The Portland daily press., 1898-01-19
CAPT. JOSIAH E. CHASE.
Death of One of New Bedford's Whaling
Masters, a Native of Maine.

Masters, Native OIL MAINE.
New Bedford Standard of Monday
CAPTAIN Josiah E. Chase, one Of the best
known whaling masters in the country, died
Sunday forenoon at his residence on Lafay
cite street, L airhaven, from an attack of
apoplexy, in the roth year of his age. Cap
tain Chase ranked among the most success
full OF the whaiemen who have sailed from
the port. When he retired from the sea, II
or 10 years ago, with competence, he left
behind him record that has not often been
excelled. He made his way by merit from
+he lowest position on shipboard to the
highest. Throughout his long career he
made his voyages financially profitable, and
he was thoroughly competent, as well as
a remarkably fortunate mariner.
| He was a native of East Limington, York
county, Maine, where he was born Mays25th,
| 1919, He received q common school educa-
| lion in that town, and when, as a young
man, he started out for himself he came to
New Bedford, shipping on bark Forester for
an Indian ocean whaling voyage. He left
New Bedford on Dec 1, 1887, on what proved
to be disastrous trip. The Forester was
bound home with full cargo, and her
officers and crew were congIatulating them
selves on their good fortune, when on April
II, 1871, the vessel was wrecked on Montauk
Point. Young Chase had become most en-
| thusiastic wha eman and mad been mace
boatsteerer on the voyage.
| Nothing daunted by hard experience, after
remaining ashore g. short time he sailed on
| September g. 1S41, as third mate of the ship
! Adeline Gibbs of Fairhaven, Gibbs q Jen
ney agents, and reached the home port July
20, 1s45, the ship having taken in the Pa fife
ocean ., 100 barrels of oil, which was dis
posed of at exceedingly profitable prices.
His next voyage was of more than four
| years duration, and was made as mate of
| the ship Canton Packet. On this voyage the
| ship stored 1872 barrels of sperm oil, 1882
| barrels of whale oil, and took 1885 pounds
of bone.
| Mate Chase twice saved his vessel from
destruction while at the Fiji islands on this
voyage, by an exhibition of cool nerve and
of remarkable courage. Two dissatisfied and
desperate sailors set fire to the Canton
Packet in the absence of the captain, the
flames gaining considerable Roadway before
| they were discovered. The ship appeard to
be doomed, and all that was TO be done
had to be accomplished quickly. Mr.. Chase
was equal to the emergency. He ran the
Canton racket ashore and caused her to be
scuttled, thus drowning out the blaze. Later
the ship was righted and temporary repairs
were made. While the work was in progress
the ship was attacked by natives, MI.
Chase arming and raliying his men, fought
until the cannibals were repulsed. He then
navigated the Canton Packet to Sydney,
where the ship was given the needed over
haGling. Upon returning home Captain
Chase was given command of the bark
Martha by Swift 81 Allen. and he made in
that vessel a remuneratiye voyage of about
three and a half years. Then he spent few
days more than a year ashore, his next
voyage being in command of the bark
Elizabeth Swift, a fine vessel, which Swift
& Allen brilt for him. The venture proved
a remuneratiye one, and a second voyage in
the same bark was great financial sue
| cess
| During the war of the rebellion Captain
Chase figured in a dramatic episode, which
proved the high quality of his patriotism,
and well illustrated the manner Of man he
was. The chamber of commerce, ship chan
dlers or some other body of Business men of
Auckland. New Zealand, gave ball COM
plimentary to the masters of vessels which
|
ing in which the function was held was gor-
geously decorated with bunting, the flags of
the nations being literally used in the de-
signs. Captain Chase was one of the guests
OF the occasion, SO also was young ship
captain Of strong southern sentiments. The
Secessfonist had rebel flag, which, when
an opportunity presented itself, he placed
above the stars and stripes. When Captain
Chase entered the room his eye fell upon
the emblem of the Confederacy. lie did not
| know who offered the insult to his country's
banner, nor whether the hosts themselves
might have done it and he didn't care.
With look of disgust and with firm deter
mination he strobe across the room looking
neither to the right or left and Selling the
| badge of secession he threw it upon the floor
and stamped upon it until the first storm of
| his Indignation was somewhat spent. Then
| drawing himself up to his full height he
| Numbered. ''Now 1 am ready for the man
| who put it there There was no one present
| but knew that Captain Chase was not to be
| trified with. An abject apology by the
offender restored order. Captain Chase re-