New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-27
OLD SOUTHAMPTON DAYS
TALES OF SHIPWRECKS TOLD
IN LONG ISLAND COAST
TOWN.
CAPTAIN WHO WORKED HIS WAY HOME
FROM BRAZIL-VOUCHED FOR WHITE
WHALE STORY-DUG UP
PIRATE GOLD.

WHALE STORY DUG UP
PIRATE GOLD.
Southampton is full of tales of the sea. From the
day the first settlers marked their lots in 1910
until the paddle wheels and propellers of steam
ships began to churn the waters of the Atlantic
centuries-there was always the possibility OF
a whale spouting within sight of the shore. and
always a number of venturesome ready to
launch their boats and make for it. The sight of
the weft-a basket sung from the attic window on
a pole by the discoverer OF a whale a signal
all that needed to start number of men
toward the dunes where lay the whaleboats, ready
for use.
When some said we will build ships and sail
in search of whales" Southampton furnished her
quota of captains and sailors to man the ships
which sailed from the harbor Of Sag out past
Gardeners Island and Block Island to the utter
most parts the In the dusty closet of more
than one Of the old houses OF the town still lie
the canvas bound logs Of whalers which went out
in command of Southampton captains
The sands of Long Island have held in their
grasp many good ships and several have found
their final haven the dunes of Southampton A
ships wheel. cedar hitching post (once timber
n a soop OF war;. small cannon. and IN anchor
md chain preserved in the village. all could tell
tales o shipwreck if they could speak Those who
came ashore the Southampton coast fell into
hospitals hands, if they were enemies, as
was once the case.
in the acute angle made by Southampton's main
street and the North Sea Road stands picturesque
gambreI rooted house. half hidden beneath the
trees II is Enthusiastically one of the old houses of
the village. There is atmosphere of romance
about IT both inside and out. OF late years it has
been called by some the North End Courthouse
not because of any legal hearings which held
there. but because of the number of maidens who
have been courted beneath its peaceful roof.
Used by Major General Erskne. British officer
in the Revolution, part of his headquarters the
winter ne spent in Southampton. it was bought by
a whaling captain for his bride in the early part
OF the last century. In the dining room may be
to-day the old fireplace before which the
captain delighted to sit and recount the stories of
his voyages He made seventeen in all. the last
as captain. On the mantel above the fireplace lie
his queer octagonai wooden barreled spyglass and
a pair Of waIrus tusks, a memento of one of his
voyages. and AT the side stands his old musket.
The story he most delighted to tell was that of
the voyage which won him his bride. He had long
carried in his mind the image OF certain young
of the village and he resolved TO win her
before he sailed his voyage. Her apparent
indifference seemed only 20 add fuel 10 his deter
ninaton. She obdurate, and would not listen
TO his proposals.
The vessel sailed away with the young man, and
for many A day of his ship came 10 South
ampton. There good reason why no tdings
had come: the vessel had been wrecked the
shores of Brazil While the anxious ones at home
including certain young woman who had refused
the hand OF of the members of the crew be-
fore he sailed. watching and waiting. a
pushing its way through the Brazilian forests
toward Rio Janeiro, one hundred miles away. One
Of them was young man who was inclined TO say
little. but who seemed 10 be doing great deal of
thinking.
Months passed and no news of the ship had
reached southampton. and many began TO be-
Here that the vessel had been lost. There was one
young woman whom revealed by the gloom
That prevailed that she cared whether some one
came back not
One afternoon a month or more after the whaIer
had gone 10 pieces. Company Of in torn
clothing struggled down one of the streets Of Rio
JaneiTo. Their boards were scraggy and I'M
kempt. IN their eyes there was a stare that made
Nose who passed them turn look at them and
make inward comment, Those are dangerous fell
lows" After wandering about for some time they
found a sailors boarding house Here they told
ther story. One of their hearers was the captain
OF small vessel which to sail for New-Bed-
ieFa IN few days. The men begged him 10 take
them with him
i can't take all Of you have got room for only
lew, was the captains reply. Draw lots and
Aho out who they to be-"
lots were drawn as the captain had suggested
Olt me young man was not among those thus
selected TO go.
You're going to ship those men. are you!"
-sAed the captains wife. when he brought them
men
The captain found as many men have found
mat ms wife the obstacle In his path most
10 SNfmOnnt she was utciusoiS opPo|eN
" MS plan She was at last won over however
anu when the ship sailed the whaling men whom
me iot had selected were aboard. In fact, there
"as one more than the allotted number. for Ger
~ re9cnrcefu young member OF the whaler
re" nad decided that u or great importance
mat me vessel sho6ld sail without HIM 1T was
nor Until the ship had been at sea for three days
mai he was discovered on board. The captain was
mgr. Ills wife was angry. which did not I'M
prove the temper Of the captain I'm the least He
n1oimed about the dock, end the Brazilian parrot
Hheh ne had Bought for his wife in Rio Janeiro
ssan Its education with vocabulary of expressive
not elegant words. There nothing to be
o"s about II, however; the vessel was too Tar AT
Aea % put back. and the young could afford TO
Ais iof The storm 10 blow you'll have to
~ ioi your passage. young man." was the cap
-. aiuHstufn when he had cooled somewhat
'nn ~ork the young man" did.
ohe afternoon In septerobcr of that year tWa