Cape Cod Skipper

ELIJAH COBB (1768-1848): A CAPE COD SKIPPER--With a foreword by Ralph D. Paine--Yale University Press ($1.50).

The purposes of historical study are often more faithfully served by a vivid incident than by pages of abstractions: this little memoir illumines America's maritime era. The poverty-stricken mother of Elijah Cobb, a sailor's widow, mothering six, sent him out into the world. At 14 he sailed for Surinam as cook and cabin-boy; he was in command of a brig at 23. The captain of those days was navigator, merchant, banker and diplomatist as occasion required; witness his first voyage to Europe as shipmaster. The year was 1793, when neutrals had few rights. His brig captured by the French on a pretext, her cargo of foodstuffs looted for starving Brest, the guillotine overshadowing all, Cobb loyally strove to secure his owner's just dues. Revolutionary officialdom caressed its neck with premonitory tenderness and did nothing but lose his papers. He forced his way to Robespierre and the sea-green monster granted full indemnities. "I remained in Paris about three weeks after my bills were sent to Brest, and during that time the great man who had so assentially befreinded me was beheaded by the Galliotine." Thus Cobb, laconically.

For nearly 40 years he followed his hazardous calling, North Sea or Gulf of Guinea all one to him in the line of trade. Profoundly pious he peddled Medford rum or flour with the equally clear conscience of the times. Regretfully we leave him at 80, a ruddy-cheeked old man, on a little farm of his own; "the wind has got around to the south," as he returns from a visit to the young orchard.