Four American Naval Heroes Part 14

Captain Porter's vessel, the _Ess.e.x_, was to be one of this fleet. It was not ready, however, to sail with the others; but orders were given that it should follow as soon as possible and join the squadron in the Atlantic.

If Captain Porter could not find the squadron, he was to do whatever he thought best.

On October 28, 1812, the _Ess.e.x_ sailed down the Delaware River, and through the bay into the ocean. There was a pennant flying from the mast-head on which were the words, "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights." It was for these things that Captain Porter was ready to fight. By his side stood the little midshipman, David Farragut, in his shining uniform.

There was no prouder boy in all America than he was on that day.

[Ill.u.s.tration: CAPTAIN DAVID PORTER.]

For several months, Captain Porter cruised about the Atlantic. He captured several English vessels, and then, as he could not find the American squadron, he decided to make a trip around Cape Horn, and cruise in the Pacific.

The pa.s.sage around Cape Horn is one of the most dangerous in the world, but Captain Porter was not afraid. The _Ess.e.x_ was one of the best ships in the navy, and the crew had been drilled very thoroughly.

Sometimes Captain Porter sounded a false alarm of fire on shipboard.

This was to test the courage of the men and prepare them for accidents.

Sometimes he even caused a smoke to be made. The sailors soon became so accustomed to a cry of "Fire" that it caused no confusion.

The courage of the crew was severely tried in going around Cape Horn.

The weather was bitterly cold, and for twenty-one days the ship was buffeted by furious storms.

By this time the provisions were almost gone. Each man had but a small daily allowance of bread and water. Little David Farragut was having his first real experience as a sailor.

From Cape Horn, Captain Porter sailed north along the west coast of South America, and stopped at an island near the coast of Chili. The sailors went on sh.o.r.e with their guns and killed some wild hogs and horses. They were in such need of fresh meat that they ate even the flesh of the horses with great relish.

For months the _Ess.e.x_ cruised about in the beautiful Pacific. Captain Porter captured several English vessels, and warned American whaling-ships of danger. Some of these had been at sea for many months and had not heard of the war.

Sometimes the _Ess.e.x_ would stop at an island, and the crew would go on sh.o.r.e to kill seals; sometimes they would anchor in shallow bays and fish for cod.

On one solitary island there was a strange postoffice, a box nailed to a tree. Here pa.s.sing vessels would leave messages and letters, to be taken up by other vessels that chanced to be going in the right direction.

The _Ess.e.x_ stopped at this island for some time. The crew found p.r.i.c.kly pears to eat. They killed pigeons, which the cook made into pies, and they made soup of the turtles they caught. Those were great days for David Farragut.

The _Ess.e.x_ finally left this island in May, 1813. Soon more English vessels were sighted and captured. One of these was to be taken to Valparaiso, and Captain Porter put David Farragut in charge of it. The young commander was then but twelve years of age.

The gray-haired English captain was very angry at having to take orders from a boy. He tried to ignore David, and when he failed in this, attempted to frighten him. He threatened to shoot any man who obeyed David's orders, and went below for his pistols.

David knew that the American sailors were loyal to him. So he sent word to the captain that if he did not obey, he would have him thrown overboard.

After this there was no more trouble. David brought the vessel into the port of Valparaiso in safety. He soon afterward rejoined the _Ess.e.x_.

Captain Porter now decided to go to some islands far out in the Pacific, where he could refit the ship.

As the _Ess.e.x_ approached one of these islands, she was met by a canoe filled with natives. The bodies of these people were tattooed, and they were gayly ornamented with feathers. They invited the sailors on sh.o.r.e, and promised to give them fruit and provisions.

During the six weeks that were occupied in refitting the ship, the sailors rested on the island. David and the other boys of the crew were given lessons by the ship's chaplain each day, and when school hours were over, they were allowed to visit the islanders.

The young natives taught the American boys many things. They showed them how to walk on stilts, and how to use a spear skillfully and with ease.

Best of all, they taught them how to swim. The people of this island could swim as easily as they could walk. Even the babies could float in the water like ducks.

The _Ess.e.x_ left this island in December, 1813, and sailed for Valparaiso.

III.--THE LOSS OF THE ESs.e.x.

One day in the following February, two English war vessels appeared in the harbor of Valparaiso. The _Ess.e.x_ was lying quietly at anchor, and many of her crew were on sh.o.r.e.

The British vessels bore down upon the _Ess.e.x_ in a very hostile manner.

Captain Porter was afraid they would attack him. They had no right to do this, for Chili was not at war with either England or America.

One of these British vessels was a frigate called the _Phoebe_. The other was a sloop named the _Cherub_. The _Phoebe_ approached the _Ess.e.x_ until she was within fifteen feet of her side.

Captain Porter, standing on the deck, hailed, saying: "If you touch a single yardarm, I shall board you instantly!" The _Phoebe_ pa.s.sed by with no reply.

After this, the British vessels anch.o.r.ed at the entrance of the harbor.

They could thus keep the _Ess.e.x_ a prisoner.

The vessels remained in this position for several weeks. On the 28th of March, a furious gale sprang up. The cables of the _Ess.e.x_ gave way, and she began to drift out toward the English vessels. Captain Porter now made a desperate effort to escape. He set all sails and made for the open sea.

Suddenly something snapped. The main top-mast came crashing down, carrying sails, rigging, and some of the crew into the water. In this disabled condition escape was impossible. The _Ess.e.x_ was driven toward the sh.o.r.e and was finally brought to anchor within pistol shot of the beach.

The _Ess.e.x_ had but four guns that would shoot as far as the cannon of the English. The _Phoebe_ and the _Cherub_ took a position out of range of nearly all the _Ess.e.x_ guns, and then poured broadside after broadside into the unfortunate vessel.

Captain Porter and his gallant crew fought against these odds until one hundred and twenty-four of the men had been killed or wounded. Then the _Ess.e.x_ surrendered.

During all this dreadful battle there was no braver officer than the little midshipman, David Farragut. Sometimes he was carrying messages for the captain; again, he was bringing powder for the guns.

Once when going down the hatchway a wounded man fell upon him. David barely escaped being crushed to death.

Captain Porter was so pleased with his conduct that he mentioned his bravery in his official dispatches to the government.

After the surrender the wounded were removed to sh.o.r.e. David offered his services to the surgeons. He worked early and late, preparing bandages and waiting upon the injured men.

In speaking of this afterward, he said, "I never earned Uncle Sam's money so faithfully."

The British put all the American prisoners on board an unarmed vessel, and made them promise that they would not take up arms against the English until they had been exchanged for an equal number of English prisoners.

After this the Americans were allowed to sail for the United States.

They arrived in the harbor of New York on July 7, 1814.

IV.--THE TRIP ON THE MEDITERRANEAN.

Although a prisoner of war, David Farragut was glad to get back to the United States.

While waiting to be exchanged he attended a school in Chester, Pennsylvania.

It was a strange school. The pupils had no books. The teacher, Mr. Neif, told them the things he wished them to learn, and the boys wrote them down in notebooks. They would sometimes be examined on these notes to see whether they had paid proper attention.

In the afternoons, Mr. Neif would take the boys for long walks. They made collections of minerals and plants, and learned many curious and useful facts about them.