Transcriber’s Note: Italic text is enclosed in underscores. Additional notes will be found near the end of this ebook.
THE HISTORY OF OUR NAVY
THE HISTORY OF OUR NAVY
FROM ITS ORIGIN TO THE PRESENT DAY
1775–1897
BY JOHN R. SPEARS
AUTHOR OF “THE PORT OF MISSING SHIPS,” “THE GOLD DIGGINGS OF CAPE HORN,” ETC.
WITH MORE THAN FOUR HUNDRED ILLUSTRATIONS MAPS AND DIAGRAMS
IN FOUR VOLUMES
VOLUME I.
NEW YORK CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS 1897
COPYRIGHT, 1897, BY CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS
MANHATTAN PRESS 474 W. BROADWAY NEW YORK
TO ALL WHO WOULD SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT
PREFACE
This work is to tell the story of the American navy from the time when the fathers of the nation first conceived the idea of sending warships to sea “at the expense of the Continent” down to this year of our Lord 1897. It seems to me that the memory of what the naval heroes of the nation have done is worth preserving if only as a mark of gratitude--gratitude to the men whose sole incentive was patriotism and whose only greed was for honor. It seems worth while to tell anew the story of these men who had a noble ambition. It may help to prevent their race becoming extinct. But if that appeal does not secure the attention of the reader, let me say that self-interest demands that he heed the lessons in the story of the navy.
Because naval officers and their friends are very properly jealous of their rights in the matter of titles and rank, it is necessary to explain that officers have very often held one rank on the naval list while entitled to a higher one by courtesy. Farragut was a midshipman under Porter, and yet, for a time, while in command of a captured ship, was by courtesy called captain. Lieutenant Macdonough was entitled to the title of commodore while in command on Lake Champlain. I have in nearly all instances used the title which courtesy demanded, but, for reasons which I hope will be apparent, the title of actual rank seemed proper at times.
To sum it all up, I am bound to say I have tried to tell the story accurately, interestingly, and usefully. If there are errors, they are unpardonable blunders; if the story lacks interest or usefulness, the fault is entirely with the writer. Any story of the navy--even this one--should rouse the enthusiasm of the patriot because of the stirring character of the deeds that must be described; and I believe that when the reader has considered it well, he will conclude, as I do, that because of the growth of civilization and the spread of the pure doctrines of Christianity throughout the world, and the progress in the arts of making guns and armor-plate in the United States, we shall continue to pursue, for many years, our daily vocations in peace.
J. R. S.
CONTENTS
PAGE CHAPTER I. ORIGIN OF THE AMERICAN NAVY 1
The Curious Chain of Events that Led to the Creation of a National Sea Power--The Gaspé Captured by Men Armed with Paving-stones--Tea Destroyed in Boston--The Battle of Lexington and the Attack of the Machias Haymakers on the Margaretta--British Vengeance on Defenceless Portland and its Effect on the Continental Congress--The “Colonial Navy” Distinguished from the Temporary Cruisers--The First Officers and the First Ships of the American Navy--John Paul Jones and the First Naval Ensign--The Significant “Don’t Tread on me”--Putting the First American Naval Ships in Commission.