Dewey and Other Naval Commanders

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Dewey and Other Naval Commanders

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Title: Dewey and Other Naval Commanders
Author: Edward S. Ellis
Release Date: December 8, 2005 [EBook #17253]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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[Illustration: ADMIRAL GEORGE DEWEY, U.S.N.]
DEWEY
AND OTHER
NAVAL COMMANDERS.
BY
EDWARD S. ELLIS, A.M.
Author of "A History of the World," "The People's Standard History of the United States," "A History of the State of New York," "Deerfoot Series," "Log Cabin Series," Etc.
NEW YORK
HURST & COMPANY
PUBLISHERS
Copyright, 1899,
BY
JOHN HOVENDON.

CONTENTS. Page.
Introduction 5
CHAPTER I.
Admiral George Dewey--The Birth and Boyhood of George Dewey. 7
CHAPTER II.
Dewey in the War for the Union. 17
CHAPTER III.
Dewey in the War with Spain. 35
CHAPTER IV.
The Revolutionary Battles--Birth of the American Navy--The Privateers--Capture of New Providence, in the Bahamas--Paul Jones--A Clever Exploit--A Skilful Escape--Fine Seamanship--An Audacious Scheme. 52
CHAPTER V.
A Daring Attempt by Captain Paul Jones--Why It Failed--A Bold Scheme--Why It Did Not Succeed--The Fight Between the Ranger and Drake. 63
CHAPTER VI.
One of the Most Memorable Sea Fights Ever Known--The Wonderful Exploit of Captain Paul Jones. 71
CHAPTER VII.
Our Naval War with France--The Tribute Paid to the Barbary States by Christian Nations--War Declared Against the United States by Tripoli--Bainbridge, Decatur, Stewart, Dale and Preble. 88
CHAPTER VIII.
The First Serious Engagement--Loss of the _Philadelphia_--The Scheme of Captain Bainbridge--Exploit of Lieutenant Decatur. 97
CHAPTER IX.
Bombardment of Tripoli--Treacherous Act of a Turkish Captain--A Quick Retribution at the Hands of Captain Decatur. 108
CHAPTER X.
The Bomb Ketch--A Terrible Missile--Frightful Catastrophe--Diplomacy in Place of War--Peace. 114
CHAPTER XI.
The War of 1812--Cause of the War of 1812--Discreditable Work of the Land Forces--Brilliant Record of the Navy--The _Constitution_--Captain Isaac Hull--Battle Between the Constitution and _Guerriere_--Winning a Wager. 122
CHAPTER XII.
Jacob Jones--The Wasp and the _Frolic_--James Biddle--The Hornet and the _Penguin_--A Narrow Escape. 133
CHAPTER XIII.
Captains Carden and Decatur--Cruise of the _Macedonian_--Battle with the Frigate _United States_--Decatur's Chivalry. 142
CHAPTER XIV.
Occasional American Defeats as Well as Victories--Captain Decatur's Misfortune--The Chesapeake and Shannon. 152
CHAPTER XV.
David Porter--A Clever Feat--Numerous Captures by the _Essex_--Her Remarkable Cruise in the Pacific--Her Final Capture. 167
CHAPTER XVI.
Oliver Hazard Perry--Prompt and Effective Work--"We Have Met the Enemy and They Are Ours"--Death of Perry. 176
CHAPTER XVII.
A Hero of the Olden Days--Cruise of the _Constitution_--Her Capture of the Cyane and _Levant_--Reminiscences of Admiral Stewart--His Last Days. 185
CHAPTER XVIII.
Captures Made After the Signing of the Treaty of Peace--The Privateers--Exploit of the _General Armstrong_--Its Far-Reaching Result. 197
CHAPTER XIX.
Lesser Wars--Resentment of the Barbary States--The War with Algiers--Captain Decatur's Vigorous Course--His Astonishing Success as a Diplomat. 206
CHAPTER XX.
Piracy in the West Indies--Its Cause--Means by Which It Was Wiped Out--Piracy in the Mediterranean. 216
CHAPTER XXI.
The Qualla Battoo Incident. 226
CHAPTER XXII.
Wilkes's Exploring Expedition. 236
CHAPTER XXIII.
The War for the Union--A New Era for the United States Navy--Opening of the Great Civil War--John Lorimer Worden--Battle Between the Monitor and _Merrimac_--Death of Worden. 246
CHAPTER XXIV.
Two Worthy Sons--William D. Porter--The Career of Admiral David Dixon Porter. 259
CHAPTER XXV.
Charles Stewart Boggs--His Coolness in the Presence of Danger--His Desperate Fight Below New Orleans--His Subsequent Services. 271
CHAPTER XXVI.
John Ancrum Winslow--His Early Life and Training--The Famous Battle Between the Kearsarge and Alabama. 279
CHAPTER XXVII.
An Unexpected Preacher--Andrew Hull Foote--His Character and Early Career--His Brilliant Services in the War for the Union. 295
CHAPTER XXVIII.
A Man Devoid of Fear--William Barker Cushing--Some of His Exploits--The Blowing Up of the _Albemarle_--His Sad Death. 312
CHAPTER XXIX.
The Greatest of Naval Heroes--David Glasgow Farragut. 327
CHAPTER XXX.
The Spanish-American War--The Movement Against Cuba--The Destruction of Cervera's Fleet--Admiral Sampson--Admiral Schley--"Fighting Bob" Evans--Commodore John C. Watson--Commodore John W. Philip--Lieutenant Commander Richard Wainwright. 343

INTRODUCTION.
I purpose telling you in the following pages about the exploits of the gallant men who composed the American Navy, beginning with the Revolution and ending with the story of their wonderful deeds in our late war with Spain. You can never read a more interesting story, nor one that will make you feel prouder of your birthright. While our patriot armies have done nobly, it is none the less true that we never could have become one of the greatest nations in the world without the help of our heroic navy. Our warships penetrated into all waters of the globe, and made people, whether barbarous or civilized, respect and fear the Stars and Stripes.
This is due in a great measure to the bravery of our naval heroes, who did not fear to meet Great Britain, the "mistress of the seas," when her navy outnumbered ours one hundred to one. England is now our best friend, and no doubt will always remain so. Never again can there be