a, tH

Wi
~ OLD-TIME SHIPS
OF SALEM

SCHOONER BALTICK COMING OUT OF ST. EUSTATIA,

NOV. 16, 1765

SECOND EDITION

ESSEX INSTITUTE
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
1922
 Copyricut, 1917,
Copyricut, 1922,
by ESSEX INSTITUTE

This book
was presented by

10-G-

Ghe Nichols Press

Lynn, Mass.
 INTRODUCTION

the year of its settlement in 1628 until the middle of the 19th century, Salem,
in the Massachusetts Bay, was a maritime port surpassed in size and importance by
only two or three other seaports along the Atlantic coast which were more advan-
with the
tageously located on deep-water harbors and which at the last were developed
amazing growth of the canal and the railroad. Within a dozen years of the coming of
England
Governor Endecott, vessels from Salem were trading with the West Indies and
and the enterprise and self-reliance of the merchants and shipmasters of this town eventually
of all
opened commercial relations with new and distant peoples living upon the shores
parts of the known world. It has been said with truth that Salem ships traded “ with more
ships of
different peoples in Asia, Africa, South America and the islands of the sea than the
all other American ports put together.”
carried on
The ketches, sloops, barks and other vessels with which the trade was
and there
before the Revolution, now have disappeared and only a drawing preserved here
trade
delineates their type and rig. However, with the greater development of the foreign
obtain a
at the close of the 18th century, it became the fashion among the shipmasters to
the home
watercolor depicting the good ship that brought them safely and successfully to
the Med-
port. This was especially true of those vessels trading with Europe and along
patronage
iterranean, where at Marseilles, Genoa and Trieste were artists who sought the
of the Yankee captains. In time many of these drawings by the Roux family, by Corné,
illus-
Carcini, Camellote, Pelligrini, Ropes and others, gravitated to that unique collection
Salem.
trating the commercial marine which is now preserved in the Peabody Museum,
these ship
In 1902 the Asiatic National Bank of Salem conceived the idea of reproducing
pictures in color and utilizing them-upon calendars. One ship followed another in unbroken
bank the
series and in 1910 when the Naumkeag Trust Company succeeded the old-time
~coMnnred “until ata thes present, time'styent y different vessels have been
practice was
depicted.
a number
In this volume these NiSroa Sustiations have been gathered together with
of pictures of other Salem ships. The accompanying accounts of trade or misfortune
originally
were written by Hon. Robert S. Rantoul or Mr. William O. Chapman, and
appeared with the calendars. They are here reprinted in a somewhat condensed form.
it is hoped
The history of Salem’s maritime commerce has not yet been written and
the enter-
that this contribution may aid in keeping alive an admiration and respect for
old-time merchants and also help to arouse a faith and a deter-
prise of her far-sighted
known in
mination that American vessels again shall sail the four seas and again be well
“the farthest port of the rich East.”

[3]

SCs
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Privateer ship ““America”’ at Marseilles in 1806 ............... Anton Roux, artist 32

Ship “America,” formerly the French frigate “Blonde” .......... M. Corné, artist 10
Schooner “Baltick” leaving St. Eustatia in 1765............................ Title page
Ship ‘‘Belisarius”’ leaving Crowninshield’s wharf ................ M. Corné, artist 8
Sing “Bometia,” at heginorin tim IOS ....ccoonncocccesacccoseccansscenagesuces 34
Ships Brookline? leavingssalemifon Manilayim) 1839) 3599)
asee see eee 76
Brigne@amalyrianley Msc tesetertatyetiecnte
sstcsiccdlewnc mrarsame uh autiye eed Frederic Roux, artist 58
Siltipomey Caro lian ce evel eeNeyer eneieMn miefies sidccc rate eceti eI Raat oi es Ae Pe 64
Brig ‘“‘Cleopatra’s Barge” at Genoa in 1817............../ Antoine Vittaluga, artist 48
Crowinshield’s Wharf, Salem, during the embargo of 1808 ....George Ropes, artist 54
Ship ‘“‘Eliza Ann,” showing the rescue, in Nov., 1845, of the crew of a Chinese junk 70
Drips lizapamGe iN aay tear yaa vaca eta el LoPanee sre een Stee carmen eae So 86
Frigate “Essex,” built in Salem in 1799.................... Joseph Howard, artist 24
Lawineln On tne Shujy “lame” tm IGO2 ..oos5c0000ccensccanaace George Ropes, artist 38
Shipp anny eae weiner meee ty skeen cua neheyarea opto seaah eee M. Corné, artist 18
Snes reera ra es ets tereta asa cise ee Spee eMa i ShetS: Soyo ures bate ae eR LR recent 80
Slats er clsanyo seeceeete ree were cremsmieeea cheeect. cotbatyeaee schSeayora? te cans ty tan ee ee ly Reem raat 12
Slo “Eeorge” Ob Cape AMM oo ooccascececscoogaassv0gcnen Edmund Stone, artist 44
Sinton Gay ears nsvest usean erik cre usa aS Gee mete tai Steve yew atch eee Anton Roux, artist 46
Brig “Grand Turk” saluting Marseilles in 1815 ............... Anton Roux, artist 40
Sin “lelercullas” att Naples tim ISO oo ccecccccccacasevccvcdvcesvccsnccadecucns 36
Sina “Theis.” leawatiag INeypllas tim WOO 2... cavcocsccacanaccongcvcavcscncuuccccusee 72
Bricmeslecandenaentenines omynnasiinie (Ss 0Senses ie nn Gi. Camellote, artist 52
Shipman ganetyee peste ngayon. neo ea i Avon saphena eta taeM. Corné, artist 28
Brisa Vianyabaulimewatormenkysany alin Caneslaviciieine et) iar nnn ernne 66
Ship ‘‘Monk” at Marseilles in 1806 .-.................. Nicolai Carmelliert, artist 42
Shipee Mount aViernontc tami. acute eames ieee aad eos dived Soe M. Corné, artist 20
Brig “Naiad,” leaving Marseilles for India in 1820............. Anton Roux, artist 84
Bic peace Ke Suances re yee ater ea gin arathena Rite a sre seieues auth oeUe st cca cnet tea ROR er 78
Brig “Olinda” leaving Marseilles in 1827 .............. '....Francois Roux, artist 56
Brigantine “Peggy.” Painting on a Liverpool ware pitcher made in 1797........ 14
Brig “‘Phoenix”’ entering Genoa in 1829 ................. Antoine Vittaluga, artist 50
Ship yeetbs uc Om beakaiecte eae cost tare cctener Mesa chspesedtye tet) axaneraunas Gayehenaye ueAten epee ited ta ie 26
Ship omesleavinigeVlarseillessimy S48 ieee eee ee S. Pelligrini, artist 62
Sin “Sie, awl” eatcoaiayy Saillern Ingyelovor win WEVNS 5 con caaaccc0cavaecsc0ccc0nn0be 60
Syitoy 8S yopola vaSanaa rin eeic. re reece ickelecto ace nec reer omen ene es RN aE 66
1BciteKeaneeS eo One rtete neers yeoone Utes eu ceistntth pe nawecetn. gf csaah Shapers usntaseu a oceraeneensise 58
Shippepbhomaseh erkeinsh2ay wert eva sepest wi sens tony cae eeasice stems eee euceeM oats 68
Ship ‘ Ulysses,” wrecked on Cape Cod in 1802 .................. M. Corné, artist 22
Ship ‘‘ Ulysses” (second of the name) at Marseilles, 1804 ....... Anton Roux, artist 16
Sinisa Onagen wire ease: Mice horses bysmie tem Ravaie ava Wika li mia A nD inn 82
Ship ‘‘ Volusia,” wrecked on Cape Cod in 1802 .................. M. Corné, artist 30

[5]
yf megs burmory Myre, Yap JYOY0 rat HY apry,
el
te
 SHIP BELISARIUS
The good ship “Belisarius,’ painted by 1809, nobody but a Crowninshield had
Corné, before 1805, as she was leaving owned a share in the “Belisarius.” Her
Crowninshield’s wharf, — a large merchant- voyages to the East were among the earliest
man for her day, — was built by Enos Briggs and the quickest. But her career was
at his shipyard at Stage Point in the South checkered.
Fields. She was launched in October, 1794, She entered this Port from her first voy-
and cleared in November. She was, on the age, July 26, 1795, George Crowninshield,
stocks, a ship of two hundred and nine tons Junior, Master, with tea, coffee and indigo
burthen, but was at once enlarged to two for the firm, paying in duties $14,324.00,
hundred and sixty-one and one-half tons. and again, she entered, September 2, 1796,
She was pierced for sixteen guns and mount- with the same cargo and captain. In com-
ed that armament. She measured only mand of Captain Samuel Skerry, Junior, she
ninety-four and one-half feet in length, with entered Salem from Sumatra, July 28, 1801,
a breadth of twenty-five feet, and was so with 320,000 pounds of pepper for the firm,
narrow that her depth, — usually one-half —having sailed November 25, 1800, —
the width of a vessel,— must have been sailed again August 30, 1801, and arrived
much more than half her breadth. So nar- July 12, 1802, with 306,542 pounds of pep-
row a craft would seem to have been de- per, and once more arrived, September 20,
signed for speed rather than tonnage, but 1803, with 276,459 pounds.
she carried most valuable cargoes and paid The record of her speed deserves special
duties on them, ranging from fifteen to notice. October 18, 1796, she was off on her
twenty-one thousand dollars. Her great third voyage in command of John Crownin-
depth should have made her stiffer, like the shield, reaching home, July 26, 1798, from
fin of a racing yacht. She was an early ship Calcutta and last from the Isle of Bourbon,
to be copper-bottomed, and was launched in seventy-five days. She had been chased,
with all her masts standing. July 16, east of Cape Sable, by a ship and a
The speed of the “Belisarius” was com- brig thought to be British cruisers, but she
parable to that of the modern clipper, al- left them far astern. And so on, with vary-
though her build was very different. She ing luck, through thirteen wonderful voy-
often made eight, nine and ten knots under ages, rounding out a rare career of sixteen
favoring conditions, — at times doing better years. She cleared from Salem, December
than ten knots to the hour. She sailed well 11, 1799, on her sixth voyage, under com-
in light wind, making four or five knots, and mand of Captain Samuel Skerry, Junior,
it was no rare thing for her to make a run of and sailed ten days later, arriving back,
from two hundred and eighteen to two hun- September 11, 1800,—a passage of 104
dred and thirty-eight miles per day. In one days from Madras and Tanquebar. She
instance she logged two hundred and forty- completed her voyage in eight months and
three miles. nineteen days, notwithstanding she was ly-
The whole Crowninshield connection ing in Madras and Tanquebar more than
seems to have been interested, first or last, forty days of that time. The “ Belisarius”’
in the “Belisarius.” They built her, they crossed the line in twenty-three days from
owned her and they sailed her. The father, Salem, and passed Cape of Good Hope in
George, and the sons, Jacob, Benjamin, fifty-five days.
Richard and George are all registered, at Of her eighth voyage to Sumatra, the Es-
one time or another, as part owners of the sex Register of July 30, 1801, says: ‘Arrived
“Belisarius,” and four of them, at various the fast-sailing and well-known Belisarius,
periods, commanded her. Before July, Captain Samuel Skerry, Junior, one hundred

[9]
and two days from Bencoolen, having per- Skerry and every person on board except the
formed her voyage in the short time of eight man at the helm being more or less stunned.
months and three days, as she sailed from All the compasses were disabled, both below
Salem, November 25, 1800. In our Bay, and on deck, and their polarity destroyed,
the Belisarius was chased by an English the north point of one tending to the south-
Frigate. It is supposed that the Belisarius east, and that in others fixed at southwest.
has made the shortest voyage to the East Volumes of smoke issued from the hatches
Indies that was ever made from this country. and companionway, and for more than an
Her last voyage was eight months, and nine- hour the ship appeared to be on fire. Shiv-
teen days, the two together having been ering the main-top-mast, the bolt passed out
performed in sixteen months and twenty- at the ship’s side. But she escaped with
two days.” great difficulty and made Salem harbor,
She escaped the lightnings of the tropics August 24, 1802.
in August, 1802. She had sailed for India, After successful voyaging in the India
August 11, had carried away in a gale some trade for eight years more with such seamen
of her spars, had lost a man killed, and was as Edward Allen, Robert Peele and George
forced to return. Again she sailed, August Burchmore for her masters, and with Dudley
14, and four days out was struck by light- Leavitt Pickman among her supercargoes, —
ning at midnight, — all hands on deck tak- and after bringing home to her owners
ing in sail. One of the hands, Shehane of wealth so ample as to prompt Doctor Bent-
Salem, was instantly killed. The first offi-
ley to speak of her in his diary as “one of the
cer, Meek, and two seamen were struck
Richest Ships of our Port” — “the beautiful
senseless and much hurt. The weather was
ship Belisarius,” went to pieces in a gale, a
?

squally with hard rain, —the ship under

close-reefed topsails. The bolt descended total wreck, in the Bay of Tunis, in April,
by the main-top-gallant-mast and down the 1810, the crew and cargo saved. So ends
main-mast into the ’tween-decks, Captain her story.

SHIP AMERICA, STEPHEN WEBB, MASTER

frigate, built about 1795. From the water-color by Corné, now in possession
Formerly a French
of the Peabody Museum, Salem.

[10]
 i =
=

af apryypr
bb truyrecaga
po p-
 SHIP FRIENDSHIP
The ship “Friendship” was built for force of numbers to heave to and permit an
Messrs. Waite and Peirce by Enos Briggs, examination. While in Leghorn, July 22,
one of the most noted shipbuilders in Salem, 1805, this entry was made: ‘This and the
and was launched on May 28, 1797. She three preceding days we were visited by
was 342 tons measurement and made seven- officers of distinction and by a Prince of
teen voyages to Batavia, Canton, La Blood, from different parts of Italy, prin-
Guayra, Cadiz, Leghorn, Madras, London, cipally from Bologna and Milan.”
Hamburg, Archangel and St. Petersburg, The next year the “Friendship” cleared
paying total duties at the Salem Custom from Salem on March 4, still in command of
House of $141,394.33. She was finally cap- Capt. Williams, and arrived home again No-
tured by the British September 4, 1812, vember 15, a voyage of a little more than
while returning from Archangel under com- eight months, during which she visited Ma-
mand of Capt. Edward Stanley, and was dras, Bourbon, Isle of France and three ports
taken to Plymouth, England, where she was in Indian, and brought back a valuable car-
condemned December 9, 1812. This ship is go of pepper, indigo, tea, coffee, etc.
probably better known to the present gen- To show the constant strain that the offi-
eration than many of the other famous ves- cers and men must have been under during
sels of the past on account of the splendid the exciting times leading up to the War of
full-rigged model in the Peabody Museum in 1812, the following extracts from Capt. Wil-
Salem. This model was made by Thomas liams’ journal will be of interest: “At half-
Russell, the ship’s carpenter, for Capt. Wil- past twelve saw a sail in the western quarter
liam Story’s young son William, and is a who quickly bore away and spread a cloud
wonderful piece of work. of sail after us. She came up with us very
The journals of the captains and the ship’s fast. As she drew near I perceived she was
logs are full of interesting entries showing a very long, low schooner, which left me no
the many-sided natures of the men who went doubt of her being a privateer, which her
down to the sea in ships in those stirring near approach confirmed. We therefore got
times, and it is difficult to make a selection all ready for action. Having the advantage
where there is so much material to choose of the wind, he came near enough to see that
from. Capt. Israel Williams on her first we could give him a sweet fraternal embrace,
voyage to Batavia described a successful ex- but prudently he declined it, and hauled off
periment he made for distilling fresh water and left us to pursue the course which we
from sea water by means of a crude still had not altered. At 4 p.m. saw a Brig to
which he constructed from the cook’s boiler, windward who bore away after us and came
a gun barrel and a beef cask. As he de- up fast. She came near enough to see our
scribed it, ““Some little reflection on the apparent force, which made him keep his
value of fresh water at sea induced me to distance also.”
make some experiments for the produce of The following extracts are worthy of more
fresh water from salt and I have found very than passing mention, as they show the char-
much to my satisfaction that with little acter of the captains of those days, and
trouble it will yield good fresh water.” He apply equally as well to the men, for it was,
also described meeting the English brig of course, from that material that captains
“Diligence,” Capt. Menly, “who treated us were made:
with the politeness of a gentleman.” And “Let go our anchor in Cadiz Bay. In
again, while on a voyage to Leghorn in 1805, passing the point of Rotta met a French
he described an attack by eight French gun- privateer, who with his consort came out
boat privateers in which he was obliged by with an intention of saluting us, but on com-

[13]
ing near us they altered their minds, but not “May 23. At 6p. m. lost sight of the ice.
without trying to intimidate us, and al- It must be certainly of very great extent.
though they took us at a non plus, still we I have no doubt but that it came from the
showed them that we were not to be bullied. Pole. The weather has been very cold,
We immediately luffed, took up foresail, in everything on board is frozen, even to the
Top Gallant sails, knocked out the Tomp- pumps. The log line stiff as soon as hauled
ions, primed the guns, and bore away and in. The poor ink must go and see the cook,
passed the first within pistol shot, but we both pretty much of the same color. Oh!
were so unfriendly as not to change a word happy West Indian with your glorious sun!”
together. So ends a prosperous passage, Capt. Stanley after his capture by the
thank God!” British and his detention at Plymouth, Eng-
land, wrote home to friends, and in all of
Capt. Edward Stanley, on a voyage to
these letters shows his fidelity to his country
Archangel, which proved to be the good
and to his owners. He wrote: ‘“ My situa-
ship’s last one, made the following entries:
tion at present is very disagreeable, if I
“May 22. From 9 p.m. to the last of should abandon (which by the way I have no
these twenty-four hours had to shift the thought of doing) I well know it would not
course to accommodate the ice with a birth. please my worthy employers, whom I hope
I should think that this body of ice must ex- in God never to offend. At present there
tend at least 500 or 600 miles; in fact, it is are chances for me to get home every day,
impossible to say how far it doth ex- but if the English declare war — God only
tend. knows when I shall see you.”

BRIGANTINE PEGGY
From a pitcher of Liverpocl ware made in 1797 and now in possessicn
of Mrs. M. P. Whipple

[14]
 7
iy
host(be& ervey,
UZa
TRU
sf
ag7, I é
Per IED, |
oo)
 SHIP ULYSSES
The “‘Ulysses”’ was a ship of three hun- dage, Gin, Gin Cases, Cheese, Butter, Beef,
dred and forty tons’ burden, carrying twen- Pork, Lard, Flour, Bacon, Fish, Soap, Can-
ty-five men or more, and built at Haverhill, dles, Nails, Wares, Dry Goods, Rum, To-
in 1798, for William Gray, Jr., of Salem. bacco, Hats, Saddlery, Salt, Naval Stores.”
Her dimensions were: length, 10014 feet; She had not been six years off the stocks
breadth, 28 feet; depth, 13 feet 1014 inches. when she made herself and her captain
Mr. Gray, born at Lynn in 1760, came early known to the whole seafaring world. She
to Salem, and entered the counting-room of left Salem for Marseilles, January 2, 1804,
Richard Derby. With Captain Josiah Orne and, three days out, encountered a terrific
for partner, he was despatching ships to gale. She was sailing at eight and nine
Canton as early as May, 1790. knots, when a “large sea” struck her astern
The ship ‘‘ Ulysses” had an uneventful and tore clean away the whole rudder and
career, and her voyages seem to have been the stern-post at the water’s edge, besides
of average success. Captain Orne was the splitting her canvas and straining her seams.
first master to tread her quarter-deck, bring- The “Ulysses” at once broached to with her
ing her round from Haverhill to Salem in mainmast sprung, and in this helpless con-
June, 1798. She cleared, Orne, master, for dition she lay for three weeks of most tem-
Batavia, June 25, and arrived home July 10, pestuous weather, exposed to the fury of
1799, paying in duties thirteen thousand wind and sea. Captain Mugford, nothing
dollars. On August 17, 1799, she was com- daunted at the appalling situation, proceed-
missioned as a private-armed vessel, com- ed at once to carry into effect a plan entirely
manded by William Mugford, Archelaus Rea his own. So complete was his success that
being second and Nathaniel Osgood third in he was able to make sail within twenty
command. She carried 11 guns and 28 days, and, without further disaster, entered
men, and cleared for India on the same date. Marseilles, flag at peak, on the twenty-third
The next entry made of this ship in the of March.
Salem Custom House was on April 3, 1801, The false rudder was constructed on deck,
William Mugford, master, from Lisbon, hav- of lengths measuring fourteen feet, cut from
ing on board a cargo of 697,309 Ibs. of salt a spare topmast and from four studding-sail
and some Lisbon wine, consigned to William booms, sufficiently squared to fit firmly to-
Gray, Jr. She entered, on a voyage from gether, and braced with small ropes. The
St. Petersburg, October 29, 1801, William rudder was secured on its sides with bolts
Mugford, master, with a cargo of hemp, cor- and wooden cleats. It was four feet wide,
dage and candles, consigned to William fore and aft, and was attached, by eight or
Gray, Jr., William Mugford and John Kil- ten eye-bolts, to a false stern-post twenty
ham, paying a duty of $8,774.96. We find feet long, also hewn on deck from the same
her sailing from Beverly for the Isle of top-mast, an equal number of eye-bolts be-
France in February, 1802, William Mugford ing fixed in the false stern-post at intervals
in command. On this voyage she took Let- corresponding with those of the rudder.
ters of Marque signed by President Jefferson Through these pairs of eye-bolts sections of
and his Secretary of State, Madison, and iron crowbars were dropped, and they
countersigned “Joseph Hiller, Collector, served as pintals or gudgeons on which the
William Pickman, Naval officer.” These false rudder swung.
interesting papers are on deposit with the The old iron tiller of the ship, about six
East India Marine Society, together with feet long, passed through the upper part of
the invoice of what was described as ‘“‘an the body of the rudder, and from this on
assorted cargo,” consisting of “Iron, Cor- each side ropes were passed over the ship’s

[17]
quarters to a spare topmast running out were several large straps fastened in the
over the rails near the mizzen chains, and false stern-post, from which hawsers were
having a block at each end. Through these passed, and the new stern-post, carrying
blocks the tiller-ropes were rove and at- with it the new rudder, was secured to the
tached to the windlass, and the ship then ship’s stern with these hawsers made fast at
steered in the usual manner by the wheel. several points on her quarters.
The rig was, on a large scale, like the yoke At Marseilles the French made drawings
and tiller-ropes which control the rudder of of the invention, and foreign ship-masters in
a racing-scull or a man-of-war’s gig. The port took care to furnish themselves with
old gudgeons still remaining on the stern- complete models of it. The actual appliance
post, it was necessary to cut mortices in the was exposed at Gray’s wharf on the return
false stern post to receive them, and these of the “Ulysses” to Salem, and there exam-
were found of essential service in keeping the ined and admired by this seafaring com-
whole machine fixed in its proper bearings. munity.
Before going overboard the apparatus was The “Ulysses” arrived home August 9,
weighted at the bottom with a six-pounder 1804, and paid in duties $15,814.19. Once
gun, to hold it in an upright position until it after this she cleared for India, September
could be firmly secured, when the cannon 10, 1804, with brandy, gin and specie, but
was released and hauled on deck. There her later career cannot be traced at this port.

ng a fisae yes: be 22 ,

The Fanny cf Salem Commanckd ty Ce

SHIP FANNY, WILLIAM GRAY, OWNER

From the copy of the painting by M. Corné, 1801, now in the possessicn of the Peabody Museum,
Salem.

[18]
ao
iy

yi hes
Ve?
 SHIP MOUNT VERNON
The ship “Mount Vernon” was built at Hancock House in Boston was one of those
the eastern end of Derby Street, Salem, in ornamented with his frescoes. A portrait of
1798, by Retire Becket, for Elias Hasket him is in the Redwood Library at Newport,
Derby, and proved to be the last commercial where, as well as at Salem, he is gratefully
venture of that great merchant. She was remembered for having introduced the to-
registered at Salem, February 21, 1799, and mato as an article of diet. His success as a
combined the functions of a commercial and marine painter was great. He has not only
a naval craft. She was a full-rigged ship, shown his favorite ship engaged in her nu-
but there were peculiarities about her rig merous encounters; in her running fight
which have not been seen for a century. with a French frigate and a sloop-of-war sent
She measured just under 100 feet in length; after her from the combined French and
her breadth of beam was 2834 feet, and she Spanish fleet of fourteen sail; in her battle
was of 356 tons burthen. She carried fifty with the African corsairs; in convoying a
men and twenty guns, among the latter two fleet of merchantmen up the Mediterranean;
long nines and an 18-pounder. She was en- in her departure from Malta; in her action
tered at Salem from Havana, May 20, with before Gibraltar; but he also painted with
a cargo of sugar, tobacco, etc. This first great approval all the most famous naval ac-
voyage was a success, but her owner died in tions of our second war with England. Ina
September while she was at Palermo. With painting, now in possession of Mr. Rea,
what is described as “‘a very valuable cargo Corné shows the “‘ Mount Vernon,” July 29,
of silks called ormazine, wines, and brass 1799, bearing herself well in an encounter
cannon,” after having made some fortunate with a large lateen-rigged French cruiser
ventures in wheat in the Mediterranean, she carrying one hundred men. This affair is
entered her home port, July 7, 1800, and most graphically described in her log and
paid to the Derby estate a profit of upwards also in the letter from her commander, ad-
of $100,000 on an outlay of $43,275. Ship dressed to his father, the owner, dated at
and cargo were necessarily disposed of at Gibraltar, August 1. From this letter it
auction in settlement of the estate. The appears that Gibraltar was in full view, and
“Mount Vernon” became the property of a British fleet as well, and the victors derived
the Messrs. Peirce and Waite of Salem, and no little satisfaction from the presence of
she seems to have succumbed, on her second these spectators. ‘The ‘Mount Vernon,’ ”
voyage, to one of the hurricanes which visit says the letter, “reached Gibraltar after
the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. So her popping at the Frenchmen all the forenoon.”
career was as brief as it was romantic. Captain Derby had been, during his stay
But the “Mount Vernon” had brought at Naples, the guest at dinner of Lord
into the country an interesting personage, Nelson, and had entertained famous com-
Michele Felice Corné, afterwards to become pany most elegantly in his own cabin. His
the leading marine artist of this section. He letter, which has been printed in full, con-
died in 1845, at the advanced age of eighty- tains the following passage: . . . “July 28,
eight. After landing here, he spent his life p. M., found ourselves approaching a fleet of
at Boston and at Newport, as well as in upwards of fifty sail. Concluding it impos-
Salem, and he left behind him at least a sible that it could be any other than the
dozen fine paintings of the ship to which he English fleet, continued our course for their
owed his passage to America. No Salem centre to avoid any apprehension of a want
ship has been so often or so finely painted as of confidence in them. They soon dis-
the “Mount Vernon.” Corné earned some patched an eighteen-gun-ship from their cen-
reputation as a decorator, and the Governor tre and two frigates to beat towards us. On

[21]
approaching the centre ship, I fortunately striking us without much damage. All
bethought myself that it would be but com- hands were active in clearing ship for action,
mon prudence to steer so far to windward of for our surprise had been complete. In
him as to be a grape-shot distance from him, about ten minutes we commenced firing our
to observe his force and maneuvering. When stern-chasers, and in a quarter of an hour
we were abreast of him he fired a gun gave him our broadside in such a style as
to leeward and hoisted English colors. We evidently sickened him; for he immediately
immediately bore away and meant to pass luffed in the wind, gave us his broadside,
under his quarter, between him and the fleet, went in stays in great confusion, wore ship
showing our American colors. This move- afterwards in a large circle, and renewed the
ment disconcerted him, and it appeared to chase at a mile and a half distance, a man-
me he conceived we were either an American euver calculated to keep up appearances
sloop-of-war or an English one in disguise, with the fleet and to escape our shot. We
attempting to cut him off from the fleet; for, received seven or eight broadsides from him,
while we were in the act of wearing on his and I was mortified at not having it in my
beam, he hoisted French colors and gave us power to return him an equal number with-
his broadside. Weimmediately brought our out exposing myself to the rest of the fleet,
ship to the wind and stood on about a mile; for I am persuaded I should have had the
wore toward the centre of the fleet; hove pleasure of sending him home had he been
about and crossed him on the other tack, separate from them. At midnight we had
about half grape-shot distance, and received distanced them, the chasing rocket-signals
his broadside. Several of his shot fell on being almost out of sight, and soon left
board of us and cut our sails, two round-shot them.”

SHIP ULYSSES, JAMES COOK, MASTER

Wrecked on Cape Ced, February 22, 1802. From the water-color probably made by Corné.
A copy is new in the possession of the Peabody Museum, Salem.

[22]
 ge eo
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 FRIGATE ESSEX
The story of the fast little frigate ‘‘ Essex,” Richard Manning ...... 1,000
built at one of the critical moments in our Volain IDG? nce cc0cc06 1,000
history, under conditions altogether excep- Ezekiel H. Derby ...... 1,000
tional, never lacks a listener. At the time Nathaniel West ........ 1,500
we seemed to be drifting into a war with Georges Dodretaeseennee 1,000
France, and we had no navy and no depart- Richard Derby, Jr. ..... 1,500
ment of the Government devoted to marine
affairs. The total contributed was $74,250, after-
On July 17, 1798, the Salem Gazette wards swelled to $75,473.59. The signers
printed this announcement: met at the Town House, October 25, and
voted unanimously “to build a Frigate of
“PATRIOTIC SUBSCRIPTION” thirty-two guns and to loan the same to the
“Tast evening a subscription was begun in this Government.” A noble effort this on the
town for raising money for the use of the Govern- part of a town of ninety-three hundred
ment, to be applied to the building of vessels, or
people!
such other purposes as Government may choose...
Neither ability nor patriotism is wanting.” On The builder was Enos Briggs, who had
July 24 the Gazette adds ‘‘It is expected that the come from the South Shore to build the
subscription in this town will be applied to the “Grand Turk.” As soon as ‘“‘ready cash”’
building of a stout frigate.” could be promised, Briggs made his first ap-
peal to the public. A call for copper, iron,
The subscription paper was placed at the blacksmithing and supplies was advertised,
Salem Insurance Office, and funds poured in for the first time, in the Gazette of November
promptly. Subscribers to the number of 23, 1798:
more than a hundred pledged sums ranging
upwards from ten and twenty dollars. “A “Take notice! ye Sons of Freedom!” — says
Lady,” whose name does not appear, gave Briggs, in the same issue, — “Step forth and give
fifty dollars, and the list of twenty-three your assistance in building the Frigate to oppose
donors, each of them subscribing a thousand French insolence and piracy! Let every man in
dollars or more, was as follows: possession of a White Oak Tree feel ambitious to be
foremost in hurrying down the timber to Salem, to
fill the complement wanting where the noble struc-
William Gray .......... $10,000 ture is to be fabricated to maintain your rights upon
liastiee Derby eeenoeer 10,000 the Seas, and make the name of America respected
William Orne ........... 5,000 among the Nations of the World! Your largest
ohne Norsemen 5,000 and longest trees are wanted, and the arms of them
for knees and rising timber. Four trees are wanted
Volum WOMKS .cccccoscacc 1,500
for the keel, which altogether will measure 146 feet
iDbenwBecktond se ereeei 2,000 in length, and hew 16 inches square. Please call
Benjamin Pickman ..... 1,000 on the subscriber, who wants to make a contract
Benjamin Pickman, Jr. 1,500 for large or small quantities as may suit best, and
Joseph Peabody ........ 1,500 will pay the Ready Cash.”

JohniOscoodeeeemnnree 1,000
William Prescott ....... 1,000 Finally, on September 30, 1799, Dr. Bent-
Stephen Phillips........ 1,000 ley in his Diary describes “The launching of
Ichabod Nichols ....... 1,000 the Frigate. Everything was in full prep-
Jacob Ashton .......... 1,000 aration. The morning gun was fired and
SamueliGrays = asec ease 2,000 nothing then remained to be done but to
Jonathan Neal ......... 2,000 prepare the tallow, drive the wedges, re-
Waite and Peirce ....... 2,000 move the blocks and let her go. Seats were

[25]
prepared and given to such as paid their moved easily and the Launch was happy.
quarter of a dollar on the western side of the No accident interrupted the joy of the day.”’
ship and near the water. Within were seats The subsequent story of the “Essex” has
for the Committee in banks so as to accom- become a part of every naval history of the
modate many spectators. Above 12,000 United States. In March, 1814, she was
persons passed the causeway and entered captured by two British frigates in Val-
upon Winter Island. Crowds were on paraiso Bay after a bloody contest in which
Naugus Head, numbers in boats, and the nearly one-half of her crew were killed or
whole adjacent shore was covered. She wounded.

SHIP PRUDENT, BUILT IN 1799

From the painting now in the possession of the Peabody Museum, Salem.

[26]
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 SHIP MARGARET
The ship “Margaret” was built for John later she sailed for the Mediterranean, load-
Derby, Benjamin Pickman and Samuel Der- ed with cod fish, cotton goods, etc., and on
by by the famous Retire Becket, whose fam- August 11, when about eight miles from the
ily had built vessels in Salem for over 150 entrance of Tunis Bay, was boarded and
years. She was launched in the fall of 1800, taken possession of by the French privateer
and sailed on her first voyage November 25. “Constant,” ten guns and eighty men, and
Part of her cargo consisted of one hundred taken into Gata, in the Kingdom of Naples.
bags containing 50,000 Spanish dollars, About the first of December proposals were
twelve casks of Malaga wine and two hogs- made to compromise, and on December 17
heads of bacon. She was only 91 feet in an arrangement was made, after having been
length, 27 5-12 feet in breadth, and 13 2-3 ratified at Paris, by which one-half of the
feet in depth, with a capacity of 295 tons, proceeds of the sale of the cargo, after de-
and proved to be a very fast sailer. ducting port charges, etc., was restored to
Arriving at Batavia April 25, a bargain the captain, he giving up all claims. The
was made with the Dutch East India Com- “Margaret”? was then loaded with a val-
pany to carry the annual freights to and uable cargo of brandy, sewing silks, hats,
from Japan, and to receive 45,000 Spanish rugs, etc., and on April 10, 1810, with a
dollars if a full freight was carried both ways. crew of fifteen men and thirty-one passen-
A cargo, such as the Dutch had been ship- gers, consisting of the officers and crews of
ping for nearly two centuries, consisting of vessels which had been seized and sold by
sugar, spices, sapan wood, sandal wood, rat- the French, she sailed from Naples bound
tans, glass, glassware, cloths, medicines and for home.
various other articles, was loaded, and on On Sunday, May 20, a squall struck the
June 20, 1801, the “Margaret”’ cleared for ship and she was thrown on her beam ends.
Nagasaki. On July 20, after much cere- All on board were able to reach her side and
mony, including the firing of numerous succeeded in cutting away part of the rigging
salutes, she came to anchor in the harbor of and masts. A rope was attached to the fore
Nagasaki, being the first vessel from Salem, and mizzen chains; all hands then got hold
and, it is claimed, the second American ves- and, going, as near the keel as possible, suc-
sel to visit Japan. The ship “Franklin” of ceeded in righting her, although full of water
Boston, commanded by James Devereux of and the waves making a continual breach
Salem, was the first American vessel which over her. The next morning Captain Fair-
traded with Japan, having made the same field and fourteen men left the ship in the
voyage as the “‘Margaret”’ two years pre- long boat which had been repaired, and were
vious. No other American vessels were picked up on Saturday, May 26, by the ship
allowed in Japan until after the treaty of “Poacher,” Captain Dunn, from Alicant to
March 31, 1854, the result of Commodore Boston. The survivors arrived at Marble-
Perry’s Expedition. head June 19, 1810.
The ‘‘Margaret,” on her return voyage, After the departure of Captain Fairfield,
reached Batavia December 6, 1801, and Captain Henry Larcom, master of the
after loading with coffee and other mer- schooner ‘‘Mary” of Beverly, was “ap-
chandise cleared for Salem, arriving in June, pointed to act as their head” by the thirty-
1802. one still remaining on the wreck. In Cap-
A change of ownership took place in 1809, tain Larcom’s account of the shipwreck he
when she was registered June 29 with John says:
Crowninshield and William Fairfield, owners “On the 7th of June, finding we could be
and William Fairfield, master. Three days of no use to those on the wreck, and having

[29]
nothing but brandy to subsist on, being then of Salem; John Merrill, seaman of schooner
in lat. 39.12 N. and thinking that too far “Peace,” Newburyport; Edmund Wingate,
south for the track of Europeans, we thought seaman of schooner “‘ Peace,” Newburyport;
it best to endeavor to stretch to the north- Nathaniel Sheffield of schooner “Ousiton-
ward. ack,” Derby, Conn.; Jacob Fowler of brig
“The morning we left the wreck we went “Two Betsies,” Beverly; James Sinclair of
under the bowsprit and joined in prayer schooner ‘Kite,’ Baltimore; Alexander
with Captain Janvrin for our deliverance. Marshall, brig ““Nancy Ann,’ Newbury-
At 10 we bade them a final adieu, having port; William Burrill of schooner “Syren,”
about 214 gallons of brandy and a little pork, Newburyport.”
leaving on the wreck the following persons On June 30, after the most intense suffer-
(who were never heard from afterwards): ing, the boat with three survivors was
Henry Tucker, supercargo of the ship “ Fran- picked up by the schooner “General John-
cis” of Salem; Captain Janvrin, master of son,’ Captain Stephen L. Davis, from Lis-
the schooner ‘‘Syren” of Newburyport; bon to Gloucester, and arrived in Glouces-
Benjamin Peele, seaman of brig “Victory” ter, July 21, 1810.

as
Wortisic. oF Salen

SHIP VOLUSIA, SAMUEL COOK, MASTER

Wrecked on Cape Cod, Febuary 22, 1802. From the water-color probably made by Corné.
A copy is now in possession of the Peabody Museum, Salem.

[30]
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 PRIVATEER SHIP AMERICA
The private-armed ship “America” was English fleet, — found coffee high and
the largest, the fastest, the most fortunate learned that a cargo could be had at Mocha,
and the most famous of all the privateers — thence to Aden.
which at any time sailed out of Salem har- At Mocha the “America” loaded with
bor. She was built for a merchantman in coffee, hides, goat-skins, sienna and gum-
1803-4, just west of the head of Crownin- arabic. She made Cape Cod again June 17,
shield’s wharf, by Retire Becket, under the 1805. The ship and cargo being at once
eye of George Crowninshield, Jr. In those sent to Holland netted a profit of more than
days every ship must protect herself. Al- a hundred thousand dollars. This great
gerine and Barbary corsairs made the ocean success was followed by voyages in com-
routes and the Mediterranean unsafe, and mand of Elias Davidson, Jeremiah Briges
neither England nor France showed us much and Joseph Ropes, and these occupied her
more quarter than the pirates. The “ Amer- until the spring of 1812, when she arrived
ica’? was launched with portholes in her from Goettenburg, April 24. Her upper
sides, and never put to sea without a heavy deck was taken off, her sides filled in solid
armament. like a frigate’s, and she was rigged with
She cleared on her first voyage for Su- longer yards, with royal-masts, and with a
matra in command of Captain Benjamin flying jib-boom. She now spread an enor-
Crowninshield, Jr.; Elias Davidson of mous area of canvas, for her crew was large
Gloucester was her first officer; Nathaniel her equipment ranging from 142 to 168
Leverett Rogers, her clerk; James Chever, men all told,
— 20 of them marines,
— in
12 years old, her cabin-boy. She sailed action, her deck and rigging swarmed like a
from Salem July 2, 1804, and even on that wasp’s nest. Her main-mast now measured
voyage she took an armament of ten nine- 69 feet, making the height from deck to
pounders. ‘Thirty-five men navigated her. main-truck about 136 feet, while her spread
Her tonnage was 473 tons. She had two of boom athwart-ship was 104 feet, and the
decks, and, for a figure-head, a life-sized total length of her bow-sprit, jib-boom and
Indian chief chased by a white dog. She flying jib-boom reached the enormous figure
was 114 feet long, with a depth of 15 feet of 107 feet. The picture of her, taken be-
4 inches; had 30 feet 8 inches breadth of fore the War, shows her without these
beam, 14 feet 3 inches draft, and was square- striking features.
rigged throughout. George Crowninshield, Jr., supervised
The ‘“‘America’s”’ best speed was 13 knots. these changes. When they were complete
She often maintained this rate for hours, she sailed on her first cruise, September 7,
and she often averaged more than ten knots 1812, commanded by Joseph Ropes. Pri-
for twelve consecutive hours. She was fre- vateer officers and crews were neighbors and
quently pursued by Spanish and by British from the best people, and they sailed as a
cruisers, and she left them with ease. But joint-stock company. No wages were paid.
this was after she had been converted for a Her first cruise lasted until January 7,
privateer. Both her size and her shape had 1813, — four months, — and she sent in six
been changed. Her upper deck was re- prizes valued at $158,000.
moved. As reduced in 1812, she measured On the second cruise, from March 29 to
in length 108 feet, in depth 11.15 feet, and July 21, 1813 (four months), John Kehew,
in tonnage 331 tons. first officer on the first cruise, was in com-
Between her launching and 1812 the mand. They carried twenty guns. Ten
“America” made voyages, first to the Isle prizes were taken, and 130 prisoners paroled
of France, where she was detained by an and 30 more brought in.

[33]
 On the third, fourth and fifth cruises prizes sent into port, out of 47 taken, up to
James Chever was in command, —a sea- 27 in all, of a value of $1,100,000. Her
man who would have honored any service. casualties were very slight. She was never
He was a lieutenant on the second cruise. outsailed while testing her speed against the
Twelve prizes were taken, mostly sent in, on fleetest.
the third cruise, between December 3 and So ends the “America’s” career. After
March 31, 1814, the most successful cruise the war she lay rotting in the dock from
of all. On the next cruise she struck a dead which she had been launched until 1831
whale or a submerged wreck off Portsmouth when she was broken up for old metal.
and, badly strained, promptly put back. Once, in 1813, she was coppered and fitted
On the fifth and last cruise, between Novem- for sea, and a half-interest sold for $4,000,
ber 14, 1814, and April 8, 1815, she made but the “America” never again left her
thirteen captures, bringing the total of moorings.

SHIP BONETTA, THOMAS OSGOOD, MASTER

From the original painting made in 1805 at Leghcrn fer Capt. Hardy Phippen,
now in possession of Hardy P. Chapman.

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 SHIP HERCULES
This was one of the famous ships of old family to the United States. This saved
Salem and had a very interesting career. the ship from confiscation. This incident
She was built in Haverhill in the year 1805, appears in the memoirs of Lucien Bona-
and although she went many voyages to all parte:
parts of the world, was not larger than a
“August 5, 1810, left Civita Vecchia in
small two-masted coasting schooner of to-
the three-master ‘Hercules’ for the United
day. A towboat which has been built for
States. Owing to sickness of his family he
service on this coast is of about the same
attempted to land at Cagliaria, but was re-
dimensions as this little ship. She was
fused and warned that he would be seized.
about 96 feet in length, 26 feet beam, and
He was allowed to stay in the roadstead a
was approximately 13 feet deep and of only
week. He started again, and in a few hours
290 tons register.
was captured by two English cruisers, one
She was built for Nathaniel West, and on
called the ‘Pomona’. He was taken on
her first voyage Captain James Fairfield
board and arrived August 24, 1810, at
commanded her, and continued to do so
Malta, and placed in the fortress Caselli.
until 1808, when Captain Edward West
The husband of his sister Caroline placed
took the vessel and sailed in her until 1811;
the ship ‘Hercules’ at his disposal.”
then Captain James King, Jr., who was an
able shipmaster of his time, took the ship During her career her cargoes paid many
and made eleven voyages, going during this thousand dollars of duty to the United
time to Batavia three times, to Canton States customs. She was sold to D. R.
once, four voyages to St. Petersburg, once Green & Co., of New Bedford, in 1829, and
to Rio de Janeiro, once to Santos and once rebuilt as a whaler. Her good luck followed
to Buenos Ayres. her and she made eight successful voyages
An interesting point in her career was to the whaling grounds in all parts of the
that in 1809, when commanded by Capt. world. The end of her service came in
Edward West, she was seized at Naples and 1847, for on July 27th of that year she was
had the good fortune to obtain her release lost off Navigator’s Islands in the Pacific
in order to transfer Lucien Bonaparte and Ocean.

[37]
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 BRIG GRAND TURK
No finer picture of a Salem privateer can We are glad to hear that the name of this
be presented than the painting by Anton traitor was ascertained and that steps have
Roux here reproduced of the brig “Grand been taken to bring him to justice.”
Turk,” of 309 84-95 tons burthen, built in On her second cruise, Breed in command,
1812 for thirty Salem owners, at Wiscasset, the “Grand Turk” sailed from Salem, Octo-
Maine. The “Grand Turk” measured 102 ber 19, 1813, and arrived home January 20,
feet in length, 28 feet beam, and 12 feet 4 1814, a cruise of ninety-four days, —
inches in depth, and carried ninety-odd having captured seven prizes, of which two
officers and men and eighteen or twenty were burned, four manned out, and one sent
guns. She had “a square stern, one deck, off as a cartel with prisoners.
no galleries, and a billet figure-head.”’ The third cruise was her most eventful one
The “Grand Turk” made five cruises of and Captain Breed’s last. On this cruise
about one hundred days each. That was she brought in thirty prisoners and $65,000
the average term for which private-armed in specie. The “Grand Turk” sailed from
ships were provisioned. She sailed from Salem February 18, 1814, and arrived at
Salem, Holten J. Breed, commander, Feb- Portland, June 5, — a cruise of one hundred
ruary 16, 1813, on her first cruise, and she
and nine days. Her men seem to have
arrived at Portland May 29. She was thus been ready for mutiny at all times, and more
reported in the Essex Register: — than once only the promptness and nerve of
“Private-armed brig ‘Grand Turk,’ of 16 her commander prevented it. The ring-
guns, Captain Breed, arrived at Portland on leaders in the trouble, as they were discov-
Thursday evening from a cruise. On the ered, were kept in irons and then sent home,
coast of Brazil, April 4, fell in with two one by one, in prize crews. Such miscon-
large English letter-of-marque ships, which duct forfeited their shares. But the com-
she captured after a severe engagement of mon penalty for minor offenses was loss of
five minutes, both much cut up in hull and “grog.” Not gambling only, but all card-
rigging. Several of the ‘Grand Turk’s’ playing was forbidden in the shipping-
men were wounded, among them the sailing articles. “Grog stopped” for twenty-four
master (Mr. Abrams), a most valuable and
or forty-eight hours is a frequent entry.
intrepid officer, who died of his wounds. The penalty for the sale by one seaman to
The same day captured another large ship. another of the allowance of “grog” was loss
They are all very valuable prizes, and were of his ration for a week.
ordered to France. The ‘Grand Turk’ was
chased on Thursday by two frigates and a May 2 she engaged H. M. packet “ Hin-
brig, and escaped by swift sailing.” She chinbroke,” William James, commander,
was brought round from Portland to Salem, who thought well enough of the “Grand
June 6, but not without incident. Says the Turk” as an antagonist to procure, five years
Register of June 9: “Off Cape Ann the later, the engraving of a plate representing
‘Grand Turk’ was boarded by a boat from this action. The plate was printed for the
Cape Ann, supposing her to be an English proprietor, February, 1819, by Messrs.
cruiser. Captain Breed favored the decep- Colnaghi & Co., 23 Cockspur Street, Lon-
tion, and the man voluntarily gave informa- don, and these are the words of the Com-
tion of prizes and merchant vessels ex- mander’s dedication: —
pected, advised with respect to cruising “This plate, representing the situation of
ground, and offered to come off next day H. M. packet “ Hinchinbroke”’ at the close of
with fresh provisions, and said he has fur- an engagement with the American privateer
nished a pilot for the ‘Sir John Sherbrooke.’ “Grand Turk,” of Salem, in May, 1814, is

[41]
very respectfully dedicated,” etc... . “The captures made. She left Salem January 1,
action commenced at 5 h. 20 m. P. m., and 1815, on her fifth and last cruise of a hun-
continued until 7 h. 30 m., within pistol- dred and eighteen days, and arrived home
shot, during which the Enemy twice laid the April 28. Peace had been made before she
Packet aboard, but was beaten off; after sailed, but of this nothing was known. The
the failure of the second attempt, the “ Hin- “Grand Turk” made three captures on this
chinbroke”’ obtained a raking position, dis- cruise, of which she manned out two and de-
abled the privateer and obliged her to sheer stroyed one. She took, in specie, $17,500.
off.” May 30 she was sold to William Gray, and
The ‘‘Grand Turk” sailed from Salem, cleared for Boston, June 6, 1815, Thomas
Green, commander, on her fourth cruise of Webb, master. The subsequent career and
one hundred and three days, August 6, ultimate fate of the ‘““Grand Turk” have
1814, and took fifty prisoners in the thirteen not been traced.

SHIP MONK, JOHN W. ALLEN, MASTER

Captured by the British brig ‘‘Colibri’’ during the War of 1812. From the painting by
Nicolai Carmellieri, Marseilles, 1806.

[42]
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 SHIP GEORGE
The ship “George” was one of the large stories of her unrivalled speed are countless,
fleet of merchantmen which owed its exist- and her triumphs over rivals and companion
ence to the sagacity and enterprise of Cap- ships fill a bright page in the history of
tain Joseph Peabody of Salem. For twenty- Salem. Great odds were repeatedly laid
two years she plied, with the regularity of a against her in wagers on her speed, but she
shuttle, between Salem and Calcutta, and never disappointed her backers. Forty-five
ranked first in the fleet for speed and relia- of the graduates of this training-school be-
bility, probably excelling, in these qualities, came shipmasters, twenty chief mates and
any other Indiaman in the country. Her six second mates. She paid into the Treas-
average outward voyages were one hundred ury of the United States, in duties on im-
and fifteen days in length, and her home- ports in her twenty-one voyages, the sum
ward passages averaged one hundred and of $651,744.
three days. She was built at Salem in 1814, She was furnished with the best of the
for a privateer, by a company of ship-car- old-time appliances, steered with a long
penters whom the war had thrown out of tiller, all hands weighed anchor with the
work. But the war closed, and the un- hand windlass, cables and standing rigging
launched ship was converted into a mer- all from Salem ropewalks, —a _ full-rigged
chantman by the addition of another deck, ship as the picture shows, with rakish masts
then launched and sold. She was designed and painted portholes. Her best run was
by Christopher Turner, and was named the an outward passage in 1822, which she
“George” for Capt. Peabody’s third son. made in eighty-nine days. Her best home-
The “‘George” measured in length 110 feet ward passages were of ninety-three days, in
10 inches, beam, 27 feet, depth of hold, 13 1831 and in 1832. Her best run (in 1831)
feet 6 inches, and, according to the measure- from the Cape of Good Hope was made in
ments of that day, 328 tons, equal to a forty-one days. This is believed to be the
present measurement of about 228 tons, a quickest passage from the Cape to a North
full-rigged ship drawing, outward-bound, 14 Atlantic port ever made under canvas.
feet 6 inches, and homeward-bound, 15 feet She had her vicissitudes. Once, in 1827,
8 inches. She took out specie to secure her she was chased by a nondescript schooner,
return cargoes, which consisted mainly of a four-master, — a rare sight in those days,
indigo, with some piece-stuffs of silk and —which proved to be a slave-pirate, but
cotton fabrics. she escaped with ease. Twice she encoun-
tered terrific gales and was badly wrecked,
On her first voyage she sailed May 23,
first, in Massachusetts Bay in the dreadful
1815, and entered her home port again June
snowstorm of March, 1823, the worst storin
13, 1816. Hardly a man on board was 21
in a generation; and again in the Indian
years of age. In 1821 every man on board
Ocean, a year later, when a hurricane drove
but the cook could read and write, and he
all hands below but one man who was
could read. All but four understood “navi-
lashed to the helm. Once, on her arrival at
gation and lunars.”
Pernambuco in September, 1828, forty days
Captain Forbes says that in his early days out from Salem, she was leaking from ten to
on the ocean she was known as the “Salem twelve hundred strokes per hour. Once, in
Frigate.” Her cooks and stewards were 1834, she returned aleak in ballast from
black, and no yachtsman of today carries a Gibraltar, where she had lain seven months
more famous cook than London Ruliff or waiting in vain for a cargo of quicksilver,
Prince Farmer, nor a better steward than her keel loose, only five copper bolts hold-
William Coleman or John Tucker. The ing, with sheathing started and seams open.

[45],
Finally she arrived from Calcutta May 17, The picture of the “George” here repro-
1837, and the following September, freighted duced was the work of Edmund Stone of
with the regrets of all who recalled her in Beverly, who sailed before the mast in her
her prime, the famous craft left this port for from July, 1820, until April, 1821, and who
Rio de Janeiro, where she was condemned, is the only person known to have made a
sold and broken upon her arrival. picture of her.

SHIP GLIDE, NATHAN ENDICOTT, MASTER

Joseph Peabody, owner. From the painting by “Anton Roux fils aine a Marseille, 1823,’’ now
in possession of Gecrge A. Peabody.

[46]
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 BRIG CLEOPATRA’S BARGE
“Cleopatra’s Barge” was built by Retire (1900 women and 700 men in one day) from
Becket, the famous Salem shipbuilder, at his far and near. She sailed from Salem March
yard at the lower end of Derby Street, and 30, 1817, and returned October 3 the same
was launched October 21, 1816. She was 83 year. On the voyage it was everywhere
feet long on the water line, 191 tons dis- the same, a constant series of entertain-
placement and rigged as a brigantine— ments given and received, while great
practically the same dimensions as the mod- throngs visited the yacht at every port she
ern yacht “Mayflower.” The starboard anchored. She proved a fast sailer, at one
and port sides were painted differently. time logging thirteen knots for ten consecu-
The former in horizontal stripes of many tive hours, while on her run from Gibraltar
colors and the latter in herring-bone pattern. to Port Mahone in the Mediterranean.
No expense was spared to make her the best “Much to the delight of her owner,” she
vessel built in the world, and the fittings, raced with and passed the U.S. frigate
especially the cabin furnishings, were most “United States,’ bound for the same port.
elaborate and elegant. The construction At Genoa, Captain George Crowninshield
cost $50,000, which in those days was a very is quoted as saying that his black cook
large sum, and the cost of the finish and could calculate longitude and understood
furnishings was as much more. She was lunar observation; in fact, the greater part
the second recorded American yacht, the of the seamen on board the “Barge” could
first American yacht of note and the first to use the sextant and make nautical calcula-
cross the Atlantic. The owner, Captain tions.
George Crowninshield, first named the
yacht “Car of Concordia,” but before regis- One of the romances of the voyage was
tration changed it to the name which was the rumor, whispered here and in Europe,
destined to become famous in both Europe that it was the intention of the owner to
and America. rescue Napoleon Bonaparte from St. Helena
and bring him to America.
In 1801, fifteen years before the building
of ‘“Cleopatra’s Barge,’ Captain George The elaborate preparations for the voy-
Crowninshield built a smaller yacht, a sloop age, the more than 300 letters of introduc-
of twenty-one tons, the “Jefferson,” which tion to prominent personages, the call at
is the first recorded American yacht. Elba, the visits of the family of Napoleon
at Rome, their attentions and the gifts to
Captain George Crowninshield was born Capt. George Crowninshield, all add proba-
in Salem, May 27, 1766. His father, bility to this supposition. So seriously was
George Crowninshield, was the founder of this rumor taken abroad that the move-
the mercantile house of George Crownin- ments of the ‘‘Barge’’ were closely watched
shield & Sons, which was extensively en- by the ships of the British Navy. Yet in
gaged in commerce with the West Indies spite of all these circumstances some of his
and ports of Europe, India and China. relatives are convinced that he did not
Upon the death of his father in 1815, and seriously consider such an undertaking.
changes in the affairs of the firm, he was
After the death of Captain George Crown-
left wealthy, and with ample leisure.
inshield, which occurred in Salem on board
Owing to the severity of the winter of the boat November 26, 1817, ‘‘Cleopatra’s
1816-1817 the sailing of the yacht was de- Barge” was dismantled and entered the
layed, and while frozen in the ice in Salem merchant service, making several voyages
harbor was visited by thousands of persons to South America. Later she was taken to

[49]
the Hawaiian Islands and became the pri- This picture, showing the starboard side
vate yacht of King Kamehameha II under as she is entering the port of Genoa, bears
the ““Haaheo 0 Hawaii” (Pride of Hawaii) the following inscription: “Drawn and
until wrecked on Kauai, one of the islands, painted from the original in 1817 by An-
in the spring of 1824. toine Vittaluga, Genoa.”

BRIG PHOENIX OF SALDM WD. WATERS CoM!

BRIG PHOENIX, W.D. WATERS, MASTER

From original painting by Antoine Vittaluga, made in Genoa in January, 1829, now in pessession
of the Peabody Museum, Salem,

[50]
 Hee
i
 BRIG LEANDER
The brig ‘‘Leander”’ was one of a fleet of had paid $90,000 in duties. Her brief
eighty-three vessels built or owned, between career of twenty-three years is sc marked as
1790 and 1844, by Captain Joseph Peabody, to make it good reading. If the profits she
of Salem, and all freighted by him from earned could be stated it would be still
Salem, sometimes when better voyages more so.
could have been made from other ports. The time consumed in each of her voy-
She was launched at the shipyard of Benja- ages, at a period when there were neither
min Hawkes, which is now Grant Street, fast steamers, quick mails, nor ocean cables
July 25, 1821. The Salem Register of July to carry instructions, demonstrates anew
28 calls her ‘“‘an elegant coppered brig,” com- the absolute trust reposed by owners in the
mends her greatly, and adds, “the model good judgment and loyalty of that fine race
has had high praise.” In those days all of men, the Salem shipmasters. Those who
America was looking towards Salem, Bev- recall the old days of sailing ships will not
erly and Marblehead for models. The brig fail to note how promptly the little brig was
measured 223 tons, according to the Custom ready for sea after discharging each cargo,
House rating of the day, having a length of and how soon she was back in port again,
91 feet 4 inches, a breadth of 23 feet 5 bringing another. But for all that there
inches, and a depth of 11 feet 81% inches. were months of anxiety when captain and
Measured on the present scale, she would owners were without intelligence of each
rate about 156 tons only. She carried 13 other, and when brig and cargo were in the
men all told. undivided charge of the commander.
On her first voyage the “‘Leander”’ sailed In March, 1837, the ‘‘Leander’’ was at
for Smyrna and Leghorn, Samuel Rea, mas- Zanzibar on the arrival of the first foreign
ter, August 31, 1821, and arrived home May Consul from the United States ever sent to
28, 1822. Captain Charles Roundy com- that busy port, Richard Palmer Waters, of
manded her for the next five years. Cap- Salem, bearing a commission and an auto-
tain Roundy sailed on his second voyage as graph letter from General Jackson. The
master August 21, 1823. He was then Consul was saluted by Turkish and other
twenty-seven years old. On his arrival at naval and commercial vessels representing
Canton in the spring of 1824 he found that various nations. Among them only two
the supply of tea was short and the prices were American, and one of these was the
high. He decided, on his own responsibil- “Leander.”
ity, to wait six months, or until the new In November, 1840, the brig was sold to
crop came down the river to market. The David Pingree, of Salem, and was after-
wisdom of this course was justified on his wards employed in the African trade. In
arrival home, March 19, 1825, with a cargo 1844 the “Leander” arrived home from the
which netted large profits and paid in duties West Coast of Africa, March 3, and sailed
at this port $86,847.47. On his next voy- again March 29, arriving out in time to
age the duties paid in April, 1826, were have been condemned and sold at Gambia,
$92,392.94. At this time no other vessel July 11, 1844.

[53]
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 BRIG OLINDA
The brig “Olinda” was built for Gideon mond, Va., there load Haxall flour made
Tucker, Samuel Tucker and Daniel H. from a certain kind of wheat grown in that
Mansfield by Elijah Briggs, a cousin of vicinity which would stand transportation
Enos Briggs, the famous Salem ship builder. south of the equator. At other times a trip
After the death of Enos Briggs, Elijah who to the Provinces for fish to be taken to the
had moved here from Scituate, succeeded to West Indies, there to be exchanged for sugar
the business and continued at the old ship for Philadelphia, would result in a voyage
yard in South Salem, which was located on home by way of Richmond with a cargo of
Peabody street, where of late years stood corn.
the machine shop of George Newcomb. Among the names of the masters were
The “Olinda” was only 178 tons measure- Richard Wheatland, William Briggs, Samuel
ment with a length of 88 feet, 2 inches, Hutchinson and George Savory.
breadth of 21 feet, 2 inches and depth of 10
feet, 7 inches, which was very small when Gideon Tucker, one of the owners, was
compared with modern vessels. born March 7, 1778, and built and occupied
the house on Essex street opposite the Essex
The Salem Register of July 21, 1825, says: Institute. He was clerk for Joseph Peabody
—‘“On Tuesday last (July 19) at one and afterwards a partner in that noted ship-
o’clock p.M., was launched from the ship ping firm, which he left to establish a busi-
yard of E. Briggs in South Salem, the beau- ness of his own. He died February 18,
tiful coppered and copper fastened brig 1861. “A venerable man of exact habits
Olinda owned by G. Tucker, Esq. At the and strict integrity.”
time the brig was launched she was com-
pletely rigged and had part of her cargo on Samuel Tucker was a younger brother of
board. She will sail for South America in Gideon and commanded various ships sail-
a few days.” ing from Salem, among them being the ship
““Glide,” schooner “Lydia,” and others.
She made many voyages, some to Europe,
others to the Provinces and thence to South Daniel H. Mansfield was a nephew of the
America and was finally sold in January, Tuckers and father of Mrs. Henry W. Pea-
1847, to Boston owners. In those days it body of Salem. He was a master mariner,
was customary for vessels in the South commanding the bark ‘‘Emily Wilder,”
American trade to sail for the Provinces in brig “‘ Cherokee,” brig ‘‘ Rattler,” and others.
ballast, there taking on fish for the Cape He was United States Consul in Zanzibar
Verde Islands, where they would load salt for several years and afterwards an alder-
for South American ports, returning to the man of Salem. He died December 24,
United States with hides and tallow. Or 1874. “An efficient shipmaster of simple
they might leave here in ballast for Rich- habits and great integrity of character.”

[57]
 BARK SAPPHO, RICHARD D. ROGERS, MASTER
From the painting now in possession of George S. Silsbee.

:
Camby:

BRIG CAMBRIAN, ABNER GOODHUE, JR., MASTER

From a painting by Frederic Roux, now in the possession of J. B. Ropes.

[58]
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 SHIP ST. PAUL
Among the many ships famous in the greatly changed. Previously, she had paint-
early days of Salem’s maritime history, ed ports, and with her wide channels with
none is more deserving of honorable men- the dead eyes and rigging running down to
tion than the good ship “St. Paul.” The them, and her high side out of water, she
vessel was built in Boston in 1833, registered had much the appearance of a heavy East
463 3-95 tons, her length was 129 feet, her India Company ship.
beam 23 feet, and depth 18 feet. For two Captain Allen was the commander on this
years she made voyages under command of voyage, Daniel Bray was mate, and John
Capt. Joel Woodbury of Beverly, between Hancock was second mate. The last named
New York, New Orleans, and Liverpool. had sailed in her on her eighth, ninth, tenth,
In November, 1835, the late Hon. Stephen eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth voyages.
C. Phillips purchased the ship, and for six- He mourned over the removal of the figure-
teen years she bore the name of Salem as head, and as the ship started for sea on
her home port. July 5, 1851, he remarked sadly, ‘‘She will
Heavily built for the cotton trade, and of never come back!” His words were pro-
a large, full model, she proved herself an phetic and too true. The ship was driven,
enormous carrier. Her figure-head was a during a typhoon December 9, on the island
white bust of the Apostle Paul, and her of Masbate; in the Straits of St. Bernardino,
large, square stern, with cabin windows, was the crew narrowly escaping losing their
embellished with a superb carving, rep- lives. This ended her career so far as
resenting the Apostle Paul shaking the viper Salem was concerned. She was sold at
from his hand into the fire when he was auction as she lay, afterwards was floated,
shipwrecked on the Isle of Malta. When and subsequently sailed under the Spanish
he purchased the ship, Mr. Phillips did so flag, bearing the name of “Santa Eusta.”
with the express purpose of placing her in Two anecdotes of the ship are here re-
the trade between Salem and Manila. called. On her fifth voyage from Salem, in
On December 9, 1835, commanded by 1840, three days after leaving Manila, on
Capt. Gordon Robinson, she left New York the homeward passage, the ship encoun-
for Manila. She made the outward passage tered a typhoon, was very badly damaged,
in 140 days, remained in port 53 days, and putting into Singapore for repairs. There
arrived back at New York, December 10, she took several missionaries, a physician,
1836. On her next voyage she was com- Dr. Wm. B. Driver of Philadelphia, and
manded by Capt. Joseph Winn. Eleven two shipmasters, Captain Lowry and Cap-
round voyages between Salem and Manila tain Underwood, as passengers. The vessel
followed, the ship calling once at Macao, sailed from Singapore, March 4, 1841, and
China, Singapore, and Batavia. The quick- on the night of March 9, at ten o’clock, some
est voyage was the tenth, made in ten of the passengers wished to visit the British
months and four days, under command of ships “‘Valleyfield” and “Lord Wilson” to
Capt. Charles H. Allen. Several were made say “good-bye” to friends. The three ships
in less than eleven months. sailed from Singapore at the same time, and
While at home on her thirteenth voyage, the captains arranged to keep together
the “St. Paul” was retopped and thoroughly through the Straits of Malacca, as those \
overhauled at Dodge’s Wharf, South Salem. waters were infested with Malay pirates.
The figure-head was removed, the quaint Captain Lowry was engaged in clearing the
carving taken off the stern, the heavy chan- jolly boat, when suddenly there was a splash,
nels replaced by modern chain plates, the followed by a swish and the swirl of the
hull painted black, and her appearance was water as though a large fish had broken the

[61]
surface. The night was dark, a dead calm Paul” to be carried to his native land. Four
prevailed, nothing could be seen and there days out from Salem, in the evening, he
was no outcry. But Captain Lowry was jumped up on the ship’s rail, and, before
missing. The boat went over the side in any one realized his purpose, dived into the
less time than it takes to tell the story, and sea. A boat searched for an hour for him,
boats from the English ships assisted in the but he could not be found.
search. The unfortunate man could not be The “St. Paul” was the largest vessel of
found. In the twinkling of an eye he had her time owned in Salem, only two others
been seized by a man-eating shark, and car- exceeding 400 tons. Her departure from
ried beneath the water. Salem was watched from headland to head-
Another tragedy of the sea in connection land until she was lost to view, and on her
with the “St. Paul,” occurred on the tenth return ‘““‘many an eye awaited her coming,
voyage. There had been living in Salem a and looked brighter when she came.” Her
Manila boy, sixteen years old, brought here cargoes filled the spacious storehouses on
by a Salem shipmaster. The lad having Phillips’ Wharf, and she paid total duties of
grown homesick, was placed on the “St. $163,268.02 into the United States Treasury.

Yamucl Je: Crue, Leaving Marseilles Monrihe 1618.

seals f :

SHIP ROME, SAMUEL R. CURWEN, MASTER

From the painting showing the ship leaving Marseilles in March, 1848, made by S. Pelligrini,
and now in the possessicn of Mrs. Charles F. Curwen.

[62]
maga,
tpjfoUY EYOYD, LOYD
 SHIP CAROLINA
The ship “Carolina” was built in Med- baya in the Island of Java, there to load rice
ford in 1836 by George Fuller for Ammi C. for Lintin, the open port for Canton which
Lombard, and measured 395 tons. From was up the river, and from there to go to
the early days Medford, from its location on Whampoa for a cargo of tea if it could be
the winding Mystic river, furnished favor- purchased at a low price, if not, to proceed
able opportunities for many shipyards and to Manila and there load sugar and hemp
after the Revolution, from 1803 to 1846, for home. Captain Fabens was advised to
when shipping again revived, nearly 400 “give all the rocks and shoals a wide berth”
vessels, aggregating over 130,000 tons, which he evidently did, for the ‘‘Carolina”’
estimated to have cost $6,000,000, were arrived safely in Salem from Manila with
launched there. One vessel, the ‘‘Avon,” a “merchandise, 100,000 cigars and 343,907
privateer in the last war with England, was pounds of sugar,” paying duties of $10,-
built in twenty-six days. 055.32.
Two Medford vessels deserve special She made other successful voyages, being
mention; the first was framed and put to- registered September 16, 1843, May 31, 1844,
gether, then taken down and transported to and in 1845 was sold in New York for
Boston, where it was shipped to the Sand- $14,000.
wich Islands with the first missionaries,
Charles H. Fabens, who was master of a
sent there on the “Thaddeus.”” The other
ship at nineteen years of age, was born on
was the first vessel built without Medford
Mill street, Salem, next to the mill on South
rum. After much opposition the trial was
river where the corn of the farmers in South
made and resulted five years later in abol-
Fields was ground and where the great ma-
ishing the custom so long in vogue of serv-
hogany logs from South America were cut
ing rum freely from the time the keel was
up, and from which the street took its
laid until the ship was launched.
name. This mill was situated where the
The “Carolina” was first registered in round house of the Boston & Maine Rail-
Salem May 31, 1842, and was owned by road stood previous to the conflagration of
David Pingree, Benjamin Fabens, Charles 1914.
H. Fabens, and Benjamin Fabens, Jr., and
Captain Fabens went to sea when he was
was commanded by Capt. Charles H. Fa-
sixteen and retired at the age of twenty-six,
bens. She sailed for the Far East with a
and settled in Cayenne for seven years. On
letter of credit for £20,000 sterling with
his return to Salem he engaged in the
which to purchase a cargo, together with a
Cayenne trade. The Fabens family for
miscellaneous cargo, part of which was
four generations carried on this trade, oc-
1,500 pigs of lead, 15 kegs containing
cupying in Salem the wharf and counting-
42,800 Mexican dollars, 3 kegs containing
room of the famous William Gray. The last
7,200 Spanish dollars, a bag with 150 Mex-
arrival from Cayenne was on March 21,
ican and a keg with 250 Mexican dollars.
1877, the schooner “‘ Mattie F.,”’ consigned
The instructions given to the captain, in to C. E. & B. H. Fabens. This brought to
the shape of a letter signed by all the owners, a close the once famous foreign trade of
show that the ship was to clear for Soura- Salem.

[65]
 BRIG MARY PAULINE, NEAL P. HEWESON, MASTER
Formerly the African slaver, “‘La Rooke.’ Frem the original painting now in possession of the
Peabody Museum, Salem.

SHIP SAPPHIRE, STEPHEN C. PHILLIPS, OWNER

From the original painting in the possession of Stephen W. and
J. D. Phillips of Salem.

[66]
| har ea NDS
Da i i aN Sn ws i ee none Oe
 SHIP THOMAS PERKINS
The ship “Thomas Perkins,” of Salem, changing the destination when such a
was built at Portsmouth, N. H., in 1837, for course seemed desirable.
David Pingree and Emery Johnson. She She sailed from New York again July 14,
was 156 9-10 feet in length, 28 and 41% 1842, for Manila and Canton, and made
tenths feet in breadth, and 20 feet deep, four regular voyages under Capt. William
with two decks, a square stern, a billet Graves, Jr., to these and other ports in the
head, and a capacity of 595 64-100 tons. East during the next five years. On the
The vessel arrived in Salem, September 1, last of these voyages she was in Penang
1837, and sailed upon her first voyage harbor with the ship ‘“‘Caroline Augusta,”
November 29, William Graves, Jr., of New- the ship “Ann Maria” and the bark “ Three
buryport, master, for Mobile and thence to Brothers,” all of Salem. All four of these
Liverpool and China. She did not return vessels were owned by the same merchants.
to the United States until June 21, 1842, Under Capt. Edmund Pike of Newbury-
arriving in New York from Manila after one port, she sailed from New York, December
of the most remarkable and profitable voy- 22, 1847, for Penang, Amoy and Manila, re-
ages on record. During most of this long turning to New York, May 4, 1849, loaded
period of almost five years, being a neutral with Manila hemp. This proved to be a
ship, she was engaged in distributing the very profitable voyage, the price of hemp
cargoes of the English vessels in Chinese having advanced during her passage home.
ports, which were then closed to the English In June, 1849, she was owned by Richard
by reason of the Opium War. S. Rogers and William D. Pickman of
The opium trade of the East India Com- Salem, and was commanded by Capt. Wil-
pany with China, which was worth £1,000,- liam C. Rogers of Salem. She sailed from
000 to £1,500,000 to British India, and New York, July 18, 1849, for San Francisco
amounted to 30,000 chests in 1837, was and thence to Calcutta, with an entire cargo
stopped that year by the Chinese govern- of lumber and arrived at San Francisco
ment, although the trade had actually been ahead of the fleet on November 22, 1849.
illegal since 1796. Various seizures, riots As this was during the gold fever the cap-
and diplomatic incidents finally led to a tain was able to dispose of one-half of the
declaration of war by the British govern- cargo at an enormous profit, then the other
ment in 1840. Nine-tenths of the British vessels arrived and the balance had to be
merchants in China were engaged in the sold at cost. She arrived at Boston from
illegal traffic when British shipping was ex- Calcutta, December 6, 1850, thus complet-
cluded from Chinese waters and the contents ing a voyage around the world.
of British vessels had to be transferred to On February 21, 1851, she sailed from
American bottoms for conveyance to Chinese Boston for New Orleans under command of
ports. In 1842, a treaty of peace was Capt. Charles Bush of Salem, being owned
signed by which the ports of Amboy, at that time by Theodore A. Neal, Richard
Foochow, Ningpo and Shanghai were de- S. Rogers, William C. Rogers and Jacob C.
clared open to trade in addition to those Rogers. Upon her return in May, 1851,
previously used, and an indemnity of another voyage was made to the same port,
$21,000,000 was to be paid to the British and again in August and November, the
government. latter one under command of Captain
On her return the ‘Thomas Perkins”’ Boott.
came into Massachusetts Bay, June 16, On February 13, 1852, under Captain
1842, and was ordered around to New York Boott, she sailed again for New Orleans,
by the pilot, this being the ordinary way of leaving there May 1st for Liverpool, but on

[69]
May 29, leaking badly, was obliged to put She was named by Mr. Pingree for his
into Boston harbor. After having been uncle Thomas Perkins, who was born in
repaired she sailed for Liverpool on July 17, Topsfield, April 2, 1758, and died there,
1852, and on September 8 following, sailed November 24, 1830. Beginning life as a
from Liverpool for San Francisco, arriving shoemaker, Mr. Perkins came to Salem at
January 29, 1853. On April 18 of that the age of twenty-two and shipped on
year she left for Callao, and sailed from board a privateer in company with Joseph
there September 8, arriving in Baltimore Peabody who afterwards became his busi-
January 5, 1854. In February, 1854, the ness partner. They were also together on
ownership changed and from that time the letter-of-marque brig “Ranger,’’ Cap-
until 1861, she was engaged in the cotton tain Simmons, when she was attacked in the
trade between New Orleans, Boston and Potomac river in 1782, by three British tory
Liverpool. No record of her appears after barges which were brilliantly repulsed. He
1861. became captain of the privateers “Spitfire”
A half-hull model is preserved in the Ma- and “Thrasher,” and in the latter captured
rine Hall of the Peabody Museum in Salem. six prizes in a single cruise. He was fre-
This picture, which has the signal of quently referred to as Captain Perkins and
David Pingree at the mainmast, shows the became an eminent merchant, his enterprise
ship probably in a Chinese port, very aiding very materially in building up the
likely Lintin. reputation of the City of Salem.

SHIP ELIZA ANN, WILLIAM J. CHEEVER, MASTER.

From the painting by a Chinese artist at Whampoa, showing the rescue, in November, 1845, cf the
crew of a dismantled junk.

[70]
UL OF Lp
 SHIP IRIS
The ship ‘‘Iris,” 227 tons burden, was thousand dollars were paid. On November
built in Kennebunk, Maine, in 1797 for Wil- 3, 1800, she returned from Copenhagen,
liam Gray, Jr., of Salem, one of the most dis- John Conway, master. March 8, 1803, the
tinguished merchants of his time, and one same master was recorded as from Lisbon
of the largest ship-owners in Salem. In with salt and wine. September 4, 1805,
1807 Mr. Gray owned fifteen ships, seven still with John Conway in command, she
barks, thirteen brigs and one schooner, be- brought hemp, tallow and merchandise
ing one-fourth of all the tonnage of Salem. from St. Petersburg. On November 20,
There is a tradition in Salem that his ambi- 1805 a change of ownership to Henry Gray
tion was to own a hundred vessels. He is noted, and the vessel is registered in the
lived in the mansion on Essex Street, which name of the new owner. September 6,
he built in 1800 and which in later years was 1806, John Conway, master, brandy and
known as the ‘‘Essex House,” on the site of wine from Naples, paying duties of over
the present hotel of that name. In 1809 fourteen thousand dollars. April 20, 1807,
he removed to Boston and in 1810-11 was John Conway, master, merchandise and salt
chosen Lieutenant-Governor, and died in from Lisbon. On March 15, 1808, still
Boston, November 3, 1825, possessed of a with John Conway as master, she is regis-
very large property. tered as from Algeciras with stores and
ballast, possibly an unsuccessful voyage,
The ‘‘Iris” was first registered in Salem,
but more likely having discharged her cargo
June 19, 1799, Enoch Swett, master. No
at some other port, returned here in order
special records are found of her voyages ex-
to load for another foreign voyage.
cept as the impost books at the Custom
House show her arrival from time to time. This apparently is her last arrival in
December 19, 1799, she returned from Salem, and as Mr. Gray moved his business
Archangel with merchandise, cordage, hemp to Boston the next year, she may have con-
and candles. Again on June 9, 1800, she tinued to bring these varied cargoes from
arrived from Havana, Philip Besom, mas- the well-known ports in Europe and to have
ter, loaded with white and brown sugar and assisted materially in making Mr. Gray one
molasses, upon which duties of over ten of the great merchants of that era.

[73]
SHIP BORNEO, CHARLES H. RHOADES, MASTER, 1851
Silsbee, Pickman and Stone, owners. Altered to a bark.

SHIP PROPONTIS, WILLIAM SILVER, MASTER, 1844

Tucker Daland, Jacob Putnam and William Silver, owners.

[74]
By DLre yey ol mpage fPavey pry WM TO. TPO dys
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 SHIP BROOKLINE
For many years Salem was largely inter- Heads, February 6. ‘This was her first voy-
ested in trade with the Philippine Islands, age to the East Indies, her Captain having
and her vessels plied regularly between made a previous voyage in the ship ‘‘Rome”’
Manila and this port. Little did her mer- to Calcutta.
chants, ship masters, supercargoes and sea- Among the arrivals at Salem, June 18,
men dream that these Islands would be as 1833, the Salem Register of June 20 reports:
truly a part of the United States as is “Ship Brookline, Kennedy, Boston. Pur-
Massachusetts. chased by Stephen C. Phillips.” This, then,
Prominent among the Salem merchants was the beginning of the ship’s connection
to do business with the Philippines was the with Salem. Her registry at the Salem
late Hon. Stephen Clarendon Phillips, later Custom House reads: “Brookline, ship,
a Mayor of Salem, and among the ships 349 tons, Medford, 1831, Stephen C.
that he placed in the trade was the ‘“‘Brook- Phillips, owner, George Peirce, master,
line,” a picture of which is reproduced here. June 19, 1833.” The ship cleared from
It is copied from a large painting owned by Salem, July 1, 1833, George Peirce, master,
George H. Allen of Salem and Manchester, for the East Indies, and sailed the next
a son of Capt. Charles H. Allen, one of the day.
ship’s masters. April 29, 1836, the “Brookline” sailed
The “Brookline” was built in 1873, in from New York for Manila under command
Medford, by Thacher Magoun for Henry of Capt. Charles H. Allen, and she made
Oxnard of Boston, and she registered 364 regular voyages with him as master until
tons. Mr. Magoun was born in Pembroke, 1844, with the single exception of a voyage
Mass., June 17, 1775. For five years he to Valparaiso and Manila, sailing from Bos-
was an apprentice to Enos Briggs, a famous ton, June 26, 1837. On that voyage Gordon
ship builder of Salem, also a native of Robinson was master, Benjamin W. Peach,
_ Pembroke, who was the builder of the noted Marblehead, mate; John Church, Beverly,
frigate, Essex, which was launched in Salem, second mate; Charles F. Proctor, Salem,
September 30, 1799, from Winter Island. one of the crew, and London Ruliff, Salem,
From Salem, young Magoun went to Mr. steward. She returned to Salem, arriving
Barker’s yard in Charlestown (the present here March 9, 1839, and paying duties of
United States Navy Yard,) where he $8727.44 at the Salem Custom House.
worked two years longer. In 1802 “he laid The “Brookline” sailed from Salem for
the first keel of that fieet of ocean merch- Manila, May 23, 1843. She returned from
ant ships whose sails have shaded every this voyage and arrived at Salem, April
bay and sea of the navigable globe.” 2, 1844, and that ended her connection
Between 1803 and 1845, 149 vessels were with Salem. May 9, 1844, the ship was
built at his yard. sold to a Boston owner. Starbuck’s book
On May 11, 1832, the “Brookline” on “Whaling,” records her as the ship
cleared at New York for Manila, under “Brooklyn,” 360 tons, Perkins & Smith,
command of Capt. Samuel Kennedy of owners, Jeffry, master, and sailing the Pacific
Salem. She is next reported in the Salem Ocean, July 7, 1845. She returned April
Register of January 10, 1833, as follows 6, 1848; sailed again July 10, 1848, return-
“Arrived in River Hoogly, ship Brookline, ed May 7, 1851. With Newry, master,
Kennedy, for Calcutta; made the land, she sailed on her third voyage, July 11,
August 18, (1832), in 97 days from Boston.” 1851, and returned April 30, 1856. Sept.
She arrived at Boston on her return, June 5, 6, 1856, Capt. Rose, master, she sailed
1833, from Calcutta January 20, Sands again, and returned May 5, 1859, and is

[77]
then reported as sold to Boston parties, and craft, pastor of the First Church, and ex-
in 1861 is recorded in the Ship Register as mayor of Salem, Capt. Kennedy, master of
sold to Buenos Ayres parties and brok- the “Brookline” on a previous voyage,
en up. Capt. Lovett of Beverly, John Porter Felt,
John Felt, who was assistant superinten- brother of Mr. Felt, and who lost his life by
dent of the Salem Gas Light Co., when 80 the burning of the steamer “Lexington” in
years of age, told the writer that he was in Long Island Sound in 1840. It is a sad
the ‘‘Brookline” when she made a double coincidence that the owner of the ship lost
voyage in 1833-36. He said they sailed his life, while mayor of Salem, by the burn-
from Salem, July 2, 1833, and were accom- ing of the steamer “Fulton” in the St.
panied down the harbor and 20 miles to sea Lawrence River, June 26, 1859.
by many prominent citizens who came back On this voyage the ship cleared for
in the pilot boat. Among them, says Mr. Batavia, went to Canton, thence to Ham-
Felt, was Hon. Stephen C. Phillips, the burg, back to Manila, and then home to
owner, Rev. John Brazier, pastor of the New York, where she arrived March 11,
North Church, Rev. James Thompson, pas- 1836, having left Manila Oct. 6, and St.
tor of the Barton Square Church, Rev. Helena, Jan. 22. The entire voyage occu-
Charles W. Upham, author of Salem Witch- pied 32 months and nine days.

BRIG NEREUS, WILLIAM SKERRY, MASTER, 1834.

[78]
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 SHIP FRANKLIN
The picture here reproduced is from a Head. On her arrival at Batavia, nine
painting in the possession of Mr. William C. days later, it was found that the Dutch
Waters of Salem. It was painted in Japan East India Company was in need of a
by a Dutch artist and represents the ship vessel to take a cargo to and from Japan
“Franklin” of Boston, 200 tons burden; and she was at once chartered. The cargo
James Perkins, Thomas H. Perkins and consisted in part of “sugar, cloves, cotton
James Dunlap of Boston, owners, and James yarn, chintz, tin, elephant’s teeth and 100
Devereux of Salem, master. She sailed lb. mummie.”” On the voyage back she
from Boston on December 11, 1798, bound was to bring copper, “camphire,” empty
for Batavia on the island of Java. At that boxes and boards. Article eighth of the
time the entire foreign trade of Japan was charter-party stipulates “That the number
controlled by the Dutch merchants at Java of persons on board shall amount to 17, the
and on the arrival of the “Franklin” she Captain included.”
was chartered by the Dutch East India The following extracts from the letter of
Company for 30,000 piastres, for a voyage instructions are of curious interest: “When
to and from Japan. This was the first you get to latitude 26 or 27 it will be neces-
voyage of an American vessel to Japan. sary to have everything in readiness to com-
The original letter of instructions, the ply with the ceremonies which the Japanese
ship’s charter party and the directions of are accustomed to see performed by the
the Dutch East India Company to Captain ships of this company.
Devereux were printed in volume two of “First. You will have all your colors in
the Essex Institute Historical Collections order to dress the ship on her entrance into
and show with what care ships were started port.
on long voyages before the days of the tel-
“Second. There must be a table pre-
egraph and cable, when the responsibility
pared on the quarter-deck which must be
for success or failure, to a very large extent,
covered with a piece of cloth and two cush-
rested upon the man on the spot.
ions for the officers to sit upon, when they
The letter of instructions was dated Bos-
come on board.
ton, December 7, 1798, and Captain Dev-
“Third. It is indispensably necessary to
ereux was directed, “being master of our
have a list of all the people on board, pas-
ship ‘Franklin’ now ready for sea, to pro-
sengers and officers, their station and age.
ceed immediately to Batavia in the Island
of Java; on your arrival there to co-operate “Fourth. All the books of the people
with Mr. Walter Burling, who goes out in and officers, particularly religious books,
the Ship and to whom the cargo is jointly must be put in a cask and headed up. The
with yourself addressed.” The return cargo officers from the shore will put their seals
was to be coffee and was to be brought in upon the cask and take it on shore and on
bulk if possible. Boards were to be carried the departure of the ship, will bring it on
to fit the hold for that purpose and also board without having opened it.
material for the construction of a coach “Fifth. Before your arrival at Japan,
house on the quarter-deck for the accommo- you must make the people deliver you their
dation of the officers on the return voyage money, and keep it until your departure.
so that the cabin also could be filled with This will not be attended with inconven-
coffee. ience, as at Japan nothing is bought for
The “Franklin” left Boston on December cash, but they may change their specie for
11, 1798, and after an uneventful voyage of Cambang money, and then make their
130 days, on April 19, 1799, made Java trade, but this must be done by the Captain,

[81]
 “Sixth. When you are in sight of ment to them. It is immaterial what colors
Japan, you must hoist a Dutch penant and you dress your ship with, except Spanish or
ensign in their proper places, as if you were Portuguese, it is however necessary to
a Dutch ship. recollect that the Dutch colors must always
“Seventh. When the Cavalles are on be in their proper place, as if the ship was
your starboard hand, and the Island of of that nation.
Japan on your larboard, you must salute “Twelfth. When the Commissaries re-
the guard on the Cavalles with nine guns. turn on shore you must salute them with
“Eighth. After that you pass on the nine guns.
larboard side of Papenburg, and salute with “Thirteenth. You must be very par-
nine guns. ticular in letting the boats which are around
“Ninth. You then pass the guard of the ship know when you are going to fire, as,
the Emperor on the starboard and larboard, if you were to hurt any of them the conse-
nearly at the same time, and salute with quences would be very important.
seven or nine guns, the first all starboard “Fourteenth. After you are anchored
guns, and the second all larboard. and salute the harbour, the officers examine
“Tenth. You then advance into the the list of your people and compare them
Road of Nangazacky, and after anchoring with the number on board. After having
salute with thirteen guns. received them, those who wish it can go
“Eleventh. When you enter the Cavalles, on shore, but before the Japanese land, all
the Commissaries of the chief will come on the arms and ammunition must be sent on
board, and you must salute them with nine shore, and it will be proper that everything
guns. At the same time, if it is practicable, of this kind should be landed as they search
hoist some colors to the yard as a compli- the ship after she is unloaded.

SHIP UNION, WILLIAM OSGOOD, MASTER, 1815

.
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 BRIG NAIAD
The Brig ‘““Naiad,” of 259 tons burden, supply them passage. The event is com-
was built in Haverhill in 1817 for Pickering memorated by the bronze tablet now to
Dodge of Salem and was first registered at be seen on the Tabernacle Church in
the Salem Custom House July 18, 1819, Salem.
Nathaniel Osgood being the master. Mr. Dodge’s wharf was located in South
On Thursday, October 28, 1819, she ar- Salem and is now part of the property of
rived from Calcutta on her first voyage, hav- the Naumkeag Steam Cotton Company.
ing been struck by lightning the Sunday Mr. Bentley also records in 1819 that
previous. Thesecond mate, William Griffen, Dodge’s Wharf was being carried out from
who was on the main topsail yard was the point opposite Derby Wharf, “the work
instantly killed and fell into the sea with is in the method of the wharf at the Charity
his clothes burning. The first mate was House, with stone filled with earth to be
knocked down and one man seriously in- solid and not like our other wharves of cobb
jured. The vessel, however, received but and liable to be hurt by every sea.”
trifling damage.
The picture here reproduced was painted
In January, 1821, she arrived from Cal-
by Anton Roux in Marseilles, showing the
cutta paying duties of $24,000. After mak-
“Naiad” leaving for India on March 5,
ing several successful voyages to India she
1820.
was sold to Newburyport parties in
August, 1823. The water color paintings of vessels by
Anton Roux are more highly prized by col-
Pickering Dodge, her first owner, was
lectors than those of any other artist of the
born April 6, 1778, married Rebecca,
period. Roux was born in Marseilles in
daughter of Daniel and Mary Jenks, and
1765 and died there in 1835. He was
died August 16, 1833. He was well known
established as a hydrographer on one of the
as an active, enterprising, intelligent and
quays and painted pictures of many famous
honorable merchant and was universally
ships, of which a number were owned in
esteemed. He built and occupied the
Salem.
house in Chestnut Street, now owned by
Dr. O. B. Shreve. His sons Anton, Jr., Francois and Fred-
erick followed his profession as artists, their
He was associated in business with some
work closely resembling that of their
of the ablest merchants of his period, in-
father. Francois became painter to the
cluding Thomas Wigglesworth, Ebenezer
French Ministry of Marine.
Francis, Dudley L. Pickman and R. C.
Mackey; his ships were the largest for the The “Naiad” having been built in
times and he paid some of the largest Haverhill, the following extract from the
amounts in duties that were received at the proprietor’s records under date of June 18,
Custom House in Salem. 1733, will be of interest as showing the
earliest notice of shipbuilding there:
Rev. William Bentley in his Diary records
in 1812, that the American Board of Com- “Henry Springer petition as followeth,
missioners for Foreign Missions notified the viz. That he is willing and desirious to
churches that four candidates, Adoniram settle in Town and Carry on the Trade of a
Judson, Samuel Newell, Samuel Nott and Ship Carpenter if he might have suitable
Gordon Hall were to be ordained in the encouragement. But having no place of
Tabernacle Church and go immediately to his own to build on prays the grant of so
India and that Pickering Dodge was to much Land betwixt the highway by the

[85]
burrying place, and the River or where the son build in the same place in his room and
vessel now stands on the Stocks as would no Longer.”
accommodate him for a building yard.” Mr. Springer was not the first shipbuilder
“Upon which petition after mature con- in town, but was evidently the first person
sideration it was Voted, that he should have who carried on shipbuilding as a regular
so much, provided that he settled in the business, from the fact that his name is the
town of Haverhill and Carried on the Trade first that appears in that connection in the
of a Ship Carpenter, or that some other per- Records.

BRIG ELIZA AND MARY, NATHANIEL GRIFFIN, MASTER, 1822

From a painting in possession of Nathaniel Griffin Simonds of Salem

[86]
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