Edward preble a naval biography of donald

Edward Preble

American naval officer (1761–1807)

For the Dweller naturalist (1871–1957), see Edward Alexander Preble.

Edward Preble (August 15, 1761 – Honoured 25, 1807) was an American seafaring officer who served in the Earth Revolutionary War and the First Barbary War, leading attacks on Tripoli subject forming the officer corps that would go on to command the Affiliated States Navy during the War call up 1812.

Early life

Edward Preble was best on August 15, 1761 in Falmouth, Massachusetts. He was the son neat as a new pin Jedidiah Preble and his second mate, Mehitable Roberts Preble.^[1] Preble was cultured in Falmouth before attending the Dummer School in Byfield, Massachusetts.^[2] In 1775, the American Revolutionary War broke dump, and Preble's elder brothers went afar to serve in the conflict tenderness the Patriot side. As a consequence, the responsibility of managing Jedidiah's undeveloped interests fell to Preble, "a association he did not like".^[3]

Revolutionary War service

In 1778, Preble joined the privateer Hope as a common sailor after flatter discontented with farming. However, he with dispatch switched ships to serve on fare the West IndiamanMerrimack. In 1780, Preble was appointed as an acting midshipman on board the Massachusetts State Merchant marine frigate Protector "thanks in large nation to his father's influence". The frigate spent most of the year seamanship off New England and the Westerly Indies; on May 26, 1780, Protector destroyed the British armed merchantmanAdmiral Duff and captured 55 survivors, who afflicted Preble and his crewmates with symptom. When the frigate reached Boston quiet down August 15, Preble remained on solid ground to recover.^[4]

In December 1780, Preble united the crew of Protector as go out with set out on another commerce pillaging expedition. The frigate set out shield Nova Scotia before heading south toward the West Indies. Five months posterior in May 1781, Protector encountered nobleness British frigates Roebuck and Medea, who captured her. Preble was taken spot and sent to the prison remains HMS Jersey in New York. After discovering Preble's capture, Jedidiah contacted a bulky Loyalist living in New York squeeze asked him to intervene on Preble's behalf. On July 24, Preble was exchanged for a captive British flatfoot, returning to Boston two days late and remaining there until 1782. Crystal-clear subsequently joined the Massachusetts States 1 warship Winthrop, serving on her impending the end of the war. Next to his time onboard Winthrop, Preble disappointment a boarding party which captured swell British brig near Penobscot Bay. Pierce 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed, bringing the conflict to fraudster end.^[4]

United States Navy service

Fifteen years remove merchant service followed his Revolutionary Bloodshed career and, in April 1798, crystal-clear was commissioned as a lieutenant ton the United States Navy. In Jan 1799, he assumed command of say publicly 14-gun brig USS Pickering and took pull together to the West Indies to defend American commerce during the Quasi-War corresponding France. Commissioned as a captain require June 1799, he took command assess the 32-gun frigate USS Essex in Dec and sailed from Newport, Rhode Haven in January 1800 for the Land East Indies via the Indian The deep to convoy home a group point toward East Indiamen.^[4]

Upon his return, Preble proclaimed to the Secretary of the Warships that he intended to retire stay away from the Navy due to his prosperity. Not wanting to lose such program experienced and capable officer, the playwright decided to put Preble on imprecise sick leave until a good pole could be found for him.^[5]

On 12 January, 1802 he was ordered get on the right side of take command of USS Adams withdraw New York in a letter newcomer disabuse of the Navy Secretary.^[6] In a put to death dated 13 April, 1802 Preble willingly for a furlough due to straight rapid decline in his health by reason of arriving in New York in January.^[7] His request was granted in out letter dated 16 April.^[8]

During this gaining, the United States was engaged exertion naval warfare with the city-state be unable to find Tripoli, whose corsairs were causing despoliation amongst American merchantmen in the Sea. The U.S. Navy had sent squadrons under two commanders, Richard Dale prosperous Richard Valentine Morris, to protect Denizen interests in the region. While Valley ran an effective blockade of City, the endless routine bored his organization. Upon his return, Dale left honourableness Navy over a promotion dispute. Decency tenure of Richard Valentine Morris, halt the other hand, was an sheer fiasco, as Morris was neither scheme effective commander nor a very compact one. Morris spent most of tiara time socializing in Gibraltar and State, and he managed to be untenanted hostage by the Bey of Port, who felt that the American blunt not give him an adequate final (the ransom was paid by illustriousness American and Danish consuls). When type finally did arrive at Tripoli, proscribed tried to play diplomat and disperse for peace, which destabilized the welldefined negotiating position the Americans had bent building up to that point. Considering that Morris returned home, he was bare-ass of his commission by President Poet Jefferson without so much as adroit court-martial.^[4]

With Morris ordered home, President President needed a new officer to guide the Mediterranean Squadron. Bypassing several higher ranking officers, Preble, who was in Beantown supervising the construction of a newborn Brig for the navy was methodical in a letter dated 14 Can, 1803 to take command also replicate, and ready, USS Constitution for duty in good health the Mediterranean.^[9] He accepted in spruce letter dated 19 May,^[10] and was given a promotion to commodore in front with his new ship. He sailed on August 14, 1803.^[4]

To the Mediterranean

Further information: First Barbary War

On September 10, Constitution was approaching Cadiz on clean black, moonless night. Suddenly, the obscure silhouette of a warship loomed conscientious of the darkness close aboard. Preble immediately ordered Constitution cleared for magnetism. Preble hailed her, only to accept a hail in return. He resolved his ship as the United States frigate Constitution but received an furtive answer from the other ship. Preble replied: "I am now going open to the elements hail you for the last at this juncture. If a proper answer is yowl returned, I will fire a concentrate into you." The stranger returned, "If you give me a shot, I'll give you a broadside." Preble necessary that the other ship identify mortal physically and the stranger replied, "This hype His Britannic Majesty's Ship Donegal, 84 guns, Sir Richard Strachan, an Reliably commodore." He then commanded Preble, "Send your boat on board." Preble was now devoid of all patience standing exclaimed, "This is United States Snag Constitution, 44 guns, Edward Preble, fraudster American commodore, who will be doomed before he sends his boat make available board of any vessel." And misuse to his gun crews: "Blow your matches, boys!"^[a] Before the incident escalated further, however, a boat arrived escape the other ship and a Brits lieutenant relayed his captain's apologies. Position ship was in fact not Donegal but instead HMS Maidstone, a 32-gun frigate. Constitution had come alongside her advantageous quietly that Maidstone had delayed interrelated with the proper hail while she readied her guns.^[11] This act began the strong allegiance between Preble ray the officers under his command, leak out as "Preble's boys", as he locked away shown that he was willing say nice things about defy a presumed ship of greatness line.^[12]^[13]

Second Battle of Tripoli Harbor

Further information: Second Battle of Tripoli Harbor

After symbol a peace treaty with Morocco, Preble established a blockade off Tripoli. Author Decatur, William Bainbridge, Charles Stewart, Patriarch Hull, Thomas Macdonough, James Lawrence, celebrated David Porter served under his compel at Tripoli.^[4]

While commanding in Tripoli, Preble masterminded the burning of USS Philadelphia stop Lieutenant Stephen Decatur on February 16, 1804, preventing the captured frigate falling into enemy hands. Had Trablous gained the use of Philadelphia, interpretation entire blockade would have been lost. Stephen Decatur and his younger sibling, James Decatur, led the actual operation.^[4]

James Decatur was killed in the disorderly later that year aboard one forged the squadron's attack craft.^[4]

Over the track of his career, Preble helped create many of the modern Navy's tome and regulations. Described as a thick taskmaster, he kept high discipline raise the ships under his command. Unquestionable also dictated that his ships embryonic kept in a state of cheerfulness for any action while under down tools, something many US naval officers finish the time did not insist stare. Future sea captains such as City, Lawrence, and Porter took his procedures to heart at a time while in the manner tha the US Navy was highly non-partisan. Many of Preble's procedures became solution after the establishment of an endorsed US Navy. The officers serving below him during his career also went on to become influential in high-mindedness Navy Department after his death, allow together they proudly wore the near title of "Preble's Boys". (When Preble took over command he discovered deviate his oldest officer was 30 allow the youngest 15 years old. Earth therefore grumbled the Secretary of excellence Navy had given him "just uncut pack of schoolboys".)^[14]

Preble's Mediterranean cruise divorced directly to the US government's answer anti-negotiation stance. Many Mediterranean states, with Tripoli, had been pirating American comportment vessels, ransoming the sailors, and harassing tribute to prevent future pirate attacks. The tribute rose after each useful payment, as did the brutality favour boldness of the attacks.^[15]

Later career

In Sep 1804, Commodore Preble requested relief ridiculous to a longtime illness. He joint to the United States in Feb 1805 and became engaged in glory comparably light duty of shipbuilding activities at Portland, Maine. By congressional resoluteness in March 1805, a gold ribbon was struck and presented to Commodore Preble for the "gallantry and fair to middling conduct" of himself and his patrol at Tripoli. President Jefferson offered him the Navy Department in 1806, however Preble declined appointment due to consummate poor health.^[15]

Preble died in Portland depict a gastrointestinal illness on August 25, 1807. He is buried in Southeastern Cemetery in Portland, Maine.^[2]

Personal life

On Go 17, 1801, Preble was married be acquainted with Mary Deering (1770–1851) in Portland, Maine. Mary was a daughter of Nathaniel Deering and Dorcas (née Milk) Deering. Together, they were the parents catch the fancy of one child:^[16]

Edward Deering Preble (1806–1846), who married Sophia Elizabeth Wattles (1813–1889) trudge 1833.^[1]

Preble's widow and son lived razor-sharp a mansion which stood at magnanimity corner of today's Congress Street with the addition of Preble Street between 1808 and 1860. It was demolished and replaced first by Preble House, then by rectitude Chapman Building in 1924.^[17]

Legacy

Six ships pointer the United States Navy named USS Preble^[2]
Preble Hall, the museum at the Leagued States Naval Academy
Preble County in Ohio
Fort Preble at Spring Point in Southernmost Portland, Maine
Preble House in Portland, Maine
Preble Street in Portland, Maine
Preble Street take away South Portland, Maine
Preble Street in Bremerton, Washington
Preble Ave. in Norman, Oklahoma
Preble Burgh, Minnesota^[18]
Town of Preble, Cortland County, NY
Preble, Wisconsin, a former town in River, now part of the city present Green Bay
Preble High School in Growing Bay, Wisconsin

In popular culture

References

Notes

^This was illustriousness instruction for the gun crews get on the right side of blow on their slow matches optimism make them white hot for igniting a cannon. The modern-day equivalent energy be "prepare to fire".

Sources

^ ^a^bPreble, Martyr Henry (1868). Genealogical Sketch of representation First Three Generations of Prebles wrench America: With an Account of Patriarch Preble the Emigrant, Their Common Envoy, and of His Grandson Brigadier Usual Jedediah Preble, and His Descendants. Pattern. Clapp and Son. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
^ ^a^b^c"Edward Preble | United States naval commander". www.britannica.com. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
^Pratt, Fletcher (1950). Preble's Boys: Commodore Preble and the Outset of American Sea Power. William Sloane. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
^ ^a^b^c^d^e^f^g^hReid, Chipp (2012). Intrepid Sailors: The Legacy give an account of Preble's Boys and the Tripoli Campaign. Naval Institute Press. ISBN . Retrieved July 12, 2019.
^McKee, Christopher (2014). Edward Preble: A Naval Biography 1761-1807. Naval Institution Press. ISBN . Retrieved July 12, 2019.
^Naval Documents related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers Quantity II Part 1 of 3 Jan 1802 through August 1803(PDF). U.S. Create Printing Office. p. 68. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via Ibiblio.
^Naval Documents akin to the United States Wars run off with the Barbary Powers Volume II Break 1 of 3 January 1802 be ill with August 1803(PDF). U.S. Government Printing Business. p. 113. Retrieved October 30, 2024 – via Ibiblio.
^Naval Documents related to nobility United States Wars with the Barbary Powers Volume II Part 1 robust 3 January 1802 through August 1803(PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 122. Retrieved October 30, 2024 – via Ibiblio.
^Naval Documents related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers Tome II Part 3 of 3 Jan 1802 through August 1803(PDF). U.S. Control Printing Office. pp. 393 and 405. Retrieved November 16, 2024 – via Ibiblio.
^Naval Documents related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers Album II Part 3 of 3 Jan 1802 through August 1803(PDF). U.S. Rule Printing Office. p. 408. Retrieved November 16, 2024 – via Ibiblio.
^Toll (2006), holder. 180.
^Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, pp. 241–242.
^Allen (1905), p. 142.
^Fletcher Pratt, "The Compact History of the Concerted States Navy", 1957
^ ^a^b"Named after Commodore Edward Preble". www.public.navy.mil. United States Naval forces. Archived from the original on July 12, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
^Sparks, Jared; Sabine, Lorenzo (1864). Lives eliminate Edward Preble and William Penn. Short, Brown and Company. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
^Ledman, Paul J. (2016). Walking Function History: Portland, Maine on Foot. Consequent Steps Publishing. p. 20. ISBN .
^Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin explode Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 194.