The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-03-12
MYSTERY OF THE
SEA IN 1872 WAR
STILL UNSOLVED

station to which he had been directed,
He soon wrote to the navy DEPART
ment that 1t was impossible 10 keep
his station even approximately, be-
cause he was continually drawn into
pursuit, often much further up the
English channel than desired on acc
count of the numerous sails passing,
most OF which. when ovcrhauled,
proved To be neutrala. - However. In
the locality Of his station he captured
seven British merchant vessels, all Of
which he destroyed, except one which
was liberated to convey paroled pris-
oners to England. Immediately after
he was called on to show his fighting
quality.
Most Notable Engagement.
When the British admiralty learned
that United States cruiser was max
ing prizes at the entrance to the Eng
lish channel, men-of-war were des-
patched to run 1t down. One Of those
was the sIoop Reindeer. Captain Man
ners. 1t was termed "The pride OF
Plymouth" from the widespread rep
utation OF It's captain and crew. The
Reindeer was brig rugged and about
the same size as the Wasp. though
less heavily armed. 1t carried six
teen twenty-four pound carronades
and two long twenty-four Founders,
while the Wasp was armed with twen-
" thlrty-two pound carronades and
two long guns. The late Admiral Ma
ham \rated the difference in armament
as more than fifty per cent in favor OF
the Wasp.
On June %. Just six days after leay-
ing Plymouth, the Reindeer sighted
its adversary in latitude 48 1-2 north,
longitude IL west, in other words,
where the Wasp had been ordered to
cruise. The ships came in sight in
thd forenoon, and each at once made
for the other, but 1t was not until after
% p. m. that the action began. The
windward was the coveted position In
those days, and Captain Manners, hav-
ing secured IL, frustrated every effort
OF Blakely to wrest 1t from him. He
planted himself on the weather (star-
boardl quarter Of the Wasp and
opened fire with his forward gun at
comparatively short range. That was
at $500. Biakely did not reply until
six minutes later, when he countered
with tremendous effect.
Enemy Captain Killed.
Finding that the Reindeer was de-
termined to hold on to his starboard
quarter, Blakely suddenly put down
his helm so az to throw his ships
head into the wind and bring 1t broad
side to bear. That gave him raking
position on the port bow OF his adj
yersary. Several raking broadsides
were poured into the Englishman be-
fore he could rectify his position and
bring his own broadside to bear.
Meanwhile he had been badly dam
aged in hull, rigging and crew Man
ners was badly wounded, yet he kept
the deck and finally brought his ship
alongside the Wasp in an effort to
board. Then he climbed into the rig
ging to lead the boarders, but was
shot through the head and thrown
back dead upon his own deck. The
Wasp's men then swarmed aboard the
Reindeer and carried the ship with a
rush. Eleven Americans were killed
and fifteen wounded, while the Brit
ISL lOhS was tulELF7-LA4Gp hA1EA tEh44A
thirty-forr wounded.
Commenting on the Wasp7Reindeer
fight, Admiral Mahan remarked:
'"The results. OF this engagement
testify to the efficiency and resolution
OF both combatants; but q Especial
need OF praise is surely due TO Cap
tain Manners, whose tenacity was as
marked as his daring, and who by the
injury done to his stronger antagon-
list demonstrated both the thorough
ness OF his previous general prepare
ton and the skill OF his management
In the particular instance. Under his
command the Reindeer had become a
notable vessel in the feet to which. II
belonged; but as equality in force Is
at disadvantage where there Is SER
ious inferiority In training and dIscl=
pine, so the best Of drilling must
Yield before decisive superiority OF
armament when there has been equal
care ON both sides to insure efficiency
in the use be the battery. To Blake
ly's diligence In this respect hiH whole
career bears witness 1i
Succession OF Victories.
I The Reindeer having been so badly
hulfed and wrecked In spars that Il
lcouId not be kept afioat long enough
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