The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1918-03-21
TAKE LADS OF 20
AS SHIP OFFICERS
Many Being Accepted for Train
ing by the United States
Shipping Board.
GOES BACK TO THE old DAYS
Traditions Of the Service Justify the
Choice Of Lads for Responsible
Positions-career of Cap
tain Slsbee.

Washington.-Lads less than twen-
ty, already experienced sailors, are ap-
plying these days to the United States
shipping board for training as officers
In the new merchant marine. Many OF
them are accepted, and not few al
ready are serving as juniors on the
bridges of some of the largest liners
passing through the war zone waters
of Europe.
Lads of twenty were sturdy seafar-
ing men, ruling their quarterdecks
and tanning the rough company of
their forecastles by their own pluck
and resOurcefulness, in the days when
our forefathers were creating a mer-
chant marine whose achievements
form one of the finest pages of Amer
lean history.
Nathaniel Silsbee of Salem, who af-
forwards became United States sena-
tor from Massachusetts in company
with Daniel Webster, took command
of the new ship Benjamin of 161 tons
burden, laden with a costly cargo of
merchandise and bound out from Mas
sachusetts bay 30 the Cape of Good
Hope and India, In 1892, when not
nineteen years old.
The first American flag had entered
the harbors of Bombay and Calcutta
only four years before, on the ship At
lantic.
beginning In 1917, with capital
consisting of q Testament, a Bow
ditch quadrant, chest of sea clothes
and a mothers blessing, Nathaniel
Silsbee, then only fourteen years old,
left the paternal mansion in Salem full
Of hope and good resolution to en-
bark on his first voyage, which was to
Baltimore as captains clerk; at twen-
'tw-eight he had made his fortune and
retired from the sea; at thirty-six was
the head of the largest American
house In China.
The resOurcefulness Of Nathaniel
Silsbee was never better illustrated
than by his first voyage in command
of his first ship, the Benjamin.
Sold at Big Profit.
On the passage from the Cape Of
Good Hope to the Isle of France (Mau-
ritius), Captain Silsbee fell in with
French frigate that gave him news Of
the beginning of the war between
France and England. On this news
reaching the Isle Of France, prices
rose by leaps and bounds. The cargo
of the Benjamin was quickly sold at
"a profit that dazzled her commander.
As fast as he could, he turned the
paper currency he received into Span
ish dollars. Then for six months an
embargo was laid on all foreign YES
sells In port. During this time the
Spanish dollars increased to three
times the value Of paper money, and
yet, for lack Of an outlet, the products
of the island did not advance in price.
Nathaniel Silsbee abandoned his
plan Of keeping on to Calcutta. He
sold his Spanish dollars, loaded coffee
and spices, and started FOR home.
Proceeding no farther than the Cape
of Good Hope, he scented another
chance to fatten his owners pocket
book.
THE Cape Of Good Hope was held
by the Dutch" he said In later years,
:"and 1t so happened that I was the
only master Of foreign vessel then
in port of whom bond had not been
required to proceed to a French port.
Two other Salem ships were in port;
I put on board them such portion Of
my cargo as I knew would considera-
bly, more than pay the whole cost Of
my ship and cargo, sold the residue,
and invested the proceeds in a full
cargo of wine and other articles which
I knew to be In great demand In those
islands.s
Captain Silsbee sold his cargo for
three times its cost at the Isle Of
France, and again loaded for home.
Warned by Governor.
He was nearly ready to sail when he
got word that another embargo was
likely. Hastily putting to sea, he was
obliged to anchor next day at the Isle
Of Bourbon for provisions. A mysti-
flying experience that he met here he
related thus:
"Just as was about stepping from
the wharf into my boat, the French
governor of the island ordered me to
his presence. obeyed with strong ap-
r.
to be put upon me. On meeting the
governor, he asked me: How long do
you contemplate staying in BourbonT
My answer was, Not more than a day
or two Can't you leave here to-
nightT he asked. I replied, IF you
wish It. Then he added. AS you had
the politeness to call on me this morn
ing, and as should be sorry to see
you injured, hearken to my advice
and leave here tonight II possible
"He cautioned me to secrecy, and I
was on board as soon as possible after
leaving him.
"There was a war-brig at anchor in
the harbor, a little to windward Of
my own vessel; toward midnight had
the anchor hove up without noise, and
let the ship adrift without making any
sail until we had lost sight of the war.