New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-24
A SALEM CAPTAIN.
r,,-. STORY OF MERCHANT ADVENTURE

II ". T. CLEVELAND l2no, PIP iA' @So' n"'f
Brothers
,e;chara Cleveland was one Of the most remark
.,le of the Salem sea-captains who IN the early
wars II the present century made the American
merchant marine famous all over the world, ana
carried our Gag into almost unknown parts OF the
Eastern seas whore commerce haa tue
rest and uncertainty OF discovery. he
was mao of extraordinary enterprise, even Tor
Salem captain-darinG. pertinacions. far-sisn'eu'
and Quick at discovering ways to snatch proh' ou'
of disaster. The master of a trading-ship was non
snly navigator but an adventurous mercnan''
buying and selling the most various cargoes upon
his own judgment, and sailing all over the gooc III
search of profitable employment. without mucn u'-
,ection from owners at home. This was Cap'ap
Cieveland's business during very anxious auu un'
certain period. when maritime ventures OF al sor's
were exposed 10 constant risks through INC nap
leonic wars and the severe ana o1'en aroi'i"i,
treatment 20 which neutral traders were suoJeo'ou
by the helgerent Powers. Later he iouho nin-
self in difficulties the west coast OF south AMER
lea In consequence of the struggle between spain
and her revolted colonies Repeatedly his 'essoi
was seized, his cargo appropriated. MS 'oy-
age broken up, and his person subjected 70 IN
denities wthou any legitimate cause buO he
sbovaa 6ne Yankee ingenuity In defeating the I'M
kindness of fortune and slipping out OF the
hands Of his punderers with sufficient remnant
of his property to start some novel enter
Prise He was man Of strong character. amiaoie
md domestic disposition. bouudless generosity
and high integrity. Although be had only COM
mon school and counting house education. he was a
great reader and a thoughtful observer 4; and MS
letters and journals are equally distinguished for
sensible remarks and propriety of expression. He
published Narrative of Voyages In ls42. which
has long been out of print: but it was greatly adj
dov mt interest
matter but the force and simplicity of its styles
He made and lost several fortunes, and died poor
AT the age of eighty seven, his last years beng
spent with bis son at Salem, where he was univer-
sally respected as one or the hooles'
relics OF the famous old seaport. Inc
impression which one gets of him from his letters
and narrative goes far toward justifying the re-
mark of the Hon. George S Hilard, in an obituary
sketch that "a more perfect gentleman, alike IN
essence and manner. was never seen"
He was placed IN the counting house OF Ehas
Haskell Derby at the age of fourteen, and made his
first voyage as captains clerk one of Mr.. Derbys
ships AT eighteen He soon exchanged this berth
for the position of second mate The captain INA
thauie Sisbee) and the two mates were all under
twenty and Mr.. Derby used TO call them " his
BOYS" but their ventures were highly successful.
At twenty-three Cleveland was captain OF
bark in the European trade. The owners having
decided to call her home he sent her back In charge
Of the mate and started in 1897 on voyage OF his
own which created the liveliest asionlshment
wherever it was reported This trading trip
FROM Havre TO the Isle of France in little cutter
sloop of forty-three tons with crew OF two men
and two boys Putting In at the Cape OF Good
Hope for some necessary supplies. he was detained
by the British naval authorities under suspicion
that he had secret relations with the French Gov
eminent. for it was not believed that any mere
merchant advenfurer would have risked
the long voyage IN such vessel.
In point of fact he bearer
of French dispatches and he had safe conduct
against the French privateers; but he hid these
papers so well that the msst vigorous search dis
closed no reason for holding him. Determined,
however. that the Yankee should not proceed. the
British Admiral bought the cutter at a considerable
advance on its cost aud the cargo was sold at the
Cape.
Not long afterward, having made his way 10
China. Captain Cleveland undertook a still more
dangerous enterprise. This was a voyage from
Canton 10 the northwest coast of America In a YES
sci of the same class as the hrst, ana III
the teeth of the northeast monsoon,-a feat
which all sailors ard shipping men assured him
was impossible. In square rugged vessel 1t would
have been impossible; but Cleveland was satisfied
that his cutter could sail enough to the wind
to enable him to beat up the coast aud as he would
lose important chances for trade by waiting Tor the
monsoon TO be over. he took the risk. The voyage
was accomplished with many thrilling incidents
aud terrible hardshgs In eight months Cleveland
surprised bis friends by returning 10 Canton with
valuable cargo of fus. which he sold there at
large profit. He had Of the very worst char
acter composed of runaways and desperadoe
of varlOns nations, who nutned at the start Inc
adroltness and resoutIo II with which he quelled
tlnsntlal revolt taught the ru iaus lesson which
they did not forget On the American coast the
party were IN constant danger from the Indians
Bulwarks of hide were built around the ship Sc
that their small numbers could not be seen The
savages were never allowed board, and all th
bartering was transacted over the stern. They haf
nearly completed their ladng when the ship ran OF
a ledge of rock and hung abaft tho midshIps. wher
the falling tide left her In position 0
extreme peril. Expecting her every momeD
10 blpe and break IN two the
took to one of the boats. with all their firearms
prepared to fight the last against the hostile In
dams. large party of whom had passed in al
armed canoe only half an hour before. These enc
mics. however, had fortunately gone out of sigh
around the point of an island. and at the next It'd
the vessel OF.
In 1903. having bought the brig Leila Byrd
Cleveland set out from Hamburg a two and
half years voyage around the world This ventur
was undertaken In partnership with his friend
William Shalcr. and as they had an equal interest
they tossed a copper to determine which should b
captain. The lot fell to Shaer, and Clevelan'
accordingly went as supercargo. but the division
OF functions was more nominal than real They
sailed first for RIO. aud theuce for the west coas
OF South America. Putting In at VALPARAISO TO
provisions. they were subjected during two and
half mon bs to a series of outrxges and exaction
from the Spanish Governor which We cannot real
Of without notification There were four othe
American vessels IN port when Cleveland arrlve ed
aud they were all under arrest for frivolou
or ictItious reason. Getting away at last ate
heavy expense voyagers proceeded t
tho Mexican coast, stopping on the way