Yarns in the magazine Fairplay (London, England), entitled “Captain John E. Barstow’s Tough Yarn, Fiction of the First Water.”

  • Life at Sea
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Title
Yarns in the magazine Fairplay (London, England), entitled “Captain John E. Barstow’s Tough Yarn, Fiction of the First Water.”
Reference
Coll. 67
Collection
  • Mystic Seaport Museum: John E Barstow Collection
Document Type
  • Manuscript
Date
24 Jan 1889
Description
An overview of an address made by Barstow to Farragut Veteran Association. Yarn number one. Mention of the comparative truthfulnesss of landsmen and seamen - the former considered by Barstow to be unreliable while the latter are truthful to a fault. Mentions superstitions regarding whether to sail on Friday 13th. Includes transcript of a sea song as well as description of the crew of the Portuguese vessel. Does not describe yarn number two and goes straight on to yarn 3: describes a tale in which Barstow was employed on a storeship in the habour of Panama and met a German collecting insects who asked him to accompany him to the island of Malpello, considered by many to be a myth. The natives would not go as they were fearful of the island. Mentions animals encountered and the presumed disappearance of the island.
Theme
  • Port Life and Life Ashore
  • Everyday Life at Sea