John Barry
John Barry was born in the county of Wexford, Ireland in 1745 and came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when he was but fifteen years of age. Previous to the American Revolution he was a skillful mariner and rose to the rank of captain of a large merchant vessel.In February of 1776 Congress put him in command of the brig Lexington with 16 guns with which he made several successful cruises. In 1777, when the British attacked the little American Navy in the Delaware, then under the command of Commodore Barry and destroyed it at White Hall, Capt. Barry took charge of the Raleigh of 32 guns. He lost his ship when his ship was run on shore in Penobscot Bay by the enemy.
Commodore Barry was then transferred to a ship commissioned with letters of marque and reprisal and successfully cruised among the West India Islands. On his return he was put in command of the Alliance frigate and left Boston in February of 1781 for France. John Laurens, the American minister of France was onboard. Upon returning, he came in contact with the British ship Atlanta and brig Treposa on May 29th, and captured them both after a severe engagement. In February 1782 he had what the British captain called a drawn battle with an English frigate of equal metal with his own but could out sail her. The enemy had 37 killed and 50 wounded. Commodore Barry lost 3 men, with eleven wounded.
Barry Offered money to betray America
Lord Howe offered Commodore Barry 20,000 guineas and the command of the best frigate in the British navy if he would turn traitor.When war seemed inevitable with France, Barry was put in command of the frigate United States and cruised on the West India Station. He died in Philadelphia on the 30th of September 1803.