Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-03-02
KILLING A 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 as It Was Ripe, and
His Prompt and Drastic Action Cow
ed the Crew and Saved the Ship.

Conspiracy Just as It Was Ripe, ana
His Prompt and Drastic Action Cow
ed the Crew and Saved the Ship.
There has never been fleet mutiny
or a squadron mutiny In the uhited
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 disc"-
cred before it came to head ana re-
shifted in the execution at sea OF Pblllp
Spencer. midshpman. son Of the then
secretary of war, and one petty Omcer
and one seaman
Another famous case was the one In
which Commodore Porter acted with
such vigor and promptitude that ne
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 on board. Here is an account
of how 1t 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 servant OF
one of the officers that 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 flag and cruise on their own
account
Having satisfied himself Of the truth
Of the information, Commodore Porter
assembled 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 a mutlny was on foot
and that he had summoned them for
the purpose of inquirng 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 man moved over to the star
board side. The ship was still as the
grave. Fixing his eyes on them stead
fly and sternly for 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 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 overheard" 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 mutiny
He asked whether he had ever dis
honored the flag, whether he had evel
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 l came on deck ! laid ;
train to the magazine, and I woul,
have blown all on board into eternit,
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 We're much affected by TIL
commodore's address and immediatel,
returned to their duty. showing ever
sign of contrition.
But mark the sequel of this muffin
and let those who, in the calm SC
curity of their firesides. are so sever
upon the course of conduct pursued b
officers in such critical situations Sc
how much innocent blood would hav
been saved If White had been CT
down instantly or hanged at the yart
arm. AS he went overheard he SUI
ceeded in reaching canoe floating ;
little distance and padded ashor
Some few months afterward, whe
Lieutenant Gamble of the marin,
was at the islands, in charge Of one
lo Iav v,V.tv ,hne hnn 1n1 nd
distress. this same White. at the hea
of party of natives, attacked Il
ship, killed two of the officers and
number of men. and it was with gre
difficulty that she was prevented fro
falling into their hands.'-New Yo
Post.
Nara Mas Wise