Monday, May 28, 2012

History: Aboard USS Essex

May 28, 1813: At the height of the War of 1812, Captain David Porter aboard USS Essex of thirty-six guns, takes five British whalers in the South Pacific. Here is an excerpt from Porter’s report to the Naval Board of around the same time:


I have completely broken up the British navigation in the Pacific; the vessels which had not been captured by me were laid up, and dared not venture out… They have furnished me amply with sails, cordage, cables anchors, provisions, medicines, and stores of every description; and the slop-shops on board them have furnished clothing fore the seamen. We have in fact lived on the enemy since I have been in that sea, every prize having proved a well-found store-ship for me.

Take a moment, you among the U.S. Brethren, to remember the heroic spirits of our service men and women of all eras on this Memorial Day.

Header: USS Essex via Age of Sail (see sidebar)

2 comments:

Timmy! said...

Ahoy, Pauline! They are all heros to me... And I am "comfortable" saying that (even if I am "glorifying" war and all)...

Thanks to all of our service men and women past and present for all they do, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Pauline said...

Referring to a service person as a hero and "glorifying war" are two very different things. Regardless of how many heroes sacrifice all or come home or both, war isn't going to go away. Ever. Period.

Thank you for making that very salient point, Timmy! And, although I try to stay politically neutral here at Triple P I feel compelled to say: msnbc - get over yourself.

One more time, thank you to all who serve.