Kentucky Irish American., 1914-03-14

granite surmounted by a heroic
! figure in bronze. Upon the northerll
side Of the pedestal the following in
scription is chiseled into the stone:
Commodore
John Barry, U. S. N.
Father of the Navy
of the
United States.
Born in Wexford, Ireland,
1745.
Died in Philadelphia,
1903.
Presented to the
City OF Philadelphia
by the
Friendly Sons of st. Patrick,
1907.
During the year 1906 Congress
appropriated the sum Of $4,000 for
the purchase OF a site in the city OF
Washington and the erection Of "a
statue to the memory Of Commodore
John Barry, the money to be ex-
pended under the direction of a
commission composed of the Secre-
tary Of War, the Secretary Of the
NAVY the Chairman of the Commit
fee of the Library of the Senate, and
the Chairman of the Committee of
the Library of the House of Repre-
sentatives."
This monument and statue are
now nearly completed, and viii be
unveiled in 1914, thus giving tardy
recognition to one of the foremost
men of all time in the navy OF the
United States.
OF the parentage and the part he
took in helping to establish this free
Government of ours many beautltul
things are written, and we take
much pride in presenting from the
pen of Jasper Tucker Darling, LII. D.,
this brief story to our readers:
John Barry was born in Tacum-
shane, County Wexford, Ireland, IN
1745. His father was an Irish far-
mer of the highest character, ana
he inherited from him the many
noble attributes which afterward
made him loved and distinguished in
nublic and private life. He fol-
lowed the sea from his earliest years
and made his home in Philadelphia
in 1860. He not only applied him
self with diligence to the study OF
his profession, but he also found
time to store his mind with useful
Information. AS a result he rose
rapidly in the confidence of his en-
ployers and nearly acquired posltlon
and wealth. He commanded shlps
before he was of age, and at thirty
stood at the head of his profession.
He offered his services to Congress
at the opening of the Revolutionary
War. abandoning, as he said hlm-
self. the finest ship and the first en-
nlov in America to espouse the pa
triotic cause. His services were
gladly accepted, and he was APP
nointed to the command of the Lex
ington. the first Continental vessel OF
war that sailed from Philadelphia
in which he made the hrst capture
of a British war vessel accomplished
by as American cruiser-that OF the
tender Edward. Preble in his or
igin of the Flag" says this Lexington
of the Seas was "the first vessel that
bore the American flag to victory
and we can proudly add that she was
commanded by an Irishman.
Barry cruised successfully in the
Lexington until the fall OF l1Io,
when he was appointed to the com
mand of the bingham, one OF the
three large fngates built In Phlla-
delnhia. In the eventful winter OF
that year, the navigation OF the Deia,
ware being impeded by ice ana an
naval employment suspended, barry ;
hold and restless spirit could not
remain inactive. So Jealous was ne
in his country's cause that he yolun-
teered his services in the army ana
served with distinguished reputation
as Aide-de-Camp to Gen. Cadwalader
in the important operations around
Trenton and commanded company
of volunteers and some heavy guns
during the most critical part OF the
action.
During the year 1777 Barry was
senior commander Of the American
navy at philadelphia, and for some
time prevented the capture OF the
city by the enemy. In October OF
that year he repulsed a British
in their passage up the
Delaware, but later on, when the
british obtained command OF the
city and river, 1t was deemed
prudent TO send the American ships
up the Delaware beyond the reach
OF the enemy.
While they we're lying near WHITE
hall. Capt. Barry, chaiing under IN
action when there was so much 10
be done, formed project which for
holiness OF design and dexterity OF
execution was not surpassed X
eoualled during the war. He con-
ceiyed 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 mufiied 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
iired from the shore, but the sailors
bent TO their oars and the boats were
lost 10 sight In the darkness.
When day broke Barry was far