The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-29
A TRAGEDY OF THE SEA.
Hanging of a Midshipman and Two
Sailors for Mutiny.
New York Press.

L
With the unlimited possibilities America
offers for appropriate names, for her naval
vessels it is difficult to see why the torpedo
boat which we have bought in Germany
should be called the Somers as it is stated
she will be named. That was the name, to
be sure, of an honored brig of our navy
half century ago, but it recalls the mutiny
on the Somers, when, for the only time in
our history, an American naval officer was
hanged for mutiny. With him were ex-
ecuted two of the crew. Such a name in
our navy of to-day will keep alive what is
perhaps the most grewsome chapter in our
naval history. The mutiny, and its swift
suppression, occurred forty-two years ago.
coming November.
The officer who was hanged was Midship-
man Philip Spencer, son of the secretary of
war, John G. Spencer, of New York State.
The man whose knowledge of conVicting
Spencer was Midshipman John Rodgers,
afterward admiral.
The Somers, a brig of 266 tons, and one
of the fastest sailers in the navy, had left
New York for cruise among the West In
dies and also took dispatches from Norfolk
for the frigate Vandalia, which was cruiS
ing off the west coast of Africa. On his
previous service, on the John Adams and
nation and a decided tendency toward
drinking more than he ought for his own
good. He was nineteen years old and re-
sented all attempts of Captain Mackenzie
to keep him within bounds by the ordinary
methods of naval discipline
On the night of Nov 25 1912, while the
Somers was nearing Fort Thomas. West In
dies, the purser'S steward, John W. Wales,
was approached by Spencer in a mysterious
manner. Spencer asked Wales to go out
on boom with him so that their conversa-
ton could not be overheard on the deck.
When they had reached secure spot
Are you afraid of death? Are you
afraid of a dead man? Are you afraid to
kill anyone?"
To these remarkable questions Wales re-
turned an answer in the negative. After
swearing him to secrecy Spencer unfolded
to the astounded steward a plan to seize
officers a
career of piracy. Wales gave no definite
reply to the proposition of the MILDLY to
let him Know the next day. As soon as
possible, however. Wales told the purser,
Heiskel, who told Lieutenant Gansevoort,
who in turn went to the captain with the
story.
At first Captain Mackenzie could not
credit the tale. Knowing of Spencer's
to watch the young mdshipman. Spencer
in the next few days was seen to be study
ing closely a chart of the West Indies and
to be interesting himself in details of the
ship which were foreign to his duties. The
captain decided to have talk with Spencer.
The conversation opened with this remark
from the captain: II understand, sir, that
you aspire TO the command of this ship
Spencer coollY and laughingly disclaimed
any such ambition Then the captain told
the plot as it had come to his ears. spen--
Ger kept his self-possession and said 1T
was all a joke. But Captain Mackenzie
put him in irons, and had his locker
searched. In it was found a paper with
strange characters on it. 1t was submitted
to Midshipman Rodgers, who said it was
written in Greek. and, as he was able to
read Greek, it was learned that the paper
contained a list of the ships crew in
columns headed ''sure'' and doubtful"
Samuel Cromwell boatswains mate, and
Elisha Small, ordinary seaman, who had
served in the British navy, had been seen
for some time to have furtive conversation
with Spencer; and they, too, were put in
irons.
Vsher Spencer had been in close confine-
meTit' for four days Captain Mackenzie
called council Of his officers and asked
their opinion. They found the three men
ito have been guilty of a full and deter
mined intention to commit a mutiny on this
vessel of a most atrocious character"
Though no overt act had been committed
they recommended that the mutineers be
put to death.
Accordingly the men were notified what
awaited them. Cromwell protested his inno
eence, and begged that, for the sake of his
wife, lis life be spared Small asked that
his old mother never be told how he had
died. Spencer said he was not ready to die,
and wished to be shot instead of banged u