wards successively joined the Jason frigate, Sampson 64, Victorious 74, and Monarch, of similar force, the latter third rate bearing the flag of Sir George Keith Elphinstone, commander-in-chief at the Cape of Good Hope. During the operations which led to the capture of that colony, he served on shore with the seamen and marines landed to cooperate with the small military force under Major-General Craig[1].
Early in 1796 Mr. Tucker passed his examination for a lieutenant; Sir George K. Elphinstone having directed that the time he had served in the Hon. Company’s service should be admitted by the passing captains. In addition to this extraordinary mark of favor, he was immediately afterwards promoted into the Suffolk 74, flag-ship of Rear-Admiral Rainier.
Mr. Tucker’s next appointment was to the Swift sloop. Captain Thomas Hayward, and he appears to have quitted that vessel at Madras only a few days previous to her sailing from thence on a cruise in the China seas, since which she has never been heard of: the name of her unfortunate commander is frequently mentioned in our memoir of Captain Peter Heywood[2].
Mr. Tucker’s removal from the Swift was occasioned by a complaint of the liver, which induced Captain William Clarke to request that he might be appointed to the Victorious, as she would be a more comfortable ship for him in such a climate: this application was readily granted by Rear-Admiral Rainier, and he accordingly rejoined his first patron, with whom he continued to serve until a second attack of the liver, in 1799, rendered it advisable for him to exchange into the Sceptre 64, then under orders for England. At this period the commander-in-chief was about to receive him into his flag-ship on promotion.
On the 19th Sept. 1799, Mr. Tucker commanded the boats of the Sceptre at the capture and destruction of l’Eclair, French brig privateer, mounting 10 guns, with a comple-
