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SEPTEMBER 20, 1900. THE MARINE RECORD. 43 THE OLDEST SCHOONER AFLOAT. The oldest schooner afloat. in American waters and one of the oldest in the world in point of actual service is the Polly of Calais, Me., Capt. McFarland, owner and master, built in Amesbury, Mass., in 1805, and recently started on her 96th year of voyaging along the Maine coast. There is probably no schooner sailing in any waters with as interesting a his- - tory as the 65 ton Polly, which was a privateer in the war of 1812, was captured by and escaped from the British, sailed to the Golden Gate in ’49and around the world several times, and who in her time was regarded as one of the fastest schooners on the seas. Hven now, after nearly a century’s buffeting on the seas of many lands, the stanch little coaster can show her heels to many of the more modern craft it meets from Calais to Boston, where it is well known by old mariners. In its sturdy. old age it sails as a worthy testimo- nial of the art of the ancient shipbuilders of Massachusetts. “Tt’s as able a craft today,’’ recently remarked Capt. McFarland admiringly, as he was putting the finishing paint touches on it, ‘‘as it was the day ofits launching, nearly 100 years ago.’’ Over fourscore years ago the Polly’s decks bristled with guns as it scoured the seas preying upon British commerce undercommand of Capt. Jeduthun Upton of Salem, Massa- chusetts, until it was captured by his majesty’s ship Pheobe of 44 guns. Although captain and crew were taken to Eng- land and held as prisoners of ‘war for seven months, the brave Polly escaped that ignominy, its English prize crew joining the fortunes of UncleSam. Half a century ago it was sailing around the Horn with an adventurous party of Forty-niners from Maine. Since that time the Polly has sailed nearly all the navigable waters of the globe and has always made its home port right side up. Capt. Jeduthun Upton, who owned and commanded the Polly in 1812, when he fitted it out asa privateer, was one of the most noted seafaring men of Salem and one of the most patriotic citizens of that town. He was bornin Salem on September 6, 1785, and died in-Havana~-on July 26, 1821. He married on May 12, 1807, Sally Smith, whose father Jer- rie Smith was one of Washington’s bodyguard-and a noted patriot. Cant. Upton’s sister Sally married Dr. Hemenway of Boston and was the mother of August Hemenway, who at his death was one of Boston’s wealthiest citizens. Capt. Upton and acrew of 20 sailed on the Polly on its first privateering cruise from Salem, Mass., on Dec. 12, 1812; was captured by the British frigate Phcebe on Dec. 23, after she had taken several prizes; and Capt. Upton did not set his foot on American soil again until the July following. Of his sufferings and trials, his indignation at the harsh treatment by the British prisonship officials, the impress- ment of American sailors into British trading vessels, the collusion of the American Transport Commissioner with the British, and other interesting side lights.on the war of 1812, from a privateersman’s point of view, Capt. Upton kept record in the Polly’s log. The log, though yellow with age, is clearly decipherable and is in possession of Mrs. S. H. Lincoln of Machias, Me., a granddaughter of Capt. Upton.— Boston Transcript. : : A LAKE MICHIGAN SEICHE. Prof. Cox, of the Weather Bureau, stationed at Chicago, is preparing a special report on the recent seiche, or oscilla-. While a number. - tion, of surface levels on Lake Michigan. of alleged tidal waves have swept the lakes, only once be- fore in the history of Chicago has the Illinois shore been visited by a seiche. That was on April 7, 1893, and ever since the phenomenon has been a subject of discussion among the scientists. The wave occurred between 1:30 and 1:45 a. m., and its height was from four to six feet. The damage done was principally to vessels anchored in the river. Several were torn from their moorings and carried toward the lake, causing numerous collisions with other vessels. Some were carried out into the lake. The same wave swept over the beach at St. Joseph, Mich., 7oo feet back from the high water mark, the vertical rise at that point being given at four feet. Reports show that the recent seiche was quite general all over Lake Michigan. Capt. McIntosh, of the steamer Darius Cole, said that at South Haven the water rose and fell about four feet. After the water had first receded it came rushing back ten minutes later deluging the shore. It is now agreed, from reports, that two waves swept over the lake, the last one being more severe than the first, and the water being carried farther out into the lake. Residents of Windsor Park claim that the water receded beyond Nichols pier, 250 feet from shore, and that the sand was plainly visible where the water is generally fifteen feet deep. While the seiche ~ was in progress the water changed temperature three times, varying from ten to fifteen degrees. Experts say that this was due toa change of the surface covering, the water at. the bottom of the lake probably changing places with that at the top, owing to the central upheaval. DO SO Oe MASTER OR PILOT. October I, 1900. The United States Civil Service Commission calls atten- tion to its announcement of August 20, 1900, relative to the establishment of an eligible register for the position of mas- terin the Quartermaster’s Department at Large, applica- tions for which will be accepted up to the hour of closing business on October 1, 1900. Age limit 20 years or over. From the eligibles resulting from this examination it-is expected that certification will be made to the position of master on the quartermaster’s steamer General Ayres, at Boston, Mass., at asalary of $110 per month, as well as to the position of master or pilot on the quartermaster’s steamer General French, at Fort Morgan, Alabama, at a salary of $tco per month, and for similar vacancies as they shall oc- cur. This examination is open to all citizens of the United States who comply with the requirements and desire to en- ter the service. All such persons are invited to apply, and applicants will be examined, graded and certified with en- tire impartiality and wholly without regard to any consider- ation save their ability as shown by the grade attained in the examination. Preference in appointment may be given to eligibles who are residents of the vicinity in which the vacancy exists. Persons who desire to compete should at once apply to the United States Civil Service Commission, Washington, D. C., for application forms 304 and 394, which should be properly executed and filed with the commission prior to the hour of closing business on October 1. September 12, 1900. NOTICE TO MARINERS. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, _ OFFICE OF THE LicGH?T-Housk Boan, | - Washington, D, C. September 13, 1900. } . LAKE, St... CLAIR. : St, CLarr Flats CANAL LOWER ENTRANCE (WEST SIDE) EXPERIMENTAL GAS AND BELL Buoy, No. 21.—Notice is hereby given that on September 7, 1900, a gas-lighted buoy with an automatic fog bell attachment was substituted for gas-lighted buoy No.21. sss Cg ae The new buoy is moored inthe same position and is paint- ed and lettered like the former buoy; but it shows a fixed white light, and sounds continuously one stroke every 20 seconds: ee The masters of vessels are requested to inform the Light- House Inspector, at Detroit, should they pass within reason- able hearing distance of this buoy.and not hear the bell ring. Huron Licut Starron.—Notice is hereby. given that, on or before October 5, 1900, the skeleton tower at this station will be inclosed, covered with metal shingles, and the entire tower below the lantern balcony painted white. The tower isdocated on the outer end of the pier, west side = the entrance to Huron Harbor, southerly side of Lake rie. By order of the Light-House Board. FRANCIS J. HIGGINSON, Rear Admiral, U. S. Navy, Chairman. oo ASSISTANT ENGINEER, QUARTERMASTER’S DEPARTMENT AT LARGE. October 13, I900. The United States Civil Service Commission announces that it is desired to establish an eligible register for the position of assistant engineer in the Quartermaster’s Depart- ment at Large. No scholastic test will be given, but applicants will be graded upon the elements of age, experience, intelligence, character as a workman and physical qualifications as shown by the information furnished in connection with their for- mal applications. It will not be necessary for applicants to appear at any place for examination. Age limit. 20 years or over. From the eligibles resulting from this examination it is expected that certification will be made to the position of assistant engineer in the Quartermaster’s Department at Large, steamer Gen. Ayres, Boston, Mass.,- and for similar vacancies,as they shall occur... __. 2 This examination is open to all citizens of the United States who comply with the requirements and desire to enter the service. All such persons‘ areinvited toapply, and applicants will be examined, graded and certified with entire impartiality and wholly without regard to any consideration save their ability asshown by the grade giventhem. Pref- erence in appointment may be given to eligibles who are residents of Boston or vicinity. Persons who desire to compete shonld at once apply to the secretary of the local Board of Examiners at Boston, Mass., or to the U.S. Civil Service Commission, Washington, D. C., for application forms 304 and 394 which should be properly executed and filed with the Commission prior to the hour of closing business on October 13. September 12, 1900. er or cor AN interesting experiment, it is stated, is to be made by a New York company under the auspices of the United States government, in blowing up some old wrecks along the coast by the use of liquid air. The process, and exactly how the explosions are to be accomplished, have not yet been made public. 9.F. HODGE &C « MARINE ENGINES, f=) -Xe) 14 ed DECK HOISTERS, MARINE REPAIRS. @ 312 ATWATER STREET, DETROIT, MICH. Chas. E. & W. F. 58 William Street, New York City. . Band 6 Billiter Avenue, E. C., - OE: “- BROWN &CO., - - - 202 Main Street, Buffalo, N. Y. nsurance A. A. & B. W. PARKER, 15 Atwater St., W. Detroit, Mich. J. G. KEITH-& CO., - 138 Rialto Building, Chicago, Ill. LA SALLE & CO., Board of Trade Building, Duluth, Minn. Are prepared to make rates on all classes of [arine Insurance on the Great : oe Lakes, both CARGOES and HULLS. s-t ? ¢ ae A sane Ee ee Royal Insurance Building, Chicago, U1. C. T. BOWRING & CO. | London, England. Peck, Victor Signal, Marine Valve Oil, Eldorado Engine Oil, Renown Engine Oil, Atlantic Red Engine Oil, Mineral Seal Oil, Arctic Cup Greases, are trade mark brands manufactured by the The best goods are most economical. Standard Oil Company and found on sale at all lake ports. | Remember the names.