The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-02-04
CAPT. JAMES PARSONS.
Life Sketch OF an Old Lake Su-
pcri0r Navigator-FOrmeriy
Employed by Charles
Hebard & Son.
From tho Marine Review.

From tho Marine Review.
| Capt. James Parsons died In tn,
California hospital at Los Angeles
CAL, December 23d last. Intermen
took place Ut Chicago, in Rosehil
cenetery,o on New Years day. Capt
Parsons was born in Newport
Wales, June 8. 1888, and with hi,
family came to America four year,
later. James was the Oldest OF eigh
children; the others survive him
The family frst located in Michigan
but subsequently, went to Fri,
county. Pennsylvania. In 1868, be
was married At Detroit to Elvirs
Mcpherson, who survives him, rs dc
also their four children: James H.,
Mrs. Eva P. Reardon, Irving R. an6
Eugene W.
Capt. Parsons was q membr oil
Detroit lodge of the Shipnasters
Association, and chaplain OF IL sew.
eral years. He sailed the great
lakes for about forty years. the 6rst
seven OF which he spent before the
mast. He commanded his first sail
ing vessel when about twenty one
years old, and continued sailing in
that capacity until the seventies.
Then he spent six years 10 the oil
business in Pennsylvania, but re-.
turned to the lakes and accepted the
captaincy OF the steamer Huron City.
Since that time he commanded steam
boats, among which were the Nipi
gon, Alpena, and Charles Hebard.
He superintendent the building OF the
Charles Hebard and launched her in
June, 1888, from Oades shipyard,
Detroit. He commanded her for
Charles Hebard & Son, Pequaming.
Mich, until 1893, when she was sold
aud he retired from lake service. 1t
is Of interest to note at this point
that during Capt. Parsons forty
years service he never lost man,
and had no serious accident.
Atone time he nearly lost his life
by falling overheard while sailing
the schooner Cortland, in which he
had one-third interest. He was
coming down with load OF slaves,
q good share OF which were on deck,
and was caught in a heavy blow on
Lake Erie. He went forward to
look for Long Point light and took
hold OF one OF the stanchions which
held the deck load. The stanchion
gave way and he went overheard.
AS the schooner went by the wheel
man heard his call to put the whee.
down, lower q boat and save him il
he could. In the storm and darkness
they ran about q mile before they
could come about and lower boat.
When they got back near the spot
where the captain fell over, the
clouds suddenly broke, and by the
light of the moon they found him
and pulled him aboard. 1t was a
long time before he could speak, but
he did not lose consciousness. and
while sitting in chair was able
to make Buffalo harbor.
The captain often told OF an incl
dent which happened during the
civil war, and in which be played a
prominent part, During the winter
and spring previous to the Fenian
raid two men in the lighthouse ser.
vice frequented the dining. room oI
the hotel at which the captain
boarded. The men, who were con
federates, we're looking for pilot
familiar with the waters around the
islands at the head OF Lake Erie
They offered him a princely sum tt
pilot them to Johnson's island
where at this time 16, 900 confederate
pri, oners we're held. The United
States gunbost Michigan was an
chored of Sandusky. The plan wal
to capture the Philo Parsons, which
ran between Detroit and Sandusky
making Amherstburg, at which
place the men planned q recruiting
statioo, to capture the Island Queen,
then with the help OF these two
steamers to capture the Michigan,
and finally to release the prisoner,
on Johnson's island, The plan was
unique, and IL carried out would
haye caused q great loss TO the Union
forces. The men presented their
plan to the captain, and when he re-
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