February 2010 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 23. Maritime History: March to 31 July 1876 8 June
Searsport. … Work on the two ships building here is progressing finely. The one building by J. H. Lane will probably be launched some time in July. After she is launched the Messrs. Pendleton will put up a large ship in the same yard, to be gotten off the coming season…
22 June
On Saturday last Capt. John C. Robbins, of Northport, committed suicide at Bangor. The Whig has the following account of the affair –
Last Saturday morning the mate of the schooner got up about 5 o’clock, and the captain asked him to close the cabin door. Shortly afterwards he heard a gurgling sound, and upon stepping into the cabin he found the captain lying on the floor attempt- ing to cut his throat with a razor. He had cut a gash large enough to insert the razor, and was trying to finish the deed. The mate tried to relieve him of the weapon, but was beaten back by the captain who brandished the razor; but the mate finally succeeded in knocking it out of his hand with a broomstick. Physicians were promptly called and dressed the ugly wound.
He was transported to the tug HOWELL, and when opposite Stearns & Co.’s mill he communicated to the mate that he wanted some water, and while he was gone to procure it, the desperate captain jumped overboard and was drowned. It seems that he was bound to die. He was embarrassed financially, and was determined to place himself beyond the reach of mortal cares. Shortly after his wound had been dressed some one asked him why he did not jump overboard if he wanted to com- mit suicide. He replied that he could swim too well for that. We have not yet heard of the recovery of the body. It is feared that it will be difficult to find it as the current will probably carry it out to sea.
Captain Robbins was a man of many excellent qualities – manly and frank in busi- ness matters, and affectionately kind to his family. With a little better vantage ground in the battle of life he might have won a good position and lived happily. But the poor fel- low was overwhelmed by the recent loss of a vessel that carried down all his savings, and saw nothing but want and discouragement in the present, and no better refuge for the future than a suicide’s death.
SHIP NEWS
SHIP SOLD. Among a number of ships recently sold in England was the SCHALDIS, 2531 tons register, built at Bath in 1846, for £6100.
DISASTERS
Brig ANNIE M. KNIGHT (of Yarmouth, ME), Drinkwater, from St. John, NB, for Ha- vana, was wrecked May 28th
, at Cherokee
Sound, Abacoa. A portion of the cargo was saved.
Ship EDWARD O’BRIEN, Smalley, from Callao for Liverpool, before reported as hav- ing put into Valparaiso leaky, had discharged about 1200 tons of cargo May 17. BOMBAY, MAY 15. The JOHN CLARK, American ship, from Liverpool (coal), which arrived here May 6, was found to have a large quantity of smoke arising from her cargo; about five feet of water was thrown into the hold and the discharge promptly proceeded with; the fire appears to be extinguished.
SCARCITY OF VESSELS. The great scarcity of vessels for the coal trade still continues, and the few that do arrive are seized upon with avidity. Orders to agents North to charter vessels meet with very slow response, as very few are to be had at any price. The temporary impediment to canal navigation
27 July
Searsport. Ship CLARISSA B. CARVER, built the present season in the Carter ship-yard, was successfully launched on Monday. Efforts were made to launch her on Saturday, and again on Saturday night, without success. Poor tallow used in greas- ing the ways was the probable cause of her refusing to go.
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will of course lessen the demand for a day or two, but even under these circumstances vessels can readily obtain charters. [Alexan- dria (VA) Gazette, 13th
.]
29 June EXCURSION TO BANGOR. The barge CLIFFORD will make an excursion on the Fourth from Belfast to Bangor. She will leave Belfast at 5 o’clock in the morning, and return the same evening, touching at all landings on the river each way. The Belfast military com- pany will be of the party. Fare for the round excursion, fifty cents. It will be a delightful trip.
* * * * *
Searsport. …Work on the ship building by Capt. J. C. Nickels and others has been temporarily suspended, awaiting the arrival of vessel with hard pine planking from Bucksville, SC. The ship building by J. H. Lane is fast approaching completion, and will be launched the coming month…
SHIP NEWS DISASTERS
Brig A. G. JEWETT, Reed, from Philadel- phia for Marseilles, put into New York June 22nd
, having sprung a bad leak when 100 miles SE of the Highlands.
Ship BELLE O’BRIEN, Captain O’Brien for Liverpool, while being towed out of the harbor of St. John, NB, at high tide 22nd
inst.,
in a thick fog, struck on the bar. Every effort was made with tugs to get her off, but without success. At last accounts she lay in a danger- ous position.
Brig ABBY ELLEN, Harding, before re- ported, from Old Harbor, GA, for New York, was dismasted and abandoned at sea June 15th
, Lat. 32 10; Long. 74 40. The captain and crew were saved, and arrived at Lewes, DE, 25th
inst., on schooner KATE FOSTER, from Port Spain. The ABBY ELLEN was built at this port in 1854 by White & Conner, and was owned in Bangor by P. McConville.
20 July
SHIP NEWS DISASTERS
Ship EDWARD O’BRIEN, Smalley, from Majilliones for Liverpool, before reported at Valparaiso leaky had finished repairs June 5 and was reloading.
Schooner MAGGIE BELL, Hall, at Rich- mond, July 13 from Rockland, was struck by lightning night of 12th
, while in James River
below Harrison’s Bar, and lost mainsail, mainboom, and gaff. Liverpool, July 3rd
in Lat. 31 N., Long. 59 W, . The derelict schoo-
ner JAMES WALL, (of St. George,) water- logged, gutted and covered with barnacles, was passed May 15th
by the FAIRLIE, Plant, arrived here from Demerara.
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