The depredations on American commerce became less frequent than in preceding years; still, they did not wholly cease, for, on March 10) the schooner Planter, of New-York, was taken off Neuvitas. Crew supposed to have been murdered.1
We also read that,
A piratical schooner is supposed to have been seen off the coast of North Carolina.2
We are fortunate in having a detailed report of the next occurrence:
U. S. STEAM GALLIOT "SEA GULL,"
THOMPSONS ISLAND, April I, 1825.
Sir: •
I have the honor to give you a detailed account of the late cruize on which I sailed from Matanzas immediately after the reception of your orders of the 19th ulto., taking with me the Barge Gallinipper.
1MWIIP. 2N, 1825, Vol. XXVIII, 314.
At Stone Key I met his B. M. Ship Dartmouth, under the command of the Honble. Captain Maude; and was informed by him that some of his boats were there cruizing to windward in company with H. B. M. Schooners Union and Lion. Continued our course, and fell in with them the next evening at Cadiz Bay. As they were also in search of Pirates, but without any particular or certain information of their haunts, of which I was possessed, I deemed it proper to propose a co-operation; it being perfectly understood that I was to have the conducting of the enterprize. This proposition was cheerfully acceded to, and requesting that the schooners should not leave Cadiz Bay to windward within three days, I left the Sea Gull under charge of Lieut. Rudd and took with me, independent of the Barge, which was well manned, two small cutters with five men in each, and in company with a British Barge and two cutters under charge of Lieut. Ward of the Dartmouth, we made the westermost point of the entrance of Sagua la Grande; where we were detained 48 hours in consequence of strong head winds. The day after we arrived there, our water being nearly expended, the British Barge and Gallinipper, Lieut. Cunningham, sailed in quest of some, although it was blowing a heavy gale from the Eastward, and on the evening of the same day, the Gallinipper was capsized in a squall. But with the assistance of Lieut. Ward and his crew, our officers and men were saved and the vessel righted. She rejoined me with the intelligence of the accident a few hours after it happened, having lost part of her arms, ammunition and provisions. Notwithstanding this very serious misfortune, after pledging myself to procure provisions, we determined not to abandon the pursuit of our object, but upon the very last extremity; accordingly the next morning, the 25th ulto., the wind abating, we made another effort and gained the mouth of the river Sagua la Grande about noon. At this place I found a Fisherman and compelled him, much against his inclination, to pilot us to the Key of Justia Gorda,3 one of the places of our destination, and at about 4 P. M., discried the Masts of a vessel, laying nearly concealed by the bushes under said Key. We immediately pushed for her, and when we approached within hail! she hoisted Spanish colours, and ordered us to keep off or she would fire into us, having her guns trained and matches lighted with which they made several ineffectual attempts to fire the Gun pointed upon the advancing Boat; the channel being very crooked and narrow, the boats grounded several times. At length one of the British cutters succeeded in passing the bar, and as two boats abreast could not approach, the officers and crews of the others were ordered to jump overboard and wade to the shore, where, taking a commanding position on the bank of the inlet in which she was anchored, and within twenty yards of her, I ordered her commander instantly to come on shore and not fire at his peril. After much hesitation and reiterated threats to fire upon us, he obeyed (by this time every one on board was in great confusion). Instead of coming to me, he and a man who had accompanied him, attempted to make their escape; the commander, however, was seized, but his companion fled to the mangrove bushes. I now directed him to order his colours to be hauled down, and to surrender his vessel and crew. He did order his colours to be struck, but at the same moment a musket or pistol was fired at the cutter, then close alongside, which was immediately returned, and a general fire insued; the leader of the band, availing himself of the confusion, attempted flight. I fired at and wounded him; he fell, but rising very soon and attempting to fight his way through our men with a long knife, he received several other wounds and was retaken. Many of the Pirates, in endeavoring to make their escape, by jumping overboard to gain the mangrove bushes, were shot, whilst others, seeing no chance of escape, were driven below by the boarders and musketry from shore.
3Not identified.
On taking possession of her she proved to be a schooner mounting two six pounders on pivots, four large swivels and several blunderbusses and completely equipped for a complement of 35 men, which was the least number she could have had on board, as we took 19 persons and can account for 8 killed; several effected their escape into the mangrove bushes, and we are induced to believe that others were killed whose bodies are supposed to have floated out to sea unobserved, as there was a strong ebb tide. Among the prisoners are six wounded, one of whom is their chief, and calls himself Antonio Stepol. We were fortunate in having but one man wounded, a British Marine, who received a slight cut in the arm.
After securing the prisoners we searched the schooner, and discovered that with the evident intention of blowing us up they had placed lighted cigars in and near the magazines, which were soon carefully removed. We also found many articles on board of American produce (and to all appearances but recently taken), as the cases were quite new and clean, N. York hats, Shoes, Flour, Rice, Cheese, Butter, Lard, &c., &c., and to confirm their character, if there had been the least shadow of doubt remaining, we found the counterpart of these articles, concealed in a thicket about 20 yards from the vessel, which was approached by a meandering path, and could only be discovered by careful search, so cautious were they in their operations.
The following morning at daylight Lieut. Ward and myself took with us three Boats and proceeded to windward, leaving Lieut. Cunningham in charge of the Prize, Prisoners, &c. We soon after this discovered a large schooner-rigged "Regla Boat," gave chase and at 11 A. M. the crew finding we were gaining fast upon them, made for the nearest Mangrove Island, jumped overboard and effected a precipitate retreat to the bushes, leaving everything standing, with a keg of gunpowder open near the galley fire, and quantities of it strewn all over the vessel. The powder was instantly thrown overboard and the fire extinguished. She proved to be the boat whose crew murdered the five men belonging to the American Brig Betsy, that was wrecked on the Double headed Shot Keys in Decr. last.4 After a long and ineffectual search among the Mangrove bushes for the fugitives, we took the Boat in charge and pushed on to the Key La Cosinera, whence they sailed from in the morning, being their place of resort and establishment. This we burnt and returned to Jutia Gorda at midnight, the officers and men being nearly exhausted, the latter having been at their oars from daybreak.
The schooner and boats being laden with the property found secreted in the woods and elsewhere, we set fire to the buildings on the Key, consisting of two very large Huts and some outhouses. At this place was an old man of more genteel appearance than the rest, whose situation was so suspicious that I thought proper to bring him with me. I have since discovered that he is the Commandant of Sagua la Grande, and in some way intimately connected with these pirates. His papers I transmit to you seperate (sic) from thos (sic) found on board the vessel.
4Vide supra.
Having distributed the prisoners on board the different Boats, we got underway together with the prizes, and sailed for Sagua la Grande, where according to previous arrangement we met H. M. Schooner Lion, Lieut. Liardet, Comdg., who politely offered to receive the prisoners on board his vessel, to relieve us of the inconvenience of having them in deeply laden Boats and they were accordingly removed. We now continued our route to Cadiz Bay, rejoined H. M. Schooner Union and this vessel, reached Key Mona in Company on the evening of the 29th ulto., where we found the Dartmouth still at anchor. Captain Maude, when informed of the capture in which his Boats had assisted, expressed a strong desire to communicate with you previously to the prisoners being disposed of for trial. I in consequence repaired to Matanzas to inform you of his wish, but finding that you had sailed for this place, I instantly returned to the Dartmouth and made application for the prisoners, upon which they were removed to this vessel.
I regret to have to add that in a heavy squall on the evening of the 30th the prize schooner parted both her cables, and having the "Regla Boat" in tow, they were both driven ashore on Stone Key and bilged. The property, however, was taken out the same night, and the greater part of it saved by the united efforts of H. M. Schrs. Union and Lion and this vessel, after which the wrecks were fired.
The handsome manner in which we were seconded by the officers and crew of H. M. Ship Dartmouth merits our highest approbation, nor can I in justice avoid mentioning the cheerfulness and alacrity with which Lieuts. Cunningham and Engle, Doctr. Dubarry and Mr. Barron (Secretary) and the men throughout performed their several duties; manifesting a degree of enterprize and zeal, amidst all their privations and fatigues, highly creditable to them.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration and respect, Sir, Your obedient Servt.,
I. McKEEVER.
To Commodore Lewis Warrington,
Comdg. U. S. Naval Forces in the West Indies, &c.5
Another letter, from Thompson's Island, dated April 2, says:
The Sea Gull has just landed her prisoners, five of them dreadfully wounded with sabre cuts; among them .is the captain, who fought resolutely; he has five wounds. On the 26th, the day after the above affair, the boats fell in with, captured and burnt another small schooner, the crew of which were the identical men who murdered the crew of the American brig Betsey, (of Wiscasset), the account of which excited so much just indignation throughout the country. The villains unhappily escaped to the Mangrove bushes. The chief officer of the port (Villa Clara), where the piratical schooner was fitted out, is among those taken. They state that they had a privateer's commission, and deposited $600, in the hands of the governor or commander of the above place, as security. One of the pirates taken is one of those who were reprieved at Jamaica not long since, on account of saving the life of lieutenant Hobson. The Sea Gull has on board the figure head of a vessel, which was found in the piratical schooner. Report says it belonged to the ship Balize, a trader between New York and New Orleans. I understand, from the officers of the Sea Gull, that the bodies of 13 unfortunate creatures were found tied to trees on shore; what vessel they belonged to has not yet been ascertained from the pirates.6
5C. L., 1825, Vol. 3, No. 15.
In addition to what is stated in the interesting letters from lieut. commandants Sloat and McKeever, we learn that the pirates, captured by the latter, have been given up to the captain-general of Cuba, who, it is believed, will promptly punish them; and that seventeen more have been sentenced to death in Porto Rico, and were to be speedily executed. The fact is, if piracy is to be suppressed, liberty must be granted, or taken, to pursue them on the land as well as on the water—and that, when the Spanish authorities shall fail to punish those captured on shore, self-preservation will require us to exert the right of doing it ourselves.7
It must have given Warrington great satisfaction to be able to address the Secretary of the Navy in this strain:
U. S. S. "JOHN ADAMS,"
THOMPSON'S ISLAND, June 5th, 1825.
Sir: . . . .
Since the capture made by the Sea Gull, we have heard nothing of pirates or their depredations. The Grampus has arrived from St. Thomas's, and her commander reports that there are no apprehensions entertained in that quarter.
The Fox was stationed for some time at Havanna, to give convoy to our trade, but was never called on for that purpose, although notice was regularly given. This shews the complete security felt at present. I have sent the Spark to the south side of Cuba, and shall order the Grampus to the same place as soon as she refits. I have no doubt they will effectually protect our commerce on that coast.
I am, Sir,
With Great respect,
Your ob. Servant,
L. WARRINGTON.
The Honourable
Secretary of the Navy.8
About this time he was joined at Key West by the John Adams, Captain J. J. Nicholson, and the Constellation, Captain M. T. Woolsey. The former arrived at this place on May 28, and the latter on June 14. On the 22d, Warrington reports the John Adams, the Spark, the Terrier and the Grampus cruising off Cuba in various parts. Things were now very quiet on his station.
6N, April 23, 1825.
7N, April 30, 1825.
8C. L., 1825, Vol. 4, No. I.
Warrington sent from the Constellation, off Havana, to the Secretary of the Navy, on August 29, copies of all the reports from his captains. He added,
If pirates are now or have been in force lately on either side of Cuba, they have not only abstained from making captures, but they have concealed themselves so effectually as to prevent detection. The orderly conduct of fishermen on the coast, the steady pursuit of their occupation and absence of all suspicious persons induce a belief that there outlaws are not at present collected in any force. I shall, however, keep a watchful eye on the island and prevent, if possible, the commission of depredations which may be attempted, under a belief that we are relying too much on appearances.9
Changes about this time in the headquarters of the West Indian squadron are noted officially, and a gratifying report of affairs is rendered, especially as to the health of the personnel.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, Dec. 2, 1825.
The secretary of the navy10 respectfully submits to the president of the United States the following statements respecting the concerns of the navy department, during the present year.
The West India squadron now consists of the frigate Constellation, corvette John Adams, sloop Hornet, brig Spark, schooners Grampus, Shark and Fox, and the storeship Decoy, with the barges. The duties assigned to it have been signally accomplished. Several captures of pirates were made, in the early part of the year, of which the documents annexed furnish an account. Since that time, the principal places where piracy existed, have been diligently watched, and no complaints have been made, to the knowledge of the department, for several months past.
Captain Warrington, an active, systematic, and enterprising officer, commands in that quarter, and, seconded as he is, by a commendable zeal and skill in his subordinate officers; it is believed that he will continue to repress that evil, which has, heretofore, produced so much anxiety and distress.
There have been thirteen deaths among the officers attached to that squadron, occasioned by diseases contracted either in the vessels or in the ports of the West Indies.
9N, September 17, 1825.
10Samuel L. Southard.
Against the danger from this cause, the commanding officer was particularly instructed to be upon his guard, and has, no doubt, been attentive to his orders: but severe exposures are incident to the service, and where so many, officers are subjected to them, it must be expected that they will prove fatal to some; especially to those who are not very cautious in guarding their health. We have been, however, so far fortunate, as to suffer less, from this cause, in the present than in the preceding years, arising probably, in part, from a change in the size and character of the vessels employed; and steady attention is paid to the subject, and such arrangements made, as give the best hopes of lessening the evil. Although sickness has prevailed at Thompson's Island to a distressing extent, it has been less severe than heretofore. Two officers have died there, and their deaths are probably not to be attributed solely to the climate.
The station at that place having been found unhealthy, a surrender of the buildings occupied by the war department, at Pensacola, was obtained for the purpose, and arrangements made early in the spring, for the removal of the stores &c. to them. An order for the transfer was Issued on the 24th of May, to be sent by the Decoy; but an unexpected accident delayed the sailing of that vessel until the 13th July, and she had an unusually long passage of between forty and fifty days. The transfer has since been made, and Pensacola is now the rendezvous of the squadron, and will continue so: the site for a navy yard and depot having been selected, at that place under the act of Congress, entitled "an act authorizing the establishment of a navy yard and depot on the coast of Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico."11
The President, in his annual message, praises the work of Captain Warrington and of his officers and men:
The objects of the West Indies squadron have been, to carry into execution the laws for the oppression (sic) of the African slave trade; for the protection of our commerce against vessels of piratical character, though bearing commissions from either of the belligerent parties; for its protection against open and unequivocal pirates. These objects, during the present year, have been accomplished more effectually than at any former period. The irregular privateers have, within the last year, been in a great measure banished from those seas; and the pirates, for months past, appear to have been almost entirely swept away from the borders and the shores of the two Spanish islands in those regions. The active, persevering, and unremitted energy of Captain Warrington, and of the officers and men under his command, on that trying and perilous service, have been crowned with signal success, and are entitled to the approbation of their country. But experience has shown that not even a temporary sustension (sic) or relaxation from assiduity can be indulged on that station without reproducing piracy and murder in all their horrors; nor is it probable that, for years to come, our immensely valuable commerce in those seas can navigate in security, without the steady continuance of an armed force devoted to its protection."12
Piracy in the West Indies, while not wholly stopped, was decidedly on the wane, thanks to the unremitting exertions of our navy. The newspapers pay this encouraging tribute to those who sought to eradicate the evil: "No acts of piracy have lately been heard of. Vigilance has given security."13 The snake had been scotched but not killed; the fire had been largely put out but smoldering embers yet remained to burst into flame again when the .conditions favored.
11RSN; N, December 24, 1825.
12J. Q. Adam's First Annual Message, December 6, 1825.
13N, November 5, 1825.
1826
The closing years of the period under consideration may be rapidly passed over as relatively barren of incidents.
During 1826, a very much reduced force was maintained in the West Indies. It appears to have consisted of:
Guns
Frigate Constellation 36 Captain M. T. Woolsey
Corvette John Adams 24 Captain J. J. Nicholson
Sloop Hornet 18 Mast. Comdt. S. Woodhouse
Schooner Grampus 12 Lieut. J. Cassin
Schooner Shark 12 Lieut. Otho Norris
Brig Spark 12 Lieut. J. T. Newton
the whole under the command of Captain Lewis Warrington.
Piracy having been largely put down, his object was to keep it down.
Under date of January 6, 1826, Woolsey writes to him from Matanzas:
I have made strict inquiries but can hear of no piracies or piratical establishment and I believe that a show of force is all that will be required to prevent a recurrence of it.14
Nevertheless, elsewhere we read,
It seems that the pirates of Cuba have again commenced their depredations. It is believed that they have robbed two vessels and murdered all hands. The pardoning power has been much abused in respect to these wretches as well in the United States as in Cuba and our gallant seamen must be exposed to the perils of another season on that coast that they may be kept in their caverns. If caught, however, and convicted, our present chief magistrate will not grant them a respite that they may commit new murders.15
The situation was well in hand, however, with the John Adams cruising on the south side of Cuba and the Hornet on the north side watching old Bahama Straits, Matanzas and the Double Headed Shot Keys. Warrington writes from the Constellation at Pensacola that
no piracies have been committed since my last letter. Depredations on our commerce are fortunately unheard of where they were formerly so frequent.16
14C. L., 1826, Vol. I, No. 15.
15N, February 25, 1826.
16N, August 10, 1826.
President John Quincy Adams makes brief but encouraging mention of the subject in his annual message of December 9, 1826:
The piracies with which the West India seas were for several years surfeited, have been totally suppressed.17
Succeeding presidents are silent on the subject—a most encouraging sign.
1827
Sometime during the first half of the year 1827 (the exact date not being specified), a pirate was captured in the Southwest Pass by a revenue cutter, the former having sent a boat, with 13 men, to intercept the Isabella, from Vancouver to New .Orleans. This proved to be the Colombian vessel Bolivar which had previously captured the American schooner Antoinette. It was in charge of the first lieutenant, the captain disowning all knowledge of such capture, “but it seems as if he had remained on shore to collect intelligence as to vessels worth privateering for.” The Court of Admiralty condemned the Bolivar for firing on an American vessel with intent to plunder.18
The Antoinette was retaken at the Southwest Pass where she went for provisions. When boarded by the pilot, the latter suggested to the former captain a scheme for her recapture, which was carried out successfully.19
In the case of the Antoinette, of the $2500 salvage decreed to pilots, $1000 went to Pilot Mathews. Had Captain Bateman, of the Antoinette, put in a claim, he would have been awarded a larger amount.20
1828
As in the preceding year, there is but one mention of piracy during 1828. The schooner Charles of Philadelphia was captured near Xagua,21 Cuba, by a band of pirates, and the captain and crew murdered.22
Active operations were practically ended in West Indian waters for our squadron, but it was maintained there for several years lest the pirates forget the lesson which had been taught them.
17PG, 1826.
18N, June 2 and 9, 1827.
19N, June 16, 1827.
20N, July 7, 1827.
21Sagua la Grande.
22N, July 12, 1828.
In December, 1828, occurred an incident that showed the necessity for it. In this year the 18-gun sloop of war Erie, Master-Commandant Turner, was ordered to convey General William Henry Harrison, minister to the United States of Colombia, to that country. Touching at the island of St. Bartholomew, Master-Commandant Turner met the privateer Federal, belonging to Buenos Ayres, and learned that she had recently captured an American vessel under the plea that she had Spanish property aboard. The governor of the island was asked to surrender the Federal, which had run under the guns of the fort, and on his refusing to do so a boat party, led by First-Lieutenant Josiah Tattnall, of the Erie, was sent against the privateer. Setting out on a dark night, and favored by occasional rain squalls, the Americans pulled with muffled oars into the harbor unobserved and carried the Federal with little opposition. Soma difficulty was experienced in tripping the anchor, and during the delay the fort opened a heavy but ill-directed fire. The privateer was finally got under way, and in a few minutes was brought safely out of the harbor. No loss was sustained on either side. The Federal was sent to Pensacola.23
1829
A fresh outburst of piracy, although on a small scale, occurred during 1829, necessitating renewed activities on the part of the squadron.
In the month of February, 1829, only a few years previous to the capture of the Mexican, the brig New Priscilla, of Salem, Captain Hart commanding, was found apparently abandoned a short distance out from Havana, but the finding by the boarding party of a young Salem boy spiked to the deck told a too-often repeated tale.24
This recrudescence of crime caused earnest appeals to the Navy Department, which was able to make a reply calculated to dispel undue alarms.
A number of underwriters and merchants of this town (Boston) addressed a letter to the secretary of the navy making a representation of the late piracies in the West Indies, and requesting that some protection might be afforded to our commerce in those seas. To this application they received the following reply, which shows that the government had already directed their attention to the subject. (Bos. D. Adv.)
23M, II, 40.
24BMS, 43.
“NAVY DEPARTMENT, March 23, 1829.
“I have received your communication, dated the 17th inst. in relation to the atrocious murders and piracies recently committed near the island of Cuba.
“The executive was informed of those depredations several days since; and measures were immediately taken, which will, it is hoped, prevent a recurrence of similar atrocities, and afford ample protection to our commercial interests as well as to the lives of our citizens, engaged in honest trade with the West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico. I am, very respectfully, &c.,
"JOHN BRANCH.
"C. W. Cartwright, esq.,
and other underwriters and merchants, Boston."25
The Governor of Matanzas makes proclamation (moved by the affair of the American brig Attentive)26 offering large sums of money in reward for capturing pirates—$5,000 for a piratical ship and 2/3rds of the crew; $2000. for the vessel alone, and $250. for each pirate of said vessel.27
There were quite a number of pirates hanged during April and May at St. Thomas,28 though whether or not owing to the lure of the reward offered I am unable to say.
In spite of measures such as above mentioned, we may estimate the real extent of the menace to shipping from the bald statement that the Hornet, Norris, and the Grampus, Voorhees, sailed from Havana, on the 6th of May, having a number of American, English and French vessels under convoy. The Shark, Adams, left Havana on the 4th of May on a cruise, and the Erie, Turner, arriving at Pensacola on April 28, reported that her boats had been out continually in pursuit of pirates.29
The year closes with many crimes and many punishments, as indicated by the newspapers, which report that "numerous cases of piracy have occurred recently in the neighborhood of Cuba. Several of the gang have been apprehended and are now awaiting the penalty of their crime."30 Seven pirates were shot at San Juan, Porto Rico, some time during December.31
1830 and after
Brief and unsatisfactory references to the pirate brig Orbit make up the story for 1831:
Peacock, McCall, arrived at Boston from Havana, lately, with two of the pirates of the brig Orbit.32 Two more of the same to be hanged July 1st in Boston.33
In 1832, an instance of piracy occurred about 400 miles southwest of the Azores. Strictly speaking it does not come within the scope of this study and is only mentioned because it is the last one on record as having been carried out in the North Atlantic.
25N, April 11, 1829.
26Vide Introduction, p. 14.
27N, April 18, 1829.
28N, April 4, 11 and May 9, 1829.
29N, May 30, 1829.
30N, October 25, 1829.
31N, December 26, 1829.
32N, April 30, 1831.
33N, June 18, 1831.
The pirates, mentioned yesterday, as having arrived at Salem, have been examined by the U. States district attorney, removed to jail in Boston, and are to receive their trial in October. The prisoners are sixteen in number, and belonged to the piratical schooner, Pinda, which robbed the brig Mexican, of Salem, on the high seas, nearly two years since. The commander of the Pinda is one of the prisoners.
Of the sixteen, fourteen were on board the Pinda, at the time the piracy was committed. The other two joined her on the coast of Africa. The prisoners are principally Spaniards, and belong to Havana—there are no Americans or English among them.
The robbery committed upon the Mexican was most audacious and cruel. She was bound to Rio Janeiro, and was plundered under Brazilian colors, on the 20th September, 1832, lat. 33, long. 34 30, and robbed of $20,000 in specie, the officers and crew stripped of every thing valuable, fastened below, and the vessel set on fire with the horrid intention of destroying her with all on board. Captain Butman and his then succeeded in getting on deck through the scuttle which the pirates had left unsecured, extinguished the flames and returned home.
The pirates were subsequently taken by the British, and have had an examination in England before the proper authorities, when five of them offered to turn king's evidence—two of them were admitted to testify. They were fully committed, and the British government ordered them to this country for trial. They were yesterday landed in Salem, examined before judge Davis, and ordered to take their trial in Boston.
The most cursory reading of these pages, in which the actors in the various episodes, mostly of a tragic nature, are allowed to speak for themselves, must make evident these facts: first, the courage, fortitude and perseverance of the officers and men of the United States Navy to whose lot fell the task of putting a stop to piracy in West Indian waters; second, the dangerous climatic and morbific conditions under which they labored; third, their resourcefulness in making full use of every craft and weapon that came into their hands, whether suitable or no; fourth, the inadequacy both in quantity and quality of their equipment; fifth, the paralyzing effect of the home government's attitude which, always in the background, was most clearly shown in the case of Porter; sixth, the difficulty of carrying on their work against the latent or active opposition of the Spanish authorities and without the earnest support of their superiors at the national capital. Never did sailors undertake a more heartbreaking, more discouraging campaign and never did sailors reach more creditable results.
Since these facts, abundantly established by the record, form in themselves a splendid monument to the bravery, tact and skill of the men whose names occur in this story, it would be painting the lily to seek to add to their fame by any eulogy on my part. In the presence of such achievements as theirs I am quite content to preserve a reverent silence.
THE END.