For a long time England had been at war with France. British men-of-war
and privateers were in the habit of attacking any vessel going to or
from the ports of France. More than this, the British government claimed
the right to search American vessels to see whether any English sailors
were on board.
Nor was this the worst. Numbers of American seamen were falsely accused
of being English deserters, and every year many were taken from their
own vessels and forced to serve on British ships.
The Americans tried to induce the British government to cease this
unjust treatment. They tried to settle the matter peaceably, but the
British were haughty and overbearing and would not agree to give up any
of their claims.
On June 18, 1812, things had gone so far that our country was obliged to
declare war against Great Britain. A squadron was fitted out and ordered
to cruise along the Atlantic coast, in order to protect American vessels
from the British.
Captain Porter's vessel, the _Essex_, 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 _Essex_ 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.
[Illustration: 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 passage around Cape Horn is one of the most dangerous in the world,
but Captain Porter was not afraid. The _Essex_ 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 shore 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 _Essex_ 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 _Essex_ would stop at an island, and the crew would go on
shore 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 passing vessels would leave messages and letters, to be taken
up by other vessels that chanced to be going in the right direction.
The _Essex_ stopped at this island for some time. The crew found prickly
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 _Essex_ 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 _Essex_.
Captain Porter now decided to go to some islands far out in the
Pacific, where he could refit the ship.
As the _Essex_ 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 shore,
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 _Essex_ left this island in December, 1813, and sailed for
Valparaiso.