Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1911-07-14
KILLING A MU7INY
Dramatic Incident In the Early
History Of Our Navy.
THE.PLoT ON THE OLD ESSEX



His Prompt and Drastic Action Cow
cd the Crew and Saved the Ship.
There has never been 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 war Somers. which was discr-
cred before II came TO head and re-
suited in the execution ut sea Of Philip
Spencer, mIdshlpman. son 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 promptltude that he
completely crushed the rebelllous 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
mutlny on board. Here is an account
Of how It was suppressed which Is
youched for as authentic: while the
Essex was lying at the Marquesas IS
lands, recruiting and refreshing her
crew from one OF the long and arduous
cruises In the Pacific. Commodore Por-
ter was Informed through a servant OF
one OF the officers that a mutIny had
been planned and was on the eve Of
consummation: that II 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 flag and cruise on their own
account
Having satisfied himself OF the truth
Of the Information, Commodore Porter
ascended 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 mutiny was on foot
and that he had summoned them for
the purpose OF inquirlng 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 his eyes on them stead
lily and sternly for few moments, the
commodore said, Robert White. step
ont The man obeyed, standing pale
and agitated, guilt stamped on every
llneament of his countenance, in front
Of his comrades.
''rhe 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 knell upon the ears Of the
guilty among the crew: Villain. You
are the ringleader OF this mutiny!
Jump overboardr The man dropped
on his knees, imploring for mercy, say
ing that he could not swim. Then
| drown, you scoundrelr 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
hopored 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 1t was In his
power to give.
"At the close Of bis address he said:
Men, before came on deck laid
train to the magazine, and l would
have blown all on board into eternity
before my ship should have been dis
graced by successful mutiny.
never 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 SEQ