The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-07
HORRORS ON A STEAMSHIP.
Insanity and Suicide mt Sea-No Possibility q
Rescue-A Gloomy Voyage.

Insanity and Suicide nt Sea1No Possibility of
Rescue-A Gloomy voyage.
Tie steamer Parana, Captain Wilkeson, arrived
at New York yesterday, from London on the 18th OF
last month, her first voyage.
making his daily inspection among the steerage
passengers, had his attention directed to young
man Of very respectable appearance, who was dis lis
was attired in fine suit OF broadcoth, and this fact
alone attracted the captains attention. Captain
Wilkeson wondered what could possibly have caused
a man OF his appearance to take passage in the
steerage, and the incident occasoned him much un-
easness, so much that he determined to speak to
the young man next morning.
on the following day, while Captain Wilkeson was
passing among the steerage passengers, he was &C
costed by the young man, who askedipermis sion to
preach the gospel to the passengers remarkng that
he had already addressed them, and that he had
been sent to accompany the passengers by the Lord
Jesus Christ. The captain gave his permission.
During the day all the passengers, numbering over
800 assembled on the main deck, and standing on
the deck, the young man delivered sermon on the
benefits derived from a Christian life.
Captain Wikeson says that ne mas .,s heard several
ers, but he never yet listened to man possessing
such rare eoquence 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.
The next morning, at about O'clock while the
crew were all at work cleaning decks, the young
man rushed on deck in his night-shirt and drawers
and, esping on the oulwarks, plunged into the sea,
which was Then running very high.
The Captain, hearing the telegraph alarm to
stop and back, hurried on deck, and looking far
wave. He saw that 1t was madness to lower boat
and before anything could be done the man disap-
peared. -,
1t was ascertained that the last passenger was
named William A. Sotiee, that he was aged twenty
one years, and that he took passage from London.
For several days following the occurrence the
passengers were filled with gloom, and nothing else
was talked OF.
About week following the drowning the captain
was sent for by an aged Frenchman named Etienne
Stehelin, who desired that the purser should take
| care of his papers, money, and personal effects
| The captain remarked that IL was seldom that
thieves were among 80 respectable class OF pas
| sengers, and that his property was all safe. The
passenger said it not them he feared but he did
| not believe he would live to reach his darling son
whom he so long had hoped TO see. StehelIn being
in good health, the captain laughed at his fears aud
| told him he would see his son in a few days. The
| old man would not be comforted, and during the
| whole day he walked up and down the steerage
| while failed TO notice his strange actions. There
was no one supposed that he meditated suicide. lie
| always answered respectfully when addressed, and
frequently caressed the little children while playing
| about him.
| on the morning of June 3 at about O'Clock
without attracting the attention OF the other pas
| senRers the majority of whom were about turning
out OF their berths, he ascended TO the deck, and
| mounting the railing, plunged oYerDoard TIT
| sea at the time was running very ngn, ana thi
Captain said it would be sacnhcing lie 10 man th'
| lifeboaL
| The baggage papers, and valuables belonging Il
| the lost passengers were taken charge OF 10 avail
the orders OF relatives. Stehelin the Frenchman
| left two valuable gold watches, one OF which n
| intended as present 70 his whom he had no
| seen for many years.