St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-29
IA old Sailors ReeotIectfoms of Marina
GiOPieS


AH oh Sailors ReeoHeetioms of Marine
GiOricS.
In these days Of large ships and still larger
steamers, it is refreshing to an old sailor, OF
still older shiPowner, to recall the grand old
ships Of thirty five and even fifty years ago.
Compare the sailing ships of to-day with
those Of years ago, aud what do we fndI
Large and moderately sharp bulls, with
square yards and short masts, wire standing
riggiugs, patent anchors, windlass pumps.
steering geer, iron water tank, steam en-
CINE, and many other convenient arrange
ments. Doubtless the march of improve
ment and the growing necessities of com
merce have gradually led up to the present
style Of vessel. But are they an improve
ment upon the oldl do not find that the
average time Of passage to aud from the
East Indies, or n the Horn ports is less
ened. OCCASIONAL there is noticed some
rapid passage, but referenceto old shipping
papers will show the records of passages to
or from the identical ports equally quick, such
passages having been made by vessels that
in these times would be as much curiosity
as the Chinese iunks we're when was q boy.
How regularly these old vessels made their
voyages, delivering their cargoes in fine
order, after which they were ready to load for
the return voyage at once. No long and ex-
pensive jobs at the end of every passage, in
order to put the ship in a seaworthy cOndi-
ton. The good old ship, with her round and
easy model, carried the cargo with ease and
comfort. No thrashing and strainiug in a
gale of wind or a heavy hard sea; easy to her
rigging, she came out of gale fresh as a
daisy, and without particle OF damage to
herself or cargo What does the sailor of
to-day know of the beauteous ship of old9
The snug little ship of 400 tons or there
abouts, with white band picked out with
ports, or the bright waist, flush deck fore and
aft, broken only by the caboose long boat
and companion way; the old fashioned wind
lass, with working room on both sides of it -
no top-gallant forecastle in those days-good
hempen standing rigging, well taken care of;
the old fashioned wheel and tiller, the big
lower studding sail, with the swinging boom:
the comfortable and serviceable topmast
studding sails, and the less useful, but vet
graceful and airy, top-gallant and royal
studding sails, not forgetting the snowy
white main skysail, the apex OF the whole
beautiful creation.
Whole topsails had not then given place
to double. Close reefng off either of the
c4pes meant warm work for the crew;
but the men knew their duties, were
sailors and could tie up the muslin
and be happy. Dear old vesseIsl know
the end Of many of you, and as from time
to time have read of the final end of some
OF your number have felt as though an old
friend had gone before me. Your memories
are pleasant to dwell upon, and the remem-
orance Of the glorious men that trod your
decks as masters, mates and sailors recall
also the pleasant days have passed on board
some of you during voyages to India and
China.
At some time in the future may recall
my experiences OF certain voyages in years
long gone. In those days the telegraph was
unknown. Old Parker, upon the observatory
on Central wharf, had a telegraphic code OF
signals for vessels; but Morse had not cleo
trided the world. Sixty days was the average
time OF the so called India mall so that
voyage to India meant from four to four and
half months passage. out, and an additional
two months for the news of your arrival 10
reach home. Now the Suez canal and the
electric wire have entirely changed every
thing. But as the world must progress, I
must accept all the terrible changes, and
comfort myself talking with some other old
fogy, like myself, of the good old days"