Porter then divided his fleet to scour the coasts of Hispaniola, Cuba, and part of Yucatan for buccaneers. In this operation Jackal, Fox, Gallinipper, and Mosquito were assigned to the northwestern coast of Cuba, where they searched each bay, inlet, and key and escorted merchantmen through the dangerous waters. The flotilla captured Pilot, a fast sailing schooner, off Norfolk, which the pirates had taken only 8 days before. About the same time they destroyed three pirate schooners and several of their bases.
In August operations were interrupted by an epidemic of yellow fever in the fleet which forced Porter to take most of his vessels north where more healthful conditions prevailed. When the epidemic had passed, the pirates had suffered so severely at the hands of Porter's flotilla that they had all but abandoned operations at sea for less dangerous raids upon settlements ashore.
Porter then divided his fleet to scour the coasts of Hispaniola, Cuba, and part of Yucatan for buccaneers. In this operation Jackal, Fox, Gallinipper, and Mosquito were assigned to the northwestern coast of Cuba, where they searched each bay, inlet, and key and escorted merchantmen through the dangerous waters. The flotilla captured Pilot, a fast sailing schooner, off Norfolk, which the pirates had taken only 8 days before. About the same time they destroyed three pirate schooners and several of their bases.
In August operations were interrupted by an epidemic of yellow fever in the fleet which forced Porter to take most of his vessels north where more healthful conditions prevailed. When the epidemic had passed, the pirates had suffered so severely at the hands of Porter's flotilla that they had all but abandoned operations at sea for less dangerous raids upon settlements ashore.
Inscription
In memory of Lieut. William Henry Cocke
of the United States Navy who was killed on board the U.S. Schooner Fox. Under his command, while entering the harbor of St. Johns Porto Rico (Puerto Rico), by a cannon ball, fired from the Moro. on the 6th day of March 1823. In the 32nd year of his age Persuant to an order from the Secretary of the Navy, his remains were disinterred and brought to this Country in the U.S. Schooner, Porpoise, which arrived at Portsmouth Va. County of Norfolk, on the 25th of July 1832. In which day they were landed and deposited in his natal soil, and are now lying and preserved under this beautiful marble. He was an officer of Great merit, and bid fair to render essential service to his country; and to reap a harvest of distinguished honour to himself.
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