And once during the time that we were at work on her, a fire was discovered in the lower part of the yard, at noonday, evidently the work of an incendiary. This lire had no doubt been placed there with a view of its bursting out in the night and for the purpose of destroying the steam frigate. A volunteer guard consisting of two companies of infantry were placed at different posts around the yard, with positive orders not to permit a boat to come along-side the wharf unless she had an American flag at the stern, and was commanded by an American naval officer. Xo spectators or visitors were allowed in the yard except passed in by the officer of the day, and on no consideration could a visitor be allowed to remain in the yard after the workmen had knocked off.
Besides these precautions, two gunboats were stationed in the river, about 200 yards from the frigate's stern, and on the opposite shore, the workmen voluntered one Sunday and built a block-house, in which were placed four eighteen pounders and a sufficient number of men to handle them. Another block-house was built on mill rock in Hurlgate which was also well armed and manned. And I think it would have required a pretty large quantity of British skill to have enabled them to do any mischief to the steam frigate. Independent of all the precaution I have named, every one of the workmen had a loaded musket, placed where lie could put his hand upon it at a moments warning. The frigate was to be commanded by Commodore David Porter who had just returned from Valparaiso, after the unfortunate capture of the Essex frigate, which he commanded, and so noblv defended.
The particulars of this battle I shall give in another chapter. Several of Commodore Porter's surviving officers and a number of the crew came home with him, who were also ordered to the steam frigate. A few days after the launch I received orders to report myself on board gunboat No. 98, (one of the guard-boats) for public duty. Only one of the regularly appointed officers (Lieut. Odenheiuier) had joined her; he had charge of gunboat 110, and was also commander-in-chief of all the flotilla, stationed round the frigate. Commodore Porter, with his officers and crew, had been ordered to the River Potomac, to assist in preventing the British fleet from ascending the river for the purpose of destroying the City of Washington.
But notwithstanding the alacrity with which guns and men were collected, the British ships got the start and succeeded in reachino- Washington Citv, and in a hurried manner set fire to the capitol. And after doing much damage to the buildings made a hasty retreat just in time to save themselves. Before the return of Commodore Porter to New York, the Secretary of the navy had ordered a number of small fast sailing vessels to be purchased, and four to be built. These vessels were to be from three to four hundred tons, and were intended for Atlantic cruisers and were called the Flying Squadron, to be commanded by Commodore Porter. According to my orders I went, bag and baggage, on board the gunboat, and thus commenced my life on board a man-of-war.
It was thought necessary to increase the number of gunboats, as the frigate was to lie in the river, probably two weeks longer, there being much work to be done preparatory to receiving her engine and machinery, which were to be taken in at Jersey City. And it was possible that the British might be foolish enough to make an attempt on her with their boats. Accordingly, four additional gunboats were placed around her, and on board of them were the seamen who had shipped for the U. S. Naval service. Each gunboat was commanded by a master's mate or passed midshipman, and as before stated, Lieut. Odenheimer had charge of all. The officers, such as the sailing-master, midshipman, boatswain, gunner, carpenter, and sailmaker, had the cabins, and the petty officers and seamen the hold.
The boats were soon crowded to overHowino; and if the infernal regions were raked over, a more villanous set of vagabonds could not be found than were anions; these fellows.