Death of John Barry
John Barry was an influential naval officer during the American Revolution, celebrated for his contributions to the early United States Navy. Born in 1745 in County Wexford, Ireland, he immigrated to America as a teenager, where he honed his maritime skills. By the onset of hostilities in 1776, Barry had established himself as a skilled ship captain, volunteering his services to the Continental Congress. He played a significant role in the capture of British warships, including a notable victory on April 17, 1776, where his command of the brig Lexington marked the first successful engagement by a commissioned Continental vessel.
Throughout the war, Barry commanded several ships, notably the Raleigh and the Alliance, and was involved in key naval battles, enduring severe injuries yet continuing his fight against British forces. His leadership culminated in significant encounters, including what is considered the last major naval battle of the American Revolution in January 1783. After the war, Barry remained active in naval service, advocating for improvements to the fleet and eventually being appointed senior captain by President George Washington in 1794. Barry passed away on September 13, 1803, leaving a legacy as a foundational figure in the U.S. Navy.
Death of John Barry
Death of John Barry
John Barry, a naval hero of the American Revolution, was born at Tacumshane in County Wexford, Ireland, in 1745. The exact date of his birth is unknown. While he was still young, his father apprenticed him to a ship captain. When he was 14 he came to America, where he found employment on a trading ship based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hard working and ambitious, he had become the master of a schooner by his 21st birthday, and in the decade leading up to the revolution he commanded several trading vessels.
When hostilities between the American colonies and Great Britain erupted in 1776, Barry placed his naval skills at the disposal of the Continental Congress. Congress quickly accepted his aid and ordered him to outfit the first fleet sailing from Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Council of Safety likewise enlisted Barry's assistance and authorized him to build a ship for the colony.
As commander of the brig Lexington, Barry was responsible for the first capture in battle of a British warship by a regularly commissioned Continental vessel. The Lexington's seizure of the British ship Edward occurred on April 17, 1776. In October of that year, the Continental Congress placed Barry as seventh on its seniority listing of naval captains, and put him in command of the Effingham. However, the frigate, which was scheduled to put to sea in September 1778, was ordered to be burned by General George Washington shortly before the British occupied Philadelphia.
During the winter of 1777-1778, Barry harassed British supply vessels in the lower Delaware River. He then took command of the 32-gun warship Raleigh. Shortly after the Raleigh put to sea in September 1778, it encountered a 64-gun British warship with an accompanying frigate. A 48-hour chase ensued, and after a hard fought battle the Raleigh was finally captured near the mouth of the Penobscot River in what is now Maine.
In the fall of 1780 Barry was put in command of the Alliance and ordered to take Colonel Henry Laurens to France on a diplomatic mission. On his return voyage he encountered two British warships, the Atalanta and the Trepassy. In the battle that followed he was severely wounded, but he continued to fight and eventually forced the enemy to surrender. The captain of one of the ships had been killed, but the captain of the other, when taken aboard the Alliance, surrendered his sword. Barry took it and then returned it, saying: “You have merited it, sir. Your King ought to give you a better ship.”
As commander of the Alliance, Barry continued to inflict considerable damage on the British fleet until the end of the war. The January 1783 encounter between the Alliance and the British frigate Sybil is generally regarded as the last significant naval battle of the American Revolution.
Barry continued in naval service after the end of the war, and made many suggestions for the improvement of the navy. On June 4, 1794, President George Washington appointed him senior captain of the American naval forces. Although the rank of commodore had not yet been created, the officer in command of more than one ship was popularly known by that title. Barry qualified for this honor since he had twice been in charge of all the United States ships in the West Indies. Barry died on September 13, 1803.