Bainbridge, William

William (1774-1833), an American naval officer, a native of Princeton, New Jersey. He was connected with the payment of tribute to the dey of Algiers, and commanded the frigate Philadelphia that went aground in the war with Tripoli. He was held a prisoner until the conclusion of peace in 1805. During the War of 1812 he had the good fortune to command the Constitution in its famous fight with the Java, in which it earned the name of Old Ironsides. See Old Ironsides; Holmes