The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-09-24
PERSONAL AND PECULIAR,

Captain r. b. Forbes, of Milton. Mass.
who long ago celebrated his S5th birthday,
is the oldest member of the Boston Marine
Society. He was ten years old when the
United States won from Great Britain the
assurance that she would never again take an
American seaman off one of our decks; he
was then as near to the era of the War of the
revolution as are the present generation of
young persons to the days Of the great re-
Deliion: He has seen our navy, mercantile
and national, In its rise, its prosperity and In
its decline. He has himself contributed more
to the literature Of the sea, has been leading
spirit in more of the current improvements
than any man living. To speak of these in
detail would be to rehearse the history of
donble-topsail yards, of lifeboats and life
and of the best efforts to be made for the
salvage Of life and property on the ocean.
The Cunard company is about to adopt the
principle OF twin screws for its newest ships.
In lS45 Captain Forbes designed and built the
twln-screw vessel Massachusetts. which,
after career as steamer, was finally used
as sailing vessel on the Pacific Coast, being
considered by the underwriters good risk
When nearly forty years old. The latest
works OF Captain F0rbes's skilful fingers may
be seen In the models Of sailing vessels, COM
plete to every rope and block Of their rigging,
time to the cause of charity.
At Windsor, Vt, stands very interesting
old structure called the sold Constitution
House." 1t is plain wooden building, two
stories high. with half story basement, con-
tanning three rooms on the first floor and two
on the second. The natal history of the
building is lost. The Burlington Free Press
says 1t Is known to have been in existence in
June 1777, only 133 years after the settlement
resting place. At the time Of the constitu-
tional convention in July, 1777, Mr.. West
occupied the premises as landlord, and was
the host OF the Aliens, Chittenden, Marsh
ana otners, VINO met to complete the organi-
on the American continent to consider this
extraordinary emergency. They had to face
foes on all sides In their struggle for Stree
dom and unity" A convention of persons
In In the interest Of New York was in session at
re-chartered by New York authorities and
the original New Hampshire charters sur
rendered, among them that of Windsor itself.
The prevailing sentiment was against indie
pendence and in favor of New York's claims.
Even In Windsor spies from other places
were watching the movements Of the con-
marching down from Canada. Dangers be-
set them on every hand, and it was only in
closed lips and resolute hearts that there was
any hope of safety. An upper room secluded
from the public seemed the most fitting for
their purpose; there they met and, without
interruption, from friendly or unfriendly
spectators, they deliberated upon the articles
Of the constitution and laid the foundation
of the state republic. 1t was here that
couriers from Col. Seth Warner came bearing
news of the evacuation of Tconderoga. and
the retreat of the little band toward Huh
bardton and Castleton. and a call for troops
10 be hurried to Bennington.