WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE (1774-1833). Naval Officer. In Command of the USS Philadelphia during the First Barbary War when she ran aground off of Tripoli in 1803, resulting in his capture and imprisonment for 19 months; During the War of 1812, he was appointed to Commander of the 44-gun Frigate USS Constitution (Old Ironsides), and defeated HMS Java off the coast of Brazil on Dec. 29, 1812, for which he was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal. Bainbridge acted as Stephen Decatur's second in his fatal duel with James Barron in 1820.
April 2, 1833-Dated Letter Signed, "Wm. Bainbridge", Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, 1 page, measuring 7-7/8" x 9-7/8", Very Fine. This Letter sent to U.S. Navy Purser John A. Bates at Boston (Bates served as a Purser in the Navy from 1831 until his retirement in 1861). Here, enclosing Orders from the Secretary of the Navy (not present) "to proceed to Norfolk and report to Commodore Warrington for duty in a Sloop of War". Docket on the blank reverse reads: "Com. Bainbridge enclosing orders from the Sec. of the Navy. April 2d 1833". Huge handsome Signature, "Wm. Bainbridge" measures a tall 2.75” long. |