Page 36 - Il Mediterraneo quale elemento del Potere Marittimo - Atti 16-18 settembre 1996

22 HAROLD LANGLEY

Between 1807 and 1812 the United States was concerned about British and
French interference with its merchant marine, and it withdrew its squadron from
the Mediterranean. The United States was engaged in a war with Great Britain
from 1812-1815. While that war was on, the Algerians engaged in fresh attacks
on American commerce. As soon as the war with Great Britain ended, the United
States sent a naval force to Algiers and negotiated an end to the attacks on its com-
merce. To make sure that this peace was maintained, an American naval force was
regularly assigned to duty in the Mediterranean. This duty soon raised anew the
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demand for a naval hospital ashore < >.
The Secretary of the Navy suggested the port of Cagliari 'on the island of Sar-
dinia as a convenient location. Commodore lsaac Chauncey, the commander of
the Mediterranean Squadron, examined that location but rejected it because the
port did not have a sheltered harbor for ships. After investigating several ports,
Chauncey decided that Port Mahon on Spains's island of Minorca was the best spot.
It was close to North Africa as well as to the port of Marseilles. In addition, Port
Mahon had an excellent harbor, a good climate and friendly people. Chauncey' s
squadron spent the winter of 1816-17 there and during that time he established
a naval hospital on shore. The Spanish government was not receptive to the idea
of extending long-term base rights. It was worried about American intentions in
regard to its colonies in Florida, and in Latin America. In addition, there had been
a riot in a tavern in Port Mahon between American Navy men and the soldiers
of the local garrison. Spain saw no reason to encourage the establishment of a per-
manent American base.- So, in January 1817 Chauncey closed the hospital and di-
scharged or sent home the invalids. But before the squadron sailed, there was an
outbreak of smallpox in the frigate United States. Chauncey asked the governor of
Minorca for permission to land his sick men at the quarantine station on the island,
and the governor gave it. The United States remained at Port Mahon until the men
recovered, at which time in rejoined the squadron. Americans continued to search
for new hospital arrangements <5>.
In May 1819 Commodore Charles Stewart brought the frigate Frank/in to Na-
ples, and he made a courtesy call on Francis I, the Emperor of Austria, who was
then attending a ball at a villa in the country. The emperor of Austria had family
ties with King Ferdinand I of Naples. When presented to the emperor, Commodo-
re Stewart invited him to visit his ship. The emperor promised to do so. On the
appointed day the royal party and their attendants visited the Frank/in and were
received with appropriate honors. When they were preparing to depart, an elderly
and nearsighted grand master, who was a member of the entourage of the empress,
fell down a hatch and into the cockpit. The accident was the cause of much distress
to the royal party for it was feard that the old man would die. At that point Sur-
geon Thomas Salter examined the man and determined that he had only broken
a leg, which the surgeon immediately set. The empress was greatly relieved to learn