The Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, PA)
15 Oct 1823 Page 1 & 2
Baltimore, Oct 3
Mournful Intelligence
The U.S. ship Peacock, Capt. Stephen Cassin, anchored between Forts Nelson and Norfolk, on Wednesday, about 3 o’clock,
after a boisterous passage of 15 days from Thompson Island. She is, sayd the Norfolk Beason, as we anticipated
the first arrival from that quarter would be, the bearer of truly afflicting intelligence from the squadron. Since
our accounts by the brig Warren, the awful malady which, during this and the preceding year, has carried sorrow
and woe into nearly every quarter of our country, has plucked from our naval escutcheon, several of its brightest
gems.
This community will learn with the deepest sorrow, that the brave, the generous lieutenant com. William H. Watson, who recently avenged
in an exemplary manner, the death of the gallant Allen, has fallen a victim to the fell disease that has extended
the catalogue of mortality among our naval worthies, to a length that calls loudly upon the government for measures
to arrest its progress. Lieut. Watson having been appointed to the command of the John Adams, during the absence
of Capt. Renshaw, was attacked with the yellow fever on board that ship about the 9th and expired on the 12th ult.,
illness only four days.
The service has also sustained a severe loss by the death of Lieut.
G. Hamersly, well known by many of our citizens, for his zealous
devotion to duty during the late war, when, commanding one of the Flotilla on this station. Of the precise day
of his death we are not informed.
The other victims are David P. Adams,
Esq., having nominally the appointment of Chaplain to the Squadron, but filling the very important department of
Professor of Nautical and Mathematical Science, and Translator of Languages. He died on the 10th ult., on board
the Peacock, acting Sailing Master Bainbridge; Midshipmen Read, Bainbrige,
and Robert Taylor, Mathew Jones, (Cooper) and about 40 sailors and
persons in subordinate stations, whose names we have not been able to learn.
The Peacock officers and men, we rejoice to say, are in good health. She lost on her passage, besides Chaplain
Adams, John Clark and James Rose,
seamen.
The Island continued very unhealthy when the Peacock sailed, but the sick were generally convalescent. The following
officers were still on the sick list, but most of them rapidly improving: Com.
Porter, Surgeons Williamson, Babbitt, Van Brunt, Bassett, and Midshipman Radcliffe.
On the 12th ult, there were at Allenton and in the Hospital, 66 cases of fever, including all that had been sent
from the shipping.
Submitted by Nancy Piper
