Obituary of Salvatore M. Catalano, Washington D C

Washington District of Columbia
Obituaries

Salvatore M. Catalano
1767-1846
Sailing Master U.S. Navy
Washington Navy Yard

Furnished by : John G. Sharp

Daily National Intelligencer Washington DC January 1, 1846
Died at his residence near the Navy Yard, Washington, on Sunday evening last, with Christian composure, and in the full hope of a blessed immortality, SALVATORE M. CATALANO, Sailing Master U.S. Navy, age 70 years, a native of Palermo, in Sicily, but for forty - one years a resident of this city. It is but justice to the memory of the deceased to state that his admission into the American Navy was the reward of services as a volunteer to pilot the gallant Decatur into the harbor of Tripoli, when he set fire to the American frigate Philadelphia, when in possession of the Corsairs. The deceased was at the time [1801] a pilot on board the Enterprise, then under the command of Lieutenant [afterward Commodore] Decatur. Lieutenant Decatur being unaware that his pilot understood the language of the Corsairs, first proposed to him, and afterward to Commodore Preble, then commanding the squadron, the daring project of entering the harbor of Tripoli by night and destroying by fire the frigate Philadelphia. The deceased immediately volunteered his services, and the project being approved by Commodore Preble the gallant Decatur, with the deceased [one midshipman and twenty men being concealed in the bottom of a Xebec] sailing for the Philadelphia. On approaching the frigate the xebec was hailed, when the deceased answered that he had lost his cable and anchor and requested permission to make fact to the frigate until morning. Having obtained leave to make fast to her stern Decatur and his brave companions boarded the Philadelphia and swept her decks - Out of the fifty Corsairs not one escaped. The frigate was then set on fire and the heroic band set sail for the American squadron with only one brave seaman wounded. As a reward for this brave and heroic service, the deceased, upon the recommendation of Commodore Decatur, was admitted into the American Navy --

Daily National Intelligencer
Washington DC
January 1, 1846

Died at his residence near the Navy Yard, Washington, on Sunday evening last, with Christian composure, and in the full hope of a blessed immortality, SALVATORE M. CATALANO, Sailing Master U.S. Navy, age 70 years, a native of Palermo, in Sicily, but for forty - one years a resident of this city.

It is but justice to the memory of the deceased to state that his admission into the American Navy was the reward of services as a volunteer to pilot the gallant Decatur into the harbor of Tripoli, when he set fire to the American frigate Philadelphia, when in possession of the Corsairs. The deceased was at the time [1801] a pilot on board the Enterprise, then under the command of Lieutenant [afterward Commodore] Decatur. Lieutenant Decatur being unaware that his pilot understood the language of the Corsairs, first proposed to him, and afterward to Commodore Preble, then commanding the squadron, the daring project of entering the harbor of Tripoli by night and destroying by fire the frigate Philadelphia. The deceased immediately volunteered his services, and the project being approved by Commodore Preble the gallant Decatur, with the deceased [one midshipman and twenty men being concealed in the bottom of a Xebec] sailing for the Philadelphia. On approaching the frigate the xebec was hailed, when the deceased answered that he had lost his cable and anchor and requested permission to make fact to the frigate until morning. Having obtained leave to make fast to her stern Decatur and his brave companions boarded the Philadelphia and swept her decks - Out of the fifty Corsairs not one escaped. The frigate was then set on fire and the heroic band set sail for the American squadron with only one brave seaman wounded. As a reward for this brave and heroic service, the deceased, upon the recommendation of Commodore Decatur, was admitted into the American Navy --


This image is from a painting by the 19th century artist Edward Moran. The image is from the US Navy Historical Center Collection. Illustration for the Commodore Edward Preble USN 1804 Diary extract re frigate Philadelphia burning in Tripoli Harbor. All of the US Naval officers and men who took part in the boarding and burning of the Philadelphia or who witnessed this incredible conflagration remembered that dramatic event for the rest of their lives.

This image is from a painting by the 19th century artist Edward Moran.
The image is from the US Navy Historical Center Collection.

Illustration for the Commodore Edward Preble USN 1804 Diary extract re frigate Philadelphia burning in Tripoli Harbor.
All of the US Naval officers and men who took part in the boarding and burning of the Philadelphia or who witnessed this incredible conflagration remembered that dramatic event for the rest of their lives.

Note:

Salvadore M. Catalano, US Navy, Sailing Master, 1767 - 1846, native of Palermo, Sicily, Catalano sailed with Commodore Stephen Decatur as pilot on 16 February 1804 into the harbor at Tripoli and helped recapture and burn the Frigate Philadelphia. Catalano later returned with Decatur in 1805 to Washington DC and went to work at the navy yard (see 1808 list of WNY Ordinary). For his services Catalano was granted US citizenship and appointed into the U.S. Navy as a Sailing Master, on 9 August, 1809. Sailing Master Catalano held that position until his death. His son Antonio Catalano worked at WNY as a carpenter.

Catalano's age is variously reported; perhaps the best account, is that of Dr Thomas Sewall, Salvatore Catalano's personal physician. In 1839 Sewall wrote (Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, Massachusetts Medical Society, Volume XX p.245; Boston Mass) in a review of his patient's (Catalano) condition, that the old Sailing Master, was 72 years of age, thereby making his probable date of birth circa 1767, and his age at death about 79 years. Dr. Sewall noted Catalano suffered a severe injury in 1819 when he was accidentally hit by an iron bar while working at the navy yard which severely injured the function of his kidneys for the remainder of his life. .

Salvatore Catalano & the Burning of the Frigate USS Philadelphia in Tripoli Harbor
from Diary Captain Edward Preble, U.S. Navy, Commodore of the U.S. Squadron in
the Mediterranean, Sunday, 19 February 1804

[Syracuse] Wind N N E  to  E N E - Moderate and cloudy.  At 10 A.M. the Syren 
& Ketch Intrepid appeared in the Offing; they sailed the 3rd Inst for the Coast of Tripoly 
with orders to Burn the frigate Philadelphia.  At ½ past 10 Lt Stewart and Lt Decatur 
came on board and informed me that my Orders were executed.  On the night of the 16th 
 lt Decatur entered the harbor of Tripoly with the Ketch and in a most gallant manner laid 
her along side the Frigate, boarded and carried her against all opposition killed about 20 
or 30 Tripolines  and drove the rest overboard, excepting one boat crew which escaped on 
shore and made one prisoner.  He then set fire to her and left her She was in a complete 
Blaze from her birth deck to her tops and was totally consumed.  In effecting the 
destruction of the frigate we had none killed and only one man wounded with a Sabre, on 
the head.  Altho she had all her Guns mounted and loaded and a great number of men to 
defend her, about two Tripoline Corsairs full of men lay with within half musket shot. -

The names of the Officers on board the ketch Intrepid who effected this Important 
business are: 
	Lt. Comm Stephen Decatur Junr 
		{   James Lawrence  
		{   Joseph Bainbridge 
		{   Jonathan Thorn'		
		 
          Surgeon  Lewis Herman
		{Ralp[h] Izard...........Belonging to the 
					[Constution]
      		{John Rowe .............[Enterprise]
		{Thomas McDonough ........[Constitution]
      Midshipman{Charles Morris............   "
		{Alexander Laws.............  "
		{John Davis &.............    "
		{Thomas Oakely Anderson..........[Siren]
	    Pilot  Salvatore Catalano

Source
Library of Congress Edward E. Preble, Diary 1803-1804 Naval Documents Related to Wars with the Barbary Powers,
Volume 4,. 443. Washington D.C. U.S. Office of Naval Records and Library, Government Printing Office. 1939 - 44.

The following extract from the log kept by Nathaniel Haraden while Sailing Master of the USS Constitution. This entry is dated Sunday 19 February 1804 and provides yet another perspective on the dramatic boarding and burning of the frigate Philadelphia by a long time DC resident.

Moderate Breezes from the E N E with a swell settling into the Harbor - Ship's
company employ'd in cleaning ship, working up Junk and watering ship - Employ'd a
small boat to assist in watering - The large Cutter being on shore under the Carpenter's
repair - Receiv'd Carpenters stores nineteen plank. Moderate breezes from Eastward
during the night. At 9 A M made the Vixen signal No. 589 - At 10 appeared in the offing
the US Brig Syren and the Intrepid - Made the Syren's signal No. 227 - The Intrepid is
the prize lately from the Triplotians commissioned and named by the Commodore - The
Wiind being light we sent boats out to assit in towing them in. I mentioned that Syren &
Intrepid had sail'd on the third of this month on a secret operation - At ½ past 10 they
pass'd through our squadron ( Constitution, Vixen & Enterprise ) in triumph, receiving
three cheers from each of as they pass'd - Lieu Steward of the Syren & Lieu Decatur of
the Intrepid waited on the Commodore and informed him, that agreeably to his orders
they had proceeded to the Harbour of Tripoli and Burned and totally destroyed the late U
States Frigate Philadelphia and that the plan on which they acted was so well arranged
that they had not one man killed or wounded - Above 20 of the Tripolitans were killed
and one made prisoner- The rest escaped by jumping overboard after the ship was afire -
Surgeon's report Twelve Sick and seven convalescent -

Source
Library of Congress, Log of the USS Constitution 1803-1804
Naval Documents Related to Wars with the Barbary Powers,
Volume 4,. 443 - 444, Washington D.C. U.S. Office of Naval Records and Library, Government Printing Office. 1939 - 44.

Last Will and Testament
Salvadore M. Catalano

[Last Will and Testament of Salvadore M. Catalano 1767 -1846, Sailing Master, USN ]
Transcription : This transcription of the Last Will and Testament of Salvatore M. Catalano Sailing Master USN was made from an image of the holographic copy filed in the District of Columbia Archives as, Will: Catalano, Salavadore M., 1846, Box 17. The spelling, punctuation and the use of ampersands is that of the original document in the collection of the District of Columbia. Acknowledgement: My thanks once again to Mr. Ali Rahmann, Archivist, District of Columbia Archives, for generously providing a copy of the Will of Salvatore M. Catalano *John G. Sharp* 17 March 2009

[Last Will and Testament of Salvadore M. Catalano 1767 -1846, Sailing Master, USN ]

Transcription :
This transcription of the Last Will and Testament of Salvatore M. Catalano Sailing Master USN was made from an image of the holographic copy filed in the District of Columbia Archives as, Will: Catalano, Salavadore M., 1846, Box 17.
The spelling, punctuation and the use of ampersands is that of the original document in the collection of the District of Columbia.

Acknowledgement:
My thanks once again to Mr. Ali Rahmann, Archivist, District of Columbia Archives, for generously providing a copy of the Will of Salvatore M. Catalano

John G. Sharp 17 March 2009

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In the Name of God Amen I Salvadore M. Catalano, of Washington County - Washington City D.C. - being sick and weak in body but of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding - Considering the certainty of Death and the uncertainty of the time therefore of - and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs and thereby be the better prepared to leave this world when it shall please God to call me hence - Do therefore make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and from following - That is to ay First I revoke all other wills and testaments made by me previous to the date of signing this my last Will and Testament - Committing my soul into the hands of almighty God and my body to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my wife Martha Catalano and my son Antonio Catalano I do herby give and bequest unto my wife Martha Catalano my debts being first - Just so much of all my real and personal and mixed property of all my furniture goods chattels and money as she legally entitled to by law and no more -

Second Unto Francis H. Elwill I give and Bequeath Eight Half Eagles - being gold pieces of the value of five dollars Each and the residue of all I possess I give and Bequeath unto my son Antonio Catalano -

And Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my wife Martha Catalano and my son Antonio Catalonio to act as Executive and Executor of this my last Will and Testament

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this sixteenth day of December in the year of our lord one thousand Eight hundred and forty five -

Salvadore M. Catalano [Seal]

Signed Sealed and published And declared by Salvatore M. Catalono the above signed testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us and who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names and witnesses thereto -	} } } } } } }
Antonio Posen Thompson Van Reswick Thomas Thornely

District of Columbia } Orphans Court
Washington County } January 24^th, 1846
This day appeared Thompson Van Reswick & Thomas Thornely two of the subscribing witnesses to the aforegoing last will and testament of Salvadore M. Catalano of Washington County aforesaid deceased & made oath on the Holy Evangels of almighty God, that they did see the Testator therein names Sign & Seal this will publish pronounce & declare the Same to be his last Will & testament that at the time of so doing he was to the best of their apprehension of sound & disposing mind memory & understanding that they together with Antonio Posin the other subscribing witness respectively subcribe their names as witnesses to the will in the presence and at the request of the Testator , & in the presence of each other -

Test Ed N. Raoch

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END NOTES

Salvadore M. Catalano 1767-1846, Sailing Master USN. Catalano's first name is variously spelled on some naval documents and in the news accounts as Salavatore M. Catalano. He signed his will though as Salvadore.
For obituary and biographical notes See above : Obituary
Catalano name also appears on the 1808 Washington Navy Yard Muster Roll of the Ordinary

Antonio Catalano, Salvatore's son is listed as a Ship joiner workbook of :
1819 Washington Navy Yard Pay Roll

1819 -1820 Washington Navy Yard Pay Roll

1829 Washington Navy Yard Pay Roll

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