BAINBRIDGE, WILLIAm ( 1774-1833 ) . An American naval officer. He was born at Prince ton, N. ,T., entered the merchant marine at the age of fifteen, became captain of a merchant man four years later, and in 1796, while in com mand of the Hope, was attacked by and defeated an English schooner, whose captain bad attempt ed to impress some of the Hope's crew. On the organization of the navy in 1798, he became a lieutenant, and was placed in command of the schooner Retaliation. Later in the year he was captured off Guadaloupe by the French frig ates Volonticr and Insurgente. Being released several weeks, he returned to the United States and made a report which caused the passage of the 'Retaliation Act' of 179S against French subjects captured on the high seas. In March, 1800, he was raised to the rank of cap tain, and later in the year was sent with tribute to the Dey of Algiers, who compelled him to convey an embassy, under Algerian colors, to Constantinople. He next served as commander of the Philadelphia in the war against Tripoli (1801-05), capturing the Moorish frigate Mesh boha (August 26, 1803) ; hut running aground, he was himself captured in November, off Trip oli, where he and oler 300 of his men were kept prisoners until the close of the war. Early
in 1812 he was put in command, as commodore, of the Constitution, Hoinet, and Essex, he him self being on the first; but soon afterwards the three vessels parted company, and on December 29, the Constitution met and captured the British frigate Jara. (See CONSTITUTION, TILE.) In 1815 he was made commander of the squad ron fitted out against Algiers, but the war was averted. In the same year he established in Boston the first training-school for naval officers. and afterwards for two years (1819-21) cruised in the Mediterranean. Inc subsequently served at the Philadelphia and Charlestown navy-yards, and from 1832 to 1S35 acted as chief of the board of naval commissioners. He was a tall and powerful man, and was noted at once for his strong will and his remarkable tact. Consult Harris, Life of Rainbridgc (Philadelphia, 1837).