Museum and memorial will spend about two months in dry dock in a Philadelphia shipyard
Visitors to the USS New Jersey in Camden on Oct. 3 may see it specially lit for an event meant to put a spotlight on Cmdr. John Barry.
The museum battleship is to open for an evening VIP celebration and historical exposition of Barry, a man who was a hero first of the Continental Navy and then the United States Navy.
The U.S. Navy's Heritage and History Command members sought out the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians to provide a historical display for the Oct. 3 event. And for a good reason: The Hibernians have a Commodore John Barry Division based in Washington, D.C., and in Camden.
The reception is built around the historical display, which includes multi-media displays and artificial intelligence-enhanced imagery. As a special feature, the battleship is to be bathed in green lighting for the night.
Naval historian Keith Carney, who is president of that Barry Division, said Barry's historical importance has not gotten the attention that many feel he deserves.
"Barry was granted Commission No. 1 in the newly formed United States Navy by George Washington," Carney said. "And it's been 200 years of trying to convince the Navy of his worth, as well as the American public. So, we've sort of made it our purpose to give this man his due. That's really the impetus behind it."
Carney said the list of speakers includes the Irish ambassador and general consul to the United States, as well as retired Rear Adm. Sam Cox, the head of the Navy's History Command.
Carney said Oct. 3 was picked with care to maximize visibility. October marks the 250 anniversary of the Navy, with numerous events starting Oct. 9. The official birthday of the service is Oct. 13.
Up to a dozen Navy and Coast Guard vessels are expected to arrive off Philadelphia and Camden, and events are planned on both sides of the Delaware River through Oct. 15.
"It's a good kickoff," Carney said. "And we felt we were going to get lost in all the other events the following week that are taking place up there. So, we decided to bump it a week early, which has worked out well."
Barry, an Irish immigrant to Philadelphia, was put in command of the brig Lexington in 1776 at the opening of the Revolutionary War and that same year given the rank of captain. According to his Navy biography, while commanding Lexington, he recorded the Continental Navy's first defeat of a British warship.
Barry returned to private life after the Revolutionary War.
But in 1794, he was appointed senior captain of the newly created United States Navy. He supervised construction of, and then commanded, the famous frigate USS Constitution. "Old Ironsides" now is berthed in Massachusetts.
Barry died in 1803 at the age of 58. He's buried at historic Old St. Mary's Church in Philadelphia.
"One of our board members that is working with us on this display is Tim McGrath, who wrote the book on Cmdr. Barry," Carney said.
"He is helping us with writing a lot of the copy and putting that together. He'll be doing a book signing on the 11 on board the ship as part of our effort."
Carney said there are plans for the display to end up at in Washington at naval museum under development in Washington. That museum is to consolidate all 10 naval museums in the country.
Tickets are available online to attend the reception Oct. 3 at http://bit.ly/469BgfG. Sponsorship opportunities and additional information is available from Keith Carney by calling 202-320-8351 or by sending an email to [email protected].
Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey 36 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.
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