The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-03-07
By HON. WILLIAM GOoLD.

At the commencement CT the war of 1871:
there was one vessel belonging to Portland
of M an-of-war build, and very suitable for
| priVateer. This was the brig Rapid of 19(
tons, and only three years old. Her speel
had saved her In more than one instance be
fore the var. She was full rugged bris
With studding royals, and all the flying kite.
that could be set with reasonable hope t.
catch zephyr. The account of her voyage
up the Baltic. and her escape from the har.
Dor of Memel | received from the officer who
| sailed her.
| During the European war the French and
| English blockaders of each others colonies
made it rich prize TO run a cargo out of the
West India Islands for European market.
This stale of Europe was the means Of pro
duclng in the Atlantic States a class of clip
per built vessels which have never yet been
excelled for speed, and which became use
full to the United States In The war of 1912.
In 1909 Deacon James Jewett and his
nephew, VIM. Jewett of Portland. employed
Moullon, who had shipyard where the
Calf block now is, to build them fast brig
to run the English blockaue at Gusdaloupr,
but the island had surrendered before her
arrival there, ] hn Curtis was master and
VIM. Cammett was first mate. The brig
was appropriately named the Rapid VIM
Jewett, one of the owners, was passenger
in the vessel, and was determined to make a
good voyage at all hazards, Do withstanding
he had been disappointed In obtaining car
go of coffee. He decided to purchase car
go of cotton at Charleston, S. c., and to seek
market in Europe. The brig had ninety
SIX bales of cotton on deck. On the arrival
at Falmouth, Eng, he learned that cotton
was wanted at Memel in Russia, at a dollar
per pound. The brig Joined convoy of
100 sail of merchantmen at Gottenburg, all
bound up the Baltic under a British convoy
of several frigates aud two line of battle
ships, one Of which was the Victory, Nell
sons flag ship, on whose deck be lost his
lif at the battle of Trafalgar in 1906.
o. the arrival of the Rapid at Memel in
November she was seized by Bonapar list
officials, as the city had few days before
surrendered 10 him, aud guard OF sixteen
French soldiers was put on board After sever
a. days trial on shore by Mr. Jewett and the
captain to have the brig released, Mr. Jewell
came on board without the captain, and was
much affected al the loss of his vessel and
cargo, which were confscaled, as the vessel
was from British por, and under a British
convoy. Mr.. Jeweti's state Of mind ex-
cited Mr.. Cammetrs sympathy, and be pro-
posed to him that with his permission he
would retake the brig and run her GU! by the
fors TO which Jewett gladly assented, and
the crew as gladly promised their assistance
as they would lose their wages if the vessel
remained prize to the French. That day
crew of pilots came on board to take the
brig up 10 town to avoid the ice. The cook
could speak French, and was of great ser
vice in the project. The pilots attempted
to weigh anchor, but found it foul of some
obstruction, when Mr.. Cammett pro-
posed through the cook to set some
of the lower sails. which would as
sist them in clearing the anchor, to which
they aereed. The time TO act had now ar
rived. he wind was favorable AID the
sails were set excepf the jib When the yes
sci headed light MIR. Cammrtt told The men
to hoist the jlb which the Frenchman tried
to prevent, suspectina th- In enIion, and or
de ed The soldlers TO fire on the crew, but
tlei' guns would not 60 Il, as the faithful
cook, ny Mr.. Camns'ps order, had removed
the flats. MIR. CAmmett seized an axe from
Its hiding place and at one blow cut the