Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-03-25
INSANE ON THE oUARrER-DEoK.
Managing and Almost wrecking His Ship
at the Dictation of the Spnits-
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NJ y. Eorid
-PmLADELPHIA, March 22.-Capt. Gilbert
Williams, of the ship Sabine, lying al GIrard
Point, was taken to the State Hospital for
the Insane yesterday. His insanity is sup
posed to have been CAUSED BY the lost OF has
wife and spirituslislic sesnces. His 'mslsdy,
however, did not develop until his last voy-
age, when bis condition became such that
it was necessary to keep constant watch
upon him. Mr.. Griffin, the first mate Of the
Sabine, relates the following story OF the
voysge:
"Oa the twentieth day out from Liverpool
| noticed FOR the first time that the captains
actions we're strange. We were about halt
way on our voyage and we're sailing undera
lively northwest breeze. | was pacing the
deck, VIXEN suddenly the captain sprang out
Of the companion-way and asked If l be-
lieved in spirits. | was SO startled ~ his
question and his actions that | did not an-
swer. He caught me by the arm and said
that he had Just received q spirit communi,
cation from his brother George, who had
been lost at sea ten years ago. He dragged
me down INTO the cabin to shoR me the
communication. | saw written III a bold
hand on the inside Of a slate the following;
DEAR BROTHER: You are in geeat dau'
ger. Without warning by the fall OF your
glass or any Of the usual signs, your vessel
will be struck by q cyclone at four
O'Clock this morning, and unless prepared
in time you will be wrecked and lost. Take
the canvass off the ship at once, and get
your light spars and yards on deck. DO not
neglect the warning of your brother
GEORGE.
The captain stood bside me as | read 1t
with his eyes blazing with excitement. He
said that 1t was a warning from the spirit
world and we must not disregard 1t. de
ordered re 10 60 OF deck at once and take
in the tOpgallant sails, fore and mlzzen top
sails and courses, close reefthe maintopsail,
take down the royal yards and strike the
topgallaut mast. The captains orders were
obeyed. and the ship tossed along under
easy sail. When l went below | found the
captain pacing the cabin greatly excited. |
went on deck again and looked at the sky
for signs Of the approaching gale, but saw
nothing 20 indicate 2 storm. When L
thought the matter over | began to suspect
the captain was a little OF in the upper
story. | went down in the cabin a short
time afterward and found he had retired to
his stateroom and gone TO sleep. When
the second mate csme on deck he was as
tonished to find the condition the ship was
in. told him the story about the captain
ond went below leaving him in charge.
"a short time afterwsrd the captain
appeared on deck and, looking sloft, he
wanted TO know what we had been doing
with the ship. The second mate re-
Piled that sail had been reduced at
his own orders. The captain called hun q
liar and knocked him down. Several men,
hesripg the disturbance, rushed on deck.
The captain shouted: Mutiny, by God! and
drawing 8 brace of revolvers began shooting
right and left. We all lodged, and in ten
seconds there vas not q man on deck. After
waiting some moments the captain went
below and retired to his stateroom. He
was soon asleep. We removed all his weap.
ons and kept a close watch upon him for
the remainder OF the voyage. His meals
were served in his room By the steward.
Upon our arrival at Girard Point he was
examined by physicians, and upon their
recommendation sent TO the State Hos,
pital I"