Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-08-13
A TERRIBLE NIGHT AT SEA.
The Crazy Captain Sets Fire TO His ship and
Attempts 10 shoot the Crew.

The Crazy Captain Sets Fire TO His ship and
Attempts TO shoot the Crew.
The crew OF the German ship Margare-
the. Captain I.iImer, which sailed from
New YORK with cargo OF crude oil on the
Cd Of June and arrived Mt Bremerhayen on
the 18th Of july. bad terrible experience
on the voyage ond narrow escape from
fire. The crew consisted OF i. Wiggers,
first mate; +. Fischer, second mite; w.
Meiritz and r. Luschnat, sailors, and Il.
Werizon. boy. The following story Is
told by First-Mate Wiggers. According 10
the ships journal, kept by Mr.. Wig
gers, the captain was unwell from
the time Of the departure OF the vessel.
He complained Of pains IN the bowels and
was always in very bad temper. He
could not SLEEP, and scarcely took any
nougishment. On the Sth OF June he did
not come out OF his cabin nj all but told
Tie first mate not TO say anything about his
illness in the journal. On the 9lu he grew
worse, but would not eat anything. only
drinking q few cups OF tea. On the 10th
he was out Of bed, walked about in an ex-
cited state, and scolded continually. To-
ward evening he was better, aud ate some
thing. On the 18th Of June his state was
very bad. lie suffered yisibly the most TER
rible pains In the bowels, aud after he was
treated with hot sand bags he got better. To-
ward evening he took thirty drops OF lluda-
mum and couple OF cups OF tea. On
the 10Th hot plates and hot stones were ap-
Piled, but without effect. lie took supper
with the men and again forbade the mate
to say anything about bis illness in the
journal. On the 18th he went on deck,
talked much 10 himself, SAID aloud many
incohercnt things. and was seeking after
some Of the sailors whom he believed t. be
in hiding lie went early TO he'd aud slept
all night. On the 18th Of June he felt much
better and spoke sanely.
TIE CAPrAIN's HALLUCISATIOY.
He said 10 the mates that his nerves were
excited. that I'm hearing the least noise he
believed somebody was speaking TO him.
and he answered. In the course OF the day
lie ate and drank with the mates, made his
observations and calculations on the chart,
aud gave several orders. Toward evening
the wind blew harder, and the captain or
dered the taking IN OF some sails in cor
rect manner. When Mr.. Wigger. stood
on deck at about 6 O'Clock IN the evening
the captain was on the after-deck. and
was surprisingly quiet. Suddenly he
asked the first mate what the crew wanted
on The half-deck. The mate told him
there was nobody there. but he disputed
the fact. and cOntendcd that he had heard
distinctly that they intended to throw him
overheard. To aopcase him the mute
called the men out. the captain counted
them. and asked IL any one OF them had
anything against him. lie heard them, he
said. very often grumble and talk OF throw
ing him overheard. He then dismissed the
men, who. Of course. had all denied hi'
statement, and went 10 bed. Mr.. Wig
gers turned in at o'clock, but shortly
after O'Clock he WIS aroused by
tie report OF shot and cry.
Jumping out Of his cabin. he met the
boy Wertzen, who told him that the cap
tain had called him and then fired at him.
Mate Wiggers ran TO the captains cabin,
but wien he opened the door the captain
pointed revolver 40 him. saying that he
would fire at any one trying 10 come in.
Mr.. WiggelS closed The door, but re6pened
il at once carefully and saw broken g.as.
lying about. The captain was in his bed
room, where the mate could see fire, and out
q which thick smoke was coming. He r..
turned quickly, alarmed the crew. took
couple OF mats rs shields against The re yol-
yer-bulietS. and went again to the cabin.