The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-03-23
HORNET CAPTURED
 PENGUIN JUST 100
 YEARS AGO TODAY


 AlthoueH Great Britain and the United States had entered upon their era, of lasting peace a century ago, the news of the treaty ending hostiH- ties between the two countries had not reached many out of the way corners of the world. Several naval engagements were fought after the declaration of peace. One or these battles occurred just one hundred years ago today, March 23, 1915. off the Island of Tristan das Cunha, near Brazil between the American ship Hornet and the British brig Pen e-1in The action was brief but sharp and decisive and ended in com pIe6e victory for the Americans. The Penguin was captured by the Hornee, but was released as soon as Capt Riddle learned of the ratification of peace.
 The Hornet was one Of the most active of the ships of the American navy in the war of century ago She was tiny vessel of 4SO toas bur den, with eighteen guns The Hornet was orfginalIy commanded by Capt. James Lawrence afterward com nnander of the Chesapeake, which was captured by the British ship Shannon. Early in l1813 the Hornet captured the British warship Peacock off British Guiana, South America
 Capt. James Riddle, the comm and er of the Hornet in the battle of a cen t1lf-y ago. had a romantic and ad- yenturous career. He was 9 native of Philadelphia. and made his first cruise as a 1nidshipn1an on the vessel named after bis home city He was only seventeen when he began his naval career in 1900. He was a mem Der Of the crew of the frIgate F hila- delphia.s when she was wrecked on the Barbary coast in 1SO3 Biddle e.1s ne5f fazSI confinement for nineteen months. At the conclusion of the treaty ending the first TripoIitan war in 1895 and the other American prisoners were released and returned to America, reaching Philadelphia in September, 1905.
 Soon after the outbreak of the war | Of 1872 Riddle sailed from Philadel- phia in the sIoop of. war Wasp ting ing insects being then very popular as names for naval vessels. The Wasp captured the British s1oop FroIic, and prize. He had the misfortune to lose l his command very soon, however, as I both, ships were taken by the Poictiers and carried to Bermuda. Upon returning to the continent 1 Riddle was placed in command of a 4 but was soon afterward transferred i to the Hornet For several months his ship was bIockaded in the harbor of New London, but Riddle obtained permission to try to escape. and was successful in running the gauntlet of the British vessels
 I Riddle then joined a fleet com I manded by Decatur, destined to I cruise in the East Indies. He sailed 1 from New York in January of 1915, and while off the coast of Brazil fell l in with and captured the Penguin.
 Capt Riddle performed an import
 ant service for his country in 1S45i 1 when, as the commander of the East I India. squadron, he concluded the first treaty between the United States and Canada He died in Phi1adel- phia in 1848.
 I The battle between the Hornet and
 the Penguin practically ended the
 war, although as late as the follow ing July Capt. Warrington, in conn nnand of the Peacock. captured the Nautilus in the Straits Of Sunda- A I day later the news of peace reached
 Capt. Warrington. and he released
 his prize. To Warrington, and not lgBiddle. therefore belongs the distinc-
 ton of having fired the last shot o1
 the war between the United States I and Great Britain.