The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-05-27
THE JOHN soMEs.
Captain fellow Charged With Bar
ratry by Members of His Crew.
What was Learned Of the Matter by
Press Reporters.

The John Somes, fishing schooner owned
by Cushing & Mckinney of this city, left
Portland on a cod fishing cruise about the
first of May, under command of Captain
John c. fellow, and had a crew of IA men.
Wednesday last Messrs. Gushing & McKen-
ney received telegram from Port Hood
from Captain fellow to the effect that the
vessel had gone ashore and was total loss.
Yesterday report was current that the
firm had received kilograms stating that the
Somes had been deliberately run ashore and
fired by the captain. and that there were
two of the crew, who had arrived in town,
who made these statements.
A reporter for the PRESS called on Mr..
Hall of the Portland Underwriters, who had
an insurance on the Somes. He said that
Messrs. Gushing & McKenney received three
kilograms, one from Captain fellow, as pre-
viously stated, announcing the VESSELS loss,
one from the American Consul at Port
Hawkesbury, Cape Breton, also announcing
its loss, and third from Moncton, Cape
Breton, signed by Isaac Guptill, evidently a
sailor, stating that Captain fellow ran
the vessel ashore Intentionally. Mr..
Cushing afterwards stated to reporter that
he received the despatch from Guptill.
Guptill, one of the crew who had arrived
home, was seen by PRESS reporter at
Daniel FriePs boarding house last night.
Mr.. Guptill stated that the captain, when
the vessel reached Liverpool, N. S., drew a
draft on the owners, and another at Canso,
and third at Surrey. that he was full of
rum good part of the time and that he de.
clared "he was going to plug the yessel.''
When asked what he meant by that he
laughed and said he was only Joking. Cup
till further said that when the vessel was at
Port Hurd it was the captains watch on
deck. A Dutchman, member of the crew.
was at the wheel, and he, Guptill, was the
lookout. He sung out to the captain he was
going on the rocks, and the captain said he
guessed he knew where he was going. and
told the man at the wheel to put her hard-a-
starboard. Guptill again cried out, "What
are you about, don't you see the
landY and the captain sung
out "hard-a-port," but at the
same moment the vessel struck. Guptill ran
below, and found that the shock of the yes.
sePs striking had upset the stove on to a can
OF Kerosene close by, and set the vessel on
ire. He tried hard to put it out. In the
meantime anchors had been got outson the
rocks, and the crew tried to pull the vessel
on, but without avail. They therefore
abandoned her, only saving their dories.
Mr., Gushing, of the firm of Cushing & Nc
Kenney, told PRESS reporter that Captain
fellow has been in their employ about two
years, and was considered by them capable
shipmaster They sent him with the John
Somes to the cod fisheries, and gave him
money enough to buy his first lot of bait and
instructions to draw on them for the rest of
the bait. They received two drafts, which
they accepted. but when more came. sus-
pectlng something to be wrong, they refused
to recognize them. Next came the news that
the Somes was ashore and total loss. viii.
liam Sutherland, of II Vine street, a member
OF the crew, told Mr. Gushing upon arriving
here that fellow, who had been drinking
hard, ran the vessel ashore Intentionally.
Mr. Gushing stated it as his opinion that
fellow sold the provisions that he bought
and used the mony to buy liquor.
Mr. Eben Freeman, the insurance agent.
said That the vessel was insured with him as
well as Mr.. Hall, and that there was an in
surance on the outfit and gear at Bangor.
What Captain fellow, who has not come
home, may say in answer to the charges, is
not known. As yet only one side has been
heard