Andrew Sterett (original) (raw)

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Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography, edited by James Grant Wilson, John Fiske and Stanley L. Klos. Six volumes, New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1887-1889 and 1999. Virtualology.com warns that these 19th Century biographies contain errors and bias. We rely on volunteers to edit the historic biographies on a continual basis. If you would like to edit this biography�please submit a rewritten biography in text form�. If acceptable, the new biography will be published above the 19th Century Appleton's Cyclopedia Biography citing the volunteer editor

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Andrew Sterett

STERETT, Andrew, naval officer, born in Baltimore, Maryland, about 1760; died in Lima, Peru, 9 January, 1807. He entered the navy as a lieutenant, 25 March, 1798, was the executive officer of the frigate "Constellation" under Truxtun, participated in the capture of the French frigate "L'Insurgente," off the island of Nevis, Wisconsin, 9 February, 1799, and also took part in the action with the "Le Vengeance" in February, 1800. He commanded the schooner "Enterprise," in which he captured the French ship "L'Amour de la Patrie" in December, 1800, in the West Indies. He took the "Enterprise" to the Mediterranean when war was declared against Tripoli, and in August, 1801, fell in with a Tripolitan cruiser off Malta. A desperate engagement lasted for two hours, when the the Tripolitan hauled down her colors. The Americans left the guns and gave three cheers for victory, whereupon the Tripolitan hoisted her colors and renewed the action. She was compelled to strike again, and then ordered under the quarter of the "Enterprise," but as soon as she got into that position she renewed the fight for a third time. Sterett's superior skill in handling his vessel enabled him to rake the corsair fore and aft, fifty of her crew were killed, and finally her captain threw his colors overboard and begged for quarter. Sterett then ordered her to be completely dismantled and her guns and ammunition to be thrown overboard. A jury-mast was rigged with a tattered sail, and she was sent into Tripoli. The " Enterprise" did not lose a single man. The Tripolitans were humiliated by this defeat by an inferior force. The commander was mounted on a jackass and paraded through the streets as an object of scorn. He received five hundred bastinadoes for his defeat. Sterett received a complimentary vote of thanks from congress, and the president was authorized to present him with a sword on account of this heroic action, 3 February, 1802. In the peace-establishment act he was retained as third on the list of lieutenants in 1801. After his return from the "Enterprise" he was promoted to master-commandant, and ordered to a brig that was then building at Baltimore. He had been senior to Stephen Decatur, and, on being informed of the decision to promote Decatur above him, he declined further service in the navy, and resigned his commission, 29 June, 1805. He appears afterward to have entered the merchant marine.--His first cousin, Isaac Sears, naval officer, born in Baltimore, Maryland, 28 October, 1801 ; died in 1863. He entered the United States navy as a midshipman, 24 March, 1819, was commissioned lieutenant, 17 May, 1828, and was variously employed on shore duty and also on leave till 1835, when he made a two-years' cruise in the sloop "John Adams" on the Mediterranean station. He served in the coast survey in 1839-'41. In January, 1842, he sailed as executive of the frigate "United States" to the Pacific station, and upon arrival at Callao took command of the "Relief" until April, 1844. During the Mexican war he rendered valuable services in command of the schooner " Reefer," of the Mosquito division of the United States naval forces in the Gulf of Mexico. He participated in the expedition against Frontera and Tabasco, 17-27 October, 1846, where he captured the Mexican schooner " Tabasco." On 14 November, 1846, he took part in the attack and capture of Tampico, where five Mexican vessels, forts, and supplies were captured. He was present during the bombardment of Vera Cruz, 10-25 March, 1847, assisted in covering the landing of Scott's army, and engaged the Mexican forts and batteries. After the war he resumed duties at the naval rendezvous in Baltimore, and was promoted to commander, 5 February, 1850. He was governor of the Naval asylum at Philadelphia in 1852-'3 and in 1854-'5 commanded the sloop " Decatur," protecting New England fisheries. He was placed on the reserved list, 28 September, 1855, and promoted to captain, 2 March, 1857. When the civil war began he resigned his commission, 23 April, 1861, and entered the navy of the seceded states" but the only record of his services is as a member of the court to investigate the causes that compelled Commander Josiah Tatnall to destroy the "Merrimac."

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