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THE DALE AT WAR IN MEXICAN WATERS

Reverting to the situation at Guaymas, the landing force was returned to the Dale after the previously described victory in the streets on November 17th, and boarding nettings were "set up" fore and aft. Captain Selfridge, a fine example of a seaman-officer of the old school, was not to be taken by surprise. Although his crew was too small to spare a permanent land garrison, the presence of the ship sufficiently controlled the situation afloat and ashore. Selfridge also kept possession of the nearby islet, where Gunner Meyers was sent on November 19th to fill shells, the supply of which had been depleted by the recent bombardment.

During the next mouth the enemy was harassed by several boat expeditions bent on surprising small outlying camps. One of these is described by Lieutenant Craven as follows:

"I left the ship one day in the launch in search of adventure, and made an excursion to the bay on which the Mexican forces were encamped, about 12 miles from the ship by sea. I pulled in quite close to the beach and threw a few shot ashore among the soldiers, by way of rousing them from their siesta; after which, while coasting along the shores, I discovered a small party, sent out evidently to watch for and get a chance at me, skulking among the bushes. I quickly gave chase and drove them back to their camp. Evening was drawing on and I was on my return to the ship, when, just as the sun was going down, we discovered about three miles from us a schooner running in for the bay. We were about equally distant from the entrance of the creek, and at once a most exciting chase began as to who should reach that point first. We succeeded in cutting her off and I opened fire upon her, as I found they were bent upon running her on shore, and this they succeeded in accomplishing. Night and darkness had come on, but we could not lose our prize, though every moment exporting expecting an attack, as the camp was only about a half mile off. Duncan, who was with me, jumped overboard when we were as near the beach as we could safely go, and with three men swam to the prize, carrying a tow, line, and we soon carried her out in triumph. She was laden with a valuable and most acceptable cargo of good things in abundance, cheese, figs, raisins, dates, sugar, etc., with all of which we got back to the ship at about 8 p.m."

An excellent idea of this launch as she was operated on such expeditions is given by Gunner Meyers' sketch (Plate XXVII), although the picture itself refers to a preview occasion when Lieutenant Smith was in command.

The tedious watch at Guaymas came to a temporary end late in December to relieve the Dale so that the latter might go to La Paz for much-needed water. Before sailing Gunner Meyers was transferred to the Southampton in order that he might continue his duties on the islet in superintendence of a mortar which had recently been installed as an added threat against the town.

Reaching La Paz on Christmas day Captain Selfridge found it almost in ruins. Soon after his departure in November the place had been attacked and besieged by a large force of Mexicans. Colonel Burton and his New York Volunteers hardily held on to their immedi- ate position but could not prevent the burning of a large section of the town. Finally the Cyane (Commander DuPont) arrived to relieve the acute crisis and to permit taking up a counter-offensive.

The lower end of the peninsula had been occupied by strong Mexican contingents and San Jose had also been seriously attacked. There the small force under Lieutenant Charles Heywood, USN, managed to hold on with great difficulty, although outnumbered six to one until the arrival of the Portsmoth, which together with the Cyane had been despatched by Commodore Shubrick so soon as he learned of the dangers. There followed a long and extensive inland campaign on a small scale against the elusive enemy. Shore parties from the Cyane and Portsmouth participated together with the garrisons of La Paz and San Jose in a most creditable offensive which restored American prestige and control.

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