Navy Yard. The Royal Navy was effec- could not be run solely by civilians. He Bainbridge." tively blockading Boston Harbor, and the believed that a preponderance of naval It was also widely held that both seccommodore was at odds for most of the professionals should work in connection onds in the duel, each of whom had the year with the governor and council about with the civilian administration. During obligation to prevent the confrontation how to properly defend their harbor and the following years, this commission was if possible, failed to carry out that obligathe Navy Yard. With his fiery disposition, indeed established and, in 1823, while in tion. Reportedly, Barron had apologized determination, and, ultimately, by trad- command of the Naval Station, Boston, to Decatur, saying, "I hope when we meet ing on his renown, Bainbridge won out; he was appointed to head the Board of in the next world, we might be better his wishes to vigorously defend the harbor Commissioners. Immediately before that friends." Decatur responded by saying, and the Navy Yard, rather than leave them assignment, Bainbridge commanded the "I have never been your enemy, sir." Afvulnerab le to the British, were carried Mediterranean Squadron from the quarter- ter the great naval hero died, Barron said deck of his new flagship, the line-of-battle repeatedly that he had spoken the words out. It proved to be more or less a "non- ship Columbus, followed by a tour as com- in reconciliation, and that they were heard event." The British, while maintaining mander of the Philadelphia Naval Station. by all. Bainbridge and Elliot ignored the their blockade, had shifted their "salt waHis friendship with Stephen Decatur effort by both their principals, and the ter" focus to the south, specifically, on the resulted in his acting as Decatur's second com modore ordered them to make ready. Chesapeake Bay. Bainbridge finished the in his duel with James Barron. Decatur Following his term on the Board of war in Boston and saw to the construction Commissioners, Bainbridge commanded of a new ship-of-the-line, Independence, several Navy Yards, including Phi lawhich would become his flagship for delphia and, yet again, Boston. In an expedition to the Mediterranean 1833 he was stricken with pneuin 1815 to help put down a threat monia and died on 28 July of that posed by the Barbary States. As a year. He was buried in the Christ matter of interest, a second squad- . Church Burying Ground in Philron commanded by Stephen Decaadelphia. tur is credited with the restoration of Wi lliam Bainbridge continues to be an interesting study in peace to the region. contrasts. He demanded complete Bainbridge returned to Boston to take command of the Navy forces Engraving of the medal authorized by the US Congress in loyalty from those who served him afloat at Boston for the balance of honor of Captain Bainbridge's 29 December 1812 victory and expected they would always act in the best interests of their ship, the decade and, in 1820-21, flew his in the battle between USS Constitution and HMS Java. their service, and their flag. He flag in the ship-of-the-line, Columbus, for yet another Mediterranean cruise. had served on the court martial board was capable of holding grudges for years Unlike his previous visits, this cruise was that suspended Barron after he surren- and, in some cases, decades. He instisimply an opportunity to "show the flag," dered USS Chesapeake to HMS Leopard tuted courts of inquiry against rwo of his and he returned to resume command of in 1807. When Decatur argued that the contemporaries, Isaac Hull, in 1822, and Navy deny reinstating Barron after his Charles Stewart, in 1814, but neither rethe Charlestown Navy Yard, once agai n . To his credit, in 1816, Bainbridge five-year suspension, the rwo engaged in sulted in a court martial as he had wished. established a school in the Yard for naval written battles for years. In March 1820, His temperament was ardent, fiery, and officers, which, some three years later, re- Decatur and Barron met on the dueling often impetuous. W hile these attributes sulted in the first board convened for the grounds at Bladensburg, Maryland, faced created difficulties for him on occasion, he examination of young officers for promo- each other with pistols and fired. Both rook what came his way in stride, though tion. The board was, of course, presided men were wounded, but Decatur's wound he frequen tly blamed others for his own shortcomings. Never did he lose his fervor over by William Bainbridge. While this wo uld prove mortal. Decatur's widow blamed Bainbridge, for his country. ..t should not be confused with the United States Naval Academy, not established along with Captain Jesse Elliot, Barron's until 1845, it is worthy to note that the second, for the duel that resulted in her William H. White is a maritime historian commodore did recognize early on the husband's death. Her accusation indicated specializing in American naval events durneed for some type of formal training for that her husband had "never had a per- ing the Age ofFighting Sail. He has written sonal misunderstanding with the author four novels of naval fiction and is a trustee fledgling naval officers. He also was a strong advocate for a of his death' The whole affair was gotten of NMHS, USS Constitution Museum, board of comm issioners to oversee naval up through malice and cowardice on the and a consultant to the 1812 reproduction operations; Bainbridge realized, whether part of one the seconds, Captain Elliot, privateer Lynx. Further information on the from personal frustration or simply com- and accomplished through envy and jeal- author and his books may be found at: www. mon sense, we do not know, that the Navy ousy of the part of the other, Commodore sea.fiction. net.
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