Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-04-24
CAPT. SCHWENSEN'S STORY.
Details Of the Sinking of the POmmer-
ania-- How 1t Feels to Be Drowning.
New York Tribune, April

New York Tribune, April 7.
Capt. Hans f. Schwensen, the COM
mander of the Hamburg steamship
POmmerania, which was run down and
sunk by the Noel EiIian last November,
sailed into this port on Saturday morn
ing, occupying the "bridge" of the
Silesia, which he commands while the
Westphalia is being oyerhauled and
made ready to be placed in his hands
next June. Flags were displayed on
the city hall in Capt. Schwensen's
honor, and committee of aldermen
went on board his steamship in the af-
ternOon to invite him to a reception in
the governors room of the city hall at
ZIP. m., to-day, to receive the congrat-
ulations of the residents and the gov
ernment of the city of New York. Capt.
Schwensen accepted the proffered
honor, and said in answer to the COM
piimentary remarks addressed to him.
IL only did my duty as a seaman. But
| wonder how it is that | am here. /
am glad" Conrad Popenhusen, one of
the rescued passengers of the Pommer-
ania, came back with the captain.
Capt. Schwensen dined yesterday with
Mr.. Meyer, the agent Of the Hamburg
company, at the latter's residence at
Hoboken. Here he related the partic-
ulars OF the terrible scene on board the
POmmerania during the fifteen minutes
between the striking and the sinking of
the ship.
Il have scarcely ever seen a blacker
night at sea-" he said. "Itwas between
the 25th and Goth of November, not
foggy, but black clouds hung over the
sky. and there was steady drizzle. The
first officer and | were having our
watch together on the bridge. This
painting on the wall shows you the
lost sight of the Dungeness Light, be-
hind that cliff, and were looking out for
the East Goodwin Light, by Dover, in
tending to change our course so as to
sail through the straits into the German
ocean. As soon as this light came in
view fifteen minutes before midnight,
went into my cabin to work out our po-
slLlon on the chart. Barely had | ta-
ken my cOmpasses in my hand when
the crash came. shaking the ship from
stem to stern. [ ran on deck, meeting
the first officer, who was running to me
saying that sailing ship had run into
US, and he thought we would sink. [
ordered the stewards and some of the
crew to wake up the passengers and get
them on deck, while the doctor and the
baker gave out the life-preservers. First
Engineer Helms hurried up the hatch
way, and said the engine-room was
flooded. He hurried back, and that
was the last we saw of him. can't
describe to you the darkness and cOnfu- |
sion that reigned on that deck. Two of |
the boats were stove in by the collision. |
The other eight were manned and ship |
ped inside of five minutes. Every Off |
Ger anu seaman must have been in his |!
place to do this. Men, women and |
were croWding about the boats |
L saw HOboken family, husband, wife |
and babe that had been placed in my
charge, and led them to the first boat
swaln's boat, the first that was lowered. |
Here l saw young Clymer with three
life preserverS on his arm, and told him |
to put one about his body. Then [
hurried to the other boats which were |
being filled with passengers. 1t was
scarcely possible to recognize anybody, |
and by this time some of the lanterns
had been cut from the rigging where
they had been lashed. Then l was told
hat boat No. S had been swamped,
and hurrylng to the scene found that
young Clymer had cut the rope at one
davlt, since kink in the rope had
it running through the block.
He had helped his two sisters into this
BOAT, and when the rope was cut the
BOAT went down unevenly and was
'wamped. Some of those in it were
pulled into the other boats now afloat,
and were scrambled up the ships side.
The doctor was among the latter.
"The first officers boat was the last to
cave the ships side. [ thought the
passengers were all off. Imagine my
surprise when going to the quarter
ieck | found there the Hoboken family
thought were in the first boat. They
we're beside themselves with terror. L
eized the babe from It's mothers arms,
IND followed by the husband and wife
an forward, calling to the first officer {
o come back; that there were other !
passengers to be saved. He started {
Jack. but the husband, who was out of '
us senses, ran aft again, and the moth