Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-11-16

my success as sea mariner was assured
In the Governor we were engaged In gov
eminent employ as transport vessel,
sailing along the coast.
"But my JOY was doubted In August Of
he same year when was given command
Of the schooner Catherine Jane, of Els
worth. She was small vessel engaged In
coastiDg trade, and to become captain OF
her did not mean that my way was clear
to become captain OF foreign going ship
as had hoped but 1t was step up and /
appreciated It. The Catherine Jane took
me two voyages In the coasting trade.
For the next six years worked hard
the hardest 1 have ever worked in my
II e. he'd made up my mind that not
enough money cou be made in com
handing coasting vessels and had my
mind set on getting command OF
foreign trading vessel. commanded the
coasting vessels off and ION until 1870
sailing up and down the coast unevent-
fully. At this date | applied for the
captaincy of the foreign going vessel
schooner Fanny Heating, OF Quincy Point,
Mass, owned by Isaac Taylor and others,
OF Boston. At last my ambition had been
reached. My proffered services were ac-
cepted and ! became captain OF Fanny
Heating. She was fine vessel o. 204
tons and my pride as boarded her deck
WAS uubounded.
WRECKED IN THE GULF STREAM.
In the Fanny Heating we sailed In
the Mexican and West Indian trade,
running from Boston, New York and
other points on the coast, for three years
uneventfuily. / enjoyed commanding
her and found the vessel profitable one
to sail.
"Iu the fall OF 1878 we were bound for
New York from Brunswick, Georgia, with
a cargo of lumber. When we'll out in the
Gulf Stream | sighted hurricane ap.
preaching us. That region is noted for
the fierce tempests and this was one of
Its worst. The sea became so rough that
we were utterly unable to manage our
snip. Waves broke over her and she
plugged first on h-r stern and then her
bow. In short order she became wreck,
and not a doubt rested in my mind but
that every one OF lhs crew would be
drowned. We snatched up pieces of rope
that we were able to get hold Of, and every
man leshed himself securely to the wreck.
We we're adrift and helpless in frightful
sea. The waves broke over us almost
every moment, but we were able with
d fficulty to keep our breath and senses
Our only hope OF rescue lay In the posi-
bility that some vessel might, through
some miraculous good fortune, pick Us up.
For five days the sea driited and tossed
Us, worn out, exhausted and fsintiDg,
without a moutbful to eat, but as my
presence here GU cart h to-day indicates,
we were at last rescued. The brig
Ontoland on Oct. 8, picked US up and gave
us passage to New York-sud / was
willing indeed to thank God for my life
"In the spriog of 1874 / purchased a
share in the new schooner james W..
Brown, of Belfast, 161 tons regirter,
owned by John q. Brooks and others In
her was engaged in the West ladies and
Gulf trade for the following four years
which passed without shipwreck or dis
aster. Thus far, had never been engaged
in foreign trade, but in those days that
YVES " here the sea captain, who wanted to
make the most money, used to turn, and
so after having followed along the coast
and sailed among he West Indies for six.
teen years, !, too, decided to attempt for
eign voyages.
in September, 1873, purchased share
in the foreign going vessel brig I. w.
Parker, Of Belfast, 1856 tons, in partnership
with N. F. Houston and others. With
the l. W. Parker / wsnt In the South
American, Cape of Good Hope, East Indies
anc New ZEALAND trads.
"In 1888 stayed off one voyage, put my
first mate in command and took command
of the bark John W. Dresser, OF Castine,
634 tons. continued making voyages in
her one year, going to Rio de Janeiro, the
West Indies and Europe.
"In April, 1884, purchased the whole Of
the |. w. Parker and continued In her
until 1891
THE LOSS OF THE1. W. PARKER.
II had commanded the l, w. Parker off
and on for twelve years, and knew her as
few captains can know a craft. She was
my own property, and OF course loved to
command her. In December, 1891, was
on an African trading voyage, and on my
way from Pernambuco to Natal, when
the /. w. Parker met its doom. We were
just off the coast of Africa when our
ships keel came into collision with a
sunken wreck.
at was indeed an unhappy surprise.
| had never dreamed OF trouble from such a
source. Our rudder was torn off, and the
| wreck had broken an ugly hole In the
vessels bottom. / came to anchor at
once. Some OF the crew who had rus he'd
below Drought back word that she was
filling rapidly, and knew that our only
safety lay in an immediate abandon ment
OF the ship. Our crew quickly boarded
the Iifeboats, and left the 1. w. Parker
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