Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-04-04
KILLING A MUTlNY.
Dramatic Incident In the Early His.
tory of Our Navy.

Dramatic Incident In the Early His
tory Of Our Navy.
There has never been a fleet 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 discov-
cred before 1t came to head and re-
suited in the execution at sea Of Philip
Spencer, midshipman. 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 promptitude that he
completely crushed the rebellious spir-
1t that had manifested itself and saved
his ship.
When Commodore Porter was in
command Of the Essex in the> early
history Of our navy there was an at
tempted 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 islands, recruiting and re-
freshing 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 mutiny had been planned and
was on the eve Of consummation; that
1t was the intention of the mutineers
to rise upon the officers, take posses
sions Of the ship and after having re-
mained as long as they found agreea-
BILE 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 ordered all the crew to be sum-
moned 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 summon
ed them for the purpose OF inquiring
into its truth. Those men who are
in favor of standing 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 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 COM
rades.
THE commodore looked at him a
moment, then, seizing a cutlass 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 overboard!' 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 1t was in his
power to give.
AT the close Of his address he said:
Men, before / came on deck L laid
train to the magazine, and I would
have blown all on board into eternity
before my ship should have been dis
graced by a 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 situation see
how much innocent blood would have
been saved IL 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 island, 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
number of men, and it was with great
difficulty that she was prevented from
falling into their hands."-New York
Post.