Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-09-11
DEER ISLE SAILORS.
They are in Demand to Sail Yachts
on the Great Lakes.

Dotu tut '-SOluulUt6 anu SOhosh'e
ton" are manned largely by Deer Isle
sailors, generally conceded the best sailors
in the world. Their ability before the
mast has spread far and wide, and even as
far as Chicago, most Of the big boats are
manned by natives of Deer Isle.
Their conquests were formerly confined
to the international yachts and the larger
boats along the Atlantic coast. This sea.
son, however, many have come to Chi
cago, and happy indeed are the Lake
Michigan yacht owners whose boats are
manned by the sailors from Maine.
Captain /. q. Barber, now skipper OF
s'Pathfinder" the big steam yacht owned
coming to Chicago. He was cruising of
Boston, 1t is said, In 1895, and noticing
the skill with which Barber handled his
craft, Morgan induced him to take charge
OF one OF his yachts on Lake Michigan.
Ever since then Captain Barber has
sworn by Chicago. Several other Deer
Isle men followed him the same year, and
their numbers have increased each season.
At present there are few large boats
owned by Chicago men but have Deer
Isle sailormen on board.
Capt. Barber is still In charge
OF the "Pathfinder". With him are
Ambrose Haskell, Oscar Murray and
Bryan Tracy, all of Deer Isle. Capt. 8.
T. Low directs the movements of John
McConnell's pretty yacht, the "Haw-
thorne". Capt. Ed. Parker issues sailing
masters orders from the deck OF the
"Charlotte r." and his son Arthur sails
under the "Vsnenpa's" pennant.
Ross Stinson is one of the crew OF the
big sloop, the "siren"; Leslie stinson
walks the deck OF the dolphin. vii.
liam Mcdonald owes sailing allegiance to
b. II. Whitley, owner OF the Josephine.
James Robbins is captain OF the "Vence-
dor", one ofatbe three biggest boats In
the harbor; Steve Sellers, "Cap" Newbold,
John Noltsn and half score of "sailor-
men" represent the Deer Isle contingent
at the foot of Randolph street. Manley
Mcdonald, Eaton Moody and Fred Ney-
man have just been called home suddenly.
"Billie" Mcdonald and Captain Barber,
on the other hand, have recently sent for
their wives and families, and decided to
become residents of Chicago henceforth--
tired of living in "No Mans Landn, as The
Chicago sailors are fond OF telling them,
and anxious to become "citizens OF the
United States.
Deer Isle men come to Chicago for two
reasons. The wages paid here are high
er than those on their own coast, and
their services are in greater demand. 1t
is lard matter TO find good sailors In
Chicago, where yachting is still in its in
fancy, and there is considerable rivalry
between the yacht owners in regard to
securing certain Deer Isle "stars" for
their crew. Some Of the men are or
dered to report In Chicago long before
their services are actually required.
"Skippers' pay in Chicago is usually
s6o month, with board, lodging and
working clothes thrown in. The railway
expenses to and from are betrayed by the
owners. The working season lasts from
early in May until late in October, the
arriving in time to get the
boats into the water and remaining until
they are safely housed for the winter.
The Maine season Is much longer, last
ing from April till November, and the
usual pay for the skipper is not much
better than the wages OF the "before-the-
mast" sailors in Chicago, which range
from $50 to 40 a month.
The life on the boats Is trifle monot-
onous. The men are supposed to be on
duty all the time, Sundays and week days
alike. When three or four men are en-
ployed on the boat, they can have fun
enough together, but the life of the sailor
who takes charge of a cabinless boat
alone is less cherry. Some OF them go
ashore for their meals, but more OF them
take their meals on board the boats.
SIT is the good cooks we have In Chi
cago," said one of the men who has seen
service on the "Columbia" when she sue
There's Cap'n Low, now, you couldn't
possibly tear him away from the cook"
"How'd SO many OF US get comm up
here?" said sunburned youth, still dark
with the sun aud wind tan of the Attain
tic ocean, who is one Of the most recent
Deer Isle recruits. "Why, because they
need good sailors up here SO bad that
they're always a-telegraphin' ter Deer
Isle fer men. Learn to sail earley? Why,
it runs In our families. Every boy child
born on Deer Isle handles a boat before
he eau walk, almost. There's mighty
little doin' there, as rule, but clam
fishin' and stone diggin,' an Their Deer
Isle fust families don't take kindly to
stone cuttin.' We're too fond Of the sea.
W hat do we do in ther winter? Oh, go ter
sea or stay at home. The seasons is
longer there too, an some times we pick
up job after We leave Chicago. COMM
next season? Well, reckon so. Chicsgo's
a mighty good place for Deer Isle sailor
man--proyidin' he knows his trade, an
he does that, pretty generally"
ayes, a great many OF the men come up
here season after season, admitted
longtime official OF the Chicago yacht
club, when questioned in regard to the
Deer Isle contigent, "although there are
new faces every year. Captain Barber