Captain Porter’s instructions were to meet the Constitution and Hornet, which were cruising in that part of the world.  He made continued efforts to do so, and frequently got on their track, but finally had to give it up.  Then Captain Porter formed the bold plan of doubling Cape Horn and entering the Pacific ocean.

This venture was more dangerous than would be supposed, for all the South American countries on that side of the continent were dominated by Great Britain, and in entering the vast expanse the American knew he would meet plenty of enemies and not a solitary friend.  Like an army when it invades a country, however, he determined to live off the enemy.  He knew that scores of English vessels were in the Pacific, and all Porter had to do was to capture them.  He had had sufficient experience at that sort of work to give him confidence, and he liked the business.

Unfortunately, it was the most dangerous season of the year for doubling the Horn, which is always attended with peril.  The Essex was caught in a tempest that lasted for three days, and was so terrific that the stoutest hearted sailors quailed.  The escape of the gallant little ship could not have been narrower, and she suffered great damage, but finally the dreaded extremity of South America was weathered, and in the beginning of March, 1813, the Essex sailed into the calmer water of the Pacific, where no armed American vessel had ever before penetrated.

The first halt was made off the island of Mocha, where a hunting party secured a number of hogs, which were salted down for future use.  Captain Porter wished to keep secret his presence in that part of the world until after he had secured a number of prizes, but the condition of his vessel compelled him to put into Valparaiso, where he learned that Chili had begun her war of independence against Spain.

A sail which was sighted displayed the Spanish colors, and, believing her to be one of the vessels that had been preying upon American commerce in the Pacific, Captain Porter hoisted the British flag.  The stranger approached and sent an armed boat to the Essex.  It was immediately sent back with orders for the Peruvian cruiser to come under the lee of the Essex.  This was done, and she was compelled to strike.  Upon the demand of Porter, her captain gave a list of all the vessels, so far as he could remember, that were cruising in the Pacific.  Then the arms, ammunition and spars of the captive were thrown overboard and she was allowed to go.

From that time forward the captures made by the Essex were so numerous that the full story would be monotonous.  The swiftest and best of the captured cruisers were fitted out with crews and added to the American vessel, until Captain Porter had under his command seven ships, carrying 80 guns and 340 men, in addition to nearly a hundred prisoners.  Still more were added, and the cruise of the Essex and her companions in that part of the world became very much like a picnic.