The record-union., 1895-06-17
ONLY TWO MUFINIES.
That is the Record of tine United
States Navy.
Story of the Hanging of the Son or
the Secretary of War
In 1912.

Since the organization of the American
Army on Boston Hights in no there
have been numerous mutinies among the
troops, and large number Of executions
for mutiny, desertlon or other crimes
against the military laws, but in the navy
there have been but two mutlnles, ana
only one of them occurred on vessel OF
war.
The first was very tragic in lts out
come, as it involved the execution by
hanging of son of the then Secretary OF
War.
Mutinies on the war vessels OF other
nations have been of frequent occurrence.
and some of them have been of consider
able magnitude, and resulted in few in
stances in the loss of the vessel on which
the mutiny occurred, but American sea-
men have been proverbiaily loyal and
obedient.
In 1912 Philip Spencer was Passed
Midshipman Ill our navy. he was the son
OF distinguished citizen and politician OF
New YorK-Hon- j ohm Z. spencer, Secre-
tary of War in Tyler's Cabinet. Young
Spencer had been In the navy for some
years, serving on board of the John Ad-
ans and the Potomac. He was young
man OF pleasing manners, yet OF dlssl-
pated habits, and given 10 getting into
trouble with his superiors. either on ac-
count Of neglect OF duty, or from MS
habit of too freely commenting upon
them when among his associates. While
on the John Adams and Potomac he was
frequently under arrest for lnSuDor0l-
nate talk or actions, and the commanding
officers always regarded him with suspl-
cion.
In 1912 he WAS transferred to the brig
Somers, then cruising on the African coast
under command of Captain Alexander
SIidell Mackenzie. The Somers was
largely officered by cadets and naval ap-
prentices, and it was upon their minds
Spencer eXerted his baneful influence. In
November of that year the Somers was
ordered home, and IL was on the home
ward voyage the mutiny was organized
which cost Spencer and two OF his follow
ers their lives. He conceived plan to
capture the brig, murder the officers and
start on piraticai cruise. Nothing un-
usual was noticed until the vessel had
been at sea for some weeks, when Mid
shipman Spencer appeared to grow sulky
aud refused TO mingle with the other o1l-
GERS only when duty actually required.
He was seen in frequent communication
with the men, and without any apparent
cause, or concert of action, frequent
scenes of insubordination occurred. In
the presence of the Captain Spencer was
obsequious, in fact, almost serylle, but
among the men he constantly loaded his
superior officer with the vilest eplthets,
denouncing him as tyrant and oeclar-
ing his desire TO have chance TO throw
him overheard. The officers took but
little notice of the ebullitions Of temper
on the part oft the crew, not thinking any
thing serious was contemplated, or That
there was any concert OF action.
In the latter part of Novemb Der the Lieu
tenant astonished the Captain by an
nouncing to him that conspiracy was on
foot to seize the vessel, murder the officers
and part of the crew, and that Midship-
man Spencer was at the head of 1t. Ac-
cording to the Lieutenant his information
came through the purser's steward, whom
Spencer had attempted to seduce into
joining in the plot.
The stewards story was that on the
night before Spencer had invited him to
go with him out on one of the booms, as
he had something very important to say
to him. When they reached place Sc
cure from observation or interruption.
Spencer had suddenly asked him if he
was afraid to kill a man. or was afraid of
q dead man. The steward was man Of
more than ordinary Intelligence, quick OF
wit and of mental action
He had noticed the acts of insubordina-
ton that had occurred so frequently with
in the last few days, and surmising he
was on the eve of making an important
discovery, with great GOODNESS and pres
ence of mind assured his interlocutor
that he had no fear OF the kind mentioned.
He was then sworn to secrecy. when
Spencer gave him the details OF the plot
he had Matched. assuring him that twenty
five of the mon had already agreed to it.
The plan was to seize the vessel, murder
the officers and such of the crew as would
not consent to join with them, and sail
for the Isle of Pines, noted piratical re-
sort.
In pursuing their piracy they would
attack no vessel they did not feel contl-
0ent of being able to capture, and when
captured the vessel, crew and paSsen-
gers, except such females as might be
wanted, were to be wholly destroyed.
Spencer exhibited written plan of the
organization, with the names OF those
who hau consented to join. The steward
did not at once agree to join the organiZa-
ton, but promised to think over it and
give an answer the next day.
That night he contlded the information
he had obtained to the purser, who at
once called the Lieutenant and give it to
him. The whole thing was so startling
that Captain Mackenzie was not dis
posed to credit it, and laughed at the
mitted that it was at least well to tax g
precautionary methods. SO a strict watch
was set upon Spencer and one or two Of
the crew, and the officers were instructed
to go armed at the time. This silent
espionage was kept up tor several days.
Spencer was frequently found closely
studying map of the West Indies, and
making frequent inquiries about the Isle
of Pines. lie was also often seen closely
scanning paper which he carefully put
away when anyone approached him. He
was nightly In consultation with the
boatswain, a seaman by the name OF
Cromwell. the largest man on the vessel,
and with a seaman named Small.
Cromwell was q surly creature, but as
yet had not shown any direct signs of in
subordination, but there had been whis-
pers that in times past he had had some
thing TO do with pirating. Small was an
Englishman, and at one time had served
in the royal navy. 1t was discovered that
Spencer had frequently given money to
various members of the crew, and had
been very liberal in distributing tobacco
among the apprentices, which was
against strict regulations. He had also
seduced the wardroom steward to steal
brandy, on which he and several Of the
crew became intoxicated. All these
things induced Captain Nick enzie TO de-
termIne upon the arrest anu confinement
o. Spencer.
The officers all being on deck and fully
armed. the Captain approached spencer
and remarked: 'Mr. Spencer. 1 under
stand you aspire to the command OF this
vessel" The midshipman gave no evil
dence of being startled al such remark,
but with genial smile disclaimed any
such desire. He was then asked If he
had not told Steward Wales that he in
tended to seize the vessel and murder the
officers. With the utmost GOODNESS he
acknowledged that he had, but said it
was only as joke. The Captain grimly
remarked that it might prove very
serious joke and at once ordered him to
na arrested and nlacad In irons.