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Story
December 22, 1813
Winchester Gazette
Winchester, Virginia
What is this article about?
Letters from Capt. David Porter detail USS Essex's Pacific cruise in 1813: daring boat capture of three British ships near Galapagos without shots fired; liberation of Americans from Peruvian corsair; multiple prizes refitted as squadron vessels, securing supplies amid enemy harassment.
Merged-components note: Merge the detailed narrative report on the USS Essex frigate's captures and operations, including the associated tables of captured ships, into a single story component; original labels were domestic_news, table, table, and story, but the full content forms a cohesive narrative article on naval actions.
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 16.
THE ESSEX FRIGATE.
Copies of letters from Capt. David Porter, commanding the United States Frigate Essex: to the Secretary of the Navy, dated
of
United States Frigate Essex, Pacific Ocean, July 2, 1813.
SIR—I have the honor to inform you that on the 20th of April, in the latitude of 40. N. Long. 91. 15. W. about twenty miles to the northward of the island of Albemarle, one of the Gallapagos in the Pacific Ocean, I captured the British ship Montezuma: two others being in sight, close together, distant from us about seven miles, which we were informed were the British letters of marque ships Policy and Georgiana; the first mounting ten guns, 6 and 9 pounders; the other six 18-pounders, four swivels, and six long blunderbusses, mounted on swivels.
The wind being light and variable, and confiding greatly in the bravery & enterprise of my officers and men, and apprehensive of their escape from the prevalence of fogs in that climate, I directed the boats of this ship to be armed and manned, and divided into two divisions, placing the first under the command of Lt. Downes, 1st Lt. in a whale boat, accompanied by midshipman Farragut.
The officers in command of boats under Lt. Downes, were Lt. S. D. McKnight, in the 2d cutter, accompanied by Midshipman W. H. Odenheimer, Sailing Master John P. Cowell, in the jolly boat, accompanied by Midshipman H. W. Ogden, and Midshipman George Isaacs, in the 1st cutter.
The second division under the command of Lt. Wilmer, 2d Lt. in the pinnace, accompanied by Midshipman Henry Gray, and Luff's Mate James Terry: Lt. Wilson and Mr. Shaw, Purser, in the 1st cutter and Lt. Gamble, of the marines, in the 2d cutter.
Suitable signals were established, and each boat had her particular station pointed out for the attack, and every other previous arrangement was made to prevent confusion.
The boats, 7 in number, rowed off in admirable order.
Guns were fired from the enemy to terrify them: they rowed up under the muzzles of the gun and took their stations for attacking the first ship, & no sooner was the American flag displayed, by Lt. Downes, as the signal for boarding, and the intention was discovered by the enemy, than the colors were struck without a shot being fired; so much were they daunted by the intrepidity of our brave officers and men.
They then left a crew on board the prize and took their stations for attacking the other vessel, when her flag was also struck, on the first call to surrender.
Thus were two fine British ships, each pierced for twenty guns, worth near half a million of dollars, mounting between them 10 guns, and manned with 56 men, well supplied with ammunition and small arms, surrendered, without the slightest resistance, to seven small open boats, with fifty men; armed only with muskets, pistols, boarding axes and cutlasses!
Be assured, sir, that Britons have either learned to respect the courage of Americans, or they are not so courageous themselves as they would wish us to believe.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
D. PORTER.
The Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
United States Frigate Essex at Sea, Pacific Ocean, July 2, 1813.
SIR—On the 22d 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 amounting in number to 24 men) were then detained prisoners on board her; and they could assign no other motive for the capture, than that they were the allies of Great Britain, and as 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 April, at the moment she was entering the port.
This vessel (the ship Barclay; Captain Gideon Randall of New Bedford.) I took under my protection, and have had her with me ever since.
From Lima I proceeded for the Gallapagos Islands, where I captured the following British ships, viz:
Letters of Marque.
The Georgiana being reputed a very fast sailer, and apparently well calculated for a cruiser, I mounted 16 guns on her, & gave the command of her to that excellent officer, Lt. John Downes, with a complement of 45 men: appointing midshipman W. H. Haddaway acting lieut. on board her, and sent her on a cruise.
Lt. Downes joined me at Tumbez near Guayaquil on the coast of Peru, on the 28th June, after capturing three prizes, to wit:
Letters of Marque Ship.
and two men killed and six badly wounded in her rencontre with the Georgiana—and the Rose was discharged (after being deprived of her armament) with all the prisoners captured by the Georgiana, as they amounted to nearly double her 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 Georgiana did not deserve the character given her for sailing I therefore shipped her officers and crew to the Atlantic, and mounted on her 20 guns, with a complement of 50 men and appointed Midshipman Rich. Dashiel, acting sailing master on board her: to this vessel I gave the name of the Essex Junior.
I also fitted up the ship Greenwich as a store ship, and mounted on her 20 guns, placing her under the command of Lieut. 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, and 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 Guayaquil the Governors in Peru, however, are excessively alarmed at my appearance on the coast, and my fleet amounts now to nine sail of vessels all formidable in their appearance, and they would if they dare, treat us with a hostility little short of declared enemies.
I have given to Mr. John G. Cowell, sailing master, an appointment to act 3d Lieut.
Mids. John S. Cowan to act 4th Lieut. and Mids. Odenheimer, as sailing master.
I beg, sir, that the appointment of those officers, as well as of Lieut. S. D. McKnight, 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 the Navy in that line, but I hoped by this means to introduce him to the notice of the Department; so I shall take the liberty to recommend him strongly as a suitable person to hold the appointment of Purser.
Drs. Richard R. Hoffman and Alexander M. Montgomery, two gentlemen of great merit, who 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 Dr. 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 desirous 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 much cheerfulness into their new duties: & If the expedition should not prove successful, it will not be, I am persuaded, owing to our want of activity or vigilance: and of this you must be satisfied, as for the last eight months we have been constantly at sea, with the exception of twenty three days, and yet, sir, we have enjoyed extraordinary health and spirit: 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 age than any other cause.
Indeed, sir, when I compare my present situation with what it was when I doubled Cape Horn, I enjoy but esteem myself fortunate in an extraordinary degree. There my ship was shattered by tempestuous weather and destitute of every thing: rations and crew half starved, naked, and worn out with fatigue. Now, sir, my ship is in prime order, abundantly supplied with every thing necessary for her. I have a noble ship for a consort of 20 guns and well manned, a store ship of 20 guns well supplied with the best of every thing that we may want, and prizes which would be worth in England two millions of dollars: and what renders the comparison 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 [cipher].
British letters of marque are numerous in these seas, and, were it not for my arrival, our whale fishers would have been much harassed: but they now find it necessary to keep together for mutual protection. I expect to be [cipher], but shall be [cipher].
Subjoined is a list of deaths since I left the U. States: and I beg you will relieve the anxiety of my family, and all our friends, by communicating as much of this letter as you may think proper.
The times of my best men have expired; but their attachment to the ship and their zeal for the service we are engaged on prevent all complaints on that account. It is not probable that you will hear of me for several months to come, unless some disaster happens; but I beg leave to assure you, sir, that I shall not be idle: and I hope before my return to make the services of the Essex as important as those of any other single ship. We may not be individually benefited, but we shall do the enemy much injury, which will be a sufficient compensation to us for all the hardships and privations we must naturally experience, while cut off from all communication with the rest of the world, and are dependent on the precarious supplies the enemy may afford.
I have the honor to be, With great respect, Your ob't serv't, D. PORTER.
Honorable William Jones, Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
List of Deaths, since my departure from the U. States.
1812 Dec. 5 Levi Holmes, seaman, Palsy.
1813 Jan. 24. Edward Sweeny, o. s. Old age.
1813 Jan. 24 Samuel Groce, seaman. Contusion of the Brain by a fall from the main yard.
1813 March 1. Lewis Price, marine, Consumption.
1813 April 4. James Shafford, gunner's mate. Accidental gun-shot wound of the Lungs.
1813 May 28. Doctor Robert Miller, surgeon, disease of the Liver.
1813 May 26. Benjamin Geers, qr gr. Inflammation of the Stomach
1813 June 29. John Rodgers, qr gr Fall from the main yard.
THE ESSEX FRIGATE.
Copies of letters from Capt. David Porter, commanding the United States Frigate Essex: to the Secretary of the Navy, dated
of
United States Frigate Essex, Pacific Ocean, July 2, 1813.
SIR—I have the honor to inform you that on the 20th of April, in the latitude of 40. N. Long. 91. 15. W. about twenty miles to the northward of the island of Albemarle, one of the Gallapagos in the Pacific Ocean, I captured the British ship Montezuma: two others being in sight, close together, distant from us about seven miles, which we were informed were the British letters of marque ships Policy and Georgiana; the first mounting ten guns, 6 and 9 pounders; the other six 18-pounders, four swivels, and six long blunderbusses, mounted on swivels.
The wind being light and variable, and confiding greatly in the bravery & enterprise of my officers and men, and apprehensive of their escape from the prevalence of fogs in that climate, I directed the boats of this ship to be armed and manned, and divided into two divisions, placing the first under the command of Lt. Downes, 1st Lt. in a whale boat, accompanied by midshipman Farragut.
The officers in command of boats under Lt. Downes, were Lt. S. D. McKnight, in the 2d cutter, accompanied by Midshipman W. H. Odenheimer, Sailing Master John P. Cowell, in the jolly boat, accompanied by Midshipman H. W. Ogden, and Midshipman George Isaacs, in the 1st cutter.
The second division under the command of Lt. Wilmer, 2d Lt. in the pinnace, accompanied by Midshipman Henry Gray, and Luff's Mate James Terry: Lt. Wilson and Mr. Shaw, Purser, in the 1st cutter and Lt. Gamble, of the marines, in the 2d cutter.
Suitable signals were established, and each boat had her particular station pointed out for the attack, and every other previous arrangement was made to prevent confusion.
The boats, 7 in number, rowed off in admirable order.
Guns were fired from the enemy to terrify them: they rowed up under the muzzles of the gun and took their stations for attacking the first ship, & no sooner was the American flag displayed, by Lt. Downes, as the signal for boarding, and the intention was discovered by the enemy, than the colors were struck without a shot being fired; so much were they daunted by the intrepidity of our brave officers and men.
They then left a crew on board the prize and took their stations for attacking the other vessel, when her flag was also struck, on the first call to surrender.
Thus were two fine British ships, each pierced for twenty guns, worth near half a million of dollars, mounting between them 10 guns, and manned with 56 men, well supplied with ammunition and small arms, surrendered, without the slightest resistance, to seven small open boats, with fifty men; armed only with muskets, pistols, boarding axes and cutlasses!
Be assured, sir, that Britons have either learned to respect the courage of Americans, or they are not so courageous themselves as they would wish us to believe.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
D. PORTER.
The Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
United States Frigate Essex at Sea, Pacific Ocean, July 2, 1813.
SIR—On the 22d 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 amounting in number to 24 men) were then detained prisoners on board her; and they could assign no other motive for the capture, than that they were the allies of Great Britain, and as 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 April, at the moment she was entering the port.
This vessel (the ship Barclay; Captain Gideon Randall of New Bedford.) I took under my protection, and have had her with me ever since.
From Lima I proceeded for the Gallapagos Islands, where I captured the following British ships, viz:
Letters of Marque.
The Georgiana being reputed a very fast sailer, and apparently well calculated for a cruiser, I mounted 16 guns on her, & gave the command of her to that excellent officer, Lt. John Downes, with a complement of 45 men: appointing midshipman W. H. Haddaway acting lieut. on board her, and sent her on a cruise.
Lt. Downes joined me at Tumbez near Guayaquil on the coast of Peru, on the 28th June, after capturing three prizes, to wit:
Letters of Marque Ship.
and two men killed and six badly wounded in her rencontre with the Georgiana—and the Rose was discharged (after being deprived of her armament) with all the prisoners captured by the Georgiana, as they amounted to nearly double her 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 Georgiana did not deserve the character given her for sailing I therefore shipped her officers and crew to the Atlantic, and mounted on her 20 guns, with a complement of 50 men and appointed Midshipman Rich. Dashiel, acting sailing master on board her: to this vessel I gave the name of the Essex Junior.
I also fitted up the ship Greenwich as a store ship, and mounted on her 20 guns, placing her under the command of Lieut. 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, and 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 Guayaquil the Governors in Peru, however, are excessively alarmed at my appearance on the coast, and my fleet amounts now to nine sail of vessels all formidable in their appearance, and they would if they dare, treat us with a hostility little short of declared enemies.
I have given to Mr. John G. Cowell, sailing master, an appointment to act 3d Lieut.
Mids. John S. Cowan to act 4th Lieut. and Mids. Odenheimer, as sailing master.
I beg, sir, that the appointment of those officers, as well as of Lieut. S. D. McKnight, 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 the Navy in that line, but I hoped by this means to introduce him to the notice of the Department; so I shall take the liberty to recommend him strongly as a suitable person to hold the appointment of Purser.
Drs. Richard R. Hoffman and Alexander M. Montgomery, two gentlemen of great merit, who 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 Dr. 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 desirous of joining the Navy, I hope their appointments may be confirmed.
| Montezuma | 270 tons | 21 men | 2 guns. |
| Policy | 275 | 26 | 10 |
| Georgiana | 289 | 25 | 6 |
| Atlantic | 351 | 24 | 8 |
| Greenwich | 338 | 25 | 10 |
| Hector | 270 tons | 25 men | 11 guns. |
| Catharine | 270 | 29 | 8 |
| Rose | 220 | 21 | 8 |
I have also appointed my Marine officer and Chaplain to the command of prizes; they all enter with much cheerfulness into their new duties: & If the expedition should not prove successful, it will not be, I am persuaded, owing to our want of activity or vigilance: and of this you must be satisfied, as for the last eight months we have been constantly at sea, with the exception of twenty three days, and yet, sir, we have enjoyed extraordinary health and spirit: 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 age than any other cause.
Indeed, sir, when I compare my present situation with what it was when I doubled Cape Horn, I enjoy but esteem myself fortunate in an extraordinary degree. There my ship was shattered by tempestuous weather and destitute of every thing: rations and crew half starved, naked, and worn out with fatigue. Now, sir, my ship is in prime order, abundantly supplied with every thing necessary for her. I have a noble ship for a consort of 20 guns and well manned, a store ship of 20 guns well supplied with the best of every thing that we may want, and prizes which would be worth in England two millions of dollars: and what renders the comparison 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 [cipher].
British letters of marque are numerous in these seas, and, were it not for my arrival, our whale fishers would have been much harassed: but they now find it necessary to keep together for mutual protection. I expect to be [cipher], but shall be [cipher].
Subjoined is a list of deaths since I left the U. States: and I beg you will relieve the anxiety of my family, and all our friends, by communicating as much of this letter as you may think proper.
The times of my best men have expired; but their attachment to the ship and their zeal for the service we are engaged on prevent all complaints on that account. It is not probable that you will hear of me for several months to come, unless some disaster happens; but I beg leave to assure you, sir, that I shall not be idle: and I hope before my return to make the services of the Essex as important as those of any other single ship. We may not be individually benefited, but we shall do the enemy much injury, which will be a sufficient compensation to us for all the hardships and privations we must naturally experience, while cut off from all communication with the rest of the world, and are dependent on the precarious supplies the enemy may afford.
I have the honor to be, With great respect, Your ob't serv't, D. PORTER.
Honorable William Jones, Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
List of Deaths, since my departure from the U. States.
1812 Dec. 5 Levi Holmes, seaman, Palsy.
1813 Jan. 24. Edward Sweeny, o. s. Old age.
1813 Jan. 24 Samuel Groce, seaman. Contusion of the Brain by a fall from the main yard.
1813 March 1. Lewis Price, marine, Consumption.
1813 April 4. James Shafford, gunner's mate. Accidental gun-shot wound of the Lungs.
1813 May 28. Doctor Robert Miller, surgeon, disease of the Liver.
1813 May 26. Benjamin Geers, qr gr. Inflammation of the Stomach
1813 June 29. John Rodgers, qr gr Fall from the main yard.
What sub-type of article is it?
Naval Engagement
Military Action
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Bravery Heroism
Triumph
Exploration
What keywords are associated?
Uss Essex
David Porter
British Letters Of Marque
Galapagos Captures
Boat Attack
Peruvian Corsair
Prize Fitting
War Of 1812
What entities or persons were involved?
David Porter
John Downes
David Farragut
Stephen Decatur Mcknight
William Henry Odenheimer
John P. Cowell
Henry W. Ogden
George Isaacs
Wilmer
Henry Gray
James Terry
Wilson
Shaw
Gamble
Where did it happen?
Pacific Ocean, Galapagos Islands, Near Albemarle, Lima, Tumbez Near Guayaquil, Coast Of Peru
Story Details
Key Persons
David Porter
John Downes
David Farragut
Stephen Decatur Mcknight
William Henry Odenheimer
John P. Cowell
Henry W. Ogden
George Isaacs
Wilmer
Henry Gray
James Terry
Wilson
Shaw
Gamble
Location
Pacific Ocean, Galapagos Islands, Near Albemarle, Lima, Tumbez Near Guayaquil, Coast Of Peru
Event Date
1813 07 02
Story Details
Captain David Porter of USS Essex reports capturing British letters of marque ships Montezuma, Policy, and Georgiana near Galapagos via boat attack without resistance; encounters Peruvian corsair Nereyda, liberates American prisoners, recaptures Barclay; further captures including Atlantic, Greenwich, Hector, Catharine, Rose; fits out prizes as cruisers and store ships; maintains crew health and supplies.