The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-07-20


rear the magazine, and the explosion of
large quantity of powder below served TO in-
crease the horrors of our situaiion--our boats
were destroyed by the enemy's shot, there
fore, directed those who could swim 10 Jump
overheard, and endeavor 10 gain the shore.
Some reached i,--somc were taken by the
enemy, and some perished IL the attempt;
but most preferred sharing with me the fate
of the ship. We, who remained, nav turned
our attention wholly to ex,ineuishiDg the
flames and when We had succeeded, went a.
gain TO our guns, where the firing was kept
up for some minutes, but the crew had by
this time become so weakened, that they all
declared to me the impossib!i,y of making
further resistance, and entreated me TO sur
render my ship to save the wounded; as all
further aue mpts at opposition must prove in
eAectual, almost every gun being disabled by
the destruction OF their crews. l now sen;
for the officers of divisions to consult them;
but what was my surprise to find only acting
Tt. Stephen Decatur M'Knight remaining,
(who confirmed the report respecting the con-
dition Of the guns on the gun deck--,hose on
the spar deck were not in a better state.)
"Is. Wilmer, after fighting most gallantly
throughout the action, had been knocked over
board by a splinter, while getting the sheet
anchor from the bows, and was drowned. Act
ing 1t John q. Cowell had lost leg: Mr..
Edward BarnewelI, Acting Sailing master,
had been carried below, after receiving two
severe wounds, one in the breast and one in
the face and Acting Ii. VIM. III. Odenhci-
mer had been Knocked overheard from the
quarter an instant before, and did not regain
the ship until after the surrender. l was in.
formed that the cockpit, the sieerage, the
wardroom and the birthdeck could contain no
more wounded that the wounded were killed
while The surgeons were dressing them, and
that, unless something was speedily done to
prevent it, the ship would soon sink, from
,he number of shot hole in her bottom. And
on sending for the carpenter, he informed me
that all his crew had been killed or wounded,
and that he had once been over the side to
stop the leaks, when his sings had been shot
away, and it was with difficulty he was saved
from drowning. The enemy, from the
amoothness OF the water, and the impossibility
0f our re eaching him with our carronades, and
the little apprehension that was excited, by
our fire, which had nov become much slack
eDed, was enabled to take aim at US as at . tar
get his shot never missed our hull, and my
ship was cut up in manner which was, per-
haps, never before witnessed-in fine, saw
no hopes of saving her, and at 20 minutes at
scr 6, +. M. gave the painfal order to strike
the colors. Seventy five men, Including Off
Gers, were all that remained Of my whole crew,
after the action, capable Of doing duty, and
many of them severely wounded, some Of
whom have since died. The enemy still co.,
tinued ms fire, and my brave, tho unfortun-
a,e companions, were still falling about me.
directed an opposite gun to be fired, TO shew
them we intended no further resistance but
they did not dssist four men were killed at
my side, and others in different parts Of the
ship. / now believed he intended 10 show US
no quarters, and that it would be as well to
die with my flag flying as struck, and was on
the point of again hosting it, when about ten
minutes after hauling the colors down, he
ceased firing.
CHere follows handsome euloguum on the cool
ntr-2dity, ,anG preserving bravery his officers and
We have been unfortunate, but not dis
graced-the defence of the Essex has not
been less honourabo to her officers and crew,
than the capture OF an equal force, and now
consider my situation less unpleasant, than that
Of Com. HiIlyar, who, in violation of every
principle of honor and generosity, and regard
less of the rights of nations, attacked the Es-
sex in her crippled state, within pistol shot
of neutral shore when for weeks had
daily offered him fair and honorable combat,
on terms greatly to his advantage the blood
OF the slain must be on his head, and he has
yet to reconcile his conduct TO heaven, TO iiis
conscience and 20 the world"
Here follows arrangement, respecting the Car
tel, concluded between Captain Porter the behalf
OF himself and crew with Commodore Hillyar.]
81 must in justification of myself observe,
that with our six twelve Founders only, we
sought this action, our carronades being al
Anost useless.
The loss in killed and wounded has been
great with the enemy among the former, is
he rst Lieut.. of the Phoebe, and Of the latter,