The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-08-02
COMMODORE TUCKER.

AGO. He was born in Marblehead, which
Is town in Massachusetts, near the ocean.
MANY of the inhabitants are ifs hermen or
sailors; and the father and grandfather of
Samue! Tucker, both of them used 10 go 10
sea. His brothers were also engaged in
the same occupation.
When he WINS about ten years old, Sam
uel was placed on board British irigate,
where he learned all the duties OF a sat-
lor. Al tho age of seventeen, Samuel
Tucker performed one Of The most heroic
deeds OF mis- life. lie was on board OF
schooner, which was chased by two plral-
ical frigates. The captain Of the schooner
was so intoxicated that he could not take
care of his vessel The enemy pressed
close upon them, and there seemed no
oh ance but that they would be taken. Al
this moment Samuerucker appeared on the
quarter deck, anG having forced the cow
ardly master 10 go below he seized the
h,lm himself. For some time, the resouie
boy was exposed to shower OF balls from
the two frigaleS, but so sk'llfuiy did he man.
age his vessel, that he escaped them both.
He steered the schooner and crew safely IN
10 the harbor of Lisbon in Portugal, where
he arrived the next day. As soon as the
vessel was safely anchored, he went below,
and apologizlng 10 the Captain for the
course lie had been obliged 10 persue, he res
igned his command. But the ungrateful
captain placed him, under false 2retence,
on board of British frlgate then IN port
The commander of the frigaie 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 Commodore in the navy
This was all honor, which he did not much
expect. He used sometimes TO relate the
manner in which he received his commIss-
ion as Commodore.
He was then young man and lived Al
Marbehead. He was cutting wood before
his mothers door when All officer gaiy
dressed. rode down the street. 1t was TO-
wards the close of the day. and the oihcer
seeing Tucker with an axe in his hand,r rode
no TO him, and asked him if he could inform
him where the Honorable Samuel Tucker
resided. Tucker, no; supposing it was him.
| SELF who was meant. replied, there Is no
other Sam Tucker in the town, but myself.
Immedia'ly on hearing this, the officer
took off his cap,and. bowling low presented
| hi ~ his commission IN the navy.
| Commodore Tucker was selected to car
~ John Adams, our first ambassador to
France. The Commodore was ordered to
make no delay, and not to stop 10 fight the
enemy. ifhe could helpit. On his passage
he escaped from several large ships, which
chased him long way. AT one time he
was STACKED by British ship, which hired
at his vessel once. and then surrendered.
He Immediately called TO the ship, and di
rected an officer to come on board his YES
sci. The officer came and looking around,
said, If We haG known you were no stron-
ger. we would not have submitted So
Very WELL said Tucker, we take no ad
vantage, 90 back, and we will Try 1t out.
III lave such men to deal wi,h,' said the
officer, will let it go as it is. The Com
modore 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 ia succession, while chased BY su
perior force of The enemy.
Commodore Tucker did not remain Who'll
" inactive during the last war with Great
Britain. The coasting vessels which sailed
from Bristol, Maine. were much annoyed
bv the large shi ps of the enemy. and pariIc'
ulaily by fast sailing tender, which belon'
ped to the British fngate, Rather. A ten
der small vessel employed TO attend a
larger one fof the purpose of supplying her
with provisions or Of conveying intelligence.
Some of the good people of Bristol at last
determined to relieve themselves of their
troublesome visitor. They chose for their
ladder Commodore Tucker, who although
an old man, was as brave. active and hardy
as ever. They armed themselves, and pro.
ceeded 10 tie waters edge. A sloop
which had been used for carrying wood,
was fitted up; and they departed on the
same day. For day or two. they sailed
/ about the coast in vain, in search oil the ten.
/ der. But a. last j, hove in sight. The yes
! sells rapidiy approached eac. other- 10 The
meantime, the Commodore ordered his men
10 stand upon the wood in The hold oil iae
sloop, so as to be out of sight. lie me"
hoisted the American flag and fired mus
ket. The tender hois;ed British ensign
and fred cannon, not snPPosing that the
poor coasling sloop would make the least
resistance.
RI, ina, at This moment, The Commodore
called for his men with LOUD voice. Inc
deck of the little slooP was covered oy them
in an instant; and they fred thier guns al
+ the as,onished enemy. in quick succession.
In a few moments lot man was 10 be seen
on board the British tender. The hat OF
the Captain was occasionally perceived pop
ping up, as he lay, trying TO steer fiat on
his back. L, was soon learned, that he was