| Chapter 1: | Educating Stockton |
|
|
This is a limited free preview of this book. Please buy full access.
Having commenced my naval career under your propitious offices, having imbibed the first rudiments of naval skills while under your friendly protections, and having an increasing anxiety to join the Guerriere before you sail,…I consider it infinitely more to a young man's advantage (as to his improvement) to sail on board the Guerriere as a midshipman than as a Midshipman or Lieutenant in any other vessel in the service of these U. States and as that is certainly the most important and ought in my humble opinion be the primary object with every young officer.77
Lieutenant Stockton was nineteen, and he reported back aboard the Guerriere to Rodgers.
Figure 6. Commodore Rodgers offered Stockton his first rudiments of naval skill in the War of 1812.78
