The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-03-02
mi i ellano O us.
How the Ship was Saved.
A PIECE OF QUAKER STRATEGY.


Early in the summer of 1854, the goot
ship Grampus left the harbor of Nantucket
bound Tor London with a cargo of OIL
She was new ship, built after the mos
| improved models, staunch and trim, anC
for those days, of great speed. Her owner
Jethro Coffin, near relative of the Eng
lish Admiral of that name, was on board
and she was commanded by Seth Macy, 6
friend and companion of Jethro's from
boyhood. These two men, as we'll az most
of the crew were Quakers. But the create,
part of Seth's life had been spent on the
high seas, and his experience in ill. govern.
ed Spanish ports, and among savage
islanders had taught him that though non.
resistance did very well on Nantucket, il
was neither a safe nor an easy road to
travel anywhere else; and while the Gram
pus was loading for her voyage he had
urged Jethro to arm her with four six
Founders; for England at that time was at
war with France, aud of course the colonies
were dragged into it also. But Jethro
true to his principles, rejected the proposal
with righteous indignation, and they set
sail, much to Seth's disgust, armed only
with lances and harpoons for warfare with
whales, in search of which they were to
proceed after disposing of their cargo in
London.
They had accomplished about two-thirds
of their voyage, and the ship being under
easy sail, some of the men were lounginp
about the deck, and some were gathered
on the torecastle listening to yarn from g
man. of-war's man who had been in tho
English navy.
Forward there y shouted the first mate
who had been sweeping the horizon with
his glass.
"Ay, ayV answered the men readily
and the marvellous story was cut short
Jump aloft one of you who has good
eyes," continued he; "and tell me what
you make out of that craft with such rak.
ing masts on our weather bow p
SAY, ay !" and several men sprang aloft
Main-top- gallant there!" hailed the
mate.
SAY, ay," replied the man with the
glass. (These Quakers did not use the
affix, sir, in addressing their officers; every
man high or low, was called by his given
name, and titles of all kinds were eschewed
from religious principle.)
"What sort of craft is to windward
and how is she standing 2" cried the mate
at is small schooner, all legs and arms,
replied the sailor land she is bearing
down for us under press OF sail Now
she runs up a flag, and by the flash and
smoke she splits, she has just fired a gum
A dull, heavy report came booming Oh
the breeze, and laundering sound echoed
against the ships side. The mates glass
hank ha I, III
was not yet visible, but the flag was found
to be French.
"steward call the captain !" cried
the mate in alarm. Forward there call
all hands on deck stand by to put the
ship aboutl''
Gay, ay," responded the well.trained
sailors, and every man stood at his post
ready for prompt action. Both Macy aat
Coffin appeared upon deck, wondering al
being sent for, and surprised to find every
man ready for the word of command t.
change the course of the ship.
"What aoes this mean 2" asked the cap
tain, why dost thou change the ship
| course 2"
81 don't intend to without thy orders,
said the mate, "but thought best to hav,
everything ready for prompt maneuvering
We have a suspicious looking sail on on
weather bow, and she shows French colors
BY the rake of her masts and general rig
l think she's clipper, with long-ton
amid-ships. She has given us gun al
ready"
"Rather dangerous neighbor for us,
said the captain, land think she will
prove one of those piratical rascals tina
cut up the commerce of these seas; bu
keep the ship away" continued he, raising
his glass again, and see if she follow
u.s."
Away went the Grampus, with fire
wind, and the rush of race horse, turnin
the spray from her bows handsomely, o.
her altered course. The Frenchman chang
ed also, and gained steadily upon her.
The ship was deeply laden with oil an
would be prize of great value, and, q
Seth thought, was eminently worth pre-
serving, though the Frenchman was deter
mined she should change owners. The
managed their little craft with great skill
altering their course with Macy's and gain
| ing all the time. The breeze was onl