Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-01-31
Frdm Tales Of the Sea-
Wonderful Revelation !
nY suRGEoN rnoRN, U. 5. x.

Frdm Talesof the Sea.
Wonderful Revelation!
BY SURGEON THORN, u. S, X.
Tie facts hereinafter narrated, occurred
in the year 1918, and we're fully confirmed
to John L. Watson, our Annali.t Of Phila-
delphia, by the Commodore himself, in
1924, through the medium of Joseph
Nourse, Esq, Register Of The Treasury.
After the occurrence, such was The inn
pressiveness Of the facts on>the mind Of the
Commodore, that he became religious
professor. lie stated TO Mr.. Watson, that
the surgeon of the ship should some day
thereafter give published account ossth
whole transaction. THIS seems to have
been fulfilled in the Iinerant,v about the
year 1924. At all events, the following,
as republished in the Norristown Herald Of
Sth July, 1929, gives the s;ife as from the
ltinerant. Although the name of the SUR
geon is not given it is ascertained that r.
l.. Thorn was surgeon, and William Turk
mate, for the year 1918. The Itinerant
had preGaced the relation by saying s 1t
has come to US with evidence sufficient TO
warrant confidence, as much as any Fact in
history and to doubt it. would argue an
affected scrupulosity, foreign from our con-
viction," to wit:
" Aud he thar derd up, and beg to speak"
Although the events now for the first
time recorded. occurred ten years ago, they
are still fresh in my recollection, and have
made 50 strong an Impression upon my mind,
that time can never oblierate them. They
partake SO much of the marvellous, that
would not dare to commit them to paper.
were there not SO many living witnesses to
the truth of the facts narrated some of
them Of the greatest responsibility, and
even sanctioned by Commodore Rogers.
The story is considered by all who heard it,
too interesting to be lost. / therefore pro-
ceed to the task, while those are in exist
ence who can confirm it.
i Living in an enlightened age and coun-
try, where bigotry aud superstition have
nearly lost their influence over the minds
Of men, particularly among the citizens Of
this republic, where knowledge is so uni
versally diffiised, have often been deferred
from relating circum ;tance so wonderful
as TO stagger the belief of the most credu-
lous but facts are stubborn things, and the
weight of testimony in this case cannot be
resisted. Unable for the want of time oil
room to antar fA.,rfisa lars I could
wish, will give to the best of my recollec-
tion, the most prominent and striking oc
currences, in the order in which they took
place, without comment or establishment.
Some time in the latter part of Decem.
Der, 1918, man by the name Of William
Kemble, aged about twenty-three years, Z
seaman on board of the United States frig
ate President, commanded by Commodore
Rogers, on cruise, then near the WesterT
Islands, was brought to me from one of thu
tops in which he had been Stationed having
bursted a vessel in his lungs. Being al
that time in great danger of instant death
the blood gushing with great violence from
his mouth and nostrils, it was with mucl
difficulty that | succeeded in stopping til,
discharge. He was Immediately put or
, the use of remedies suited to his case.
, visited him often, and had the best oppor
tunity of becoming acquainted with his tenn
E per, habits, and intellectual attainments
and under all circumstances during his i'll
dess, found his language and behaviour sucl
, as stamped him the rough, profane, and il
literate sailor 1t is my belief, though
cannot positively assert it, that he coulC
4 neither read nor write. 1t is certain tha
: his conversation never differed in the leas
from that of the most ignorant ard aban
! doned of his ssociates-constantly mixet
WITH oaths and the lowest yulgarity. HaC
J he possessed talents or learning he mus
, udse uStEdAc Gu IL W iiS uutlilsS u4S luuS SOii
finement
a In the early part of January. vesse
bore down upon US, with every appearance
, of being an English frigate. All hand
were called to quarters aud after shor
and animated address by the commodore t'
the crew, all prepared to do their duty
9 Before | descended to the cockpit, wei
knowing Kembles spirit, and how anxious
he would be TO partake In the glory of tho
, victory, ,(defeat never entering our thoughts
thought it better to visit him. After stat
ling to him the peculiar situation he was in
and the great danger he would be exposed
to- by the least motion, / entreated him and
orlered him not 10 stir during the action
which he promised to observe. We were
soon af:er obliged to fire. At tie sound Of
the first gun he could restrain himself nc
longer-regardless of my admonition, and
: of his own danger, he rushed upon decS
and few to his gun, laying hold to help tc
run her out. A fresh and tremendous dis
charge from his lungs was the consequence
and he was brought down to me again. In q