Ellsworth American., 1912-06-19
WHEN / SAILED UNDER
THE ENGLISH FLAG.
written Tor TsK AMKHtcsE by Capt. NJ. v.
Babhidgc. OF Colts Island

written Tor TaK AMERICAN by Capt NJ. v.
Rabhidxc, OF Colts Island.
In Dcesmber, 1851, was returning to
Boston from Smyrna, Asia Minor, in the
bark Race Horse, with cargo OF figs and
raisins. | was one OF the eight men before
the mast. In the crew was one William
Cpnway,s fine fellow, whom | liked ex-
ccedingly we'll.
A few days before we arrived In Boston
he asked me which way intended to go
for the next voyage. ! told him had
thought nothing about 1t. lie said ssI.et's
you and ship in the bark Spr,ngbok -
he said be had been in her the voyage be-
fore, and that she was fine vessel, and
had the oest man for captain he ever
sailed under. She ran as n packet be-
tween Boston and Cape Haitien, on the
island OF Hsyti.
When We arrived in Boston, we went to
the Office Of the owners OF the springbok,
A. s. 81 g. w. Lewis, on the south side OF
Rowe's wharf, to ascertain where the ves-
sci was, and when she was due. The
owners told us that she was doe in one
week.
Will Conway, as we called him, be-
ionged in Ncwbaryport. He told me to
go and tell the captain that he wanted
chance for the pair OF us. was to write
him when the bark arrived and when abe
would be ready to sail, in time for him
to Join her. / did as he desired, ana had
no difficulty in getting berth for each of
us.
was somewhat surprised TO learn that
the captain, both mates, the stewards and
one man before the mast were Norwe-
gians. The vessel looked to me to be
what sailors would call diving bell-2ss
tons burden, British register; was under
the English flag, hsiliug from Turks Is
land. looked heri thoroughly over, and
learned that she was built in Falmouth,
Eng, for a yacht, with any amount of
brass work to be kept shining.
sha had been fitted out by parties in
England for blockade-runner with a
full cargo of contraband OF war, and was
captured of the Einnthera island by the
gunboat Sanorna, under command OF Rear
Admiral Charles Wilkes, when she was
trying to get into some southern port. A
prize crew was put on board, and she was
sent to New York and contiscated, but
through some technioality she was still
kept under the English flag. and was char
tered by the firm OF 4. s. 4 q. W. Lewis,
II was said for the term OF ninety nine
years, who ran her as packet to Cape
Haitien, taxing out general cargo, and re-
turning with logwood and coffee.
The bark was fast being loaded, and
Monday morning | asked Capt. Lorsen
when h. would need my chnm, WIN Con-
way. He told me to write for him to be
on hand Thursday morning. wrote him
and mailed the letter that forenoon.
Now comes what think the most
singular incident OF my life. While the
SpFingbok was being loaded, the bark
Race Horse, the one | and my chum had
sailed In last was taken down to the head
OF Rows's wharf and the stevedores COM
menced loading -seain for Smyrna. /
was down tot she captain wanted
meto 20 wiz im. The mate said
the Springbok: 'i'li
W ne,' feet soaked, II you
N r. t 10 told him that viii
Ia "a sas all right, and he
WW Nsnid sail together, and
uvt edisappointed IL should
~ 81 would have shipped at
y Capt. Searles, and also Mr..
<N|e. who was the captains
one of5Saf ~-'
fading OF the SpriDgbok was
III tnt Wednesday afternoon, the
ere pat on, and work OF clearing
iEC ~ began. We were to meet at the
,ouse at IL a. M, and | expected
M would be there early on that
-------~ out for some unknown reason, he
ed to come. ALI the sailors were on
ID except William, the one who in
ed me to go in the Springbok, instead
he Race Horse. Our captain waited