The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-16
An American War of One Battle.

William Elliot Gritfis in the April Century
In the annals of the American navy no
achievement OF single commander in a single
ship surpasses that of David McDougal in the
Wyoming at shimonoseki Happening on the
other side of the globe, during our civil war,
this daring exploit passed unnoticed at the time
Ignored b. our naval historians, it has thus far
found no chronicler. The modest report of the
hero, in about jol words, conveys no idea Of the
splendor of the achievement
Briefly told. the story is this: sloop of war
of six guns, in narrow strait, engaged during
seventy minutes force of seven batteries
mounting thirty heavy guns, and three men of
war carrying eighteen guns-in all, forty-eight
guns The Japanese force comprised probably
100 men. The Wyoming, unassisted, DESTROYED
one of the batteries, sunk two ships, disabled
third, and emeIg ed from the conflict with loss
of four men killed and seven wounded
The Wyoming was sister ship to the Kear-
sarge, and on the same errand. At the outbreak
OF the war, being one of the many national ves-
sells within call, she WAS dispatched to the
Asiatic station. Built In 1855 by Merrick &
Co, of Philadelphia, she rated as a sloop
of war, second class, of 726 tons. Like the
kearsarge, she was of the type recommended.
as far back as ISL, by Captain Matthew
Gslbrsith Perry. This sailor dipIomatist was
not only one Of the most accomplished artiller-
lists in the navy, but the trainer as both officers
repeatedly and gratefully aeknow edged. of
David McDougsl and the able executive officer
OF the kearsarge, James 5. Thornton. Long and
narrow in build, OF great speed, the Wyoming
was armed with the heaviest ordnance. With
only four 52pounder broadside guas, she
mounted antdsh.ps two u-ineh Dahigren piyot
guns
In anticipation of Confederate privateers be-
ing let loose in the eastern seas, the Wyoming
received new crew at Panama, and was nut
under the command OF McDougal in June, 1851
This tried and true officer was then a com.
mander. He was 81 years old. had seen service
for thirty-two years on many seas, and had
been under ire in the Mexican war Having
been trained especially On steamers, he had
little of that fear which in 1861 occasionally
possessed, like paraly1ing demon. naval
ohcers VINO had never fought over boiler
Though he had served for sixteen years in
one grade-that of lieutensnt-he was not
creature OF routine. afraid of taking RESPONSE
billy when necessary. One of his compan.
ions in service had been Lieutenant James
Glynu. who, at Nagasaki, in ls49 with his little
fourteen-gun brig Preble, in the teeth OF all the
japanese batteries. had dashed through the cor
don of spy-5oats and compelled the release and
delivery OF eight shipwrecked American sea.
men. With such p.ecedsats in Japan a. Glynn
and Perry, McDoussl was the man 70 make
the most of his ship and men. Among these.
mostly native Americans Injured to danger and
burning with patriotism. were some foreigners
VINO required watching. and MeDougsl found
It eIPsdient occasionally to shift, or change the
personnel OF the gun crews Even after the
battle, with the smell OF powder still In their
clothes, lie found Portuguese lighting an
EnglshInan because the latter had said "Ny
stomach is on the Wyoming. bu, my heart is on
tie Alabama"