The Shining Sea: David Porter and the Epic Voyage of the U.S.S. Essex during the War of 1812
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, History
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, History
Book Type: Hardcover
This is a fascinating tale, and an easy read, of our early American Navy and the men who served in her. I was more interested in the people mentioned in the book than in the cruise itself.
For example, Lieutenant John Gamble was the officer-in-charge of the ship's Marines during its cruise to the southern Atlantic and then in the eastern Pacific.
Lieutenant Gamble is the only U.S. Marine in history to ever command a U.S. Navy ship. Left unsaid in the Wikipedia page on him is that he was left by Captain Porter, commander of the Essex, to command a fort on a Pacific island with only a few men. When Porter never returned, and the natives turned against Gamble, he had to sail another ship over 2,000 miles, with just four men and no charts (AAA wasn't around back then so he couldn't get TripTiks) to Hawaii.
Another interesting person on the Essex was 12-year-old midshipman David Farragut. Farragut spent most of his life in the service of the Navy and was the first U.S. Navy officer to obtain the ranks of rear admiral, vice admiral and admiral, due to his actions in the Civil War.
Another interesting fact about Farragut, which I had already known, but which is not mentioned in this book, or many others, is that Farragut was 1/2 Hispanic. At one time during the cruise of the Essex, 12-year-old Farragut commanded a prize ship, which sailed alone to Chile. I don't know many 12-year-olds today I'd give that responsibility to.
The author also covers other personalities who contributed to the Naval history of both the United States and Britain.
For example, Lieutenant John Gamble was the officer-in-charge of the ship's Marines during its cruise to the southern Atlantic and then in the eastern Pacific.
Lieutenant Gamble is the only U.S. Marine in history to ever command a U.S. Navy ship. Left unsaid in the Wikipedia page on him is that he was left by Captain Porter, commander of the Essex, to command a fort on a Pacific island with only a few men. When Porter never returned, and the natives turned against Gamble, he had to sail another ship over 2,000 miles, with just four men and no charts (AAA wasn't around back then so he couldn't get TripTiks) to Hawaii.
Another interesting person on the Essex was 12-year-old midshipman David Farragut. Farragut spent most of his life in the service of the Navy and was the first U.S. Navy officer to obtain the ranks of rear admiral, vice admiral and admiral, due to his actions in the Civil War.
Another interesting fact about Farragut, which I had already known, but which is not mentioned in this book, or many others, is that Farragut was 1/2 Hispanic. At one time during the cruise of the Essex, 12-year-old Farragut commanded a prize ship, which sailed alone to Chile. I don't know many 12-year-olds today I'd give that responsibility to.
The author also covers other personalities who contributed to the Naval history of both the United States and Britain.
