Journal of A Cruise
Made to the Pacific Ocean …

Nothing of consequence transpired from the time of leaving the Gallapagos to our making the land of Peru, in the latitude of 0°47'28'' south, on the 14th. …

…

On my return to the ship (after visiting Tumbez), a most disagreeable circumstance took place, which, for the credit of the ship, and of the officers of the American navy generally, I wish it was not necessary to relate; but as it took place in the presence of our prisoners, who no doubt will make their representations of it, with suitable embellishments, alterations, and exaggerations, and as it led to some changes of considerable importance, I conceive it proper to give a correct statement of the affair.

Lieutenant W., the (then) second lieutenant,§ had in two or three instances become intoxicated, and so much so as to compel me once to arrest him, as at such time his conduct had been extremely violent and offensive to all on board; but as this officer possessed many good qualities, and was much esteemed for his goodness of heart, his brother officers interceded for him, pledging themselves for his future good conduct; and on a solemn promise from him, that he would abstain from ardent liquors while he continued under my command, I relieved him from his arrest, and put him to duty, with an assurance that for another similar offence his authority should for ever cease on board the Essex.

§ Porter's show of omitting the lieutenant's full name is disingenuous at best. There were two lieutenants “W.” on the Essex. Their names were James P. Wilmer and James Wilson, as shown in the Crew List printed in Chapter I. In Chapter XVII, a list of crewmen killed in action shows the name of James P. Wilmer (this list not reproduced here). Thus, Lieutenant James Wilson is the man Porter arrested. If Porter had truly wanted to conceal his identity, he would have referred to him as “an officer” or in some other ambiguous manner or not at all—as in fact he does in the next chapter. In his description of the death of acting 4th lieutenant Cowan in a duel, he does not identify the surviving dueler.

During my short absence at Tumbez, lieutenant W. felt himself relieved from the restraint which my presence had imposed, and could not resist the opportunity of again indulging in his horrid propensity, which an abstinence of many months had rendered doubly dear to him, and to which he was strongly invited by captain Shuttleworth, the prisoner whom I formerly mentioned as having conducted himself so improperly. On my return he was officer of the deck, and, fearing that I should discover his situation, he left the deck as soon as I entered the ship, and, while I was engaged in conversation with the first lieutenant, retired to his state-room. Not knowing his condition, I sent repeatedly for lieutenant W., who was reported to me as lying in his cot, and could not be made to answer. He had once before attempted to commit suicide, and I felt apprehensive that he had now made attempts on his life. I went to his state-room, where I found him in his cot, with his face down; and, after considerable difficulty, and repeated efforts to move him, succeeded in turning him over. He now requested me to let him alone; I told him, as he was evidently in his senses, and apparently knew what he was about, I was determined to investigate the cause of his conduct. He then sprang up, and with great violence of gesture and language demanded to know what I intended to do, observing, at the same time, that he had been drunk, and had not had time to get sober. I informed him that he was under arrest. He asked me how long. I told him, as long as the cruise lasted. He then seized a pistol, which he attempted to load, observing, that neither myself nor any other should have the satisfaction of arresting him. As there was a threatening manner with him, and not knowing whether he intended to use the pistol against me or himself, I grasped him and took it from him. He then attempted to load another, which was also taken from him. He then assured me he had no intentions of using the pistol against me; that, if I would permit him, he would blow his own brains out, observing, that he would put an end to his existence before morning. I now sent for a guard, and had his room searched for arms, which were all taken away from him, and afterwards confined him there, with two centinels at the door, with orders not to permit him to leave it. When the arms were taken out, he refused to go into the room until some violence was used to compel him; he, however, became at length pacified, and by morning dejected and penitent. He frequently declared, that, as he had violated his promise to me as well as to his brother officers who had interceded for him, he could not survive the shame, and had formed the determination of putting an end to his existence the first opportunity which presented itself.

The ship now being left with only one sea lieutenant, it became necessary to supply the deficiency, and the more so as I had suffered lately much from the want of officers; I therefore ordered lieutenant M'Knight to join the Essex, placing Mr. Adams, the chaplain, in charge of the Atlantic; gave the sailing-master the appointment of acting third lieutenant; and appointed midshipman J. S. Cowan acting fourth lieutenant, giving the appointment of sailing-master to midshipman Odenheimer; and, to supply their places on board the prizes, I put the younger midshipmen, boys from 12 to 15 years of age, making them nominally prize-masters, with careful seamen, in whom I could confide, to take care of them.

The letter I speak of was as follows:

Guyaquil, 22d June, 1813.

Captain Porter, sir,

I have seen the description of the four ships that are in Tumbez, knowing that several merchants have seen the same, and all would be willing to enter a negotiation; but it is impossible, as there is no licence from the government, and it is losing time to think of the same. The sooner you go off the better. The bearer is at present en declarations en government.

Please to excuse the few words and signing of

Your humble servant      
And well-wisher.

The bearer of this carries a few little articles for your refreshment, and if they should wish for any little trade they are confident.

I now directed all my watering and wooding parties to go armed, to be prepared for the worst that might happen, and determined (if I should not hear from the purser next day) to go to Tumbez with a few armed boats, to know the cause of his detention.

The Catharine and Rose approached the Georgiana without the least suspicion of her being an enemy, and the captains of them did not find out their mistake until they got on board her. The Hector was discovered in the afternoon; but lieutenant Downes did not succeed in getting alongside of her until late at night; and, as she was very warlike in her appearance he had made every preparation for action, supposing her at first to be a Spanish sloop of war. His crew at this time only amounted to twenty men and boys, the rest being on board his two prizes, the Catharine and Rose, while his prisoners amounted to upwards of 50, the most of whom he had confined in irons, to prevent their carrying into execution a plan that had been laid for taking his vessel from him. They all, however, volunteered their services to attack the supposed Spaniard; but lieutenant Downes very prudently considered, that, as he now had them in security, he had better keep them so, as they might not be disposed to return to their irons after being placed at liberty, with arms in their possession; he consequently declined accepting their offers, and trusted to the bravery and exertions of his own men for the success of the attack.

When he had got within hail of the Hector, and ascertained that she was a British ship, he summoned her to surrender; to which he received no reply, but heard her captain give directions for the guns to be cleared away. He now fired a shot, which entered her stern, and did considerable damage, when the captain of the Hector gave orders for making sail, and, on being asked if he intended to surrender, answered, No, no. Lieutenant Downes now opened fire on the enemy, and after firing five broadsides, which killed two men and wounded six others dangerously, shot away her main topmast, and most of her standing and running rigging, and rendered the ship a wreck, she struck to the Georgiana. After lieutenant Downes had put a prize crew on board the Hector, his own crew amounted to only ten in number, while his prisoners amounted to seventy-five; it became therefore necessary to get clear of them as soon as possible; and as the Rose proved to be a very dull sailing vessel, and had occasioned him considerable delay, he caused all her guns, and most of her cargo, which consisted of spermaceti oil, to be thrown overboard, and gave the ship up to her captain, on condition that he would proceed to St. Helena with all the prisoners, who entered into an obligation not to serve against the United States unless regularly exchanged. He gave to the captain of the Rose a passport for St. Helena, with an assurance, if he attempted to go elsewhere, and should be met by an American cruiser, his vessel would be taken from him. After lieutenant Downes had got clear of those two great encumbrances, the Rose and his prisoners, he proceeded for Tumbez, where he arrived the day before us; but not finding us there, proceeded to cruise off Cape Blanco for a few days, with an intention of looking into Tumbez occasionally.

(CONFIDENTIAL.)

United States' Frigate Essex,
At sea, 1st July, 1812.[sic, 1813]

Sir,

On leaving Valparaiso, you will scour the coast of Chili and Peru, keeping the usual distance for whalers. It will be advisable to look into the harbour of Lima; from thence proceed to the Gallipagos, searching Hood's and Charles' Islands for letters; should you find none at either of those places, look into James' Island. Get clear of all prisoners before leaving the islands if possible, and proceed to join me at the Island of Chitahoo, or Sta. Christiana, one of the Marquesas, where you will find me at anchor, or hear from me in Resolution Bay, in the latter part of September, and first of October. I intend there to refit my ship.

(Signed)           D. PORTER

Lieutenant John Downes.

I now stood away on a wind to the southward and westward, with a hope of getting beyond the influence of the current, and thus be enabled to reach the islands again.

On the 24th, I determined, for several reasons, to send the Georgiana to the United States. In the first place, I considered that, on her arrival on our coast, the season would favour her getting in, as I calculated it would require five months for her to reach it, which would be the dead of winter, and consequently at a time when ships of war cannot cruise on the northern parts, on account of the prevalence of tempestuous weather. Secondly, the ship had a full cargo of spermaceti oil, which would be worth in the United States about one hundred thousand dollars, and could not be sold on this coast without making great sacrifices. Thirdly, I was desirous of getting rid of Stavers: he was a man of great cunning, and considerable observation, and, however desirous I might be of concealing my intentions, I was apprehensive that some circumstances might lead him to conjecture rightly as to my future views; and, to put it entirely out of his power to obtain and give such information as was calculated to benefit the enemy, or frustrate my plans, I thought it advisable (as I always intended sending him to America for trial) to dispatch him in the Georgiana. Fourthly, repeated applications had been made to me, by the officers, to overlook the offence of lieutenant W.; and his activity and bravery on board the Greenwich, during her action with the Seringapatam, gave me a secret inclination to do so, without violating my word, or incurring the imputation of inconsistency. To reinstate him on board the Essex was entirely out of the question; but I saw no obstacle to giving him command of the Georgiana to take to America; an arrangement which gave general satisfaction to every person, as I at the same time liberated him from arrest, and withdrew the charges I had intended to present against him. Fifthly, the period was fast approaching when the times of many of my crew were to expire. I was desirous of sounding them as to their views on the occasion, and, with this object, I permitted the crew of the Georgiana to be made up of those whose period of enlistment would expire next month; and I had the great satisfaction to observe but little desire on the part of any to return before the Essex. A crew, however, was made up for her, but composed by no means of my best men. Every arrangement being made, the Georgiana left us on the 25th July, giving us a salute and three cheers at her departure. We had an opportunity, by this vessel, of writing to our friends, and enjoyed in pleasing anticipation the effect that the news of our great success would produce in the United States.

We had now got drifted as far to the westward as longitude 91° 15' west, our latitude, at noon of the 25th, was 1° 8' 25" north, the wind from the south, with a strong current ripple, which induced me to believe the current had shifted, gave me strong hopes of fetching the islands, and with this view I made all sail, but was soon compelled to heave to for the prizes, and particularly the New Zealander, which in a short time was run out of sight. The short sail I was compelled to keep under occasioned considerable delay, which, added to the current, which we still found setting to the west, prevented my making the land until the 27th, when we saw the north part of Narborough, bearing S.E. half E. Being considerably ahead of the prizes, I ran into Banks' bay, and on satisfying myself there were no vessels there, ran out to meet the prizes, and bore away in company with them for the northeast part of Albemarle, intending to proceed to James' island to make myself acquainted with its resources, and tosearchh for English whalers, as it is said to be much frequented by them, for the purpose of taking in land tortoises and refitting their ships, the harbour having the reputation of being the best among the Gallipagos islands. At midnight the north head bore S. by W., and Rodondo W.N.W. At seven o'clock on the morning of the 28th, discovered a strange sail to the eastward, and, on viewing her with my spy-glass from the top-gallant yard, she appeared to be close on a wind under her top-sails, with fresh breezes, while our ships were lying nearly becalmed, with a strong current setting us with great rapidity for Rodondo, which bore [of us] W. by S. A light air, however, springing up from the westward, we made all sail in chase; but the rapidity of the current was so great, that we soon lost sight of the stranger, and at meridian we were driven so close to Rodondo, that we entertained the most lively apprehensions for the safety of the ship; and even with the assistance of our drags, which were plied with their utmost power, and a smart breeze which fortunately sprung up at the most critical moment, it was with some considerable difficulty we escaped getting on shore on it; and as the sea was beating with great violence against its perpendicular and inaccessible sides, this apprehension was calculated to produce reflections of no very agreeable nature.

As soon as the ship was out of danger, we began again to think of our chase; and as we were not in the habit of readily giving up a pursuit, while it was probable the chase was an enemy, our uncommon success having taught us to believe, that to see and to capture were one and the same thing. Although we had lost sight of her, we still felt confident it would only be for a short time, and that she owed it solely to having a fresh breeze, while we were becalmed; an advantage we hoped to enjoy equally with her, so soon as we should be enabled to pass the N.E. point of Albemarle. I firmly believed that the stranger was a British whale-ship, and bound to James' Island, and every advantage was taken of the light airs which prevailed all that day and the next night, to endeavour again to get sight of her; and next morning, at half past seven o'clock, she was discovered to the N.E. from the masthead, standing on a wind towards us, and across our bows. At half past nine she was directly to windward of us, distant about seven miles; and as she had discovered that we were a frigate, and no doubt had intelligence of our being in this quarter, she hoisted American colours, and made all sail from us. Every exertion was made to come up with her; she was evidently a whale-ship; and from every appearance I had no doubt of her being English. The winds became light, inclinable to calm; we made use of our drags, and found considerable advantage from the use of them; but, from the constant labour requisite to work them, our people became very much harassed, and finally worn out with fatigue. We had, however, by the greatest exertions, approached within four miles of the chase, and were enabled, by the assistance of our glasses, to see all his movements. He now got his boats ahead to tow his ship, with a view, as I supposed, of running her on shore on the island of Abington, which was not far distant; and to prevent his effecting this object, I dispatched the gig and whale-boat, the first under command of lieutenant M'Knight, and the other under Mr. Bostwick, clerk, with a few good marksmen to drive them from their boats, but with the most positive orders to make no attempt on the ship. They soon succeeded in driving the boats alongside the ship, but found great difficulty in keeping out of range of his shot, as he had mounted two guns on his forecastle, with which he kept up a constant fire on our boats, having hauled down his American colours and hoisted English. At four o'clock on the afternoon of the 30th, both ships were perfectly becalmed, at the distance of three and a half miles from each other, our two boats lying ahead of the enemy, and preventing his boats from towing; my crew so worn out with fatigue, as to be incapable of working the drags to any advantage; the enemy with English, and we with American colours flying. I considered him as already our own, and that the ceremony of taking possession was all that was now requisite. I could plainly perceive that his force did not exceed ten guns and thirty men; and, as any alternative was preferable to working the drags any longer, I, to the great joy of every one on board, gave orders for attempting her with the boats, which were soon hoisted out, manned, and armed, and dispatched after her. The enemy, seeing so formidable a force coming against him, fired a few guns, apparently with a view of intimidating them, but finding that they continued to advance, he ceased firing and hauled down his colours. The boats had now got within three-quarters of a mile of her, when a fresh breeze sprung up from the eastward, with which she made all sail to the northward, hoisted her colours, fired at our gig and whale-boat as she passed, which in return gave her volleys of musketry, and before sunset she was hull down ahead of us, while we were lying the whole time perfectly becalmed. Our boats continued the chase, with the hope that it would again fall calm, and made flashes occasionally to guide me in the pursuit, which I was enabled to renew when the breeze struck me, which was not until after sundown. I came up with the boats at nine o'clock; we had all lost sight of the enemy, and the apprehension of losing all my boats and officers, and the greater part of my crew, induced me to heave to and take them on board, which was soon done, when I renewed the pursuit on the same course I had before observed her standing, as I did not think it proper to run away before the wind, on the expectation of her having changed her course; as this would have caused a separation from the prizes, and the strong current setting to leeward should have prevented our rejoining them again for some time; I therefore concluded it best to continue my course on a wind all night, but at day-light, seeing nothing of the enemy, I hove about to rejoin my prizes.

At twelve o'clock next day, we were joined by the Greenwich and Seringapatam, but we saw nothing of the New Zealander until the day following. Nothing, perhaps, could equal our disappointment in not taking this vessel. We had already calculated with such confidence on her, as to arrange her prize crew, and were exulting that we had completely destroyed (with the exception of one vessel more) the British whale-fishery on the coast of Peru. We believed the vessel we were in pursuit of to be the British whale-ship Indispensable, and we knew of no other besides her on the coast, except the Comet, of twenty guns, fitted out both for whaling and cruising against the Americans. Great, however, as our mortification was that he should make his escape after so long a chase, we consoled ourselves in some measure with the reflection, that this was the first enemy who had ever escaped us where we had known him to be such, and that his escape was owing only to a fortuitous circumstance, which might not happen again in a thousand chases, and not to any good management on his part, or bad management on ours; but yet, such is our nature, that we could not help blaming fortune for thus jilting us, and for this freak of hers forgot for a moment all the favours she had hitherto lavished on us.

I now made every exertion to reach James' Island; but light and baffling winds, and a constant lee current, prevented our making any progress until the 3d of August, when the current changed, and ran with great rapidity to the eastward, as it had hitherto done in a contrary direction.

It became necessary to take all our powder on shore, for the purpose of sunning and sifting it; and I discovered, to my great regret, that nearly one-third of that contained in casks was damaged and unfit for use, in consequence of the water having entered the magazine, either during our passage around Cape Horn, or (which is more likely) while our rudder coat was in a damaged state, off the coast of Patagonia. We were, however, enabled to get a considerable quantity from the Seringaptam, which (although it left that ship nearly destitute) in a great measure supplied our deficiency.

* At every place where we landed on the western side, we might have walked for miles through long grass and beneath groves of trees. It only wanted a stream to compose a very charming landscape. This island appears to have been a favourite resort of the buccaniers, as we not only found seats, which had been made by them of earth and stone, but a considerable number of broken jars scattered about, and some entirely whole, in which the Peruvian wine and liquors of that country are preserved. We also found some old daggers, nails, and other implements. This place is, in every respect, calculated for refreshment or relief for crews, after a long and tedious voyage, as it abounds with wood, and good anchorage for any number of ships, and sheltered from all winds by Albermarle [sic] Isle. The watering-place of the buccaniers was entirely dried up, and there was only found a small rivulet between two hills, running into the sea; the northernmost hill forms the south point of Fresh-Water Bay.

Colnet's Journal, page 156.

We met with great numbers of English mocking-birds, hawks resembling the falcon, a considerable variety of smaller birds, some resembling the small common sparrow, some not unlike the brown Canary-bird, the small black bird found in Charles' Island, and a black bird with a red breast. We saw but few seals, and the only aquatic birds we met with, were pelicans, boobies, and petrells. A few small snakes were seen, much resembling the common American striped snake, and a great number of lizards. In the bottom of the crater of the northern mountain, near the foot of which we landed, some of my sailors (who had been there in search of tortoises) informed me that they had found one barrel of fresh water contained in the hollow of a rock. This is the only fresh water we found on any part of the island, and it cannot be come at without the greatest difficulty and danger, which none would attempt to overcome but such as, like our sailors, had long been confined on shipboard; for, feeling all restraint removed while on shore, they delighted in making an extensive range, and in overcoming difficulties which to others seemed insurmountable. From this place we procured about seventy-five tortoises; but as the men had to bring them from a distance not less than three miles, and as the fatigue was excessive, this was the only time we visited it, as the parties which went to the nnortheastpart of the island were more successful, and gave a more favourable account of the facility of getting them down to the beach. They reported also, that there was every appearance of good anchorage on the northeast, in a bay not inferior in its appearance to the one we were then occupying. Mr. Adams, with his usual zeal, proceed to sound and survey it, and reported anchorage about half a mile from the shore, in 13 fathoms, sandy bottom. This bay was distant from where we lay about 18 miles; I gave it the name of Adams' Bay.

I proceeded to examine Fresh-water Bay, and Fresh-water Valley, as they are called by Colnet;§ in the former there are appearances of anchorage. We found great quantities of broken jars, such as the Spaniards transport their liquids in; a deep ravine, evidently formed by violent torrents; but it was perfectly dry, and had the appearance of having been long so. Three separate times I examined Fresh-water Valley, when we first arrived, and twice after showers of rain; but all my researches were ineffectual, although I traced the ravine of this place to the top of the mountain. While I was about embarking, I perceived three of four small birds, of the size of a sparrow, fluttering about a moist place, on the side of a cliff, over my head; and on further observation I perceived that the small birds of this description constantly resorted here for the purpose of sucking the moisture from the rock; and, by a closer examination, I discovered that beneath this place a small and rude basin had been formed in the rock, for the purpose of catching the drops of water, which perhaps at certain seasons of the year trickle down the side of the cliff. At the time I visited the place, the basin was perfectly dry; and I should not have known the purpose for which it was intended had not I noticed the marks of a pickaxe, or some other iron instrument, in the rock. Of these places captain Colnet, in his view of James' Island, gives the following description:

“Round the northeast point is a small bay, which I take for the one the buccaniers call Fresh-water Bay, in which were many of their traces such as old jars, &c.; also ground cleared away, either as a platform for guns or to land stores, &c.; but the water since then has taken a different course, and falls between two hills, and runs over a little clift of rocks into the sea.”

“As soon as the ship was secured, I set out with Mr. Sharp to search for water in Fresh-water Bay, where the buccaniers had formerly supplied themselves, but the surf prevented us from landing. We rowed close to the beach, but saw not the least signs of any spring or rivulet. Boats were dispatched from both vessels to different parts of the shore, and my chief mate was sent away to the south for a night and a day. On the following morning, at the dawn of the day, the whaling-master was ordered to land if the surf was fallen, and search Fresh-water Bay. He accomplished getting on shore, but found no water; in the evening the chief mate returned with the same account of his unsuccessful errand. For my own part, I never gave up my opinion, that there was plenty of fresh water in the isle; but as neither of my boats were in a condition to encounter the least bad weather, I deferred taking a survey of the isle till they were repaired.” Colnet's Journal, page 153.§

“These isles deserve the attention of the British navigators beyond any unsettled situation: but the preference must be given to James' isle, as it is the only one we found sufficient fresh water at to supply a small ship.” Colnet's Journal, page 158.

It seems from captain Colnet's account, that his principal motive for going to James' Island was to accompany an English ship called the Butterworth, commanded by Mr. Sharp, whom he accidentally met off Banks' bay in distress for want of water; and that he persuaded Mr. Sharp to proceed to this place, where he was confident he would procure a supply; but as he did not find it immediately on his arrival, he sent the Butterworth daily supplies of that article, which produced a consequence captain Colnet little apprehended, for from that moment Mr. Sharp neglected to look for water. Captain Colnet, it seems, from civility to the owners of that ship, had determined to keep company with her during the voyage, and to give her only a monthly supply; and this information, it appears, stimulated Mr. Sharp to search for water, which he found within two miles of his ship. Now it seems extraordinary that the place where so important a discovery was made, should not have been pointed out by captain Colnet. I have, however, reason to doubt the correctness of his statement, as I have carefully examined James' Island for fresh water, and so have many others of my officers and crew, for at least 12 miles to the southward of our anchorage, and as much as 6 miles to the northward; indeed several have searched to the northeast 18 or 20 miles, and none of us yet have been able to discover any of that precious article, except the small damp place on the cliff at Fresh-water Valley, and the small quantity in the bottom of the crater of the aforementioned mountain. It is true, he might have arrived there after a long spell of rainy weather; but it seems it was in the latter part of April he arrived there, after cruising some time among the islands for whales; and if he had experienced so extraordinary a thing as heavy rains among the Gallipagos, I think he would have noticed it in some part of his journal. There can be no doubt, that, at some former period, small quantities of water have been procured from the place called Fresh-water Valley; and indeed the old captains of some of the captured ships have informed me, that they have been procured; and it rarely happens that this much can be gotten; then, when so inconsiderable a quantity can be obtained, how could captain Colnet so far impose on the world, as to hold out encouragement for vessels to stop there for water*?

* See the quotations from Colnet, page 219.§

That the island affords water in the interior, there cannot be a doubt; but this can only be of service to the tortoises, whose patience and perseverance enable, and whose instinct teaches them to find it. But it certainly cannot be supposed, after what captain Colnet has said of Fresh-water Bay and Fresh-water Valley, that it was from either of those places that the Butterworth procured her supply, for it seems that an unsuccessful search was made there by captains Colnet and Sharp on the first arrival of the ships: they could not land on account of the surf; they rowed close to the beach, but saw not the least sign of any spring or rivulet. Boats were sent in different directions, and the mate and whaling-master of captain Colnet's ship were ordered on the search, but without success. Captain Colnet proceeded also himself on the search, and was equally unsuccessful with the rest; yet the captain of the Butterworth found it within two miles of his ship, and we are not informed in what direction! Where is the advantage of James' Island furnishing fresh water “sufficient to supply a small ship,” if we are ignorant where it is to be found? Surely captain Colnet could not have been ignorant of the importance of this information, and, as he not given it, I must take the liberty of doubting the correctness of his statement, page 153 of his journal.* However, he has committed so many errors in his description of this island, as well as in the chart he has drawn of the whole group, that in their multiplicity this single one might be passed over in silence, were it not for the deplorable consequences that might result to a whole ship's company, who, when short of water, should (relying on Colnet's statement) put into James' Island for a supply. To prevent the ill effects of information so calculated to mislead, I felt it my duty to point out the inaccuracy of the statement; and if it is true that the captain of the Butterworth obtained the supply of water mentioned, it was more the duty of captain Colnet to have particularized the spot, considering the object for which (as he informs us) he was sent into this sea.

I have now the painful task of mentioning an occurrence which gave me the utmost pain, as it was attended by the premature death of a promising young officer, whereby the service at this time has received an irreparable injury, and by a practice which disgraces human nature. I shall, however, throw a veil over the whole previous proceedings, and merely state, that without my knowledge they § met on shore, at daylight, and at the third fire Mr. Cowan fell dead. His remains were buried the same day in the spot where he fell, and the following inscription was placed over his tomb:

Sacred to the memory
OF LIEUT. JOHN S. COWAN,
Of the U.S. Frigate Essex,
Who died here anno 1813,
Aged 21 Years.
 
His loss is ever to be regretted
by his country;
And mourned by his friends
And brother officers.

The United States frigate Essex arrived here on the 21st July, 1813, her crew much afflicted with the scurvy and ship-fever, which attacked them suddenly, out of which she lost the first lieutenant, surgeon, sailing-master, two midshipmen, gunner, carpenter, and thirty-six seamen and marines.

She captured in this sea the following British ships, to wit: Montezuma, Policy, Atlantic, Catharine, Rose, Hector, Charlton, Georgiana, Greenwich, Seringapatam, and New Zealander; but, for want of officers and men to man them, the four last were burnt; the Rose and Charlton were give up to the prisoners.

The Essex leaves this in a leaky state, her foremast very rotten in the partners, and her mainmast sprung. Her crew have, however, received great benefit from the tortoises and other refreshments which the island affords. Should any American vessel, or indeed a vessel of any nation, put in here, and meet with this note, they would be doing an act of great humanity to transmit a copy of it to America, in order that our friends may know of our distressed and hopeless situation, and be prepared for worse tidings, if they should ever again hear from us.

The British prisoners have been landed at Tumbez, sent to St. Helena and Rio de Janeiro.

The following is a list of the names of those who died as above mentioned, to wit.

(Then followed a list of 43 names.) †

† Porter does not include the list itself in any edition.

I now made the best of my way for Banks' Bay in company with my prizes, and fixed on the small cove inside of Narborough as a rendezvous for them in case of separation, as it now was my design to leave them there until I made a short cruise among the islands, in order to make myself acquainted with all their resources, and with the hope of falling in with some of the enemy's vessels. I had also the design of leaving instructions for lieutenant Downes at Charles' and Hood's Islands, similar to those left at James', that, in case he should fail in finding my letters in one place, there might be a chance of his finding them in another, and thus our meeting be rendered more certain.

U. S. Frigate Essex,    
Banks' Bay, 21st August, 1813.

Sir,

You will proceed to the cove with the Greenwich, and moor her agreeably to the instructions already given you. The crew of the Greenwich will be kept complete, for the protection of the other vessels, and, in the event of being attacked, you will call on the other prize-masters and their men to assist on board your ship; but it is expected you will only act on the defensive. Should I not appear in six weeks from the time of my leaving this, you will proceed for Valparaiso, in company with the Seringapatam, after the articles of value are taken from the New Zealander, and that ship is burnt. If, however, lieutenant Downes should appear before the expiration of six weeks from the time of my leaving this, you will please to deliver to him the enclosed letter, which contains instructions for the guidance of his conduct respecting the disposal of the prizes.

I must recommend your keeping constantly on your guard, with a look-out from a suitable point. Let the ships be ready for sea on the shortest notice, and suffer no guns to be fired, no fires at night, or any other practices by which you may be discovered.

Should I appear off with an English red ensign, hoisted union down, at the fore, you will send a boat on board the Essex. If the same signal is made at the main, it will be for the Seringapatam and New Zealander to send their boats for their crews, and you will please furnish them assistance for the purpose, if necessary. Should you leave the cove before I arrive, you will bury a bottle, containing a letter, in some suitable spot, near the landing-place at the head of the cove, and cut in the rocks immediately above it the letters S. X., in order that I may be enabled to find it.

I need not inform you how important it is that the prizes should not fall into the hands of an enemy. Your situation will render their destruction (in the last extremity) very easy. I would recommend to you to have as many boats, as may be necessary for the escape of their crews, in constant readiness for service, and a sufficiency of provisions and water, &c. &c. provided for them at the shortest notice; and, in the event of the necessity of taking to them, I would advise your proceeding to Charles' Island, as the most likely place of meeting with the Essex Junior, or Essex; and, in case you should not fall in with either, it appears the most likely place for you to take by surprise some British vessel. Trusting much to your discretion,

I have the honour to be,      
Very respectfully,            
Your obedient servant,
(Signed)               D. PORTER.

Lieutenant John M. Gamble, Prize-master of the ship Greenwich.

P. S. It is likely I shall be in the bay again in twenty or twenty-five days.

U. S. Frigate Essex,    
Banks' Bay, 21st August, 1813.

Sir,

You will proceed to the cove with the prize under your command, and moor agreeably to the instructions I have given you. When you have properly secured your ship, you will send on board the Essex all your crew, except the following, to wit: one quarter-master, one seaman, and two ordinary seamen, and you will give every aid in your power to lieutenant Gamble to protect the ships against any force that may attack them. Should you not hear from me in six weeks from the time of my leaving this, you will burn the New Zealander, after taking every article of value from on board her, and putting them on the Seringapatam, and assist with your crew in navigating her, in company with the Greenwich, to Valparaiso, unless the Essex Junior should arrive within that period, in which case lieutenant Downes will have instructions from me as to the disposal of the vessels.

Very respectfully,            
Your obedient servant,
(Signed)               D. PORTER.

Mr. John R. Shaw, Prize-master of the ship New Zealander.

Corresponding instructions were delivered to Mr. James Terry, prize-master of the ship Seringapatam.

U. S. Frigate Essex,    
Banks' Bay, 21st August, 1813.

Sir,

I have directed the prize-ships Greenwich, New Zealander, and Seringapatam to proceed to the cove, and there await my arrival six weeks from this date. I left letters for you at James' Island. I shall now proceed to Charles' Island, and from thence to Hood's Island, at both of which places I shall leave instructions for you. I intend to cruise a short time about Hood's and Chatham Islands. Should I not arrive at the cove by the 2d October, you may calculate that some accident has happened to me; and at the expiration of that period, you will take the prizes under your convoy, and proceed with them to Valparaiso, where you will pursue that course most likely to conduce to the good of the service.

I have the honour to be,      
Very respectfully,            
Your obedient servant,
(Signed)               D. PORTER.

Lieutenant John Downes, Commanding the
U. S. armed Prize-ship Essex Junior.

After getting clear of the sound, I stood out of the bay, and at twelve o'clock at night was off the south head of Albemarle; there I continued beating to get to windward until the 29th, without gaining much ground, on account of the prevalence of a rapid current setting to the westward. At length, however, the wind hauled to the southward, and enabled us to make Charles' Island on the 31st, where I sent my boat on shore, with a letter for lieutenant Downes, similar to that left at James' Island. On her return, I was informed that every thing remained as I had left it, there being no appearance of strangers having been there since my departure. We had had several showers of rain while in the neighbourhood of the isle, and, from the heavy clouds hanging over it, I had hoped to obtain there a supply, and gave directions that our former watering-places should be examined, but was informed that they were entirely dried up, not a drop of water remaining in the places where we had formerly obtained it. I now made sail for Chatham Island, running along to windward of Barrington Island, which appears bold and free from danger. Towards sunset, the man on the look-out cried out, a sail to the northwest! All sail was made in chase, but in a short time we discovered from the mast-head, by our glasses, that it was one of two rocks that lie off the north end of Porter's Island, which we have called Bainbridge's Rocks.§ At night the weather became thick and hazy; and at ten o'clock, supposing myself nearly up with Chatham Island, I hove to, with the ship's head to the southwest; and in the morning the Kicker Rock, which lies off the mouth of Stephen's bay, bearing E.N.E., distant about 10 miles, I made sail for it, and at 9 A.M. anchored in Stephen's bay, in 12 fathoms water, sandy bottom, the Kicker Rock bearing W.½N., Dalrymple Rock S.W. by S., the west point of the bay S.W.½S., and the north point N.N.E. In running in, we passed to the north of the Kicker Rock, at the distance of two cables' length, and obtained no bottom with thirty fathoms of line.

This rock is very remarkable in its appearance, and is the surest mark for finding the bay. It is very high, flat on the top, and from some points bears strongly the appearance of a castle. On the western side the rock is split from the summit to the base, and the part detached stands like an obelisk on a very narrow base, and from its slender appearance seems as if ready to tumble down at every breeze. The bay is capacious, and well sheltered from the prevailing winds; there is good landing on several small white sandy beaches; and to the northwest of our anchorage is a small cove, which would afford good shelter for vessels not drawing more than 10 feet water. We found here sea turtle in the greatest abundance, and of a most excellent quality, of which we took on board as many as we could stow away, some of them weighing upwards of 300 weight. They were found always at low water, lying on the small sandy beaches below the rocks. We killed also a number of seals, the skins of which were very serviceable to us as mockasons, made after the manner of those of the North American Indians, and were a very good substitute for shoes, of which we began to stand in need. Our seamen converted them into caps, hats, and various other articles of use to them. We obtained there a large quantity of prickly pears, of a size far exceeding any I had hitherto met with; they were found on low trees, growing among the hard beds of lava which skirt the bay, and were gathered in quantities more than sufficient for the supply of the whole ship's company, some of them of the size of an orange, and nearly equal to that fruit in excellence. Their juice, when stewed with sugar, made a delicious sirrup, while their skins afford a most excellent preserve, with which we made pies, tarts, &c. We saw, in some small lagoons at the back of the beaches, teal and plover; but as I had forbid the use of fire-arms, in consequence of the scarcity of powder, we did not obtain any of them. Cray and other fish were found here in abundance, but we were not enabled to procure any tortoises, though there can scarcely be a doubt that an abundance of them are to be found on other parts of the island.

The vegetation on that part forming the bay, was entirely burnt up, and, with the exception of the prickly-pear trees, there was no verdure whatever for the support of animal life; and they were so situated among the sharp beds of lava, it would be impossible for the tortoises to approach them. We saw a few of their shells and bones; but they appeared to have been long dead. We were not enabled to make any progress into the interior of the island, on account of the great difficulty of walking, nor would I permit the boats in their search to go beyond the points of the bay, as I wished to be always prepared for getting under way at a moment's warning, and wished them to be within signal-distance; and indeed the great stock of tortoises we brought from James' Island, and the supply of turtle we had here obtained, left no room for adding to our stock, if we had found them. We saw here none of the land-guanas; and the only animals of the reptile kind we met with were a few lizards. Land-birds were very scarce; boobies, pelicans, and man-of-war hawks were in abundance.

We here procured an abundance of fish alongside with the hook and line, but were not enabled to procure more than fifty tortoises, and they small, but of a quality far superior to those found on James' Island; they were similar in appearance to those of Charles' Island, very fat and delicious. The vegetable productions were nearly the same as those of the other islands, and the island is evidently of volcanic origin, but it appears to have been a long time since it has suffered from their ravages. Few birds were found on this island, and they of the same description as those found on the others. We found a few lizards, but no snakes or guanas. We killed a few seals, and saw a number of turtle, but caught none; and on the most diligent search could find no fresh water. Wood is scarce, and what is to be found is very small and withered; and the whole island, and everything on it, appears parched up and famished for the want of rain.

And now having accomplished the main object for which I had come to this island, I determined to cruise for a few days to windward of it, with the hopes of falling in with him there; and I was the more strongly induced to do this, as I had for some time past been extremely harassed by being so much among those islands, our knowledge of which was as yet by no means perfect, and the rapid and irregular currents kept me in a constant state of anxiety, from which I was glad to be relieved for a short time. A fresh breeze springing up from the southward, which caused us to drift off the bank, I weighed the anchor, and stood on a wind to the eastward, keeping the island in sight from the deck, bearing west. Here I remained until the 13th September, when I ran down for Charles' Island, looking into Hood's Island, and searching for M'Gowen's Reef in my route, and can now with safety declare, that M'Gowen's Reef does not exist but in the chart of captain Colnet.§

Off the northwest part of Hood's Island, about two and a half miles from the shore, is a reef of some extent. It should be avoided. This is the only danger I could discover, and that lies so close in, and breaks with so much violence, that it may at all times be discovered in time to shun it. This, however, is not M'Gowen's Reef, which by Colnet's chart lies nearly half way between Hood's and Barrington Islands, and in the direct passage of vessels running down between Hood's and Chatham for Charles' Island; whereas the one I speak of lies close under Hood's Island, and is joined to it by other rocks.

The decks of this ship were full of the blubber of the whales they had cut in, but had not had time to try out. The captain informed me there was as much as would make from eighty to ninety barrels, and that it would require three days to try it out; but as I understood that it would be worth between two and three thousand dollars, I determined that it should not be lost. I therefore put on board a crew who had been accustomed to the whaling business, and placed the ship in the charge of Mr. Adams, the chaplain, with directions to try out and stow away the oil with all possible expedition; but that he might do it more conveniently, I directed him to bear up for the harbour where the other prizes lay, (which I have called Port Rendezvous,) and there I intended to run with the Essex; but the wind growing light, and having a strong current against me, I was not enabled to get abreast the harbour until ten o'clock at night; and not conceiving it prudent to run in, I stood through the sound into Banks' Bay; and this I was the more strongly induced to do, as lieutenant Gamble had come off in his boat to the Essex, and informed me that the look-out had reported that he had heard several guns to the northward the day before; and that, since my departure, a ship had appeared in Banks' Bay at three different times; but on comparing the dates of her appearance with the log-book of the Sir Andrew Hammond, it proved to be her. The guns I could not so well account for, nor could I for the appearance of a fresh whale carcase that had lately come into the bay; I therefore took a look in the offing, but, perceiving no vessels, I beat up for Port Rendezvous against a fresh land breeze, and anchored there in fifteen fathoms water, a little outside of all the prizes, being one and a half cable's length distant from each side of the harbour, and two and a half or three cables' length from the bottom of the port. I here moored head and stern, and lay perfectly secure from all winds. The officers and crews of the prizes, as may naturally be supposed, were greatly rejoiced to see me, as they were heartily tired of being confined to this most desolate and dreary place, where the only sounds to be heard were the screeching of the sea-fowls, and the melancholy howlings of the seals. Their rest was much disturbed the first few nights of their arrival there, but after that the seals abandoned their haunts; and even their absence was regretted, as their noise, disagreeable as it was, served to break in upon irksome monotony, which, for the want of occupation and amusement, became to them insupportable.

The Sir Andrew Hammond having an abundant supply, I hauled her alongside, and took from her as much beef, port, bread, water, wood, and other stores, as we required; and what was more acceptable to our men than all the rest, I took from her two puncheons of choice Jamaica spirits, which was greatly relished by them, as they had been without any ever since our departure from Tumbez; and whether it was the great strength of the rum, or the length of time they had been without, I cannot say; but our seamen were so much affected by the first allowance served out to them, that many were taken to their hammocks perfectly drunk; and indeed there was scarcely a seaman in the ship but what was in some degree intoxicated. To prevent a recurrence of a similar scene, I caused it to be considerably diluted, before it was again served out; this, however, did not prevent some from getting intoxicated, as the rum was such a rarity to them, and so far superior to what they had ever been accustomed to drink, that an allowance of it would command almost any price; and as several could not be effectually stopped, as I did not conceive it expedient to resort to rigid measures; for, considering the long time they had been deprived of it without murmuring, and the great propensity of seamen for spiritous liquors, and as no evil was likely to result from a little inebriety, provided they conducted themselves in other respects with propriety, I felt disposed to give them a little latitude, which in no instance was productive of unpleasant consequences, except one. James Rynard, a quarter-master, had belonged to the Essex four years, and had at times endeavoured to render himself of importance among his ship-mates, by placing himself at the head of all parties formed for the purpose of obtaining redress of grievances. At all complaints of short allowance of rum or provisions, or if any provisions were supposed to have been of a bad quality, Rynard was always engaged stirring up others to complain, but took care to conduct himself in such a manner as to let it be supposed, by the officers, that he was perfectly contented; nor did he dare, except at one time, to come forward boldly, and that was at the reduction of the allowance of rum on the coast of Brazils. He then supposed all hands to be of his disposition, and placed himself as a spokesman at their head. I had always marked him as a villain; that was his character with all that knew him; and at this moment, and with such a crew as I had reason to believe that Rynard might, from his habitual villany and restlessness, be induced to stir up discontent among them. It much be remembered, that their times had mostly expired; they saw no appearance of any intention on my part of returning to America immediately; and at such a moment the secret villany of Rynard was not to be despised. He had ever endeavoured to distinguish himself as their champion; and although I believed that he was considered by every man in the ship a notorious villain, still I did not know how far his influence might extend. I had, therefore, long determined to get clear of him on the first favourable opportunity. One was not long in offering itself. I had directed him to proceed to superintend some duty on board one of the prizes; he appeared a short time after I gave him the order, somewhat intoxicated, and insolently told me he had not been sent from the ship in a proper manner. Finding him not in a proper state, I directed him to stay aft on the quarter-deck until he was sober. He attempted, however, shortly afterwards, to rush by me. His dinner was taken on deck to him by his messmates; this he threw overboard in the presence of the officer of the deck, and at the same time demanded permission to go below; and while the officer of the watch was reporting to me his conduct, he left the deck. I then caused him to be confined there in irons, and as he had dropped some expressions respecting his time being out, and treated with derision (more by his actions than by his words) his confinement, I determined at once to discharge him. I therefore directed the purser to make out his accounts, and discharge and send him on board the Seringapatam, until we should arrive at some place where he could be put on shore. The discharge of Rynard produced an effect I little expected; it rendered every man in the ship sober, attentive, and active in the discharge of his duty, and assiduous to please; and those who, in the rum affair, had shown themselves more forward than the rest, now appeared desirous, by their good behaviour, to do away any unfavourable impression that their conduct might at the time have produced.

We obtained intelligence by them of the re-election of Mr. Madison to the presidency, and various changes in the different executive departments of the government, also the most satisfactory accounts of the successes of our navy, in every instance where our ships had encountered an enemy of equal force; and my letters from our consul at Buenos Ayres informed me, that on the 5th July the British frigate Phoebe, of 36 guns, and the Raccoon and Cherub sloops of war, of 24 guns each, accompanied by a storeship of 20 guns, had sailed from Rio de Janeiro for the Pacific ocean, in pursuit of the Essex. I also obtained intelligence that several British merchant ships were soon expected at Valparaiso from England, with valuable cargoes; and Mr. Downes informed me, that he had left one there richly laden, and on the point of sailing for India.

The only British whale-ship we could hear of on the coast was the Comet, a letter of marque of 20 guns; her guns had been taken from her by the government of Chili, in consequence of her having taken an active part in favour of the Peruvians; she was therefore laid up at Conception. She and the aforesaid ship at Valparaiso bound to India, and the English brig which I found there on my arrival, were the only British vessels that I could hear of on the coast of Chili and Peru; and as I believed it highly probable, that the ship bound to India would touch at the Marquesas on her way thence, I thought it likely, that, by a speedy arrival there, I should be enabled to catch her. There was none of the news I had received which could induce me to alter my original plan of going to the Marquesas; the repairs and smoking of my ship were paramount to every other consideration, and I knew of no place where I could be more likely to do it undisturbed.

The morning after the arrival of the Essex Junior, I hauled her alongside of the Essex, and took from on board her a quantity of rum and other articles; and now having nothing to detain us but a head wind, we made every preparation for getting under way, which we were not enable to do until the afternoon of the 2d of October, when a light land breeze sprang up, which we took advantage of to get out of the harbour; and as it soon after shifted to the southward, we were the greater part of the succeeding night in beating though the sound (which I call Decatur's Sound) into the south or Elizabeth Bay.

Prior to leaving the cove, Rynard wrote a penitent letter to me, begging me to overlook his conduct, and reinstate him on board the Essex; this however I would not consent to; but on his request, as well as that of lieutenant Downes, I agreed that he should join the Essex Junior in the capacity of seaman, on his promise that in future there should be no cause of complain against him.

The expence also of employing the frigate Phoebe, the sloops of war Raccoon and Cherub, and their store-ship, should also be taken into the estimate of the injury we have done them; for it is evident that they would not have been sent into the Pacific had it not been for the appearance of the Essex there, as for many years past they have employed no ships of war in this part of the world, nor were those sent until they had heard of our arrival at Valparaiso. Whether the said ships will succeed in doubling Cape Horn, or meet the fate of lord Anson's squadron, time alone will shew; at present, I shall merely take into my estimate the expenses of equipping and employing them for one year, which cannot fall far short of 250,000 dollars, which is more than probable will prove a dead loss to them, as the United States have now no commerce in this part of the world for them to annoy; and as they are reported to be dull sailers, it does not seem likely that they will succeed in their pursuit of the Essex, even if they should all keep together and fall in with here; and if they should cruise separately, they will have more to fear from out enterprize than we have to apprehend from theirs.

It appears by this estimate, that the balance against the British, occasioned by our coming into this sea, is 5,170,000 dollars; for there cannot be a doubt that all our whale-ships would have been captured, had we not effectually prevented it by the capture of all of theirs. It is true that we have, as individuals, been as yet but little benefitted by our captures; this consideration, however, has had but little weight with us; the object of the government is to injure the enemy; it derives no advantage from captures, however valuable they may prove; by our captures we have effected the object of government, and whether we sell or destroy them is of importance only to ourselves.

And now I am about quitting the Gallapagos Islands,§ perhaps for ever, and have shaped my course to the westward, let us compare our situation with that of lord Anson when he left the coast of Peru for China. I have already taken the liberty to touch on that subject at the time I passed the streights of Le Maire; the comparison was then greatly to our disadvantage. It has been seen what were our successes; our distresses are not worth mentioning; and the only evil now to be removed is the rats, which, although disagreeable companions (which it is necessary to remove), and occasion considerable havoc, are very far from rendering our situation a distressed one. Our supplies of every thing are equal to our wants for seven months; my prizes in company, which consist of four sail of fine ships, besides the Essex Junior, are equally well furnished; and our sick list is as follows:

Of the six ships of war with which lord Anson left England, having on board 1980 men, not including the two victualling ships that accompanied him, only two now remained, to wit: the Centurion of 60 guns, and the Gloucester of 50, the crews of both so sickly, and the latter ship in so disabled a state, as to make it necessary to destroy her soon after leaving the coast; and the united efforts of both crews were scarcely sufficient to manage the Centurion until she arrived at Tinian, where she remained near two months to recruit the exhausted health of her officers and men.

The estimate of the damage done to the enemy by the whole of lord Anson's squadron, agreeably to the estimate of the historians of that expedition, is supposed to be (including the treasure taken on board the galleon) about one million of pounds sterling; but as the galleon was not taken until the Centurion had put into China, and there received a complete outfit, the amount of the treasure found on board that vessel (which was supposed to be near half the whole amount) should be deducted, and the balance of 2½ millions of dollars will be the supposed injury done by his squadron on the coast of Chili, Peru, and Mexico, and the adjacent seas. This, however, is the estimate of Mr. Walter, chaplain of the Centurion, whose exaggerations in many instances have been proved by the accounts given of the places he visited by other navigators, and as he was evidently disposed to give the expedition as much éclat as possible, it may naturally be supposed that he has taken good care not to fall short in his calculations.

Lord Anson was compelled to destroy every vessel he took, because they were miserably wretched barks, unable to navigate even this mild and pacific ocean, as well as because he had not men to navigate them. On leaving the coast he had no trophies of his success to exhibit.

The case with us is different, as the list of prize-ships now in company will show.

All these vessels are copper sheathed and fastened, and in a state to proceed to the most distant part of the world, some of them remarkably fast sailers, and all superior ships.