The Republican journal., 1905-10-26
IYNN'S TALL MAN.
Benjamin Ames, A Native of Maine,
Measures Feet Inches.

BENJAMIN Ames, A Native of Maine,
Measures Feet Inches.
Although Lynn has some tall men,
none can excel Benjamin Ames, who,
though he is 6 feet inches tall and
weighs over 200 pounds, is one of the
best natured men. He is always smil-
ing and is ever ready wi tn story even
# t be at his own expense.
Nh Ames was born in North Haven,
Me-. in 1916, and up to his 18th year re-
named at home on the farm with his
PARENTS, who were also noted for their
EIGHT. In 1861 he shipped for fishing
,ovage out of his native town, and for
three years was engaged in fishing
,mackS. going to the banks many times.
NJ the age of IS he made his first trip
IN New York, and from then on he
>llpped i'll many vessels for coasting
tul foreign voyages, going fishing in
tie summer and shipping for deep-sea
work in the winter.
In 1890 he gave up the sea, after
early 80 years of active service, first as
taremast hand, then as cook and mate.
lie next went to work in Rockland, Me-,
ia a lime kiln and stayed there for six
years. going from there to Ipswich,
where for two more years he was en-
Gagged in the mills.
About nine years ago he removed to
lynn, where he engaged in the wood
and coal business.
H was married at the age of "a, and
as had five children four of whom are
wing. He also has three grandchil-
llrn. During his life he has had many
3rrow escapes from death. Once,
while at work in the woods in Maine,
mbering, he was nearly killed by a
Ige tree falling on him. He had just
at one tree down, which in falling
lght in the branches of another tree.
tried to clear away the branches
ough to give the fallen tree passage.
mother man was at work on neigh
ring tree, which in falling came his
~. The man sung out to him to get
Of the way, and just as the tree
ished to earth, he managed to get
al of the trunk, though the branches
Hpetely buried him from sight.
While on a voyage from New York
Jacksonville, Fla, Mr., Ames had an
ape from death, which he regards as
Intervention of Divine Providence.
y had just left the harbor and were
nding out into the open sea on a
ter day in midwinter The snow
Utt1 II my lOl SSNtlul IlOulS4 uUG
st as they got outside a blizzard, the
e or which he had never before seen,
5ept down on them.
The vessel, a small three masted
oOuer, heeied over until the water
Ved in through her lee scuppers.
ddenly as an extra strong wind
Tuck her the foresall was blown out
the bolt ropes. The captain ordered
sail taken III and for hours they scud-
Vi under bare poles. The crew were
It below. leaving only the mate and
mes on deck. Fearing that they
glt be blown on to some ledge or
al the mate sent Ames to the mast
jd to watch.
For an instant the storm lulled, and
rough the mist a long line of break
, was seen extending for miles dead
ad. The little vessel was bearing
Wn on the breakers at top speed.
With a mighty effort Ames descended
M the rigging and, bawling into the
ais of the captain, ordered all sail set
t'u the hope that they could come up
20 the wind enough to keep her off
edge
Tie vessel stood the ordeal and
ared the end of the edge, but as she
uuded the point ran into a sea run
.ug mountain high The crew had
rain been ordered below, Ames stood
the weather quarter with the mate
j the wheel.
AS he looked ahead he saw the waves
llling up in front of the schooner, and
ming toward her rapidly. He shouted
the mate to hold on for his life, and
the same time braced himself to
eet the mountain of water The wave
roke directly over the little vessel,
aking her from stem to stern, but the
10 men, wrenched from side to side
nd under tons of water, held on until,
III sudden shake, she went clear.
-ortly after that the storm cleared,
1t it was an escape that will never be
"tgotten by Mr.. Ames.
Mr.. Ames, despite his height and
ight, is as agile as any athlete and
rs that he can climb rigging as well
NV as he could 20 years ago. He is a
npe liver never eating pastry, but
wing plenty OF plain food, such as he
-Iieves makes Drawn and muscle. He
yes not use tobacco and has never
dched liquor in his life.-Boston
ODE