The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1903-01-01
FRANK A. RUSS,
One of Belfast's Oldest Residents, Relates
Some Interesting Incidents of His Life.


In his 95th year, and in possession OF
every faculty, Mr.. Frank A. Russ, who
resides at the Head of the Tide, Belfast.
is indisputably the city's most interest
ing resident
Mr.. Russ was born in Belfast IN 1908
of estimable parentage, and when only
II years OF age began his long career as
a follower of the sea. His father was
Maj. John Russ, respected citizen,
whose name is prominent in the early
history of Belfast, and his grandfather
was Gen. George Ulmer of revolution
airy fame.
"Jncle Frank" as the friends of Mr..
Russ take Measure in calling him, spent
the greater part of his life before the
mast. Then he visited almost every
nation and island of Importance in the
world, participated in several mutlnles
at sea, narrowly escaped with his life
from the hands of pirates that lived
upon isolated islands, preying upon the
worlds commerce, 80 or 80 years ago,
and served in the civil war in the U.
navy.
At the early age of II years he ship
ped from Belfast as cabin boy In the brig
Caliope, commanded by Capt. David
Whittier. The first voyage included a
trip to New York, thence to Marsellles,
France; Bordeaux, France, and RIO de
Janeiro, Brazil. The time taken up
with this voyage was about two years:
Mr.. Russ remembers many events OF
the voyage, among them being a mutt,
nv on aboard, when the officers carried
arms, and which was finally terminated
by the Imprisonment OF the lnstlgatorS
at Rio de Janelro. IT,,
Upon arriving home from this eventful
trip, the youth could not flnd content
ment upon the land, and in 1921 joined
the crew of the brig Betsey, command
ed Inv Cant Bishop, and once more sail
ed out of the harbor of his native city,
this time not as a cabin boy, but as a
full-fedged sailor.
They experienced a stormy voyage;
the ship proved unseaWorthy, the ot1i-
GERS were harsh and severe, and, when
the port of Havana, Cuba, was finally
made. the Young sailor abandoned the
Betsey and shipped on French yes
sci. then loading for a trip to bordeaux,
France.
While with this ship he learned con
siderable French, and could name the
different parts of the rigging III that
language At Bordeaux he Joined an
English ship bound for the Isle of
France and London. The trip was
made several times, together with fire.
ouent voyages to Jamaica. lie return
ed home in 1926, after five years, ab-
Sence.
Now youth Is years of age, Mr.. Russ
embarked upon his third trip, and TINS
time not as d seaman, but as mate. Ills
ship was the Toinett a brig, bound for
Cuba. From there they sailed to Buenos
Ayres, South America, where he re-
ceived his discharge owing to lll-healtil.
His recovery from his sickness was
rapid and within few months he was
enabled to ''hire OUT to a Spanish Tar
mer. But the youth was unacqualnted
with the farming business, and his en-
ployer, soon becoming aware OF the
| fact relieved him from all farm dutles
and made him the driver OF the market
wagon. This assignment appeared d
very easy one to the young man, out he
was soon persuaded to the contrary.
! The drive to the market covered sew
eral miles of forest occupied by Ine
huts of outlaws, who sought TO holo
up and rob all teams that pass
ed that way. Upon these trips the
young sailor experienced many hair
breadth escapes from the daggers of
the robbers, and was often compelled
to use his pistol, and occasionally par
ticipated in hand-to-hand battles.
After months service in this capa-
city he left his Spanish employer and
returned to his seafaring life. At this
time American vessels making trips
about Cape Horn and carrying on a
traffic i'll seals were preyed upon by
the pirates of the Falkland islands,
cargoes and imprisoned, killed or sold
=, into slavery their crews.
Finally the government chartered the
sloop-of- war Lexington to attack the
pirates stronghold, exterminate them,
and capture their governor. 1t was
upon this dangerous expedition that
young Russ volunteered his services.
Accompanied by the schooner Dash, a
small vessel, which proved useful in
navigating the rivers, the Lexington de-
parted from Buenos Ayres. Upon az
irving at the Falkland islands the pi-
rates fortress was Immediately be-
sieged.
It was finally taken, but not until a
land attack was made, when the sub
.iect of this sketch was struck down by
pirates iron club and received cash
in the leg. The governor was taken
prisoner The schooner Dash was then
ordered to the Staten islands, where
were concealed large number of cap
tured American sailors.
Young Russ was a volunteer. They
had not been out long before the cap
tain and mate Of the Dash proved them
selves treacherous and heartless, and
wrought suffering upon the crew. The
steward, for instance, carried cash
upon his head and a broken arm as the
result of a combat with the officers.
Finally they became epraged for a
trivial reason with young Russ and
doomed him to death.
But upon arriving at the Staten is
lands the youthful adventurer, together
with two others, succeeded in accom-
plishing their escape, approprlatlng a
boat and making their way to Buenos
Ayres. The captain of the Dash was
greatly incensed with Russ and his
companions and attempted to intercept
them, but his efforts proved futile.
After remaining two months at Bue-
nos Ayres Russ joined an American
whaler and made a trip to the Falkland
islands and thence to Port Desire From
there they set sail with French crew
bOund for the nited States, but thew