Page 22. MAINE COASTAL NEWS October 2014 HISTORY FROM THE PAST - Bangor Daily Commercial - Early 1900s


About this time the United States fi tted out an expedition against one Brisbane, who had set himself up as an opera-bouffe governor in the Falklands and was levying tribute on American sealers and traders. Capt. Duncan in the sloop-of-war Lexington was sent after Brisbane and young Russ, with a taste for excitement, managed to join the expedition.


Brisbane had fortifi ed himself on an island, in a stone castle, and had an “army” of about 100 doubtful characters. The bluejackets from the Lexington made short work of the place, and swarmed into the fort, capturing 80 prisoners. Young Russ was one of the fi rst to enter the fort, and secured an elegant silver-mounted rifl e, the personal property of Brisbane, as a souvenir. Many years afterwards (in 1896), this exploit came up as a question between the United States and the Argentine confederation, and Sec. Oincy discovered Capt. Russ, the only survivor, who gave the State department very valuable information. Capt. Russ had a letter of thanks from Sec. Oiney, which he valued highly. After the excitement was over, Russ was free to go where he pleased, not being an enlisted man, and he joined the brig DASH of Boston, a sealer. While at a southern island Russ, in an alteration knocked down the mate. Then with two young sailors, who had been much abused. He started for the shore in the longboat.


The skipper got out his pistols and ordered them back, but Russ had his silver- mounted rifl e along with him. He covered the captain with it and defi ed him. The young men reached shore safely, but were obliged to take to the mountains and remain in hiding for nearly two months, while the natives were hunting for them, having been promised a barrel of rum for their capture, dead or alive. Finally, from one of the peaks of the island they saw the DASH in the offi ng, and knew that they were safe. A short time later the American whaler HARRY LEE came in post, and the castaways turned whale hunters. The HARRY LEE rescued a shipwrecked crew from a desert island and a short time later was wrecked herself at Port Louis.


Russ joined a London fur sealer and sailed the Staten land after seals and sea


elephant oil. Later, while poaching on a government- protected island at La Plata, the sealer was caught unawares by a sloop-of-war, which gave chase. The sealer had two pivot guns and several wooden “quakers.” A number of dummy sailors were rigged and set up about the deck, and with yells of defi ance, armed with rifl es, pistols, sealing spears and knives, the sealers boldly dashed for the little cruiser. The sight was too much for the man- of-war, who mistook the sealer for a famous pirate, came about and made off. The poachers fi lled their craft with oil and skins and sailed for London, taking into that port the richest cargo of the kind ever landed there – and most of it poached. Russ and others of the crew had a big pot of money coming to them. With this they bought a fi ne brig, but she was lost on her fi rst trip. Capt. Russ then came back to America, and to his old home in Belfast, and settled down to be a farmer.


When the Civil war broke out, although over 50 years old, Capt. Russ wrote to his old navy captain, then Commodore Smith, to take him on if there was any chance better than bluejacket.


As soon as the mails could answer he got a hearty response, and was given a berth as master’s mate on the blockader Underwriter. He was soon promoted to master’s mate on the CHIPPEWA, and earned special mention for gallantry at the taking of Fort Hatteras. He was transferred to the SUMPTER, and while on this trip was taken with rheumatism, and was obliged to come home. Since then he had remained at Belfast, taking care of his farm. He thought that he had seen enough of the world and had suffi cient excitement.


When 28 years old he married Mary Ann Fletcher of China, Maine, a cousin of Vice Pres. Hannibal Hamlin. She lived until 91. They had four children all living in Belfast.


Capt. Russ was a remarkable old man. Up to the last his memory was active and accurate. He had never lost a tooth, his eyesight was good, he drank four or fi ve cups of coffee at every meal, and was an inveterate smoker. The stories and incidents of his remarkable career would make several books.


U. S. NAVY N E W S Continued from Page 8.


ater security cooperation and security force assistance operations.


Follow-on patrol boat deliveries are planned through fi scal year 2018. Program Executive Offi ce Ships man- ages the design and construction of all U.S. Navy destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, as well as a wide range of small boats and craft for U.S. agencies and allied nations. Since its creation in November 2002, PEO Ships has delivered more than 40 warships and hundreds of small boats and craft from more than 20 shipyards and boat builders across the United States.


PCU North Dakota (SSN 784), First Block III Virginia Class Submarine Delivered


From Team Submarine Public Affairs


GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- The Navy ac- cepted delivery of PCU North Dakota (SSN 784), the 11th ship of the Virginia Class, on Aug. 29, two days prior to its contract delivery date.


North Dakota is the fi rst of eight Vir-


ginia Class Block III ships. Approximately 20 percent of North Dakota was redesigned as part of the Virginia Cost Reduction work done to lower acquisition cost and increase operational fl exibility. The changes include a ship’s bow redesign, replacing 12 individ- ual launch tubes with two large-diameter Virginia Payload Tubes, each capable of launching six Tomahawk Cruise Missiles. Only six days ago North Dakota suc- cessfully completed Alpha, Bravo, and Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) trials, which evaluate the submarine’s sea- worthiness and operational capabilities. During the trials, the crew took the subma- rine to test depth, conducted an emergency surfacing, and tested the submarine’s pro- pulsion plant.


The Navy postponed North Dakota’s original May commissioning date because of quality issues with vendor-assembled and delivered components that required an un- planned dry-docking to correct. Additional design certifi cation work was also required on the submarine’s redesigned bow. North Dakota will spend the next two months preparing for its Oct. 25 commis- sioning in Groton, Connecticut.


2 October 1906 A Launching at Belfast.


Belfast, October 2. The four masted schooner


PENDLETON SISTERS was launched Tuesday from the yard of Pendleton Bros., the owners. She was christened with roses by Miss Ettie B. Pendleton, one of the fi ve sisters, for whom she was named. The schooner is 879.9 net tonnage, 207.6 feet long, 38.6 feet beam and 19.8 feet deep. She will be placed at once in the lumber trade for which she was especially constructed and will be commanded by Capt. Walter J. Small of Islesboro.


3 October 1906 Launching at Belfast.


Four Master PENDLETON SISTERS Took Her Maiden Dip Tuesday. Belfast, October 3.


The launching of the four-masted schooner PENDLETON SISTERS, Tuesday morning, was one of the prettiest event of that kind which have been witnessed in this harbor. The big schooner slid gracefully into the water amid the cheers of the large assembly which had gathered. The schooner, one of the handsomest ever launched in this city, is to be commanded by Capt. Walter Small and will engage in the lumber trade. A large number of guests was on board. The new craft is a schooner of 1019 tons gross, 906 tons net, 207.6 feet long, 38.6 feet wide and 19.8 feet deep. The keel was laid a year ago and the frame set up, but work was not hurried, the owner wishing every stick to be thoroughly seasoned before it was put in. Capt. Pendleton has watched the construction of his vessel from the beginning, and nothing has gone into her, even to a bolt, that has not been inspected and approved by him.


The owner is one of the famous Pendleton brothers, of Islesboro, who control more coastwise shipping than any other concern in the world. More than 100 captains report to them, and their vessels are always in active service. “But I want this one for myself,” said the captain. She is named after the fi ve daughters of Captain Pendleton. Brina Pendleton Stevens, Alice, Grace, Effi e B. and Phebe. There are attractive and interesting young ladies, either of whom is capable of sailing the vessel named in their honor. Their father has presented each with one-thirty second of the vessel.


As the vessel slid from the ways she was christened by Miss Effi e Pendleton, who used roses instead of the usual bottle of wine. Immediately after the launching a reception and lunch was given on board, the party including the Pendleton brothers and their families, ex-Mayor and Mrs. E. C. Crosby of Bath, Mr. and Mrs. Fields S.


Pendleton of New York who has charge of the New York offi ce. Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Stevens of Auburn, New York, manager of the Auburn & Syracuse Electric road, W. S. and R. D. Pendleton and E. S. Pendleton of New York, Horace Stone and Hon. I. K. Stetson, Bangor, Mayor John R. Dunton and others of Belfast. The lunch was served by Fox & Adams, caterers, Bangor. Capt. Small of Islesboro, who will


command her, is one of the most experienced and successful navigators of the Pendleton Brothers’ fl eet. He too, has put in much time in the yard, watching and assisting in the construction of the schooner. His wife will accompany him on the fi rst voyage, which will doubtless be from Bangor south. The keel of the PENDLETON SISTERS is 194 feet long; length over all, 234 feet; width, 39 feet; depth, 20 feet; the four lower masts are 97 feet; topmasts, 50 foot. The frame is of Virginia white oak, and Capt. Pendleton said: “It is the best frame I ever saw put up.” It is thoroughly seasoned, and solid. The hard pine is from Gulfport, Mississippi, and of the best quality. The main deck is laid with rib-sawed hard pine, and is smooth as a house fl oor. The after cabin is 32 x 27 feet and is handsome and convenient.


The forward house is 28 x 26 feet and


is fi tted with all modern appliances and conveniences. The power and machinery are from the Hyde Windlass Company, Bath. The anchors weigh 6,000 pounds each, and have extra heavy chains. The vessel will spread between 5,000 and 6,000 yards of canvas.


4 October 1906 New Schooner HERBERT MAY Launched at Phippsburg Wednesday – August W. Snow’s Record Breaking Voyage.


The only arrival in port Thursday was the schooner BENJAMIN FRITH with coal for Hincks & Co. The ANNIE F. CONLON came up late Wednesday afternoon with a like cargo for Snow & Nealley. Clearances were the Kit Carson, New York, Eastern Mfg. Co., Pemaquid, Boston, Morse & Co., Corinna M., Belfast, Morse & Co.


Hard Luck Ship.


What is the last of a bad luck ship, the history of which is probably known to every English speaking sailorman in the world, lies on the beach of the Isle of Pines a total wreck, and her captain, Louis H. Davidson of Boston, with eight men, arrived here yesterday to tell the story. The vessel is the HARRY A. BERWIND of Philadelphia, aboard which, soon after she was launched, three negroes murdered the captain and the rest of the crew because their coffee had not been served hot. The BERWIND never had a


Newport International Boat Show a Success Continued from Page 9.


thing in between. A performance boat that is designed for owner/operators, it features super huge appointments. Its innovations and fl exible layout options are something other manufacturers will chase. This is a sweet boat!” “Our Confi dent Captain At The Helm program was extremely popular,” said Nan- cy Piffard, show director, Newport Exhibi- tion Group. “Online registrations exceeded all expectations. The number of individuals, families and friends taking to the water to learn the basics of safe power and sail boat- ing is key to the industry’s future.” “The 2014 Newport International Boat Show was a tremendous success,” continued


Piffard. “We needed to increase the size of the show to accommodate all of the exhib- itors and attendance was at its highest in a decade. Based on the feedback from exhib- itors, traffi c quality was excellent and sales were strong. We also had a record number of new product introductions including sail- boats, powerboats, navigation products and boating gear. The show was very upbeat. We hope this year’s Newport International Boat Show is indicative of a truly great year ahead and continued strong market growth for the boating industry!”


Dates for next year’s Newport Inter- national Boat Show are September 17th through 20th, 2015. For more information on the Newport International Boat Show, please visit www.newportboatshow.com.


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