"Forbes was in China at the outbreak of the English opium war ... the style of these 'Reminiscences' bears evidence that Mr. Forbes's achievements have been those of the man of action." - The Nation, 1878
In 1841 Forbes witnessed the Battle of Kowloon between the Qing Dynasty and the British Empire from aboard his rowboat.
Robert Bennet Forbes (1804 –1889), was a sea captain, China merchant, ship owner, and author, who in 1878 published "Personal Reminiscences: Rambling Recollections Connected with China."
In his Reminiscences, Forbes details his compelling and interesting life story including his unfortunate time as an opium trader purchasing from India where the poppies were grown and selling in China, home to a vast market. He was in China when Commissioner Lin imprisoned the foreign merchants, and took possession of the opium in their warehouses; and he saw the incident of the landing of Captain Elliot and hoisting of the British flag.
Forbes was active in ship construction, maritime safety, the opium trade, and charitable activities, including food aid to Ireland, which became known as America's first major disaster relief effort.
He was born in 1804 in Jamaica Plain, Boston, Massachusetts, son of Ralph Bennet Forbes and Margaret Perkins, and brother of John Forbes.
On October 19, 1817 at age 13 he joined the crew of the Canton Packet and made his first voyage to China. He arrived in Canton, China in March 1818 using the eastern route. In June 1818, he returned to Boston.
In 1819 he made a second voyage aboard the Canton Packet. On his next voyage he was promoted to third mate, he became second mate in 1821, and in 1825 was promoted to ship's master. Aboard the Nile he sailed for Manila. Previous to this time he had been ship's master of the Levant. He became a full captain before he was 20 years old. From Manila the Nile went to China, then to California, and from there to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
In 1828 he sailed the Danube on a trading voyage to Smyrna, Turkey, and other European ports. He later was captain of the Niantic. About 1832 he made his last voyage to China and in 1840 became head of Russell & Company, the largest American commercial house in China. Of his large means he made generous provision for his mother and younger brother. He visited China several times and became the American vice consul at Canton.
Forbes owned or was involved in the construction of approximately seventy vessels. He built a Greek Revival mansion for his mother in Milton, Massachusetts, designed by Isaiah Rogers (1833), that is now the Captain Robert Bennet Forbes House Museum.
Forbes was one of the Boston pilot commissioners, member of the government of the Board of Trade, one of the vestry of King's Chapel, member of the Boston Port Society, and at one time and another a director of various railroad and insurance companies.
Forbes was awarded the medal of the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society in 1849 for gallant conduct. The Cunard steamship Europa, on which Forbes was a passenger, ran down and sank an emigrant ship, Charles Bartlett. Forbes jumped from the bulwarks of the Europa into the water and rescued first a woman and child, and then a man.
The Athenæum noted in its 1879 review, "Forbes appears to be a most praiseworthy specimen of a shrewd and intelligent New England merchant."
Other books by Forbes include:
• Remarks on China and the China Trade
• The Voyage of the Jamestown on Her Errand of Mercy
• An Appeal to Merchants and Ship Owners, on the Subject of Seamen
