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Explorers of the Pacific: European and American Discoveries in Polynesia

John Downes

John Downes

1831 to 1834

The United States frigate Potomac, commanded by Commodore John Downes, was sent to relieve the Pacific squadron off the coast of South America, but she was ordered to call in at Sumatra on the way to punish Malay pirates for an attack on the ship Friendship from Salem, Massachusetts The Potomac sailed from North River, New York, on August 24, page 1061831, and proceeded via the Cape of Good Hope. She made the Cape on December 6, and arrived off Sumatra on February 5, 1832. Disguised as a merchantman, she anchored five miles off Quallah-Battoo, the headquarters of the pirates. Attacking parties were sent off in boats at night, and the rajah's forts were captured and fired. The remaining fort of Tuca de Lama was shelled by the ship next day.

The Potomac then visited Java and Batavia and passed by the Ladrones. After an unpleasant voyage of fifty days, she arrived at Honolulu on July 23, 1832. She sailed for the Marquesas in September, but unfavorable winds made her change her course to the Society Islands. She passed close to Deans Island (Rangiroa) and Krusenstern Island (Tikahau) and reached Tahiti. Ready for sea again, she sailed for Valparaiso on September 19, arriving there on October 23 to take up her duties as relief ship on the Pacific station.

The Potomac's time was up at the end of 1833, but she was not ready for the home voyage until February 9, 1834. She called at the Falklands on March 9, and anchored off the navy yard at Charlestown, Boston, on May 25, 1834, thus completing a voyage round the globe. The account of the voyage was written by J. N. Reynolds, a layman, and though it is padded with flights of fancy and numerous poetical quotations, including the hymn "From Greenland's icy mountains," the parts about Hawaii and Tahiti are not without interest.