Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-07-23
OLD WARSHIP MEETS
AN VICTORIOUS END
The Portsmouth, No Longer Useful
Sent to the Scrap Heap.
INTERESTING HISTORY.
SlOOp Of War Upheld Honor Of United
States Flag in All Parts Of World.

the old and tried defenders of the
nation Even as the mighty fighting
ships of the Atlantic feet swept down
the Hudson, acros the bay and out to
sea a few weeks ago, the doom of the
old sloop--of-war was announced in
an advertisement that she would be
sold on June TO the highest bidder
above $4,000 her appraised value.
The Government had tried to save
the Portsmouth from such fate, but
its efforts were unavailing. Secretary
Daniels was willing TO present her TO
any patriotic society that would take
her and repair her or to give her to
the city of Portsmouth. n. H.. after
which she was named. But il would
cost at least $4,000 TO raise her from
the mud of the Norfolk navy yard and
to take her any distance and fit her out
so as to make her presentable even
as relic of the past
Because she had taken an active
part in the troubles on the Pacific
coast that eventually brought Califor-
MIA into the Union, il was thought fit
ting by many that the sloop should be
sent to San Francisco for the Exposi-
ton. In August, 1911, a bill was in
trooduced in Congress to appropriate
s25.000 to make her ready for the trip.
The Senate passed the BILL but the
House rejected it.
Man in the early part of the decade
just ended have felt their pulse quick
EN- and their nerves tingle at sight of
the old sloop when, as a training ship
she swept in and out of the harbor, or
when. later, she was in the service of
the Naval Militia of New Jersey. Her
tall, tapering masts. with every sail of
her full rig set, looking firm and yacht
like, despite the queer effect of having
her stern cut squarely off. bone in
her teeth" and the foam fleeing from
her cut-water, she invariably brought
cheer. from even those who din not
know much of her eventful career.
She was launched in 1S43, sister
ship to the St Mary's. She was of
about 1000 tons, $50 feet long, with
draft of about II feet For many years
she plowed the seas in all parts of the
world, an active unit in the navy. In
1873 she was turned over to the Coast
Survey, and ten years later she was
rebuilt. Then, until 1895, she was a
training ship for naval apprentices.
her commander at one time beingCapt.
Charles ID. Sigsbee. Then she went to
the Naval Militia of New Jersey until
she became untitled for that service.
Her first service of note was during
the war with Mexico, few years after
she was launched. With Com. John
b. Montgomery in command, she took
possession OF the bay of San Francisc,
and the adjoining territory previously
having met the full-rigged ship Admit
tance. under charter to Mexico, and
forcing her to strike her cclors. She
iowed her prize into port ana soon af-
terward took part in the bombardment
of Guayamas. She remained in these
waters for several months and for two
years patrolled the coast OF Mexico.
Then she went 10 Africa 10 keep an
eye on the slave traders.
She was one OF Commodore Perry's
fleet when she went to Japan and ne
gotiated the treaty which opened Ja-
panese ports to Western trade. Her
longest cruise began in 1856, under
Commander Foote When she return
ed two years later her log showed she
had travelled 10000 miles 1t was on
this voyage that she discovered the
dangerous reef since known as the
Portsmouth Breakers.
Her next achievement of note was
when her commander taught the Chi
nese the respect due the Stars and
Stripes. 1t was just before the begin
ming of the war between England and
China,and Commander Foote was with
the Asiatic squadron. then under Capt.
James Armstrong.
While endeavoring to protect the
property of American residents in
Canton one of the forts open, ire on
the Porthmouth. An apology was not
forthcoming, and Commander Foote
received permission to avenge the in
suit. He did so effectively. assisted
by the Levant and the San Jacinto.
They attacked the four forts, Of mas
sive granite eight feet thick, mounting
176 guns and garrisoned by 5000 men.
After fight lasting several days the
four forts were captured. The Amer
lean loss was IL killed and 2S won d
ed, while 400 Chinese we're killed.
Her last venture of note was during
the Civil War. When the question
arose of capturing New Orleans it was
determined to have the wooden ships
of the navy make bold dash along
the Mississippi,past Forts Jackson and
St Philip. and. should they be sue
cesful. take thee ity, in which case the
two forts cut off from their base of
supplies, would be compelled to sur
render. BY many the plan was con-
sidered foolhardy, but Admiral Far
ragut determined to put it irto execu-
ton.
1t was dark when the order was Civ
en TO start. The Portsmouth the flag
ship of the mortar hotilla soon found
her sails too slow for the frenzied
run, but she threw a line to a steam
er and swept up the river with the
rest of inc ileet Tie attack was soon
discovered by the forts and the can
nonading began. Still the Portsm .utl,
swung on until she was almost .lire~t
ly abreast of Fort jackson.
Then a shot severed the line which
held her TO her escort and she began
TO drift helplessly down the stf,am-
her guns in action every minute. how
.x-av The auarov saw hor y>1fcr,,t ~