Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1911-02-16
KILLING A MUTINY
Dramatic Incident In the Early
History Of Our Navy.
THE PLOT ON THE OLD ESSEX

THE PLOT ON THE OLD ESSEX
Commodore Porter Got Wind of the
Conspiracy Just as 1t Was Ripe, and
His Prompt and Drastic Action Cow
C, he Crew and Saved the Ship.
1.r.e has never been fleet mutiny
or squadron mutiny in the United
Sll navy. The most notorious case
in III, naval history of this country
WA The conspiracy to mutiny on the
brig OF war Somers, which was discov-
cred before it came to head and re-
suited in the execution at sea of Philip
Spencer, midshipman, son of the then
; secretary of war, and one petty officer
and one seaman.
Another famous case was the one in
viii, \ Commodore Porter acted with
such vigor and promptitude that he
completely crushed the rebellious spirit
that had manifested itself and saved
his ship.
When Commodore Porter was in com
mand of the Essex in the early history
of our navy there was an attempted
mutiny on board Here is an account
of how it wasi suppressed which is
vouchcd for authentic: while the
Essex was j. ~; at the Marquesas is
lands, recruiting and refreshing her
crew from ono of the long and arduouS
cruises in tive Pacific. Commodore Por
ter was INFORMED through a servant of
one of tn officers that Il mutiny had
been PLANE vi and was on the eve of
coi,summation; that it was the inten-
ton of the mutinccrs to rise upon the
officers, take possession of the ship and
after having remained as long as they
found agreeable mt the island TO hoist
the black flag and 'cruiSe on their own
account
i "IlavnS satisfied himself of the truth
of the information, Commodore Porter
assembled to the quarterback and or
Gered all the crew to be summoned aft.
Waiting until the last man had come
/, from below, he informed them that he
understood that a mutiny was on foot
and that he had summoned them for
| the purpose of inquring into its truth.
Those men who are i'm favor of stand
| ing by the ship and her officers said
! the commodore, will 90 over TO the
starbonrd side; those who are against
them will remain where they are The
, crew to Il man moved over to the star
board side. The ship was still as the
: grave. Fixing his eyes on them stead
4 lily and sternly for few moments, the
commodore said, Robert White. step
out The man obeycd, standing pale
nnd agitated, guilt stamped ON every
lineament of his countenance, i'm front
of his comrades
The commodore looked at him II
moment, then, Selling Il cutlcss from
the nearest rack, said i'm Il suppressed
voice, but in tones so deep that they
rang like Il kncll upon the ears of the
guilty among tho crew: Villain. You
are the ringleadcr of this mutiny!
Jump overheard" The man dropped
on his knees, imploring for mercy, say
ing hat he could not swim. Then
i drown, you scoundrelr said the com
modorc. springing toward him to cut
him down overheard instantly!
And the man jumped over the side of
/ the ship He then turned to the treln-
bling crew and addressed them with
much feeling, the tears standing upon
his bronzed cheek as he spoke lie
asked them what he had done that his
ship should he disgraced w a mutiny.
He asked whether lie l. ever dis
4 honored the flag, whether had ever
treated them with other tin: Kindness,
!, whether they had ever been wanting
for anything TO their comfort that dis
(. cipline and the rules of the service
/ would allow and that. it was i'm his
+, power To give.
Sat the close of his address he said
Men, before I came on deck | laid II
train to the magazine, and would
have blown all on board into eternity
before my ship should have been dis
eraced by Il successful mutiny
never would have survived the dis
J honor of my ship. Go to your duty
/ The men We're much affected by the
commod0re's address and Immediately
returned TO their duty, showing every
sign of contritioi.
But mark the sequel of this mutiny
and let those who, in the calm Sc
cnlily of their tiresidcs, are so severe
i upon the course of conduct pursued by
officers in such critical situations see
how much innocent blood would have
been saved il White had been cut
down instantly or hanged mt the yard
arm. AS he went overheard he sue
ceedcd in reaching canoe floating at
81 little distance and padded ashore.
Some few months afterward, when
! Lieutenant Gamble Of the marines
WAS ut the islands, in charge of one of
the large prizes. short handed and in
distress, this same White, at the head
of il party of natives, attacked the
slip, killed two Of the officers and a
number of men, and 1t was with great
I difficulty that she was prevented from
falling into their hands" New York
4 Post.
Nora Was Wise.
sNo,., l,,,.