Commodore David Porter, 1780-1843

New York: The Century Co., 1929 Book. Very Good - Fine. Hardcover. First Edition. 8vo. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good -. (6) 325 pp, foreword, list of b&w illustrations, I. A Son of the Sea; II. Picaroon and Corsair; III. Prison and Quarter-Deck; IV. The Taking of a Wife; V. The First Prize of "1812"; VI. Scouting the Atlantic; VII. Around the Horn; VIII. Free Trade and Sailors' Rights; IX, Explorer and Historian; X. Dreams of Empire; XI. Carbonade Against Long Gun; XII. Farmer and Commissioner; XIII. Death to Pirates; XIV. "Mexican Fiasco"; XV. The Last of an American; index. First Printing, 1929.. "This stirring biography tells how David Porter, one of the greatest of the Fathers of the American Navy, put to sea at sixteen with his father; how he was twice impressed by the British and each time made his escape; how he fought the Barbary pirates under Bainbridge and was captured and imprisioned in the dungeons of Tripoli; how he captured the first Biritsh ship of the war of 1812; how as commander of the frigate Essex he became the rover of the Pacific, and with his base at the Galapagos Islands destroyed British vessels up and down the coast until he was finally beaten by the Phoebe and the Cherub in one of the most spectacular naval battles on record. This volume is a thrilling account and a real contribution to American naval biography. It deserves to rank with Paine's 'Joshua Barney' as a veracious record of American naval adventures." from the jacket flap. Not Price Clipped. 1/4" to 3/4"x3" chip along top edge spine area dj with a small chip to bottom spine edge at front panel of same. Lightly age-toned text block edges with light foxing to top text block edge, and 3/4" closed tear to bottom edge page 325, else, Pristine, no wear. Clean, tight and strong binding with no underlining, highlighting or marginalia. Blue moire silk with blind-stampe ships and gilt lettering on front board and gilt lettering to spine..