Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-02-22
G9e storp GelItr
SINGULAR INCIDENT.
A Wonderful Relation!

A Wonderful Relation!
The facts hereinafter narrated, says the
Cincinnati Times, occurred in the year 1915,
and were fully confirmed TO John F. Watson,
our annalist of Philadelphia, by the Commo-
dore himself, in 1924, through the medium of
Joseph Nurse, Esq, Register of the Treasury.
After the occurrence, such was the impressive
ness Of the facts on the mind Of the Commo-
dofe, that he became religious professor.
He stated to Mr.. Watson, that the Surgeon Of
the ship should some day thereafter give a
published account of the whole transaction
This seems-to have been fulfilled in the [tin-
Grant, about the year 1924. At all events,
the following, as republished in the Norris
town Herald, of 9Th July, 1929, give the same
as from the ltinerant Although the name of
the Surgeon is not given, it is ascertained that
X. L. Thorn was Surgeon, and VIM. Turk,
mate, for the year 1916.
The Itinerant had prefaced the relation by
saying, 1t has come to us with evidence suf-
LOtOut " Wdlidul OOuuuCuCC, do tHuCu dS duf
fact in history and to doubt it, would argue
an affected scrupulosity, foreign from our con-
victions, 10 wit g
sand he that dead up, and began to speak"
Although the events now for the first time
recorded, occurred ten years ago, they are
still fresh in my recolIectioh, and have made
so strong an impression upon my mind, that
aime can never obliterate them. They partake
so much of the marvellous, that / would not
dare TO commit them to paper, we're there not
so many living witnesses to the truth Of the
facts narrated some of them Of the greatest
responsibility, and even sanctioned by Com
medore Rogers. The story is considered by
all who have heard it, too interesting to be
lost. therefore proceed 10 the task. while
those are in existence who can confirm it,
Living in an enlightened age and country,
where bigotry and superstition have nearly
lost their influence over the minds of men,
particularly among the citizens of this republic,
where knowledge is so universally diffused,
have often been deferred from relating cir
cumstance, so wonderful as to stagger the be-
lief of the most credulous but facts are stub
born things. and the weight of testimony in
this case cannot be resisted. Unable for the
want of time or room 10 enter into any partc-
ulars as could wish, will give 10 the hest
of my recollection, the most prominent and
striking occurrences in the order in which
they took place, without comment or en-
bellishmeat.
Some time in The latter part of December,
1913, man by the'name of William Kemble,
aged about % years, a seaman on board Of the
United States frigate President, commanded
by Commodore Rogers, on cruise, then near
the Western Islands, was brought to me from
one of the tops, in which he had been sta
toned, having bursted vessel in his lungs
Being at that time in great danger of instant
death, the blood gushing with great violence
from his mouth and nostrils, it was with much
difficulty that | succeeded in stopping the dis
charge. He was Immediately put on the use
of remedies suited to his case. l visited him
often, and had the best opportunity of becom-
ing acquainted with his temper, habits, and
Intellectual attainments, and under all circum-
stances during his illness, found his language
and behavior such as stamped him the rough,
profane' and illterate sailor. 1t is my belief,
though l cannot positively assert it, that he
could neither read nor write. 1t is certain
4hat difarod in tho
least from that of the most ignorant and aban-
doned of his associates-constantly mixed with
oaths and the lowest vulgarity. Had he pos
sessed talents or learning, he must have be-
trayed it to me during his long confinement.
In the early part of January, vessel bore
down upon us, with every appearance of being
an English trigate All hands were called to
quarters and after short and animated ad-
dress by the Commodore to the crew, all pre-
pared 10 do their duty. Before l descended
to the cockpit, well knowing Kemble's spirit,
and how anxious he would be to partake in the
glory of the victory, (defeat never entering
our thoughts thought it better to visit him.
After stating to him the peculiar situation he
was in, and the great danger he would be ex-
posed to, by the least motion, entreated him
and ordered him not to stir during the action
which he promised to observe. We were
soon after obliged to fire. At the sound Of
the first gun he could restrain himself nc
longer-regardless of my admonltion, and Of
his own danger, he rushed upon the deck and
flew to his gun, laying hold to help to run hei
out. A fresh anc tremendous discharge from
his lungs was the consequence, and he was
brought down to me again, in most depIora
BILE state. l apprehended immediate death
but by the application of the proper remedies
! succeeded, once more, in stoppinp the
hemorrhage, by which he was reduced 70
state of extreme debility Being near ,h.
equator, and suffering much from the heat hi;
hammock was hung upon the gun deck, be
tween the ports, as affording the best circula
ton of air. He continued some time free fror
hemorrhage, but was under the constant us
of medicines, and was confined to particula
diet. This made him fretful, and he woul
frequently charge my mates with starvin,