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(1773-1843), born in Connecticut, entered the merchant marine in 1784. In 1798, he was commissioned a lieutenant in the American navy. He commanded the "Argus" in 1804, and engaged in the Barbary Wars. In 1806, he was commissioned captain, and in 1807 assigned to the command of the " Constitution." He was highly honored for successfully evading an attack of a superior British force in 1812. Soon afterward he captured the British ship "Guerrière" with a loss of fourteen men killed and wounded, while the enemy lost seventy-nine. This was the first and most famous naval victory during the war. He afterward commanded the Pacific and Mediterranean squadrons, and served on the Board of Naval Commissioners.