The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-13

wears since he had tried to get any insurance on it. He remembered the last three times he had tried to obtain policy on the Sea Guii' and he also remembered the shout of derisiVe laughter which had greeted him when he told the name of the vessel
 You ought to be prosecuted for taking any humans on such a hulk" an insurance agent In Rio Janeiro told him when he sought to get some insurance on the vessel, bound for New Orleans with a cargo of coffee. If you strike 0 mild wind in the Caribbean Sea that old hulk will turn turtle on you,' the agent jeered at him as Marvin, with a muttered curse, left the office
 But the Sea Gull right into a real hurri- cane when it struck the gulf, and in the four days it fought with the fierce winds and the heavy seas there were many better vessels in the same waters which went down and were never heard from. But the Sea Gull rode through 1t all and passed safely through the Southeast Pass into the Mississippi River. and then laid up in quarantine for twenty-one days before it's cargo could be landed.
 Then there was load of yellow pine to be taken to Christiania, Norway, and the crazy old tramp carried it safely over. Somehow or other, Marvin never had trouble getting a cargo for his vessel. Insurance men wouldn't even bother looking at it. Some of them had exam ined it dozen years before and since then none would even approach it. But the shippers felt like the sailors who went with Hummer. and swore that the Sea Gull still had its best days before it. It might spring leaks it might en- counter the fiercest of hurricanes, but still it
 civ, if had sprung dozen leaks.
 Once, when it carrying cargo of phos' phate from Tampa to Valencia, it ran into fear ful weather, which lasted six weeks. The seams of the old hulk were torn open and it groaned like human in distress, while water literally poured in on the heavy cargo. But it kept ahoat How, no one seems to know. But it was almost helpless, and after 1t finally went through the Strait of Gibraltar there were take it over salvage.
 But old Marvin warned them off and they kept their distance. and after fourteen weeks from the time 1t left Tampa, the ancient hulk stumbled into the port of Valencia
 It was after the trip from Rio and the voyage across to Chrstiania that it appeared the vessel would never be able to put to again.
 When the lumber was unloaded Marvins crew put up a strenuous protest against going on the Gull again. Marvin heard them out paid them and let them go. Then he went down to the docks and sized up his vessel The hull was so covered with patches that one would have a difficult time determining which were the original timbers. It the same all through the boat.
 ..It's certainly an old tub, and I doubt if I. could make another voyage" thought the old man as he puffed away at his pipe and calmly surveyed the craft. T never seen crazier- looking thing in my life. but good luck goes with her and if I can get a crew and cargo we'll go out again. Nothing but good luck goes with her. but don't believe 1t can East any too long,.
 In fact the old man, in the past two or three years had often seriously figured on trying to get rid of the old craft. But he hesitated for two reasons. One the ridlcule which would meet any proposition to sell. and the other the