The more famous son of Captain Porter was David Dixon, who was born in Chester, Pa., in 1813. He entered Columbia College, Washington, when only eleven years old, but left it in 1824 to accompany his father on his cruise in the West Indies to break up piracy in those waters. When, two years later, Captain Porter entered the Mexican navy he appointed his son a midshipman. He acquitted himself gallantly in more than one fight with the Spanish cruisers. While still a mere boy he was made a midshipman in the United States navy. As a lieutenant he saw plenty of active service in the war with Mexico, and, at the beginning of the Civil War, was one of our most trusted officers. In command of the _Powhatan_ he covered the landing of the reinforcements for Fort Pickens just in time to save its capture by Confederates. [Illustration: DAVID DIXON PORTER.] One of the most important captures of the war was that of New Orleans, in the spring of 1862. The naval forces were under the command of Admiral Farragut, while Commander Porter had charge of the mortar fleet. The principal defences below the city were Forts Jackson and St. Philip. In approaching them Porter had his ships dressed out with leaves and branches of trees, the clever disguise proving an effectual protection from a very destructive fire. The furious bombardment lasted for several days and nights. The river was spanned by a boom of logs, which it was necessary to break through that the vessels might reach the city above. This was done, Porter protecting the expedition which effected it. When the situation of the forts became hopeless his demand for their surrender was accepted and an officer came on board under a flag of truce to complete the negotiations. While Porter and his visitor were conversing an officer came forward with the information that the immense floating battery _Louisiana_, of four thousand tons burden and carrying sixteen heavy guns, had been set on fire, as Admiral Cervera did with his ships a generation later, when his escape was cut off from Santiago. "Such an act is anything but creditable to you," remarked Porter, addressing the Confederate commander. "I am not responsible for the acts of the naval officers," replied the visitor. The explanation was reasonable, and without any excitement, Commander Porter renewed the conversation respecting the surrender, but a few minutes later the officer again approached. "The ropes which held the floating battery to the bank have been burned and she is drifting down stream toward us." "Are her guns loaded and is there much ammunition aboard?" asked Porter of the Confederate commander. "I suppose the guns are loaded, but I know nothing about naval matters here," was the reply.