The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-05-22
They Say a Rescue Would Have
Been Easy Under the
Circumstances.
HEARD LOUD CRIES FOR HELP.
Statements Made by the Mate and
Some of the Sailors From the
John A.

II it should be the misfortune Of Cap
tain Hellquist of the schooner John A to
fall overheard, he has the doubtful conso-
lation of knowing that not one of his
present crew would reach over the vessels
side to rescue him.
This feeling between crew and master
was brought about by the action of Cap
tain Hellquist toward an unfortunate man,
seen by every member of the crew on thu
arrival of the John A inside of the Heads
last Monday morning.
The statement of the captain in regard
TO the matter was as follows:
We were coming into port with a very stiff
breeze and strong ebbtide, and just as We
got opposite Lime Point l noticed boat
either swamped or overturned and could
also see man who appeared to be sitting
astride the boat. l Immediately ordered the
mate to run up signal, and after this was
done we started to get our skif ready TO send
out but just as two men were about ready 10
start in ii | said: Hold on, men, there is no
use OF you getting drowned; If that whitehall
can't weather this wind surely our little skif
cannot" We were having a hard time to get
in anyway, and we were then in the most dan
gerous part OF San Francisco Bay.
We soon saw the Government tugboat which
runs TO Lime Point and all commenced TO hol-
Ter at her. The captain heard US and pointed
in the direction OF the boat. He started in the
direction in which l pointed. but only held
turned to his regular course. notified the
Merchants Exchange and also one OF Spreck-
els tugs, but whether they went out or not 1
do not know. The steam schooner American
Girl was coming just behind US, but she made
no effort al rescuing the unfortunate man.
This account of the affair is character
lied by the crew as being false in every
particular, and in addition the captain is
condemned by the men for his treatment
of the man.
The story OF the crew differs in every
particular from that of the captain, and
can be best told by repeating what is said
by the first mate, E. F. Erickson, and
Fred Jessan, Axal HIGHLAND. T. Olsen and
l. Jacobson, all members of the crew.
Their version of what occurred is as fol-
lows:
We had got we'll inside the Heads and were
steering northeast by east, when between the
red buoy and Fort Point the second mate John
Svderwol, heard voice calling for help On
looking over the port bow he man on q
boats Keel, with one hand raised over his
body and the other apparently holding ia
the boat. The mate sang out ''Man overboardp'
His exclamation drew the attention OF the first
mate Mr.. Erickson, and Seaman HIGHLAND, who
were at the wheel at the time, and they in turn
looked in the same direction as did the second
mate and plainly heard the appeal for help
coming from the man on the drifting and up
turned boat They think he could not have
been more than $50 yards away from the
John A.
BY this time the entire crews attention had
become attracted to the perils of the poor fell
low at the mercy of fast-running ebbtide
and stiff gale blowing in through the Golden
Gate.
Mate Erickson at once ordered the skiff to be
got ready for launching. This command was
instantly obeyed by Jessan and others of the
crew who ran to his assistance. In the mean
time Mate Erickson notified Captain
Hellquistr who was below at the
deck and was informed of what the matter was
he stopped the men from lowering the skif
and ordered the mate to hoist the flag at half
mast, which was done, and which attracted
the attention of small steamer which came
in the direction of the John A. She seemingl y
did not understand what the matter was and
after taking circle about the schooner
steamed away.
Every one of Us would have been willing Il
Jump into the skif and go to the mans rescue
il the captain had not prevented US, and We
are sure We could have saved him. 1t was no
blowing too hard, as We were well inside the
Heads, and there was the steamer within hail
ing distance 10 come to our rescue. But thu
captain wouldn't have it, as he said he would
be likely to be driven out to sea and lose
couple of hours time making it up.
One thing is sure, that every one of US is go
ing to quit the schooner now. Not one of III
will ever sail with Captain Hellquist again
He has convinced us that he sets but poo
value on the life of an unfortunate man who
may be cast out to the mercy of the sea-
We are certainly at loss to know how tn,
captain could make the statement that he saw
no life IN the man On the upturned boat. wheI
every one OF us saw him wave his arm and W.
all plainly heard his cries for assistance
Help could and would have been rendered
him by us in ten minutes If the skipper haC
not prevented US when the mate ordered the
skif lowered.
This statement of the crew differs some
what from that made by Captain II ell
quist. Which is the correct one is matte
that can only be arrived at by an oficia
investigation, should one be had.