The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1888-08-24
POOR JACK.
How I Interested Myself in His
Behalf.


Behalf.
When got my rating as able sea-
man | could have navigated ship to
any part of the world. did not enter
upon the occupation through force of
circumstances. but because | loved the
sea. had a fair education, steady
habits, and served my time with an
uncle who was splendid sailor and
God-fearing man. should have been
his mate after receiving 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 strange no.
ton had come over me. Several
captains had been hauled up for abus-
ing their men, and / had been present
at the trials. My Indignation was
aroused by the stories told by the men,
and, encouraged by half a dozen phi
lanthropists, determined to become
sailors champion. 1t was very silly,
now admit, but at that time earnest
ly believed it was my mission. 1t was
silly for one man to hope to work a
revolution. Had hundred cham
pions set out, and been backed by own
ers and courts, some thing good might
have come of it.
My first step was to procure the
marine 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 concern
ing the rights of sailors, to be quoted
at length before consuls in foreign
ports. had the help of q lawyer in
this work, and he gave me many hints
of value. When | was loaded and
primed | slowed $500 in cash in my
pocket and shipped aboard the brig
" Adventure" bound from Liverpool
to the West Indies. This ship had
been recommended to me as a good
one to begin on, as the captain had
been arrested several times for cruel
ty, but always escaped conviction
through the influence of the owners
and the periured testimony of the
mates. was now twenty-three years
of age, five feet eleven inches tall,
weighed one hundred and sixty pounds,
and was afraid of no call on shipboard.
was stout as a bull, good boxer
and wrestler, and had never seen q
days sickness. As tumbled aboard
the adventure with half a dozen
other sailors, | was determined to do
my full duty as far as possible, and to
obey all rules and regulations to the
fullest extent. ~as
Before we were fairly under way
saw that~we were to have floating
hell. The captain was hard drinker
and a brute, and the mates delighted
10 curse and abuse, Aboard OF my
unole's ship sailors were treated like
men, and drink and profanity were I'm.
known. was prepared for the change,
however, and let nothing astonish me-
exhibited my activity and Willingness
in getting away, and before the watch
os were set it must have been patent te
the officers that | was a thorough sea,
man. This should have counted in my
favor, and it did for little while
There is always a leader in every crew
J lie not only governs the forecastle, bu
he sets the pace of the men, especially
those in his watch. If he is active ant
;illing, the men will pattern after hin
10 certain extent. If he is growlel
and a laggard, his disposition will aft
feet all. BY tacit consent | was mad
leader, and, to the great surprise 0
some of the old sailors, | informe,
them that / had come aboard to do m,
full duty in cheerful manner, an,
shat wanted no growing or Sinking
This gave them the pace, and yet i
got me into trouble. The officers coul
aind no excuse for abusing the crew
ind were evidently troubled over il
On the third day out, as / was takin,
JIy bElGh Stt tt1S WnSSis i uObICSQ bMst
both captain and first mate were i
ugly mood, having been drinking to
much. There wasn't the slightest OK
cuse for grumbling. We had fai
wind, every sail was drawing, an
every thing above and aloft was It'd
and shipshape. The watch on dec
were all busy, and | wondered wha
excuse the captain could invent TO
making break. 1t was evident tina
he was fishing for one, and the mat
was trying to help him. BY and BY
after looking aloft, he roared out;
Mr. Morton, what fool Of lubbe
have you got at the wheels He is thre
points of her coursep'
"1t's Castle, sir, curse his eyasi'f r.
nlied the lnuts,
Thp aaI'teiR sutnsa and apnroeeAs
ahe Whsell white tha ;asta, known
that q faw wps uealng, skaikad tea
'ae;l | was 1tssFlnE ID fas aa sill
Aaa aa TIE ean'lln loaksa Int shp bin