John Percival
Encyclopedia
John Percival known as Mad Jack Percival (3 April 1779, – 7 September 1862) was a legendary officer in the United States Navy
during the Quasi-War
with France
, the War of 1812
, the campaign against West Indies pirates, and the Mexican-American War.
, Percival left home at thirteen to work as a cabin boy on a Boston coaster. He later served in the U.S. Navy in the Quasi-War as a master’s mate and midshipman
. Released in a major demobalization, he and then entered the merchant service. He was impressed by the Royal Navy and sent to HMS Victory
under Lord Jervis. When placed on a Spanish
prize, Percival led an uprising and escaped to the American merchant ship Washington.
In 1809, he returned to the U.S. Navy as a sailing master and was assigned to the Syren, part of the New York flotilla under Captain Jacob Lewis. He commanded Gunboat No. 6 and borrowed the fishing smack "Yankee" on the Fourth of July in 1812, using it to capture HMS Eagle, tender of 74-gun HMS Poictiers
. Percival joined Peacock
, on 9 March 1814, and made three cruises capturing nineteen merchantmen and two warships, HMS Epervier and Nautilus. For his gallantry in the capture of HMS Epervier, he was promoted to Lieutenant and awarded a special sword by Congress
, shown in the accompanying portrait.
In 1826, he sailed the USS Dolphin
into the far reaches of the uncharted Pacific to track down the mutineers of the whaleship Globe
. He returned by way of the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii
), the first American naval visit to that location. Promoted to captain in 1841, he first saved and restored the USS Constitution
and then sailed the fabled warship around the world in 1844-46, Old Ironsides only circumnavigation.
Percival's legendary reputation is enhanced by the fact that his first naval ship - the Victory - and his last naval ship - the Constitution - remain commissioned and national shrines in Britain and the U.S., respectively. Herman Melville
and James Michener based characters in their novels on this colorful skipper, and Nathaniel Hawthorne
wrote about him. One of his admiring midshipmen, Henry A. Wise, using the pen name Harry Gringo, embellished the legend by publishing the fanciful "Tales for the Marines." Percival appears as the book's central figure under the nom de guerre "Jack Percy." Percival was known by the nickname of Mad Jack, sometimes Roaring John (attributable to his intense command style). The folk
band
Schooner Fare
wrote and performed "The Ballad of Mad Jack", which relates incidents from his life. Despite his gruff nature, he nurtured in a fatherly manner a generation of midshipmen who rose to prominence in the U.S. Navy of the American Civil War era. Influential fathers of young midshipmen often requested their sons be assigned duty under Percival. As to seamanship, he was without a peer.
Percival married Maria Pinkerton of Trenton, New Jersey in 1809. The couple was childless. He died with the rank of Captain 7 September 1862 in Dorchester, Massachusetts
and is buried near his birthplace in West Barnstable.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during the Quasi-War
Quasi-War
The Quasi-War was an undeclared war fought mostly at sea between the United States and French Republic from 1798 to 1800. In the United States, the conflict was sometimes also referred to as the Franco-American War, the Pirate Wars, or the Half-War.-Background:The Kingdom of France had been a...
with France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, the campaign against West Indies pirates, and the Mexican-American War.
Biography
Born in West Barnstable, MassachusettsWest Barnstable, Massachusetts
West Barnstable is a village or section in the northwest part of the City of Barnstable, Massachusetts. Once devoted to agricultural pursuits, West Barnstable now is largely residential.-Natural features:...
, Percival left home at thirteen to work as a cabin boy on a Boston coaster. He later served in the U.S. Navy in the Quasi-War as a master’s mate and midshipman
Midshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
. Released in a major demobalization, he and then entered the merchant service. He was impressed by the Royal Navy and sent to HMS Victory
HMS Victory
HMS Victory is a 104-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, laid down in 1759 and launched in 1765. She is most famous as Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805....
under Lord Jervis. When placed on a Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
prize, Percival led an uprising and escaped to the American merchant ship Washington.
In 1809, he returned to the U.S. Navy as a sailing master and was assigned to the Syren, part of the New York flotilla under Captain Jacob Lewis. He commanded Gunboat No. 6 and borrowed the fishing smack "Yankee" on the Fourth of July in 1812, using it to capture HMS Eagle, tender of 74-gun HMS Poictiers
HMS Poictiers (1809)
HMS Poictiers was a 74-gun Royal Navy third rate. This ship of the line was launched on 9 December 1809 at Upnor. She played a small role in the War of 1812. She was broken up in 1857.-Active service:...
. Percival joined Peacock
USS Peacock (1813)
The first USS Peacock was a sloop-of-war in the United States Navy during the War of 1812.Peacock was authorized by Act of Congress 3 March 1813, laid down 9 July 1813 by Adam & Noah Brown at the New York Navy Yard, and launched 19 September 1813. She served in the War of 1812, capturing twenty ships...
, on 9 March 1814, and made three cruises capturing nineteen merchantmen and two warships, HMS Epervier and Nautilus. For his gallantry in the capture of HMS Epervier, he was promoted to Lieutenant and awarded a special sword by Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
, shown in the accompanying portrait.
In 1826, he sailed the USS Dolphin
USS Dolphin (1821)
USS Dolphin, a schooner, was the second ship of the United States Navy named for the aquatic mammal.Dolphin was launched on 23 June 1821 by the Philadelphia Navy Yard and sent to New York City to be readied for sea...
into the far reaches of the uncharted Pacific to track down the mutineers of the whaleship Globe
Globe (whaleship)
-External links:*...
. He returned by way of the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
), the first American naval visit to that location. Promoted to captain in 1841, he first saved and restored the USS Constitution
USS Constitution
USS Constitution is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. Named by President George Washington after the Constitution of the United States of America, she is the world's oldest floating commissioned naval vessel...
and then sailed the fabled warship around the world in 1844-46, Old Ironsides only circumnavigation.
Percival's legendary reputation is enhanced by the fact that his first naval ship - the Victory - and his last naval ship - the Constitution - remain commissioned and national shrines in Britain and the U.S., respectively. Herman Melville
Herman Melville
Herman Melville was an American novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet. He is best known for his novel Moby-Dick and the posthumous novella Billy Budd....
and James Michener based characters in their novels on this colorful skipper, and Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne was an American novelist and short story writer.Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in 1804 in the city of Salem, Massachusetts to Nathaniel Hathorne and the former Elizabeth Clarke Manning. His ancestors include John Hathorne, a judge during the Salem Witch Trials...
wrote about him. One of his admiring midshipmen, Henry A. Wise, using the pen name Harry Gringo, embellished the legend by publishing the fanciful "Tales for the Marines." Percival appears as the book's central figure under the nom de guerre "Jack Percy." Percival was known by the nickname of Mad Jack, sometimes Roaring John (attributable to his intense command style). The folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
Schooner Fare
Schooner Fare
Schooner Fare is a local Maine folk band, consisting of the late Tom Rowe , Steve Romanoff , and Chuck Romanoff . Schooner Fare plays primarily original maritime, socially conscious, and traditional folk music...
wrote and performed "The Ballad of Mad Jack", which relates incidents from his life. Despite his gruff nature, he nurtured in a fatherly manner a generation of midshipmen who rose to prominence in the U.S. Navy of the American Civil War era. Influential fathers of young midshipmen often requested their sons be assigned duty under Percival. As to seamanship, he was without a peer.
Percival married Maria Pinkerton of Trenton, New Jersey in 1809. The couple was childless. He died with the rank of Captain 7 September 1862 in Dorchester, Massachusetts
Dorchester, Massachusetts
Dorchester is a dissolved municipality and current neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It is named after the town of Dorchester in the English county of Dorset, from which Puritans emigrated and is today endearingly nicknamed "Dot" by its residents. Dorchester, including a large...
and is buried near his birthplace in West Barnstable.