The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-10-29
The strange story of a Sea Captain.

Captain John Niyen. Of ThOrntown, Indi-
ana, Is a grandson Of Sir Hugh Niyen, Of
England, but his older brother got the pstri-
mOny, and John defiantly shipped before the
mast After many years he rose 70 be mas
ter Of his vessel, the Ramsey, and the famous
missionary, Adoniram Judson, went 20 India
with him Under his ministrations Siven
was converted and baptized in RaneOsn,
Hindoostan. Soon afterwsrd the ship was
struck by lightning and destroyed. Niven
made his escape To England where IN 1876
he was intrusted with the ship Earl Of Eglsn-
ton, built on the earl's estate, and sent by
him on her first voyage to the United states.
He was beset by terrific storm OF Nantuck-
ct island, aud after heating about all day and
night in dense fog, went ashore at Tom
Never's Head.
Tive boats containing four persons each
were lowered. The captain ordered that they
be not launched until they saw how bad the
breakers were, hut they dis0beyed HIM, and
six Of the eight men were lost. The island
ers had now arrived. The breakers drowned
their voices, hut they chalked on the tail
board of a cart, ''Stay aboard" and then
Filing of an uar." The captain followed
directions tine nar. with line tied to It. wRs
cast of and caught with a FISH trsil and, by
that means a cable was rizged from the mast
head to tie rocks, with . horses hames on a..
In which the men slid safely ashore. Cap
tain Niven was thu last man 70 leave the
wreck, when The haue- Ike AID he was
flung into the sea. TIE ISLANDERS e. once
formed a line ry hUl3ln- hand, and sprang
into the Hreakars after hIl1. tEgs urinling
him T. iand Vher he beard that six men
were l.-t a. w. ---. 1..ari.- 1srasE-d and
jumped a.all .t-s tie r1. 'r- waters. Again
they rescue H.a zr5 l-- r.m into custody.
He was -aaly HIl.s-7 and vas long tine
recoverine. The ship ras e 5ctal ,oss. He
returned 20 Great 3. ...a-. where mis- friends
again i;tet ht. aut s.1 he started OF
whaling yoya-- IL rh- Pacific. There again
his vessci went 20 pieces in a simeon and hs
returned. de-. ansY atr. to Nantucket. His
seafarinC reputatipu was badly damaged
Indeed. il j. pry.lahie that the red letter Of
chad luck Wa -et pr0JSite his name in the
records Of the romile ercial marine Of Eng
land. aud tina, he -ou-d not have obtained
another ship 4 nv rate he resolved 70
face the -et % ..re put 20 get as far from
Il a. D s-s .s.- S ..Ia Qli-t town in the mid
die of sia Il ny 50 he started west on
fo-t, w n to ia as IN his pocket. Walk
ing th- u v-na.h Of the Erie canal, boat
man haired him ., +asantiy with Hello you
are too good booking IBsn to be walking the
tow path. Jumr aboard. Tho captain
jumped aboard, aud made himself 50 useful
I'm splicing ropes and Vutting things in shape
that he was gladly carried to Buffalo There
he got a jo'' t. rig a slo0p for the lake, and
received fnr 1t enough t. take him to Clevs-
land. Their he shoveied sand on the new
railroad 81 one dollar day, was promoted
to tine charge IF gang at s1.25 day, was
sdyaU ed g. the winter 20 be schoolmaster.
and became farmer by slow degrees, AMI Is
now president of the First National bank IN
Thornton. Ind He has handsome home.
known a. "Chrrne HiH:" but he occasion
allv visits Na lti' st. a-td lives over again
his P-iii> -u-i .-rB pes.