Naval officer; born near
Norfolk, Va., Nov. 6, 1756; went to sea at twelve years of age, and at nineteen commanded a merchant vessel.
He was first a lieutenant in the
Virginia navy, and entered the
Continental navy, as midshipman, in 1776.
He was captured in 1777, and confined in Mill Prison,
England, from which he escaped, but was recaptured in
London and taken back.
The next year, he escaped, reached
France, joined
Paul Jones, and soon became lieutenant of the
Bon Homme Richard, receiving a wound in the famous battle with the
Serapis.
He continued to do good service
to the end of the war, and in 1794 was made captain.
He commanded the squadron ordered to the Mediterranean in 1801, and in April, 1802, returning home, he resigned his commission.
He spent the latter years of his life in ease in
Philadelphia, where he died, Feb. 24, 1826.
The remains of
Commodore Dale were buried in Christ Church-yard,
Philadelphia, and over the grave is a white marble slab with a long inscription.
[
5]