FOUR
AMERICAN NAVAL HEROES
Paul Jones
Oliver H. Perry
Admiral Farragut
Admiral Dewey
A BOOK FOR YOUNG AMERICANS
By MABEL BORTON BEEBE
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY JAMES BALDWIN
WERNER SCHOOL BOOK COMPANY
NEW YORK CHICAGO BOSTON
INTRODUCTION.
Four times in the history of our country has the Americannavy achieved renown and won the gratitude of the nation.These four times correspond, of course, to the four greatwars that we have had; and with themention of each the name of a famoushero of the sea is at once brought tomind. What would the Revolutionhave been without its Paul Jones; orthe War of 1812, without its Perry?How differently might the Civil Warhave ended but for its Farragut; andthe Spanish War, but for its Dewey! The story of theachievements of these four men covers a large part of ournaval history.
SEAL OF THE U.S. NAVY.Six months after the battle of Lexington the ContinentalCongress decided to raise and equip a fleet to help carry onthe war against England. Before the end of the year (1775)seventeen vessels were ready for service, and it was thenthat Paul Jones began his public career. Many otherships were soon added.
EZEK HOPKINS.The building and equipping of this first navy was largelyintrusted to Ezek Hopkins, whom Congress had appointedCommander-in-Chief, but it does not seem that he did all[Pg 4]that was expected of him, for within less than two yearshe was dismissed. He was theonly person who ever heldthe title of Commander-in-Chiefof the navy. During the warseveral other vessels were addedto the fleet, and over 800 prizeswere captured from the British.But before peace was declaredtwenty-four of our shipshad been taken by the enemy,others had been wrecked instorms, and nearly all the restwere disabled. There was noeffort to build other vessels, and so, for many years, ourcountry had no navy.
THE FRIGATE CONSTITUTION.In 1794, when warwith the Barbary Stateswas expected, Congressordered the building ofsix large frigates. Oneof these was the famousConstitution, which isstill in existence andabout which Dr. Holmeswrote the well-known poem called "Old Ironsides."[Pg 5]Through all the earlier years of our his