Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 April 1899 — Longevity in Ships. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Longevity in Ships.

The average life of a wooden ship was said to be fifteen years. This probably was assumed as a basis for insurance purposes, yet a large percentage

of wooden ships flourished much longer than fifteen years. I quote many Instances of wooden ships which kept afloat an incredible number of years, and eighty out of every hundred were coasters. Two extraordinary instances of longevity in ships may be worth quoting here. In February, 1827, the Betsy Cains of Sbields sailed from that port with a cargo to Hamburg. She met with a heavy gale from east-south-east, and bore up for Sbields harbor. The sea was raging on Tynemouth bar; the ship struck, was driven upon the rocks and lost. What ship was this that was lost in the year 1827? Will It be believed that she was the yacht that In 1688 brought over to England William Prince of Orange, and that she was then called the Princess Mary? This, at all events, was claimed for her. How old was she when she carried the prlnCe? For a number of years afterward she was one of Queen Anne’s royal yachts, and was reckoned a very fast sailing vessel. The other instance is that of a vessel called the Cognac Packet, which, as she was afloat in may still be trading and In good health. I took a note of her in that year, when she sailed from Seaham harbor coal laden for Harwich, in command of Captain Button, and was then ninety-four years old, having been built at Burlesdon, Hants, In 1792. She used to carry brandy to France, and so they named her as above. She was almost a box in shape. —Pall Mall Gazette.

Don't neglect to keep your shoes polished. You can always shine at ona end If you can’t at the other.

A FUNERAL PROCESSION CAME FORTH.