The Irish standard., 1914-01-24
COMMODORE %. %';} T. BARRY
Monument to be Unveiled This Iear at
National Capitol to Father of
American Navy
Appropriation of $4,000 by Congress for
Purchase of Site and Erection of
Monument

their passage up the Delaware, but lat.
er on, when the British obtained COM
mand of the city and river, it was
deemed prudent to'send the American
ships up the Delaware beyond the
reach of the enemy.
While they were lying near White
hall, Captain Barry, chafing under
inaction when there was so much to
be done, formed a project which for
boldness of design and dexterity of
execution was not surpassed, if
equalled, during the war. He con-
ceived the thought that the enemy
might be severely harassed by small
boats, properly armed. He manned
four boats of his frigate with we'll
armed crews and with muffled oars
set out on dark night to patrol the
river. Philadelphia was reached and
the expedition was almost past the
city, when the sentries on one of the
British men-of-war gave the alarm. A
few scattering shots were fired from
the shore, but the sailors bent to their
oars, and the boats were lost to sight
in the darkness.
When day broke, Barry was far
down the river. Opposite the little
post held by the American Army, and
called Fort Penn, Barry spied large
schooner, mounting ten guns, and fly
ing the British flag. With her were
four transport ships loaded with for.
age for the enemy's forces. Though
the sun had risen and it was broad
day, Barry succeeded in running his
boats alongside the schooner, and be-
bore the British suspected the pres
ence of an enemy his men were clam
bering over the rail, cutlass and pistol
in hand, There was no resistance.
The astonished Englishmen threw
down their arms and rushed below.
The victorious Americans battened
down the matches, ordered the four
transports to surrender on pain of be.
ing fired into, and triumphantly car.
ried all five prizes to the piers of Fort
Penn. There the matches were re-
moved and, the American sailors being
drawn up in line, Barry ordered the
prisoners to come on deck. When all
appeared it was found that the Amer
leans had bagged one major, two cap
tains, three lieutenants, ten soldiers
and about a hundred sailors and
marines, a very respectable haul for a
party of not more than thirty Amer
ican sailors.
Barry's conduct in this enterprise
won for him the admiration of friend
and foe alike. Sir William Howe, then
commander-in-chief of the British
forces in America, offered the daring
Irishman twenty thousand guineas and
the command of British frigate II
he would desert the service of the
United States. "Not the value and
command of the whole British fleet,
wrote Barry in reply, "can seduce me
from the cause of my country"
Washington considered this exploit
highly creditable to Barry, and wrote
to him as follows:
II have received your favor of the
9th instant, and congratulate you on
the success which has crowned your
gallantry and address in the late at
tack upon the enemy's ships. AL.
though circumstances have prevented
you from reaping the full benefit OF
your conquests, yet there is ample
consolation in the degree of glory
which you have acquired. :
"You will be pleased to accept my
thanks for the good things which you
were so polite as to send me, with my
own wishes that suitable recompense
may always attend your bravery.
GEORGE WASHINGTON"
In September, 177S, Barry was ap'
pointed to the command Of the frigate
Raleigh, but soon after deliberately
ran her ashore rather than submit to
capture by an overwhelming British
force. On May 20, 1881, as command
er of the Alliance, he captured two
British vessels, the Atalanta and the
Trepassy, after hot fight. During
the action Barry was wounded and had
to be carried below. One of his lieu.
tenants reported to him that the ship
had sustained great injury and asked
If he would surrender. "No," replied
Barry, III the ship can't be fought
without me will be carried on deck y
The reply animated the crew to such
an extent that they succeeded In