New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-05-25
Reminiscence Of Captain J. H. IRE. BY
Colonel +. b. Thorpe.
New YORK, May l6,. 1876.

VVIOUSI A0VEV0s
New YORK, May l6, 1876.
EDITOR REPUBLICAN,:
The death of Captain Ure recalls to my
mind many Of the most interesting incidents
of my pleasant years OF residence in Louisi-
ana. From the time made bis acquaint-
ance until met him under General Buffers
administration l found him the same intel.
ligent, cultured, genial friend, full of human
kindness, sympathetic and warm hearted.
Captain Ure told me once bit of his his
tory which l see has not been alluded to in
any of his biographical notices. Perhaps
it is not out OF place. He said he was care
fully educated for the ministry, his father,
who was leading member Of the
kirk, selecting the profession and put
ting him in training without consulting
his sons predictions. Captain Ure
said he accepted his 'lot" without dream
ing of rebellion; in fact, such had
been the severe Scotch discipline under
which he was trained that he never thought
of repining or of being dissatisfied. and
went on mechanically, until the men,
orable morning when he was to preach his
preliminary sermon. Dressed In full suit
of black, and facing q congregation, almost
every member Of which he personally knew.
he became so confused that his eyes
grew dim with excitement, and finally he
lost the power of articulation. Mortified
beyond measure, ne retired from the sacred
desk, rushed precipitately down stairs and
into the street. and then to cool his fevered
brow wandered toward the docks. Here
he was attracted by the sight Of large
vessel bound on its voyage being warped
from the shore. In o moment, and without
thought, he hired Q skif and was put
on board. In the confusion of clearing the
decks, and from his dress of dark broad
cloth, he was presumed to be . belated pas
senger, and no questions were asked him
until toward sundown, when the captain
gruffiy said, "Why don't You 60 aft 2" Ex-
plantations followed. 1t was too late
to be put ashore, and the clerical
ly dressed and educated IRE found
hmeelf a sort of big cabin boy
on board of an old hulk bound for
Calcutta. HIS description of that long
voyage of months was full of humor. Very
soon his broadcloth gave out, and he be-
came dependent upon the sailors for his
clothing. His new rig was so extraordi-
nary that he did not recognize himself. At
last, he reached his port Of destination,
where he found letters innumerable from
his friends, and one from his father. After
the alarm of his first disappearance was
over, the ship that left the harbor that
memorable Sunday was recalled, young
Ure's predictions for the sea spoken OF,
the conclusion was naturally come to, that
mortified at the result of his trial sermon,
he had fed from the ridicule that would
follow.
His father was thoroughly indignant that
he would 60 to sea under such disgracefal
circumstances. Wrote the old gentleman:
If YOU want to be sailor, come home and
enter the royal navy; commission shall be
had, and you can start as gentleman"
In due time young IRE found himself
midshipman in her majesty's service, and
worse used, he said, by the "aristocratic
scions," with whom he was associated.
than by the captain and mates OF the
old Calcutta ship. One evening an in
cipient earl insulted him so grossly that
he resented the taunt with blow. He
was dismissed the royal navy, and with .
heart and soul burning with Indignation at |
the insults he had received ON board OF his |
ship, he determined to come to Republican
America to seek his fortunes. His advent |
is remembered by many of the old citizens.
His rapid rise until he obtained the highest |
position among the splendid steamboat
captains of the lower Mississippi. is history.
Illustrative of his through education 10
an anecdote, of . rather pedantic doctor
who interlarded his conversation with
Latin quotations, who to display himself,
got . long one off on Ure, and Captain IRE
very coolly corrected the false Latin, that
struck his ear, and gave the quotation cor
rectly. The doctor was nonplussed and
amid the laugh Of the crowd went away
growing, "the idea of - steamboat
captain knowing Latin" 1. b. l.