St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1908-08-12

them was one Reuben Chase, midship-
man on the Ranger afterwards with
ZONES on the Bon Homme Richard"
His conduct in the action with the Ser
apis called for special commendation
bv Zones. The character of Long Tom
Coffin in Coopers novel was drawn
from Chase career.
Maria Mitchell was a native of this
place, and since | have been here there
has been dedicated a monument TO her,
consisting of an observatory in which is
mounted the telescope used by her in
her astronomical observations. Many
Others might be mentioned who have
gained a world wide reputation.
have mentioned how nautical phrases
have become of frequent use in the speech
of the natives. A few instances of hui
morous nature might be cited. a Friend
minister wishing TO urge his congrega-
ton 10 occupy the front seats instead OF
sitting back, said Friend fleet forward;
there is too much weight aft TO sail
we'll" an admonition which might be
used in many meetings | know of at
the present day native attended an
oyster supper probably given in a
church, and on being given a plate of
oyster soup, said, "See here, waiter, /
want some more oysters These here
are a days sail apart A Nantucket
woman said to one of her children,
Take this and carry it TO Cousin
Phoebe and tell her this squares the
yards with us, and thee must scud for it
is most school time" Another woman
seeing a neighbours son going down to
the beach in a bathing suit SAYS, There
goes Johnnie scudding under bare poles. y
This was written with reference to
some of the sailors graves:
Tired OF tempest and racing wind,
Tired OF the spoutng breaker,
Here they came, at the end to ind
Rest in the silent acre.
Feet pass over the graveyard turf,
Tn from the sea or downward
one way leads to the raging surf
one TO the peNls downward.
Hearken hcarkeu' the dead mer call
Whose is the step that passes
Knows he not we are safe from all,
Under the noddng grasses
Nantucket has many old landmarks
| which are kept in condition for the
summer visitors to see. The old wind
mill is a very interesting and picturesque
object. 1t stands on an eminence back
of the town and was built in 1746. Its
| timbers are of oak and is in fine state
| of preservation. 1t was used occasion
ally for grinding corn as late as 1892
The "Iethro Coffin" house is another
interesting place to visit. 1t was built
in 1886, this fact being clearly indicated
by these figures in relief on the brick
chimney. On the opposite side OF the
chimney from the date is a horse shoe
also built in the brick. This is oper to
visitors and contains some very interest
| ing relics of the island and the old whal-
ing days.
The old north vestry now in the rear
of the Congregational church was built
in iii. 1t still retains it's old interior
with the heavy oak timbers shown and
| the plastering between. 1t is used by
the society for social meetings and for
regular church services during the
winter. The Captains building, built in
1865, is used by the famous Captain
| Club" and also as custom house.
The Captains club was an association
of the old whaling captains now includ-
ing many of the prominent men of the
island, and is where the yarns of the old
whaling days are still spun 1t is very
interesting to sit and listen to the tales
told of the old days. They also have
many valuable and interesting relics.
have spoken of the Historical Associa-
ton. 1t is extremely interesting to visit
these rooms and read the old whaling
log books and other ancient records. |
quote the following as showing the
records as written in the log books
ship Charles Carroll bound for Sand
witch Islands 1888.
Tuesday Oct. 9.
Commenced with light winds from
East. Steered south Saw nothing
worth note Employed mending steven
Boat Middle Lay by under short sail,
later steered to South. At 8 a. m. saw
shoIe sperm whales, lowered the Boats,
got 4 shole whales and one Calf took
long side. Cut in two, lay by So. East
Saw ship to the west.
Wednesday Oct. 10.
Light Breezes from w. n. w. lay by
with two whales Alongside. At day
light Cut them in. Commenced Boiling
out. One ship in sight Cutting in at
4 p. m. this day saw shole sperm whales
going to s. S. W, lowered the boats
night come on could not strike So. E.
light airs and Gains from w. N. w. with
a heavy swell from n. W. One ship in
sight.
Q Lat. 1924.
Long. 15400.
But the places of interest are
too numerous to mention them all in