The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-25

her. laden with beef. butter. pork. ecai.
wine, fruit and everything the patriots
needed. One prize alone was valued at
$4,000 Commodore Tucker was as gener.
Gus in his treatment OF his prisoners as he
was active in the pursuit OF them. for we
have frequent letters testifying to his kind
usage OF them. never taking their personal
property and even paying out OF his own
pocket for things stolen by his crew. In
all, in 1876, in the FRANKLIN and in the
Hancock. he took 30 or 40 ships. briggs and
other vessels. About one-tenth of al the
captures made by Americans on the sea in
that year may. therefore. be attributed to
this mans courage and enterprise
During the summer OF 17T6 Mrs Tucker
and her sister heard the sound of firing
one pleasant summer afternoon. Knowing
that the captain was cruising near. they
climbed a hill overlooking the sea. and
there Mrs. Tucker had the novel and sat-
isfying experience OF seeing her husband
take two briggs which soon were seat into
Lynn.
The inclemency OF winter even was not
allowed to interfere with his operations.
for on the ed OF December word was sent
TO the war department that much CLOTH
Ing which had recently basn seized by
Com. Tucker was on its way to New York.
In March. iii. Capt. Tucker was Sc
lected by congress to take command of
the frigate Boston. "a. and at once went
to sea- In the early part of tkis cruise
he ran across an English frigate much
larger than the Boston. Nevertheless, he
made all san and cleared the deck for
action.
AS the ships approached each other he
told his first lieutenant that he should
close with the enemy at once and ordered
him to lead the boarders. The officer
hesitated.
Take my place." said Tucker. land !
will lead the boarders." But the lieuten-
ant handed his superior a watch and ring
with the request that in case OF his death
they should be given TO his sister, and
prepared TO execute the order. BY a sud
den and skiilfui maneuver Tucker laid the
ships alongside and grappled his enemy
before shot could be fired.
The lieutenant and his men leaped upon
the Englishman's deck. but he was at once
struck down. Seeing him die. Tucker
sprang like a lion into the contest The
frigate soon hauled down her flag
John adams Takes n Gun.
February 10. lis. Capt. Tucker received
orders 10 take John Adams TO France as
| the envoy OF this country.
This became known TO the enemy and
great pains were taken TO prevent the mis-
sion from being carried out. 4 seventy
| four and two frigates were on the lookout
| fer the Boston and Mr.. Adam Moreover
| the sea was covered with f.ngish-armei
YES sells
But Mr.. Adams felt such confidence In
| fuckers skill that he took with him his
| ii-year-old son, John Quincy Adams
| Tucker equipped his vessel with additional
| spars and special canvas.
Two days after his departure from Bos-
| ten, three English vessels were sighted in
| pursuit. Tfey were soon diStanced but
| the third continued the chase TIL the night
| OF tho slst. Al this time a fearful storm
mai 1fake~ ff4. a,
/ struck by a bolt OF lightning which dis
/ ah'et three men The fearless commander
| himself admitted that the peril was great
| The ship srrane leak and the pumps
were started. II certainly was trying
| time for the youthful captain wind. wave
| lightning and a powerful war vessel con-
| spring to endanger HIS ship and crew, TO-
/ gtther with his illustrious passenger
| For three days the storm continued: the
| rigging was constantly giving way. the
| nsinmast was sprung. the foreSail was
| split and the main topmast carried away
/ However. the weather moderated and the
| Injuries were repaired as well as possible
/ While being pursued BY the three ships
/ he was anxious TO avoid an engagement
/ on Mr.. Adams account. vet his plans were
made To fight II overtaken. he told Mr.
/ Adams that as the first one was 50 FAR
1 ahead Of the Others he would take her by
| boarding Then ~ expected the crew
1
| and the two would together attack the
/ ether two.
March Il hostile sail MAS Sighted. Mr.
| Adams wishing 10 sce a brush. Cant
/ Tucker shook out his reefs ard seen came
/ az with his ensule. the Martha. The
/ drum beat 10 quarters aHd the crew took
1 tketr positions. Mr.. Adams got a gun AMI
/ joined tire marines. b,sS Capt. Tucker
| stepped ap 20 htsn snG said. Afr Afasrls
| Sn commanded 10y the continental con-
g-ess 10 deliver You safc in France and
/ Yen must SO he,cw. sir" He WAS called
| avR y az thiS moment. bat soon after he
| saw that his order had rot bean ohevsd
| and that Mr.. Adams was pergfag away
Y N Ags rarsket. Reminding tns er-xoy az
/ els Instructions 20 deliver him safely in
| France. De seized htru bodily in his arms
l and bore him 10 his cabin.
| Meanwhsie ne Boston Vas being work 81
snso the proper position ira guns were
/ shostess. tina matches were lighted yet no
/ order was given TO Ere Curses were
/ heard as the men saw the golden eppor-
/ tsr ~ apparently passing.
| Held on. nay men. said Tucker Il
/ wish 20 save taas egg without breaking
! TIA she'll
/ Martha Gives I'm.
| TAe position rcw xasnsa by IRE Boston
! maize the Nsx4hs'~ ease hopeless sac sur
+ p rdersd after ur4ng three gems Tee salv
/ xen yAr8 wzS shattered \ splinter % L
/ struck Capt Tssckrr. stunning and Dis
/ ACTING him tor few yninus~S. TIE Mar