Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-05-01
NO. 1O3.
Miseella1enils.
From The Monthly News.
MEMORIAL.
THE LATE CAPT. ZINAH II. vANNAH.


As the snow flakes whirled and eddie
over the country, driven by the fierc
blast, and intensified by the biting cold,
the day after Christmas while men hur-
ried from their offices and stores in Bos-
ton. early to their bright homes and warm
firesides, rubbing their hands with glee,
as their darlings met them in the hall, lit
tie did they think that noble ship lay
stranded on the fatal sands of Cape Cod.
fast breaking TO pieces, and the devoted
crew were hurried away into the freezing,
hungry waves to perish almost within
sight of their homes, and all they held
dear in life. Alas it was too true. While
ladies and gentlemen were rejoicing in
cozy comfort at home, old sailors shook
their heads and told dear ones there would
be disasters in Boston Bay that fearful
night. The morning kilograms made their
prophecies true. Three gallant ships
went to destruction on that memorable
night, and nearly forty souls perished by
a trozen-drowning death. The best our
land had raised-the brave, the young, the
true. Those who had gone forth to bring
the luxuries of commerce to our shores,
to fill our national Golfers with wealth;
and there they died. sss#a
Among these ships was the East India-
man, the Peruvian" of Boston, nearly
1900 tons, returning from years voyage
to the Orient. and laden with the ''riches of
thel East" She was commanded, officered
and manned by as fine crew as ever car
ried our old flag round the world. At 10
A. NJ, of the 26th, she was seen standing
into Massachusetts Bay under all sail, well
clear of all danger Then came the blind
ing snow--the frozen blast. What passed
on board the Peruvian after this, no NOR
tai will ever know. The next morning at
daylight her wreck strewed the beach, and
the only article that reached the shore
whole. was the clock, stopped at 4-l0.
probably p NJ. Oh could that clock on
ly speak. what a tale it could tell-what
agony describe! One by one the bodies OF
the crew have been recovered till at last
the liteless remains of the subject of this
article were secured, and now lie peace
fully at rest in the family cemetery, in his
native town, as peacefully as ii no storm
had ever clasped him in its chilly en-
brace -
lima III. Nannah, commander of the
ship Peruvian" was born in Nobleboro,
Maine, Sept le, 1914. reared among our
forests, received the rudiments of good
education at a neighboring academy, and
very, very young when about IA years Of
age, entered upon The life Of a sailor, rs
boy in the ship "Niobe," Capt. Havener.
Here he witnessed the sad spectacle of
his brothers death by drowning, being
lost overheard from that ship. But being
determined TO follow the sea, he went on
board the fine ship Southampton. Capt
Smithwick of Damariscotta, where his
promotion was rapid. From boy he was
soon raised to chief mate, and served in
that capacity on board the Southampton
until 1866. When, after making short
trip to Europe, he started the next year
for San Francisco as mate of the clipper
ship National Eagle" There he changed
to the "Carolus Magnus," bound for New
York. The Captain being very sick, the
command was transferred to MIR. Vannah,
and so well did he perform his new duties
that the Captain determined to put into
Rio Janerio, and sent the ship home under
his command. He accomplished the pas
sage with success. The Captain recover
ing and assuming command of his ship,
MIR. Nannah was again thrown out of en-
ployment. His merits did not long remain
unknown. He soon joined the Indiaman
Franklin" Capt. Drew, as chief mate,
with promise of promotion. He served
in that ship two voyages, to the entire
satisfaction of the Captain and owners,
and so well did he please the latter that
they determined to give him command OF
the ship Peruvian" that was lost with
all on board, Dec. 26, 1872. He perform
ed the voyage with great credit to himself
making fine passages, gaining the conf
dence of business men wherever he went
Alas his last passage from Angler to
Cape Cod was too quick. Had he been a
day longer. many, many homes that are
in mourning to-day would be bright with
happy faces. But it was not to be thus
God in his mercy took our friend from
this world of sorrow.
He was one of the most unassuming
men we ever met; entirely free from os-
tentation; and he won the love and re-
spect of all with whom he came in con-
tact. OF but very few words. still pos
sessed with heart overfiowing with char
ty. We were in close correspondence
with him while he was in the East Indies.
His letters were full of cheerfulness. and
his great desire was to give satisfaction to
had his life been spared bright future
was in store for him. In letter written
just before leaving the East Indies for
home, he writes: There will be moth
ing for us at home but cold weather."
Cold indeed for him.
No more midnight vigils. No snow
storms to chill and blind him now. Fe-
vers cannot reach him. No angry waves
engulf him. No separation from home
and friends there.
Dear Zina,
Fare thee WE'LL though woe is blending
With the tones of earthly love,
Triumph high and low uneudny Nt9E