New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-25
PERIL AND COWARDICE AT SEA
STORY OF RECKLESS CAPTAIN AND
RECREANT MATE on THE GULF
MEXICO

Now.OrIoans Dec "a (SpecaD.-About ten days
a,o navs reached this city Of the wreck OF the
schooner Ruff on the coast OF Mexico at wnich
time Captain Kalker. commander OF the vessel was
drowned Last night several New-Orleahs men
who were passengers on board the Run, reached
this city and told a story Of suffering, danger ana
rescue reading Ike a boys tale Of adventure From
their story Captain Kalker acted In a criminaIy
reckless manner while his first mate deserted the
vessel In the hour OF danger.
The Run sailed from Mobile in the latter part OF
November with coal for Coalzocoalcos Mexico
Captain J. F. Van Horn and three associates had
formed A company 10 navigate small MeAlcan
river and had built TWO stern wheeled gasoene
launches. so they secured passage on the Ruh and
had their launches blocked up the deck. All
went well for three days when the schooner ran
into storm and with the overlooking OF the upper
deck with the launches the vessel was found to be
in anything a seaworthy condition Great
eeas washed over her and Of these carried into
the Gulf F. Van Horn, Of Captain Van Horn
before mentioned The young man was saved oy
the presence Of mind Of negro sailor, who hurled
a rope with a sure hand and reached the swimmer.
The Runs condition grew desperate. and at last
she was headed for Campeche Shoal where she
was anchored At that point Captain Van Horn and
his party had enough OF the schooner and de-
nanded 10 be put ashore. but Captain Kaker re-
fused and ordered his schooner TO head on It's
course to Coatzacoalcos The had calmed and
the passage was made without incident until the
port was sighted when Captain Kalker again took
the bit between his teeth and refused 70 signal for
a pilot A Mexican steamer and pilot boat both
signalled danger but Captain Kalker swore that
he was running the schooner. and she would go
everywhere he wanted and nowhere else One
minute after making that blum the schooner struck
and was soon hard aground, with the waves dash
ing over her. The captain and mate. the latter
named G. o Sherman. became panic stricken and
the latter made an attempt 10 lower the ships
boat which swamped Immediately. He then un-
dressed tied his clothes in bundle. cut In two
life preserver belonging 10 the New Orleans
party fastened one-hah the bundle and the
other on himself and Jumped overheard. swearing
he would look out for himself and that the others
might do the same.
puttlng over the side in a dingy belonging to the
New-Orleans expedition. The commander darted
forward drove the blacks away. hoated the skf
and struck out alone. abandoning his ship and re-
fusing 10 even burden himself with single COM
panion The dngy. however, proved too light for
the terrible sea. and was soon swamped. The cap
tain clung 70 the SIX for several hours. but hnaly
his strength gave from the cold and the wrench
ing Of the seas and he sank 10 his death.
Then one by one three Of the best swimmers on
the vessel put on life preseTvers and leaped over
board They could only be seen short distance
mill night came when bonfres on shore told that
XII night the waves washed over the wreck. and
II was not til dawn that the sea calmed SUI
Gci.rtIv ICr V,flc Ifehoat manned by America q
and English volunteers TO come through the surf
to he re be- carried OGS tx afey was V then found
that the three swimmers had reached shore IN
The mate sherman. had also reached shore. but
had gone his way without giving any notice or the
Thess facts were told by Captain Van Horn and
corroborated In fun by the other passengers.