Evening star., 1914-05-16

prompted him to offer his allegiance tC
Great Britain. The outlook for victory
TO the colonies was gloomy in the ex-
| treme, and the probability, as it then
appeared. was that loss of property II
not life, would result from an espousal OF
the patriot cause. For a seafaring man
the risk was hazardous in the last degree
because practically every merchant ship
was under the British flag. But the heart
of Barry was not amenable to considera-
tons of this character He heard the call
OF his country and hastened across the
Atlantic to respond to it Arriving in
Philadephia October Is. ne Immediately
rendered his services to the Continental
Congress, which were so eagerly accepted
that on the very day they were offered he
was appointed to duty with the commits
sion of captain. the highest naval rank
at that time conferred.
Congress Plans Defense.
Congress had resolved to eouin and
man two armed cruisers, and to the larger
OF these, the Lexington. so named in
honor of the first battle of the revolution,
Capt. Barry was assigned. This was the
first naval force created by the Congress,
and Barry was intrusted to command It.
Still. this first feeble effort to create an
American navy was not accomplished
without extreme difficulty. The plan en-
countered stubborn opposition. There
were some who regarded the whole affair
as the height of folly and futility. That
few armed American vessels could cope
with or even challenge the unconquered
naval power of England was an idea
which appeared so preposterous and Wis
lonary that the project was looked upon
by many thoughtful men as a foolhardy
venture.
1t is the maddest idea in the world.
declared Samuel Chase of Maryland.
But the daring and successful exploits
OF Barry proudly and promptly justified
the venture. Through the Delaware river,
Gus by the presence of the enemy's war
ships. he succeeded in bringing the Lex
lngton out into the open sea. This was
the first time the flag of the United
States had been unfurled on the waters.
and the event has ever since been MEM
orable in our history.
Cruising for week along the coast OF
virginia without capturing any prizes,
the Lexington finally, April T. 1718 fell
in with the British warship Edward Bar
ry riddled her in terrible manner, and
after she had surrendered carried his
captive to Philadelphia. This was the
first vessel OF war ever captured by the
American navy. The Joy In patriot circles
was great. for the capture was of i'm
mense advantage to the colonists. 1t ef-
fectually silenced the carping voices of
the critics, and demonstrated that our
infant navy though small in numbers,
could successfully contend on the sea
against her powerful enemy.
I'VE begin said John Adams, the day
after Barry brought in his prize. TO make
some little figure in the navy way
Barry Receives His Reward.
Barry was rewarded for this exploit
fingham. then under construction. But at
III Hfn,
in a deplorable condition. Washington
had retreated across New Jersey, hotly
followed by CORVALLIS. His army was
dispirited and rapidly disappearing. In
ten days, exclaimed he despairingly.
this army will have ceased to exist and
he called upon Congress to reinforce it.
Treason was rife everywhere, and many
who formerly had been stalwart In their
fidelity We're rapidly returning to British
allegiance.
But the stout heart of Barry did no,
grow faint. nor did his energies flag In
| support of the cause in which he had en-
listed. When not engaged on the sea he
busted himself on the land We find him
leading q company OF volunteers for the
| assistance of Washingtons army and aid.
| ing in the transport of troops across the
Delaware to the brilliant battle of Tren.
| ton. When the British captured Phila
delphia he industriously engaged in har-
| assing the enemy in the lower Delaware
| and destroying their supply ships. One
exploit of his at the time was SO daring
and we'll conceived that it forms a mos,
(, noteworthy achievement OF mis- life.
His Famous Exploit.
| "on the evening Of March I, ITS, he
With twenty-seven men In four rowboats
slipped down the Delaware, and in the
early dawn espied a large armed schoon
er, mounting ten guns. Those on boart
the warship paid little attention to {
mere handful OF men in four rowboats
| But before they were aware OF the fac
Barry and his men had come alongsid,
and jumped on the deck of their vessel
| The frightened Britons rushed panic
| stricken down the matches. which wer'
promptly fastened down. The schooner
| with the two transports which accom-
panied her, were taken into port, ant
| when the sailors were released from tn
hold of the vessel 1t was found that Bar
ry, with twenty men. had captured
one major. three leutenants, and ~
armed soldiers. sailors and marines.
"One writer. speaking of the feat. ha
declared that for boidness of design ant
dexterity OF execution II was not sur
passed during the war The capture ha,
a far-reaching enect.
| '.It terrified the British army in Phila
delphia, for 1t subjected them to con
slant fear that their supplies might a
any time be cut OF by an enemy whicl
though weak in naval equipment coult
with so little means accomplish sucl
great results. More than that, it cheere,
the heart Of Washington at Valley Forg
and renewed the spirit Of the continenta
troops Washington. writing to Barr
after this capture said May suitabl
reward always attend your bravery an
to this let US add, may that bravery al
ways be recalled with gratitude an
pride by this people whose independence
was won by the aid of Barry's incom
parable courage and genius.
Let US refer briefly to naval nigh
which Barry lost, but against odds 8
overwhelming and after a defense 8
gallant that his conduct on the occasion
has served to enhance his fame.
/ Assigned to the Raleigh.
He was assigned to command tn,
Raleigh and on September IS. ITS. wa
ordered to go in quest OF the British
frigate Perseus. which he was directed
TO take. sink, burn or Destroy together