fight.
The midshipmen had hardly finished calling over the quarter-lists, to
see that every man was at his station, when the roar of the cannon
from the British ships announced the opening of the action. The
"Phoebe" had taken up a position under the stern of the American
frigate, and pounded away with her long eighteens; while the "Essex"
could hardly get a gun to bear in return. The "Cherub" tried her
fortune on the bow, but was soon driven from that position, and joined
her consort. The two kept up a destructive fire, until Porter got
three long guns out of the cabin-windows, and drove the enemy away.
After repairing damages, the British took up a position just out of
range of the "Essex's" carronades, and began a rapid and effective
fire from their long eighteens.

Such an action as this was very trying to the crew of the "Essex." The
carronades against which Porter had protested when his ship was armed
were utterly useless against an enemy who used such cautious tactics.
On the deck of the frigate men were falling on every side. One shot
entered a port, and killed four men who stood at a gun, taking off the
heads of the last two. The crash and roar of the flying shots were
incessant. As the guns became crippled for lack of men, the junior
officers took a hand in all positions. Farragut writes, "I performed
the duty of captain's aid, quarter-gunner, powder-boy, and, in fact,
did every thing that was required of me.... When my services were not
required for other purposes, I generally assisted in working a gun;
would run and bring powder from the boys, and send them back for more,
until the captain wanted me to carry a message; and this continued to
occupy me during the action." Once during the action a midshipman came
running up to Porter, and reported that a gunner had deserted his
post. Porter's reply was to turn to Farragut (the lad was only twelve
years old), and say, "Do your duty, sir." The boy seized a pistol, and
ran away to find the coward, and shoot him in his tracks. But the
gunner had slipped overboard, and made his way to the shore, and so
escaped.

After the "Essex" had for some time suffered from the long-range fire
of the enemy, Capt. Porter determined to make sail, and try to close
with his foes. The rigging had been so badly shot away that the flying
jib was the only sail that could be properly set. With this, and with
the other sails hanging loose from the yards, the "Essex" ran down
upon the