Dictionary.net

(1774-1833), commodore, began life as a sailor at the age of fifteen, and had several impromptu encounters with British vessels before he was appointed to the navy in the war with France, 1798. In the Tripolitan War in 1803 he commanded the "Philadelphia," which in 1804 was wrecked. Bainbridge was held in captivity for over a year by the Tripolitans. His great exploit was in the War of 1812, when as commander of the famous "Constitution" he defeated and captured the British "Java," December 26, 1812. His later service was in the navy yards, in Mediterranean ports and as naval commissioner.