Command Under Sail: Makers of the American Naval Tradition 1775-1850

by James C. Bradford (Editor)

Overview

This entertaining collection of essays takes a biographical approach to early American naval history. The period from 1775 to 1850 was a trying time for the infant navy, a time when much was demanded of individual officers. New in paperback, this book focuses not only on battles and ships but on the colorful men, such as Oliver Hazard Perry and Stephen Decatur, who helped shape the U.S. Navy in the age of sail. By viewing the era through the lives of the participants, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of America's new navy and the roots of its traditions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781591140597
Publisher:	Naval Institute Press
Publication date:	01/15/2013
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

James C. Bradford is a professor of history at Texas A&M and a respected specialist in American maritime, naval, and military history in the early national period of American history. He is the editor of many books on military history, including Quarterdeck and Bridge. He lives in College Station, TX.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations ix

Preface xi

Acknowledgments xv

The Struggle for Independence

Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Navy Esek Hopkins William M. Fowler 3

Honor and Professionalism John Paul Jones James C. Bradford 18

A Most Fervent Patriot John Barry William James Morgan 46

Baptism by Fire

Edward Preble and the "Boys": The Officer Corps of 1812 Revisited Christopher McKee 71

Bad Luck or Fatal Flaw? William S. Bainbridge Craig Symonds 97

Savior of the Northwest Oliver Hazard Perry John K. Mahon 126

Architect of a Wilderness Navy Thomas Macdonough Edward K. Eckert 147

Distant Stations

Pacific Ocean Gadfly David F. Long David Porter 173

Heroic Ideal of the Young Navy Stephen Decatur John H. Schroeder 199

The Stalwart Conservative John Rodgers K. Jack Bauer 220

The Twilight of the Sailing Navy

Commander in Transition Linda M. Maloney Isaac Hull 251

Naval Officer and Reformer Harold D. Langley Robert F. Stockton 273

Bibliography 305

Notes on Authors 322

Index 327