Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-02-15
KILLING 4 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 a. It Was Ripe, and
His Prompt and Drastic Action Cow.
ID tho Grew and Saved the Ship.

Conspiracy JUST A. u "aS n'Po' A"s
His Prompt and Drastic Action Cow.
I'd the Crew and Saved the Ship.
There has never been a 6eet mutlny
or a squadron mutiny 10 the United
States navy. The most notorious case
In the naval history Of this country
was 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. SOD Of the then
secretary Of war, and one petty officer
and one 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 com
mand of the Essex In the early history
Of our navy there was an attempted
mutiny % board. Here e 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 one 81 lifelong and arduous
cruises In the Pacific. Commodore Por-
ter was Informed through a servant Of
one Of the officers that q 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 at the island to hoist
the black dag and cruise on their own
account
"Having satisfied himself Of the truth
Of the Information, Commodore Porter
ascended to the quarterback aud 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 mutlny 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 go 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 bis 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 countenance. in front
Of his comrades.
1.-THE commodore looked at him a
moment. then, selling cutless from
the nearest rack, said In suppressed
voice. but in tones so deep that they
rang like knell upon the ears Of the
guilty among the crew: villain! You
are the ringleader Of this mutiny!
Jump overboard!' The man dropped
on his knees. imploring for mercy. say
ing that he could not swim. Then
drown. YOU scoundrel!' said the com
m0dore. 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
bis bronzed cheek as he spoke. He
asked tse:s what he t:s> done tho rs