America. Among the many officers who have borne this name, none was more
celebrated and admired in his life time and none more deeply lamented
at his untimely decease than Commodore Stephen Decatur.
[Illustration: BURNING OF THE PHILADELPHIA.]
His life was a series of heroic actions. But of these perhaps the most
remarkable of all is that which is recorded in the following language of
his biographer--the burning of the frigate Philadelphia.
Decatur had been sent out from the United States, in the Argus, to join
Commodore Preble's squadron before Tripoli. He exchanged this vessel
with Lieutenant Hull for the Enterprise.
After making that exchange, he proceeded to Syracuse, where the squadron
was to rendezvous. On his arrival at that port, he was informed of the
fate of the frigate Philadelphia, which had run aground on the Barbary
coast, and fallen into the hands of the Tripolitans. The idea
immediately presented itself to his mind of attempting her recapture or
destruction. On Commodore Preble's arrival, a few days afterwards, he
proposed to him a plan for the purpose, and volunteered his services to
execute it. The wary mind of that veteran officer at first disapproved
of an enterprise so full of peril; but the risks and difficulties that
surrounded it, only stimulated the ardour of Decatur, and imparted to it
an air of adventure, fascinating to his youthful imagination.
[Illustration: COMMODORE PREBLE.]
The consent of the commodore having been obtained, Lieutenant Decatur
selected for the expedition a ketch (the Intrepid) which he had captured
a few weeks before from the enemy, and manned her with seventy
volunteers, chiefly from his own crew. He sailed from Syracuse on the 3d
of February, 1804, accompanied by the United States brig Syren,
Lieutenant Stewart, who was to aid with his boats, and to receive the
crew of the ketch, in case it should be found expedient to use her as a
fire ship.
After fifteen days of very tempestuous weather, they arrived at the
harbor of Tripoli, a little before sunset. It had been arranged between
Lieutenants Decatur and Stewart, that the ketch should enter the harbor
about ten o'clock that night, attended by the boats of the Syren. On
arriving off the harbor, the Syren, in consequence of a change of wind,
had been thrown six or eight miles without the Intrepid. The wind at
this time was fair, but fast declining, and Lieutenant Decatur
apprehended that, should he wait for the Syren's boats to come up, it
might be fatal to the enterprise, as they could not remain longer on the
coast, their provisions being nearly exhausted. For these reasons he
determined to venture into the harbor alone, which he did about eight
o'clock.
An idea may be formed of the extreme hazard of the enterprise from the
situation of the frigate. She was moored within half gunshot of the
bashaw's castle, and of the principal battery. Two of the enemy's
cruisers lay within two cables' length, on the starboard quarter, and
their gunboats within half gunshot, on the starboard bow. All the guns
of the frigate were mounted and loaded. Such were the immediate perils
that our hero ventured to encounter with a single ketch, beside the
other dangers that abound in a strongly fortified harbor.
Although from the entrance to the place where the frigate lay, was only
three miles, yet, in consequence of the lightness of the wind, they did
not get within hail of her until eleven o'clock. When they had
approached within two hundred yards, they were hailed and ordered to
anchor, or they would be fired into. Lieutenant Decatur ordered a
Maltese pilot, who was on board the ketch, to answer that they had lost
their anchors in a gale of wind on the coast, and, therefore, could not
comply with their request. By this time it had become perfectly calm,
and they were about fifty yards from the frigate. Lieutenant Decatur
ordered a small boat that was alongside of the ketch, to take a rope and
make it fast to the frigate's fore-chains. This being done, they began
to warp the ketch alongside. It was not until this moment that the enemy
suspected the character of their visitor, and great confusion
immediately ensued. This enabled our adventurers to get alongside of the
frigate, when Decatur immediately sprang aboard, followed by Mr. Charles
Morris, midshipman. These two were nearly a minute on deck, before their
companions could succeed in mounting the side. Fortunately, the Turks
had not sufficiently recovered from their surprise to take advantage of
this delay. They were crowded together on the quarterdeck, perfectly
astonished and aghast, without making any attempt to oppose the
assailing party. As soon as a sufficient number of men had gained the
deck to form a front equal to that of the enemy, they rushed in upon
them. The Turks stood the assault for a short time, and were completely
overpowered. About twenty were killed on the spot, many jumped
overboard, and the rest flew to the maindeck, whither they were pursued
and driven to the hold.
After entire possession had been gained of the ship, and every thing
prepared to set fire to her, a number of launches were seen rowing about
the harbor. This determined Lieutenant Decatur to remain on board the
frigate, from whence a better defence could be made than from on board
the ketch. The enemy had already commenced firing on them from their
batteries and castle, and from two corsairs that were lying near.
Perceiving that the launches did not attempt to approach, he ordered the
ship should be set on fire, which was done, at the same time, in
different parts. As soon as this was done, they left her; and such was
the rapidity of the flames, that it was with the utmost difficulty they
preserved the ketch. At this critical moment a most propitious breeze
sprang up, blowing directly out of the harbor, which, in a few moments,
carried them out of reach of the enemy's guns, and they made good their
retreat without the loss of a single man, and with but four wounded.
For this gallant and romantic achievement, Lieutenant Decatur was
promoted to the rank of post captain, there being at that time no
intermediate grade. This promotion was peculiarly gratifying to him,
insomuch as it was done with the consent of the officers over whose
heads he was raised.
In the ensuing spring, it being determined to make an attack upon
Tripoli, Commodore Preble obtained from the King of Naples, the loan of
six gunboats and two bombards, which he formed into two divisions, and
gave the command of one of them to Captain Decatur, the other to
Lieutenant Somers. The squadron sailed from Syracuse, consisting of the
frigate Constitution, the brig Syren, the schooners Nautilus and Vixen,
and the gunboats.
Having arrived on the coast of Barbary, they were for some days
prevented from making the attack, by adverse wind and weather. At
length on the morning of the 3d of August, the weather being favorable,
the signal was made from the commodore's ship to prepare for action, the
light vessels towing the gunboats to windward. At nine o'clock, the
signal was given for bombarding the enemy's vessels and the town.
The gunboats were cast off, and advanced in a line ahead, led on by
Captain Decatur, and covered by the frigate Constitution, and the brigs
and schooners.
The enemy's gunboats were moored along the harbor under the batteries
and within musket shot. Their sails had been taken from them, and they
were ordered to sink, rather than abandon their position. They were
aided and covered, likewise, by a brig of sixteen, and a schooner of ten
guns.
Before entering into close action, Captain Decatur went alongside each
of his boats, and ordered them to unship their bowsprits and follow him,
as it was his intention to board the enemy's boats.
Lieutenant James Decatur commanded one of the boats belonging to
Commodore Preble's division, but, being farther to windward than the
rest of his division, he joined and took orders from his brother.
When Captain Decatur, who was in the leading boat, came within range of
the fire from the batteries, a heavy fire was opened upon him from them
and the gunboats. He returned the fire, and continued advancing, until
he came in contact with the boats. At this time, Commodore Preble seeing
Decatur advancing nearer than he thought prudent, ordered the signal to
be made for a retreat, but it was found that in making out the signals
for the boats, the one for a retreat had been omitted.
The enemy's boats had about forty men each; ours an equal number,
twenty-seven of whom were Americans, and thirteen Neapolitans.
Decatur, on boarding the enemy, was instantly followed by his
countrymen, but the Neapolitans remained behind. The Turks did not
sustain the combat hand to hand, with that firmness they had obtained a
reputation for. In ten minutes the deck was cleared. Eight of them
sought refuge in the hold, and, of the rest, some fell on the deck, and
others jumped into the sea. Only three of the Americans were wounded.
As Decatur was about to proceed out with his prize, the boat which had
been commanded by his brother, came under his stern, and the men
informed him that they had engaged and captured one of the enemy; but
that her commander, after surrendering, had treacherously shot
Lieutenant James Decatur, and pushed off with the boat, and was then
making for the harbor.
The feelings of the gallant Decatur, on receiving this intelligence, may
be more easily imagined than described. Every consideration of prudence
and safety was lost in his eagerness to punish so dastardly an act, and
to revenge the death of a brother so basely murdered. He pushed within
the enemy's line with his single boat, and having succeeded in getting
alongside of the retreating foe, boarded her at the head of eleven men,
who were all the Americans he had left. The fate of this contest was
extremely doubtful for about twenty minutes. All the Americans, except
four, were now severely wounded. Decatur singled out the commander as
the peculiar object of his vengeance. The Turk was armed with an
espontoon, Decatur with a cutlass; in attempting to cut off the head of
the weapon, his sword struck on the iron, and broke off close to the
hilt. The Turk, at this moment, made a push, which slightly wounded him
in the right arm and breast. He immediately seized the spear, and closed
with him. A fierce struggle ensued, and both fell, Decatur uppermost. By
this time the Turk had drawn a dagger from his belt, and was about to
plunge it into the body of his foe, when Decatur caught his arm, and
shot him with a pistol, which he drew from his pocket. During the time
they were struggling on the deck, the crews rushed to aid their
commanders, and a most sanguinary scene took place, insomuch that when
Decatur had despatched his adversary, it was with the utmost difficulty
he could extricate himself from the killed and wounded that had fallen
around him.
It is with no common feeling of admiration that we record an instance of
heroic courage, and loyal self-devotion, on the part of a common sailor.
During the early part of Decatur's struggle with the Turk, he was
assailed in the rear by one of the enemy, who had just aimed a blow at
his head which must have proved fatal; at this fearful juncture, a
noble-hearted tar, who had been so badly wounded as to lose the use of
his hands, seeing no other means of saving his commander, rushed between
him and the uplifted sabre, and received the blow on his own head, which
fractured his skull. We love to pause and honor great actions in humble
life, because they speak well for human nature. Men of rank and station
in society, often do gallant deeds, in a manner from necessity. Their
conspicuous station obliges them to do so, or their eagerness for glory
urges them on; but an act like this we have mentioned, so desperate, yet
so disinterested, done by an obscure, unambitious individual, a poor
sailor, can spring from nothing but nobleness of soul. We are happy to
add that this generous fellow survived, and long after received a
pension from government.
Decatur succeeded in getting, with both his prizes, to the squadron, and
the next day received the highest commendation, in a general order, from
Commodore Preble. When that able officer was superseded in the command
of the squadron, he gave the Constitution to Captain Decatur, who had
some time before received his commission. From that ship he was removed
to the Congress, and returned home in her, when peace was concluded in
Tripoli.
EXPLOITS OF COMMODORE HULL.
Commodore Hull became a sailor when he was only eight years old. He
distinguished himself greatly in the naval war with France, and in the
war with Tripoli, especially at the capture of Derne, in Africa.
[Illustration: COMMODORE HULL.]
At the commencement of the war of 1812, Hull having been advanced in the
meantime to the rank of captain, was placed in command of the frigate
Constitution, in which he was destined to perform those brilliant
actions which have rendered him one of the most celebrated heroes of our
navy. His first exploit was the escape of the Constitution from a
British squadron, which is justly regarded as one of the most remarkable
recorded in naval history. The account of it contained in the official
letter of Captain Hull has all the interest of a romance. It is as
follows:
"SIR:--In pursuance of your orders of the 3d instant, I left
Annapolis on the 5th instant, and the capes on the 12th, of which I
advised you by the pilot who brought the ship to sea.
For several days after we got out, the wind was light and ahead,
which, with a strong southerly current, prevented our making much
way to the northward. On the 17th, at two P.M., being in twenty-two
fathoms water off Egg Harbor, four sail of ships were discovered
from the masthead, to the northward and in shore of us, apparently
ships of war. The wind being very light all sail was made in chase
of them, to ascertain whether they were the enemy's ships, or our
squadron having got out of New York, waiting the arrival of the
Constitution, the latter of which I had reason to believe was the
case.
At four in the afternoon, a ship was seen from the masthead,
bearing about north-east, standing in for us under all sail, which
she continued so to do until sundown, at which time she was too far
off to distinguish signals, and the ships in shore only to be seen
from the tops; they were standing off to the southward and
eastward. As we could not ascertain before dark what the ship in
the offing was, I determined to stand for her, and get near enough
to make the night signal.
At ten in the evening, being within six or eight miles of the
strange sail, the private signal was made, and kept up nearly one
hour, but finding she could not answer it, I concluded she and the
ships in shore were enemy.
I immediately hauled off to the southward and eastward, and made
all sail, having determined to lie off till daylight to see what
they were. The ship that we had been chasing hauled off after us,
showing a light, and occasionally making signals, supposed to be
for the ships in shore.
On the 18th, at daylight, or a little before it was quite light,
saw two sail under our lee, which proved to be frigates of the
enemy's. One frigate astern within about five or six miles, and a
line of battle ship, a frigate, a brig, and a schooner, about ten
or twelve miles directly astern, all in chase of us, with a fine
breeze, and coming up fast, it being nearly calm where we were.
Soon after sunrise, the wind entirely left us, and the ship would
not steer, but fell round off with her head towards the two ships
under our lee. The boats were instantly hoisted out, and sent ahead
to tow the ship's head around, and to endeavor to get her farther
from the enemy, being then within five miles of three heavy
frigates. The boats of the enemy were got out and sent ahead to
tow, by which, with the light air that remained with them, they
came up very fast. Finding the enemy gaining on us, and but little
chance of escaping from them, I ordered two of the guns on the gun
deck to be ran out at the cabin windows for stern guns on the gun
deck, and hoisted one of the twenty-four pounders off the gun deck,
and ran that, with the forecastle gun, an eighteen pounder, out at
the ports on the quarter deck, and cleared the ship for action,
being determined they should not get her without resistance on our
part, notwithstanding their force and the situation we were placed
in.
At about seven, in the morning, the ship nearest us approaching
within gunshot, and directly astern, I ordered one of the stern
guns fired, to see if we could reach her, to endeavor to disable
her masts; found the shot fell a little short, would not fire any
more.
[Illustration: ESCAPE OF THE CONSTITUTION.]
At eight, four of the enemy's ships nearly within gunshot, some of
them having six or eight boats ahead towing, with all their oars
and sweeps out, to row them up with us, which they were fast
doing. It now appeared that we must be taken, and that our escape
was impossible--four heavy ships nearly within gunshot, and coming
up fast, and not the least hope of a breeze to give us a chance of
getting off by out sailing them.
In this situation, finding ourselves in only twenty-four fathoms
water, by the suggestion of that valuable officer, Lieutenant
Morris, I determined to try and warp the ship ahead, by carrying
out anchors and warping her up to them; three or four hundred
fathoms of rope was instantly got up, and two anchors got ready and
sent ahead, by which means we began to gain ahead of the enemy;
they, however, soon saw our boats carrying out the anchors, and
adopted the same plan, under very advantageous circumstances, as
all the boats from the ships furthermost off were sent to tow and
warp up those nearest to us, by which means they again came up, so
that at nine, the ship nearest us began to fire her bow guns, which
we instantly returned by our stern guns in the cabin and on the
quarter deck. All the shot from the enemy fell short; but we have
reason to believe that some of ours went on board her, as we could
not see them strike the water. Soon after nine, a second frigate
passed under our lee, and opened her broadside, but finding her
shot fall short, discontinued her fire; but continued, as did all
the rest of them, to make all possible exertion to get up with us.
From nine to twelve, all hands were employed in warping the ship
ahead, and in starting some of the water in the main hold to
lighten her, which, with the help of a light air, we rather gained
of the enemy, or, at least, held our own. About two, in the
afternoon, all the boats from the line of battle ship and some of
the frigates were sent to the frigate nearest us, to endeavor to
tow her up, but a light breeze sprung up, which enabled us to hold
way with her, notwithstanding they had eight or ten boats ahead,
and all her sails furled to tow her to windward. The wind continued
light until eleven at night, and the boats were kept ahead towing
and warping to keep out of reach of the enemy, three of the
frigates being very near us; at eleven, we got a light breeze from
the southward, the boats came along side and were hoisted up, the
ship having too much way to keep them ahead, the enemy still in
chase and very near.
On the 19th, at daylight, passed within gunshot of one of the
frigates, but she did not fire on us, perhaps, for fear of
becalming her, as the wind was light; soon after passing us she
tacked, and stood after us--at this time six sail were in sight,
under all sail after us. At nine in the morning, saw a strange
sail, on our weather beam, supposed to be an American merchant
ship; the instant the frigate nearest us saw her, she hoisted
American colors, as did all the squadron, in hopes to decoy her
down; I immediately hoisted the English colors, that she might not
be deceived; she soon hauled her wind, and, as is to be hoped, made
her escape. All this day the wind increased gradually, and we
gained on the enemy, in the course of the day, six or eight miles;
they, however, continued chasing all night under a press of sail.
On the 20th, at daylight in the morning, only three of them could
be seen from the masthead, the nearest of which was about twelve
miles off, directly astern. All hands were set at work wetting the
sails, from the royals down, with the engines and fire buckets, and
we soon found that we left the enemy very fast. At a quarter past
eight, the enemy finding that they were fast dropping astern, gave
over chase, and hauled their wind to the northward, probably for
the station off New York. At half past eight, saw a sail ahead,
gave chase after her under all sail. At nine, saw another strange
sail under our lee bow, we soon spoke the first sail discovered,
and found her to be an American brig from St. Domingo, bound to
Portland; I directed the captain how to steer to avoid the enemy,
and made sail for the vessel to leeward; on coming up with her, she
proved to be an American brig from St. Bartholomew's, bound to
Philadelphia; but, on being informed of war, he bore up for
Charleston, South Carolina. Finding the ship so far to the
southward and eastward, and the enemy's squadron stationed off New
York, which would make it impossible to get in there, I determined
to make for Boston, to receive your farther orders, and I hope my
having done so will meet your approbation. My wish to explain to
you as clearly as possible why your orders have not been executed,
and the length of time the enemy were in chase of us, with various
other circumstances, have caused me to make this communication much
longer than I could have wished, yet I cannot in justice to the
brave officers and crew under my command, close it without
expressing to you the confidence I have in them, and assuring you
that their conduct while under the guns of the enemy was such as
might have been expected from American officers and seamen. I have
the honor to be, with very great respect, sir, your obedient humble
servant,
ISAAC HULL."
[Illustration: Hull's Victory]
Such is Captain Hull's modest account of this truly brilliant exploit.
Sailing on a cruise immediately after this, with the same frigate,
officers, and crew, on the 19th of August he fell in with His Britannic
Majesty's ship Guerriere, rated at thirty-eight guns, and carrying
fifty, commanded by Captain Dacres, who, sometime before, had politely
endorsed on the register of an American ship an invitation to Captain
Hull to give him a meeting of this kind.
[Illustration: DACRES DELIVERING UP HIS SWORD.]