Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-01-21
From tho baltimore American.

Captain James II. Watkins, the COM
mander of the steamer San Francisco.-Al-
low the correction of an error, into which all our
Baltimore papers have fallen, in making Annapo-
lis the birth place of Captain Watkins, OF the i'll
fated steamer San Francisco. Annapolis was not
the birth place nor erer the residence of Captain
Watkins. He was born'at No. 22l Wolfe street,
near Alice Anna, about the year 1910, and was
early bereft of both PARENTS his father Captain
James Watkins, was lost at sea by shipwreck re-
turning 10 Baltimore from the West Indies. His
mother, when dying, gave her two children,
flames Thomas" Captain Wo and /" Margaret
10 the care of her brother, Captain Themes Ken
needy, formerly ship master out OF this port, but
now resident of Springfield, Ohio; By htm they
were raised and educated; and with Captain Ken
nedy, James Thomas began his sea-faIing life in
the schooner Lapwing, Of Baltimore, and for sew
eral years he sailed out of Baltimore His wife
was a native of Anne Arundel county, bit had
been for long time resident of Baltimore,
Lexington street0 and was Baltimorean when
she married Captain Watkins. His life, from boy
hood, has been eventual; many thrilling and touch
ing instances are told OF him, in all OF which he
has exhibited the same uniform, GOODNESS, firm
ness and valor. II was his voluntary arrest of
the ringleader Of mutiny, on ship coming from
the Pacific 10 New York, che passengerD that
brought TO him the attention and favor OF lead
ing Boston merchant, through whose agency he
entered into the East India trade, where he be-
came distinguished, not only for the qualities that
constitute a seaman aud commercial agent, but
also for intrepid bravery.
While in command of the Antelope nc guns) he
was placed in temporary charge ofthe steamer Can
ton, and assisted British war VESSEL capturing
a fleet OF junks for this service, not only an adj
mraty vote of thanks was given to him, but also,
by the officers of the station, splendid sword,
notice Of which suboin from Boston paper.
"a splendid gold mounted sword has been pre-
septed 10 Captain James I. Watkins, of Baltimore,
by the officers of her Majestys ships Coumbine,
Fury and Hastings, for the gallant assistance which
hereudered in the destruction of Chinese piratcal
fleet on the 23d of September and lst of October,
lS49 Captain Watkins was at that time in COM
mand of the steamer Canton on the cost of China,
and while cruising in search of a missing vessel,
came across fleet of junks and the British war
brig Columbine in pursuit He made fast TO the
brig and lowed her 10 position where she was
enabled to bring her guns to bear with good effect
The fight and pursuit was continued until the
hunks were taken and 500 pirates either killed or
made prisoners After the pirates were driven
into a creek Captain Watkins joined the boats of
the Columbine in pursuit. and himself slew
dozen Of the pirates.
Justice and truth alike demand this correction,
10 which may be added that his host of friends in
East Baltimore think the honor of his birthplace
should be known to be OLD FEIL's PoINT.