News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1884-03-20
THE BRIG SOMERS MUTINY.
A TRAGEDY OF FORTY YEARS AGO
RETOLD.
The Swift Execution of n Son of n Cabinet
Minis er.

RETOLD.
The Swift Execution of n Son of n Cabinet
Minis er.
On Sept Is, 1912, the United States
brig Somers sailed from New York,
bound for the coast of Africa, there to
deliver certain dispatches and at once
return. The Somers was in command of
Master Commandant Alexander Slidel
Mckenzie. The next in rank of seniority
was LieuG. Gansevoort, of Albany.
Among the midshipmen, of whom there
were six aboard, were two sons of Com
modore Perry-Oliver and @. H. Perry,
Mr.. Henry Rogers, and Mr.. Philip
Spencer, a son of John @. Spencer, then
Secretary of War. Young Spencer had
by no means good general character
as an officer, having already been COM
PEELED to resign on account of mtemper-
ance. Capt. Mckenzie had sought pre-
vious to sailing to have Spencer re-
moved, but was unsuccessful, and, ac-
cording to his own statement, his feel
ings toward the young man were any
thing but favorable. The entire crew of
the Some1s numbered about 120 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 tostop at st. Thomas
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 converse
ton with Mr.. Wales, the purser's stew
ard, and limited to him plan of mutiny,
detailing how it should be effected, and
declaring that he had already made re-
cruits on board. Some time previous,
while Surgeon Leecock and another Off
Ger were engaged in examining chart
of the West Indies in the cabin, Spencer
had asked whereabouts the Isle of Pines
lay. The Surgeon answered, and asked
In return why he asked the question, as
the Isle of Pines was known to be a
piratical resort. Spencer did not reply.
On broaching the matter to Wales, he
commenced by asking him "if be feared
death, or dare he kill person to serve
his purpose? ?" Wales appeared to agree
with him, and took the oath of secrecy,
when Spencer told him all his plans.
How he would get up sham fight dur
ing Midshipman Rogers watch, and, at
the intervention of the latter, throw him
overheard; then seize the chest and dis
tribute the arms proceed to the Cap
tain's cabin, murder him and kill the |
other officers as they emerged from their |
quarters, and throw overheard ali of the |
crew that would not join them, or whom |
they did not want. This done, the brig
was to proceed to San Antonio or the |
Isle of Pines. While detailing these
plans to Wales, a seaman named Small |
approached. making an angry gesticula-
ton at Spencer, but when tod that he
neednot fear on Wales account, he again
looked pleased. A third citizenship was
offered Wales, and death was threatened
if he uttered syllable of what he had
been told Wales became anxious to
communicate with the Captain as to
what he had heard, but, seeing that he
was watched, in the morning told the
purser, who, in turn, informed the Cap
tain. Among the men that Spencer had
tampered with was one named Cromwell,
who had formerly been on a SLAYER, and
was considered rough character, and
another seaman named Small, already
referred to. Spencer had been seen
sharpening battle-ax; seaman named
Wilson was found sharpening a curious
knife. Capt. Mckenzie could not at first
credit the wonderful story told him, but
evidence accumulated so rapidly that he
determined to have the principals arrest
ed. Approaching Spencer, he said: 81
understand that you aspire to the COM
mand of this vessel How you are to |
arrive at it 1 do not know, unless by |
walking over my dead body and those of
my officers" Spencer replied thatit was
all joke. The Captain responded, alt |
is very serious joke, sir, and may cost
you your life." On the day af- |
ter Spencer's arrest, some appa-
rent further developments of mu
tiny appearing, the Captain ordered the |
arrest of Cromwell and Small. Fearing |
anattempt at rescue the Captain appealed |
to the officers for advice as to the pro-
priety of executing Spencer, Cromwell |
and Small. The officers, either through |
mistaken fear or desire to agree with
the Captain, approved of the idea. Capt.
Mckenzie then went to Spencer and told
him that he had but ten minutes to live.
Spencer pleaded for an hour, and it was
granted. Small assented to his punish
ment, behaving with greater GOODNESS
than either Cromwell or Spencer.
Spencer asked permission to give the
order to fire the gun which was to be
the signal of the execution. This was
granted, but he found himself unable to
carry out his intention. The commander
gave the order to fire, and the three men
were instantly run up to the main yard.
The bodies were buried at sea. On
arriving at New York Capt. Mckenzie |
Immediately forwarded a report to the
Secretary of the Navy. An inquiry was
held, which resulted in the full justifica-
ton of the Captains conduct. Ere its
close court martial was ordered aboard
the North Carolina before it Capt.
Mckenzie was tried. He was acquitted
n ter close vote
The Old Water Wheel.
Everywhere in Europe we have found
the grain mills stationed in the languid