The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-06-07
HORRORS ON A STEAMSHIP.
TIE INSANE RELIGIOUS ENTH UsIAsT
IN THE STEERl0E.


The Aged Maniac in the saioon-Both Leap
Ing Overheard In tho Height Of n Storm
No Possibility OF Rescue-A Gloomy Ini-
tial Voyage.
The steamer Parana, Captain Wilkinson, ar
rived at this port yesterday, from London on the
18th OF last month, her first voyage. The passen-
gers that came by the Parana embraced four nation
slities-Bnglish, French, Swiss. and German
tho majority being English artisans, who, in con.
sequence Of the great reduction in the English
workshops, seeking work at their various trades
In this country. The steamer stsrted with q full
complement OF passengers, and nothing happened to
break the monotony incident TO q voyage at sea
Ill her arrival at Havre, whero she stopped for
day to take on passengers and freight During her
stay in the port OF Havre everything excitement
on board. The passengers loDced to go ashore, and
tread La Belle Frrnce but the captain would not
permit them, and soon as he could get his clear.
ance, he proceeded on his voyage to this port
On the second day out, Captain wilkesop, wbie
making his daily inspection among the steerage
passengers, had his attention directed to young
man Of very respectable appearance. who was dis
trbuting tracts among his fellow passengers lie
was ottired In fine suit OF broad cloth, and this
fact alone attracted the Captains attention. Cap
tain wlkeson wcrdered what could possibly have
caused man OF his appearance to take passage
in the steerage, and the incident occasioned him
much uneasiness, so mxch so, that he determined
to speak 10 the young the next morning.
On the following day, while Capt wilkeeon was
passing among the steerago passengers, he was ac
eostcd by the young man who asked permission to
preach the gospel to the passengers remarkng that
he had already addressed them, and thnt he bnd
been sent TO accompany the passengers by the Lord
mission, but remarked tSa. he believed ,ha, The ,he
majority OF the passengers would be benefited u
they were preached to every day, and he doubted
not that many were much In need OF Christian
counsel During the day all the passengers num-
bering over 800, assembled on the main deck and
standing on the poop deck. the young man delivered
sermon the benefits derived ffom Christian
life.
Caotain wiikson Gays that he has heard several OF
the most eminent Fnrlish and American preachers,
but he never yet listened to man possessing such
rare eloouenee and spiritual enthusiasm His voice
| he described as rich and loud, and his words,
although the sea was running high and the winds
| blowing fresh, could be distinctly heard After he
had finished his sermon, he became excited and IRE
| qu,ntly remarked thnt be was the servant Of the
Lord Jesus, and that To accompany The passengers
70 America was his special mission.
The captain engaged him In conversation, and
soon ascertaned that he was young man OF con-
siderable culture and ability Believing him to be
Ncxcited the subject of RELIGION. he directed the
surgeon and the officers OF the ship to keep an eye
| or the enthusiast, and report his movements.
| The surgeon prescribed some nourishment for
| him aud endeavored by stimuants to quiet his
nerves. He was finally persuaded TO retire to his
morning at about five o'clock while the crew were
| all at work cleaning decks the young man rushed
on deck IN his night shirt and drawers, and eaping
| on the buwarks plunged into the sea which was
The Captain, hearing the telegraph alarm to stop
and back. hurried on deck and looking lar astern
| there saw man floating on the topmost wave. He
| saw that IL WINS madness TO lower boat and before
| anything could be done the man disappeared.
| II was ascertained that tho lost passenger was
named william A. sofee that he was aged u years,
and that he took & passage ssas & from IL london.
sengers were filled with gloom, and nothing else
About week following the dro wing tho captain
| was sent for by an aged Frenchman named Etenne
| stelelin, who desired that the purser should take
The captain remarked that |, was seldom
| that thieves were among so respectable class OF
psssenser said il was nc not ,Sen So cared, but he do
not believe he would live 20 reach bis darling sof
in good health the captain laughed at his tears and
| told him he would zee his son In few
inS the Whole day he walked up and dowr
the steerage gangway. talking to himself The pas
sengers after while failed to notice hi. strange ac
tons. Tuere was no one supposed that lie modi.
tated suicide. He always answered respectfully
when addressed, and frequently caressed the it'll.
ON the morning OF June q at about 5 o'clock
without attracting the attention OF the other passen
| of their berths, he ssoended to the deck. aud
| mounting the railing. plunged overheard. The 50:
said il would be sseriieing iite to man the iifsSost.
The steamer was immediately put about, snt
| meantime every eye on deck was strained TO get
| glimpse OF the drowning passenger, but he was
seen, and tho steamer resumed her voyage 70 tn
| city.
| The passengers all speak In the highest praise
| the treatment they received from Captain wnkesoI
| and his onicers. Before leaving the stesaasr tiu
s:;ss% ~ri,,ss IN Preach, essssa. ssiss. = 'sss a.
| English. S.-.t +.
By Hoviand I'D Aspin vf1l. y s3,R ~ sfdsrs .
relative: elsheilu. the Eeeeh1e - two vale
pf<ssss 70 hh soa whom hs bad uss sssa for pasn
| yoars.