New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-24
A WONAN'S SUICIDE AT SEA.
MRS STEPHENSON. A SALOON PASSENGER,
LEAPED OVERHEARD FROM
THE SPAARNDAM

II. NJ Stephenson OF Boston, who went 20 the
Netherlands Line pier in Hoboken
yesterday afternoon TO welcome his wife and
son. who had sailed on the steamship Spaarn-
dam. received the sad tidings when the vessel
reached her pier. that Mrs. Stephenson had
been lost overheard on the voyage across. Mrs.
Stephenson and her son Walter. who is twenty
five years Old embarked on the Spaarndam at
Boulogne-surMer as saloon passengers. The
woman was an invalid. and II was necessary
TO carry her about
On August 20 about 6.30 D. m Mrs. Stephen
son was carried TO the promenade deck. and or
dered the deck steward to serve her dinner
there The remaining passengers, including her
son. were then at dinner.
The steward had served one or two courses
and had gone below for the next one As he
returned he was just in time to see the woman
jump from the rail overheard into the sea. He
at once gave the alarm, and at the cry Woman
overheard" the steamships engines were
stopped and backed. Captain J. j. Bonjer. tho
commander ordered a boat lowered. and dill
gent but unavaiIing search for the unfortunate
woman was made. She was seen floating for
brief time in the water by several passengers.
but by the time the boat was cleared away she
had gone dowr. The lifeboat searched around
for the body for hour or more. while the
half-crazed son and the other passengers looked
on. The boat at length returned TO the ship
and the Spaarndam proceeded to port.
Dr. Macauley, the surgeon OF the steamship.
who had attended Mrs. Stephenson on the voy-
age, said that she had shown no evidences OF Ia
sanity She had remained in her stateroom
the greater part OF the time, as she apparently
did not like the idea OF being carried around
before the passengers. 1t is supposed that she
had become depressed owing TO her invalidism
She was about forty-two years old. Mrs
Stephenson lad received the best Of care from
DR. Macaule V and Chief Steward Konler, as
we'll as from Captain Bon1er and Purser Van
Wyke, and she did not appear, according 10 ths
ships officers 10 be unusually despondent Inc
time selected for her act leads to the Delief
that II was not the result OF a momentary Inn
pulse.
Mrs Stephenson and her son went abroad
about three and a half months ago. the trip be-
ing taken mainly on account OF the health OK
Mrs Stephenson who suffered from nervous
prostration and other maiadies DIR. Macauley
broke the news of her death to Mr. Stephenson,
and then the bereaved father and son hurriedly
left the pier. The Spaarndams passengers were
much excited over the tragic occurrence. which
cast n pail over them for the rest of the voyage
Boston Aug 23.-Mrs. II. NJ Stephenson who
is reported as having committed suicide from
the steamer spaarndam was the wife OF Harris
ton Square this city. living at No 236 Chestnut
ave, Jamaica Plain
Mrs. Stephenson, who was suffering from per-
vous prostration, left her home about two
months ago, accompanied by her only son, for
a trip on the Continent.
The steamer was expected TO arrive in New
York Saturday night and Mr.. Stephenson left
here on Friday night to meet her. Up to a late
hour this evening nothing had been heard from
him by his mother. sister or brother. who live
with him, and they were greatly shocked at ths
intelligence Of Mrs Stephenson's DEATH which
was conveyed TO them by newspaper man.