During the long period of peace between 1815 and 1846 midshipmen had few opportunities for promotion, and their warrants were often obtained via patronage. The poor quality of officer training in the US Navy became visible after the Somers Affair, an alleged mutiny aboard the training ship USS "Somers" in 1842, and the subsequent execution of midshipman Philip Spencer. Spencer had gained his post aboard the "Somers" via the influence of his father, United States Secretary of War John C. Spencer.