Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-18
AT THE YARD-ARM.
RecOilectIons Of Witness Of the Exem-
plary ~ ecution on the Brig 'SOmers"
in 1852.

RecOIlectIons Of - witness OF the EXem
plary Execution on the Brig "SOmers'
in 1882.
From. tho Phtladelpbja Times.
i was a boy in the United States navy
on the brig Somers in ~ when those
three men were hung that We're referred
toiu toe Lookout column OF the Times
some time ago. said John W. Davis, on
Chestnut street, the other day. "The sight
Qfthose three young men hanging at the
yaru-arm and their burial in tine sea at
night has haunted me all my life. 1t
often comes up before me when I'm walk
ing along the street. ! can never forget
il. l knew Spencer, the midshipman,
well. He WAS wild, daredevil sort Of
fellow, about 10 yAars of age. but good
natured and not malicinusy inclined. /
think the execution OF all the men was IA
grave mistake, and in looking back at il
now believe that it was foul murder.
I'VE sailed from New \ FORK TN Sept. l3,
1892, for the coast Of Africa, but first began
cruising in the West Indies In the latter
part OF November, before we reached st.
Thomas, Midshipman Spencer, who was
the son Of the Secretary OF War, was sud-
denly seized one day, put in double irons,
and kept prisoner in close confinement.
Two other men, the bOatswuin's mate.
who was acting as bOatswain and whose
name WAS Cromwell, and a seaman. who
was captain of the main top, named
Small, We're arrested a day or two after
ward, followed by the arrest OF four
Others. All were put IN double
irons. We had no marine guard on board
The officers appeared 70 be frightened to
death about something and the men OF the
ships company We're afraid 10 he seen
- auna q aNs -
arrest II was noised around decks that he
had formed plot 10 seize the ship, along
with few OF the ships crew, and turn IL
into yiratical craft. Among others he
communicated his plan TO the purser's
steward, who got list OF the conspira-
tors and told the whole story 70 Lieut..
Mcintosh, the executive officer.
1.-TWO or three days after tine arrests a
number Of the officers met in the ward
room, and called in numb,r Of the ships
crew and examined them. The state.
ments and even the opinions Of each wit
ness were taken down, but the accused
men were not allowed 20 face their accus.
ers, were not told what the charges were
in detail, and were not granted any oppor.
Iunity for explanation or defense. On
Dec. J., four days after Spencer's arrest
he, along with Cromwell and small, Were
told 10 get ready 10 die; that they were
going 10 swing at the yard-arm NJ once
Spencer and the Captain Of the top ac.
knOwledged their guilt and were willing
TO die; but the acting boats
vain protested his innocence % the
last. and Spencer declared, also. that
be, Cromwell, had nothing 10 do with the
plot. 'Call ali hands 70 witness eNecu-
ti0n,' said the First Lieutenant. The
ships company sullenly ranged them.
selves on the quarterback and at other
points, while the officers Of the ship stood
around with drawn ana sharpened words
90 cut down any one who faltered in in.
ilicting the awful penalty. When every
thing was ready Spencer aud his two
companions were allowed 10 bid THEN
friends goOd-by, then Capt Mckenzie
gave the signal, a gun was fired. the
colors were holBted, and at the same
time the three men, with caps over
their faces were swung out on the main
yardarm. II was "a horrible sight 20 look
~. All Of the men died game. Com.
Mackenzie then made "a speech tous about
the necessity Of 'scipline and the awful
crime Of mutiny. AZ night funeral ser
yicc1 were read D7 the light OF the battle
lanterns and the bodies were put on tho
fitting b0atd' ana dropped overheard
into the sea. IL was a solemn scene, as