Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-06-19
Went To Sea At Sixteen.
CAPT. BosWoRTH BATH FAMOUS sEWALL
SHIPS

Capt Fred Sted Rosworth of Bath
for number of years sailed for the
famous Sewall family. owners of sorue
of the worlds largest and hest known
ships.
Capt. Bosworth was born in Bath
July Z, 1885. "a son of Capt Robert
Bosworth. At the age of IL he made
his first voyage, accompanying his ia
Their as boy of-all- work on the three
masted ship Rockaway, S15 tons. built
by the late Maj. Thomas Harvard OF
Bath. The Rock1way was then EN-
gas ed in the cotton trade between New
Orleans and Liverpool, then returning
to New York ard going from there
bacl, to New Orleans for another car
go. Later this vessel was commanded
by the mate, Capt Samuel r. Goodwin.
who recently died in Dresden.
A. the age of 10 he was promoted to
second mate aboard the ship Mongolia
a craft of 1000 tons. which rad the dis
tinotion of being the only vessel up to
that time that had ever sailed from
the t<ennebec river under the exclu
sipe ownership of one man, he beinf
the late Gen. Joseph Berry.
From the Mongolia he went to tho
ship Merrirac. 1850 tons, built by the
late Augustus Arnold OF Bath an6
commanded by Cape. Hatch. After {
single voyage she was sold in New
Orleans. Following her safe Mr.. Bos
worth become mate Of various vessel.
for a couple of years and at the age Of
25 was given command OF the ship
Nigilant. built and owred by the Bath
firm of e. e A. Sewall.
She engaged in the Atlantic trade.
having heen built in 1859 and was a
trife under 1000 tons
Il was quite proud of her" said
Capt. Bosw orth to the Globe cores
pondent, 'for you see. he added, "she
was my first vessel, and l had put all
my money into her. II was not a very
lucky venture for me, and | well re
member the first voyage l made in
her."
II was about the time the Civil war
broke out He took her out Of the
Kennebec river in the fall Of 1850. She
carried cargo of deals for Bristol.
Eng. There was nothing of excitement
OH the voyage across. making Bristol
in - days, and then loaded railway
iron for New Orleans. The vessel was
a stanch one. and arrived at the
southern city in March. 1861, after a
rough trip, hut with no damage.
Here the captain told of the exciting
period which had then developed in
New Orleans which was fast becoming
a warm place for Yankees. Many of
the southern states had already Sc
coded, and the breaking out of war
was expected at any time.
The Union dag was nowhere to he
seen. but instead, that of the Confed-
eracy. The few northern vessels there
hardly ventured to hoist the stars and
stripes, as sentiment was 50 strong
against it. Capt. Besworth considered
it for the best interests Of all con-
eerned il he could get quick char
ter and sail away before actual hostil-
tiles commenced.
lie was fortunate in this respect.
getting a full cargo of oak slaves for
Bordeaux, France. 1t was not a vaIu-
able cargo. but 1t was the best he
could do, but before he could get
away Sumter had been fired upon and
troops were being dispatched constant
ly to Richmond.
A few northern ships had previously
loaded cotton at low rate and had
been towed to the bar at the mouth
of the river, where they waited until
the cea tugs could get them out. The
water was very shoal at that season
of the year and the vessels had to be
dragged through two or three feet of
mud and it required two very power
full tugs to do it.