Reminiscences of Western Travels 西海紀遊草 (Xi hai ji you cao): An Early Chinese Traveler to America & Relevant American Press Reports, 1847-1850

Sailing of the Chinese Sailors, Belonging to the Cochin China Junk.

SAILING OF THE CHINESE SAILORS, BELONGING TO THE COCHIN CHINA JUNK.--The return of the Chinese sailors to their native land, in the bark Candace, Capt. Gardiner, on Monday, the 4th of October, having been arranged by the owners of the Chinese junk, they all attended the Floating Church of this city, on the preceding Sunday afternoon. It was interesting to see them there with the large number of other sailors who were then present, as some of them must come within the range of Bishop Boone's mission on their return to Shang-Hai,--and the impression of the church services could not fail of being remembered, and of producing a solemn effect on their minds. They were accompanied by Mr. Lin-King-Chew, a devoted Christian, as far as he understands Christianity, having embraced our religion through the instrumentality of some faithful missionary in his native land. His efforts in behalf of his countrymen, were chiefly directed to their spiritual welfare. He presented each of them a Testament in their own language, a portion of which he daily read and explained to them, while they were boarding at the Sailor's Home. Mr. Lin-King-Chew is a Chinese gentleman of education, and of distinction and property in his own country, who has been in New York about two months, learning our language, and who, since their difficulties, has very much interested himself in their welfare. Capt. and Mrs. Richardson, of the New York Sailor's Home in Cherry street, where they have been residing the last three weeks, at their request also accompanied them. From the paternal and maternal care they have experienced from them, they have expressed themselves, through their interpreter, in strong terms of gratitude. After divine service, Rev. Mr. Parker, the chaplain, presented each of them, 26 in number, with the Protestant Churchman of April, 1845, which contains two beautiful wood cuts, originally engraved for the Ladies' Magazine, of a view of the exterior and interior of the Ploating Church of this city, accompanied by an extended description of the Floating Church, and the efforts making in the Episcopal Church throughout America for the spiritual benefit of seamen. It was an impressive reflection, said Rev. Mr. Parker, (in a short statement he made to the congregation, after the benediction,) of the present circumstances of the interesting strangers who were then present, and who were to leave our shores on, the morrow, in the ship that lay alongside of the Floating Church, where they were, for cities under our feet on the other side of the globe, that though they saw before them persons who excited a deep curiosity, from their peculiar complexion, mode of dress and physiognomy, that they belonged to a race which, in numbers, at the present time, equalled one-third of the whole population of our earth.

On Monday, at 9 o'clock, the deck of the bark Candace was covered with ladies and gentlemen, and clergymen of several religious denominations, viz: Rev. Mr. Kidder, of the Methodist communion, Rev. Messrs. Spaulding and Loomis, Secretaries, and Rev. Mr. Parker, all members of the board of managers of the American Seamen's Friend Society, and their devoted friend and countrymen, Lin-King-Chew, who has been untiring in his kindness to them, in order to accompany them to Sandy Hook. Professor Loomis, the missionary to seamen in the port of Canton, recently appointed by that Society, was also there. A deeply affecting incident was there witnessed. During the progress through the Narrows to sea, a deputation from the Chinese sailors was sent by them to Capt. and Mrs. Richardson, then on board, begging them to take their friend and countryman, Lin King-Chew, to their house, the Sailor's Home in Cherry street, and take care of him while he was in America, as he was in a land of strangers, and they felt so much love towards their friend, that they could not leave him behind, unless they were sure he would be with those whose sympathy and kindness they had so recently experienced. It was truly an oriental idea expressed by one. He wished to take with him, and plant in China, the American "cry tree,"--meaning the willow, for he could not leave them without crying, and as it grew, he would be constantly reminded of his feelings when he left America.

The wind being light and ahead, it was necessary for the steamer Jacob Bell to take the Candace out as far as the lightship, 10 miles beyond Sandy Hook, and 23 miles from the city, that she might have a good offing. On reaching this distant place from the shore, it was observed that a little bird had left N. York with the ship, and was now perched on the end of one of the spars aloft, as if intending to make the voyage with her and the Chinese sailors to their homes.

Before the steamer left her, at the request of Capt. Gardiner, after the crew had been all assembled near the captain, and the Chinese sailors were arranged, Rev. Mr. Parker commended her crew, passengers, the Chinese sailors, with the Rev. missionary on board, to God's protection, in the beautiful prayer of the Liturgy for persons going to sea, concluding with the Lord's prayer and the benediction.

While the steamboat was sheering away, and the ship, in full sail, was hauling off, to hasten on her voyage, her bulwarks were lined by the 26 Chinese sailors, in tears at parting with their kind friends, Capt. and Mrs. Richardson, and their beloved countryman, Lin-King-Chew, whom they almost worshipped for his many acts of generosity, sympathy and friendship. The scene was truly worthy of an artist's pencil. The whole rail on the starboard side was lined with the swarthy figures of these bare-headed Mongolians, shaking their hands in the air, and looking towards the steamboat. The caps of the crew were flourishing aloft behind them, as they gave their three cheers, which were answered by the ladies waving their handkerchiefs, and the response of the gentlemen. When these had ceased, the Chinese sailors struck up their farewell song, which continued, in their harsh, cracked voices, till both vessels were so far separated that the sound died on the air.

In one hour a small speck on the horizon was all that was seen of the bark Candace and her interesting passengers. On the steamboat's return, her services were requested, by a signal set under the jib-boom of a ship aground, within the Hook, which for 24 hours had made ineffectual efforts by sails, and, as soon as it could be produced, by another steamboat, to get off. After breaking several large hawsers, and two hours' hard straining with steam, the Jacob Bell succeeded in hauling her off, and the passengers who accompanied the Candace reached the city at 6 o'clock in the evening.--Express.

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