Yankee Ships and Yankee Sailors: Tales of 1812

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James Barnes. Yankee Ships and Yankee Sailors: Tales of 1812

PREFACE

ALLEN, OF THE CHESAPEAKE

REUBEN JAMES, ABLE SEAMAN

THE MEN BEHIND THE TIMES

THE COWARD

THE SCAPEGOAT

THE LOSS OF THE VIXEN

IN THE HARBOR OF FAYAL

THE ESCAPE OF SYMINGTON

THE NARRAGANSETT

FIGHTING STEWART

TWO DUELS

DARTMOOR

THE RIVAL LIFE-SAVERS

RANDOM ADVENTURES

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Give a ship an unlucky name, and it will last throughout the whole of her career. A sailor is proverbially superstitious, and he clings jealously to tradition.

It is told that when the frigate Chesapeake was launched she stuck fast on the ways, and did not reach the water until the following day, which was Friday. Although she was a fine vessel to look at, she grounded upon the bar upon her first attempt to sail, and, when once free, behaved herself in such a lubberly fashion that those who witnessed her starting out declared she was bewitched. Even after many changes had been made in the length of her masts, in the weight of spars, and the cut of sails, still she was considered by many a failure. And, although her sailing qualities improved as time went on, yet her bad name stuck to her, as bad names will.

.....

"Tut, tut," replied Barron, carelessly; "you are over-nervous, Mr. Smith. My letter to Captain Humphreys will convince him that our actions are perfectly proper and peaceable, while any movement to prove to the contrary might lead him to suppose that I wished to precipitate some trouble. Nothing will occur, I warrant you."

"Had we not better open the magazines, sir?" asked Captain Gordon, coming up at this moment.

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