Revolutionary War: Commodore John Barry - Boston, MA

Commodore John Barry

Boston Common

Boston, MA

GPS: N42° 21.335; W071° 03.791

Short Description:

A tablet honoring the "Father of the American Navy", Commodore John Barry is located in the Boston Common along Tremont Street. 

Long Description:

John Barry was born in Wexford, Ireland on March 25, 1745. After the British drove his family from Ireland he emigrated to the American Colonies.  On March 14, 1776,  John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, commissioned John Barry as a captain in the Continental Navy.  He served in the Navy during the Revolutionary War and later in the newly formed United States Navy. He is widely credited as being "The Father of the American Navy".  In 1797, he was elevated by President George Washington to the rank of Commodore.

A 6' by 4' granite tablet contains a relief sculpture of Commodore John Barry created by John Francis Paramino. The granite tablet was installed in 1977 on the Boston Common. It is inscribed with the following brief biography of Commodore John Barry.

"FATHER OF THE AMERICAN NAVY"

(Image of Commodore John Barry}

COMMODORE JOHN BARRY

BORN IN WEXFORD IRELAND 1745

DIED IN PHILADELPHIA 1803

RECEIVED FIRST COMMISSION
FROM THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS

TO COMMAND THE LEXINGTON 1775

SAILED FROM BOSTON ON THE RALEIGH 1778

ACCLAIMED IN BOSTON IN 1780

FOR VICTORIES ON THE ALLIANCE

APPOINTED IN 1794 BY PRESIDENT WASHINGTON

TO PLAN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AND LATER TO BE IN COMMAND

OF FIRST U.S. NAVY/ LAUNCHED 1798

ERECTED BY THE CITY OF BOSTON

JAMES M. CURLEY MAYOR

1949

TABLET RESTORED BY THE GEORGE HENDERSON FOUNDATION 1976