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Semmes, Raphael

(Encyclopedia)Semmes, Raphael sĕmz [key], 1809–77, American naval officer, b. Charles co., Md. He took part in the Mexican War, practiced law at Mobile, Ala., and was in the Lighthouse Service from 1856 to Feb.,...

desertion

(Encyclopedia)desertion, in law, the forsaking of a station involving public or social duties without justification and with the intention of not returning. In military law, it is the abandonment of (or failure to ...

Padre Island

(Encyclopedia)Padre Island pädˈrē, pădˈrē [key], low, sandy island, c.115 mi (185 km) long, less than 3 mi (4.8 km) wide, S Tex. It is characterized by large, irregular sand dunes, sparse vegetation, and a st...

Panama Canal Zone

(Encyclopedia)Panama Canal Zone, former territory within Panama, 553 sq mi (1,432 sq km), that was administered by the United States under a 1903 treaty (with later amendments) with Panama. The zone included the Pa...

Freneau, Philip

(Encyclopedia)Freneau, Philip frēnōˈ [key], 1752–1832, American poet and journalist, b. New York City, grad. Princeton, 1771. During the American Revolution he served as soldier and privateer. His experiences ...

Duerk, Alene Bertha

(Encyclopedia)Duerk, Alene Bertha, 1920–2018, American rear admiral, b. Defiance, Ohio, grad. Toledo Hospital School of Nursing, 1941. Enlisting in the Navy Nurse Corps (1943), she was posted to naval hospitals i...

Keokuk, city, United States

(Encyclopedia)Keokuk, city (1990 pop. 12,451), seat of Lee co., extreme SE Iowa, on the Mississippi River at the foot of the Des Moines River rapids and in a farm area; inc. 1847. Its industries focus on food proce...

Pinkney, William

(Encyclopedia)Pinkney, William, 1764–1822, American political leader and diplomat, b. Annapolis, Md. Admitted to the bar in 1786, he soon became prominent in state politics. In 1796 he was sent to England as a co...

St. John, Oliver

(Encyclopedia)St. John, Oliver sĭnˈjən [key], 1598?–1673, English politician. He married (1638) a cousin of Oliver Cromwell. In 1637–38 he was, by his brilliant defense of John Hampden in the ship money case...

Bari

(Encyclopedia)Bari bäˈrē [key], city, capital of Bari prov. and of Apulia, S Italy, on the Adriatic Sea....