Overview

Stephen Decatur Jr. grew up on the outskirts of Philadelphia on a small farm. Stephen's desire to go to sea was influenced by his father, Captain Stephen Decatur Senior and Commodore John Barry, considered to be the Father of the American Navy. Stephen was a natural leader and rose rapidly through the ranks of the navy becoming the youngest Captain in the United States Navy at the age of twenty-five. The Barbary War was not going well until Stephen Decatur leads a daring attack into the Harbor of the Muslim enemy and successfully burns the captured frigate, USS Philadelphia, and escapes without any American loss of life. The success of his leadership made Decatur and instant hero to the much starved American citizens who received little good news as to American military successes. Stephen fought the Muslim enemy until the American Navy was able to negotiate a treaty with the enemy. Stephen Decatur married Susan Wheeler in Norfolk, Virginia. They were the perfect couple and remained that way until Stephen's death. The incident on the USS Chesapeake that led to the court martial of James Barron was to consume Decatur in future years. Decatur served as one of the judges at the court martial of the former ship mate he found objectionable. Barron was suspended from duty for five years; he left the country and didn't return until 1818, avoiding the War of 1812. Stephen was in command of the USS United States when he did battle with the HMS Macedonian (38-guns) Decatur with the better gun crew and sailing crew defeated the Macedonian. Decatur captured the Macedonian in tack and took the prize back to Newport. This was the only war ship to be defeated and captured to be refitted and commissioned in the American Navy. Decatur was again hero and a wealthy one after he was paid the prize money for the ship. Decatur fights many battles in the War of 1812. When the Second Barbary War was declared in 1815 he and Captain William Bainbridge lead a squadron of ten war ships back to Algiers. Decatur was sailing in the new USS Guerriere. Decatur and Bainbridge positioned their ships so they could all deliver broadsides on the harbor guns and the town. The two men went and saw the Dey who called them dogs of Christens. Decatur signaled the ships in the squadron and 125 gun commenced firing, turning the town into a pile of rubble. The Dey agreed to the American demands as did Tunis and Tripoli, peace was finally achieved from the end of a canon. Decatur returns on Norfolk. Decatur delivers his famous responds to a toast, Our country, in her intercourse with foreign nations, may she always be in the right, but our country right or wrong. Stephen becomes a member of the new Board of Naval Commissioners and moves to Washington D.C. Stephen and Susan build a house across from the White House. Stephen delivers the Fourth of July speech at the White House. Captain James Barron returns to the United States in 1818 and wants to be reinstated in the United States Navy. He is denied and he blames Decatur for being rejected and causes him a great deal of unnecessary interference in his life. They have a duel in March of 1820 and Barron kills Decatur. The book deals with the new government, the preservation of the Constitution, The Declaration of Independence and the right of freedom on land and sea. Stephen Decatur was one of those who fought and died so we could continue to live in freedom.

Full Product Details

9781432767419

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Countries Available