Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-12-30

Wo3ko make Q model p1ctufe. II ID
village OF the sea, and ~ might b
expected, its people are largely devoted in
one form or another to the ocean. Filming
may be called the leading industry and
here ID the home Of many brave and
hardy mariner. No finer sailors can b
found in the world than those whose
homes are here. So well 10 this fact rec
ognized that the crews for the cup
defenders in the great international yacht
races have been recruited here, and ON
every one Of these great occasions the
victory has largely been due to their sea-
manship.
Conspicuous among the leaders OF these
| gentleman who recruited the men needed
! in this work. None but the very best
sailors were wanted, and to the judgment
OF Capt. Weed the selection was left.
In many respects Capt. Weed is re-
marka BILE man, He is q native OF the soil,
having been born here in 1S43, and like .
duck taking naturally to the water. At
nine years OF age he was on the deck Of .
vessel commencing his life career, and
when nineteen years old he was COM
mander OF the bark K. H. knight. He has
now retired, with . record possessed
by but few men in this country. During
the years that he followed the SEQ he Wis
tied twenty-eight different countries and
to-day holds . Steamboat and vessel IL
cense to 60 to any part OF the world. In
other words he can take vessel OF any
L -
description into any navigable waters OF
the globe. Capt. Weed retired some four
teen years ago, but he still has sumcient
business to occupy his restless energy ana
active mind.
When c. Oliver islin, admiral OF the
New York yacht club, wanted crew Tor
the Defender, it was to Capt. Weed that
he turned. The contract was accepted ana
thirfy-nine men ana Two quaftefmssters
were furnished. The great battle was won
and Deer Isle had NATIONAL reputation
for able seamen established.
Then came the next great contest the
was selected to defend the cup. Again
lsiin turned to Capt. Weed and this time
forty men, four quarfefmasters and the
second mate were furnished. Again was
the Judgment Of Capt. Weed justided, and
once again the banners of old England
were dipped to the sailors OF Deer Isle. 1t
was marvellous victory, and one that
never could have been wrested from Eng
land except BY most skillfnl seamanship.
In speaking to the Journal OF these events
Capt Weed said:
sOf course the Defender and the Column
bia were both tine sailing yachts, but the
lines Of vessel do not always win the
race. IT requires brains and this applies
to the men who man the craft as well as
to the commander who directs their move
ments. We have the finest sailors in the
world right around this village, and it
was my good fortune to engage them for
the great international races. We paid
them sa5 per month with board and i've
dollars extra Tor every race. This included
trial races and all 1t was q good thing
for the men and still bitter thing for
lslin Every one OF these men was born
right here on the island and they were all
men OF keen intelligence. In fact, any Of
them could take command and navigate
q vessel il called upon to DO 80. After the
races were over heard an Engilshman say
that II their yachts had been manned by
our Deer Isle sailors they would have won.
! know OF no higher compliment than
that.
"Commodore lslin, who financed the
races for this country, is one OF the finest
men ever met. He 10 not only very gen.
erons, but 10 eminently fair in all his
sporting events. After the races had been
won he told me that Deer Isle was entitled
to the greatest credit for finer manage
ment OF his yacht he had never seen.
received many applications for these men
to take command OF fne yachts from the
great lakes and other quarters. Out Of
this crew Of forty men no less than twelve
became commanders - . result Of the race.
You win see by this that Deer Isle has