This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
The Essex and the American Warship Saga
In 1799 the sloop Essex built by Enos Briggs earned fame for Yankee bravery before capture by Phoebe and Cherub at Valparaiso. It became the first American warship to fly the flag in the Pacific and to round the Cape of Good Hope. Captain Porter and the young Farragut figure in a famed tale of captured ships, portly pig, and naval daring.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James B. Martin
Enos Briggs
Phoebe
Valparaiso
Chili
Pacific
Horn
Cape of Good Hope
David Porter
David Farragut