CHARLES STEWART.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VIII, Issue 414, 18 March 1881, Page 9

CHARLES STEWART.

(The Celtic Monthly). COMMODORE STEW AWT — the grandfather of Mr. Parnell, is one of those honoured names in the naval history of the United States around which a hallowed nimbus circles, for with it are associated same of the most brilliant victories won for the flag of the young Republic on the trackless wastes of the deep. More than a half century has rolled by since the gallant subject of our sketch won distinction and renown, but centuries will yet roll over before the fame of his brilliant achievements will pale or fade from the memory of the nation upon which he shed such lustre and served with such unselfish devotion. Charles Stewart was born in Philadelphia, July 28, 1778, two years after the Declaration of Independence. In March, 1789, he entered as lieutenant on the frigate United States, then employed in the West Indian water* against French privateers. The young officer by his bravery and uniform courtesy iose high in the estimation of his superiors. In 1813 he got himself transferred to the frigate Constitution, in which he set sail from Boston, for the West Indies. In a short time he met and destroyed several British ships, including the Picton, of 16 guns, a privateer of 10 guns, a schooner, and a brig. The Constitution had put so hurriedly to sea that after a few months she had to return ta get new sails instead of the worn-out ones she carried. On her way she was chased by two of the enemy's frigates, and Captain Stewart, not satisfied that his craft was just then in proper fighting trim, skilfully gave them the slip, and ran her almost under the guns of the fort of Marblehead, about 16 miles north-east of Boston where she was in safety. In a few days she was able to make Boston to refit. It had happened many years previously that in an idle moment Charles Stewart had submitted to the imposition of one of that class of frauds known an " fortune-tellers," by whom he bad been informed that it was his fate to marry " the Belle of Boston." By one of those singular coincidences which sometimes happen, the prediction was literally verified. While waiting for his ship to be got ready, he fell in love with and espoused Miss Delia Tudor, the brilliant daughter of Judge Tudor, and who was pre-eminently " the belle " of the city. Short time was allowed afterwards for nuptial bliss. The Constitution was ready for another cruise, and the bridegroom could no longer tarry with his bride. As he parted from her he agked her what present she would like him lo bring for her on his return. " Bring me a British frigate," was her patriotic answer. " You shall have two," he replied, his eyes kindling with love and pride ; "and I shall wear my wedding uniform in battle." It was in December 1814 that he again put to sea, as little regardful of the winter's wild storms as of the enemy's countless ships. Two of the latter were soon in his hands. One he destroyed ; the other, which had on board a valuable cargo, he sent to New York. By February, 1815, he was off the coast of Spain. There was some repining among the subordinate officers of the Constitution at the ill luck of the vessel in not having had a brush with the enemy on the European coast. Charles Stewart overheard them grumble. Perhaps he had a presentiment of what was about to come ; perhaps — and this is more likely — he was actually in search, from information he had picked ap, of certain British war-ships in his neighbourhood. Whatever his inspiration, it is certain that he bade the officers to keep up their spirits, for the chance of distinguishing themselves for which thy sighed was close at hand. " I assure you, gentlemen," he concluded, " that before another sun sets you will bo engaged in battle with the enemy, and it will not be with a angle ship." This was fcaid on the morniujj of February l'J. About half-past one o'clock on the same day a sail, some twelve miles away, was descried by the lookout on the mast head of the Constitution. Chase was given until foui o'clock, by which time the distauce between the vessels was lessened by one-half, wheu, unfortunately, under the power of a freshening breeze, the main-royal lnast of the Constitution was carried <tway. Nothing could well be more vexatious to men " spoiling for a fight,'" as were those on board, since the accident in the short February evening gave the chase an excellent chance of slipping away. However, the gallant captain wasted no time in fretting over the mishap ; but got to work at once in repairing the damage, and with such celerity that in half an hour a new spar had been put up, the royal sail again set, and the Constitution was forging ahead at her utmost speed. Just at that time another ship of war was reported by the lookout, and evidently exchanging signals with the chase. Captain Stewart undeistood the signals, and from them divined that the vessels were British men-of-war and con sorts. What followed is so well described in the Life of Stewart, that we shall make use of the description here : — " One of the vessels being painted with double yellow streaks and false ports in the waist, had at a distance the appearance of a doubledecked ship, and Lieutenant Ballard told Captain Stewart that she must be at least a fifty gun ship. He replied that she looked too small to be a ship of that class, but might be an old forty -four on two decks. ' However,' he added, •be this as it may, you know I promised you a fight before the &etting of to-morrow's sun, and if we do not take it now that it is offered, we can scarcely have another chance. We must flog them when we catch them, whether she has one gundeck or two ! ' "At five o'clock the leeward ship bore up before the wind, under eaiy sail, to enable the chased ship to join her. The Constitution having gained considerably on the chase, with a hope of crippling: her, or bringing her to action before she could join her consort, fired a shot at her which fell short. The chase continued until the two ships joined, and a little before seven o'clock, the moon shining brightly, the British ships hauled to the wind in a line ahead of each other, about two hundred yards apart. Reducing to fighting sail, and heaving to with the maintop sails to the masts, they awaited the American's coming up. The Constitution was on the starboard quarter of the sternmoßt Teßsel, about one mile distant. Furling in all except the topsails, jib, and top gallant sails, reduced to fighting

trim, she gradually luffed to starboard, and ranged along the wind' ward side of the sternraosb ship tratiL she reached the desired position, ■which was at the apex of the <*quilateral triangle, the British ships forming the base line. Stewart heaving the Constitution to, with the mainsails to the mast, and the jib in brails, he fired a Bhot, not at either, but between both, with a -view to invite the action and draw their fire. His motive for this was to make British commit the first act of hostility, he having boarded a Russian Bhip three days before, direct from London, and received from her captain a copy of the London Times, containing the heads of the treaty of Ghent, as signed by the Ministers of the United Stated and Great Britain, and said to have been ratified by th« Prince Regent. Supposing the British ships might have later iaf >rmation than himself, he wished to give them a chance to decline battle if peac-s had been made between the two countries. " The Cyane (Captain Gordon Falcon) and the Levant (Captain Hon. George Douglas) answered with broadsides and musketry, and the Constitution opened with a division on the gun deck and another on the forecastle on the Levant, and two divisions on the yun deck and another on the quarter-deck on the Cyane. The Constitution maintained the same position throughout th« fi»ht, as a nearer approach would have thrown one of the ships out of the line of her fire, and exposed her to being raked. Thus the battl« was continued for about forty minutes, when the Levant wore off before the wind and retired from the finjht. Her consort the Oyane immediately after wore short round, and hauling clo«e to the wind, poured in her broadside with her colours struck and hanging o\er the taffrail, -is the Constitution was in the act of wearing around after her. Nofc the slightest injury was done by this fiw. Stewart, though feeling incensed, did not return it, determining to hold the officer in command responsible. The matter was afterwards explained, as occurring in mistake. The Cyane was immediately taken possession of, and her officers sent on board the Constitution, which filled away to leeward after the Levant, followed by the prize with the American ensign flying. The Levant, finding it impossible to escape, wore ship, and ranged under larboard tack along the starboard battery of the Constitution in close and gallant style, and delivered her fire. The Constitution poured into her a broadside, and wearing short around, plunged into her stern three chase phots, which arrested her escape and brought down her colours. She was immediately boarded and her officers sent to Stewart's ship. " The principal injury received by the Constitution was in her rigging ; that of the enemy's bhips, in their hulls. The Americans had three killed and twelve wounded, three of the latter mortally. The Cyane lost^ twelve killed and twenty-six wounded ; the Levant twenty-three killed and sixteen wounded — total British casualties, seventy-seven. The Constitution mounted fifty-one guns, twentyfour of which were thirty-two pounders ; the Cyane thirty-two guns, of which twenty-two were thirty-two pounders ; and the Levant twenty-one guns, eighteen of which were thirty-two pounders. The odds against the Constitution is most clearly shown in the calibre of the gun 3, *ue British carrying sixteen more thirty-two pounders." In his history of the American Navy, J. Fenimore Cooper, commenting on this splendid naval victory, says:— " The manner in which Captain Stewart handled his ship on this occasion excited much admiration among nautical men, it being unusual for a single vessel to engage two enemies and escape being raked So far from this occurring to the Constitution, however, she actually raked both her opponents ; and the manner in which she backed and filled in the smoke, forcing her two antagonists down to leeward when they were endeavouring to cross her stern or forefoot, is surely the most brilliant mance'ivreins,' in naval annals." The two J3i-itL.->h captains were tuohsh enough to dispute in Stcwait's jireseoce concerning the conduct of the battle, and tv b'ame each other for not having done thix, that, or the other, which must infallibly have brought about a different result to the action. Such paltry endeavours to shift blame from each to the other wore eminently distasteful to a. truly brave man, a3 Stewart was ; and at length he felt bound to interfere. '• Gentlemen," said he, '• there is no use in getting warm about it : it would have been all the came whatever you might have done. If tou doubt that, 1 will put you all on board a^ain and you can try it over." Englishmen would sny that the remark was only a sp-jcimon oC ''Yankee bumptiousness;" impartial critics may sco in it merely the confidence of a man who knew why and how he had won, and who felt himself able to do again what he bad already done. Ac all events the British captains did not jump at his offer, but preferred to remain snug and safe as prisoners of war on board the Constitution. We regret that space will not permit us to follow in detail the career of this illustrious man, or recount the many honours heaped upon him by his admiring country. In Boston he and his officers were honoured with a triumphal procession. In New York the council voted him the freedom of the city, gave him. a gold snuffbox, and him and his officers a public dinner. Pennsylvania voted him the thanks of the corrmonwealth and a gold-hilted sword. Congress passed a vote of thanks to him and his brave officers, and caused a gold m^dal to be struck in his honour. In 1867 he was placed on the retired list, but resumed service in 1869 under a new commission as senior flag officer. On July 16. 1862, he was created rear-admiral. He died at Bordcntown, N.J., November 7, 1869, where his daughter Mrs. Tarncll, the gifted mother of the young Irish leader, still resides.