The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1888-09-19
A CHAMPION OF THE SEA.


When ] got my rating as able seaman
could have navigated a ship to any
part of the world. did not enter upon
the occupation through force of circum-
stances, but because l 10 ed the sea- /
had fair education, steady habits. and
served my me with an uncle who was a
sp' 'endid sailor and God fearing man.
! should have been his mate after re
ceiving my rating but he died while we
were loading ship and the owners kept
me ashore for a couple of months to look
over papers and fix up accounts. Then
] could have had berth as mate. but a
strange notion had come over me. Several
Captains had been hauled up for abusing
their men, and | had been present at
the trials. My indignation was aroused
by the stories told by the men, and, en-
couraged by half dozen pbilanthropists,
| determined to become a sailors cham
pion. 1t was very silly, now admit,
but at that time | earnestly believed it
was my mission. 1t was silly for one
man to hope to work a revolution. Had
hundred champions set out, and been
backed by owners and courts, some
thing good might have come of it.
My first step was to procure the ma.
rine laws of every country, with all the
rules and regulations bearing upon
sailors rights. was very particular in
securing definitions of the term mutiny,
and in reading laws concerning the
rights OF sailors, TO be quoted at length
before consuls in foreign ports. had
the help of a lawyer in this work, and he
gave me many hints of value. When !
was loaded and primed slowed s 1900 in
cash in my pocket and shipped aboal d
the brig Adventure, bound from Liver.
pool to the West Indies. This ship had
been recommended to me as a good one
to begin on, as the Captain had been ar
rested several times for cruelty, but al
ways escaped conviction through the in
tiuence OF the owners and the per ured
| testimony of the mates. / was now %
years of age, feet 1 inches tall,
weighed 100 pounds, and was afraid of
! no call on shipboard. | was stout as a
bull, good boxer and wrestler, and had
never seen a days sickness. As tum-
bled aboard the Adventure with half a
dozen other sailors, | was determined to
do my full duty rs far as possible, and to
obey all rules and regulations to the
fullest extent. Before we were fairly
under way l saw that we were to have a
floating hell. The Captain was hard
drinker and brute, and the mates de-
lighted TO curse aud abuse. Aboard of
my uncles ship sailors were treated like
men, and drink aud profanity were un-
known. was prepared for the change,
however, and let nothing astonish me.
| exhibited my activity and willingness
in getting away, aud before the watche
were set it must have been patent to the
officers that | was thorough seaman
This should have counted in my favor,
and it did for a little while. There is
always leader in every crew. He not
only governs the forecastle, but he sets
the pace of the men, especially those in
his watch. If he is active and willing,
the men will pattern after him to GER
tam extent If he is growler and lag
gard, his disposition will affect all. BY
tacit consent | was made leader, and, to
the great surprise of some of the old
sailors, | Informed them that had come
aboard to do my full Ity in a cheerful
manner, and that | wanted no growing
or shirking. This gave them the pace,
and yet it got me into trouble. The of
tioers could find no excuse for abusing
the crews, and were evidently troubled
over it. On the third day out, as | was
taking my trick at the wheel, | poticed
that both Captain and first mate were in
ugly mood, having been drinking too
much. There wasn't the 81 ghtest excuse
for grumbling. We had u fair wind,
every sail was drawing, and everything
above aud aloft was tidy and shipshape.
The watch on deck were all busy, and
wondered what excuse the Captain could
invent for making a break. 1t was
evident that he was fishing for one, and
the mate was trying to help him. by
and by, after looking aloft, he roared
out:
"Mr. Morton, what lubber have you
got at the wheell lie is three points oil
her coursen
'It's Castle, sir, replied the mate.
The Captain turned and approached
the wheel, while the mate knowing
that a row was coming, skulked forward.
| was steering as fine as silk, and as the
Captain looked into the binnac he had
to admit it to himself. This doubtless
added fuel to his anger, fIr after a
minute he growled out:
'Blast you for a lubber, but how
dared You ship aboard as an able sea .
mani"
because I am one, SIR" I quietly
answered.
"Oh, you are, ehl Perhaps you are a
navigator alsO" he sneered.
81 can take this ship out and back,
sir answered.
"The-the--deuce you can :" he Kissed
after a moment. IF you are a navigator.
what are you doing forward among the
menP
81 shipped as an able seaman, sir, be-
cause no other berth was open at the
time
"You are cussed liar" shouted the
enraged man. "You came aboard to
show off your smartness and make trou-
Bile. I've had an eye on you, and Pm
going TO work up your old iron.
lie drew back TO strike me, and
looked him fair ia the eyes and said