JOHN BARRY, WHO WON MORE SEA FIGHTS IN THE REVOLUTION THAN ANY OTHER CAPTAIN
Barry visits America
103. John Barry. Although born on a farm in Ireland (1745), John Barry wanted to be a sailor lad. While still young he was put to service on board a merchant ship. Here young Barry learned more than being a mere sailor. Between voyages he studied hard, and soon gained a useful education. At the age of fifteen he came to Philadelphia, and was so pleased with the country and the people that he resolved to make America his home.
Offers his services to Congress
He rose rapidly as a sailor and, when the news of the first bloodshed between England and her colonies came, he offered his services to Congress.
JOHN BARRY
From the portrait painted by Colin Campbell Cooper after the Stuart painting, now in Independence Hall, Philadelphia
Made captain of the "Lexington"
In 1776 Congress made him captain of the ship Lexington, the first Continental vessel to sail from William Penn's old city. Barry immediately put to sea, and met and captured the Edward after a fierce fight. Thus the Lexington was the first ship to bear the American flag to victory.
Congress, pleased with the result, put him in charge of a larger ship, called the Effingham. The British, however, bottled up the Effingham in the Delaware.
But Barry was not idle. Arming four boatloads of men, with muffled oars he rowed down the Delaware at night.
He captures a British vessel and four transports
Just as the sun was rising Barry saw a British vessel of ten guns. With this ship were four transports loaded with forage for the British army. Barry's boats made for the British ship. His men climbed on board with guns and swords in hand. The British soldiers threw down their arms and ran below. Barry fastened down the hatchways, and then turned his attention to the four transports, which quickly surrendered. Barry then took his five prizes across the river to an American fort.
BARRY'S BOATS ATTACKING THE BRITISH
He takes command of the "Raleigh"
In 1778 Congress promoted John Barry to the command of the Raleigh. He set sail for Boston, and on his way met a British ship carrying thirty-two guns. His sailors had taken an oath never to surrender. They fought bravely, and had every hope of winning, when a British 64-gun ship came in sight. To keep their oaths, they ran the Raleigh ashore, and set her on fire. The British put out the fire and saved the ship.
Wounded, but forces the British to strike their colors
104. Barry Given Command of the "Alliance." In 1781 Barry was placed in command of the Alliance, a ship whose name was given in honor of France's helping America in this war. In May the Alliance met two British ships, and a hard battle followed. Barry was badly wounded, but would not surrender. He fought on and forced the British ships to strike their colors.
In 1783 Barry, in the Alliance, sailed on his last voyage of the Revolution. His companion ship was the Luzerne. Three British ships discovered the Americans and quickly gave chase. The Luzerne was slow and threw her guns overboard.
On his last voyage of the Revolution
Another vessel came into view; it was a French ship of fifty guns. With her aid Barry immediately decided to fight. He made a speech urging the men not to fire until ordered. A terrific battle with the foremost British ship followed. After fifty minutes' fighting, the British showed signals of distress. The remaining British ships now came up to rescue her, and the Alliance sailed away. The French ships took no part in the battle.
Named first commander of a navy
After the war was over, Congress provided for a navy, and General Knox, Washington's Secretary of War and of the Navy, named John Barry as first commodore. He served as the senior commander of the American navy until his death, in 1803. The people of Philadelphia have erected a monument to his memory (1907).