The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-04-28

NUMBER Ot Years aEu, Salu O8ptAln
N, was bound in tihe stout ship Of
about four handred tons burthen, from the
port Of p 10 Liverpool. The vessel had
a valuable cargo OF BOARD. and about 500
600 in specie. | had been prevented By
other urgent business from giving much at
tention TO the vessel while loading and
equipping for the voyage, bet was very par.
ticular in my directions to tie chief mate,
lin whom had great confidence, he having
sailed with me some years), 20 ayoid enter
ing, il possible, any hut native American
seamen. When we were about TO sail, he
me that he had not been able TO
comply with my directions entirely in this
but had shipped two foreigners
aS seamen, one native Of Guernsey, and
the other Frenehman, q native Of Brittany
] was pleased, however, with the appearance
OF the crew generally, and particularly with
the foreigners They were Doth stout and
ssble-bodied mcn, and were particularly At
tentiye to OrdTs.
The Passage commented snspiciously
aud promised to be speedy one, a. we took
a fine steady westerly wind soon after WV
lost the soundiugs. TO my great sorrow
and uneasiness, however, soon discovered
a change Of conduct for the worse. They
became insolent 10 the mates, and appeared
to be frequently under the excitement of
liquor, and had evidently acquired an undue
influence over the rest Of the men. Their
soon became intolerable and
as it was evident that they had brought the
hqpor on board with them, | determined
upon searching the forecastle, and depriving
them Of it. An order to this effect was
given to the mates, and they were directed
to go about its execution mildly and firmly
taking 10 arms with them, as they appeared
inclined to do, but to give every chest,
berth anu locker IN the forecastle, 3 thorough
and bring aft to the 1abin
any spirits they might find.
IL was not without much anxiety that
sent them forward upon this duty. | re-
NAMED or the quarterback myself, ready to
90 to their aid, il it should be necessary. In
q few moments q loud and angry dispute
was succeeded by sharp scuftse-arouna- "a.
forecasle companion-way. TIE steward at
my cali handed me my loaded pistols from
the cabin, and with them hastened for
word. The Frencbman had grappled the
second mate, who was a mere lad, by the
throat, apparently determined to strangle
him to death. The chief mate was calling
for assistance from where he was struggling
with the Guernsey man. The rest Of the crew
were indifferent spectators, hut rather en-
couTaging the foreigners than otherwise.
presented NY pistol at the head of the French
man, and ordered him 10 release the second
mate, which be instantly did. then order
ed him into the foretop, aad the others who
were near into the naintop, not TO come
down on pain Of death, until ordered. The
steward by this time had brought another
pair Of pistols, with which ] armed the Sc
cond mate, directing him to remain on deck
and I went into the forecastle myself |
found the chief mate had been slightly
wounded in two places by the knife of his
antagonist, who, however, ceased to .esist as
made my appearance, and we Immediately
secured him in irons. The search vas now
made, and a quantity Of liquor f1dnd and
taken to the cabin. The rest ai the men
were then cailed down from the tops, and
the Erenchman was made the participator
Of his companion s confinement. then ex-
postulated with The others upon their impro-
per and insubordinate conduct, and upon
t.se readiness with which the, I'd suffered
themselves to be drawn into such courses bv
two rascally foreigners, and expressed hopes
that ! should have no reason for further
complaint during the rest Of the voyage
This remonstrance as, thought, had the
desired effect, as they appeared contrite, and
promised amendment. They were then dis
missed, and order was r. stored
The next day the foreigners strongly so.
licited pardon, with the most solemn pro
misses of future good conduct; and as the
rest Of the crew joined in this request, OF
der-d that their irons be taken off. For sew
eral days the duties Of the shin were per
formed to ing entire satisfaction but could
discover In the countenances Of the foreign
ers expressions Of deep and rancoroBs ami
mostly to the chief mate, who was promp
and energetic seaman, requiring from tn,
sailors at all times ready and implicit obedi
ence 10 his orders.
A week, perhaps, had passed over on ou
way, when one night, in the mid-wateh
all hands were called to shorten sail. Or
dinariiy upon occasions Of this kind, tn,
duty was conducted by the mate, but nov
went upon deck myself and gave orders
sending him to the forecastle. The nigh
was dark and sqGAlly, but the sea was no,
high, but the ship was running off abou
.line knots, with the wind upon the star
board quarter. The weather being very ,an
promising, the second reef was taken in tn,
fore and mizen topsails, the mainsail handed
and the fore and man top-gallant yards sen
down. Tbs done, one watch was perHittet
to 60 5elow. and prepared to betake my
self b. my berth, again directing that IN,
mate, to whom wished tn g i've some orders
should be sent to mo To my utter aston
lshment aad Consideration, word wa.
brought me, after short time, lhat he wa.
nowhereto be found haste ned upon deck
ordered up all hands again, and questioned
every man in the ship upor the subject bu
they with one accord, declared that tney hat
not seen the mate forward. Lanterns wer,
brought and { very accessible part Of the YES
sci was ztavaihagy searched. I then, il
the he<fing Of the whole crew, declared IN,
belief that he must have flIen oxerboart
by accident, again dismissed one watch be
low. and repaired to the cabin, in state o.
mental agitation impossible to BE- described