The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1907-11-26
PHELPS CAPTAIN
ONCE CABIN BOY

val of the American sailing ship Frs
kline M. Phelps from Philadelphia last
week created a stir of interest along
the water front, for the vessel has
been pronounced the finest American
merchantmen ahoat. More interest
ing even than the Phelps herself is
the personality of Capt Robert y.
Graham, her commander and a part
owner in the vessel. The Phelps rep
resents the achievement of Capt. Gra-
hams ambition, conceived some thir-
ty.five years ago when he first went
to sea as a cabin boy.
The Phelps is a large four-masted
full-rigged ship. Her graceful lines
and coat of spotless white instantly
attract attention. In addition the yes.
sci is the fastest American sailing ship
afoat, and before She was four years
old had broken seven worlds records.
Beyond the superficial beauty of her
lines and paint those who have visited
the ship have found fresh cause for
wonder in her admirable arrangement
for cargo handling and in accommo-
dations. Compared to the average
merchantmen the Phelps is a Lusita-
mia in cabin space and arrangement.
She is the finest of the boats operated
by Arthur NJ Sewall & Company, of
Philadelphia, and the company's fleet
is noted for its beauty.
Capt Robert Graham is of genera
tions of sea-goers, member of an old
Philadelphia family and a master Of
the old school, where clipper captains
were expected to have the polish and
manner of the finest gentlemen in the
land. At sea Capt Graham is known
as a strict disciplinarian, but the men
who work under him agree that he
does all in his power to make them
comfortable and preserve their health.
Capt. Graham went to sea as Bob
! Graham at 16 years of age. To obtain
! the maternal consent he had to resort
! to threats to run away, for his mother
/ had him picked out for a minister. His
first ship was the Ida Lilly, and he
sailed as a cabin boy.
81 went around from ship to ship"
said Capt. Graham, describing his
first experiences, trying to find
master who would ship me as a sail
or. None would have me, for | was
so small they didn't believe l could do
the work. Rather than stay ashore I
went as cabin boy on the Ida Lilly"
On the Ida Lilly when young Ora
ham went to sea was Capt. d. Thomas
| Davies, now of Seattle, then Third
Mate Davies. Capt. Davies saw at
once that Graham had the stuff to
make a sailor in him and took the boy
under his protection, showing him the
detail of navigating the ship. Thus
began lifelong friendship between
the two men, which was renewed the
first time in fifteen years when Capt.
Graham and Capt, Davies clasped
hands in Seattle last Monday.
Il made a rather poor cabin boy,
I'm afraid says Capt. Graham. Il
was much more interested in the navi-
cation of the ship than in clearing
away dirty Dishes and | found the
steward, whose whole object in life
was the care of his department, rath-
er unsympathetic Many a time as |
would come down the decks with a
basket of dishes I'd drop the dishes
and run aloft with the men when
some order to change sail was given"
Capt. Graham, gaining in stature and
experience, went to sea again as a
sailor and gradually rose from the
ranks to a captaincy His first ship
was the Reuce. From that vessel he
went to the w. F. Babcock, which was
sold in this port last summer. While
on the Babcock fifteen years ago Capt.
! Graham called at Seattle. On that oc-
casion he was married to Miss Abbie
Rust, of Sausilito, and Capt. Thomas
Davis marched to the altar as best
man. Mrs. Graham has sailed with
her husband every year but one since
that date.
When Arthur NJ. Sewall determined
on building the Phelps, Capt. Graham
was chosen superintendent of con
struction. His wishes were consulted
in the arrangement of the ship which
was to be his home, but he gives Mrs
| Sewall credit for the handsome ar
rangement of the suite of cabins which
he and Mrs. Graham occupy. Soon
after she was launched, the Phelps,
which was named after Erskine M
anthTOpist and friend of Arthur Sew
all, began to break speed records, and
has been at it ever since
The Phelps realizes my ambition to
command the fastest and finest sailing
ship afioat," says Capt Graham Il
have nothing more to wish for Since
| first went to sea | have worked with
this ambition in mind. That | should
have attained it proves a theory of
mine that the earnest desire for a
thing coupled with logged determine
tiOn and hard work, will bring about
its accomplishment"
PRESIDENT CONGRATULATED.
WASHINGTON, Nov G,-President
Roosevelt today received the following
from Timothy L. Woodruff, dated New
York