University of Virginia Library

43. Young Farragut's Command
By MIDSHIPMAN DAVID FARRAGUT (1813)

I WAS sent as a prize-master to the Barclay. This was an important event in my life, and when it was decided that I was to take the ship to Valparaiso, I felt no little pride in finding myself in command at twelve years of age. This vessel had been recaptured from a Spanish guarda costa. The Captain and his mate were on board, and I was to control the men sent from our frigate, while the Captain was to navigate the vessel.

This arrangement caused great dissatisfaction on the part of the Captain of the Barclay, a violent tempered old fellow; and, when the day arrived for our separation from the squadron, he was furious, and very plainly intimated to me that I would find myself off New Zealand in the morning; to which I most decidedly demurred.

I considered that my day of trial had arrived (for I was a little afraid of the old fellow, as every one else was). But the time had come for me at least to play the man; so I mustered up courage and informed the Captain that I desired the maintopsail filled away,

in order that we might close up with the Essex Junior (which was to accompany us to Valparaiso). He replied that he would shoot any man who dared to touch a rope without his orders, he would go his own course, and had no idea of trusting himself with a nutshell, and then he went below for his pistols.

I called my right hand man of the crew, and told him my situation; I also informed him that I wanted the maintopsail filled. He answered with a clear "Aye, aye, Sir!"in a manner which was not to be misunderstood, and my confidence was perfectly restored. From that moment I became master of the vessel, and immediately gave all necessary orders for making sail, notifying the Captain not to come on deck with his pistols unless he wished to go overboard; for I would really have had very little trouble in having such an order obeyed.

I returned to the Barclay, and everything went on amicably up to our arrival at Valparaiso. The passage was one of uniform good weather, unaccompanied by any event worthy of note. We made Hood's Island, one of the Marquessas group. On our approach, a canoe came out to meet us, with eight natives tattooed and ornamented with feathers. They invited us on shore, and promised us fruit and provisions in abundance. Finally we rounded a point and ran into a beautiful harbor, to be called, thereafter, Massachusetts Bay. The ship was hauled into a good berth, close in shore, the water being perfectly clear, with a sandy bottom.

During our stay at this island, the youngsters, I among the number, were sent on board the vessel commanded by our Chaplain, for the purpose of continuing our studies, away from temptation. We were

allowed, when not occupied with our duties, to ramble about on shore in company with the native boys. From them we learned to throw the spear and walk on stilts; but the most useful accomplishment we acquired was the art of swimming. It really appears as natural for these islanders to swim as to eat. I have often seen mothers take their little children, apparently not more than two years old, down to the sea on their backs, walk deliberately into deep water, and leave them to paddle for themselves. To my astonishment, the little creatures could swim like young ducks.

In such amusements the time passed pleasantly enough. We were considered too young to join in the battles which our people were carrying on with the Happars and Typees, and the Captain did not allow us to accompany him on these expeditions inland, at which, of course, we felt indignant.