Morris tribune., 1886-12-08
A DIFFERENT ACCOUNT.
THE MlSHAP TO THE EWEsTERNLAND
LAID TO THE CAPTAIN.

story of One of the Passengers-The Ves-
sci Going at Full Speed Through Fear
full Storm Endeavoring to Make Up Lost
Tilne-rerrible Result of the Accident
The Captains Neglect of Duty.
N-xUnn. Uec. O.-m conversation
with reporter Francis P. Thurman, busi-
ness man of 80 Durand street, Newark, told
story which differs in several material
points from that told by the officers of the
steamer Westernland. He said: II was ac-
companiedby my son, II years OF age, and from
the first it seemed that we were doomed to
have a rough voyage We were for twenty
one hours on q sand-bank at the mouth OF
the River Sheldt. For two days before the
accident occurred we were pitched and
tossed by the winds and waves On
Saturday the weather became some
thing fearful was under the poop
deck with a lot of the other Steerage
passengers, and the vessel pitched
and tossed so alarmingly that we chung to
anything TO prevent being thrown about.
The speed Of the vessel never once slackened,
and it seemed to pitch right into the waves
like a locomotive into a snowbank. The
steamer never once rode the waves, but
plunged through them, and it was common
talk q nong the passengers that the captain
was trying to make up for the twenty-one
hours we were delayed at the start 1t was
shortly after noon when Emile de Koch, the
sailor, came down to where was and said
he was thankful to be let off. He was worn
out and sat on the anchor chain to take
short rest. He was just telling my
boy and myself that he was tired,
when we heard the crash overhead.
De Koch was thrown against the chain by
the blow, his breast being nearly torn out.
Max Frank, a butcher boy, who said he was
going to see his sister in Philadelphia, was
struck by a beam, which entered at the side
and pushed his intestines out through his
clothing in front. There was French boy,
who was accompanied by his mother and q
youp ger brother, and he was killed by being
thrown against the side of the vessel. He
was 16 years of age. l should have said that
Just before the big wave came which smashed
in the deck there were two distinct waves,
when he vessels screw whirled around at
such rate as to convey the impression that
1000 boiler-makers were at work on the YES
sells bottom.
81 took my son in my arms just before the
final crash, kissed him good-by, and said
that he must prepare to die. He almost
made me give way when he said: Then
will never see mamma again The next mo-
ment he was torn from my arms. shall
never forget the scene. 1 found my only son
lying on the deck. picked him up. He was
q little bruised but not otherwise hurt. We
went on deck and saw the captain ordering
the wreckage to be cleared away. 1t was the
first time had seen him since we left the
Sheldt river, and it was his first appearance
on deck during ell the heavy storm"
might he not have been on deck while
you were away"
No, because it was common talk among
tee passenges, who were unable to sleep,
that the captain never put in an appearance
but left everything to his officers. Five dead
bodies were laid in row on table in the
forecastle. One man was smashed flat. 1t
was a horrible sight. 1t was only
after the accident that the vessels
sped was reduced and for the first time the
Westernlani rode the waves and ceased
pitching as she had been DOING
Mr. Thurman while telling his story fire.
quently wept bitterly and seemed thoroughly
broken down by his rough experience.
No man could prevent disaster like
| that said one of the officers, "nor can he
tell, no matter what his experience may be,
why two such waves as those which smashed
us will some times come together in a choppy
sea. The a, cident was deplorable one and
Is regretted by none more than the officers
Of the vessel, the only one of whom on duty
at the time was the second officer"