Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1875-10-27


the ship, carrying away the main topmast.
throwing number of the crew overheard,
and effec,ually crippling the vessel.
Under these severe circumstances Cap
tain Porter could only stand before the
wind to the northeastern side of the
harbor, where he cast anchor within half
Il mile of a CHILEAN battery, thus being in
neutral water and protected from attack,
rs one would think, by the law Of nations.
But Captain Hillyar. entirely regardless
of this circumstances or of the honor
shown by Captain Porter in not attacking
him on a similar occasion, at once took
advantage of the disabled condition of
the Essex to place his vessel astern of
the American frigate where he could
pour in raking fire, and at the same
time be scarcely touched by her guns
The Cherub also hauled across the bow
of the Essex. but finding that the for
ward guns of her antagonist could play
upon her, took up her position near the
Phoebe The most Captain Porter could
do WIS to run three long lwelves througl
the stern ports, and these were trained
with such effect on the enemy that in half
an hour they were Obliged to move out
of range to repair the injuries received.
Three times during this first fight the
Essex was veered around by springs or
hawser> drawing on the cable from the
stern, with the purpose of getting her
broadsidrs to bear. but in each case the
| springs were shot away, and the batteries
Of the Essex proved of little use.
After repairing the English ships sailed
down and took possession on the quar- er
of the Essex where she could not get any
of her guns to bear To stand their fire
without making any return WAS very gall
ing, and although, such were the injuries
she had suffered in her rigging, the flying
lib was the only sail that could be hoisted
on the Essex to make her pay off before
the wind it was spread and the ship grad
ually bore down to board the Phoebe.
he American crew, under the perfection
of discipline, and not in the least dis
heartened now opened a tremendous fire
which soon drove the Cherub out OF
range of her guns and forced her to re-
main Il. II distance The Phoebe also keep
out of reach of the Essex. having 4 lead
| inc wind and content to blaze away with
her long cighieens. which wrought great
rxecuton on the decks of the American
ship Fifteen men fell in succession ut one
of the guns of the Essex.
| Every expedient for saving the vessel
had now been tried in vain. She was
helpless before the tremr ndous fire of the
Pnpbr unable to return the fire on ac-
count of her position, and, in addition
to al these horrors the flames were burst
inc from her matches. Captain Porter,
still unwounded and resolute to fight it
ont to the last. finally listened to tn"
rntreatics of his crew. who represente
| hat further resistance was more than
Useless, and he reluctantly ordered the
| colors To he struck.
| Captain IIillyar permitted the Essex,
Jr.. TO be turned intoa cartel-ship or yes
sci for carrying prisoners destined to be
exchanged. and allowed the surviving crew
of the Essex to sail in her for the United
states. OFT New York, the Essex, Jr .
was over hauled by an English frigate. and
for fear he should be detained by her.
Captain Porter. while still thirty miles
from shore. made his escape in y whale
boat. being assisted in the attempt by y fog
which concealed him from the English
vessel However. the Essex Jr.. was
soon allowed te proceed. and the gallant
survivors of the crew of the i'll fated but
| glorious irrigated Essex once more stepped
gladly forth upon their native land.
Captain Porter afterwards published an
| ucuunt of his famous cruise, in two vol
umrs, which contains many intrrestin-
Details AMI is well worth peru>al Among
| other matters he mentions the circun-
stances that there WAS on DO ri Il young
midShipman who was very iesrouS of en-
.aging N the foray in the Marque>a~
| l>llnd-. but was prevented on account OF
| lis youth; he aflerward Distinguished him.
| elf for his unit nchirg courage during the
irving scenes of the fight at Valparaiso
md would. for his conduct at that time.
IIave been recommended for promotion if
his extreme youth had not hndered such
/, reward of merit. he being but little over
Twelve years of age. This young her"
lived to our day. and Won immortal fame
n the naval operations of the late war:
being no other thln David c. F,,rragnt.
Nho, for some time before his death. held
the highest position in the American navy
| lie went 10 school in his profession early.
and. although it was L rough training. lis
II suits proved invaluable to the coun
try.-;S, Il. w. Btnjamin, st. Nicholas.