OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - Know your Ohio: Ohio in war of 1812 - Part 14 *********************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Darlene E. Kelley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 September 17, 1999 *********************************************************************** Historical Collections of Ohio The Kelley Family Collections Newspaper article, Plains Dealer compiled by S.J. Kelley-- 1925 And Then They Went West by Darlene E. Kelley 1998 *********************************************************************** Ohio in war of 1812-- part 14 Cruise of the USS ESSEX Capt David Porter, USN US Frigate Essex. at sea July 2, 1813 to the Secretary of the Navy-- Sir; On the 23rd of March last, I sailed shaping my course to the northward, and on the 26th of the same month fell in with the Peruvian corsair ship NEREYDA, mounting 15 guns. She had, a few days before, captured two American whale ships, the crews of which [amountng in number to 24 men ] were then detained prisoners on board her, and they could assign no other motive for the capture, then that they were the allies of Great Britain, and such should capture all American vessels they could fall in with, therefore, to prevent in future such vexatious proceedings, I threw all her armament into the sea, liberated the Americans, and dismissed the NEREYDA. I then proceeded with all possible dispatch for Lima, to intercept one of the detained vessels, which had parted with the NEREYDA only three days before, and I was so fortunate as to arrive there and re-capture her on the 5th of April, at the moment she was entering port. This vessel [the ship BARCLAY, Capt Gideon Randall, of New Bedford ] I took under my protection, and have had her with me ever since. From Lima I proceeded to the Gallapagos Islands, where I captured the following British ships; MONTEZUMA--270 Tons , 21 men, 2 guns. POLICY -- 275 Tons, 26 men, 10 guns. GEORGIANNA -- 280 Tons, 25 men, 6 guns. ATLANTIC -- 351 Tons, 24 men, 8 guns. GREENWICH -- 338 Tons, 25 men, 10 guns. The GEORGIANNA being reputed a very fast sailer, and apparently well calculated for a cruiser. I mounted 16 guns on her, and gave the command of her to that excellant officer, Lieutenant John Downs, with a compliment of 42 men; appointing midshipman W.H. Hadaway acting Lieutenent on board her, and sent her on a cruise. Lieutenant Downs joined me at Tumbez, near Guyaquil, on the coast of Peru, on the 24th of June, after capturing 3 prizes, to wit; HECTOR --270 Tons, 25 men, 11 guns. CATHERINE-- 270 Tons, 29 men, 8 guns. Rose -- 220 Tons, 21 men, 8 guns. The 1st had two men killed and six badly wounded in her rencontre with the GEORGIANNA, and the ROSE was dscharged [ after being deprived of her armament ] with all the prisoners captured by the GEORGIANNA, as they amounted to nearly double their crew; she was furnished with a passport to proceed to St Helena. My own prisoners I liberated on parole at Tumbez. I found by experience that the GEORGIANNA did not deserve the character given of her sailing. I therefore shipped her officers and crew to the ATLANTIC, and mounted on her 20 guns, with a compliment of 60 men, and appointed Midshipman R. Dashiell acting sailing master on board of her. To this vessel I gave the name of the ESSEX, JUNIOR. I also fitted up the ship GREENWICH, as a store-ship, nd mounted on her 20 guns, placing her under the command of Lieutenant Gamble, of the Marines. On board her, I have put all the provisions and stores of my other prizes, except a supply of three and a half months for each, an have by this means secured myself a full supply of every necessary article for seven months. I had hoped to dispose of my other prizes at Guyaquil; the governors in Peru, however, are excessively alarmed at my appearance on the coast, as my fleet amounts now to nine sail of vessels, all formidable in their appearance, and they would, if they dare, treat us with hostility little short of declared enemies. I have given to Mr. John G. Cowel, sailing master, an appointment to act 3d Lieutenant; midshipman John S. Cowan to act 4th Lieutenant, and midshipman Odenheimer as sailing master. I beg, sir, that the appointment of those officers, as well as of Lieutenant S.D M"Knight, who is acting second Lieutenant, and those serving on board the ESSEX JUNIOR, may be confirmed by the department. I have given to Mr. M.W. Bostwick, my clerk, the appointment of acting midshipman, not that he is desirous of coming forward in th Navy in that line, but I had hoped by this means to introduce him to the notice of the department, as i shall take the liberty to recommend him strongly as a suitable person to hold the appointment of purser. Doctors Richard R. Hoffman, and Alexander M. Montgomery, two gentlemen of great merit, who have volunteered their services with me at the commencement of hostilities, have received acting appointments from me, the first as surgeon to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Doctor Miller; the other as surgeon's mate. To the great care and attention of those gentlemen, may, in a considerable degree, be attributed the extraordinary health of the crew; and as they are both desirious of joining the navy, I hope their appointments may be confirmed. I have also appointed my Marine officer and chaplain to the command of prizes. They all enter with cheerfulness into their new duties; and if the expedition should not prove successful, it will not be, I am persueded owing to our want of activity or vigilence; and of this you must be satisfied, as for the last eight months we have been constantly at sea, with the exception of 23 days, and yet, sir, we have enjoyed extaordinary health and spirits; no symptom of the scurvy having yet appeared in the ship, nor have we, at this moment, more than two on the sick list; and their diseases are more owing to the infirmities of old age than any other causes. Indeed, sir, when I compare my present situation with what it was when I doubled Cape Horn, I cannot but esteem myself fortunate in an extraordinary degree. There my ship was shattered by tempestuous weather, and destitute of everything; my officers and crew half starved, naked, and worn out my fatigue. Now sir, my ship is in prime order, abundantly supplied with everything necessary for her. I have a noble ship for a consort of 20 guns, well manned; a store-ship of 20 guns well supplied with the best of everything we may want,and prizes which would be worth in England two millions of dollars; and what renders the comarison more pleasing, the enemy has furnished all. Excuse me sir, for not making known my present intentions, as this letter may not reach you. It, however, may be satisfactory to you to know how I intend to dispose of my prizes; let it suffice to say that I shall endeavor to [cypher]. British letters of marque are numerous in these seas, and, were it not for my arrival, our whale fishers would have been much harressed; but they now find it necessary to keep together for mutual protection. I expect to be [cyphen] but shall be [cyphen]. *********************************************** To be continued in part 15-- More letters.