Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1911-05-26
KILLING A MUTINY

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mutiny or squadron mutiny in
the United States navy. The most
notrious case in the naval history
Of this country was the conspiracy
to mutiny on the brig Of war
Somers, which was discovered be-
fore it came to head and resulted
in execution at sea of Philip
Spencer midshipman. one petty
officer and one seaman.
Another famous case was the
one in which )mmodore Porter
acted with such vigor and prompti-
tude that he completely crushed
the rebellious spirit that had mani
tested itself and saved his ship.
When Commodore Porter was in
command of the Essex in the early
history of our 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 tlhe Marqu esas islands,
recruiting and refreshing her crew
from one of the long and arduous
cruises in the Pacific, Commodore
Porter was informed through a
servant of one of the officers that a
mutiny had been planned and was
on the eve of consummation; that
is was the intention of the
mutineers to rise upon the offers.
take possession of the ship and
after having remained as long as
they found it agreeable al the island
to hoist the black flag and cruise
on their own account
Having satisfied himself of the
truth of the information, Commo-
dore Porter assembled to the
quarterback and ordered all the
crew to be summoned aft. Wait
ing until the last man had come
from below, he informed them
! that he understood that q mutiny
was on foot and that he had
summoned them for the purpose
of inquiring into its truth. Those
men who are in favor of standing
by the ship ard 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 starboard side.
The ship was still as the grave.
Fixing his eyes on them steadily
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.
THE commodore looked al him
a moment then seized a cutlass
from the nearest rack asked in a
suppressed voice but in tones so
deep that they rang like knell
upon the ears of the guilty among
the crew: william! You are the
ringleader of this mutiny! Jump
overboard!" The man dropped on
his knees lmpIor!ng for mercy
saying that he could not swim.
Then drown you scoundrel!' said
the commodore springing toward
him to cut him down. Over
board instantly! And the man
jumped over the side of the ship.
lie then turned to the trembling
crew and addressed them with
much feeling the tears standing
upon bis bronzed chrek as he
spoke. He asked them what he
had done that his ship should be
disgraced by mutiny. He asked
whether he had ever dishonored d
the flag, whether he had ever
treated them with other than kind.
ness whether they had ever been
wanting for anything to their
comfort that discipline and the
rules of the service would allow
and that it was in his power tc
give.
"At the close of his address he
said: Men before came on deck
laid train to the magaz inc. anC
| would have blown all on board
into eternity before my shir
should have been disgraced by +,
successful mutiny. never woult
have survived the dishonor of m,
ship. Go to your duty. The mel
were much affected nv thu copp y.