Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-11-08
A DARING DUELIS7
Fighting Bob" Stockton Both a
Quaker and a Fire Eater.
WAS THE PRIDE OF OUR NAVY.

Getting In and Out Of Row and
Once Challenged Ten Captains Of .
British Regiment to Mortal Combat.
The life OF Robert Field Stockton Is
full Of adventure and OF remarkable
exploits. He was a Quaker, and yet
he was one Of the greatest fighting
men in the American navy.
While the young American naval Of
flcer was still In the early twenties he
found himself with no less than ten
duels on his hends. Stockton had
served with distinction In the war of
1872, and when the rulers Of the Bar
barry states became troublesome a
short time thereafter he accompanied
the squadron to the Mediterranean and
was one OF the most active Of the Of
ficers in Kidding the sea Of the pirates.
In those days the American navy
was practically stranger In European
ports. and the British. smarting under
the defeats Of the war Of 1912. were
very unfriendly toward Americans. On
one occasion the Erie, upon which YES
sci Stockton was an officer, dropped
anchor in the bay of Naples. An Ital-
ian came aboard for job and showed
Recommendation given him by an
American naval officer beneath which
British officer had written a con-
temptuous epithet.
Stockton was furious when he read
what the British officer had written.
Learning the officer was aboard one of
the British men-of-war In the bay.
Stockton sent him challenge. The
EngIishman seemed disinclined to fight
except at long range with pistols. but a
duel was finally arranged.
Stockton shot the English officer in
the leg. The Britisher dropped, yell
Ing: I'm hit. I'm hit! Are you sat
isfed?" Stockton said he was not,
but finally agreed to let the matter
drop II the Britisher showed proper
courtesy to all Americans thereafter.
From Naples the Erie sailed for Glib
raltar. The officers OF the British regi-
ment stationed there were still angry
at the memory of the war Of 1912 and
made life unpleasant for the young
American. Stockton was not the sort
OF man to take their insults calmly.
The upshot was that he rashly agreed
to fight duel with each of the regi-
ment's ten captains. The chances Of
his returning home looked very small.
Yet he fought several Of the duels,
wounding his adversaries, and escaped
practically unhurt. The series Of
fights came to an end In a sensation
al fashion before all ten Of the cap
tains had met him. In one encounter
Stockton had just wounded his oppo-
nent severely when a guard Of British
swooped down upon him
and placed him under arrest Stock
ton wrenched himself free, sprang at
one of his mounted captors, tore the
man from the saddle, vnulted on to the
nderless horses back and galloped
away to his ship. outstripping his pur-
suers and gaining the Erie in safety.
Stockton. feeling that he had been
deceived by the British officers and
that their conduct In arranging for
his arrest was contemplate, branded
them as lot Of knaves. Meanwhile
Stockton was the idol Of the squadron,
and when he returned to New York
In 1921 he was Fighting Bob" to the
whole country.
Stockton's next mission was to take
charge Of the American Colonization
society's expedition to found a negro
colony on the west coast Of Africa.
By rare diplomacy he secured and set
tied the African territory that later
became the Republic of Liberia. Once,
while in Liberia. he held q whole hos
tile tribe at bay single handed by level
ing a pistol at their king. Upon his
return, there being no work for him
In the navy. he retired and for twelve
years he was a successful INA meier and
promoter.
In 1888 Stockton went back to the sea.
He devoted himself to introducing into
our feet the use Of steam vessels in
place Of the old fashioned sailing ships
and was thus in a way the father Of
the present mighty battieship and
cruiser. Later he was made COM
In chief Of the squadron In the
attack on California, and In
q short time he won for himself the
title Of "Conqueror of California" In
honor Of his achievements Stockton.
Cal, and Stockton street In San Fran
cisco bear the conQueror's name.
Stockton died In 1880. having COM
bined during his career Of soldier Of
fortune the vocation Of duelist sea