The marvelous cruise of the U.S.S. Essex, the United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter. A story of his famous cruise in the southern waters during the War of 1812. The Essex was the only government vessel of size which was then sustaining the reputation of the American Navy, and she was in far distant seas, with a track equal to more than a third of the circumference of the globe between her and the home port from which she sailed. She was then making one of the most remarkable cruises on record. NOTE: there are several instances of the derogatory N word used in this book. - Summary by Barry Eads and Benson Lossing