Mr. Tucker returned home with despatches from Sir George Yonge, governor of the Cape, who entrusted them to his charge in hopes that the expenses of his voyage would be paid by government; an expectation that was not realized.
On his arrival in London, May 1800, Mr. Tucker was obliged to pass another examination at Somerset Place, the Lords of the Admiralty having refused to make any allowance for the time he had served at sea previous to his entering the navy. Having done so, he was immediately appointed a lieutenant of the Prince George 98, forming part of the Channel fleet, under the command of Earl St. Vincent. At the close of the French revolutionary war we find him serving as fourth of the Prince, a very dull sailing ship of similar force, in which he received a rupture, through great exertion and anxiety to keep her in her station.
Lieutenant Tucker’s next appointment was to the Northumberland 74, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral the Hon. Alexander Cochrane. In May, 1805, he assisted at the capture of a French privateer, near St. Domingo, by the boats of the Unicorn frigate; the manner in which that service was performed will be seen by the following extract of an official letter written by Captain Lucius Hardyman:
“On the morning of the 6th instant, a strange sail was seen on the larboard bow, distant 7 or 8 miles; having then light-airs, inclinable to calm, and perceiving the stranger was using every effort with his sweeps to escape, I directed Mr. Henry Smith Wilson, first lieutenant, assisted by Messrs. James Tait and Henry Bourchier, second and third lieutenants, and backed by the volunteer services of Lieutenant Thomas Tudor Tucker, a passenger belonging to H.M.S. Northumberland, Lieutenant Walter Powell, R.M. and Mr. Charles Rundle, purser of H.M.S. under my command, to proceed with four boats, and endeavour to come up with the chase. The cool and determined manner in which this service was performed, after a pull of many hours, and the strong opposition they met with, induce me thus publicly to express my approbation of every officer, seaman, and marine engaged in it; and I am happy to add that no lives were lost upon the occasion.”
The privateer proved to be le Tape-à-bord, mounting four 6-pounders, with a complement of 46 well-armed men. Lieutenant Tucker, who commanded one of the above boats,
