The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1882-07-14

u IU<IU0 (1IIIEU Unity IWI<
eixhrcen-pounders and sixteen thirty
tuo-pound caronades for her arma-
meni. besides seven small guns IN her
tops. She also had so men. All told.
The sChcmb'' carried tWcnty-eight
guns n various calibcr and 10 men.
10 meet this formidable force the
Essex had 2jj men. AMI her
mcnt consisted Of twcnty-Six thirty
Founders and six long twelve pouniers.
The Essex Junior" which took no
part IN the fight. had twenty guns and
sixty men, Nevertheless. Porter re-
SOLVED that he would never surrender As
long n IA had men enough "a work his
guns; and right maniuIly did he hold 70
bis resolution.
The "Phobe'' opened fire a four
O'Clock in the afternoon. being then
nearly dead .tern II the disabled
"E<-cx.' The long eightcens u the
Englishman did great damage on board
the X. Essex which. Notwithstanding
her disadvantage. returned the fire with
railantry and spirit. The "Cherub.f
then on the starboari bow Of the
Essex" next opened fire also. but IA
driven OF BY the guns Of the American.
Three of the long twclvc-poundcrs 81
the Essex were then got out a-tern.
and PLAYED upon the .Phube'' with
such terrible effect that she. too. was
hauled or for repairs. many 81 the shot
having struck below the water-iine.
Both the British vessels now closed
upon the American friratc. being on her
starboari quarter. and poured into her
q tire 30 CALLING that he sf'ars and rig-
ging Of the doomed ship were soon IN =
tanglc Of ~wrcckagc. Porter Slipped his
cable. and. hosting his i'ying-jib. bore
down upon the enemy. pouring broad
sides into them as the ship slowly drift
ed. The --Cherub" was driven on for
4 second time. and the '.phnhe' NJ
tired out Of the reach Of the guns Of the
..Es<ex." bnt near enough 70 worry her
with her Iong-range ordnance. After
two hours Of lighting. Porter tried 20
run his vessel ashore. 70 prevent her
falling into the hands 81 the enemy: but
. change 81 wind prevented him. and he
anchored once more. making fast .
sheet-anchor with 4 hawser.
Very shortly after. the nawscr Parted,
and. % increase the trials Of these de-
termined heroes. the ship took fire be-
low deck. In this extremity. Captain
Porter told the men'to save themselves
- best they could. Some threw them
selves into the sea and SWAN to shore.
some were drowned. and many were
picked up. while clinging 10 bits Of
wreck. b. the boats Of the enemy. But
= larger part Of the crew sfaid by the
ship. and continued firing into the
enemy. in the midst Of the smoke and
flames. Finally. the fire was partly
snbdned, and men enough % work two
Of the long tweive> kept up Z brisk fire.
But further resistance was useless
Only seventy-ive men were left 20 do
duty. the remainder being killed.
wounded. or missing. So. after an en-
gagcmcnt that had lasted two hours
and : half Porter. with : sorrowful
heart. hauled down the American flag.
and the wreck Of the gallant Essex"
~ surrendered 20 the foe. The Brit
i<h lost four killed and seven wounded
on the "Phrbc.'f and one killed and
three wounded On the .Chcrub.n Both
ships were badly crippled. their sails
and rigging being riddled. and the
Phoebe had received eighteen shots
below water-line from the long twelyes
u the Essex" Thousands OF specta-
Tors crowded the shores 70 gaze on the
bloody encounter. The Spanish Vice
roy was vainly cntrcatcd By the Ameri.
can Consul 70 insist upon the mainte-
nance Of neutrality. He refused p in
terfere-
Thus ended one Of the most remarka,
BE naval engagements Of modern times.
IL ended IN disaster % the American
cause But the heroic defense Of tho
Essex" in which officers and mcr
wed with one another in a determine
tion not % give up the ship. fired with
fresh enthusiasm al who heard the
story Of their brave and obstinate light
And. when the young people Of this Re
public shall celebrate once more ths
deeds Of the patriotic defenders Of the
American Republic. let them give
hearty cheer for David Porter and hi
crew.-Noah Brooks, ~ s. Nicholas.