The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-19
one OF the Enrlt~r Dewey.

One or the amazing things about the
war. esoeciallv that part of it managed
by Admiral Dewey, is that any American
VINO knows his country's naval history
shou.d express surprise at the result The
brave man who commands and al the
other brave men who officer and man the
Asiatic squadron Of the United States rep
resent the best tradition Of the American
navy ana have been living up to ii, but
what they did In the harbor OF Manila is
the legitimate successor Of brave deeds
done In the harbor of Tripoll and, notably.
that consummate act OF bravery per-
formed by Capt. Samuel C. Reid In the
harhor OF Fayal In the Azores, on the
night of September 2s, 1874.
samuel Chester Reid was an earlier
Dewey-and the annals of our nayef show
many another like him ir the gallant DAYS
that have gone, just as there viii be more
10 come IL the republic needs them in the
years that are still stretching before us
He was born In Connecticut, in Norwich
Beginning ike the rest of them. as a mid
shipman, he served under Truxton and
rose TO the rank of sailing master At
the time OF the occurrence here to be cele-
brated, he was, however in command of
the staunch little privateer schooner. the
General Armstrong. which sailed from
New York. September g., 1914, with in
sfructions to hover around the line Of the
Brazil feet. Earlier in the war she had
been under the command of Capt TIM
othy Barnard and had made no fewer
than nineteen prizes. When she returned
home, she was fitted with seven long mines
and forty-two FOUNDER set amidships.
not very powerful armament, but one
that would serve al pinch.
The General Armstrong, following her
instructions. laid her course for the Azores
islands. and after a rafting voyage
anchored in the roadstead al Fayal on
the fifteenth day out from New York
seeking water and fresh provisions. John
B. Dahney. the American consu, at the
port, came out and was able to assure
Capt. Reid that no British man~of-war
had been seen around those parts for
many long day. But he had not much
more than spoken when a spanking Brit
ish brig sloop, the Carnation, Capt
George Bentham, eighteen guns. came in
sight. She was speedily followed by the
frigate Rota, Capt. Philip Somerville,
thsrty-eight guns, and the big sventy-four.
the Plantagenet. Capt. Richard Floyd
Mr.. Dabney. the CONSUL was quite certain
even after seeing their enormous prepon-
derance of men and guns. 200 and
ninety of one. 1870 and seven OF the other
that the British would respect the neu-
trality of the Portuguese port. Samuel
Reid knew better. He could see that the
Carnation was clearing for action. so ne
schooner close in shore with his long
sweeps. About 7:3o o'clock in the even
ing Of Gear moonlight night II was
when he saw four boats filled with sail
ors put out from the British squadron
He put up stout boarding net al around
the ship, cleared for action and dropped
his anchor with springs on the cable. I'm
shallow water. Then Capt. Reid. his duty
done so far. awaited the coming of the
IA
preached repeatedly, and, failing 10 get
any response. az last opened fire. This
was returned from the boats promptly
they came on with rush and a yell. but
before they got in striking distance. they
acknowledged defeat and returned
whence they had come.
Thereupon the British set preparations
on foot that would admit OF no doubt
Presently the Carnation came slowly in
surrounded hv boats Waiting until mid
night. the latter. in three divisions OF four
each, left the shelter of the reef where
they had been lying. gave three cheers
and started fer the Yankee. There was
only time for one hrosdside from the
Armstrong, when they were laid aboard
The attack on the quarterback vas FIRST
r4pulsed with enormous losses 10 the as
saiants Then, a slight advantage having
been obtained by those on the farecsstse
where two OF the American lieutenants
had been shot capt. Reid led his nsn TO
the rescue and the British went tumbliug
over the SIDE all that was left OF their
agse against our ninety.
Then the Carnation took a little turn
With her eighteen guns she came boldly
In, suffered .wo or three weil-pIaced shots
from the Armstrong; long tom and went
back more quickly than she came. There
upon the big P.antagenet warped herself
around ard the American saw that
further resistance would be us.isss-eIght
guns TO sevsnty-four was not quite fair
So they turned their one big cannon
against the buii 81 the gallant Armstrong
blew big hoe In her and down she went
TIE wounded having been first removed
New for she casualties: They were not
as dispropostionate as ar the Manila Exht
Of course. for the British are another
breed from the Snaniards; bat the Amer
leans had two killed. one OF them Second
Lieutenant Alexander O. Williams. and
seven wounded. among them the first and
third ffeutenants: while TIE British off,
GERS admitted to Consa. DabT2sy that
there had been more than 80 killed a. a
resngi 81 the acton. though The official
report showed thirty-four killed ard
esghty-ssx wounded But II Was . glori-
80, nsa raS