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Monday 18 August 2014

Mexican navy hardly prepared for action against Spain according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 12 April 1828

An item referred to tidings of the British packet Redpole reporting that Mexico was in a complete (financial) disorder. The Asia could not depart for sea lacking sailors. Commodore Porter (1) was able to leave with the Libertad and Brabo. It was common believed that he would do anything to get revenge for the loss of the Guerrero, the death of his nephew and his son now being a prisoner. The officers of the Guerrero were well treated on board of the [Spanish] guard ship, the sailors were brought to the fortress Principe, about a distance of 2-3 miles form the coast.

Notes
1. The 3rd rate Asia also called San Jeronimo, launched at Havana, Cuba in 1789, after mutiny handed over to Mexico on 10 March  1825, renamed Congreso Mexicano, just used as a (prison) hulk, broken up in 1830, burthen 1.541 tons, dimensions 160’3” (keel)-181’0” (gundeck) x 49’6” x24’0” (aft) x 23’11” (depth in hold) Burgos feet and with an armament of 64 guns.
2. David Porter (1 February 1780-3 March 1843), served in the US Navy and in the Mexican navy (as commander-in-chief between 1826-1829). The nephew was David Henry Porter. He took both his sons with him namely David Dixon and Thomas (who died of yellow fever soon after arrival). The son taken prisoner must be the later admiral in the US Navy David Dixon Porter (8 June 1813 Chester, Pennsylvania, USA-13 February 1891 Washington, D.C. USA)). The brig Guerrero commanded hy his nephew was lost in a battle with the Spanish frigate Lealtad on 10 February 1828 off Mariel, Cuba.