STEWART, CHARLES ( 177S-1869). An Ameri can naval officer, born in Philadelphia, Pa. At the age of thirteen he shipped on board a mer chant vessel as cabin boy, and in a few years rose to he captain of an Indianian. In 179S he entered the United States Navy as fourth lieu tenant of the frigate United States, on which he served until 1800, after which he was given com mand first of the schooner Enterprim and then of the Experiment. Soon afterwards he cap tured the French schooner Deux Amiss. and a few days later the schooner Diane. W'hile on this cruise he captured the British privateer Louisa Bridger by a night action, but on dis covering her nationality made suitable repara tion. In 1804, in command of the ,Siren. he joined the Mediterranean Squadron. He then returned to the United States in command of the (`onstenation. and in 1806 was promoted to be captain. During the following years he was for a time in the merchant service, but he reentered the navy, and at the outbreak of the War of 1812 aided Commodore Bainbridge in persuading the Administration to send the United States warships to sea instead of keeping them in New York Harbor. In 1813 he was transferred to the
Constitution, which on February 2o, 1815. cap tured two British war-vessels, the Cyane. 34 guns, and the Levant, 18 guns. Soon afterward-. however. he was surprised by a British squad ron and the Levant was recaptured. He com manded the !Mediterranean Squadron from 1517 to 1820, after which he Was sent to the Pacific Station. On his return in 1823 he was tried by court-martial on a number of charges. but was acquitled. He commanded the Home Squadron in 1S42-43. and for several years was commandant of the Philadelphia Navy Yard. In Ise he was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral. During the last seventeen years of his service he was senior officer of the navy.