Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1911-02-08
Commodore David Porter

One OF the most brilliant officers OF
the early American navy was David |
Porter, born at Boston, February I,
1880. AS a boy he distinguished him |
self III resisting impressment bv the |
BRITISH gangs employed for that pur-
pose Along with Rodgers and eleven
sailors from the Constellation he sail
ed the captured French frigate Insur-
gent into port, although the task i'm |
posed on the prize crew was extraor-
binary for three days and nights with
out wink OF sleep managing a Grip
pied ship in storm, and guarding ia
prisoners. He was a lieutenant on
the rrigate Philadelphia that fell into
the hands OF the pirates of Tripoli, |
and he had taste OF prison life in a
filthy dungeon Captain Porter was
therefore 80 years OF age when the
United States declared war against
Great Britain. He was in command
OF the trlgate Essex, that was under
going repairs in New York harbor.
Two weeks after the declaration OF
war the Essex started on her first
cruise against British commerce. The
trip lasted two months in which time
tiiN i-ooNN looh iilllS SHIPS anu over SOU
prisoners. The second cruise began
on October %, 1872, when Porter sail
ed to Port Praya in the Cape Verde
Island to join the Constitution and
the Hornet at the appointed rendez-
vous. Failing to find his consorts
there he struck off in southweste
direction for the island of Fernando
Noronha, off the coast of Brazil, cap
turing OH the way British brig, that
had on board $500 in coin On De-
cember I4th he reached the island to
find waiting him letter from Commo-
dore cambridge, directing the Essex
to join the Constitution at Cape Frio
Porter remained in that neighborhood
lOr several days until he learned OF
the capture OF the Java by the Consti-
| tuition, and the flight OF the Hornet to
avoid falling into the clutches OF the
British ship OF the line. Free to fol-
| low whatever course he pleased he re-
solved on a daring adventure, to slip
around Cape Horn and prey on Brit
| ish commerce in the Pacific Ocean. On
| January Goth, 1873, he left port, and
after some thrilling adventures sue
-~eeded in rounding the dangerous
| cape; whereupOn he made for the har-
| Dor of Valparaiso Chill. Rehtting and
restocking his ship he set out on a
| career, that added renown to his name.
| For a full year he secured the Pacific,
capturing twelve ships OF the enemy,
and living off the enemy. Returning
to Valparaiso he learned that the Brit
sh Admiralty had detailed two ships,
the Phoebe and the Cherub, to cap
ture the Essex. Not long after the
| Essex had come to anchor in the har-
Dor the two ships appeared. and bore
down on the Essex as ii to attack her.
But the wind let the Phoebe in dang ar
of being raked, and hence Captain Hill
var. instead OF beginning an engage
ment shouted his compliments to the
American commander. Day after day
passed and Porter, finding it impos-
sibe to get fight with the Phoebe,
and fearing that other and still more
powerful frigates might be attracted
ITO the place, determined to attempt 10
escape the blockade. But OH March
18th, 1874 heavy squall broke one
OF the cables OF the Essex, and she
began to drift out to sea. Then Porter
clapped on all sail and made a bold
dash to escape. Just as the Essex
was rounding promontory, sudden
blast Of wind snapped off the maintop-
mast, allowing the wreckage to drag
in the water. Thus handicapped Por-
ter tried to get back to his Old anchor
age. but the injured ship refused to
answer the helm, and therefore he
ian close to the shore in smooth
water. Then he set the crew to work
making repairs. To his surprise he
observed the enemy bearing down tc
attack him in the neutral bay. thu:
violating his VOW to respect the neu
traltv OF the port a few minutes be
,ore o'clock in the afternoon the
British ships opened fire on the Essex
The two ships mounted 81 guns anc
carried 500 men. The Essex had At
, guns and $50 men. But even this doe!
not show the advantage OF the Bit
ish. Their armament consisted OF lone
guns, while TIE Essex had only 81,
long twelves. the other 40 beng car
ronades, which were effective on'L q
close quarters. Because the American
frigate was crippled only in her rig
gIng, the British were able 10 chooS'
tneir own distance and shoot her tt
pieces. For two hours the Esse,
, stood the terrific pounding, and dom.
effective work whenever the encm.
happened to get in range, until witt
!. one hall her Crew killed and wounded
: and on fire, Porter felt Obliged t'
!. close the unequal contest. On the Es
sex that day was lad OF twelve year
who in another and far more seriou
war exhibited the same kind OF skill
and logged perseverance that charac
!. terized Porter at Valparaiso He wa
! David Farragut, the protege or HI
: | ,..,;,, Tho ctory of the 6pht mad