Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-04-22
misrtllanfCns.
A Sea-Piskt Commemorate
BY JAMES PARTON.

idttis. HI 1910, tue idg->uip Vi ufe Cutt'
ed States in that part of the world was
the Richmond. one of the glorious fleet ol
Admiral Farragut when he ran by the
forts below New Orleans during the late
war
While the Richmond lay at Valparaiso
five wears ago. the officers were reminded
of the singularly gallant action fought in
that beautiful bay in 1914, between the
Essex and two English vessels. the Phoebe
and the Chernb. Fiftv-eight of the brave
crew Of the Essex fell in that battle. most
Of whom were buried on shore within a
few hundred yards of the scene of strife
No stone marked the spot where their
remains repose. The officers of the Rich
mond. warmly seconded and aided hy the
United States Consul General. L. II. Foote
undertook to supply this deficiency. Off
GERS of the Omaha. Adams and Pensacola
Joined in the scheme. and a modest but sub
staniial monument has been erected in The
cemetery mt Valparaiso. in memory of the
brave men who persisted in their country S
service sixy-eight years ago.
The sum Of money expended was four
hundred and sixty-six d liars. of which 4
liberal share was contributed by the con-
sui, who superiniended the work. The
monument is of marble, in the form of II
sarcophagus. placed upon II brick iounda-
ton, the tablets Of which bear the names
Of the dead As they are given by Commo-
dore Porter. who commanded the Essex.
The inscription reads thus:
I'm memory of the officers and seamen
slain on board of the United States frigate
Essex in this harbor. in an engagement
with H. b. Ms frigate Phoebe and the
brig Cherub, March 90. 1914"
The officers of the Richmond. in initiat-
inc this scheme. conld not forget that j:
was on the quarterback of he Essex, dur
ing this famous action, that their old Adj
miral first smelt an enemy's gunpowder.
He was boy under ID years of age. for
the battle was fought in March. and he
was not IS until the following July. 1t
WAS 10 the Essex that he learned the rndi-
menis Of his his profession, and imbibed
that chivalrc spirit which inclined him al
ways to do the deed which was hardest,
and which ordinary men pronounced i'm
possible.
once had the pleasure of seeing the
musty old book in which Admiral Farra-
cut Kept the record of his early cruises.
1t is II large volume in dingv binding the
leaves of which are yellow with age; and
on those leaves. in the Admiral's plain and
ght-lorward fashion. were recorded
his recollections of this wonderful action
They have since been published in the BIZ
ographv of the Admiral written by his
son.
The battle lasted two hours and half,
and was witnessed by the whole popula-
ton of Valparaiso. then about 5000 in
number. gathered upon the bluffs around
the shores Of the harbor. The little Es-
sex was alone and iriendless in that part
Of the world With his usual prudent
audaciiy. Captain Porter rounded Cape
Horn. and directed his course toward the
cruising grounds of the British whalemen
and trading vessels. depending for sup
pies upon the prizes he h, ped to take
A man-of-war is a rapid consumer of
everything. and cannot sail very long
without a supply of important articles.
Captain Porter had but one chart of the
Pacific in the ship, and that was very
small and imperfect. He was already
short of provisions. and the vessel was
much in want of tar and cordaoe. Not
wihstanding this, he sailed boldly north
ward into what was then comparatively
unknown sea. totally ignorant of the ma
val strength Of the enemy in that part OF
the world.
cannot begin to relate the numberless
events of this brilliant cruise. Captain
Porter took prize after prize, armed and
uaarmcd. thus obtaining the greatest
abundance of everything he wanted. He
soon had more ships than he had officer.
to command them. At one time. afel
capturing two large ships, every officer o
the Essex was away. either in boats or in
prizes, except the captain. the chaplain
and the boatswain even little FarraguI
himself being in charge of vessel. Si>
months after rounding Cape Horn the Is
sex had captured 1000 tons of British ship
ping taken 400 prisoners, driven ever,
English whaler from those seas, manned
IN armed prize of $50 tons. and lay com
fortably at anchor ut an island port of the
Pacific. surrounded by fleet of prizes
and in possession of every article whicf
she could have had mt the Boston nav,
ward. eight months sail distant. Captain
Porter was even able with the money cap
iured. to pay off a considerable portion o
the wages due to the officers and meI
under his command.
The winter months passed. The fam,
of these exploits brought into that sea
stronger British force and in February
1914. Captain Porter found himself in tn,
harbor of Valparaiso, with the two Englisl
vessels named above. of which the frigatt
Phoebe was larger and heavier than hi,
own ship. while the Cherub. her consort
mounted 2S guns and mustered a crew q
$50 men. For some weeks it WAS 8
question whether the British commando
would or would not respect the neutralit,
of the port. lie did so for while. ana
abstained from every hostile act. Their,
was moment when Captain Porter hao
it in his power to destroy one of the Eng
lish vessels. but forebore to fire while she
was at his mercy. because he was in the
harbor of friendly nation. 1t was Adj
miral Farragut's opinion that the Phoebe
would certainly have been taken or de
stroved but for Captain Porter's high
minded forbearance.
AT length. March 2Sth. in circums, ance:
most disadvantageous to the American
frigate, the three vessels were engaged
For two hours and half the Essex Law nj
most helpless. EXPOSED to the full fire o.
her enemies. while only able to use
small number of her own guns. She hac
a chance of victory-one chance in 8
hundred-and for that chance the lgallan
Porter. hor,, this uneoual and most murder