The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1918-03-26
SPEEDY AMERICAN DESTROYER IS
NAMED after COMMODORE PREBLE
WHO CHASED PIRATES CENTURY AGO
Destroyer Preble Expected to Do It's Part in Guiding
American Fleet to Victory Over Kaiser's
Murderers in Submarines.

Somewhere" at sea silently speed
fng through waters that hide the
twentieth century pirate-the sub
marine-is a flotilla of American de-
stroyers. On them, above all else,
depends the turn of the tide in favor
of the Allies.
AS, more than a century ago, the
seas were cleared of pirates who had
exacted tribute from all the mari
time powers, SO now is the American
navy taking the lead to clear the seas
of new brand of pirate, the repre-
sentatives of the German emperor
who first sink their victims ships and
fire on the unarmed men. women and
children, and who expect by these
methods later to exact tribute from the
world.
One hundred years ago It was the
new nation, America, that ended pir-
acy, and opened shipping safely to
the world. And it was Commodore
Edward Preble who guided the Am
erican fleet to victory against the Tri-
politans.
Now another fleet Is in action. One
of our destroyers is named the Preble
in honor of the man whose service
was second to none in the wartime of
other days. Is the Destroyer Preble
to make such history as did the man
Preble?
No war of history has offered more
opportunity for distinction. Naval
warfare now is different than ever
before. But American naval officers
are as valiant, and as efficient as at
any other period of history.
The Destroyer PrebIe was attach
ed to the Pacific fleet before the Uni
ted States entered the World War.
She makes 1873 knots, and carries two
3-inch SO calibre rapid fire guns, five
6 FOUNDER rapid fire guns, and two
1S-inch torpedo tubes. Her compile
ment is three officers and seventy-two
men. The Preble's displacement is
BIO tons, she is 245 feet long and 23
feet beam. Her engines are 1000
horse power, with twin screw propel-
lers.
The part she will play in this war
the records that may be written down
in the new chapter of the history OF
warfare will be made doubly inter-
esting by recalling some of the deeds
of the illustrious officer whose name
she bears.
Edward Preble, born in Portland
Maine in 1861, grew into a strong
athletic, and adventure-loving boy
and against the wishes Of his father
followed his plan to become a sailor
by leaving school after three year:
and going to sea.
His first experience in naval ser
vice came in 1879 when he was ap-
pointed midshipman in the state shiI
Protector, 26 guns. On her frs
cruise the Protector defeated in bat
tie the Admiral Duff, SO guns. anG
later was defeated in battle with two
British ships, Some months later Pre-
BILE entered as first lieutenant on the
Winthrop.
PrebIe's valor first became gener
ally known because of an exploit
while on the Winthrop. In the nigh
Captain Little of that ship with Lieut.
Preble and forty of his crew, decided
to board . brig lying in Penobsco
harbor As Lieut.. Preble and four
teen men sprang into the brig tn
boat with Captain Little and the re
mainder of thee rev was carried ava!
from the briggs side. Captain Littl
called out Preble,
Twill you not have more men?'
With great presence of mind and in
loud voice, he answered, mo; we hav
more than we want; we stand in eacl
others way"
Lieut.. Preble's reply so frightene,
the crew many of them jumped over
board, and the officers surrendered i'm
mediately. The vessel was tken GU
of the harbor under fire of troops o
shore and carried in triumph to Bos
ton.
In 1893 Preble was appointed one c
five lieutenants and after two cruise
in the Pickering was promoted CAP
tin and given command of the frigat
Essex later resighing the comman
on account of ill health.
In 1903 he was appointed to com
mand the Constitution. then lying
Boston, and instructed to get read
for sea. In June of that year he re
ceive orders to take command {
the ladron then preparing Cor az
tive ,rvice in the Mediterranean.
The fleet consisted of the Constitl
ton, "A guns, flagship; the Philade
mia. A guns, Captain William Bair
bridge, already at the station; til