rig, the two
types are very similar. Although the _Constellation_ did not herself see
action in the War of 1812, she is a good example of the heavily armed
American frigate of that day--and the only one of them still to be seen
at sea under sail within recent years. At the present time the
_Constellation_ lies moored at the pier of the Naval Training Station,
Newport, R.I.

Photograph by E. Mueller, Jr., Inc., New York.]

CHAPTER VIII

THE LAST CRUISE OF THE ESSEX

The last cruise of the _Essex_ frigate, although an ill-fated one, makes
a story far less mournful than that of the _President_. She was the
first man-of-war to display the American flag in the wide waters of the
Pacific. Her long and venturesome voyage is still regarded as one of the
finest achievements of the navy, and it made secure the fame of Captain
David Porter. The _Essex_ has a peculiar right to be held in
affectionate memory, apart from the very gallant manner of her ending,
because into her very timbers were builded the faith and patriotism of
the people of the New England seaport which had framed and launched her
as a loan to the nation in an earlier time of stress.

At the end of the eighteenth century France had been the maritime enemy
more hotly detested than England, and unofficial war existed with the
"Terrible Republic." This situation was foreshadowed as early as 1798
by James McHenry, Secretary of War, when he indignantly announced to
Congress: "To forbear under such circumstances from taking naval and
military measures to secure our trade, defend our territories in case of
invasion, and to prevent or suppress domestic insurrection would be to
offer up the United States a certain prey to France and exhibit to the
world a sad spectacle of national degradation and imbecility."

Congress thereupon resolved to build two dozen ships which should teach
France to mend her manners on the high seas, but the Treasury was too
poor to pay the million dollars which this modest navy was to cost.
Subscription lists were therefore opened in several shipping towns, and
private capital advanced the funds to put the needed frigates afloat.
The _Essex_ was promptly contributed by Salem, and the advertisement of
the master builder is brave and resonant reading:

To Sons of Freedom! All true lovers of Liberty of your Country!
Step forth and give your assistance in building the frigate to
oppose French insolence and piracy. Let eve