Samuel Evans (naval officer)

Captain Samuel Evans was a long serving officer in the United States Navy. Evans served with distinction during Quasi-War with France, the Barbary War and the War of 1812. He later serve as the commandant of the New York Navy Yard from 1813 until his death in 1824.

Evans was born in New Jersey, date and place of birth are unknown. Evans was first appointed as a Midshipman, 11 May 1798. he later advanced Lieutenant, on 25 November 1799 and to Master Commandant (Commander)on 24 April 1806, he attained the rank of Captain on 4 July 1812. While a Midshipman, he served on the USS Ganges. While serving on the Ganges he sailed from Philadelphia 24 May 1798, under the command of Captain Richard Dale, and cruised on the Atlantic coast in the early part of the Naval War with France (1798-1800). Evans in 1799 was ordered to the USS George Washington, which was attached to the squadron of Commodore Thomas Tingey on the Guadaloupe Station. In 1801 he again served with the USS George Washington 2 June 1801 informed that he was one of the Lieutenants selected to be retained in the Navy under the Peace Establishment Act of 3 March 1801, where he took part in naval actions against the Barbary Pirates,the George Washington carried tribute to Algiers in the summer of 1801, and remained in the Mediterranean on convoy duty for several months during the first part of the War with Tripoli (1801-1805), sailing for home early in 1802. On 27 August 1802 Evans was ordered to Washington DC and on 6 September 1802 to the USS John Adams. In September 1802 Evans again sailed for the Mediterranean aboard the USS John Adams under the command of Captain John Rodgers.

Evans served in the squadron of Commodore John Rodgers in the Mediterranean during the latter part of the War with Tripoli; where he transferred from the USS Congress to the USS Constitution 9 November 1804; commanded the USS Hornet. On 21 March 1805, Evans established a reputation for courage in the capture of the town of Derna Libya. Captain Isaac Hull wrote "Lieutenant Evans anchored ... within one hundred yards of the battery of eight guns and commenced heavy fire upon it, ... the fort of [Derna] kept up a heavy fire for about an hour , after which the shot was flying so thick about them they abandoned it an ran into the town." On 27 April 1805; he assumed command of the USS Nautilus.

...
Wikipedia