In 1876, John C. Blethen shipped out as mate on the Peru and later made one voyage as her master.
Subsequently he commanded the Columbus for five years (1874-1879 est.), during which time he sailed from New York to San Francisco four times.
He then commanded the America for three years (1879-1881 est.) and the John Currier from 1882 through 1888.
Captain Blethen was one of the owners of the John Currier, along with Frank N. Thayer and William Henry Lincoln (Thayer & Lincoln), who owend a ship chandlery business on Lewis Wharf in Boston. They established a line of sailing ships, some of which were built at Newburyport, Mass and Kennebunk, Maine, and acquired others by purchase.
The last ship they launched was the John Currier, at 235:8 feet, 1848 tons, from Newburyport, Massachusetts in October 1882. She cost $120,000 and was the last wooden ship to leave the stocks in any Massachusetts shipyard.
The first two voyages of the John Currier were between Atlantic ports and San Francisco, then she engaged in trade with China and Japan. She was a troubled ship, with mishaps, fires and a tornado in Hong Kong.
She pulled through all and Captain Blethen continued sailing her until he retired in 1888.
Via "Electric Telegraph," the Press Association of the Bush Advocate in Putanga, Mahuru, New Zealand reported the American ship John Currier wrecked in 1907 at Bristol Bay, Alaska. The Thetis, a revenue cutter, rescued 242 survivors and conveyed them to Seattle.