The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-03-22
Anecdotes Of Public Men.
BY COL. j. w. FORNEY.

The other day / called on Commodore Dan
Docks. and asked him to tell nae about the
celebrated mutiny on board the California
steamer, the Ocean Queen, in May of 1864.
This event, though of a recent date, has been
literally sponged from the slate of the general
memory, though still preserved among the
records of the navy. A contingent of over
200 men, most of them ''roughs" who had
served in the army, and had volunteered for
naval service on the Pacific coast, were ship
ped for their destination on board the "Ocean
Queen" in charge of Commodore Ammen
and a subordinate officer. There were over
athousand other passengers, including many
ladies and children. Justice Field, of the
United States Supreme Court, was among the
cabin passengers. The vessel itself was COM
manded by a fine old seaman, Captain Tink-
lepaugh. On the first day out the new re-
cruits began to show dissatisfaction with their
accommodations and food, and it was soon
evident that, under the counsel of two or
three desperate leaders, they were preparing
to seize aud rife the steamer and the passen-
gers. The Captain proposed to run into one
of the nearest ports and get rid of the danger
GUS COnSpiTdIOTS, DuJ ILLS was TtSlStcu Uy
Commodore Ammen, who had the turbulent
men in charge. He quietly reasoned with
them, and assured them that as he was re-
sponsible for their good conduct, he would
see to their proper comfort, but if they re-
sorted to violence they would be severely pun
ished. He was so cool and kind as he made
this statement, that they did not think him
in earnest, and proceeded with their plans.
Their chief, Kelley, was a young fellow of six
feet four inches, very athletic undetermined.
When the first demonstration was made Com
modore Ammen was in distant part of the
vessel, and on hearing the noise proceeded
to the scene of action. There he found Cap
tain Tinklepaugh in the hands of Kelley, who
was surrounded by the other mutineers, all evi-
IDENTIFY under his orders and ready to proceed
to the worst extremities The crisis had come,
and Ammen, seeing that prompt action was
necessary to save the steamer and perhaps
the lives of the female passengers, drew his
revolver and shot Kelley dead on the spot.
One of his immediate followers was killed at
at the same time. The effect on the Others
was instantaneous. They saw that the quiet
man who had them in charge was resolved
to enforce his authority, and they quaied.
He then briefly addressed them, telling them
of his determination, exhorted them to re-
member their duty and their flag, and was
greeted with three hearty cheers. After
which, under his advice, they went to their
dinner There was, of course, great con-
sternation among the cabin passengers, but
they were soon reassured by the calm de-
meanor of Commodore Ammen. His next
step was to 60 straight among the remainder
of the mutineers, and to call out the leaders
and order them in irons. One or two at
tempted to resist, but when they saw that
they would soon be made to follow their dead
companions, who had by this time been sewed
in canvass and cast overheard, they submit
ted. The whole affair occupied very little
time; and the commander, crew, and passen-
gers were so impressed by the resolute cour-
age of Commodore Ammen that they joined
in hearty commendation of his course.
Justice Field himself addressed strong let
ter to the department in earnest vindication
of the wisdom and energy of his action.
do not pretend to tell the story as it fell from
| Commodore Ammen-so modest and so clear.
| His printed defence before the court martial,
| which he demanded, is a model of candor,
and was followed by his unanimous acquittal.
Had he been weak or impulsive, the scene
| would have ended in a grand tragedy, and
| perhaps hundreds of innocent persons would
| have perished. Men like Ammen, though
beloved and honored in their own circle,
and by the government they bravely and un-
ostentatiously serve, are rarely heard of in
the great outside world, and it is simple JUS
tice that they should not be wholly lost sight
of in the loud rush and conflict in these busy
| times.