John Shaw

John Shaw was born at Mt. Mellick, Queens County, Ireland, in 1773. He came to the United States in 1790, settled in Philadelphia, and entered the merchant marine.

Appointed Lieutenant in the United States Navy on 3 August 1798, he first served in Montezuma in Commodore Truxtun's squadron in the West Indies during the early part of the naval war with France. On 20 October 1799, he was given command of the schooner Enterprise in which, during the next year, he captured seven armed French vessels and recaptured several American merchantmen. By the time he was relieved of command due to ill health in October 1800, he had made Enterprise one of the most famous vessels of the Navy.

During the Barbary War[?], Shaw commanded frigate John Adams in the Mediterranean under Commodore Rodgers from May to November 1804; and frigate United States during the War of 1812. Captain Shaw died at Philadelphia on 17 September 1823.

From Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Two destroyers have been named after John Shaw, USS Shaw[?] DD-68 and USS Shaw[?] DD-373. USS Shaw DD-373 is best known for its spectacular explosion during the Attack on Pearl Harbor.