Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-01-05
FOUGHT IT OVER.

surfing cStutS. Napt. IuttSis a4tStW~A"
admiral, on returning from his famous
cruise in the southern seas, repaired to
the CHILEAN seaport before beginning his
long voyage TO the United States Dur
ing his trip among the warm seas he had
won great glory for the American navy
by capturing nearly every English whale
ship known to he off the coast of Peru
and Chill, and by taking from the enemy
property valued at over two million dol
lars. Besides relieving the American
whalers of all danger he had inspired
the Peruvian and CHILEAN authorities
with respect for the power of the United
States.
While putting up for short time in
this South American port his ship, the
Essex, was attacked by the English men
of-war Cherub and Phoebe. The gal
liant fight which followed was one of the
bravest in naval history. Though the
Essex was injured by squat before the
battle commenced, and the weight of
men and metal was heavily in favor Of
the British, the American man-of-war
had strong chances of victory until the
hawser of the Essex parted and fire WAS
discovered below decks.
The burning of the ship decided the
fate of the conflict. The flames spread
| rapidly, driving the gunners from their
places and terrifying the seamen. Efforts
were made to subdue the flames. but
under the heavy fire of the encmy's guns
this was impossible. They crept nearer
and nearer to the magazine. where sew
eral hundred kegs of powder We're stored
away. Approaching tho danger that
| awaited the ship and its gallant crew
Capt. Porter called his men together and
to swim ashore. Many made the AT
tempt and succeeded, but others We're
drowned.
The flag of the Essex was finally
hauled down and the surrender made.
Among the seventy-tive prisoners who
were transferred to the decks of the
Phoebe was a boy midshipman, who
was not more than IL years of age. He
| had been active in the battle, and now
| that all was lost he refused To leave the
| ship until his captain was ready to so.
Dressed in his bright but battle worn
uniform the young midshipman at
| tracted no little attention from the En-
glish sailors. There was manly, deter
| mined look on the Youthful face, which
betokened strength Of character and
| will. When he stepped from the deck
| of the Essex to that of the Phoebe he
cast a lingering glance at the burning
| ship. and seemed TO be taking long
| farewell of his old friend
''See the little youngster." remarked
| one of the old sailors on the English
ship. He looks as if he was the cap.
| tain"
Captain of his mothers apron
| strings" volunteered another.
A general laugh followed these re-
marks, but the boy, without deigning tc
| notice the leers, stepped lightly from
| the bulwark of the ship to the deck,
Taking his place among the prisoners he
| quietly waited for further developments.
| The English seamen We're actively en-
| gagged in transferring everything OF
valuc from the burning vessel to the
| Phoebe. The magazine. storeroom
staterooms and even the captains cabin
were ransacked for valuables. The
| flames, meanwhile. were being put out
| gradually by tho Englishmen.
As one thing after another was brought
| from the hold of the doomed ship and
| thrown recklessly across to the deck OF
| the successful man-of war, the Ameri-
| can sailors closed their teeth with rage,
| and almost longed for a renewal of the
| conflict, Articles that had become dear
and familiar to their gaze during their
| long journey in the southern seas Were
now passing before their eyes into the
hands Of the enemy. 1t was sight suf-
| ticient to cause bitter feelings in any
heart.
Finally one of the sailors came uI
| from the hold Of the Essex clasping a
| small pig in his arms. The pig was
| squealing from fright. while the sailor
| shouted ont to his comrades in loud
| voice:
"A prize. boys, prizel BY Jove! it,
a fine grunter.'
He leaped upon the deck of the En-
| glish ship. There was a commotion for
"A moment among the prisoners The
young midshipman stepped up to the
| sailor with the pig, and claimed it as his
own.
Its my pet pig" said the midship.
man, land he doesn't belong to you.
His name is Murphy, and he has been
with us ever since we left the island of
Mocha. viii you give him np:'
mo; you are prisoner ard so is
vour pig shonted the sailor, at which a
general laugh was set up ny the others.
The young miishipinan. however, was
not to be robbed so easily. His face
flushed up with anger, and Selling the
pig with both hands he said sharply:
''But we always respect private prop
erty, and this pig belongs to me-
The pig in question by this time began
to feel uncomfortable in the hands of its
two claimants, and its squealing was re-
newed and increased tenfold. The sailor
chung to his prize, and the young mid
shipman kept his hold with equal deter
mination.
The pig had been captured on the
island Of Mocha. off the shores Of Arau-
cania, when the Essex was cruising in
the Pacific. Running short of provisions
after leaving the Brazilian coast, Capt
Porter had landed 1T this island while
his men enjoyed an exciting hunt inland
The island had been inhabited by Span.
iards at one time. and fat wild swine
were abundant. Among those captured
was the small pig, which the sailors
named Murphy" During the rest Of the
journey the little Iorkcr Of the mid
shipman's had become great fayorite.
and now that lis o" gership was In dis
pute the American, as vel, as the En-
glsh, seamen crowded around the two
contestants.
The English sailors were fair minded
and ready for any kind Of sport. They
enjoyed the scene hugely, and saw in it
the germs of an exciting fight. One or
two of them shouted out words Of en-
enlargement to the disputers. Then
one Of the English sailors cried ont:
Go it, my little Yankee; if you can
thrash Shorty, you shall have the pig"
This decided the matter. The Young
midshipman let go of his hold and said:
agreed. I'm ready to fight for
Murphy"
\ shout Of approval greeted this brave
remark. The sailors, ready for lark,
fell back and formed ring. On one
side stood the American sailors. who. for
the time being. forgot the sting Of their