On the Ocean 29 



Porter's course, after the accident to his top-mast 

 occurred, was altogether the best that could have 

 been taken. On such a question no opinion could 

 have been better than Farragut's, although of course 

 his judgment was ex post facto, as he was very 

 young at the time of the fight. 



"In the first place, I consider our original and 

 greatest error was in attempting to regain the an 

 chorage; being greatly superior in sailing powers 

 we should have borne up and run before the wind. 

 If we had come in contact with the Phoebe we 

 should have carried her by boarding; if she avoided 

 us, as she might have done by her greater ability 

 to manoeuvre, then we should have taken her fire 

 and passed on, leaving both vessels behind until we 

 had replaced our top-mast, by which time they would 

 have been separated, as unless they did so it would 

 have been no chase, the Cherub being a dull sailer. 



"Secondly, when it was apparent to everybody 

 that we had no chance of success under the circum 

 stances, the ship should have been run ashore, 

 throwing her broadside to the beach to prevent 

 raking, and fought as long as was consistent with 

 humanity, and then set on fire. But having deter 

 mined upon anchoring we should have bent a spring 

 on to the ring of the anchor, instead of to the cable, 

 where it was exposed, and could be shot away as 

 fast as put on." 



