The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1911-01-27
KILLING A MUTINY
Dramatic Incident In the Early
History CT 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 Grew and Saved the Ship.

4
His Prompt and Drastic Action Cow
ed the Grew and Saved the Ship.
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 Sonlers, which was discov-
cred before II came to head and re-
suited In the execution nj sen Of Philip
Spencer. mldshipman. son Of the then
secretary Df 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 rehelllous 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 II was suppressed which Is
vouched for as authentic: While the
Essex was lying at the Marqnesas 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 a mutiny had
been planned and was on the eve or
consummation; that 1t was the inten-
ton of the mutneers to rise unon the
officers, take possession OF the ship and
after having remained AS long as they
found agreeable at The island 10 hoist
the black flag and cruise OH 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 mntiny was on foot
and that he had summoned them for
the purpose Of inquiring 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 VIII 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
lily and sternly for few moments, the
said Robert White. step
out The man obeyed, standing pale
and agitated. guilt stamped on every
lineament of his countenance. In front
Of bis comrades.
1.-THE commodore looked at him n
moment. then. selzing a cutless from
the nearest rack, said in suppressed
voice, but In tones so deep that they
rang Ike a knel upon the ears of the
guilty among the crew; Villain! You
are the ringleader of this mutiny!
Jump overheard The man dropped
Oh his knees, smploring for mercy. say
Ing that he could not swim Then
drown, you scoundrelr said the com
modore, saringing 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 br0nZed 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.
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 10 give.
cat the close of his address he said
Men, before ] came on deck | laid a
train to the magazine. and would
have blown all on board into eternity
before my ship should have been dis
graced by II successful mutlny. / "
never would have survived the dis
honor of my ship. 10 to your duty
The men were much affected by the
address and immediately
returned to their duty, showing every
sign Of contrtion.
but mark the sequel Of this mutiny
and let those who, In the calm Sc
curity of their tiresides. are so severe
upon the course Of conduct pursued by
officers In such critical situations see
how much innocent blood would have
been saved II White had been cut
down instantly or banged Mt 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 islands, 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 O
Of men. and 1t was with great
difficulty TINT she was prevented from
falling into their hands."-New York
Post,