Kentucky Irish American., 1914-03-14

large SCUOOueTs mounting Ten guns
and flying the British flag. With her
were four transport ships loaded with
lforage for the enemy's forces.
Though the sun had risen and it was
broad day, Barry succeeded in run
ming his boats alongside the
schooner, and before the British sus-
pected the presence of an enemy his
men we're clamoring over the rail,
cutlass anh pistol in hand. There
was no resistance. The astonished
Englishmen threw down their arms
and rushed below. The victorious
Americans battered down the
matches, ordered the four transports
to surrender on pain of being fired
into, and triumphantly carried all
fve prizes to the piers OF Fort Penn.
There the matches we're removed
and, the American sailors being
drawn up in line, Barry ordered the
prisoners to come on derk When
all appeared it was found that the
Americans had bagged one Major,
two Captains, three Lieutenants, ten
soldiers and about a hundred sailors
and marines, a very respectable haul
for a party of not more than thirty
American sailors.
Barry's conduct in this enterprise
won for him the admiration of
friend and foe alike. Sir William
Howe, then Commander-in-Chi of
the British forces in America, Of
fered the daring Irishman 10000
guineas and the command of a
British frigate If 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 ex-
ploit highly creditable to Barry, and
wrote to him as follows:
81 have received your favor of the
9th instant, and congratulate you on
the success which has crowned your
gallantry and address in the late
attack upon the enemy's ships. AL
though circumstances have prevented
you from reaping the full benefit of
your conquest, yet there Is ample
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 to send me, with my own
wishes that suitable recompense
may always attend your bravery.
George Washington,
In September, 1878, Barry was ap-
pointed to the command of the
frigate Raleigh, but soon after de-
ran her ashore rather
than submit to capture by an over
British force. On May
29, 1881, as commander of the |
Alliance, he captured two British yes
sells, the Atalanta and the Trepassy, |
after hot fight. During the action |
Barry was wounded and had to be !
,arried below. One of his lieutenants
reported to him that the ship had |
sustained great injury and asked II
ne would surrender. mo" replied |
Barry, 'if the ship can't be fought |
without me l will be carried on
ieck," The reply animated the crew
% such an extent that they sue
,eeded in compelling the enemy TO
surrender before Barry could be |
brought on deck. In the fall of the
same year Barry carried Lafayette
md Count Noailles to France. In his
speech to Congress introducing the
1ill for the creation of monument
o Barry, the Hon. NJ. e. Driscoll
hus summarizes his services;
"At the breaking out of the war
II the Revolution Barry was en-
)loyed as Master of the Black
the finest merchant ship in +,
America She was purchased by the
first Congress, armored for war, and
made the first flagship of the first
leet, under the first Commodore, and
lamed the Alfred. after the father OF
he English navy. He won the first
naval victory OF the war in the Con.
mental Service, and returned the
irst prize captured from the enemy,
n command OF the Lexington, which
vas named after the first battle of
he Revolution, and was the first ship
hat bore the Continental flag to vic
ory on the ocean He was the first
captain OF our present navy. and
continued first In command until the
ime OF his death. During the last
hree years OF the Revolution he was
'anking officer In the navy, and
ought the last battle Of the war in
OF the Alliance, the last ana
,est warship OF the Continental
lavy."
After the close of the war and
Turing the time that England had
Irrogated TO herself the fright OF
the gallant Captain was
JAILED on the high seas one day by
naughty British Captain with ship
Ihoyl"
To this challenge Barry paid no
Ittentlon, but kept his course. The
british crew stood aghast at such
,oldness. What ship--what man
vas that who thus dared to tempt
he wrath or England
Again the challenge goes ringing h
orth across the waters. this time
hort. sharp. imperious, breathing OF
say, Ahoyl-
What ship is that?"
Then Barry. the blood tingling
through his veins, leaped upon the
ATRIAL, HIS eyes flashing. his hear.
Ifire. and grasping the ratlines he
eaned far out over the ships side,