Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-11-18
THE TYRANNICIDE.
Interesting Story Of a Salem Privateer.

1t was in the year 1779; the red su,
had inst come up out of the Atlantic
and nov frightened the slightly -ripple'
waters Of Salem barbor. The sails o
the Iytannicido privateer, Capt. Sea
wait, bad been loosed, her cable how,
short, and she only waited for tn,
change of tide to commence her cruise.
She was,for that era, astonisbingly clip
perish, rakiug in spars, sharp in hull
and calculated to carry an astonishing
quantity of canvas. Her rig was that
OF two-topsail schooner--her lower
masts being very long and heavy, SO
as to carry large fore. and aft sails. Hel
burden appeared to be about 300 tons
She was pierced for eight twenty four
pound carronades on side, and long
brass thirty-two FOUNDER, working on 1.
pivot, shone bright as gold between her
masts, mounted high enough to work
above her hammock MEETINGS. Around
her masts could be seen the CLEAN of
boarding pixies and battle axes. At her
main-mast-bead blood-red flag floated
out, bearing the motto, death to Ty.
rants" At the fore truck another red
flag bore the name of the schooner--"The
Tyrannicide." Her Ggure.head was a
serpent striking his fangs into the heart
OF u man who wore crown. Taking
her altogether, she was indeed danger
GUS and saucy-looking craft, calculated
to both sail and fight well. Upon her
deck many men could be seen, showing
that, If she had "teeth," she had also
strength to use them.
All of her boats had been hoisted in
except the captains gig, and the officers
were watching the tide very inpatient
ly for its turn. @"s- "
Presently Seawaif appeared at the
end OF the wharf. The young captain
sprang into bis boat amid the applause
OF hundreds Of citizens who had gather.
cd there to see the privateer 20 to sea,
and in few moments ho was on board
of bis vessel.
With clear, bugle.likc voice, which
needed no trumpet, the young COM
mander shouted
"Man the capstan bars, lads, and run
the anchor up with q will. Stand by
tho jib and ayingjib halliards-lay the
head yards aback w .t
His orders were obeyed readily, and
in o few moments the second officer.
who stood on the forecastle looking over
the bows, said:
She's broken ground, sirw
Very well, sir; run up the lib and
d ying-jib-man the top. gallant and top
sail sheets and halliards! Round with
the capstan, men, and run the anchor up
to che bows~
"A moment later, and the head-sails
up, the veering bow of the schooner
proved her to be all aweigb, and then |
came the order:
Sheet home, and hoist way topsail |
and hoist top-gallant sail ?
This was done; and, as the fore and !
aft-sails, already up, filed, the schooner |
began to gather Roadway. Then, as she
Tell oft before the wind, which was far
'ut of the harbor, her square sails filled
md she at once shot ahead with in
,reasing velocity. The crowd on shore,
looking with delight at the splendid
vessel, and gladdened, too, at the
thought of her srrand, rent the air with
,heers.
Never was craft in better battle
rim, on deck, below and aloft, than
The prvateer, after Seawaif had got her
'igging stretched, Conscious that he
vas ready to meetany foe of his tonnage
md weight of metal, he boldly headed
'ff ftoln the coast for the track of the
inward bound vessels from ENGLAND.