80 HEREDITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF NAVAL OFFICERS. 



Farragut had "moral courage in assuming responsibility." At the age of 

 12, on the Essex, he was given command by Porter of the recaptured American 

 ship Barclay, which had been seized by the British. The captain of the Barclay 

 was furious at being superseded by such a lad, and when Porter's flagship had set 

 sail this captain went for his pistols to prevent the seamen from executing Far- 

 ragut's orders. Says Farragut, of this incident: 



"I called my right-hand man of the crew and told him my situation. I 

 also informed him that I wanted the main topsail filled. He answered with a clear, 

 'Ay, ay, sir! ' in a manner which was not to be misunderstood, and my confidence 

 was perfectly restored. From that moment I became master of the vessel, and 

 immediately gave all necessary orders for making sail, notifying the captain not to 

 come on deck with his pistols unless he wished to go overboard, for I would really 

 have had very little trouble in having such an order obeyed." 



When Farragut later reported to his superior, Captain Downes, the Barclay's 

 captain's behavior, the latter insisted that he only tried to frighten the lad. "I 

 replied by requesting Captain Downes to ask him how he succeeded." (Mahan, 

 1892, p. 26.) 



When 12 years and 9 months of age he was on board the Essex in her final 

 battle off Valparaiso, in which only 75 of her crew of 225 were uninjured. When 

 Captain Porter was told that a gunner had deserted his post, Porter ordered Far- 

 ragut to do his duty and the boy seized a pistol and went in pursuit of the fellow, 

 but he had already left the ship in a boat. Of his gallantry in this engagement 

 Porter made special mention in his dispatches. Of his activities during the ter- 

 rible naval battle young Farragut says: "I performed the duties of captain's aid, 

 quarter gunner, powder boy, and in fact did everything that was required of me." 

 When, after the battle, Captain Hillyar, of the victorious English ship, saw Far- 

 ragut's discomfiture, he spoke kindly, saying: "Never mind, my little fellow, 

 it will be your turn next perhaps"; to which, says Farragut, "I replied I hoped 

 so, and left the captain to hide my emotion." (Mahan, 1892, p. 49.) 



Before he was 18 years of age Farragut, as acting lieutenant, was given com- 

 mand of a brig. He says of this circumstance: "I consider it a great advantage 

 to obtain command young, having observed, as a general rule, that persons who 

 come into authority late in life shrink from responsibility and often break down 

 under its weight." (Mahan, 1892, pp. 60-61.) 



When the passage of Forts Jackson and St. Philip was proposed to Farragut 

 he showed "delight and enthusiasm," so that the secretary of the navy doubted 

 for a moment if he were not too enthusiastic. The secretary soon "saw that in 

 modest self-reliance he considered himself equal to the emergency and the expec- 

 tation of the government." 



Later, at the forts, Farragut decided to pass them without waiting to reduce 

 them, as his orders from the navy department strictly implied. In this action 

 he was opposed by Commander David D. Porter. Later Farragut passed the 

 powerful forts at Port Hudson on his own responsibility. At the entrance to 

 Mobile bay, when it was necessary for him to go in, the warning cry came that 

 there were torpedoes ahead. "Damn the torpedoes," shouted the admiral in the 

 exaltation of his high purpose. "Four bells [high speed], Captain Drayton, go 

 ahead!" and none of the torpedoes exploded. Says Mahan (1892, pp. 318, 319): 



