The Jersey City news., 1891-08-22
DEALING With MUTINY.
One of the 0bdam's Fire
men Shot and
Killed.
CAPTAIN BANKERS STATEMENT.
The Men We're Mutinous, Refused
to Work and Threatened to
Throw Him Overheard.
CAPTAIN BAKKER'S STATEMENT.

The story of mutiny on the high seas
and the shooting OF the leader OF the
mutineers on one OF the ocean steamships
that dock at Hoboken, became public this
morning and great interest was mani :
tested by hundreds Of seafaring men who
congregated about the steamship wharves
to learn the particulars. With the ar
rival Of the Netherlands steamship
OLDHAM at her wharf at the foot Of Fourth
street, the story became public. Several
OF the Obdam's firemen, while of duty
last night, became intoxicated and said
that one of their brethren had been
killed by Captain Baker without just pro-
vocation and that they would be revenged.
They all went back to the ship in maud
lin condition. uttering all sorts OF Wild
threats against the captain.
Captain Baker is an old seafaring
man, with a nut brown complexion and
flowing brown beard. He Is splendid
sDecimen Of manhood and Is well known
and popular In Hoboken. Hs refused TO
talk about the meeting when called on
him tnis morning. but he handed me
statement of the affair. which he had
made TO the General Manager OF the
steamship company and TO the authori-
ties on the other side.
FROM this statement it appears that
the Oodam left Hoboken for the Neither
lands on the morning of July l8. There
were three hundred passengers on board.
aud the men on duty continued until
eight o'clock on the evening OF July 70,
whea the first watch of hremen n was
called by Chief Engineer Bohl
STORM BREWING.
There was q storm brewing at the time,
ani when the men refused TO leave their
quarters at Chief Engineer Bohps CON-
mand he was greatly surprised aud nur-
ried to Captain Baker. The firemen,
twenty In number, followed him, aud
one Of them, Peter Duzzen. q wicked
looking fellow. made an effort to throw
the chief engineer overheard. The
passengers. attracted by the noise
of the scuffie, congregated on the
deck and when some of the women saw
the murderous looking fireman in full
possession of the deck, they tainted and
wild excitement prevailed. The firemen
strutted about the deck with an air OF
brayado and positively refused TO work.
After they had succeeded In frighten-
ing every timid person on board the yes
sell, they went back to their quarters
amidship next to the engine room, and
locked themselves in. They said they
would murder any one who interfered
with them.
The sailors, hearing how completely
the firemen were in possession, became
imbued with the spirit OF mutiny. and u
was only the stern voice OF Captain
Baker that held them IN check.
FIRES NEGLECTED.
In the meantime the fires on the ship
were neglected aud the engine had
to be slowed down. The hreme n
were singing and carousing in
their quarters and the passengers were
huddled together on the after deck. 1t
was at this critical juncture that Captain
Baker started for the firemen' g quarters.
The captain carried British bulldog
revolver In his pocket and ne had deter
mined look In his eye. he raped at the
firemen's quarters and was admitted.
The firemen advanced on him. Peter
Duzzen was the ringleader.
Il want you to work" said the cap
tain.
I'VE will not work." said Duzzne.
"Come, comrades. let's throw the captain
overheard" Duzzen made a move Tor
ward as if to carry out the threat. 1t was
an unlucky move for him.
THE FATAL SHOT.
Quicker than flash the Captain had
drawn his revolver, and aiminR-at Duzzen
he pulled the trigger. Duzzen fell NOR
tally wounded His shipmates seeing
that the Captain was determined, and
hearing several of the officers and crew
on the way to assist Captain Baker
agreed TO renew work. and there was no
further trouble during the trip.
Duzzen fingered Tor Two nouFs Win tne
big bullet in his stomach and then ex-
pired. He was buried at sea.
When the Obdam reached Bonlogne
Captain Baker gave his version OF the
tragedy and was released.
Captain Baker told me that he could
not learn why the men refused to work.
but he thought it was because several OF
the unions at Liverpool had sent dele
gates to the fremen In Rotterdam and
Amsterdam, and a feeling OF discomfort
was engendered.
When told the captain that the fire.
men who had been ashore IN Hoboken
last night had threatened TO ayenge their
shipmate's death, he laughed and said
that he had no fear.
The men, when questioned at the In
vestigatlon made on the other side, said
they refused to work because they were
oyerworked and not properly fed. These
statements are denied by the company.