and stood there the coolest of
the cool, an inspiration to his men. 1t
was no fault OF his that the British
Squadron was not brought into a deci-
sive contest. The British ships were
speedier than the American Squadron,
and hence after firing few shots turn.
ed tail like a cowardlv cur and ran off
out OF danger. But Chauncev was OF
the war OF 1872, He kept tn, British
in check on Lake Ontario, and even
invaded the enernys territory to cap
ture some OF their important towns,
including Toronto, while at the same
time preventing the British from seiz-
ing posts OH the American side Tor
onto was captured with the assistance
OF 1900 soldiers under General Dear
born. Chauncey's squadron of Ii ships
carried the troops across the lake. coy
cred their landing. and sienced the
batteries along the shore The cap
ture OF Toronto proved to be the most
important. Besides some ships OF war
in course of construction the Ameri-
can also took several transports along
with quantities of ammunition and shin
supplies. In 1916 Chauncey succeeded
cambridge as commander of the
American Squadron in the Mediterran-
can Sea, after which he was detailed to
shore duty On January s7th 1910
while president OF the Naval Board. he
died in Washington, D. c.