The record-union., 1895-06-17

been on the paper had been seduced
by Spencer without their really appre-
ciating the enormity of the crime they
were to commit, and assured them that
they would not be lnolested unless they
gave further cause. That night those
most i'm plicated gathered in little groups.
and a meracing air was noticed every
where. An attempt to release the pris-
ouers was discussed and the officers eX-
pected an outbreak. Several acts OF IN
subordination occurred, but were prompt
ly punished. These acts induced the
Captain to cause the arrest and conflne-
ment Of the principal suspected ones, ana
TO take extreme measures.
A council of the officers was at once
called. and tie question of what was best
to be done submitted to them. Witnesses
were called and examined, and unanl-
nous conclusion reached tnat the safety
of the vessel and the good OF the service
demanded the Immediate execution OF
Spencer, Cromwell and Small. In this
conclusion Captain Mack kenZie concurred,
and, dressing himself III full uniform,
gave orders 10 prepare to carry the SEN
tence into execution, while he went TO no.
tify The condemned of the fate that
an aited them. When the announcement
was Ihade To Spencer, he fell upon his
knees and pleaded Tor his life, saying he
was not lit TO die. The Captain adnon-
ished him that, rs an officer, he ought to
set better example than that before the
men he had seduced TO their destruction,
and SHOULD show them how to die with
decorum. Spencer then asked Tor, an
hour, which was granted him. CromWel
also begged for bis life, declaring his IN
nocence. but Small received the an
nouncement in stold silence.
Three whips were run out from the
yardarm, and the men mustered to wit
ness The punishment. The prisoners
were brought out and asked il they had
anything to say or any word they desired
10 send To their friends. Spencer admit
ted that his sentence was just, that he de-
served death Tor this and other crimes:
that there were few crimes he had not
committed, and confessed that while on
the Adams and Potomac he had attempted
to incite mutiny for the purpose OF
SeiZlng the vessels. tie asked TO be per-
united to give the order 10 fire the gun
which was TO be the signal OF their exc
cutiou, but wheu the moment came his
heart failed him, and the word OF COM
mand was given by the Captain. AS the
three criminals were swung OFT the nag
was run up to the masthead and the crew
gave three cheers.
Ou luS SuHudy lOllOWluk. ullCl ehO
usual Sunday services, Captain Macken-
ze again addressed the crew and caused
the laws for the government OF naval yes
sells 10 be read. He then said the crew
had shown they could give cheers for the
country, and that they should now give
cheers to God by singing his praises. The
colors were then run up and the crew
joined in singing the Tooth Psalm. When
the Somers reached this country Captain
Haplpnda9 a rtlai and
was duly acquitted, the court declaring
be was fully justified lii his acts.
The next naval mutiny occurred IN
1864, on board the steamer Ocean Queen,
plying between New York and the 18TH
mus, and was suppressed by the prompt
and bold action of Commodore Daniel
Ammen shooting tw of the ringleaders.
In that year the navy on the Paclfc Coast
was in want of seamen, and detachment
of recruits was started for the lsthmus
under charge OF Commodore Ammen.
There were over 200 Of the recruits, and
many OF them were of the toughest order.
The Commodore had but one man with
him.
The recruits were shipped on board of
the Ocean Queen, which carried at the
same time about thousand other passen-
gers, among whom was Justice Field Of
the Supreme Court. Many OF the recruits
had obtained liquor, and on the very first
night out, while intoxicated, created con-
siderable disturbance. While the Com
modore was IN the after part of the ship
he heard some noise forward, and going
there disco cred the Captain of the vessel
and one of bis officers struggling III the
hands of two recruits, the recruits trying
TO throw the officers overheard.
Commodore Ammen forced the men to
release the officers. and then drove them
back to the part OF The vessel assigned TO
the recruits. He then asked what was
the trouble, and the men complained of
their quarters and OF the food given them.
Commodore Ammen kindly told the men
he would investigate the matter and see
that they were well treated. he was so
kind and easy about II that the men took
the notion that he was afraid OF them,
and they could do as they pleased.
The next day several disturbances
arose, and the commander OF the vessel
proposed to put into Hampton and get
rid of the whole batch, but i'll this he was
opposed by Ammen, who promised that
he would see that the disturbances We're
ended. AT dinner time that day two of
the leaders OF the mutinous crowd under
took to force their way into the cabin,
and again seized the Captain.
Commodore Ainmen promptly drew
his revolver and shot the two men dead,
aud at once went in among the others and
aTTGSIou HUH D6I Vi bu6ui.
The proupt and fearless action of the
Commodore saved the vessel, for il
leake out that plot existed for seizing
the ship.
on his return the Commodore de-
m2nded a court-martial. AS he after
ward said, in speaking about it, he was
not in good leather just at that time with
the naval authorities, who were running
two permanent cOurtsmartlal-One or
oapize1 To acuuit and the other to rom
vict-and he was sen. before the latter,
but he was promptly acquitted. Justice
Field, who had witnessed the whole
transaction, wrote very strong letter to
the Administration, indorsing his action.
This ended the second and last mutiny
in our rnavy.-Cincinnati Gazette.