Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-03-28
A Heroine Arrived.

Among the passengers from California. who ar
rived by the George Law, on Saturday there was
an invalid who had TO be borne from the vessel
to his hotel upon litter. BY his side, supern
tending every movement, was q young lady, of
prcpossessing person, but with a countenance
care-worn and anxious from over watching The
invalid was Capt. Joshua p Patton, late of the
ship Neptune's Car. of New York. and the lady
was Mrs Mary A. Patton his wife. both of whom
return home under circumstances Of peculiar mis-
fortune. Capt Patton left New York for San
Francisco about the middle of August, 1856, in
command Of the Neptune's Car, belonging to
Messrs Foster u NickersOn. of this city, carrying
with him his wife, who had previously accompa-
MED him on two voyages. Sailing about the same
time for San Francisco were tie ships Romance
of the Seas and the Intrepid both fast clippers
Capt. Patton, proud of his ship and confident Of
her sailing qualities, declared his intention to beat
the Others, il possible, in reaching their common
port of destination, and made every exertion
| within the bounds of prudence to insure quick
passage.
They had not been long at sea, however, before
Capt. p discovered that he was not sustained by
his first officer. This indifference of the mate,
which by degrees grew into sullenness and ne
glcct OF his duties, devolved extra cares and
watchfulness upon the Captain, who. by the time
the ship had reached Cape Horn. worn out
with fatigues and cares The mate was found
on several OccaSlOuS asleep III DIS NalCn, Win uc
ship under shortened sail. when the wind and
weather were most favorable for making the run.
A repetition of these misdemeanors finally dcci-
ded Capt. Patton to put the mate off duty, which
was done about the time they doubled Cape Horn.
The increased difficulties which this unpleasant
state Of things occasoned. brought the Captain
down with fever about the time they passed the
Straits of La Marie. lie struggled against it for
a week and was then compelled to Quit the deck
not. however, without hope that his confinement
would be but temporary. AS long as he possessed
sufficient strength he conferred with his wife as 10
the vessels management, and directed her, in case
be was wholly disabled, to navigate the ship to
San Francisco giving the second mate the orders
how to steer. Despite the constant nursing of his
wife. the disease umphed-settled into con-
gestion of the brain, producing delirium and
blindness.
True to her husbands directions the wife took
up the sextant, and daily. at meridian and at
night, made the necessary observations, and, un-
assisted. kept the run of the ship, giving her or
ders as to the course to be steered. At the same
time. she consulted all the medical authorities at
hand as to the treatment of her husbands case,
and applied herself in every way to restore him
| to health
The mate meanwhile sought to excite mutt
ny among the crew, and desired to carry the ship
! into Valparaiso, but in this he was iollcd. Mrs.
Patton assembled the sailors upon the quarter
deck. and explained to them the helpless condition
of her husband. at the same time appealing to
them to stand by her and the second mate. To
this appeal each man responded by promise TO
| obey her in every command The mate lost his
power over the crew from that hour. and Mrs p,
without a rival, directed every movement on
board. The men manifested their sympathy by
the greatest alacrity in obeying her orders, as
well as those of the second mate. Who superin-
tended the working Of the ship until she arrived
at San Francisco, on the 18th November. Those
who saw her enter the harbor say no vessel ever
came into that port looking better in every re-
spcct. The Romance of the Seas had arrived
only eight days before her.
The case ofCapain Patton and his wife bccOm-
ing known to the Masons, of which fraternity he
is a member. temporary provision was made for
them, and by their assistance they have been for
warded to their friends on board the George Law.
They arrived here totally destitute. and the stu
alton OF the devoted wife is rendered tho more
trying by the near approach Of the period of her
confinement
The case having been brought to the attention
of the Board Of Underwriters. the matter was yes
terday referred to a committee, who reported in
favor Of paying Mrs p. 5 900 as a temporary re-
lief. Her discretion and hcroism have saved a
very large sum to the insurers. which would have
been lost had the councils of the mate prevailed
ard the ship been carried into Valparaiso
The Captain is still very low, his eye sight and
hearing lost his recovery quite uncertain. Mrs.
Patton is yet but 20 years of age, and has been
married about four years. She is Il native of
Boston, Il mighty pretty woman, aud HERoINE.
The parties accompanied to New York By
Dr. Harris, Of this city, who has bad the treatment
of Capt. P.'s case since his arrival in San Fran
cisco.