The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-12-27
A PERiLous PASSAGE.

Arr al of the Steamship schiedam at New
York Twenty-Five Days From Amster-
dam-Encased In Ice From Peak to Wa
ter-Liue-A Fatal Accident the Cause OF
Delay Anxiety aud Sleepiess Vigilance
On Board.
NEW YORK, December p,
The Schiedam of the Netherland Line
from Amsterdam, slowly steamed up the
bay yesterday and at noon reached her
wharf at the foot Of Sussex street, Jersey
City, after an eventful voyage of twenty
two day. Her sides, from the water line
were incrusted with ice from an inch to o
foot thick. Around the deck projection
hung fringe Of icicles, against which the
pitiless rain pelted slowly melting them
away. Her standing rigging looked as if
made of glass. Ice a foot thick filed the
lee scuppers and spread out over the deck.
She presented a glorious appearance, and
the passengers on the ferry-boats admired
her as she steamed up, little thinking that
| she had met with a serious accident
| while out at sea.
| AS the hawsers were made fast a sailor
ran to the Superintendent's office, and
| shortly afterward an ambulance arrived.
| Two stretchers were gently carried down
| the companion-way, and two forms were
| placed in the wagon, which was rapidly
| driven to the Charity Hospital The in
! jured men were Firemen Baltus Kreckler
and Foom Ramon, who were badly scald-
ed by the explosion of one of the super
heaters while the Schiedam was off the
banks of Newfoundland on the 10Th inst.
Fireman Frederick Kerston, who was also
injured, died on the following day, and
his body was buried at sea.
Captain ID. Hamecourt was in his bunk
and fast asleep half an hour after his ship
was made fast. The fatigue attending the
long, perlous trip wore him out. One of
the sailors told the story of the voyage.
The Schiedam left Amsterdam Novem-
Der 30th. She had fifty passengers and a
light cargo of general merchandise. The
weather was fine the first few days, but
| on nearing the coast, she encountered
| heavy gales. The waves swept over the
deck, bending the guard rails as if they
| were made made of reeds. The matches
were battened down, and the passengers
were obliged to remain below. Most of
them became sea sick from the heavy
pitching and tossing. The steamer stood
the weather well and was making as much
progress as possible under the circum-
stances.
On the night of the 18th, when off New
foundland, a loud report was heard, and
instantly the engine room filed with
steam. The passengers became terrified,
but the Captain, who is brave officer,
assured them that there was no danger.
| Worry littla staaul antprad th4 saloon.
which treasured the more timid. AS
quickly as possible the engines were
stopped and an examination made. The
superheater on the starboard side, in
which the steam is closed after being gen.
Grated in the boilers, blew off the cap.
The three french were badly scalded be-
fore they could get away.
The boiler was found to be intact, but
was rendered useless for the rest of the
voyage. After delay of several hours
sufficient steam was generated in the
other boiler, and the vessel made about
half the usual Roadway. 1t was not con-
sidered necessary to put into Newfound-
land for repairs, and the Schiedam con-
tinued her Journey to New York, making
1t in nine days. The crew worked night
and day, every man being, required to do
extra work.
From Newfoundland down the wealth
er was unusually severe, heavy seas rum
ming all the time, so that the sails could
only be used at times.
The injured men received all care and
attention from the ships surgeon, but
Karsten died on the 18th, and was buried.
The passengers enjoyed but little rest,
and when Sandy Hook light was sighted
prayers went up from the lips of many.
They all looked tired and sleepless, and
did not want to exchange the usual greet
lngs when the wharf was reached. They
all seemed glad to touch terra flrma, and
hurried away as quickly as the Custom
house inspectors would allow.