Journal of a cruise made to the Pacific Ocean

In 1813 the frigate Essex commanded by U.S. Commodore David Porter was sent around Cape Horn to the South Pacific. While there it engaged in protecting American commerece and also raided numerous British whaling vessels. Soon his luck ran out. In 1814 his ship was taken out of action by the British navy in a famous action that took place at Valparaiso. This is Porter's version of the whole story.