Commodore William Bainbridge, 1789-1833

During the Quasi War with France, commanded Retaliation and Norfolk. At the end of the Quasi War promoted to Captain and commanded George Washington. Although the unfortunate Captain to lose the Philadelphia at Tripoli in the Barbary Wars of 1804, he continued to provide naval service. As Commanding Officer of Constitution sunk the British frigate Java in the War of 1812 in one of the hardest fought surface actions of all time involving two hours at close quarters. After the War, he commanded the Mediterranean Squadron to enforce peace treaties with states of North Africa.