Evening star., 1941-11-16
Reuben James, Sailor, Linked to City's History

The recent sinking OF the destroyer
Reuben James. and the fact that the
sailor, for whom this war vessel was
named, resided for some years in WASH
ington, has local as well as national
appeal to the District people, who are
naturally proud of any honor conferred
upon any present or former resident
The record shows that this particular
person also spent some of his time in
Norfolk, Va. and IN Baltimore. Md,
when he was not sailing the high seas
during his 80 years Of naval service.
This old seadog is said to have been
born somewhere in Delaware, and he
first saw the light of day the year OF
the signing of the Declaration Of In
dependence, 1776. At an early date he
enlisted In the United States Navy,
and saw service in the War with Tripoli,
18ol-i805 It was during this period
when Stephen Decatur recaptured and
burned. on the evening of February Is,
1904, the frigate Philadelphia, which
had struck on rock in the harbor of
Tripoli, toward the close of 1903.
At the time of this valiant exploit by
Decatur, the harbor of Tripoli was being
blockaded by the Americans who had
returned to this, place to bring the
bashaw to terms, and it was at this
time that Capt. Decatur conceived the
idea of destroying the Philadelphia, at
one time the flagship of his fathG,
Commodore Stephen Decatur, ST., a
naval officer of the American Revolu-
ton. His idea was also to Eberate the
crew OF the captured American ship,
the officers Of which, including Capt.
William Bainbridge, had been made
prisoners of war, while those OF lesser
grade we're made slaves.
With rs volunteers, Capt. Decatur sailed
into the harbor and ran alongside the
Philadelphia under the guns OF the
castle. boarded her, killed or drove into
the sea all of her defenders, set her on
fire and then, under cover of a heavy
protective cannonade by the American
squadron, escaped without losing a man.
OF those who accompanied Capt. De-
eatur in this gallant night expedition,
the following names have been pre-
served: Its. James Lawrence, j. Balm
bridge and J. Thorn; DR.. Hermann, Mid
shipmen c. Morris, T. MacDonough, r.
lizard. A. Laws, j. Davis, j. Rowe, 7. o.
Anderson and Pilot Salvatore Catalani.
and 1t. Charles Stuart in the Brig Siren.
James Decatur Killed
On August 8, 1904, in further en-
eagement in this harbor, 1t. James
Decatur. brother of Stephen, jr., and son
Of Stephen, sr., was mortally Wounoeo,
after distinguishing himself. The cap
tain of the gunboat he was attacking
offered surrender and then in sudden
rage shot young Decatur through the
head. For a moment" we are told,
me stood, eyes wide in surprise then
fell back In his own boat. Midshipman
Brown got the boats clear and carried
his officer out Of the fight. The boat
passed close to that of Stephen Decatur.
Brown reported the matter and the
treachery Of 1t as he made his way
toward the Constitution.
Enraged with grief, Stephen Decatur
pursued the boat, singled out the person
believed TO have shot his brother, and,
after q desperate personal encounter.
killed him and captured the boat which
he commanded. Following this, he again
performed q deed of heroism, when, IN
the attack "after pouring showers OF
srape and musket balls on the enemy,
a. he approached" according to Daw-
son, 'he bore down on and attacked one
Of the largest Of the enemys squadron"
He engaged in a close and desperate
struggle with the captain Of the Tripoli-
tan, and attacked him with pike.
The Turk was large and exceedingly
powerful man, and as his assailant ap-
preached he seized the pike wrested it
from his hand, and turned it against
its owner. Parrying the thrust, Decatur
drew his cutlass and attempted to cut
OF the head Of the pike, but the weapon
broke at the hilt, leaving the American,
apparently, at the mercy OF the Turk.
A second thrust was parried with his
arm, and Decatur sprang upon and
erappled his opponent.
The trial Of strength which followed
this resolute adventure speedily termi-
mated in favor Of the Turk, although in
falling, Decatur so far released himself
that he lay, on the deck, side by side
! With his enemy. The latter immedi-
| otely attempted to seach small poniard
! which he carried "a his sash, but Deca-
J t,r, perceiving his object, grasped his
hand, and at the same time drew from
his own pocket small pistol which he
passed around the body of the PROSTATE
Turk, pointed inward and fired. The
ball passed entirely through the body of
the Turk, killing him instantly. and
Decatur, released from his grasp, sprang
10 his feet.
Ran to Rescue
It was while the two commanders
were thus struggling for the mastery
that the well-known act Of Reuben
James occurred One of the crew Of the
Tripolitan, perceiving the desperate en-
counter in which his captain was en-
gagged, ran to the rescue and raised his
saber to cleave the skull Of Decatur;
when Reuben James, quarter-gunner
on the Enterprise, who had lost the
use Of both his arms by wounds, rushed
IN and received, on the back OF his
head, without fatal effect. the blow
which was intended for his gallant