Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1904-10-27

NG4E N q ~ hai Ibt AOlllllGnl1i
LdaNSSl ship Randolph. a tight little
Sss-sJ thirty-two CUR frigate. the
hrst TO get TO sea of those ordered by
congress in 17I5, was Just leaving the
beautiful harbor of Charleston. S. c..
by way of the main ship channel on
her maiden cruise, under the command
OF Captain John seymour. late first
lieutenant of the Ranger. This was
the second departure she had taken
from that port. Forced by severe
damages, incurred in an encounter
with a heavy gale shortly after leav-
ing Philadelphia, 10 put into that har-
boz for needed repairs TO the new and
unsettled vessel, she had pnt TO sea
again after a short interval and in
n week had taken six valuable
prizes, one Of them. an armed vessel
of twenty guns, after a short action.
After this brief and brilliant excur-
sion she had put back to Charleston to
dispose of her prizes, re-collect her
prize crews and land her prisoners.
There was another motive, however,
for the sudden return. From u of
the prizes it had been learned that
the English ~thirty-two gun frigate
Carrysford, the twenty gun sloop Per-
seus, the sixteen gun sloop Hinchin-
brook, with several privateers, had
been cruising off the coas together,
and the commander of the Randolph
was most anxious to get tne help of
some of the South Carolina state cruis-
ers to go in search OF the British ships.
The indefatigable Governor Rutledge,
when the news had been communi-
Gated to him, had worked assiduously
to provide the state ships, and the
young captain of the Randolph speed
lily found himself at the head of a little
feet of war vessels outward bound.
The departure of the squadron, the
Randolph In the lead, the rest follow
ing and all under full sail, made a pref
" picture to the enthusiastic Caro-
Nnians, who watched them from the Is
lands and fortihca tons In the harbOr
and from q number Of small boats
which accompanied the warships a
short distance on their voyage. Be
sides SeymOur's owl vessel there were
the eighteen gun ship General Moul-
trie, the two sixteen gun ships Notre
Dame and Polly and the fourteen gun
brig Fair American, the last command
ed BY q certain master, Philip Wilton.
They made officers Of very young men
In those days, and mere boys often &C.
cupied positions of trust and RESPONSE
bility apparently far beyond their
years. Even Seymour himself, though
now q commodore or flag officer by
courtesy, was very young for the posi-
ton, and Governor Rutledge, moved by
a warm friendship Of long standing for
old Colonel Wilton and upon Sey-
mour's own urgent recommendation,
had intrusted the smallest vessel tc
young Captain Philip. We shall see
how he showed himself worthy Of the
trust reposed in him in spite OF his
tender years.
Forward on the forecastle old Bent
ley was planted, surrounded by such OF
the older and more experienced petty
officers and men as he permitted to as
sociate with him on terms OF more or
less familiarity. Not only the position
he occupied, that of boatswain OF the
frigate. gave him a vast Importance
with the men, but his age and expert
ence, his long association with the cap
tain. as well as some almost incredible
tales Of his familiar companionship
with certain men Of w inspiring
name and great renown, with various
mighty feats Of arms in recent cam
paigns, vaguely current. conduced 10
make him the monarch of the forecas-
lie and the arbiter Of the various dis
cussions and arguments among tne
men, who rarely ventured TO dispute
the dictum Of their oracle.
"well, here we are pointing out
again. thank the Lcrdf' he said to his
particular friend and crony among the
crew. the carpenter, Richard Spicer, a
battered old shellback, like himself.
.There is only one place from which l
IKE to see the land, Richard"
sand where is that, bos'unY
"Oyer the stern. as now. mate, when
were going free with a fair wind and
leaving it fast behind. feel SAFER
then"
six rather uneventful days passed
hv during which prizes to the number
!, Ave fell to the lot Of the squadron,
ono loaded with military stores n
another with provisions of great value
The lively little Fair American being
O. 20 w-,ndward Of the feet, bad also
smart action with a heavily armed
pr,t,sb p~rivateer, which struck her iag
before the Others could get within