, 1883-07-12
THE MUTINI- or THE BRTG
SOWERS.

StFift Execution Of "a S0a Of Cdhthel
Mtnister--A Tragedy cT Forty Years iDt
Retold.
On Sept. 13, 1912, the United States
brig Somers sailed from New York,
bound for the coast of Africa, there tc
deliver certain dispatches and at once
return. The Somers was in command oi
Master Coumandant Alexander Slide.
Mckenzie. The next IL rank of seniority
WAS Lieut. Gansevoort, of Albany.
Among the midshipmen, of whom there
were six aboard, were two sons Of Com
modore Perry-Olivcr and C. II. Perry.
Mr.. Henry Rogers, and Mr. Philip
Spencer, ii son of John c. Spencer, then
Secretary of War. Young Spencer had
by no means a good general character
as an officer, having already been com
PEELED to resign on account of intempcr-
ance. Capt. Mckenzie had sought pre-,
vious to sailing to have Spencer re-
moved, bat was unsuccessful, and, &C.
cording 70 his OAR 5tGtenaent, hrs feel
ings toward the young man were any
thing but favorable. The entire crew OF
the SomeIs numbered about 100 men, OF
whom eighty were apprentices, eighteen
ordinary seamen, and the remainder
midshipmen and petty officers. The
Somers reached her destination ON the
coast of Africa, and, delivering her dis
patches. started ON the return voyage,
the intention being Iosiop 1T st, Thamas
on the way for provisions. 1t was
noticed that Spencer generally held him
self aloof from his fellow officers, but
associated in a very free manner
with the ordinary seamen. One evening
IN November he entered into conversa-
ton with Mr.. Wales, the purser'a Sow
ard, and limited to him plan of mutiny,
detailing how it should be effected, and
declaring that lie had already made re
cruiis on board. Some time previous,
while Surgeon Eeecock and anoshel oiii-
Ger were engaged in examining chart
of the West Indies in the cabin, Spencer
L
lay. The Surgeon answered, aud asked
in return why he asked the question, as
the isle Ct Pines was known to be Il
piratical resort. spencer did not reply
On broaching the matter to Wales, hu
commenced by asking him "if he feared
death, or dare he kill person to serve
his purpose?" Wales appeared to agree
with him, AID took th2 oath of secrecy,
when Spencer told him ali his plans.
How he would get up a sham fight dur
ing Midshipman Rogers watch, and, nj
the intervention OF the latter, throw him
overheard; then seize the chest and dis
tribute the arms proeeeq lG tie Cap
tRin's cabin, murder him and kill the |
other officers ns they emerged from the;r
quarters, and throw overheard all OF the /.
crew that would not join them, or whom
they did not want. This done, the brig !
was 20 pfocead to San Antonio or the
Isle Of Pines. Whilp deiailins tl.esc
plans to Wales, q seaman named Small |
approached, making an angry gesticula-
ton at Spencer, but when tod that he
neednot fear ON Wales account, he aeaip
IOOkel pleased. A third ofiiecrship Was
offered Wales, ana death was Threatened
If he uttered q syllable OF what he had
been told. Wales became anxious TO
communicate with the Captain as to
what ho had heard, but, seeing that he
yag watched, in the morning told ia,
pHrser, who, ii tulF, Informed the C,p.
tain. Among the men thai Spencer had
tampered with was one named Cromwell,
who had formerly been on SLAYER, and
was considered Tough character. and
another seaman named Small, already
referred to. Spencer had been seen
sharpening battle ak; seaman named
Wilson was Iouna -i.a't.ea;ug n curious
knife. Capt. Mckcuzie coulG lot al FIRST
credit the wonderful story told him. but
evidence accumulated So rapidly that he
determined to have the plinci,als arrest
ed. approaching S:.eaee9, Ie sail: al
understand TINT yor aspire 20 tho com
mand of this vessel How you are tc
arrive at it do not know, unless by
',.rstag Ger my dead b,dy ard those Of
my officers: Si'e:.c,.- r..,'lia.i ti,ugi; wa,
al joke. The Cnptain responded, "It
S very serious joke, sir, and may cost
7oq soIg life" On the day af-
.er spencer's arrest, SONS anpa-
,ent further developments of mu-
.iny appearing, the Captain ordered the
rrest of Cromwell and Small. Fearing
.nattemptat rescue the Captain appealed
y t4e officers for advice as to the pro,