The voyage of the _Essex_ ended in disasters all around, due solely to the misfortune of losing a top-mast in a squall off the Point of Angels at Valparaiso. But she had captured twelve British ships, aggregating 3,369 tons, armed with one hundred and seven guns and carrying three hundred and two men. She had maintained herself for more than a year entirely from supplies captured from the enemy--she did not cost the national treasury a cent after her first outfit. A great fleet of British ships were sent at large expense to search for her. On the whole her cruise damaged the enemy millions of dollars--Porter estimated the damage at $6,000,000--and her crew, from master to boy, had “afforded an example of courage in adversity that it would be difficult to match elsewhere.” Porter was, indeed, defeated, but the victory of the enemy was like those obtained at Bunker Hill and on Lake Champlain during the war of the Revolution. It was a British victory but it strengthened the power of the young republic, and gave renown to the defeated leaders. When Grecian bands lent Persia’s legions aid, On Asia’s shores their banners wide displayed, Though heaven denied success--their leader’s name Has still ranked foremost in the rolls of fame; Hence the RETREAT, the theme of every tongue, Through every age and clime incessant rung; With Zenophon the bard adorned his lays, And gave the mighty chief immortal praise. With him the historian grac’d his proudest page, And bade his _glories_ live through every age: Thus _thine_, O PORTER, shall, in lays sublime Of future poets, live through endless time; Thy noble daring, though with adverse fate, The rich historic page shall long relate, And the glad voice of freemen’s loud acclaim Teach lisping infancy thy honored name. Captain Porter aided in the defence of Baltimore after his return home. After the war he served as a commissioner on naval affairs, and in 1826 resigned his commission. He was afterward American Minister to Turkey, and died at Constantinople in 1843. His body was brought to America and was eventually buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Philadelphia. CHAPTER III TALES OF THE YANKEE CORVETTES A LITTLE LOP-SIDED FRIGATE REBUILT INTO A SUPERIOR SLOOP-OF-WAR--OVERLAND (ALMOST) TO ESCAPE THE BLOCKADE--HER LUCK AS A CRUISER--A MARVELLOUS RACE WITH A BRITISH FRIGATE OVER A COURSE FOUR HUNDRED MILES LONG--SAVED BY A SQUALL--CORNERED IN THE PENOBSCOT--THE GALLANT FIGHT OF THE YANKEE CREW AGAINST OVERWHELMING NUMBERS--BUILDING A NEW NAVY--THE SHORT-LIVED PORTSMOUTH CORVETTE _FROLIC_--ONE BROADSIDE WAS ENOUGH--CAPTURED BY THE ENEMY--SWIFT AND DEADLY WORK OF THE CREW OF THE YANKEE _PEACOCK_ WHEN THEY MET THE _EPERVIER_--DISTINCTLY A LUCKY SHIP--FATE OF THE _SIREN_ AFTER THE COFFIN FLOATED.