The evening times., 1899-05-29
CAPTAIN MUGFORD'S
DARING OVERLOOKED
Gallant Skipper Who Fought
Against Great Odds.
No Torpedo Boat Named for the
Intrepid American.
A Merchant Seaman Whose Valiant
md Successful Exploits Read
Like ROmances.

It is the policy of the Navy Department
in giving names to torpedo boats and de-
stroyers to christen them for naval officers
who have performed distinguished service.
The name of the craft of the type indi-
Gated. which are either in commission or
building follow: Gushing, Ericsson, Foote,
Rodgers, Winslow, Porter, Dupont, Rowan,
Dahlgren, T. A. NJ. Craven, Farragut, Dav-
is, Fox, Morris, Talbot, Gwin, Mackenzie,
Mckee, Stringham, Goldsborough, Bailey,
Manly, Somers, Bagley. Barney, Biddle.
Blakely, DeLong, Nicholson. O'Brien, Shu-
brick, Stockton, Thornton, Tingey, Wilkes,
Bainbridge. Barry, Chauncey, Dale, Deca-
tur Hopkins, Hull, Lawrence, McDonough,
Paul Jones, Perry, Preble. Stewart, Trux-
tun, Whipple. and Worden.
The Navy Department thus far has over
looked the service rendered by Captain
Mugford. Mugford was the kind of
man, after whom, it is said, the Navy
Department delights to name the torpedo
boats. He was a Revolutionary sailor OF
great daring and devotion to the cause of
the colonies. II is related that early in
May, 1776, and soon after the fight between
the American brig Lexington and the Eng
lish frigate Edward there was in Massa-
chusetts Bay an action. In which the
Americans showed the most determined
bravery, and took large quantity of mu-
nitions of war then sadly needed by the
Continental army.
merchant seaman named Mugfcrd Sue
ceeded after great insistence in securing
command of the armed vessel Franklin a
very small cruiser, with only four guns.
The naval authorities had looked with
great disfavor on Mugford's application
Tor command, and after the commission
had been granted certain damaging rumors
concerning the newly appointed captain
reached the ears of the marine committee
at Philadelphia, and a messenger was
started on the road to Boston to cancel
Mugford's commission. But Mugford Lad
fitted out the Franklin and had sailed He
had been at sea but a few days when
the English ship Hope, of four hundred
tons and six guns, hove in sight The
lookout on the Franklin reported that the
English fleet, under Commodore Banks,
lay but few miles away and in plain
sight from the tops. Captain Mugford did
not care Mastering his men he showed
them the Englishman. told them that she
carried heavier metal than the Franklin,
and that the English fleet lay near at hand
and would probably join in the engage
ment. After pointing out all the Cdds
against them, Mugford said: Now, my
lads. it's desperate case, but We can take
and win lots of glory and prize money.
Will you stand by me?" The crew wasted
no time in debate, but with a cheer went
to quarters. Crews for the four guns
were mustered, but it is said that most of
the jackies were assembled on the fore
castle ready for boarding the enemy. They
were permitted to take a raking position
Of he nvah nm
boarded her.
As Mugford, at the head of the board
ers, climbed over the taffrail of the En-
glishman he heard the captain of the Hope
order the men to cut the topsail hailyards
and ties with the intention of so crippling
the ship that the British squadron might
overhaul and retake her. ''Avast there"
cried Mugford, clapping a pistol to the
head of the English captain. If a knife
is touched to those ropes not a man of
this crew shall live This threat caused
the Englishmen to relinquish the design,
and Mugford, crowding all sail on his
prize, soon was bowling along with the
whole British squadron in hot chase.
While running for Boston Harbor through
the channel known as Point Shirley gut,
the prize grounded but came of and was
taken to her anchorage. In her hold were
fifteen hundred barrels of gunpowder. a
cling carriages for field ordnance, and a
complete assortment OF artillery and pion-
eer tools. There was then no longer any
talk about revoking Mugford's commits
sion.
Mugford remained IN port only long
enough to discharge his prize and put to
sea again knowing that Banks squadron
was blockading Boston Harbor. He hoped
to evade the blockaders by taking a cir
cuitous channel. but, unluckily. the Frank
lin ran aground in full view of the enemy.
He had as consort the privateer schooner
Lady Washington, whose captain volun-
teered to stand by and aid in the defence
OF the Franklin. Mugford made prepara-
tions for a determined stand Swinging
his little craft around, he mounted all
four of his guns on that side which COM
manded the channel through which the
enemy must come. Boarding nettings
were triced up and strengthened with ca
bles and cordage, to make an effective
barrier against boarders. The men were
served with double rations of grog and set