BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

OF

EDWARD PREBLE,

LIEUTENANT IN THE

CONTINENTAL NAVY

IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION;

AND

COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE

AMERICAN SQUADRON IN THE MEDITERRANEAN,

IN 1803 AND 1804.

His birth, early propensities, pursuits, obtains a midshipman's warrant -enters the Protector 26 gun ship-engages the Admiral Duff, 36 guns, takes her, and she explodes-Epidemic on board the Protector-Preble is promoted to 1st Lieutenant-Enters the Winthrop in that capacity-Capt. Little designates him for a daring enterprise in Penobscot bay, which he executes, brings out his prize, and enters with her into Boston harbour-Peace is concludedLieut. Preble commences the merchant service, accumulates property, and marries an excellent wife.-Incidents of domestic life omitted-He is appointed a lieutenant in the modern navy in 1798 -Capt. Preble is appointed to command the Essex-Repairs to the East Indies-Returns to America-He is appointed commander of the Mediterranean squadron-Mahometan depredations upon Christian merchants-Com. Preble's squadron, names and force of vessels, and commanders-Modesty and reserve of naval officersCom. Preble's measures with the emperor of Morocco-Lays his squadron before Tangier-Is invited to land-Declines to lay off his arms when on shore-His unshaken firmness and decision-Before he returns to the squadron, effects an accommodation-Proceeds to his ultimate destination-Loss of frigate Philadelphia, and bondage of the crew-Lieut. Decatur captures a Tripolitan corsair-Difficulty and importance of Com. Preble's situation, and his fitness for it-His general rendezvous, Syracuse-Jussuff, Bashaw of Tripoli-Com. Preble designates Lieut. Decatur to command an expedition against the Philadelphia frigate-Danger of it-Masterly execution of it--Com. Preble obtains two bombards and six gunboats from Naples--Gen. Eaton's attempt to aid Com. PrebleCarramalli ex-bashaw--First general attack upon Tripoli, Aug. 3, 1804 Desperate engagement of the gun-boats--Death of Lieut. James Decatur--Effects of the engagement-Second attack Aug. 7th-Proposition from Com. Preble to the Bashaw-Third attack, Aug. 27-Fourth attack, Sep. 3d--Upon the 4th Sept. Lieut. Som

ers, &c. enters the harbour with a fire-ship, which explodes-Remark-Com. Barron arrived Sept. 9th, and Com. Preble returns to America-Employed in Navy Department-Died at Portland, Maine-His character.

THE man whose life and character I now attempt to present to the reader, moved in a subordinate station in the first war between America and Britain-for he was then but a youth. He was born in Portland, the capital of the then District, and now State of Maine, in the year 1761. 1761. His native country, then under the dominion of Britain, wast struggling, hand in hand, with what was then called, "the mother country," against Frenchmen and Indians. Born in a frigid, and what was then deemed a sterile region, as he advanced along into that stage of life when the "ruling passion" evinces itself by overt acts, he manifested his predilection for a nautical life.

His surviving companions in boyhood, relate many incidents of his early life, which clearly show the original firmness and greatness of his mind. Although habit, education, pursuits, associates, and innumerable other circumstances, give a tone and direction to the human mind, yet there is a certain native trait of character which distinguishes one boy, as well as one man, from another. It seems to be born at their birth, to grow with their growth, and strengthen with their strength. Neither the mother in the nursery, the father in the active scenes of life-the preceptor in the school, nor the president in the university, can divert the mind of some youth from their predominant aim and object. Although it is said "the stream is made by nature, but the channel is cut by custom ;" yet EDWARD PREBLE would float in the stream which nature made for him; and it was as vain to attempt to change his course, as it would be to strive to divorce the sun from the ecliptic, or the earth from the zodiac.

The parents of young Preble, being amongst the most respectable class of citizens, designed their son for one of the learned professions. He was placed in one of the best seminaries, and under the tuition of one of the most accomplished preceptors of that period, to pass through studies preparatory for a university. He made rapid progress in his studies; but while his eyes were upon his books, his thoughts were upon the ocean.

The remonstrances of his parents could not long dissuade, nor their threatenings deter him. They were compelled to part with a favourite son, or dampen his ardour by thwarting his inclination, and the adventurous youth wafted from his native shore, to his adopted element, as a cabin-boy. Disgusted with the humble duties of the cabin, he was almost constantly on deck, or hanging in the rigging," in calm and in storm." He was too inquiet for a cabin-boy, and fitted by nature for some duty more manly and daring.

He continued at sea in the merchant service until the year 1779. He was then of the stature of manhood, and had a heart beating ardently for heroic enterprise. Having influential friends, they obtained for him from government a midshipman's warrant.

Although this was but a humble rank, it is the "first degree" that is now obtained in the British navy. Even then it became necessary for lord Nelson, and the duke of Clarence, (son of Geo. III.) to pass through the duties of this station as a passport to one of higher grade.

Young Preble in this capacity, entered on board the Protector, then commanded by Capt. J. F. Williams. Preble soon discovered his qualifications for the station he filled. Although like a true seaman, he was to all,

"Manly and honest, good-natured and free."

he maintained and exercised the authority vested in him with a firm, steady, and undeviating hand. Although but eighteen years of age, he had entirely divested himself of the frivolous puerilities of boyhood.

The year 1779, was a year, memorable in the desperate struggle which eventuated in the independence of the American Republic.

The armed ships belonging to the Thirteen Colonies were like little barques, thrust into the midst of powerful fleets; and they were compelled to swim or sink by the most unparalleled exertions of human courage. Swimming or sinking, their crews, inspired by the patriotic sentiments which the genius of liberty infused into their hearts, were cool, dauntless and undismayed in the hour of disaster-humane and dignified in the midst of victory.

The first cruise the Protector made was upon the coast of Newfoundland. It was the theatre upon which the first Jones* and the first Biddlet began to act their splendid parts in the tragedy of the Revolution. The Protector afforded every possible protection to American commerce, and gave every possible annoyance to that of Britain. She mounted 26 guns, and her crew were principally "Yankee seamen," prepared for the most desperate enterprise.

An opportunity was afforded them to display their courage when the Protector fell in with the British ship Admiral Duff, of 36 guns. Capt. Williams might well have wished to avoid an engagement with a ship so much superior to his own. But he chose not to strike the American Flag, which so lately began to wave over the Atlantic in a hostile capacity. He laid his ship along-side the Admiral

* Com. John Paul Jones. +Com. Nicholas Biddle.

Duff, and entered into action as close as possible, unless it were by boarding.

This was the first serious engagement young midshipman Preble ever entered into. The men under his immediate command, were inspired to the highest pitch of enthusiasm by his fearless example. The ships laid so near together, that as the survivors relate, the men actually cast balls at each other from the decks with their hands.

After a short, but most furious contest, the Admiral Duff struck to the Protector. Midshipman Preble with his superior officers, was on the point of taking possession of her, when she was blown to pieces by the explosion of the magazine.

Whether it was occasioned by the chagrin of the British commander at being compelled to strike to a Yankee ship, of inferior force, or by accident, never was, and never can be determined. Instead of taking possession of the ship, the officers and crew of the Protector, were now engaged in picking up the surviving crew of the enemy, from the fragments of the destroyed ship. Five minutes before, Preble would have encountered a whole gang of them, single handed-but now, when he saw them at the mercy of the waves, he strove to save human beings who could no longer resist him as enemies.

The consequence of taking on board the Protector the surviving crew of the Admiral Duff, was the spreading of a malignant disorder, on board the ship, and losing two thirds of the crew.

The humanity and benevolence of American Naval Heroes, were displayed at this early period of the naval glory of the American Republic. It was not in the instances of a few individuals only that these exalted sentiments were