davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23

the form OF a compass needle for the pur-
poses of navigation it has exhibited a de-
Elective tendency and will continually do
so as long as our present com pass bin
nacles remain popular. am ready to as
sert that sudden DETECTION of the compass
needle Is due either directly or indirectly
to electrical influences. It may be due
directly to the passage of electrical cur
rents in the vicinity of the needle or indi-
rectly to the magnetization of metal caused
by similar currents"
Captain Swan makes an interesting
claim to the effect that sudden devIations
of the needle, which are observed in damp
or foggy weather on metallic ships, do not
take place upon wooden vessels, simply
because wood is of a low conducting
power. 'The metallic vessel must" he
says. under all circumstances act to a
greater or less degree as an electrical
reservoir and the degree to which it is so
Influenced will depend upon the surround
ings. For instance, in fair weather, when
the clouds float high above the oceans
surface, there is not so great tendency
toward electrical interchange between
them and the earth 8 surface The greater
degree to which ships metal acts as an
electrical reservoir the greater must be
any established electrical current that
may circulate through the ship, and con-
seouently the greater the needle defiec.
tion."
Flashing and glowing in the Arctic sky,
is the magnificent and electrically dis
turbing aurora borealis. While it is pic
turesque, awe-inspiring, wonderful and
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23

seems reasonable state nent 10 SOW tbaA
Cabot probably died soon after his sec-
ond expedition lett England. This and
this only in the minds OF scientists could
account for the utter absence of anv state.
ments concerning him which Womb CON.
meet him with the expedition after il set
sail. Describing, as seems the onlv wav
to do, the utterances of Sebastian Cabot
it is only fair to say that the credit Of com.
plotting that most important voyage which
gave to England the whole eastern coast
OF North America by right of discovery
belonged to the English captains prob
ably led by Lancelot Thirkill.
The position assumed by scientists and
the Royal Geographical Society is taken
neither with view of belittling or dis
crediting Columbus. 1t should no more
be taken as in icating a purpose otherwise
than stated, than should the fact that the
Norsemen were undoubtedly the first
white men to land on American soil. CO.
lumbus undoubtedly discovered certain
islands which belong in the Western
Archipelago, but the student of the his
tory OF the world has demonstrated to his
entire satisfaction that the honor of the
discovery of the American continent be-
longs to John Cabot and not to Chris
TOPPER Columbus.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23
A COMPASS THAT IS ALWAYS TRUE
The Invention

Ever since man began to navigate the
tempestuous ocean and to find his way
across the trackless waste with the aid OF
the slim, directing finger in the com pass.
otherwise known as the magnetic needle,
he has been conscious Of various defects
and shortcomings on the part of that val
liable monitor.
The mariners compass has been de-
5ected from the path of rectitude, SO to
speak, by magnetism and by atmospheric
electricity. The electrical influences may,
if an invention recently patented by Cap
tain C. F. Swan, San Francisco shipmas-
ter, works as well in practice as it does in
theory, do much to prevent electrical de-
Election of the needle.
The invention is, in brief, an electrically
insulated compass. Speaking of the fact
that the majority OF the ships are now
made of iron Captain Swan says:
"That the ships metal acts as a reser-
voir for the accumulation of electricity no
experienced seaman or astute scientific
man can doubt. The construction of iron
ships is such that the metallic plating COW
ering the ships hull is in direct contact
with her stem and stern posts. These lat
ter in their turn are connected with each
other through the cavity of the ships
hull by TWO horizontal and perpendicular
supports. This simple arrangement will
admit OF electrical currents, for IT forms in
itself a complete electrical current.
Further, this admissible current may
traverse various sections of the ship. ac-
cording to circumstances. An electrical
,f I'll in, 4
fore and aft medium line of the ship, and
by means Of the VESSEL outer plating. and
vice versa, as the case may be. In the
m ovement of a vessel through the water
immense force is consumed in friction
and resistance, and this certainly results
in The generation OF electricity to a greater
or lesser degree, the metal entering into
the construction of ship acting as its
reservoir or storehouse.
The suggestion of electricity produced
by the friction OF a ships hull upon the
water struck one or two gentlemen to
whom the matter was suggested as new.
Captain Swans application of this claimed
fact is this: IF the friction of water
against the iron plating of a ships hull
will generate electricity, and the metal
PLANTATION for the alternate deviation of
compass needles when the ship is directed
upon either a northerly or southerIy
course, and laboring in rough, beam sea.
THAT side of the ship that is buried
most fully beneath the surface of the
water must necessarily generate the most
electricity. The currents generated by
either side OF the ship preponderate al
ternately as the ship rolls in the sea;
consequently the needle defects regu-
larly."
Captain Swan. having figured out to his
own satisfaction that the sudden devil
atoms of the compass are due to cleo
tricity to very large extent, went to
work 10 see what could be done to make
the compass more reliable as a guide.
He has constructed pinnacle. composed
wholly OF non-conducting materials and
insulated completely. Within this bin
nacle the compass Is worked within a
vacuum, which in turn is within second
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23
Children of Executioners.,

The popular belief TO the effect that an
e1ecutloner must be a particularly hard
hearted lndlvldua-a sentiment shared
Dy MS relationship have to be modified
IN the case of NJ. de Paris, as the execu-
TONER OF France seuphemistically called,
says Parsons Weekly.
M. Deibler, when he had the misfortune
to lose his wife short time ago. gave evil
oence OF the fact that constant intercourse
With death and the sight OF the dead had
not robbed him of the sensitiveness per-
tanning to it when brought within his own
intimate surroundings. He was mani.
testify overcome at the graveside and the
impression he gave of the genuineness of
his gries was such that NOBODY suggested
that he was acting-expert as all French
people are in that art
In private life, it is said, he and his wife
were bound by the closest ties of affection.
which likewise linked them with their
children. No attempt was mace to con-
ceai the nature OF his calling from them,
and Nine. Deibier was, it is said. even
PROUD OF her husbands profession. Her
character was based on strictly religious
lines and she therefore not unnaturally
regarded her husband as an instrument in
the hands OF Providence for the punish
ment of the criminals 1t is said that
thei- children had little guillotines for
toys On the last birthday OF the young
est boy he was given model of an Enn
lish gallows as an object lesson, from
Nine. Deibler's point OF view, of the per
hdlous English brutality in the treatment
OF its criminals
whether these children will grow up
with the taste for execution in their blood
Is point which cannot fail to be of inter-
est to every one who knows how strong is
the bent of hereditary force.
The executioner in one of the towns of
south Africa, for example, had two chill
oren who were the most beautiful to look
at IN the whole town. They were rosy
cneekeo, bright-eyed, golden haired little
cnerubs who would never have been sus-
pected OF even being known to an individ-
ual who pursued so horrible calling as
tnat OF public executloner.
In spite. however. of their seraphic ex-
preston they were perfectly callous little
ere atures and amused themselves by build
ing model gallows upon which the ex-
ecuted mice which they caught for the ex-
press purpose OF practicing their skill.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23

possessions in Am erica a cele brat on CO.
operative with the one here OF the fourth
centenary of Cabot's voyage.
The Royal Society OF Canada will place
a brass tablet in the Legislative Hall at
Halifax, Nova Scotia. as a tribute to the
explorer. Newfoundland will improve
the signal station at ST. Johns and erect
an observatory there in memory of the
event that is celebrated. While the COM
mittee here which has had the matter in
charge was unable to secure any general
Observance of the centenary in the United
States, it has received so many assurances
of enflre sympathy and Endorsement of
the idea that the effect is practically the
same as it would be had a cele bration &C.
CURED under the stars and stripes.
The voyage which ended so notably be-
gan at Bristol, where John Cabot fits d
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23
He Knew the Color.

Martin Haurwitz, the well-known opera
manager, who recently came to this City
from South Africa with Mime. Trebelli,
tells a good story of an occurrence that
came under his observation while in Pre-
torla, the seat of the recent troubles be-
tween the Beers and Jameson's raiders.
Soon after the daring filibuster saw the
hopelessness OF further struggling and
surrendered an old Boer, who had aided
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23

were reported by Ramusio and Peter
Martyr, referred to the second voyage.
When John Cabot returned to Eng
land he was received with enthusiasm,
and the King gave him grant OF $50 for
discovering North America, besides al
lowing him pension of 500 year. Ca
bot lived at Bristol for time with his
family, but on February 8, 1893. fresh
letters patent were granted him by Henry
VII to take SIX ships for the further dis
covery of new isles" It was Cabots
fond hope that by sailing westward he
might reach Cipango. Like the first ex-
petition the second was fitted out at Bris-
toll. One ship of the fleet was com manded
by Lancelot Thirkiil, an experienced nav
lgator from London, who secured royal
loan of $3.50 with which to equip ship.
Thomas Thirkill commanded a second
vessel and secured similar loan, as did
Thomas Bradley, who commanded a
third. A fourth vessel was captained by
John Carter, who rece we'd Joan of
SOL %. In the records of Cabot's expe-
ditons all the men whose names are given
are referred to as "going to the newe
isle''
This expedition. by far the most nota BILE
which ever set sail up to that time and for
such purpose. consisted of five vessels.
The crews numbered 300 men and they
sailed for the mysterious west in the
spring OF 149S. This Is the last that was
ever known of John Cabot, so far as his
torical records tell u.s. His fate and the
date OF his death are unknown. Whether
he persisted at sea or whether he reached
some land and died there no modern man
can say. Sebastian Cabot, the undutiful
son, was pilot like his father. His char
acter is indicated by the fact that while
he was in Spain subsequent to his father s
death he spoke of his fathers second voy-
aee as if he (Sebastian) had not
only commanded the expedition, but
fitted it out at his own expense. In all
the various statements to increase his
own glory, Sebastian Cabot never m en-
toned his father, except to utter the false
hood that the father was dead before the
voyages OF discovery were made, and that
he, Sebastian, fitted out and commanded
the expeditions.
This falsifier and unworthy son was not
even good liar, for he did not stick to
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23

BRISTOL, ENG, May
10. = England is cele-
brating the fourth GEN.
tenary OF the voyage of
John Cabot, who no
less an authority than
the Royal Geographical
Society Of England says
was the real discoverer
of America. Unfortu-
netely the vaulting am
bition and the over
weening pride of an IN
dutifuI son, Sebastian
Ca bot, have clouded the
historical records of Ca
bot the senior. Still,
sufficient is known to
assure science that John
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23

Mrs. hansen, wife OF the famous Arctic
explorer, is the owner of a rem arka b e
carrier llgeon, which after being away
from its home Tor nearly two years,
winged its way back over 1000 miles of
frozen waste and yet another 1000 of
ocean and frost and plain. Under its
shining white wing it brought a note
from Nansen, telling his vile that he was
we'll and that the expedition was doing
finely.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23

out small vessel IN 1897 called
the Matthew. The crew consisted Of
eighteen men, all of whom were British
sailors except two, a Burgundian and a
barber from Castigliona, place neal
Genoa, in Italy. Cabot's plan was the
same as that of Coum bus-to sail west
ward until he reached the ports OF Cathay
and Cipango. May 8, 1897, the Matthew
set sail from Bristol on her memorable
voyage. Cabot passed Ireland and then
shaped northerly course, finally navigat-
ing to the west having the north star on
his right. Having wandered thus tor a
time, he at length reached land, where he
hoisted the royal standard and took pos
session.
1t is believed that this was at point in
or about Cape Race. Certainly it was
between the two landfaIls. Cabot called
it the Cape of England. This was on June
4, 1887, st. Johns day, and the island that
was found that same day was called st.
John. believed to be the present location
OF st. Johns, Newfoundland. On Cabot's
map, which is still in existence, large
island called st. Juan is placed 10 the
west OF Cape Breton in the position of the
Magdalena group. The map shows New
foundand as detached group Of small
islands. President Markham believes
that Cabot made landing at Cape Bona
vista, on the east coast of Newfoundland.
The chart that Cabot sent to Spain in
1889 has a coast line which seems to indi-
cate that the Matthew sailed along the
south coast of Newfoundland.
The first voyage of John Cabot was the
first successful exhibition of discovery
which sailed from an English port. Those
who place credence in the statements of
his son Sebastian believe that he passed
Cape Race in thick weather and made a
landing on Cape Breton on June "a.
Those who reject the evidence of Sebas.
tian Cabot's map believe that he landed
at Bonavista Bay, not necessarily on June
"a, then coasted along the south coast Of
Newfoundland until he was in sight of
Cape Breton, returning nearer the land SO
as to pass the islands of st. Pierre and
Miquelon at the right.
Much confusion was caused both by
early writers and their modern CON-
mentators. owing to the events of the sew
eral voyages made by Cabot being con-
founded. Letters that are still In exist
ence, written by two men named Pasqua-
ligo and Soncino, refer to the first voyage,
though several writers have made the
mistake of declaring the second voyage
the subject matter of the documents The
statements OF Sebastian Cabot, which
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23

| somewhat mysterious, it IS not looked
upon with favor by the practical naviga-
tor. Possibly the best test of Captain
Swans invention could be made under
the skies OF 1.-The boreal POLE" as Edgar
A. Poe termed the frigid northern coun-
try. That would be an experiment. which
Captain Swan is anxious to have made.
The great streamers and Pickering radi.
ance which splendor the frosty skies have
no scientific terrors for him. Every
mariner would hope that the experiment
might prove successful.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23
= TO HONOR CABOTS DISCOVERY OF NORTHANIERTCA

the same tale He told one man that the
King fitted out two ships for him, and
another that he had equipped the ships at
his own expense. These, however, are
the only accounts-the statements OF
Sebastian Cabot = loaded down as they
are with fasehood, which have come
down to us giving the detail OF the second
voyage OF John Cabot. Pre- sident Mark
ham believes that the great navigator, or
the English captain who commanded after
his death, went north along the coast OF
Labrador until his progress was checked
by ice, then retracing his journey and
going as far south as Cape Hatteras. 1t
is known that one of Cabot's captains.
the Lancelot Thirkill mentioned, returned
home safely from his second voyage. 1t
is further known that the wife of Casper
Corte Real, one of the men who accom-
panied the expedition, went TO Lisbon in
October, 1901, taking with her from North
America a broken piece of sword, gilded.
which was certainly made in Italy, and she
reported that she had seen two silver
rings Of Venetian workmanship in the
pos session of a native North American
bow. These articles must have been left
by Cabot's people in 1888
John Cabot was. as stated, the first TO
lead Englishmen across the Atlantic. and
his voyage must, therefore, be ever mem
orable. 1t is only possible to form judg-
ment of the character of Cabot that is
correct, for whatever opinion we may hold
is based on only few recorded facts.
Still it is certain that he was scientific
seaman and good navigator. energetic,
brave and persevering. Those qualities
were absolutely necessary to successfully
accomplish the enterprise undertaken by
him. He must have combined practical
abilities with Imagination and enthusi-
asm. A foreigner and at first unknown,
he must also have possessed the faculty OF
winning the confidence of his men and OF
gathering around him the most able and
daring seamen of the time.
Summing up all the matters relative to
Cabot's death it is possible to learn of, ii
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23

in the capture and who had not been of
his farm in the veldt for years before. Wis.,
tied the capital of the TransvaaI with his
sons. The town had grown greatly since
his last previous visit, and he saw many
flags floating from buildings that were
new to him.
''What is that flag, my SOM" he asked,
pointing TO our national EN- blem.
"That is the American fag," was the
answer.
"And that?"
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23
Cabot, rather than Columb bus discovered
the continent of North America

CABOT, rather than Colum bus, discovered
the continent of North America.
John Cabot was a Genoese by birth,
but went to Venice, where he resided from
1461 to 1916 He married there and became
a Venetian citizen. At the end of the
period mentioned he went to Spain and
Portugal, where he learned of the plans of
Colum bus to sail westward in search of
the mythical Isle of Cathay. After this
he emigrated to England with his wife
and three sons in the year 1894 March 4,
1897, Henry VII granted him letters
patent permitting him and his three sons
to fit out ships under the protection of the
English flag.
Under these auspices. therefore. Cabot
omplished the undertaking that make
it necessary, according to Sir Clements
Markham, president of the Royal Geo.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23
"The Italian flag, father
uApd tbis anao,

'The Italian flag, father"
"And this one?'
"The Russian flag, father"
And what may this one be?'
why, don't you know that one, father?
That is the English flag"
'Oh, no, il is not, my son" said the old
man, with reminiscent CLEAN in his eye.
II saw the English flag at Bronkhorst
Spruit. at Amajuba Hill and at Doornkop,
and the English flag was always pure
white"
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23

Galbara, an Arabian giant, who was
brought to Rome by the Emperor Claudius
to serve in the Imperial body guard, was 8
feet inches high. Pliny says he was the
tallest man ever seen In Rome.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23

graphical Society, for the people OF the
Dominion of Canada, Newfoundland and
the United States to regard Cabot as the
discoverer of America instead of Colum-
bus. And so there is to- day in the British
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-04-09

CARDS OF THANKS, oBrr1yAp,

CARDS OF THANKS. OBIr1rAp,
NOTICES. RESOLUTIONS OF DE
SPEcT. ETC. will be charged at the rata
OF Ten cents per line. No charger Lea.
than seyenty-fiye cents.
ALL ADVERTISING ANNOUNCE
MENTS OF ENTERTAINMENTs, whose
object is the raising OF money will bs
charged at the rate Of fifteen cents =
line.
ADVERTISING NOTICES, news form
will be excluded from our local column,
except such as refer to advertisers occr'
pying space in our advertising column,
and will be run under separate head on
one of the local pages.
Subscribers who fail to receive IN.
JOURNAL promptly will confer a fayo,
by notifying the Office Immediately.
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-04-09

Grand Master A. n. J. LoveJoy. az
companied by w. $. BALDWIN ana w.
" F'oss. attended the meeting OF u"
18th district ledge, !. O. @. F. at Ne"
port. Thursday night, where ne eNenl-
plified the unwritten work. Inc a'-
tendance was large. fully A9o peih-
present. A large party from out VI
town attended special being run
from Oakland. The four degrees were
worked, Phlentoma Lodge Of Plttshelu
having the initiatory; Hartland Lodge
of Hartland. the first: Old Hickory oil
Newport, the second: and Anon oi
oakland, the third. Refreshments
were served and the occasion was par
ticularly enjoyable. The visitors re-
turned by special. the Augusta peopi9
coming home from Waterville on tfdiu
No4 A, Thursday morning.