The native American., 1838-11-03
From the Northern Statesman.
COM MODORE TU CKER

ten years old, Samuel was placed on board a
British frigate, where he learned all the duties of
a sailor At the age of seventeen, Samuel Tucker
performed one Of the most heroic deeds of his
life.
He was on board of schooner which was
chased by two piratcal frigates. The captain Of
the schooner so intoxicated that he could not
take care of the vessel. The enemy pressed close
upon them, and there seemed no chance but that
they would be taken. At this moment, Samuel
Tucker appeared on the quarterback, and having
forced the cowardly master TO 60 below, he seized
the helm himself.
For some time, the resolute boy was exposed
to shower of balls from the two frigates, but so
skilfully did he manage his vessel, that he esca-
ped them both. He steered the schooner and
crew safely into the harbor of Lisbon, in Portugal
where he arrived the next day.
As soon as the vessel was safely anchored, he
went below, and apologzing to the captain for the
course he had been obliged to pursue, he resigned
his command. But the ungrateful captain placed
him, under false pretence, on board of a British
frigate then in port. The commander of the fri
gate, however, learned the truth of the case, and
rewarded the brave boy by promotion.
When the revolutionary war broke out, Samuel
earnestly took the part Of his native country, and
fearlessly asserted her rights. So active in the
cause was he, that he was soon appointed commo-
dore in the navy. This was an honor which he
did not much expect. He used sometimes to re-
late the manner in which he received his first
commission as commodore.
He was then young man, and lived at Mar
blehead. He was cutting wood before his mo-
theirs door, when an officer, gayy dressed rode
down the street. twas towards the close Of the
day, and the officer, seeing Tucker with an axe in
his hand rode up to him, and asked him if he
could inform him where the honorable Samuel
Tucker resided. Tucker not supposng that it
was himself who was meant, replied, There is
no such man lives here; there is no other Sam
Tucker in the town but myself Immediately on
hearing this, the officer took off his cap, and
bowing low, presented him his commission in
the navy.
Commodore Tucker was selected to carry
John Adams, our first ambassador, to France.
The commodore was ordered to make no delay,
and not TO stop to fight the enemy, if he could
help it. On his passage he escaped from several
large ships, which chased him long way. AT
one time he was attacked by British ship, which
fred at his vessel once, and then surrendered.
He Immediately called to the ship, and directed
an officer to come on board his vessel.
The officer came and, looking round, said,
IF we had known you were no stronger, we
would not have submitted So Very well, said
Tucker, I'VE take no advantage; go back, and we
will try it out If have such men to deal with
said the officer, 1 will let it go as it is The
commodore took possession Of his valuable prize,
and arrived safely in France.
AT another time, Commodore Tucker kept his
station upon deck for about seventy hours in
succession, while chased by a superior force of
the enemy.
Commodore Tucker did not remain wholly in
active during the last war with Great Britain.
The coasting vessels which sailed from Bristol,
in Maine, used to be much annoyed by the large
ships of the enemy, and particularly by fast
sailing tender, which belonged to the British fri
gate Ratler. tender is small vessel employed
to attend larger one, for the purpose of supply
ing her with provisions, or of conveying intelli-
gence. Some of the good people of Bristol at
last determined to relieve themselves of their
troublesome visitor. They chose for their leader
Com. Tucker, who, although an old man, was as
brave, active, and hardy, as ever. They armed
themselves, and proceeded to the waters side.
A sloop, which had been used for carrying
wood was fitted up, and they departed on the
same day. For a day or two they sailed about
the coast in vain, in search of the tender. But
at last it hove in sight. The vessels rapidly ap-
preached each other. In the mean time, the
commodore ordered his men to stand upon the
wood in the hold Of the sloop, to be out of
sight. He then hois,ed the American flag, and
fired muskct. The tender hoisted a British en-
sign, and fred a cannon, not supposing that the
poor coasting sloop would make the least resis-
tance.
But Just at this moment the commodore called
for his men with loud voice. The deck of the
little soop was covered by them in an instant
and they fired their guns at the astonished enemy,
in quick succession. In few minutes not a
man was to be seen on board of the British tender
The hat of the captain was occasionally perceived
popping up, as he lay, trying to steer fiat on his
back. 1t was soon learned that he was ready to
surrender. but had no means of hauling down his
flag.
His men had hid themselves below, and the
shower Of balls which poured in upon his vessel,
made it dangerous for him to attempt to walk
across the deck. This difficulty, however, was
got over by shooting down the flag, and the ten
der was boarded and made prize Of with several
good guns and twenty-five men. Not person
was killed or wounded, on either side. Com.
Tucker generously took the British commander
10 his own house, and entertained him handsomely
for some time.