The National tribune., 1895-05-23

liza Y 1871, which was supposed u
NWl v have foundered in mid
with all on board. The al
legged death-bed confession a
few years ago Of an old sailor who claimed to
be one of the crew of pirate vessel winch
captured the ill-fated steamer and sent her to
the bottom, calls 10 mind an incident IN my
life.which occurred that same Summer of 1871,
while on a voyage from Liverpool to New
York.
Nearly 81 years have passed by, but many of
the incidents of that voyage remain fresh in
my memory Ny father and mother, with
their six children. had concluded to seek a
home in the New World, so we bid adieu to our
native home in the city of Northampton, one
of the beautiful interior towns of England
green isle. Even now memory goes backward
to the scenes of those days OF my childhood
where i played
Along the banks of the beautiful Meme,
Where il wanders through meadows of Emerald
green.
We reached Liverpool in due season, and
after two or three days in the city viewing the
sights, laying in provisions, waiting for ves-
sci. etc, arrangements were completed.
We embarked on the good ship North Caro-
lima Capt. Drummond commanding 1t was a
sailing vessel for there were few steamers rum
ming the ocean in those days, and voyage
across the Atlantic at that time was different
from now.
Soon the angplank was drawn in and the
lines cast of, and we glided from the dock.
About two hours before we cut loose another
sailing vessel, the Russell Glover, preceded us
down the bay, and the two ships were in sight
of each other more or less most of the voyage,
reaching New York City about the same time,
which j think was pretty close running for
sailing vessels, occupying six weeks in making
the trip.
After passing Cape Clear on the southern
coast of Ireland, / do not remember seeing
land again until Sandy Hook the Jersey
shore came into view. Nothing very startling
occurred during the first part OF tho voyage. In
the crsmped quarters OF an ordinary sailing
vessel ali hands soon got acquainted. There
were POS passengers, besides the crew, when we
started, but were increased by the birth Of two
children before the voyage ended. The brst
two three days out were pleasant, then
storm came and OH my You that have been
seasick know what mean. in due time we
all got over il and were able TO do justice 10 our
rations the rest OF the voyage.
The cooking arrangements were q rather
crude affair on shipbOard then; some kind OF
an open fireplace fastened 10 the deck, to which
the passengers had access il they could get it,
Once in while quarrel would arise and
little fight over the hash-kettle would ensue,
ending in a knock-down argument
An amusing incident occurred one day which
was fun for all board. except the victim
The Steward OF the ship was charged with pur-
Joining from the rations of the sailors and sell
ing TO the passengers, pocketing the money. A
mock trial was held, aud the court sentenced
him to receive SO MANY whacks in the manner
children are spanked, with the brosdside of a
handsaw. The prisoner was fastened on TO the
top of the capstsn, and each one of the sailors
delivered his whack in good style, till the pun
ishment was complete.
The days and weeks wore on. Once in
sill - Il. I a
the distance. shoal of flying. fish came into
view, disappearing as suddenly. Now aud then
huge whale could be seen spoutine and blow
Ing like a windy politician Of the present day.
We were in the vicinity of the banks of New
foundland when one morning away off the
larboard bow on the horizon the top masts of
vessel was seen. She had a wind directly in
her favor, which, had she kept her course,
would have passed her many miles to the rear
OF us Though we were under good Roadway.
she made straight for us. When within hail
ing distance Capt. Drummond spoke TO her. but
still she came end on as though she would run US
down. She WAS q much smaller vessel than
ours a low, rakish- looking craft with broad
stripe OF red running the whole length of her
sides. She sat low in the water we could
look right down on her decks She approached
90 close that her bowsprit projected several feet
over the sides Of our vessel. evidently with the
intention Of boarding u.s. Not more than five or
six Of the pirate crew were visible on the deck.
Almost every man, woman and child on board
OF our ship had crowded TO the side TO see the
stranger.
Capt. Drummond by this time realized the
dsnger-sRw it was pirate he had to deal with,
and gave orders TO clear the decks. At once
CONSERVATION seized both passengers and crew.
For a few seconds the widest confusion pre-
vailed. Pell-mell the passengers rushed for
the cabins. husbands and wives clingng to
zach 0flaF and fhgtr rhfldVop oil
something but knew not what. Itso happened
that, aside from the passengers, our cargo was
principally roofing slate, material the pirates
probably thought they had no use for lust then.
As they sbeared off from us ! distinctly remem-
Der seeing great big fellow on her dec.,,
with bis hands thrust into his pants pockets
and his mouth wide open, enjoying a hearty
laugh at the fright they had given u.s. In a
minutes time the fresh breeze had swept her
past Us into the midst Of dense fog and we
lost sight Of her forever
We reached Sandy Hook few DAYS later.
Passing through the Nsrrows the picturesque
shores Of Long Island, dotted with white
cottages and wooded hills, was pleasant re-
lief alter the weary weeks Of watching over
the waste Of waters. Our old friend, the Rus
sell Glover, preceded us a short distance up
through the Narrows, and the two vessels cast
anchor very near TO each other abreast of Gov
errors Island. During the passage Of the Mar
rows an Outward-bound vessel swept by Us float
ing Ut her masthead a pennaut with her name
on it-Tennessee. That was the e. st time
ever saw the name, which has since become so
familiar Ina American history. The long voy-
age was at last ended, Is days from the time Of
going on board ct Liverpool till we set foot on
shore at Castle Garden, New York City, on the
Sd day of September, l6zI
Since writing the above have learned that
the steamship President left England about
the llth Of March the year above mentioned.
60 that her capture and destruction had been
accomplished before we were on the water.
But il is not unreasonable to suppose that
the same murderors crew that came and locked
ms over were the very ones who had commit