The Democratic Advocate

Historical.

NAMES OF OUR NEW WAR SHIPS.

Eight new sloops-of-war have recently been added to the American navy, viz:
The Alert, Essex, Ranger, Adams, Enterprise, Alliance, Trenton and Huron; and the names selected for six of them recall some interesting incidents in our naval history—
The Alert bears the name of a British vessel, taken by Captain Porter, in the Essex, in 1812. She was the first war vessel captured during that war. As the Essex was already crowded with prisoners from the previous capture of a transport, Captain Porter made an arrangement by which, the Alert was converted into a "cartel" and sent into St. Johns, with the prisoners, sailors and soldiers, on parole. A "cartel" ship carries no cargo or ammunition, and only one gun for signals. The action in which the Alert was taken was brief, as the Essex had double her number of guns and men.
The Essex is named after the famous ship of that name, which, under command of Captain Preble, was the first vessel of the American navy to carry the pennant beyond the Cape of Good Hope. She went as convoy, in 1799-1800. She was also the first vessel of the American navy to show the American flag west of Cape Horn. Captain Porter commanding. Her action with the British frigate Phoebe—forms one of the episodes in the war of 1812. 700 tons of British ship— Fear closed in 1814, when by a superior British of Valparaiso. .. after which the combe: vessel in memorable