The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-06-19
THE BATTLE OF FAlAL.
The Most Wonderful Sea.FiSht in
History.

The fight Of Sir Richard Grenvlln in the
Revenge. against IA Spanish fleet. at Flores.
TN the Azores" has been celebrated by the
English laureate in one of the most stirring
ballads of the language: but "a grander bat
tie even than that Of the Revenge was fought
in the same waters seventy-hVe years ago.
and has never been commemorated in song
or story. 1t was more important engage
ment than that OF Sir Richard. because it
directly influenced the result of one OF the
decisive battles of history, and insured VIC
tory To America in what has been called the
second war Of Independence, the war OF
1872 The Revenge sallanty fought and
lost, but the American privateer. Arm
strong. more gallantiy fought and won.
IL WAS about month after the burning OF
Washington. in AUGUST. 1914 that the British
feet. destined for New Orleans, had sailed
from the Chesapeake Tor the island of Ja-
maica, 70 wait reinforcements from England,
when the United States private armed brig.
General Armstrong. commanded by Captain
Samuel C.. Reid. sailed from New York on a
cruise. and put into the harbor OF Fayal, one
of the Azore Islands. September 20. Cap
tain Reid. then hardly thirty years OF age,
had served as a midshipman under Commo-
dore TruXton and was n man of indomitable
courage and splendid seamanly qualities.
The Armstrong was small brigantine. of
only 246 tons carrying but seven guns and
a crew OF ninety men all told, including Of
lcers.
Captain Reid had dined that day with the
American Consul. Mr.. John b. Dabney.
who, with number OF other gentlemen.
returned with him on board his vessel. To-
ward shutdown the British brig Of war.
Carnation, Of eighteen guns, hove in sight.
stood up the harDor. and anchored within
q half cables length OF the Armstrong.
Soon after the frigate Rota. of forty-four
guns. and the ship Of the-line Plantagenet,
OF seventy-iour guns, came TO anchor in
.lt,afr he, la.l
the fleet. had previously been informed by
the pilot that the Armstrong was in the har-
Dor. and he at once determined upon her
capture. The brig Carnation Immediately
began signalling with the fleet, threw out
four large launches or boats. and COM
menced passing arms into them. All these
movements could be seen, and the orders
given were distinctly heard on board the
Armstrong. At the same time the British
brig made every preparation to intercept
the prvateer should she attempt 10 escape.
Although Captain Reid had been assured of
the perfect safety OF his vessel by the Amer
lean Consul. being in neutral port. he now
felt certain, from the manpuvers of the
feet and the preparations going on. that
there would be trouble. and he accordingly
told the gentlemen that they had better go
on shore. After their departure a council
was held among the officers of the Ar-h-
strong, and 1t was first suggested that they
should make an effort to get out TO sea: but
the wind being very light it was determined
70 haul close in under the guns of the castle
for protection.
Capt, Reid Immediately gave secret or
ders TO clear the deck for action. and eau
toned the crew TO make as little noise as
possible. He then cut his cable got out
sweeps and commenced pulling in shore TO
the castle. The Carnation Immediately
dropped her top-sails and made sail. to pre-
vent the privateer from going out ofthe har-
Dor should she attempt it, while the boats
which were lying alongside. were ordered
in chase Of the Armstrong. IL was now
about eight O'Clock In the evening The
moon, which was near its full, was gradu-
ally rising. and silver prinking with its
beams the beautiful bay. while not "A ripple
broke the stiffness OF the glittering surface.
save the splash of the oars of the tour large
launches, well-armed, carrying about for
ty men each. which were pulling swiftly
toward the privateer. Capt. Reid immedi-
ately ceased pulling towards the shore. let
go an anchor. and got springs on his cable
80 as 20 bring the vessel broadside TO the
enemy.
At this time one OF the large launches.
which was considerably in the advance.
pulled up under the stern OF the Armstrong,
when Capt. Reid with speaking trumpet in
hand, being in his shirt-sleeves. and all
hands at quarters, hailed the boat three
times. No answer was returned except by
one OF the sailors. who asked in a gruif
voice what was the matter. The officer re-
piled: Make no answer. sir; pull away my
lads" and the next moment the word was
given to toss oars, and with their boat
hooks they hauled aion side under the port
quarter OF the privateer. The officer in the
boat then cried out: Fire and board. my
iadsl" And. as the mon rose from their
seats, Capt. Reid instantly gave the word 10
his marines to FIRE. which was almost stimuli
taneous on the part OF both. One man on
board the privateer was instantly killed
and the first lieutenant. Fred A. Worth. O
brother OF the late Gen. Worth, OF the
United States army. was wounded. The
men in the boat We're severely cut up, and
they cried out Tor quarter, while the other
three boats. pulling up at iull speed on the
starboard side i'm Immediately opened their
fire. They were received with full broad
side OF grape and canister. which was fol-
lowed by the shrieks and groans OF the
woundc and dying. A fierce struggle now
ensued i'm which the enemy made des-
perate attempt 10 board but. staggered
and appalled, by tho CALLING fire OF the
privateer. they cried out for quarter. and
the boats pulled of in "a sinking condition
with great loss. Capt. Reid refusing TO take
them prisoners.
The Gen. Armstrong then weighed anchor
and pulled In toward the shore. about half
pistol shot from the castle. where she was
moored head and stern near the beach. with
her port side next 20 the shore. The Car
nation in the meanwhile. sailed down &c
tho feet and IL was soon evident that they
had determined on q more formidable at
tack. Inc American COnSul ut WIS 'iih'
had written note TO the Portuguese Cover
nor. demanding protection for the prlvateer'
but the Governor simply dispatched note
20 Admiral Lloyd. equesting him 10 abstain
from further hOstihties. To this note LloyC
replied that. as the Americans had first fireC
Into one OF their boats without any provo
cation. he now determined TO take the prt
vateer at all hazards. and. IL projection were
afforded her. he would fire into the town.
About o p. m. the wind having breezeS
up. the enemys brig was observed standing
IN with n large feet OF boats in tow. mum
bertng fourteen. and carrying between fort!
and fifty men each. When within gun shot
the boats cast of rom the b IL. and tool
their stations in three divisions under cove
OF n small reef or island OF rocks. withii
musket-shot Of the privateer. The brit
kept under way 10 act with the boats. In
case the privateer attempted 90 escape. n
tho meantime terror and CONSERVATION hae
spread through the town. The windows o
the houses nearest the scene wero Nile