Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-22
KILLING A MUTINY
Dramatic Incident In the Early
History of Our Navy.

There has never been a feet 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 It came to q head and re-
suited In the execution at sea OF Philip
Spencer. midshipman. son Of the then
secretary OF war, and one petty onacer
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 It was suppressed which Is
vouched for as authentic: while the
Essex was lying at the Marquesas IS
lands, recruiting and refreshing her
crew from one OF the long and nrduous
ter was informed through a servant OF
one OF the officers that a mutiny had
been planned and was on the ere Of
consummation; that IL 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 Tag and cruise on their own
account
Having satisfied himself o. 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 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
tie 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 star
board side. The ship was still as the
grave. Fixing his eyes on them stead
lily 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 comrades.
The commodore looked at him a
moment, then. selling a cUtless from
the nearest rack, said in a suppressed
voice, but IN tones so deep that they
rang Ike knel upon the ears of the
guilty among tie 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 70 cot
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 ms 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
cipllne and the rules Of the service
would allow and that IT was in his
power TO give.
'At the close OF his address he said !:
Men. before ] came on deck laid a