Evening journal., 1912-10-18
Recall the WaspFroc Sea DeIawarean Was the Victor

The Delaware Society, Daughters Of
the War of 1872. in the New Century
Club this afternoon are celebrating
the Tooth anniversary of Commodore
Jacob Jones' victory Of the Wasp over
the Frolic. The celebration began
at 10 o'clock with luncheon in the
club parlors. Mrs. William Gerry
Slade, Of New York, national presi-
dent Of the society, being the guest
Of honor. At the afternoon observ-
ance Judge Henry c. Conrad, the Rev
c. II. B. Turner and Mrs. Slade made
addresses.
Judge Conrad said
"The Wasp and FrOlic.7
Most Of us who are here today re-
member the loud acclaim that greeted
the announcement Of the great victory
achieved by Admiral Dewey in Manila
Bay ia the Spanish American war OF
1898; and some Of us arc old enough
10 recall the JOY that thrilled the
hearts of all loyal Americans when
IN the dark days Of the rebellion the
news flashed from Hampton Roads
that the little iron-clad Monitor bad
put to flight the rebel cruiser Mer-
rimac. Our mission here today is 'tc
commemorate naval event OF
hundred years ago, that at the time
reused the enthusiasm and merited
the praise of the thirteen colonies
Of Americans scattered along the At
lantic seaboard, who were then in the
midst of the second struggle with the
mother country, the outcome of which
meant so much to a people who had
experienced to some extent what II
meant to be independent and yet were
not entirely free from the impositions
and indignities Of the stronger nation
"The Congress of the United States
on the 18th day of June, 1912, declar.
cd war AGAINST the Kingdom of Greai
Britain, and Immediately prepara.
tions began for active hostilities. The
standing army of the United States
at that time consisted of but 5000
men. and her navy was composed o
small ships; few in number, ant
weak in armament Both in army
and naval forces Great Britian was
even then one of the strong powers
of the world.
"The sloop OF war Wasp, was one
of the vessels belonging to the nav,
Of the United States at the breaking
out Of the war. II carried but eigh
teen guns Of small calibre and wat
in command Of Captain Jacob Jones
who had been raised on a Delaware
farm, but who relinquishing hii
chosen profession Of medicine ha'
been given commission as a Nava
officer under date of April 10, 1893.
On the 18th day Of October, 1917
CAPTAIN Jones left the Delaware Ba'
I'm the Wasp, on a cruise. On the 10th
she experienced a heavy gale,in whicl
she lost her jib-boom and two men
On the evening of the next day, abou
eleven o'clock being in the track o
vessels passing from Bermuda Z
Halifax, she found herself near nv
strange sail, steering eastward. Som
Of them appearing to be ships of wal
IL was thought better TO get tarthe
from them. The Wasp, therefore
hauled her wind, and having reache
few miles to windward. so as Z
escape or fight, as occasion nigh
require. followed the strange sal
through the night.
"At daybreaK, on Sunday morning
Captain Jones found that they Wer
six large ships under convoy OF
sloop Of war. from Honduras to Eng
land. Four of the ships were larg
and we'll manned, mounting fror
sixteen TO eighteen guns, and havin
from forty to fifty men each. CAPITAL
Jones. however, determined 70 attac
them. The convoy made their escap
under a press of sail. The sloop c
war alone remained. which proved I
be the Frolic. Captain Whinyatei
mounting twenty-five guns, and hav
ing a crew of about one hundred an
twenty men. There was a heav
swell in the sea, and the weather wa
boisterous. The. top-gallant yards c
the Wash we're taken down, her 70
sails were close reefed, and she wa
prepared for action.
about eleven o'clock, the Froli
showed Spanish colors. The Was
Immediately displayed the America
ensign and pendant; and at thirty
two minutes past eleven, came dow
10 windward on the larboard side c
the Frolic. When within about sixt
Yards she hailed. The Frolic the
hauled down her Spanish colors
hoisted the British ensign and open
cd a fire of cannon and musketr,
This was instantly returned by tn
Wasp; and. nearing the enemy. tn
action became close and spirited
About four or FIVE minutes after tn
commencement Of the action, th
main-top-sail yard, across the lai
board, fore, and fore-top-sail braces
RENDERED her head yards unmanage
able during the remainder Of the en-
cagement. In two or three minute
more. her gaff and mizzen-top-gal
lant-sail were shot away. She how
ever kept up close and constar
fire
"The sea was so rough that tn
muzzles Of the Wasps guns wer
frequently under water. The Amer
cans fired as the side OF their shi
was going down. Their shot of course
either struck the Frolics deck. or be
low il. The English fired as thei
vessel rose. Their balls consequent
only struck the rigging, or we're IL
effectual. The Wasp. having no'
shot ahead Of the Frolic, poured
broadside into her. which completed
raked her. She then took a positio