The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-09-03
\ STRANGE STORY.

Archibald Forbes contributes to Bel
graUi0 the curious story found below.
He says Concerning the history of
the subjoined curious narrative, the
original manuscript OF which, written
in now faded ink on the rough dingy
paper Of sixty years ago, was placed in
my hands in the course OF recent Wig.
it to America, only a few words are
necessary. The narrative is addressed
to Mrs. Rodgers and sister" and APP
pears to have been written at the re-
quest of the former lady, after the au-
thor return from the sea on the ter
miuation of his service IS surgeon Of
the frigate President, the famous fight
ing cruiser of the American republic IN
the war with England OF lSl2-14. Com
modore Rodgers, who commanded the
President during the war, and who
was the husband of the lady Tor whom
the account was written, gave to DR..
Turk narrative his Endorsement Of its
perfect accuracy. Of the authenticity
OF the document there can be no pos
sibility Cf doubt.
Some time in the latter part OF De-
cember, 1913, man by the name of
William hembiC, age % Ga seaman on
board of the United States frigate Pres
ident, commanded by Commodore John
Rodgers, on Il cruise, then near the
Western islands), was brought to me
from one of the tops, in which he was
stationed. having burst vessel in his
lungs, the blood gushing with great vi
olencc from his mouth and nOstrils.
With much difficulty | succeeded il
stopping the discharge, and he was put
upon remedies suited to his case. l
visited him often, and had the best of
opportunity of becoming acquainted
with his temper, habits, and intellectu-
al attainments; and under all circum-
stances, during his illness, found his
language and behavior such as stamp
ed him the rough, profane, and litter
ate sailor. II 10 my belief, although, 7
can not positively assert 1t, Unat he
could not neither read or write. 1t IS
certain that his conversation never
differed i'll the least from that of the
most ignorant and abandoned OF his
| associates, constantly mixed with oaths
and the lowest yulgarity. Had he pos
sessed talents or learning, he must have
betrayed it TO me during his long con-
| tinement.
ain the early part Of January, 1914.
| Q vessel bore down upon US, with eV-
| erv appearance of an English trigate.
| All hands were called to quarters, and
! after short and animated address 10y
| the Commodore TO the crew, ali pre-
/ pared to do their duty. Before l de-
! sceuded to the cockpit, well knowing
| Kemble's spirit and how anxious be
would be TO partake OF the glorious
! victory (defeat never entered ouI
| thoughts), thought it best TO visit
him. Alter stating to him the peculiar
| situation he was III, and the great dan
ger he would be exposed TO by the
least emotion, cntroated and ordered
him not to stir during 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, butrcgardiess OF my
! admonitions and of his own danger, hC
rushed upon deck and flew TO his gun
| laving hold TO help run her out. a
fresh aud tremendous discharge from
his lungs was the consequence. and nc
was brought down to me again IN q
most deplorable state, | apprehendec
immediate death, but by the applica
ton of the proper remedies succeeded
auce moro in stopping the hemorrhage
| nv which he was reduced to state 0
tho most extreme debility. Being nea'
the equator. and suffering much from
| heat. his hammock was s.ung on IN
| oun-deck between the ports, ahoraln:
the best circulation o. air. lie conun
ued for some time free from hcmor
rhage, but was under the constant Us
of medicine, and was confined tG apar
ticular diet. This made him freLt'u
and he would frequently charge N.
mates with starving him, at the SAM
time damning them i'll the true salio
fashion. After some time, being again
called to quarters at night. he was nee
essarily removed below to the sic
berth Commonly called bay). Thi
was followed by another iischarg
of blood from his lungs, which was re
newed at intervals until his death.
Ion January Il. i'll the afternoon
| DR.. Birchmore. my first mate. came t
me on deck. and reported hemble t
be dead | directed him to see tha
his messmates did what was usual o
such occasions preparatory to commit
ting his remains to the deep. Abou
two hours after this DR.. BirchmOr
arain called on me. He said that Ken
bic had come to life, aud was holdin
forth to the sailors in q strange way
directly went down, where | witnes:
ed one OF the most remarkable and III
q accountable transactions that, perhaps
had ever fallen 10 the lot of man TO o.
e hold. kemble had awakened, rs
: were, from sleep, raised himself II!
and called for his messmates in partl'
ular, and those men who were moi 0
duty, to attend to his words. lie toi
them he had experienced death, br
was allowed short space of time /
return and give them, as well as Il
officers, some directions for their futul
conduct in life. In this situation
found him, surrounded by the crew, q
mute with astonishment, and payir
the most serious attention to eVel
word that escaped from his lips. II
oldest men were in tears, not dry e,
was 10 be seen, or whisper heard; !
was as solemn rs the grave. Ii
whole body was as cold rs death cou
make it. There was no pulsation
the wrists. the temples, or the che
perceptible. His voice was clear al