The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-04-06

ol'ect the particulars of the wreck or the ex-
act date. .-s7
Mr.. Willis, in a note in his last edition of
the History of Portland mentions the wreck,
but says he is unable to give the year.
Here the matter rested with me for twenty
five years; still I was anxious to learn the final
fate of the ship. 4 knew Of the model in the
East India Museum in Salem, and that the
ship Grand Turk made the earliest voyage to
Canton from Massachusetts, il not from the
United States. thought something relating
to the ship might be learned from the books of
the Salem custom-house. I wrote to the Col
lector Of that port, telling him what knew of
the loss of the ship. and asking him to look
over the records aid also file of the newspa-
pers Of the time, if he could find one. In re-
ply I received from him the following interest
ing letter, not intended for publication, for
which, for myself and in behalf of all interest
ed in local history, I tender him sincere thanks.
and hope that any one having . relic of the
ship or cargo will comply with his recommen-
dation and leave it at the Press Office and I
will see it forwarded:
-SALEM, Mass, March %, 1870.
WM GooLD, ESQ: Dear Strive have some
Of the manifests of the Grand Turk in the
Custom House, but no records to show her
late. Nevertheless, although not an antqua-
ran by profession, have had occasion to take
an interest in looking up some facts relative to
our local history, and can perhaps give you
some information in regard to the points about
which you inquire.
The original Grand Turk of Salem, which
of 263 tons, built and employed as .privateer
towards the close of the Revolutionary War
She belonged TO the famous merchant of Sa-
lem, Elias Haskell Derby. At the close Of the
war sne was employed as an East Indaman,
model in the East India Museum, formerly
called the model of the Grand Turk, was er-
roneouslyso named, it being the model OF an:
other vessel, the Friendship.
Mr.. Derby Immediately had another ship
built and named her the Grand Turk. She
was built in Salem, nearly opposite where the
custom-house now is, and was very large for
that period, being 564 tons, and was long call
ed the big ship" She was also employed in
the East India trade, and is probably the ship
lost in Portland harbor, although the papers Of
the time hail her CT Boston. She was launch
cd May 18, 1871: The Grand Turk put-into
Portland in the winter OF 1875 and find va
rious particulars relative to her, but perhaps
the following will answer your purpose. She
arrived about Dec. q, 1877, after passage Of
nine months from Canton, having lost several
pestuous weather. Under date of January
l798: hnd the following: .s
an Thvs snip ,aht Sap yoo1 mages, va.
moorings ia Portland harbor. ~ the ice. and
drifted on ledge. By cutting away her masta
she was got of, but Immediately bilged. Be-
on the beach and viii he ioss to~ether Nth
part Of her cargo in the lower hold" Subse
auently much fuller particulars we're pub
nnr;po-tho w.- If 1910 TX ,h.-o ...t.
er famous Grand Turk Of Salem, privateer
96rig, commnded by Capt Aolten J. Breed Of
his S7th wear. In June 1Sis she was cbassS IL.
to Portland harbor by British cruisers, and
subsequently arrived in salem al right
Portiand was tbe e"S Sslem shin e. thet NAM !"
and any relics of her or her cargo are attaina.
PIE, they would form an interesting addition to
haTa snS T,,,d sc mUM N n 'ne museum Jun,
can obtain any to send them to the Essex In
stitute, or Peabody Academy Of Science, in
SS.eM' MneIe .aey Wosia 9e carefully preserv-
Resnectfnilv vours
CHAs. w. PALFRAY.
A few DAYS ago I made visit to the Cane.
and at simonton,s Cove c.,lad On M, 1o.hra
Pillsbury. now eiebtv.nine Years old Ia lived
where he now docs ar tho TINA of Tho v,.oL
seventv.two vear. aoo III, hon,a.,o.d !. =
mart of the homa farn,. of Iosbu. wooahn,r
hi. ancestor vho Como fro,n Revolt ~ ...
,1sa ,h.-. :, I7oe - GO. -. 80
a.. :. NJ no.. ..w.S..H '.n says unueI
.,,h ss - IA. x."sS" ns'u =; siea.
N. p;,,.S,.. ~. . LAW" House Anu oars'
- S wee 'ovo "'een years o'e ~ tne
. .le =, ,ue s.ss.. no was On Doalo Of sne
UP :. suo 1Ay =. nel al.'vAl :" see II .ney
y 1870 le'n plosisio ss anu vegetables wnlcn
.a suou,. suppoSs wou.a nave oeen acceptable
s,;a ~. Z; s..as - 60 ~ sea- no says 'ne
n- r 90 .,s' " app oo"n Anur.o Oh
:, " uAuu as p'ao'' wnen sne went snore
s"o e'iaoA W o.anioru Aeo@e, Deaf over ana
NV 0.''h oAAs' 'n~' Aew oays
aiter ne was employed on board schooner