Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-11-23
EXPLOITS OF OUR NAVY.
S1Osv Officers Have Met Emergencies.
From the PHILADELPHIA Pressl

lrrOm the Philadelphia Press1
Without mentioning those instances
where our navy gained great distinction
and renown in foreign waters, while act
ing under direct authority Of Congress,
n the bombardment OF Algiers and
i'ripoli, during the conquest OF Cali
:ornia, the war with Mexico. and the
Gwo wars with England, our small but
ever gallant and alert naval forces have
earned and sustained reputation for
prompt and efficient action In the pro.
lection of American interests abroad
which has been the pride and boast of all
true and patriotic Americans.
During the year 1923, the Porto Rico
(Spanish) privateers having upon sew
eral occasions interrupted our commerce.
Commodore Porter sent communica-
ton on the subject to the authorities of
tho island. Lieut.. w. 81. Cooke, in COM
mand of the brig Fox, in attempting to
enter the port of st. Johns, in order to
receive reply to the Commodore's Of
ticial communication, was fired upon and
killed. Commodore Porter threatened
to lombard the town, and was dissuaded
from dong SO only by the prompt
apology Of the authorities Of the island.
Again in October, 1923, Lieut.. Platt,
commanding the, United States brig
Beagle, learning that one of our mer-
chants doing business at St. Thomas had
been plundered by Spanish pirates, and
his goods taken to Foxado, small port
on the island of Porto Rico, proceeded
thither to recover his property. On
making known the object of their visit,
Lieuts. Plat and Richie were arrested
aud detained under guard for day.
Commodore Porter, with his character
istic promptness, proceeded to Foxado
TO demand explanation and redress.
Finding that the authorities, upon his
arrival there, intended to open fire upon
his vessel, he landed force of sailors
and marines, took their batteries, and
compelled from the offenders the fullest
apologies.
In February, 1852. Commodore
Downes, in the frigate Potomac, ascer-
tanned that the Malays had captured
the American ship Friendship. of Salem,
Mass. An expedition was fitted out
from the Potomac, differed by Lieuts.
Shubrick, Hoff, Ingersoll and Totem,
of the navy, and Lieut.. Edison, of the
marines. The Malays made determ-
med resistance, but were finally over
come and several of their forts captured
and destroyed. For this action the
officers of the expedition received the
thanks of the department. While Com
mander Kelly was at Shanghai, In 1854,
in the sloop-of-war Plymouth, COM
bined attack of the English and American
forces was made upon the encampment
Of the Imperialists in retaliation for
aggressions committed by them upon
British residents. In this action the
Chinese were severely punished. This
voluntary act Of Commander Kelly re-
ceived the approval Of the President and
the department.
In the latter part of June, 1853, while
Commander Ingraham, in the sloop-of-
war st. Louis, was at Smyrna, Turkey.
he received information that Hunga.
rian named Martin Koszta, with an
American passport and papers, had been
the charge of being deserter from the
Austrian army, and was held prisoner
GU board an Austrian brig of-war, which
vessel was supported by an Austrian
steam gunboat. Commander Ingraham
Immediately made a demand for Koszta's
release, at the same time running out
his guns and preparing his shipfor action.
Koszta was promptly released, and the
spirited action of Commodore Ingraham
received the highest commendation from
the Government, and gold medal was
awarded him by Congress.
In January, 1854, Lieut.. Strain, of
the navy, was engaged in exploring a
route across the Isthmus. During the
progress of the work the natiyes com