Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-25
INSANE ON THE QUARTER-DECK
Managing and Almost Wrecking His
Ship at the DictatiOn of the Spirits.

Managing and Almost Wrecking His
Ship at the DictatiOn of the Spirits.
PHILADELPHIA, March 22.-Capt. Gill
bert Williams, of the ship Sabine, lying
at Girard Point, was taken to the State
Hospital for the Insane yesterday. His
insanity is supposed to have been caused
by the loss of his wife and spirituaIlstic
seances. His malady, however, did not
develop until his last voyage, when his
condition became such that it was neces-
sary to keep constant watch upon him.
Mr.. Grimm, the first mate of the Sabine.
relates the following story of the voyage:
ION our twentieth day out from Liver
pool noticed for the first time that the
Captains actions were strange. We were
about halfway on our voyage, and were
sailing under a lively northwest breeze.
l was pacing the deck, when suddenly
the Captain sprang out of the companion
way and asked If believed in spirits. !
was so startled by his question and ac.
tions that did not answer. He caught
me by the arm and said that he had lust
received spirit communication from his
brother George, who had been lost at sea
ten years ago. He dragged me down into
the cabin to show me the communication,
L saw, written in a bold hand on the inside
of state, the following:
DEAR BROTHER-You are in great danger
without warning by the fall of your glass or
any or the ususl signs, your vessel Will be
struck by cyclone at O'clock this morning.
and unless prepared in time Won will he
wrecked and lost. Take the canvas off the
yards on deck. Do not neglect the warning
OF your orother GEORGE.
"The Captain stood beside me as read
it with his eyes blazing with excitement.
DE SAID that it was warning from the
spirit world, and we must not dis
regard it. He ordered me to 90 on
deck at once and take in the top
gallant sails, fore and mizzen topsail
and courses, close reef the main-tOp-
sail, take down the royal Yards and
strike the top-gallanImast. The Captains
orders were obeyed and the ship tossed
along under easy sail. When l went be-
low found the Captain pacing the cabin
greatly excited. / went on deck again
and looked at the sky for signs Of the ap.
preaching gale, but 1 saw nothing that
would Indicate that we were to have
storm. When | thought the matter over
began to suspect that the Captain was
a little off in the upper story. l went
down in the cabin a short time afterward
and found that he had retired to his state
room and gone to sleep. When the second
mate came on deck he was astonished to
find the condition the ship was in. |
told him the story about the Captain
and went below, leaving him in charge.
"a short time afterwards the Captain
appeared on deck and, looking aloff, be
wanted to know what we had been doing
with the ship. The second mate replied
that sail had been reduced at his own or
ders. The Captain called him liar and
knocked him down. Several men, hear
ing the disturbance, rushed on deck. The
Captain shouted, 'Mutiny, by Godp and
drawing brace of revOlvers began shoot
ing right and left. We all lodged, and in
ten seconds there was not a man on deck.
After waiting some moments the Captain
went below and retired to his stateroom.
He was soon asleep. We removed all his
weapons and kept close watch upon
him for the remainder of the voyage. His
meals were served in his room bv the
steward. Upon our arrival at Girard
Polnt ne was examined by physicians,
and upon their recommendation sent to
the State Hospital"