Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-05-20

tant 10 be reached by carronades. His fire
was very CALLING. ant il left no alternative to
j Capt. Porter, between submission and run
ming down to assail him. He 'gallantly deci.
ded on the latter. But. BY this time The Essex
had received many injuries, in addition TO The
loss of her top-nast Her iop.sail sheets. top
sail halyards had been shot away. The only
sail that could he got upon the ship TO make
her head pay off was the flying jib which was
hoisted: when the cable was ell. aud the YES
sci edged away. with the inieaIion Of laying
The Phoebe aboard The fore.top-Sai and FORE
sail were now lie, fall, though, for want Of lacks
and sheets, they were nearly useless. Sail
the Essex drove down on her assailanis, clio.
sing near enough to open W her earronades
For few minutes. the lirhig on both sides
was Tremendous. the people of The Essex pro-
wing their discipline and galsn,ry. al that try.
ing moment. in way to justify all the expec.
taions that had been formed Of them. though
their decks Were alread sirewed with killed;
and crowded with wounded This work prov.
ed too hot for the Cherub, which hauled off
second time. nor did she come near enough to
use her carronades again, during the remain.
der ofthe action, keeping up distant fire with
her long guns.
The Phoebe, discovered no disposition 10
throw away the immense advantage she pos
sesed. in long eghteens; and when she found
the Essex's fire becoming warm, she kept
edglng away, throwing her shot at the same
time, with fatal effect, cutting down the people
OF her antagonist. almost with impuni,y TO her
self. BY this time. many of the guns Of the
American ship were disabled by shot, and the
crews Of several had been shot away. One
particular gun was scene of carnage. tina, is
!
Than fifteen men, or three entire crews falling
al II, in the course of the action; its captain es.
capped with slight wound. This scene Of
almost unresisting carnage had now lasted near
two hours. and finding it impossible 10 close
with his adversary. who chose his distance at
pleasure. Captain Porter felt the necessity Of
taking soma prompt measure, if he would pre-.
vent the enemy from getting his ship The
wind had got more 10 the westward. and he
saw hope of running her ashore. at a spot
where he might set her on fire. For few min.
utes every thing appeared to favor this de-
sign, and the Essex had drifted within mus.
ket shot Of The beach. when the wind SUDDENLY
shifted from the land paying the ships head
broad off. in way 10 leave her exposed TO the
dreadful rsking FIRE. Sill as she was again
closing with the Phoebe, Captain Porter in
duged hope of finally laying that ship a.
board Al tha, moment, Lieut.. Commanding
Downes came along side the Essex in order
10 receive the orders of his commanding Off
Ger having pulled ihrongli all the fire in order
TO effect this object. He could be Of no use
for the enemy again put his helm up. and KEEP,
away. when Mr.. Downes. after remaining in
the Essex ten minutes, was directed 10 return to
his own ship and make preparations 10 defend.
or. al need, 10 destroy her. On going away,
ba yiaI nH al Of tha dgd
leaving three of his own men behind him 10
make room in the boat
The slaughter on the Essex having got TO
be horrible, the enemy firing with deliberaiion,
and hullng her at every shot. Caplnin Porter,
as last resort. ordered hawscr TO be benz to
the sheet anchor, and the latter let go. in order
to bring the head of the ship round. This ef-
| fecled the object. and once more the Americans
got their broadsides TO bear. remaining sta
ii0nary themselves. while their enemy good
deal crippled, was drifting slowly TO the lee
ward. Even in those desperate circumstances
a ray Of hope CLEANED through this ltrle adj
vantage, and Capt. Porter was beginning to
believe that the Phoebe would drirt oni Of gun
shot. before she discovered his expe1ient when
the hawser parted with the strain.
! There was no longer any chance Of saving
The ship. 10 add TO her distress. she WAS on
fire. the flames coming op both the main aud
The forward hachways; and for few minutes.
il was thought she must consume. Al explo-
sion Of powder also occurred below, TO add 10
the horrors Of the scene. and Capt Porter told
1 his people that in preference 10 being blown
up. all who chose 10 incur the risk. might
make the attempt to reach the shore by swim
ming. Many avaied themselves Of the per-
mission, and some succeeded in effecllng their
escape. Others persisted, while few after
drifting about on bits Of spars were picked up
by the boats Of the enemy. Much the greater
part OF the crew, however, remained IN The
/ ship. and they Sc, about an altempto exllngnish
the flames; the shot Of The enemy committing
It's havoc the whole time. Fortunately. the
FIRE was got under when the few brave men
that were left went again TO the long guns
The moment had now arrived when Capt.
Porter was TO decide between submission. or
the destruction Of the remainder OF the peo-
pie. In the midst Of lhs scene Of slaughter
he had himself been untouched. and il would
seem that he felt himself called on 10 resist. as
long as his own strength allowed Bot his re-
naming people enlreaIed him TO remember his
wounded, and he al last consented TO summon
his officers. Only one, Act. Lieut.. Mrkfght.
could join him on the quarter dech. The first
Lieutenant. Mr.. Wilmer. had heen Knocked o.
verboard by splinter. and was drowned.
while getting the shee. anchor from the
bows; Act. Lieut., Cowel. the nextsin rank.
was morally wounded; Act. Lieut.. Odenheim-
er had just been knocked overheard from the
quarter deck. and did mot regain the vessel
for several minutes. The reports Of The state
ofthe ship were fearful A large portion. Of
the guns were disabled. even had there been
meni left to fight them. The befh-deek. steer