Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-05-03
4 TRUE HERO.


The following is portion of an editorial in the
New York Times. The bark named in it is a
Maine vessel, built by Goss & Sawyer of Bath,
who are owners in her. The bark but recently
arrived in New York
"Un the 23d of December last, the bark Mendoza
left the Island of Java with full cargo for New
York The Captain and one seaman were down
with java fever when the vessel got under sail
There were two mates on board, but only one, the
first, understood navigation. On him devolved
the command. Before many days had passed, the
second mate and the cook and steward were seized
with the disease, which had already eaten away
every morsel of flesh from the Captains bones.
Soon, only five of the crew were well enough to
work the ship. The second mate wasted away
and died, but the Captain still fingered between
life and death. So long IS the mate, Frederick
Adams, was able to keep at his post, his compan-
ions worked cheerily, believing that he, at least,
was fever-proof. They well-nigh gave up in des-
pair when he, too, succumbed. Fortunately for
themselves, they did not fully understand the ma
ture of the man ON whom their lives were depend
ing. Perhaps they thought that he would be rem
dered as powerless as the Captain, and that they
would be compelled to 60 to land as best they
could. Mr.. Adams happened to have in him the
material of which heroes are made. The feeling
Of responsibility was so strong that 1t, to some eN
tent, baf1ed the fever. Instead Of falling pros
trate under it, as thousands Of men In similar cir
cumstances would have done, this lion hearted
man used to crawl out Of the cabin on his hands
and knees to "get the sun" crawl to the chronom-
eter to get the time and then work out the ships
position. While he proceeded on his daily rounds
he says "you could smell the fever in any part of
the ship"
Mr. Adams continued for several days to nayi-
gate the vessel in this manner without once think
ing of turning her head from the direct course in
order to seek medical assistance at some OF the
ports within few days sail. 1t was not until the
body of the second mate had been buried in the
ocean that he decided to alter his course, and
steer direct for st. Helena 1t took six days to
reach there but he never once faltered in his duty
until the Mendoza was safely anchored. hos
pital surgeon, well skilled in the treatment of ia
| va fever. was soon on board, and gave speedy re-
lief to the sufferers. Mr.. Adams, like all true he
roes is very modest in describing the part he took
in bringing the Mendoza safely to port, merely
concluding his narrative by characterizing the
voyage as the toughest" he had ever made. To
add to its severity, it should be stated that during
sixteen days the vessel was within five hundred
miles of New York, battling with westerly winds
and seas that constantly threatened to make an
end of her. Now as we have already said, the
case of Mr.. Adams is one that commends itself
very strongly to the notice Of humane societies.
But for his heroic conduct the Mendoza might
have been lost, with every soul on board. This
fact should be speedily taken into consideration,
that when Mr. Adams. who, it is hoped, may soon
have the chief command of a ship, leaves on his
next voyage he may carry with him a mark of
public appreciation more substantial than newspa-
per articles"