Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1888-09-06
POOR JACK.
How Interested Myself in His
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 fair education, steady
habits, and served my time with an
uncle who was splendid sailor and a
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 l 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 a
sailors champion. 1t was very silly, l
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 1t.
: My first step was to procure the
marine laws of every country, with all
the rules and regulations bearing upon
sailors rights. l 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 lawyer in
this work, and he gave me many hints
of value. When l was loaded and
primed l 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 q gooC
one to begin on, as the captain hai
been arrested several times for cruel
ty, but always escaped conviction
through the influence of the owners
and the perjured testimony of tn,
mates. l was now twenty-three year,
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 boxe
and wrestler, and had never seen
days sickness. AS | tumbled aboarC
the adventure =" with half dozel
other sailors, | was determined to d,
my full duty as far as possible, and t,
obey all rules and regulations to tn
fullest extent.
Before we were fairly under way
saw that we were to have floatin,
hell. The captain was hard drinke
and brute, and the mates delighte
to curse and abuse. Aboard of M
uncle's ship sailors were treated lik
men, and drink and profanity were un
known. l was prepared for the change
however, and let nothing astonish me
/ exhibited my activity and willingness
in getting away, and before the watch
es were set it must have been patent :
the officers that l was thorough sea
man. This should have counted in m
favor, and it did for a little while
There is always leader in every crew
He not only governs the forecastle, bu
he sets the pace of the men, especial
those in his watch. II he is active an
willing, the mon will pattern after hir
to a certain extent. IL he is growle
and a laggard, his disposition will a
feet all. By tacit consent was mad
leader, and. to the great surprise {
some of the old sailors, | informe
them that had come aboard to do m
full duty in a cheerful manner, an
that | wanted no growing or Sinking
This gave them the pace, and yet
got me into trouble. The officers coul
find no excuse for abusing the crew
and were evidently troubled over i
On the third day out, as was takin
my trick at the wheel, l noticed tn,
both captain and first mate were
ugly mood, having been drinking tc
much. There wasn't the slightest e,
cuse for grumbling. We had a ia
wind. every sail was drawing. ar
every thing above and sloft was tic
and shipshape. The watch on dee
were all busy, and l wondered VIII