The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1855-10-03

""o w h"IpCn W hliHHcll oOou dilCT III
the same port, he could not have been SC
forbcaring to the foe nor SO respectful to
the Chiian authorities.
For six weeks the hostile vessels
watched each other the British vessel
sometimes lying off, and on outside Of
the harbor, and when so at sea the rs.
sex going out aud offering to fight her
single-handed; for the Essex Junior
was too light to be off any service il a
trigate fight. Other British ships of-war
being expected at Val alpraiso, and no com.
bat 10 be lad with the Phoebe without
her attendant sloop, Capt. Porter deter.
mined to take his opportunity to escape
from the harbor-which the superior
sailing of the Essex would enable him
to do when the Britisl: ships were a few
miles offas they often wcre-Essex Jun.
ior escaping at the same time by parting
company, as it was certain that both the
British ships would follow the American
frgate.
March 2Sth. 1915, was favorable day
for the a;tempt--the wind right, the Gu.
cmy far enough out. and the Essex in
rerfcct order for lighting or sailing -
The attempt was made, and with success,
until. doubling a headland which formed
part of the harbor, sqnall carried away
the maintopmast, crippling the ship aud
greatly disabling her Capt. Porter put
back for the harbor, and though getting
within it, and within pistol shot Of the
shore, and within half mile from de-
tached battery, could not reach the usu.
al onchoring ground before the approach
Of the enemy compelled linn to clear for
action. a desperate but most udcqual
combat ragged for nearly three hours
an inferior crippled frigaic contending
with a frigate and sloop in perfect or.
der. The crippled mast Of the Essex
allowed the enemy to choose his distance,
which hc always did with good regard
TO his own safety, using his long eibh.
teens at long dlstances-kceping out Of
the reach of Portcr's carronades, out of
reach Of boarding, and only v within range
of six long twelves, which played with
such fleet that at the end of half an
hour, both British ships hlulcd of to re-
pair damages. Having repaired, both
returned, aad got such a position that
not a gun Of the crippled Essex could
bear upon them. An attempt was made
to close upon them and get near enough
to cripple the sloop and drive her out Of
the fight for the remainder Of the ac-
ton but the frigate edged away, choos.
ing her distance and using her long guns
with terrible eject upon the Essox.which
could not send back single shot.
The brave and faithful Downes pulled
through the fire of the enemy in an open
boat to take tie orders of his captain;
but his light guns could be of no service
and he was directed to look to his own
ship. Twice more the Essex endeavor'
cd to close upon the British frigate but
she edged away each time, keeping the
distance which was safe to himself and
destructive to the Essex. Bv this time
halfthc whole crew were killed or wound.
cd and the ship on fire. Capt. Porter
then attempted to run Ler on shore hut
the wind failed when within muskct shot
of the land Leave was then given to
the crew 10 save themselves BY swim.
ming, which but few would do 1t last
the surrender became imperative. The
Essex struck, and her heroic commander
and SURFING men and officers became pris-
oncrs OF war. Thousands Of persons
all Valparaiso witnessed the combat.
The American consul. Mr.. Ponsett.wit.
messed it and claimed the protection of
the fort, onl y to receive evosiye answers.
as the authorities were now favorable to
the British. 1t was a clear case of VIC.
lated neutralitytricd by any rule. First.
the Essex was within harbor, though not
at the usual anchofing place, which she
could not reach secondly. she was under
tho guns Of the detached fort only half
mile distant; thirdly, she was within
the territorial jurisdiction of Chill,
whether measured by the league, or by
the range Of cannon, and no dispute a.
bout it either, as the shore was at hand,
and the British balls which missed the
Essex hit the !au4.
After the surrender some arrangements
were made with Capt. Ilillyar. Some
prisoners were exchanged upon the spot,
part Of those made by Capt. Porter be.
ing available for an equal number Of his
own people. Essex Junior became a
cartel to carry himself aud officers and
others Of his men on parole but this
m'n of daring deeds was not gllowed to
reach home without another proof of his
determined spirit. When within thirty
miles of Now York, Essex Junior was
brought to by the British razee Saturn,
Capt Nash, who denied the right Capt
Hillyar to allow the cartel, and ordered
her to lie by him during the night
Capt. Porter put off in whale.b boat, and
though long chased, saved himself by the
chance Of fog coming to the aid of
hard rowing.
And thus ended this unparalleled cruise
ending with disaster But tho end
could not efface the past; could not un.
do tie captures which had been made
could not obscure tho glory which had
been acquired cannot impair the lesson
which its results impress on the minds
of statesmen 1t bad lasted eighteen
months. and during that time the little
frigate had done everything for itself
and the country. 1t had lived and
dourlshed upon the enemy. Not a dol.
lar had been drawn from The public treas
ury either for pay or supplies all came
from I'm. flo AEonev nrovisions mimi.