New-York tribune., 1908-03-22
TRADE OF THE
MARINE .IUNkMAN.
SEEKS Old SHIPS IN ILL
UORLDS PORTS.
Captain 1ieea,s Hazardous Calling
-NaUigates 4nclent Craft
TO Scrap Heap.

Inique among marine trades is that OF a
man who searches the ports from New York TO
Nacasaki for ships that nobody else wants He
does not look for and speedy craft lifted
with turbine engines other new-fangied de-
vices The graceful lines OF null and "A high
rating at I-loyds do not appeal 10 him. a con-
rloisseCr of the antique he delights in models
midi nineteenth century shipbullders-Ves-
sels that have reached a ripe maturity and ac-
CURED barnacles and rust in tropic and Arctic
seas II makes no difference If the paint is
scaled fror'a the woodwork. the protective cover
ing scorched from the steam pipes. the deck
seams -awn and everywhere patches show
themselves. His artistic eye is pleased 10y these
signs Of age No shudders would be aroused
in him by the sight of the Flying Dutchman Ii
he ever met that classic antique in his world
~sndeTings- lie would make bargain with
her owners and gladly take her 10 the place
y hare he assemblies his marine bric-a-brac-
some people. overlooking the artistic features.
cali Captain FREDERICK Aleesi merely a naval
junkraan- He is an international collector Of
floating scrzp. the only and original junk dealer
OF the high seas Even from this point of view
= halo ef romance and thrilling adventure sur
rounds his career Anybody with a rudimentary
knowledge of navigation and the aid of his
subordinates could pilot the Lusitanla, but IL
takes a master TO repair worn out, antediiu-
boat ana steer her several lnouSSanu AiiAIeS
on her last mortal trip TO the scrap heap Old
seadogs take off their hats as they speak OF
Captain Aleesi's many rare achievements He
has had hairbreadth escapes, but his nice judg-
,neot has always been a winner and nothing
has happened TO cloud the high reputation ne
gained as officer in the italian navy and sap
tain of the royal Italian yacht There was
more honor in these official jobs. but less money
than IN the captains present occupation
Captain Aleesi left New York with his latest
prize the steamship Andes, aged forty-three
years. On February 90. lie was bound or re-
bound for Genoa. having been compelled 10 put
back for further repairs after his first start
eleven days earlier The Andes had been fixed
IN enough the first time in the masters judg-
1,ent TO Withstand the four thousand miles OF
x-o,-apine on the llonestretch of her career, but
adverse wintry winds and inexperienced
bunch of fireuler conspired with the breakdown
Of the starboard bilge pump TO compel a return
on the third day out There was considerable
excitement in all parts Of the vessel.
The engineers had TO put revolvers 10 the
heads of fireInen who did not like TO work with
water creeping Up their ankles, and some
Italian women passengers made yotive offerings
20 the Virgin on condition that they should be
saved from disaster. On reaching port three of
The crew and two OF the passengers decided that
2 t-izo 10 Italy could he made just as we'll neXt
,-.or Everybody else had full confidence in
master and ship especially when they san new
riv.ts pouI1ded through plates that had shown a
tendency IN bulge out a bilge pump put IN.
fai tar poured in deck seams, ano cement, cot
TO- and planks applied to the inner side OF 'eaky
ee.sra .oIfs.