Samuel Barron Fights Sickness and Pirates
Samuel Barron was briefly the head of naval operations in the Mediterranean during the First Barbary War.
Barron was tasked with carrying out President Jefferson’s orders in a war against North African pirates.
Unfortunately, he battled illness while leading the fight.
Samuel Barron
Samuel Barron grew up in a naval household.
His father had served as Commodore of the Virginia Navy during the Revolutionary War.
Although it was a small fleet, the young Samuel learned much from his father’s experience.
After coming to adulthood, Barron briefly served in the Virginia Navy himself before becoming the captain of a merchant ship.
In The Navy
In the late 1790’s, Barron joined the United States Navy.
The Navy had been created by President John Adams in response to the Quasi-War with France.
Samuel was named a Captain and participated in several engagements during the hostilities.
Commodore
By 1804, Samuel Barron was named Commodore for the United States Navy.
He was placed in charge of the Navy’s operations in the Mediterranean Sea.
This was during the First Barbary War with the States in northern Africa. As such, Barron was essentially running all naval operations for President Thomas Jefferson for a brief period of these wars.
Gosport Shipyard
Unfortunately, Barron continuously suffered from ill health, which seems to have stemmed from an earlier bought with yellow fever.
Although he long refused to give up his command, eventually enough complaints came in regarding his inability to carry out his duties any longer and he was recalled to the United States.
Samuel was placed in charge of Gosport Shipyard in Virginia (the first shipyard owned by the federal government).
Barron supervised the construction of many of the United States Navy’s earliest ships until his disease finally conquered him and he passed away at just 45 years old.
Are you interested in learning more about the Continental Navy?
Great, start with some of these articles:
Esek Hopkins: Commander of the Continental Navy
Jeremiah O’Brien Commands he Battle of Machias
Hopley Yeaton - Father of the US Coast Guard
Want to read more about the Barbary Wars?
Brian Kilmeade’s book is the most famous/recent discussion of these interesting engagement with Mediterranean Pirates.
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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