The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-07
AN EARLY YANKEE YACHT.
CAPT. GEORGE COMPLEMENTARY
PAN 70 RESCUE NAPOLEON.

der IL Excited in ~Europe-start OF the
Vessel for 81. Helena and the Quick End
ing of the Voyage After an Exciting Race.
In these days, when fleets Of yachts. fitted out
with every imaginable luxury. sail each season
from this port for mere pastime. II is interest
ing to note the story Of a pioneer American
pleasure craft and to recall the chief aim OF its
owner-the rescue Of Napoleon from ST. Helena.
The Beckett shipyard at Salem, Mass, was oper-
ated by various members OF the family for more
than $50 years. dating from 1850. From here
we're sent out many ships owned by the family
called Crowninshield. In whose blood ran a love
OF salt water. Strange errands had they to
other lands. In 1895 Capt. Jacob Crownin-
shield brought home from Bengal what il said
to have been the first elephant ever seen In
America. a creature OF huge dimensions. whose
fame was sounded far and near. 1t was a for
tunate investment, for the owner realized from
her sale the sum OF S10.OOO.
This same Jacob Crowninshield was a promi-
nent merchant OF Salem. and carried on a
profitable business in the East India and China
trade. He was in many ways a remarkable
character. and early determined that his son
George should be not only fitted to conduct his
business In the counting room. but also made
thoroughly familiar with ali the details OF a
ship from stem to stern. At that time it was
deemed an essential part OF the training OF a
merchant like Jacob Crowninshield to undergo
an apprenticeship from the hawsehole to the
quarterback. Therefore. from the age OF IL,
young Crowninshield studied navigation
in theory and In practice. sailing first
as a common sailor in his fathers ships.
then gradually acquiring knowledge which
entitled him to become a master. Hence,
1t is not surprising that the young man
imbibed a taste for the sea and a love for a row.
ing life. which. later on. would not be satisfied
with the monotony OF business. Then. too. IL
Is not strange to find him.. in 1916. when he was
In middle life. giving an order to the Beckets
for a vessel OF 191 tons burden. to be called
Cleopatra's Barge. He begged that no expense
should be spared in her construction. for she
was to be built solely for the pleasure OF him
self and his friends and for the purpose which
he had In view.
There recently died in q quiet New England
village one Of the last OF the Crowninshield
family. and in this mans possession were many
valuable relics. among them papers relating to
this Cleopatra'sB Barge and the original plans
for her construction. As she was a pioneer
vessel Of her class, new and original ideas had
to be adopted. She was built somewhat in the
style OF q small man-of-war. She had a wide
stern with little cabin windows looking out
upon it. and was square rugged on the foremost
and fore-and-aft on the mainmast. Capt.
Crowninshield did not intend her for a racing
craft, but she was provided with ring sail and
water sail, which to-day are altogether obso-
etc. She was S3 feet long, % feet IL inches
wide. and her draught was g feet.
The furnishings above deck and below we're
OF the most elegant description. Even the
ropes in the quarterback were served with
velvet, and some were of different colors. The
cabin, which was nineteen feet by twenty. was
fitted up in mahogany and birdseye maple
| and tha q, rn t,,r ~ fhn EtreN L-,D d.. ..-iz
covered with red velvet and much gold lace. A
complete silver service embellished her dining
saloon. to which was added elaborate china and
glassware, made expressly for the purpose. In
all the little vessel cost 500, 600.
Even before Cleopatra's Barge came Off the
stocks in the shipyard she was the object Of
intense interest to the people,, Thousands Wis.,
from Charlestown and many distinguished
men from Boston. On the day before she
yacht. at which the Governor Of Massachusetts
3" March 80. 1917. Capt. orowninshield
sailed with his yacht to the Mediterranean; He
f PIT IN at b the sc a5 9ioSe ana dat at MADEIRA dasti1 where.
he allowed his vessel to be freely inspected by
all strangers who desired TO visit it: The
have a look at this distinctively American craft.
While at French ports ,she, was visited by Brit
Pope, came over from Rome to Inspect for him
| Stll IlllS bOdl, vi W ItlCh e luu utdTu SO mucn.
But the American skipper. amid all these
pleasures and social amusements. did not for
DAYS at Ella. Sisited the house where VIII ,eS Sapo SH@n9
had been confined. and made the acquaintance
Of many Of the exIEmperor,s intimate friends.
miration for the exiled Emperor. and they pro
vided him with letters introducing him to the
msm IN Rome 0l 'n fe S9fIaRfhriE his v ts@llS at t GiHlta 1s vsd-
CHA. he went TO Rome to perfect his plans.
ceived with most cordial welcome by the Bona
partists, and they at once held a consultation to
decide upon the best means for carrying out
The Bonaparte family consisted at this time
Of Nine. Letitia. the mother Of the Emperor;
Prince Lucien Bonaparte, and Princess Pauline
Borghese. In addition. two officers OF Ma
IPS0 POL Sgnss suite u ot ] ,bs Sdt the e0n Hb;nb e. one e being
ESCAPED from EIba in 1915 and the other a sur
se At the Re c % it was decided to start the
secrecy was observed by all, which was vitality
we're espSec Gs yn wat 6iShG" Of P0 the BSn IN aG@e
Capt. Crowpinshield,s presence at Rome
aroused their w s9spisioHs, and four French
the little American boat: CAPT. CrowninshhikeIldi
ders to, prepare the yacht at once for sea. say
ing If the night was propitious he would sail In
brought with him the two officers of Napoleon's
suite, and. 1t being overcast, ran out of the
fieet. The T,s" Vessel vas headed tiH for st. H f2llSisn
The plan was. under cover of night. to place
ashore Napoleon's former surgeon. one OF his
most devoted followers. This man was to ap-
proach the ,Emperor's old body servant. who
masters service, and acquaint him with the
expedition and the plan. OF rescue.
The following morning dawned gray and
tempestuous. 1t found the little vessel In the
Straits OF st, Bonitace. between Sardinia and
Corsica, and even before Capt. Crowninshield
had arisen from his berth the man on the look
out reported, three large vessels to starboard.
The d Captain saw hurried N = 1d into fif fS el9th her, and s%a once &c
mistake, Three French warships were crowd
ing on all sail in hot pursuit. The departure
and his crew had every confidence In their
little craft, and, lost no time in determining to
give the Frenchmen the race OF their lives.
They knew well the truth of the nautical
maxim that "A stern chase Is q long one." and
all hands were jubllant.
Capt. Crowninshield ordered the topgallant-
sail and ringsail set. and as they caught the
| wind the litlla EMn-mnaIar nlnnRhad fhrnuRh