by D P Prouty
The next morning I awoke and had breakfast with the officers ashore. Lieutenant Somers looked at Jim and I across the table and said, “Mr. Lewis, please ensure Mr. Carter is in proper attire before returning to the ship.” Jim nodded and we soon departed to acquire a uniform. We arrived at a tailor shop and a man greeted us. Jim gave the man the uniform specifications and the man took my measurements and departed through a door to another room. I was so cheery I could scarcely contain myself. I didn’t want to appear that this occasion was unexpected in front of Jim so I did my best to conceal my excitement. I had imagined wearing a uniform before, but until now, I had not thought it possible. It was so dreamlike. I was going to wear a uniform just like the officers I’d seen and admired wearing over the previous three years. The tailor returned with the blue jacket and had me wear it. I looked in the mirror he had nearby and couldn’t help but smile and blurt out a giggle. I turned around to see Jim looking at me with a smile. “Feels pretty good, doesn’t it?”
“Aye,” I replied.
He told me how he felt the same when he first put on a uniform the previous year. “Getting the appointment is one thing, but putting on the uniform is something you dream about,” he said. I spent the morning getting properly fit with trousers, shoes, and a hat while the tailor adjusted the jacket. Walking down to the ship I felt as though I could do anything, it was the greatest moment of my life.
Lieutenant Somers was waiting for us when we arrived. He gathered the officers and said, “Gentlemen, we have received orders to sail the Caribbean once again. However, Captain Shaw will not be joining us on our cruise.”
At that, Lieutenant Thorn said, “Well then, when do we leave, Captain?”
Lieutenant Somers lifted his head up slightly and said, “I am not captain. Captain Shaw has been replaced my Lieutenant Andrew Sterett from the Constellation.”
“Sterett!” Lieutenant Thorn extorted. “Why didn’t they place you in command?”
Lieutenant Somers explained that the senior officers believed Sterett to be a better choice to command.
Lieutenant Baker said, “I heard of Lieutenant Sterett, he killed one of the men aboard the Constellation—pierced him with his sword for cowardice he did.” I too had heard the rumors of an officer executing one of the sailors on the Constellation, he must be thought of highly to not only escape prosecution but to be given a command.
Captain Sterett arrived the following day. A young man, about the same age as Lieutenant Somers I guessed, he had short curly black hair and long sideburns on an otherwise clean-shaven face. He wore a new uniform with a rapier on his hip. Unlike the shorter cutlass which was the preferred weapon of choice, the rapier was an elegant sword but tended to get tangled up in the rigging at close range. He gathered the officers in his quarters and said, “I know many of you were extremely loyal to Captain Shaw, rightfully so. I hope that I can achieve an equal fondness in our time together.” He then proceeded to shake each officer’s hand as we provided our name and position. When he got to me he said, “Mr. Carter, congratulations on your appointment. I’ll be expecting great things from you, young man.”
I smiled and told him I would do my best, but I didn’t like the “young man” remark. I was almost sixteen and thought I’d gotten past the condescending nature. The captain informed us that reports had spread of a substantial reduction of men and ships should the conflict end in the signing of a treaty. He complained that the nation’s leaders believed our tax dollars should be required in other areas other than a navy that may or may not be needed. He went on to say that the presidential campaign by both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams would conclude the first week in December. “Regardless of who is president when we return, I’m told a reduction in our defense is inevitable. So this is our last opportunity to show we are worth keeping around.”
The following morning we found ourselves in the midst of a great storm. The waves pounded against the ship as we waited the storm out ashore. After two days the hurricane relented, the Enterprise only slightly mauled, was quickly repaired and seaworthy within the week. We had been inland several miles and I pondered how the ships fared out at sea.
The Enterprise cruised to St. Kitts without observing a single privateer and Captain Sterett appeared agitated at the lack of prospects. I asked Jim what he thought of the captain and he said he seemed competent in every way.
I said, “He’s arrogant and condescending, don’t you think?”
Jim replied, “Don’t be so sensitive. I’d much rather have a competent, arrogant ass as captain than an incompetent, indecisive, and delicate captain, wouldn’t you?”
I admitted he was right. There was no guessing with Captain Sterett. He said exactly what he meant and made his intent callously clear.
It was the end of autumn when we made our way to St. Eustatius. I went ashore with the captain, Lieutenant Thorn, and Mr. Duffy and we went into Twilla’s Tavern. Twilla came out of the backroom and greeted us. She was pregnant! I was in awe of how big she was. She was ready to give birth. She said, “My, you keep getting bigger every time I see you, Clyde!” I gave her a slight hug and she kissed me on the cheek. I was amazed because she had never done that before. Maybe she was getting much softer and sentimental, I thought. We sat down at a table and she had a young girl bring out some drinks. It was midday and the tavern was empty. Captain Sterett was very direct almost to the point of being rude as he asked her about corsair activity in the area. Her answers were as short and coarse as were his questions. She curtly said that the privateer movement has slowed and she had not seen many over the last month. Then she got up from the table and excused herself. Captain Sterett may be great in battle, but his communal talents left much to be desired. Mr. Duffy and Captain Sterett left the tavern upon finishing their drinks and proclaimed they would be back. I approached Twilla and asked her to come and sit with Lieutenant Thorn and me for a few moments and she did. I asked her about her baby, “When did you get married?” She said she had married a Dutch merchant captain the previous year and he was out to sea. She seemed happy, happier than the last time I’d seen her. She said she heard that the French First Consul, Napoleon Bonaparte, had approved a peace treaty and the United States was reviewing the terms. Lieutenant Thorn said, “The congress will likely wait until the election for president is resolved before ratifying any such treaty.” She regretfully agreed and disclosed that her baby would arrive soon and she hoped that one day I would be able to see it. The captain soon returned and we weighed anchor in search of our foe.
Over the next month, we were able to free two merchantmen that were captured and retained by prize crews aboard, but we were unable to engage the elusive corsair which Sterett desperately desired. Anchoring at Port Royal, it was made known that at least two of our warships, the Pickering and the Insurgent were lost with all hands in that great September hurricane in which we were fortunate enough to miss while ashore in Baltimore. Captain Sterett made the thoughtless assertion that night at the officers’ mess as he stated, “It is regretful that we lost so many of our brethren, but we can be thankful there won’t be as many officers dismissed as before when the war is over.”
Dr. Peters turned bright red, clenched his teeth, and said, “I can no longer stomach this conversation, good evening, gentlemen,” and stomped out of the cabin.
Captain Sterett raised his eyebrows in surprise and uttered, “What got into him?”
Lieutenant Thorn soberly replied, “One of his brothers was a lieutenant aboard the Pickering.” Looking back, I don’t know if Sterett was really as cold as he came across, but rather he did not express himself well. I once heard him comment that he was not a politician, just the hand that holds the sword. He was the type of commander everyone wants and needs in battle, but not so much when the guns stop firing. I don’t know if he ever apologized or consoled Dr. Peters and although they never seemed close, they seemed to respect each other during that cruise.
The day before Christmas as we made our w
ay toward St. Kitts, we spotted a corsair off the port bow. She was a small schooner sailing under Batavian colors. The captain ordered action stations and we tacked to make best possible speed. The enemy vessel attempted to run but we slowly closed throughout the afternoon until we were almost in range. The ship turned to starboard as the captain adjusted course and looked through the glass at her stern. “The ship is Le Amour De La Patrie,” he said firmly. “She has eight guns and two smaller cannons aft.” Lieutenant Somers summoned Mr. Duffy and asked what the name meant. He said, “It means Love of the Homeland.”
Captain Sterett replied, “Well, let’s see how much they love their homeland!”
My heart was racing. I had the three aft cannons on the starboard side near the quarterdeck at my command. I desperately wanted to prove myself worthy of my position. The cannons were loaded and ready to fire round shot as we turned port to line up a broadside. Lieutenant Baker was forward near the bow with his marines and began firing at the enemy gun crews when I heard Lieutenant Thorn give the command to fire the cannons. The eruption penetrated through me as I could feel the ship surge back. I couldn’t see through the smoke but heard the balls from the enemy ship hit the railing and splinter off pieces of wood. I quickly ordered a reload and we fired another volley just as the smoke began to clear. The cabin boy, Matthew Pierce, tugged at my coat as we loaded for another barrage and shouted for a cease-fire. The corsair had given up after two broadsides and Captain Sterett had his victory. We had sustained five wounded; the corsair fared much worse, sustaining about four killed and about a dozen wounded in the action. Lieutenant Thorn took command of the prize crew and we sailed into St. Kitts.
We anchored at St. Kitts and retrieved the prize crew before Captain Sterett informed us that we were ordered back to Baltimore. Putting in with a merchant convoy, we cruised without encountering any corsairs along the way. Upon our arrival word spread that Thomas Jefferson was elected as our newest president and a peace treaty had been signed by congress ending our conflict with France. The elated crew happily scrubbed up the Enterprise before receiving their pay. A weight of uncertainty came upon me as I pondered my future. What was to become of me? Rumors that congress had planned to disband most of the navy left us on edge. Many of the crew happily parted ways following our return yet many others patiently awaited the fate of their profession. While in Baltimore, the harbor began to swell with warships returning from duties throughout the coastal waters and the Caribbean awaiting similar fortunes. The Essex, Argus, and the schooner Nautilus joined us. I had inquired of where Captain Campbell might be assigned but could not find a soul that knew of his whereabouts.
Ultimately we received mail that had caught up with our ship. I had two letters from Charlene and a letter from Captain Campbell. Captain Campbell offered his congratulations on my selection to midshipman and informed me he was in Charleston overseeing the construction of the frigate USS John Adams. He stated that he hoped I would again sail with him one day should fortune favor the opportunity. Charlene had also told how her father was home and how much she enjoyed his company. She also wrote how she looked forward to the day I would see her in Charleston after I finished my current occupation. Her father had not told her of my appointment! I felt an additional weight as I succumbed to the knowledge that I would have to tell her I planned to stay in the navy. I didn’t know how she would accept it, but one thing I did know—Captain Campbell smartly did not get involved in this matter.
Captain Sterett was summoned to a meeting of captains after a few weeks in port. Returning to the ship after the meeting, he called for all the officers. He was unusually cheery and he carried the logbook in his hands as he marched lively onto the vessel. He informed us that the Enterprise and her officers were to remain in service. All except Dr. Peters who had asked and been granted a transfer. The captain went on to say that over half of the men will no longer sail for the navy and half of the ships will be put up for sale or dismantled to help pay for the national debt. He then had some choice words to say about Mr. Jefferson and his plan to reduce the national debt at the expense of security. But I was grateful to be allowed to remain in service, I felt relief that I was spared. A few days later Dr. Batterton arrived at the ship and greeted me, “Clyde! Great to see you, lad, I heard you had made midshipman, congratulations.”
“Thank you, sir, how are you?” I replied as I shook his hand. He told me he was replacing Dr. Peters aboard the Enterprise and looked forward to getting back out with a crew. He told me how the Eagle was sold at auction after her guns were taken off. I felt a loss—like that of losing a family member or a pet, the Eagle was a great ship and I would miss her. We talked about the location of some of the men we knew. I told him what had happened to Mr. Talbert and he was sorry to hear it. He told me that Lieutenant Potts was with Captain Campbell in Charleston and Lieutenant Gross was aboard the Nautilus. I informed him that he would soon see Lieutenant Baker since he was the marine commander aboard the Enterprise. He chuckled slightly and asked, “Has he softened any or still looking for an excuse to fight?” I told him he had not changed which was comforting in some ways but troubling in others. He said, “Does Edwards still have that cat running around?” I told him he did and he explained how his loblolly boys sure disliked that cat.
The better part of winter had passed as we sailed south and put in at Charleston. Captain Sterett granted permission for me to go ashore and see Charlene. She was standing on the porch of her house when I approached the fence. Her eyes wide and mouth open, she ran to me and flung her arms around me as I hugged her. Then she pulled back and looked at me from head to toe and said, “So this is how it is, is it? You’re going to marry the navy, is that it?” Then she turned and ran up the steps to the porch and past her father who had come out. She slammed the door as she went inside. Captain Campbell stood on the porch smoking a cigar and uttered, “Good to see you, lad, come on up here, let me get a look at you.” I closed the fence gate and slowly walked up to the captain. He said, “That uniform sure looks good on you, Clyde.”
“Thank you, sir,” I replied, “but I don’t think Charlene appreciated it much.”
He smiled, took a puff of his cigar and said, “She’ll get over it. You’re not sunk yet.”
I shrugged my shoulders and stated that it appeared I was. Then he laughed and imparted, “Boy, she saw you wearing that uniform before you ever made it up to the gate—and she still ran out to embrace you.” He told me to sit with him on the porch and we talked for a long time about what had happened since I last saw him. He told me what he had been doing as well. I expressed my desolation at the undoing of the navy, but to my surprise, Captain Campbell was not as pessimistic. He said, “To be sure the country assumes some risk, but I have confidence in both landowners and bandits.” I asked him what he meant and he expressed that only landowners are allowed to vote because they pay the heaviest taxes. They have a vested interest in where the tax dollars are spent and as their business becomes vulnerable to attack by those who wish to take their wealth. They will push politicians to secure them. “The federal government only exists to protect the people in areas of national interest, otherwise the states can rule themselves. So in effect, I have confidence that there will always be an entity out to steal commodities upon the seas or ransom them.”
I joined the Campbells for dinner that evening. Charlene was quiet at the dinner table but later confessed in private that she thought the uniform looked handsome and apologized for her reaction. She said, “I have no right to judge what you want to do.” I knew she had some misgivings about my choice in profession, but I respected her and appreciated her honesty. That evening we talked for several hours, mostly about nothing, but I really enjoyed her company. She asked me about my schooling and I told her how my mother and father taught me on the farm. She then asked why I didn’t like farming and I said, “I don’t know. It’s a good profession and I don’t know much about sea life, but I want to.” Again, she kindly asked why, and I
told her, “I feel compelled to be part of something great, even if I fail—I would have given it my best, and I can’t give my best to something I don’t believe in.” Late in the evening I bid her farewell and promised to write. She kissed me and begged me to be safe before I left.
25
Thieves Tribute
It is more easy to raise ships and men to fight these pirates into reason, then money to bribe them.
—Thomas Jefferson
The Enterprise cruised along the coast until spring, making port in Charleston, Norfolk, and New York before receiving orders to return to Baltimore. Just as Captain Campbell had forewarned, several encounters with pirates in the Mediterranean had forced our government to take a decisive role in protecting our merchantmen. Docking at Fells Point, two new six-pounders were added to the ship’s complement of cannons increasing our lethality. Captain Sterett informed us that we would be taking part in a cruise to North Africa to prevent the pirates of the Barbary nations from taking our merchantmen. Not only had these pirates been extorting funds from America as well as European nations but also taking captive sailors as slaves when tribute was not made. President Jefferson ordered the commodore to attempt a peaceful solution: a payment along with a letter from the president were in his safekeeping for delivery to the Pasha of Tripoli. The excitement Captain Sterett emitted was contagious as he openly hoped to engage the Tripolitans in war. He explained that Commodore Dale would lead the squadron to include the frigates Boston and Philadelphia presently in the harbor and we would link up with the frigates President and Essex at Norfolk. I heard the Essex was commanded by Captain Bainbridge; it would be good to see him again. Captain Shaw would also cruise in command of the sloop of war George Washington which was docked next to the Enterprise. Preparing to depart, the peninsula across the channel was bustling with activity. Jim was observing the same as he asked, “What are they building over there?” Before I could answer, Lieutenant Somers replied, “They’re constructing Fort McHenry to protect the inlet.”