The Republican journal., 1910-02-10

pea INTO a frenzy OF uninterrupted mad
ness with nothing in the complete sweep
of the circle to mar the fine marine pic
ture. And how delightful to watch from
the extreme end of the vessel the curves
of the sails and the motion of the ship as
she slanted into the gale. From the end
OF the spanker boom to the tip Of the jib-
boom there were four hundred feet of
towering, shivering canvas, each sail
being wrought into action by natures
wind. AS thing of beauty is a Joy for
ever, so a sailing vessel is forever de-
light to the eye. Sails are an inspira-
ton, while a smoke stack is ugliness it.
self. But as man must have a steamer
to do his bidding-he must of necessity
also rob the sea of mans master handi-
work of strength, grace and beauty, the
sailing ship, and the seas real romances
Of ropes and rigging will then have to
give way to the engineers mathematical
calculations of horse power and boilers.
1t is a satisfaction to know that there
are still on the American coast sails to
look upon, be they only yachts and
schooners.
To return to the progress of the
schooner Northland: she had been blown
so far out to sea by the Norther that
shore, and then the passenger was given
another treat in schooner tactics, to see
the bringing around of great four mas
ter. As in jibing the topsails must be
taken in first and then the engine was
hooked onto the foresail and spanker
sheet. The Captain was at the wheel,
mates and sailors about the deck. AS
the skipper sang out, H-a-r- d-a-l-e-e the
engine pulled the spanker Qast sail to
windward, and held the foresail first
SAID to leeward. By this action the two
extreme canvas ings--forward and aft
were placed in opposite directions, so that
the wind would blow the vessels stern
one way and bow the other, and with
the helm hard over and the center sails
swinging over themselves, the schooner
was around in two minutes and on the
other tack.
The lacking was done so easily and
skillfuly that spectator might yearn
for the excitement of lacking aboard a
big square-rigger when the first com
mand is-Stations! s-q-u-a-r-e the
Gro lick yard, and then begins the
fun of hauling the many yards over to
catch the wind on the other side of the
ship, and getting her round before she
misstays. A square-rigger of the size
of the schooner Northland would take
twice as long to bring her around and
would require a crew of thirty officers
and men, whereas the Northland was
readily handled with thirteen all told. AS
this crew was representative of the
American coasting fleet it is of interest
to know the kind of men who are now
manning our sailing vessels and from
what corners of the world they come
The Captain, Charles H. Saunders, is
commander of whom any American
would be proud. A skipper of the type
when Yankee clippers were found on all
the seven seas, and the Stars and Stripes
We're seen in every port. He is firm, de-
cisive, commanding, at the same time
good natured, gentlemanly and courte-
GUS. A native Of Maine, at the age of
fifteen he was apprenticed to a ship
bound for China, and he has been sailing
ever since. 1t needed only few min
utes' talk with Capt. Saunders to con-
vince traveller that life and property
at sea would be safe in his hands.
First Mate Leo Maguin hailed from
California, and was live mate in every
respect, taking great pride in his knowl-
edge of seamanship, and in keeping
vessel spick and span. He had sailed
among Norwegian sailors for such a
leugth of time that he spoke with
Scandinavian accent.
Second Mate, Jack Mccoy. Here was
the sailor Of fiction, poetry and the stage
A regular, rollicking, rowing, happy go
lucky jack tar who lived neither for yes
terday or tomorrow, only for TODAY
Jack first saw daylight in Newfoundland.
and quickly took to the surrounding
ocean. He had sailed on all kinds Of
ships and under different flags, and could
spin yarns of all nations. His spare
time aboard ship was spent in weaving
mats, and he was therefore known as
Jack the Weaver, Jack the Rover, and
Jack the Sailor, and was also blessed
with an extra stock of Irish wit. When
the Northland was out of sight of New
York and headed for the Maine coast.
Jack said she was sailing to the United
States.
Two very important officers aboard
the vessel were the engineers, Davis and
Tenny-one in charge of the hosting
engine, the other of the gasoline. They
were two fine sons of Maine.
The last, and not least, of the officers
were the Japanese steward, whose duties
began at half past three in the morning,