Gibb-

I agree with Lighter that "John Rowley" is most likely a version of "John Riley's Gone Away" aka "Good-bye My Riley-O."

Here's some basic bio info with regard to Rev. Kellogg above:

KELLOGG, Elijah, clergyman, born in Portland, Maine, 20 May, 1813. He was graduated at Bowdoin in 1840, and at Andover theological seminary in 1843. The next year he was ordained pastor of the Congregational church in Harpswell, Maine, and in 1855-'65 he was chaplain of the Boston Seaman's Friend Society. Since the latter date he had for the most part been engaged in writing juvenile books. He had also delivered various lectures, and is the author of the popular "Address of Sparticus to the Gladiators." His books include "The Elm Island Series" (Boston, 1868-'70); "Pleasant Cove Series" (1870-'4); "Whispering Pine Series" (1871-'3); "Good Old Times Series" (1877-'82); and "The Forest Glen Series" (1878). He died in 1901.

ELIJAH KELLOGG: The Man and His Work, by Wilmot Brookings Mitchell, published by Lee and Shepherd, Boston, Massachusetts, US, © 1903:

Born in Portland, Maine, May 20, 1813.

At the age of about fifteen he went to sea (1828)

Returned from sea to Portland, Maine, in his early 20's

Enrolled at the age of 24 at Bowdoin College (1836)

Graduated from Andover Theological Seminary (1843)

Became pastor of Harpswell Congregational Church, Maine (1844)

Became pastor for the Mariner's Church in Boston (1854)

Resigned as pastor of the Mariner's Church in Boston (1866) and devoted himself primarily to literary pursuits in Boston:

Good Old Times (1867, 1878)
Norman Cline (1869)
Elm Island Series (1869-1870)
Pleasant Cove Series (1870-1874)
Whispering Pines Series (1871-1873)
Forest Glen Series (1874-1878)
Good Times Series (1881-1883)

Returned to Harpswell, Maine in 1882.

Died in 1901.

Kellogg did have seven or eight years of merchant sailing experience to draw on when writing his books for adolescent boys (i.e. Elm Island); he also had the stories of sailors from his work with the Sailor's Home in Boston to draw on as well. Some of his journals are in residence at our State Library twenty miles away and I might just drop by and see if there's a folder of sea songs mouldering away in some long neglected cabinet.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble