The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-01-22
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THE OBSERVATORY

* 4 4 4 kkk& R&&& \
The remarks last week about the
ship-masters of whaling vessels awak-
cned many memories of them. One
of those with whom | conferred had
been very successful, and as popular
with his crews as he was successful
Whenever 1t was known that Cap foe
laber was to take a ship there were
always plenty OF young men anxious
to go with him. He told me he never
had any trouble with crew; that
while many Captains carried fire arms
on board he never did. exccpt once
when the arms belonged to the ship.
lie was careful and thoughtful of his
crew; had once gone down the har-
Dor with him for a days fishing; we
tied up to a spindle-buoy; the sea
was perfectly calm except the rolf;
1t was not long before ! was deathly
sea-sick; | was ashamed and tried to
hide the fact, but | soon saw the Cap
tain hauling in his line and casting
Oft from the buoy; turning to me he,
in his quiet pleasant voice asked, |
on are not feeling well, are you Mr..
o.? To be truthful ! had to confess
that | was not feeling irst-rate. Then
he insisted on taking me UP the Bay |
and harbor; and when | demonstrated |
that | was not feeling lirst-ratc. Then |
replied that he could come any day.
and besides, he said, when | first |
as boy went to sea | was very sick |
for weeks, and suffered beyond des- /
cription, and | then vowed that if | |
recovered | would always try to be
considerate of those sea-sick, and |
always was with such sufferers among
my crews and all others could help"
Then he told me many incidents of his
crews and voyages, for one thing he
said he never called man by a nick
name, and, except in an emergency.
like a gale of wind, etc. he ALWAYS
put his commands as a request, will
you do this?' As he told me this | re,
called that | had been recently at
the Cunard steamer dock at East
Boston as one of their boats was be-
ing warped into its berth. And as I
stood on the dock | heard a Young
man on the vessels deck, apparently !
not more than twenty one or two l
years old, but with gold lace on his
cap showing he was an officer, direct
ing a sailor who was grey-bearded l
but had light-colored hair; and he
shouted out to him, Here, YOU red
headed devil!' The sailor did not ap
pear to notice it; and it would have
made no difference if he had, for a
superior on ship-board is absolute t
lord and master. |
Another of my friends had lust re c
turned from an almost four wears vow c
age, and in conversation told me many {
interesting facts, among them recall {
his speaking of the fine charts of the
British Government, that they had
perfected, surveyed and chartcd even
their remote possessions; and told me
OF an experience of his on the coast {
Of New Zealand. one of the coasts
which has long sea-line of high
rocky bluffs, with no harbor for MANY
niles; he was cruising on that coast
or whales when he noticed that sud c
lcnly the barometer began falling {
md falling fast, with the reckoning he
lad made the day before he consulted
lis British chart, and found he was
veil out at sea opposite a narrow. but c
Ieep inlet to large land-locked har- c
'or, and the only one for many miles
p and down that coast. And he
new the reputation of the wild storms
i that region; his vessel might ont {
We severe gale, but if he could make c
nat inlet he would be safe. So he {
made sail for it, the gale coming on: c
'etore sunset he made out the break c
n the coaSt-line. but it was pitchdark
nd wild sea, before he could enter
he channel; but he had carefully laid
IS course, followed the directions of {;
ne chart, kept his sounding lead go G.