THE STATE
Page Three
September 1, 1934
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OX i he campus of the University
of North Carolina, at the fork
of two small streams, is a great
lieech tree which has become immortal¬
ized in the history of the University as
"The Meeting of the Waters.”
By searching among the hundreds of
names and initials which have been
carved upon this aged tree for more
than a century and a half, one may find
the almost illegible name "f Jonnson
Blakely, who made fame for himself
in the annals of the University by once
threatening to throw the president of
that institution out of the window.
An Unsolved Mystery
The portrait of Blakely which hangs
upon the walls of the Philanthropic So-
ciety Hall, reminds North Carolina of
the fame of her naval hero whoso last
voyage is still one of the sea's unsolved
mysteries.
The discipline of the University in
the seventeen-nineties was strict and
Blakely, an independent, adventurous
and fun-loving youth, naturally was
impatient of the restrictions placed
U|M»n him. Certain college disturbances
had been going on and Hr. Caldwell,
the president at that time, had reason
to believe that Blakely was involved.
He went to his room one day to question
him. Denying all knowledge of the af¬
fair, Dr. Caldwell, who considered
Blakely's attitude disrcsjiectfill,
threatened to throw him out of the
window.
Defied President
"1 l>eg. Sir. you will not attempt it.”
was the voung student's ready reply,
"as it will necessitate my throwing you
out.”
The courageous spirit in which
Blakely made his lioyisli threat to Dr.
Caldwell was an expression of that
spirit of independence which made him
the greatest of North Carolina’s heroes
of the sea.
Though North Carolinians always
refer to Johnson Blakely as a native
son, he was born in Ireland. Soon after
bis birth, in 1781, his parents started
to America with him but bis mother
died on the voyage over. The Irish
father and son were welcomed in Wil¬
mington. where the father liecamc a
successful merchant and where the two
lived until young Johnson’s college
education began.
He first attended a school on Long
Island to which many Southern fami¬
lies sent their sons. In 1707, he entered
the University. His father had died,
JOHNSON
★
ONE of the most romantic figures
in the history of North Carolina.
A dashing, doring noval officer,
whose fate is still one of the sea's
unsolved mysteries.
By MAJEL IVEY SEAY
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leaving enough property for him t •
continue bis education.
Keen Sense of Humor
At the University, lie participated in
all tin* customary activities, bidding
every possible ofliee in the Philanthrop¬
ic Literary Society, though be was
often disciplined for laughing out dur¬
ing the meetings, as he had a very keen
sense of humor and made no attempt
to suppress his mirth when anything
amused him.
In spite of his mischievous nature,
lie did well in hie studies, being especial¬
ly gifted in navigation, surveying and
mathematics.
Johnson's career at the University
was cut short in
170!»
because the prop¬
erty from which he was receiving rent
in Wilmington was burned. He then
joined the American navy as midship¬
man and for 12 years, sailed the high
seas, finally becoming a lieutenant and
being placed in command of a 14-gun
brig, the Enterprise.
Given First Commond
Soon after, he captured a British
privateer, the Eli/, and as a result Was
put in command of the H asp, an Ameri¬
can brig, and oil May 1, I'l l, began
one of the most colorful trips of bis
naval career.
A series of brilliant attacks and cap¬
tures of British ships followrsl. begin¬
ning with the British brig-sloop, the
IteinJeer. and ending with the brig
Atlanta, taken about 110 miles east of
tin* Madeira Islands. This ship was
taken to Savannah and Blakely then
set out to look for further spoils. After
Octolwr
И».
1814, when the Wasp was
seen by the Swedish ship. Adonis, il was
never seen again.
What happened to the ship and its
gallant commander lias remained for¬
ever a mystery though many solutions
have been offered as to its fate. Per-
BLAKELY
SO far as is known, Captoin Blakely,
whose picture appears above, hos the
distinction of being the only indi¬
vidual who ever threatened to throw a
president of the University of North
Carolina out of
о
dormitory window.
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haps some large English vessel sank
her. Perhaps she was lost in a gale at
sea. Some claim that she had a terrific
battle with a powerful British man-of-
war off the coast «>f South Carolina,
both ships having bccii sunk. Olliers
say she was wrecked along tho African
oast and her crew captured by a baud
of Arabs.
Proised by Congress
No matter what the fate of North
Carolina's sea hero, he has received the
honor lie deserves. In 1S14, the United
Slates Congress passed a joint resolu¬
tion of thunks for his services, award¬
ing him a congressional medal of
bravery.
The same year, North Carolina
passed a like resolution, awarding him
a handsome sword sot with jewels.
Blakely left an infant daughter to
whom North Carolina contributed $(500
a year for her education until 1829.
She died a year after her marriage to a
member of the Danish nobility.
Though North Carolina has long ago
forgotten the War of 1812, the memory
of the brave deeds of her daring son
who roused the state from its indiffer¬
ence to the war, will never be forgotten.