, 1879-06-08
DENNIS kEARNEY.
The Sea-DoE OF the Sand-Lots.

Dennis Kearney, in delneatlng his pre-polittcal
career, is fond Of stating that IN his early
youth he shipped before the mast as COM
mon sailor, aud rose to the position OF First
Mate of the bark Shooting Star. There helm
yariably stops; and auy attempt to extract
further information from him concerning his
adventures on the brlny deep is bafiled by the
hackneyed shtbboleth that the Chinese and the
"hell-bound villains ~ must 60. This is not
to the point. What kind OF q record did he
make on the high seass and II his rise to ma
rinc rank was brilliant, and his future prom
Using, why did he take to dry land and 20 to
driving dray!
Unfortunately, details on the subject are
somewhat meagre SO far as present inVest'ga-
tions have extended, but at least one tncidentof
bis ocean life Is capable OF being thoroughly
substantiated. 1t portra7s him as the same
nusillapimous coward that begged for mercy IN
the CITY Prison. when first arrested lor 1ncen-
diarv utterances; who was subsequently Eun@
from a public rostrum in this city bY gray
hairep and decrepit man thirty years MS senfor'
VIM was mcrrilcsslv drubbed at Santa Anua,
while we'll armed, but vain1Y trusting to his legs
for safety; and who was rammeo neau-1o1elnost ~,
thronvh = rroccrv-store window IN this city BY
the man Davies, for refusing to recognize de-
mud fnr a share OF certain money that bis
Marty and the public are wholly Id the dark con-
cer,,inv. The same Dennis Kearney is presented
The brief narrative is follows: o-o
In the hours OF gloomy morning OF 1871 the
steamshin Montana attempted to effect land
in,y in the pciehborhood OF Coxo Bay, near Point
c9ncenciou. 4 fog prevailed that Was so dense
that nothing could be seen ships length ahead:
It was we'll known that dangerous rocks anu
rcefs ahounded in the immediate vicinity. A
heavy sea was running, and the roar OF the
breakers to the landward was trlghttu1. IL was
an ortasion for skillful seamansulp,-for cour-
are ana care on the part OF the commander,-,
for cool fidelity on the part OF suoordtnate ON
cers.-aud for the enforcement OF strict dlsa-
ni;ne among the crew. James Carroll was Cap
tain OF the imperied vessel, ano lis oeeono
Officer was Dennis kearney.
The unavoidable but hazardous experiment OIL
slowly "working-1u" was in progress, woen
sndden1y. With an ominous shock, the ship
struck q reef. The passengers had already
abandoned their staterooms, and, at the appar-
ent. not1ficatton OF q terrible doom. we're filled
| with CONSERVATION. The shrteks OF women ana
children rose above the booming OF the ofeakefS'
and panic indescriDable ensued.
| Whnt did Second Officer Dennis KearneY do,
| formerly First Mate OF the bark Shooting Star! !!
| He abandoned the screaming Tomen, the help
less children, and the terrified male passengers
to their fatc and running 1orwara, sa cut away
| sailors. pulled away from the vessel. Cant;
| Carroll was made OF sterner stuff He ordered
tie remaiudcr of the crew to their posts, ealmeo
| the frightened passengers. restored otupasatlee
nuiet. and then, after patient and skl}ltul ef
forts, succeeded 10 backing the vessel Oh tn tnt
reefs. and In repairing damascs to an extent thai
ayerted disaster. o.,<
too shrewd to eaye " tn the
entirely ana zeorx en6 he coolr Watched to SET
vessel, passengers, aud crew would 60 down u u
tie black waters. Finally, observing tnat mott,
inp OF the kind was to OCCUR, but that tue gar
lsnt Carroll was equal to the emergency, he a1,t ~
his poltroon companions ignobly returned: . " "
rcuchng tie deck, he was confronted by u hl
iustly-incensed commander, and, in spite Of M
tears and howls for mercy, was twice ~, knockee
down. aud kicked about the deck like dog
be was then placed in irons, and at the mex
thrust s4aSs saS'j ntraseG Win fae
I servation of lie and property on the great deep
o9y one .t ;ss 4 uu s
hnndra1 miles from San Francisco may be til
nat to be an,sn kn1xn to ab
Of san fsape'seo nnns;n E
uled Wretch2 .,