Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-08

at the organ. Mr.. Armitage was about ~
years old. His wife is the daughter of Allen
Lambard, Esq, Of this city.
The Female Navigator-A Story OF Woo
mans Heroism.
The brief story we have to tell, which has
truly both local and a national application
is not new one; the scenes and incidents in
1t occurred more than year ago; they were
alluded to at the time by the New York, Phil
adelpha and other papers; but we do not re-
member that they received more than pass
ing notice in the papers of our own State.
Mrs. Abbie Clifford, the heroine of the story,
is native of this city, and for some time has
been living with her parents here; and
pleasant half hour spent in examining the
charts and journal of the voyage, revives this
story, which partakes of the nature of ro-
nance and so we will give it in few words.
The brig Abbie Clifford built at Stockton,
Maine, sailed from Rio Janerio South Ameri-
ca, for Pernambuco, and took on cargo of
sugar for New York. She set sail from Per-
nambuco, with full crew and cargo on the
9th of March, 1872, commanded by Capt. +.
W. Clifford, who was accompanied by his wife,
Abbie, for whom the vessel was named. At
that time. the terrible and dreaded pestilence
Of yellow fever, was raging at Pernambuco,
and it became communicated to those on board
the brig. On the first day out sailor died of
the disease; on the third day the Captain
md cxr;F, botI ~ al H.,
ease, and the vessel was navigated by the
mate, but he on the 9th was also taken down
with the disease. A young lady, who accom-
panied Mrs. Clifford, had sickened, and al
though receiving every attention died.
Although sick, Mrs. Clifford did what she
could in nursing the sick ones about her
and administering to their wants. On the 9th
# April, the fever in their cases turned-tha.
of the wife favorably, and that of the husband
fatally. 1t is recorded on the log book, 3lst
March-"Captain and wife very sick" On
he 9th of April-"Captain very sick; lost
his reason; had the black vomit for 4 / hours
continued to live in great agony until his
death" The sad, brief funeral rites were
cemetery where no headstonc can be placed
on monuments mark the spot, the body of her
husband. But this was not the only calamity
On the 9th day cut the mnto fell victim to
getting her great sorrow, and nerving herself
to the requirements Of the hour, took COM
mand of the vessel In her voyagings with
her husband, for quite dozen years, she had
been diligent student OF avigaton, and the
management of vessel, and now the time
had come when her knowle1sc was to serve
her good purpose.
On the eth of April vessel was spoken,
and assistance asked for, but none could be
rendered. The Captain advised the lady COM
mander of the brig TO put in at near port
that was named, but she promptly replied that
if she could bring her vessel into that port,
she could as easily make New York The
two vessels compared reckonings, and they
were found to agree almost perfectly. Again
on the voyage another vessel was spoken, and
notes compared with like result. Assistance
was here offered the lady captain, tut was
now refused, as everything was work
ing nicely. The second mate, young
man, who learned navigation from the
Captain and his wife, rendered every assist
ance in his power, the crew were obedient and
on the alert to do their duty, and the first
flaw in the voyage was on passing Cape Hat
teras, where they encountered squall. On
the 9Th of May there was squall lasting
twelve hours, blowing away the light sail but
the good brig weathered the gale and arrived
safely in quarantine, New York, on the l2th
of May, 1872 the lady captain having been
commander of the vessel thirty.six consecu
tive days after her husbands death.
She had at the time, deserved and honorable
credit for her noble bearing and capacity from
the American consul at Pernambuco, from the
second mate, Mr.. Hichborn, and from many
experienced commanders of vessels to whose
notice the affair was brought. To her forget
fulness of the great sorrow that would have
crushed most women, and her practical appli-
cation of the scientific knowledge that she
possessed, the crew owe their lives, ard the
owners of the Vessel the safety Of their prep
ery. Compelled to bow to stern fate. she
came up from the sick bed, and with true he
rcism, promptly assumed the command
Of the vessel, and by that act placed her name
among the heroines of the age, and gained for
herself the appelation Of "The Female Navi-
gator
Mrs. Clifford is native of this city, being
the daughter of Mr.. Green Longfellow. She
is making her home at the present time at
her fathers house on the east side of the
river, about two miles from the Kennebec
bridge She is young, of medium stature,
conpactly built, with dark hair and black,
sharp eyes, and face indicating Intelligence.
life and energy.
Personal.
DR.. A. X. Strout who has been practieing
in Albion, has moved to Gardiner, where lie
will resume the practice OF his profession.
r,rurossmon uarsay Ia ran;llv ;,nDroyi,r