Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-08-03
THEN AND Now.

Apropos to the discussion as TO the
necessity of building mp the navy, An
old naval officer relates some incidents
shat tsok place in the " fifties," when
We had a navy which was regarded as
tire most efficient for its size in the
world:
la 1856. the st. Mary's, under com
mand Of L. A. Bailey, went in'o Valpa-
raiso, Chill. On her arrival she found
that the Chilians had refused Just de-.
mand on the authorities made by our
Minister. He sent on shore and in
formed the Governor that unless the
demand was complied With in twelve
hours he weuld bomb ard the town, aud
proceeded at once to haul his ship into
position. Within six hours the demand
WAS COUPLED with.
Shortly after. tie same vessel went in
TO lquiqni, Peru, where the revolutionists
had levied fine OF 5000 on our CONSUL
They were given four hours to return
the @onsy and salute the fl ig. Ii was
refused. Captain Bailey hauled his
vessel into position and informed them
that unless the money WAS returned and
the dag siluted, he would open fire on
the second At which the four hoafs was
up. The money was paid and the q 20
| saluted. On ano,h her occasion, in 1855,
| at the Chineha Islands. the same vessel.
the St. Mary's, on her arrival found a
very large number of American vessels
at anchor. many of them having been
over year awaiting a cargo of 0uano.
A deputation from the ca 1tNns OF these
vessels came on board and informed
Capt 4in B,iley of their long del4y, and
also informed him that all the English
aud French vessels were loaded and dis
patched immediately on their arrival,
while the Americans had to wait the
pleasure of the Governor.
Captain Bailey sent on shore and in
| formed the Governor that he wished to
sse him on board ship. The Governor
replied that he vas in his palace, aud
would be glad to See the captain on
shore. Captain b liley directed his off,
Ger to say TO the Governor that unless
he same on board within two hours a
file of marines would bring him on
board. The Governor came. On his
arrival he was shown the list of English
and Fr nch vessels that had been load.
ed at the port within the past year, md
the number Of Americsn vessels and the
length OF their detention, and was told
thai the st. Mars would ieavs the next
day on a cruise of 30 days, when she
would return 10 the islands; and If. on
her return, any American vessels we're
still unloaded. he would seize the lsl
ands and load them himself.
The Governor Vas then sent on shore
The st. Mary's went 20 sea the follow
ing day aud returned at tha end of 81
days 70 find all the American vessels
gone, laden With gusno. These occar.
rences took place in the DAYS when oal
ships. although few In number. wer,
justly considered better in all respects
than the ships Of anv navy afioat, and
our dag vas respected wherever 10 va
shown Judging from the snubs ",
have received from tho sanne two Pow
ers. Chill and Peru, in recen. days
!; What today would be tha result of simi
lar action on the part of any naval con
. mander. and What the oause and whos
the fanltf The men and oflicers are q
! efficient, bat the ships and guns do no
exist