During the War of 1812, James Biddle was first lieutenant in USS Wasp. He led the boarding party against the HMS Frolic. He sprang into the rigging and with his own hand struck the colors of the Frolic. The legislature of Pennsylvania voted Lieutenant Biddle thanks and a sword, and the leading men of Philadelphia gave him a silver urn.

The Biddle Urn

During the War of 1812, James Biddle was first lieutenant in USS Wasp. He led the boarding party against…