Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1905-04-15
CHAPTER Xxx.

k3YYHT was delightful morning in
AIH February. The Continental
sS6@SeV ship Randolph, tight little
lSS9sY thirty-two gun frigate, the
first to get to sea of those ordered by
congress in IT'S, 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, to put into that har-
Dor for needed repairs to the new and
unsettled vessel, she had put to sea
again after a short interval and in
one 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 one Of
the prizes it had been learned that
the English thirty-two gun frigate
Carysford, the twenty gun sloop Per
seus, the sixteen gun sloop Hinchin-
brook, with several privateers, had
been cruising off the coast together,
and the commander of the Randolph
10 hnl n Of
some of the South Carolina state cruis-
ers to go in search of the British ships.
The interchangeable 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 little
fleet 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 pref
ty picture to the enthusiastic Caro-
linians, who watched them from the is
lands and fortifications in the harbor
and from a number Of small boats
which accompanied the Warships
short distance on their voyage. Be-
sides SeymOur's own 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 a certain master, Philip Wilton.
They made officers of very young men
in those days, and mere boys often oc-
cuDied positions of trust and RESPONSE
bility apparently far beyond their
years Even Seymour himself, though
now a 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 TO
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 f0recastle OLD Bent
ley was planted, surrounded by such OF
the older and more experienced petty
officers and men as he permitted to as
sCciate 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 awe inspiring
name and great renoWn, with various
mighty feats of arms in recent cam
paigns, vaguely current, conduced to
make him the monarch of the forecas-
tie and the arbiter of the various dis
cussions and arguments among the
men. who rarely ventured to dispute
the dictum Of their oracle.
"Nell, here we are pointing out
again, thank the Lord!' he said to his
particular friend and crony among the
crew, the carpenter, Richard Spicer,
battered old shellback, like himself
There is only one place from which
like to see the land, Richard"
"And where is that, bos'unY
"Over the stern, as now, mate. when
we're going free with fair wind and
leaving it fast behind. I feel safer
then"
Six rather uneventful days passed
by. during which prizes to the number
of 1--WE fell to the lot of the squadron,
one loaded with military stores and
another with provisions Of great value
The lively little Fair American, being
far to windward of the feet, had also
q smart action with heavily armed
British privateer, which struck her flag
before the others could get within
range and was found to be loaded with
valuable portable goods, the siftings
of a long and successful cruise. Young