The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-19
STRANGE TALE OF THE SEA.
CABIN PASSENGER ON THE SHIP BETTY
sroRER ABANDoNs THE VESSEL IN MID-ocEAN-

CABIN PASSENGER ON THE SHIP BETTY
GUITAR AS A RAFT.
The inhabitants Of Stapleton. Staten Island. were
thrown into ferment of excitement yesterday by
story that became current in that village in
the of the afternoon. Some incredulous;
others amazed; many indignant. After good deal
of Investigation it transpired that Mr. John A. Nader.
of Brooklyn, had appeared before Justice kassner
during the morning and made curious statement.
1t was to the effect that he had been cabin pas
senger from Europe on board the ship Betty Storer.
The vessel was commanded by Captain stebe. and
had sailed from Hamburg for this port. she arrived
of Stapeton last Friday and was Immediately quar-.
antined. Besides himself there another cabin
passenger named Porpart. who claimed he was
one Of the owners of the ship. coming
to America on pleasure trip. lie appeared to be
very suspicious of the Captain and insisted that the
latter intended to take his life. He became
WINGED that the Captain was going to poison him
that the night Of the 10Th and 2lst of July he
stole from the vessel and has been heard
Of He made a raft and went of in It, taking with
him an umbrella. compass, a sun glass. bottle Of
water. some coffee. sugar aud a ham. He gave
tor tho Captains meditated crime that 1t
tho intention to secure his share in tho ship by
this means. Ho nephew OF the Porparts, he
said and would be entitled to large proportion of
the ship. and the Captain wanted that share He
had taken him on board with the intention of de-
stroying him, ana rather than be sacrificed in that
way he chose To trust himself 10 the waters.
Captain Stobe laughed when reporter of the
HERALD called his attention to this extraordinary
stury and said t.
Eyes. yea. He left the ship"
"WhcnY'
During the night of the 20th and 2lst."
"Whyf Was he afraid of your
"Oh! as to that don't know. The poor fellow
was raving lunatic."
"Tnen how did you come to take him on boardr'
swell, mostly out of charity lie a relative OF
the owners. and ON that account came along with
me. lie had nothing whatever to do with the ship"
But how did he come to build q raft without your
knowledge"
ION examining his things and making inquiry
when he had gone, discovered that the raft was q
guitar that he had pasted up and trusted his lite to-.
"But the compassT
THAT was u toy that hung to his watch chain.
The umbrella. ham aud other little things disap
peared with him, and have no doubt he considered
he fully equipped for voyage"
We'll, but what do you suppose was his idea in
going of In that manner
We'll, he was dissatisfied with speed they tell
me, and said he would set out for himself"
Have you made any report OF the occurrence
since you arrived In port?'
Yes, made detailed statement OF Il to the Ger
man Consul"
what action did he take?'
'Not any. lie did not consider any necessary.
invited him to question the crew and all on board
mind. and that his extraordinary conduct due to
his mental condition."
"rnc Consul considered your explanation of tho
affair suihcientY'
"Iio did.
"How. thon. do you account for the action OF Mr..