THE "ALLIANCE" SAILS FOR FRANCE--CAPTURES A BRITISH CRUISER--RETURN
TO AMERICA--THE LOSS OF THE "LA FAYETTE"--MUTINY.
The selection of John Barry, at this crisis in our country's struggle
for Liberty and Independence, to the command of the foremost ship of the
new Republic is a most conspicuous and honorable testimony to his
merits, abilities and services. None additional is needed.
The "Alliance" was selected to convey Colonel John Laurens as a special
Commissioner to France to seek "an immediate, ample and efficacious
succor in money, large enough to be a foundation for substantial
arrangement of finance, to revive public credit and give vigor to future
operations."
There was delay in sailing owing to a shortness of crew and the
inability to procure recruits. In the meantime Captain Barry was, on
November 10, 1780, appointed, by the Navy Board of the Eastern
Department, President of a Court-Martial, together with Captains
Hoystead Hucker, Samuel Nicholson and Henry Johnson, Lieutenants Silas
Devol, Patrick Fletcher, Nicholas E. Gardner and Samuel Pritchard,
Lieutenant of Marine, to meet on November 21st to try Lieutenant James
Degges to determine whether he was justified in revolting against the
authority of Captain Landais of the "Alliance" and usurping command on
the voyage from France. A Court-Martial was also held for the trial of
Captain Landais, and he was dismissed the service. There is much
interesting history connected with these trials, but they do not
properly enter into this recital further than to say that Captain
Landais' erratic conduct in command of the "Alliance" was due to mental
deficiencies as was afterwards generally acknowledged. These became so
manifest in the voyage to America that the officers took the command
from him.
On February 2, 1781, so impatient at the delay had become Colonel
Laurens that, as all other resources had failed, he applied to General
Benjamin Lincoln to allow recruits for the army fitted for marine
service to be engaged and nowhere so advantageously employed.
Patrick Sheridan, an enlisted soldier of Boston, is one known to have
been given leave to join the "Alliance." On February 11, 1781, the
"Alliance" sailed from Boston with Colonel Laurens, Thomas Paine, Comte
de Noailles, brother-in-law of Lafayette and other celebrities. On the
way to France the "Alliance" captured, on March 4th, the British cruiser
"Alert," which had possession of the "La Buonia Compagnia," a Venetian
ship which, "contrary to the Laws of Nations and every principle of
justice" had been seized by the British cruiser called the "Alert" from
Glasgow, Francis Russell commander, by whom the Venetian crew were put
in irons and otherwise cruelly treated.
Captain Barry released the Venetian "out of respect for the Laws of
Nations and the rights of neutrality." Colonel Laurens in reporting to
Congress, from L'Orient, March 11, 1781, where the "Alliance" had
arrived two days before, related the action of Captain Barry, whereupon
on June 26th it was resolved that Congress approve of Captain Barry's
conduct in releasing the ship belonging to the Republic of Venice,
retaken by him from a British privateer on March 4th last, it being the
determination always to pay the utmost respect to the rights of neutral
commerce. The Venetian Senate also expressed to Franklin, our Ambassador
at Paris, through the Ambassador of Venice, their "grateful sense of the
friendly behavior of Captain Barry, commander of the 'Alliance,' in
rescuing one of the ships of their State from an English privateer and
setting her at liberty."
It may be remarked as a singular circumstance that the "Alert" was,
probably, the cruiser which, on September 10, 1777, had captured Barry's
first command, the "Lexington," which was then commanded by Captain
Henry Johnson and which Barry had, in March, 1778, captured in the
Delaware Bay, but which was retaken by the British a few days later and
which, on September 17, 1778, captured the American cruiser "La
Fayette." If so, Captain Barry's gratification must have been great in
again capturing the "Alert."
The importance of Captain Barry's services in this voyage must be noted.
He succeeded in conveying to France Colonel Laurens, whose father had
been sent on a similar mission, but had been taken prisoner while on the
way, and at the time of his son's going on the same mission was a
prisoner in the Tower at London. Captain Barry's responsibility was,
therefore, great. Skill and acuteness were most essential to avoid
encounter with a superior British force and thus endanger the safety of
the special Commissioner charged with so important a duty at this
"infinitely critical posture of our affairs," as Washington wrote
Franklin.
To promptly and safely convey Colonel Laurens was more important to the
general good than for Barry to make captures and prizes. Yet he not only
performed the duty assigned him, but took two prizes from the enemy--its
"Alert" and its own prize, the Venetian ship, restoring it to its
country.
Barry's captures were, in notable cases, double captives, taking two in
each encounter. On the Delaware Bay expedition he had taken the
"Mermaid" and the "Kitty," which he held and the "Alert" which was
retaken. Now we find him taking that "Alert" and its prize. These double
captures we shall, later, see repeated--taking two prizes in one
battle--killing two birds with one stone, as it were. And it took two
British cruisers to inflict the only loss he ever had--the loss of the
"Raleigh."
Captain Barry took the "Alert" to L'Orient, where the crew were
imprisoned. Laurens secured from France a gift of six millions from the
King--as well as clothing and military stores. It was sent in the
"Resolute" which sailed from Brest, June 1, 1781, and arrived at Boston
August 25th. It was this money which moved Washington's army to
Yorktown, Virginia, by paying the army one month's pay in specie and
enabling supplies to be furnished. Congress had no credit to get money
or supplies until the arrival of the French funds. Other portions of the
money were used to pay overdue French loans. That was our hard-pressed
country's method of paying its debts.
The importance of the duty assigned Captain Barry to get Colonel Laurens
to France is thus made manifest. Well performed, its results brought the
downfall of British supremacy in America. Failure to safely convey
Laurens would have brought untold disaster upon the cause of
Independence and Liberty and, mayhap, long have delayed the winning and
the triumph.
On March 23, 1781, Captain Barry, after obtaining supplies needed, was
assigned the Letter-of-Marque vessel "Marquis de La Fayette," commanded
by Captain Gallatheau, which was loaded with stores for Congress, and
directed that, as he was about to return to America, that the "La
Fayette" would proceed under his convoy to Philadelphia. On March 29th
the "Alliance" and "La Fayette" sailed from L'Orient in company.
When the "Alliance" left L'Orient on her returning cruise to America,
Captain Barry, by orders of Franklin, directed Captain Gallatheau, of
the ship "Marquis La Fayette," to proceed to the United States under
convoy of the "Alliance," as the vessel was laden with one hundred tons
of saltpetre, twenty-six iron eighteen-pounders, fifteen thousand
gunbarrels, leather, uniforms for ten thousand men and cloth for five or
six thousand. After being under convoy for three weeks in a gale of wind
which split the sails of the "Alliance," the "La Fayette" disappeared.
Captain Barry gave signals by flags and guns and cruised about for two
days in search of the missing vessel. Five days after the separation the
"Suffolk," British man-of-war, of 74 guns, met the "La Fayette" and
after three hours' battle made her captive though reduced to "a perfect
hulk." For thirteen days she was towed by the "Suffolk."
Investigation made by Congress into the cause of this great loss showed,
by the evidence of Captain Robeson, on board the "La Fayette," that the
separation was the fault of Captain Gallatheau by sailing away from the
"Alliance" contrary to every argument of Captain Robeson. The loss
aggregated four hundred and fifty tons of public stores and two hundred
men, besides the armament of twenty-six eighteen-pound guns and fourteen
six-pounders.
On March 30th a mutiny plot was discovered among the crew of the
"Alliance." It is best related in the words of Kessler, Barry's friend
and officer:
"An Indian, one of the forecastle men, gave Captain Barry information of
a combination among the crew for the purpose of taking the ship, and
pointed out three who had striven to prevail on him to be concerned
therein. The three men were immediately put in irons and all the
officers, with such of the crew as could be confided in, were armed and
required to remain all night on deck. On the next morning all hands were
called and placed on the forecastle, booms and gangways, excepting the
officers and such part of the crew in whom Captain Barry confided, who,
armed strongly, guarded the quarterdeck, the steerage and the main deck
to keep the remainder of the crew together on the forecastle and boom.
The three designated men were brought out of their irons on the
quarterdeck, and being stripped and hoisted by the thumbs to the
mizzen-stay, underwent a very severe whipping before either would make
any confession. As their accomplices were disclosed they were called to
the quarterdeck, stripped and tied to the ridge-rope of the netting and
the whipping continued until it was thought all was disclosed that could
possibly be obtained, which proved to be: that it was intended to take
the ship on her passage out by killing all the officers in the middle of
the watch of the night, except Lieutenant Patrick Fletcher who was to
navigate her to some port in Ireland, or, on failure, to be destroyed. A
quartermaster, one of the mutineers, was to have command. They all had
been bound by an oath on the Bible, administered by the Captain's
assistant cabin steward, and had also signed their names in a
round-robin, so-called, but that they found no opportunity on the
outward passage and intended to accomplish taking of the ship as
aforesaid immediately on leaving France. But on coming out of L'Orient
we lost a man overboard who was one of the chief ring-leaders, and they,
considering that as a bad omen, threw the round-robin overboard and
relinquished their designs. The three principals were placed securely in
irons and the remainder, after being admonished by Captain Barry, and on
their solemn declaration to conduct themselves well, were permitted to
return to ship's duty. This mutiny was discovered Sunday, March 31,
1781."
On April 2d two British armed cruisers were seen at seven in the
morning. The "Alliance" gave chase and the two Britishers "stood for"
the "Alliance." They neared each other at ten o'clock when the two gave
the "Alliance" a broadside, which was "returned double-fold" so
effectively that one struck her flag and hove to. She was the "Mars," of
twenty twelve-pounders, two sixes and twelve four-pounders and one
hundred and eleven men. The other ran while the "Alliance" "fired a
number of bow chasers at her" and in an hour hove to and surrendered.
She was the "Minerva," mounting eight four-pounders and fifty-five men.
The "Alliance" received "considerable damage" from the shot of the
enemy. Lieutenant Fletcher and fourteen men were placed in charge of the
"Minerva" as a prize crew. Here again in one battle Captain Barry
captures two of the enemy's cruisers. The "Alliance" continued the
cruise and went to the West India waters seeking prizes.
On May 2d a brig and a snow (a small vessel) loaded with sugar from
Jamaica for London were captured and being manned from the "Alliance"
was ordered to Boston. Again two captures. Later in the day a fleet of
sixty-five sail, convoyed by ten sail of line, were observed but
prudently not molested by Captain Barry. Later in the day a brig from
Jamaica bound to Bristol, England. We "gave the brig two bow guns at
meridian," notes the log of the "Alliance." She surrendered. "Sent our
boats, on board and took the prisoners out." The next day another
vessel, with seven four-pounders also from Jamaica to Bristol, was taken
and the prisoners brought on board the "Alliance."
Not until May 28th was there another opportunity found, when early on
that morning an armed ship and a brig were discovered about a league
distant. At sunrise they hoisted the English colors and beat drums. At
the same time Captain Barry displayed the American colors. By eleven
o'clock Captain Barry hailed the ship and was answered that she was the
"Atalanta" ship-of-war belonging to His Britannic Majesty, commanded by
Captain Sampson Edwards. Captain Barry then told Captain Edwards that
he, John Barry, commanded the Continental frigate the "Alliance" and
advised him to haul down the English colors.
Captain Edwards replied, "Thank you, Sir. Perhaps I may after a trial."
The firing then began. The "Alliance" had not wind enough for steerage
way. The enemy being lighter vessels, by using sweeps, got and kept
athwart the stern of the "Alliance" so that she could not bring half her
guns to bear upon them, and often but one gun out astern to bear on the
two--thus lying like a log the greater part of the time. Captain Barry
received a wound in the shoulder from a grape shot. He remained on the
quarterdeck until exhausted by loss of blood, when he was helped to the
cock-pit for treatment. Soon the colors of the "Alliance" were shot
away. This caused the enemy to believe the Americans had struck their
colors. They gave three cheers and manned their shrouds expecting a
surrender. But the colors of the "Alliance" were again run up--a breeze
sprung up--a broadside was given the "Atalanta" and another given the
"Trepassy," the brig. They then struck their colors to the "Alliance."
Captain Smith, of the "Trepassy," was killed. The Captain of the
"Atalanta" was brought on board and taken to Captain Barry, wounded in
his cabin. Captain Edwards advanced and presented his sword. Captain
Barry received it but at once returned it, saying:
"I return it to you, Sir. You have merited it. Your King ought to give
you a better ship. Here is my cabin at your service. Use it as your
own."
He then ordered Lieutenant King, of the "Trepassy" brig to be brought to
him. The crew of the "Atalanta" and the prisoners Barry had on the
"Alliance," numbering 250, should all be put on the "Trepassy," her
cannon thrown overboard, and she sent to Halifax as a cartel for the
exchange of American prisoners, while the Captain and Lieutenant
remained as hostages. The "Atalanta" was retaken by the "Charlestown"
and "Vulture." On account of Captain Barry's wound, the "Alliance" made
all sail for Boston. Kessler relates that when Captain Barry had been
carried to his cabin to have his wounds dressed, the Lieutenant later
went to him and reporting that the "Alliance" was very much damaged,
many men killed and wounded and of the disadvantages for want of wind,
asked "Shall the colors be struck?"
Captain Barry passionately answered: "No, Sir, and if the ship cannot be
fought without me, I will be brought on deck." The officer immediately
returned to deck. Captain Barry, after being dressed in haste, was on
his way to the deck when the enemy struck. The "Alliance" lost eleven
killed and twenty-four wounded. From her crew of two hundred and
eighty--three prize crews had been taken--fifty were on the sick list. A
few of these were able to sit between decks and hand powder to the
magazine. There were more than one hundred prisoners on board, as well
as those of the crew of a mutinous disposition. Add to all this
disadvantage the total calm prevailing until near the end of the
contest, the capture of the two British vessels was one of special
noteworthy importance. "It was considered a most brilliant exploit and
an unequivocal evidence of the unconquerable firmness and intrepidity of
the victor," says Frost's _Naval Biography_. Here again we find Captain
Barry adding to his record of capturing two prizes in one action.
The "Alliance" continued cruising, searching for other prey, but not
meeting any, made for Boston, where she arrived June 6, 1781. Captain
Barry's wound was yet in a dangerous condition. So he sent Kessler to
Philadelphia to bring on Mrs. Barry. The "Alliance" being much shattered
in her masts, sails and rigging, a thorough overhauling and repairing
was needed. The three mutineers were tried and condemned to be hanged.
The sentence was commuted to "serve during the war." Captain Barry
refused their admission on the "Alliance," so they were delivered to a
recruiting party as soldiers.