Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-02-17

Bath, Me, Feb, 16.-Probably the
last of the many kennebec- built square
riggers to show her clouds of sail on
her home stream, the old Bowdoinham
bark Sea King, on her last voyage be-
fore being reduced to the ranks of the
ugly coal barges, arrived here today,
1863 days out from Tacoma. Washing
ton. Capt. H. Gilespie's log showed
that the old bark stood up well, losing
neither man, sail nor spar, despite
several sessions Of bad weather. in
Guiding a Cape Horn 'norther' In
fact, the Sea King arrived several days
ahead of schedule and entirely unan-
nounced, not having been spoken since
she sighted Pitcairn island in the Pa
cific on oct. %. AS cargo the Sea King
carried 100000 feet of lumber and, in
dcating the irony of fate, 215 spars
such as she is so soon to be stripped of.
The Sea King left Tacoma Sept. /
and after passing out by Cape Flattery
on the I'd, sighted land only twice be-
I'lC mel cl NV al mere tbudy. IllcdlTll
island known as the "LonesomeSt place
in the world inhabitant by white men"
was the first such welcome relief. and
the little Isle OF Norehna on the Bra
zalian coast sighted Jan. 4. was the
last until the old bark passed in by
Seguin, at the mouth of the Kennebec
river. The Sea King had never pre-
viously passed in by Seguin. this being
her first return since she left follow
ing her launching at Bowdonham in
1877.
1t is probable that such a sight will
never again be accorded the people as
the old bark coming up the river The
only trouble during the voyage was the
depletion of the crews tobacco supply.
This happened AZ days ago. Up to the
time of reaching port they found a sub
stitute-smoked tea and molasses.
Bowdoinham. Me, Feb 16.-(SpeciaD.
The good bark Sea King. built
here in 1887, arrived today at
Bath with a cargo of 100000 feet of
lumber including oregon timber,
StoN cSt lutliDti, SlIcl palm
and 300 spars for Morse Brothers of
that city. This voyage will end the
career of the Sea King as a bark, as
this spring she will be shorn of her
picturesque and stately rig and pre-
pared for the ignominious service of
being towed up and down the coast
as barge.
The arrival of the Sea King at Bath
will be in the nature of a sensation and
hundreds of people from Bowdoinham
and Richmond are planning to visit
her before she is dismantled. 1t has
been so long since a Kennebec built
ship has arrived at a Maine port. and
especially with cargo direct for the
Pacific coast. that this voyage of the
Sea King is attracting a great deal Of
attention from the shipping men all
over the state.
The Sea King sailed from Tacoma
about the first of February.
The Sea King was built in Bow
doinham in 1877 by Master Builder
John p. Rideout in his yard at the
foot of Main street. now for many
years deserted. Master George II.
Theobald was ships husband. The
vessel cost $4,000, which amount was
divided between some ten share hold
ers. She was a vessel of 1891 tons
over 200 feet long and "a feet deep.
Loaded her draft was q feet.
1t was in December 1877 that Capt.
Benjamin Adams took command of
the Sea King in Bath and sailed to
Charleston with a cargo of pressed hay.
At Charleston the vessel was loaded
with sea island cotton. S2S4,000 worth
being placed between decks, it being
the most valuable cargo the vessel
ever carried. In nineteen days the Sea
King was in Liverpool. After voy
age from Liverpool to San Francisco
and return Capt. Adams took the ship
to Philadelphia and loaded with cased
oil for Japan. On his return he
brought a cargo of green or wet sugar
from Fomosa to New York and then
turned the ship over to Capt George
I. Getchell. Capt. Adams being trans
ferred to the command of the ship
Reuce which was built in kenne-
bunk in 1881.
Capt. Getchell commanded the Sea