The sun., 1889-11-28
THE LATE CAPT Il. b. FORBES
Third Mate at 10 and n Captain mt eO-A
Famous seaman OF the Old Days.

Famous Seaman OF the Old Days.
When Capt. Robert b. Forbes died at his
home at Milton, Mass. on Nov. 29, one Of the
most famous OF the old-time Yankee mer-
chants and marlinspike sailors and one Of the
best friends Of the American sailor and the
American merchant marine as we'll. passed
away. No man ever took a more active interest
in the sea interests Of tho United States than
he, and 1t is likely that few. II any have done
SO much for their advancement. His inven-
tions were almost legion in number. while his
ZEN was never left idle when a proper occasion
for its use to the benefit OF the marine in
terests presented itself. In one respect
he may be said to have revoIutionized
the rig OF sailing ships, for he was
the inventor OF the double topsail system.
Singular as it may seem to shipowners in this
day. when double topsails are everywhere
used 1t took several years OF hard work and
much writing for newspapers read by seafar-
Ing men to get this manifest improvement
adopted even TO limited extent. The Great
Republic was the first clipper to adopt 1t.
Capt. Forbes was born at Jamaica Plain on
Sept. IL. 1904. He was of Scotch descent.
When very young he went on board the
schooner Midas, with his mother and brother,
bound for Maresiles. France. to Join his father.
on their destination the schooner was cap
tured by the British war ship Resistance and
sent to Port Mahon. The family reached Mar
settles afterward. and the boys were sent to
school. At the end OF three months Robert
sSoo boys of Ss TO aks In
teacher knew not word OF English.
In May, 1873, the father and mother. with
their boys. embar ked for home on the Amer
lean schooner Orders in Council, Capt. Inger-
soil. at Bordeaux. She had II valuable cargo
When one day out OF port she was chased by
She 0ntsAilAU al
them; but a big cutter. oyerhauled her The
M fight Lasted !ss az an hour and half Then the cut
the British frigate Surveillante had better
luck; and sent the Yankee to Portsmouth with
Then the Forbes family smiled In the brig
Caroline. Capt Lowell. for Boston. with a
license from British Government officer. but
same. and again the family had to get a new lew
shin.
In 1917 young Robert shipped before. tho
At 10 he was third mate. at 20 he WAS Captnin.
and at &c he commanded his own ship That
lore the British had captured the American
carrying trade.
At 2o Captain Forbes was able to leave the
sea as a. profession and become a merchant.
phs panble q OF l9$7 well ruined him. but he
He WAS OIL board the British steamship Eu-
ropa when It ran down the American bark
Charles Bartlett He distinguished himself In
saying lie then. and got medal from the
During the Irish famine. when the American
Government loaned the war ships jamestown
aud Macedonian to carry food to Ireland. Capt
orbes was PLACED In command oil the James
town. He loaded her. sailed to Cork. dis
charged the cargo. and got back to Boston in
forty-ntne days. Meantime tho Macedonian
was still loading at New York. During tho war
Of the rebellion Capt. Forbes organized tho
D, vessels for the blockade Ing squadron.
Tor the wants OF disabled seamen and soidiers
anu assisted at the great fair when S240.000
wwaS lalseu lot me Natlohai Sallors Home ut
Ihn No nHor9 Hor ahose Wig naa no ciaims on
provided for in iaIi ho was annnntaH @ 20
lee of the Humane Society OF Massaehusetts,
y 1852 was one Of tho founders OF tlie Snug |
iarDor or Quincy at Germantown: was one of |
ne original truSt60S OF the National Sailors |
Home noticed above: one of the BoRton Pilot |
ommiSsionars. a nambar ~ tha iios,n,SS
(oa I'd nf no Ia a,'d 81 ~ ID -. tHo Dun'on
ha laatsy - a II az a,IS u ,o oit oocirB one OF
'eVeral railroad corporations and insurance |
companies,
BotWeen 1890 and 1891 ha waS intarastad In |
nHa 'TT1hsv,n Th ~ niauy Gnnes pelnR
'aInasns c"nsT' iney lhciuueq al horts iron!
'cnoohers 70 iull-riRRed ships. he was one OF |
Joston'6 first yachtsmen and served as COM |
nodore OF several clubs
II devices for saving life in time of disaster.
IIoh aa iFshoota nfn.rtts-