The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1912-05-09
KILLING A MUT|NY
Dramatic Incident In the Early
History of Our Navy.
THE PLOT ON THE OLD ESSEX

THE PLOT ON THE OLD ESSEX
Commodore Porter Got Wind of the
Conspiracy Just as TWAS Ripe. and
His Prompt and Drastic Action Cow
cd the Crew and Saved TIL, Ship.
There has never been 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 OIL the
brig of war Somers. which was discov-
cred before it 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 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
vouched for as authentic: while the
Essex was lying at the MarGucsas 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 OF
| consummation; that 1t was the inten-
ton of the mutineers to rise upon the
officers, take possession of the ship aud
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
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 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 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 arc 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
commodore said. Robert White step
out The man obeyed, standing pale
and asitated. guilt stamped on every
lineament of his countenance. in front
Of his comrades.
''rhe commodore looked at him Il
moment. then. Selling a cutlcss from
the nearest rack, said in Il 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
Oh his knees. imploring for mercy, say
ing that he could not swim. Their
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 will
much feeling. the tears standing upol
his bronzed cheek as he spoke III
asked them what he had done that hi.
ship should be disgraced by mutiny
He asked whether he had ever dis
honored the flag. whether he had eve,
treated them with other than kindness
whether they had ever been wanting
for anything to their comfort that dis
cip!ine and the rules of the .servic,
would allow and that it was in hi
power to give.
AT the close of his address he said
Men, before | came on deck | laid
train to the magazine. and | wou,t
: have blown all on board into eternit,
I before my ship should have been dis
graced by successful mutiny
i never would have survived the di.;
honor of my ship Go to your duty
The men were much affected by th
cOmmOdOre's address and iminediatel
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 fresides. are so sever
II upon the course of conduct pursued b.
Il officers in such critical situations Sc
how much innocent blood would hav
been saved if White had been Gu
down Instantly or hanged 1T the yard
arm. AS he went overheard he sue
ceeded in reaching a canoe floating a
/ a little distance and padded ashore
1 Some few months afterward. whe
Lieutenant Gamble of the marine
was at the islands. in charge Of one O
) the large prizes. short handed and /
, distress, this same White. at the hea
, of party of natives. attacked tn
ship. killed two of the officers and
number of men, and it was with grea
, difficulty that she was prevented fror
, falling into their hands New Yor