The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-01-10
SHE CAN san A BIG SNIP.
She Has Second Mates Papers Now and
WIN Apply tor n MASTER. License.

VIII Apply tor n Masters License.
FSom the San Fruncsco Chronicle.
Tho sight OF a dainty. sylpli-like woman, clad
In flowing drapcry. her faco protected from
rough winds by II gauzy veil whilcs she does her
"trick at the wheel" Is not yet sufficiently COM
mon to escape tho notice OF those who travel by
sea. A sight which induces more protracted
reflection upon woman's end of.the. century
achievements in fields OF industry hitherto
monopollzed by the sterner sex is that Of n
woman commanding q vessel.
Pilots OF the female sex are not yet sufficient
iy numerous to threaten displacement OF men
In navigation. but there Is scarcely n land
locked shipping centre that cannot boast OF at
least one woman licensed to guide steam craft
within q certain district.
Awoman versed in the laws OF navigation
and possessed Of sufficient experience to secure
n sailing master's papers Is indeed n %noveltJ,
and the fact that such n woman IL visiting the
port Of San Francisco Is attracting attention,
Mrs. Jane Powles has for seven years carried
examination for a masters certificate when she
returns to her home In England She Is the
British ship James Kerr, recently arrived in
this port from Newcastle, New South Wales.
eth a cargo Of coal; For eighteen years Mrs.
made. since they were married. during which
times and visited every seaport 81 note on the
face Of the earth and a great many more that
ARE not NJ uOte. Mrt. IOWles mas Deeu n stulcnt
OF navigation ever since she has been at sea. and
her husband declares that she Is AS com petent
as he 10 to ssil the big ship on which they live,
Mrs. Powle1 has been In command OF tho
James Kerr on more than one occasion. proving
herself q cool and competent master. She In
what nations they hail. and. cheers greet her
when she appears on the bridee or takes n turn
IN N his ihs w wfs:'' ability ShRs; r snd. n Sss f for the Ssn noSeits
OF the thing thar from any other motive, he
nss of' Mr. sf Fcals ssr wiz If ;fss sSs . prs.sn, h pa:
self for the required examination WHOM oppor-
Mrs. Powlos is the daughter of the Rev. ".
Plummer. rector of Stratford Tony parish.
Salisbury. England. She Is a charming and ac-
ali modern tongues with ease. She has acquired
since marriage an enviable knowledge Of more
An hour spent In the big, roomy cabin Of the
Powles is an enthusiastic amateur photographer.
neys on sea and land. Every picture ha. iis BIT
Mrs. Powles. relates charmingly. with Just a
touch OF sea lore for coloring. Mrs. Powies sits
, .s ihs sYasn Sc. and sit sseS SnsYi ,ss s ssss fss sR%. o IN .
head CULVER from the resonance Of his tones.
The British ship Prince Oscar was Mrs;
strongly attached to the ship John O. Groat to
which Capt Powlss was transferred soon after
marriage. On the latter vessel their first and
to San. Francisco, Oct 30. 1850. He was chris
always lived at sea with his parents until two
years ago. when he wal. placed on the training
ship Conway. at Liverpool. The young man has
finished his course there and II now on his way
TO this city to become an apprentice on the
James Kerr. He will arrive early In January.
In his twenty-seven years experience rs a
master Capt. Powles has never lost q ship or
experienced q serious disaster. His vessels are
known among sailors as 4" good living" ships.
and the crew Is always well treated.
Capt. and Mrs. Powles are fond OF doga, and
have half n dozen on board. Just now their at
fectiOns are centred on some fine Australian
kangaroo hounds. There are other pets aboard.
among them q dozen cages full Of song birds,
and the Blue Mountain hill peblo. n winged
s0loist found only In the glades o. Australia.
Capt. and Mrs. POwles are not visiting San
Francisco for the first time. Early In the sew
entities the Captain. while hunting In the bay.
shot n sea lion, weighing one and u half tons,
which was declared ut the time to be tho largest
ever seen IN these waters Newspaper clip
pings detailing the exploit are still preserved
In the family archives. During one OF his
former sojourns here Capt. Powles adorned
the yardarms Of his ship with lanterns
S Sns dark night: and ho"Ied pedan,iS
anxious to see and investigate st. Elmo
lights. A boy was sent aloft and In
Of touching the light. and falling insen-
siblo across the yard. The doctor published q
long account Of his 'scien tiic v researches on
the subject when he landed; but Powles refuted
him by the truth. The best Part OF the joke was
that the doctor went home 70 Australia on the
steamer ZeAlandia. and her master. a particular
friend OF Capt. Powles. perpetrated the same
Joke. The DOCTOR Afterward wrote q rather
;oSsSesSR the pleasure sa rES' 81 making ssy.hs 'T The ne Som n.% sni
voyage with q gentleman" who had shown
him real st. Elmo lights"