[p. 97] never having witnessed a launch, came up from Scituate and was present at the event—a great one for her. Ship Electric Spark, 1,200 tons, launched at the same yard in 1855, was commanded by Capt. R. G. F. Candage (now of Brookline) and made the voyage to California in one hundred and six days. The Boston Advertiser of Saturday, May 10, 1856, has the following advertisement:
Glidden & Williams line for San FranciscoShe was built by Hayden & Cudworth. To illustrate the quality of work by a famous Medford ship-builder a lady relates this experience: She was returning from Europe with husband and family on the ship John E. Thayer. They encountered an unusually severe gale lasting three days, with constantly increasing violence. The passengers became so alarmed that the captain was appealed to for assurances of safety. While he admitted the storm to be the worst he had ever known, he called the ladies to the cabin and asked them to notice the builder's name in golden letters on the white enamelled panel. They read this: ‘Paul Curtis, builder.’ He assured them that no ship of his had ever foundered,—no ships
To Sail on or before Tuesday, May 20,
the Magnificent first-Class Clipper Ship Thatcher Magoun S. B. Bourne, Comdr. The ‘Thatcher Magoun’ is truly an elegant ship extremely sharp and ventilated in the most thorough manner. She will sail as above. For Freight or Passage
Apply at California Packet office
39 Lewis Wharf.
