The Hawaiian gazette., 1884-09-10
The Returning Dead.
YARN OF THE president" PRIGATg.
Archibald Forbes in Belrrayial


Archibald Forbes in Belrrayia.l
Concerning the history of the subjoined cur
ious narrative, the original manuscript Of
which, written in now faded ink on the rough
paper Of sixty years ago, was placed in my
hands in the course Of a recent visit to Amer
lea, only few words are necessary. The
narrative was addressed TO Mrs Rodgers
and sister" and appears to have been written at
the request of the former lady after its authors
return from sea, at the termination Of his SER
vice as surgeon Of the president" frigate,
the famous fighting cruiser of the American
Republic in the war with England in lsl2-l4.
Commodore Rodgers, who commanded the
President" during the war, and who was the
husband of the lady for whom the account was
written gave to DR.. Turks narrative his in
dorTement Of its perfect accuracy. OF the
authenticity of the document there can be no
possible doubt.
"Some time in the latter part of December,
1873, man by the name of William Kemble,
aged about %, Ia seaman on board the U. s.
frigAte President commanded by Commodore
John Rodgers, on a cruise then near the West
ern Islands) was brought TO nc from one of
the tops, in which he was stationed, having
burst a vessel in his lungs, being at the time
in great danger of instant death, the blood
gushing with great violence from his mouth
and nostrils. With much difficulty / sue
ceeded in stopping the discharge, and he was
put upon the use of remedies suited to his
case. visited him often and had the best of
opportunity of becoming acquainted with his
temper, habits, and intellectual attainmenls;
and under all circumstances during his illness,
found his language and behaviour such as
stamped him the rough, profane and illiterate
sailor 1t is my belief, although ] could not
assert it, that he could neither read nor write.
1t is certain that his conversation never diff
fered in the least from the most ignorant and
abandoned Of his associates, constantly mixed
with oaths and the lowest vulgaTity. Had he
possessed talents or learning, lie must have
betrayed it to me during his long confinement.
"In the early part Of January( 1910, a YES
sci bore down on US, with every appearance
of being an English fnGate. All hands were
called TO quarters, and after short and ami
mated address by the Commodore to the crew,
all prepared to do their duty. Before | de-
soended to the cockpit, well knowing Kemble's
spirit, and how anxious he would be to par
take in the glory of the victory, defeat never
entered our thoughts), l thought it best to
visit him. After stating to him the peculiar
situation he was in and the great danger lie
would be exposed to by the least emotion,
entreated him and ordered him not to stir dur
ing the action, which he promised to observe.
We were soon obliged to fire. At the sound
Of the first gun, he could restrain himself no
longer, but regardless of my admonitions and
Of his own danger, he rushed upon deck and
flew to his gun, laying hold to help run her
out. A fresh and tremendous discharge from
his lungs was the consequence, and he was
brought down TO me again in most deplorabIs
state. j spprehended immediate death, but
by the application Of the proper remedies, |
succeeded once more in stopping the hemor-
rhage, by which he was reduced to a state of
the most extreme debility. Being near the
equator and suffering much from heat, his
hammock was slung on the gun deck between
the ports affording the best circulation of air,
lie continued for some time free from hemor-
rhsge, but was under the constant use of med
icine and was confined to a particular diet.
This made him fretful and be would constantly
charge my mates with starving him, at the
same time damning them in the true sailor
fashion. After some time, being again called
to quarters at night, he was necessarily re-
moved below to the sick berth Commonly
called bay) This was followed BY another
discharge OF blood which was renewed at in
teryals until his death.
'On January 18th, DR.. Birchmore nv first
mate, came to me on deck and reported KEN
bic to be dead. l directed him to see that his
messmates did what was usual on such an oc-
caslon, preparatory TO committing his remains
to the deep. About two hours after this DIR
Birchmore again called on me. He said that
kemble had come to life and was holding forth
to the sailors in strange way. l directly
went down, where / witnessed one of the
most remarkable and unaccountable transac-
tons that had ever been the lot of man to be-
bold. Kemble had awakened as it were from
sleep, raised himself up and called fer his
messmates In particular, and those men who
were not on duty, to attend to his words. He
told them that he had experienced death, but
was allowed short space of time to return
and give them as well as the officers, some
direction Tor their future conduct in life. In
this situation l found him, surrounded by the
crew all mute with establishment, and paving
the most serious attention 10 every word Thai
escaped bis lips. The Oldest men were in
tears, not dry eye was to be seen, or a whis-
per heard; all was as solemn as the grave
His whole body was as cold as death could
make 1t. There was no pulsation in the
wrists, the temples or the chest perceptible,
BIS voice was clear and powerful, his eyes
uucommonly brilliant and animated. After
short and pertinent address to the medical
gentlemen, be told me in a peremptory man.
ner, to bring Commodore Rodgers TO him as he
had something TO say to him, before he finally
left US. The Commodore consented to 20 with
me, when scene was presented, truly novel
and indescrlbable, and calculated to fill with
awe the stoutest heart. The sick bay Tor
berth) in which he lay is entirely set apart TO
the use OF those who are confined to their beds
by illness; Supported by the surgeons and
surrounded 10y his weeping and astonished
comrades, crowd of spectators looking in
through the lattice work which enclosed the
room, common japanned lamp throwing out
a Sickly light, and candle held opposite his
lace by an attendant, was the situation of
things when our worthy Commander made his
appearance; and well does he remember the
effect produced by SO uncommon q spectacle.
especially when accompanied by the utterauce
OF these words from the mouth of one Ionr
supposed to have been dead: Commodore
rodgers, have sent for you, sir; being COM
mlssioned by higher power to address you
Tor short time and to deliver the message
entrusted to me when / was permitted to re-
visit the earth Once trembled in your pres
ence, and was eager to obey your commands,
but row am your superior, being no longer
- A.Ao1AetAut VI huc 6dlbu. nave seen the
giories Of the world of spirits. am not per
mitted 10 make known what 1 have beheld:
indeed, were ! not forbidden, language would
be inadequate for the task; tits enough for YOU
and the crew to know that ] have been sent
back TO earth to reanimate for few hours INV
liteless body, commissioned by God to perform
the work am now engaged in He then in
language SO ehaste and appropriate as would
not have disgraced the lips or the nen nf a
divine, took hasty view of the moral and
religious duties incumbent on the commander
OF q ship Of war. Hereviewed the vices prev
1ient on ship-board, pointed out the relative
duties Of officers and men, and concluded by
urging the necessity of reformation and repent
ance. he did not, as was feared by our brave
commander, attempt to prove the sinfulness of
ngnnng and wars; but on the contrary, warm
y recommended to the men the performance |
Of their duty to their country with courage |
and fidelity, His speecbes oeoun;ed abo,t /