The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1911-04-05
KILLING A MUT|NY
Dramatic Incident In the Early
History of Our Navy.
THE PLOT ON THE OLD ESSEX
Commodore Porter Got Wind Of the
Conspiracy Just as II Was Ripe, and
His Prompt and Drastic Action Cow.
cd the Crew and Saved the Ship.

cd the Crew and Saved the Ship.
There has never been a feet mutiny
or a squadron mutiny In the United
States navy. The most notorious case
in the naval history of this country
was the conspiracy to mutiny on the
brig of wal Somers, which was discov-
cred before It came to a head and re-
suited in the execution at sea of Philip
| Spencer, midshipman, son Of the then
secretary of war, and n petty officer
and n seaman.
Another famous case was the one in
which 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 CON-
mand of the Essex in the early history
of II navy there was an attempted
mutiny on board. Here Is an account
Of how it was suppressed which Is
vouched for as authentic: while the
Essex was lying at the Marquesas is
lands. recruiting and refreshing her
crew from II Of the long and arduous
cruises In the Pacific. Commodore Por-
ter was Informed through a servant Of
n of the officers that a mutiny had
been planned and was on the eve of
cOnSummation; that it was the inten.
ton Of the mutineers to rise upon the
officers, take possession Of the ship and
after having remained as long as they
found agreeable ut the island to hoist
the black flag and cruise on their own
account
Having satisfied himself Of the truth
Of h information, Commodore Porter
assembled to the quarterback and or
dered 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 inqulring into its truth.
Those men who are in favor Of stand
ing by the ship and her officers said
the commodore, will 60 over to the
starboard side; those who are against
them will remain where they are.' The
crew to a man moved over to the star
board side. The ship was still as the
grave. Fixing his eyes on them stead
lily and sternly for a few moments, the
commodore said, Robert White, step
out The man obeyed, standing pale
and agitated, guilt stamped on every
lineament of his conntenance, in front
Of his comrades.
"The commodore looked at him a
moment, then, Selling a cutless from
the nearest rack, said in a suppressed
voice, but in tones so deep that they
rang like a knell upon the ears of the
guilty among the crew: villain! You
are the %ringleader of this mutiny!
Jump overheard! The man dropped
on his knees, imploring for mercy, say
Ing that he could not swim. Then
drown, you scoundrel!' said the com
modore. %springing toward him to cut
him down. Overheard instantly
And the man jumped over the side of
the ship. He then turned to the trem-
bling crew and addressed them with
much feeling, the tears standing upon
his bronzed cheek as he spoke. He
asked them what he had done that his
ship should be disgraced by a mutiny.
He asked whether he had ever dis
honored the flag, whether he had ever
treated them with other than 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 in his
power to give.
AT the close Of his address he said:
Men, before l came on deck | laid a
train to the magazine, and l would
have blown all on board into eternity
before my ship should have been dis
graced by a successful mutiny. l
neve would have survived the dis
honor of my ship. Go to your duty
The men were much affected by the
commodore's address and Immediately
returned to their duty, showing every
sign of contrition.
But mark the sequel Of this mutiny
and let those who, in the calm Sc
curity of their firesides, are so severe
upon the course Of conduct pursued by
officers in such critical situations see
how much innocent blood would have
been saved If White had been cut
down instantly or hanged at the yard
arm. As he went overheard he sue
ceeded in reaching a canoe floating at
a little distance and padded ashore.
Some few months afterward, when
Lieutenant Gamble Of the marines
was at the islands, in charge of one of
the large prizes, short handed and in
distress, this same White, at the head
of a party of natives, attacked the
ship, killed two of the officers and a
number of men, and it was with great
difficulty that she was prevented from
falling into their hands."-New York
Post.