Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-05
AROUND THE WORLD
Anson's Voyage Over $50
Years Ago Hasn't Its
Equal in History.
OF NEARLY 1000 MEN
Only 1875 Survived the Cruel Cruise
of the War With Spain.
THEY MADE ONLY ONE CAPTURE,
But That One Was the Richest Ever Made
in Single Bottom.
FACTS RIVALLlNG MARRYATl'S TALES
OF NEARLY 1000 MEN
HEY MADE ONLY ONE CAPTURE,
FACTS RIyALLING MARRIATl'S TALES
rwRIrrEN FOR THE pIsPArcH.I

OF all the voyages around the world, from
the days OF Magellan to the present time,
not one equals in interest the famous voyage
of Commodore Anson in the good ship
Centurion.
Anson, following as he did Cxuam,
Drake, Cavendish, Woodes- Rogers, DAM
pier, Selkirk and others, has been desig-
mated "the last of the buccaneers" as
Cxuam was undoubtedly the frst-at least
in the South seas-but as Anson sailed
with regularly organized naval squadron.
and in time of declared war, he scarcely
merits the appellation.
Perhaps one reason why Anson was thus
called was because the voyagers immedi-
ately following him-Cook, Bougainville,
Carteret, Wallis, Vancouver, La Pirouse,
Cslnett, Flinders and others, had a nobler
aim in view than that OF the cruisers
science and discovery!
War From Slashinc on an Ear.
The war with Spain in lao was precipi-
tated in England BY the cruel treatment or
one Robert Jenkins, master of the Rebecca
Of Glasgow, by a Spanish Guarda Costa.
When jenkins appeared before the House
of Commons he told the members that after
rhe Spanish crew had maltreated his men
they savagely cut off one of his ears, put it
into his hand and bade him take it home
and present it to mis- sovereign.
The burst of indignation which infamed
al England rendered war with Spain IN
eviIable. 1t is told BY jenkins, upon being
asked by a member of the House of Com
mons as to mis- feelings at the time of his
maltreatment, he made the memorable
reply: 81 committed my soul to God and my
cause to my country" Walpole said these
words were put in his mouth by another.
The English Government prompted hostili-
ties even before the declaration of war; but
the motto of those days-taken from the
buccaneers of .the previous century-was:
'No peace beyond the line,
The English Plan of Campaign.
The intention of the Government at first
was to send out two squadrons, one to pro-
ceed direct to the Philippine Islands via the
Cape OF Good Hope; the other to round
Cspa Horn, scour the coast of South Amer
zca, and then TO cross the Pacific and join
Ihe first.
The latter part of the plan only was car
ried out. A squadron was fitted out for this
purpose and consisted OF the following YES
sells: Centurion, TO guns, 400 men, Commo-
dore George Anson; Gloucester, 80 guns
300 men, Captain Richard Norris; Severn,
80 guns, 800 men, Captain Hon. E. Legg;
Pearl, 40 guns, $50 men, Captain NJ.
Mitchell; Wager. 2S guns 16O men, Cap
tain Dandy Kidd; Tryal, 8 guns, 100 men,
Captain Hon. j. Murray.
In fitting out these vessels the Admiralty
displayed an amount OF stupi lity, and even
brutality, hardly to be conceived of in
these days. Il had been originally settled
that part of each ships comnanv should
consist Of soldiers, and the regiments which
we're to furnish them had been specified,
but a most execrable and unhappy change
was made in this particular. Instead of the
800 sailors of whom he was short of compile
Inent, Anson only received 10, and of
these % we're from hospitals and 9S were
green marines
Embarked an ARMY of lnvalids.
The land force of the expedition was in
tended to consist of 500 soldiers; but instead
If embarding suitable men, orders were
issued for 500 invalids to be collected from
among the "out-pensioners" of Chelser Col
leCe- poor fellows whom old age, wounds
and disease had long untitled for any active
service.
The wiseacres of the Admiralty thought
the iuyalds the 'Fbest seasoned" and fit
troops lor the occasionl Most of the men
we're over 60, and some upwards of 20 years
ct age. Not one Of these aged warriors,
some OF whom had survived the carnage of
the B0yTe and at Blenheim, lived to revisit
his native land
The squadron was DELAYED sailing so long
that the Spanish Government had time to
dispatch Information to South America, to
put the colonies in a state of defense. as
well as To equip a squadron of six ships OF
war-four o them OF the line-under Ad-
Tniral josef Pizarro, to intercept Anson on
his passage.
Never was there a squadron worse
equipped, or sent to sea under greater dis
advantages. But that did not deter the
active and vigorous snirit of Anson, who
now hoisted his broad pennant as Commo-
dOre, and soon afforded presumption that
the resources of his own mind were capable
Of counteracting some OF the evils which
were entailed on them
The squadron sailed from St Helens
September Is, 1740, and after tedious
passage arrived at Madeira on the 25th of
October, where, having taken in wine and
other refreshments, the Commodore con-
tinued his course. narrowly escaping from
the Spanish feet under Pizarro.
Record of sickness and Storm.
Even at this early period of the voyage
much of that sickness prevailed in the
squadron by which its crews were soon af-
terward SO fearfully thinned. Anson or
dered extra air scuttles to be cut in each
ship tor more effectual ventilation.
''On the 18th of December the squadron
anchored at the Island of Santa Catalina, on
the east OF Brazil, aud landed the sick to
the number OF some hundreds; but. through
the lnsolence and treachery of Don Jose
SYLVIA de Paz, the Portuguese Governor,
they were very poorly accommodated; and,
after burylng great numbers, the sickness
rather increased than diminished"
The ships were here fumigated, cleansed |
and washed with vinegar
January lS, l141, the ships sailed for Port |
ST. Julian, IN Patagonia, where they an |
chored. The Tryal was here reftted On |
the 9Th of Iarch they passed the Straits of |
Marie; and here the trouble began. The |
stormy season came on, the ships were
separated, and encountered appalling diff |
culties and unparalleled distress. The Gen. |
turi0H was for 5S days under reeted courses,
aud all this time was trying to double the |
dreaded Cape Horn.
In wearing ship, BY manning the fore
shrouds, one of the abiest sesmen was |
thrown overheard. They were unable to
lower a boat; yet as the historian chaplain |
Walter) tells US: "We perceived that he |
swan very strong, and it was with the
utmost concern that We found ourselves un,
able to assist him."
Cowpers Poem Of the Castaway.
Upon this incident the poet Cowper
founded his exquisite poem OF 'The Cast
swav." In 1t occurs the verse:
Nor, cruel as it seemed. could he
Their haste itself condemn;
Aware that flight in such u sea
Alone cou,d succnr them.
Yet cruel ielt il still to die
Deserted, and his friends so nigh.
Meanwhile disease again ragged among