The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-09-03
EANSAN INCOMPETENT
Reason Given for Failure of
Baldwin Expedition.
SWEDE WHO WAS THERE
Tells How Baldwin Tried TO
Boss Everything.

Stockholm, Sweden, Sept 1.-The Lin
dengen yesterday published an interview
with Captain Dreilick. Swedish mem
Der of the Baldwin-zeigler Arctic expe-
dition. In this interview Captain Drei-
lick says the difficulty between Mr.. Bald
win and Captain Johanssen of the Amer
lean. began at Dundee in a disagreement
as to the fitness of the engineer of the
vessel Captain Johanssen. according to
Dreuick nreated the crew Of the Amer
lea, who made no complaint. Arriving at
Tromosoe, Norway. on the outward trip.
Mr.. Baldwin proposed to the mate of the
America that he take command of the
ship. This offer was repeated at vadsoe
and Archangel. but it was always de
clined. Captain Johanssen overworked
the crew and Mr.. Baldwin did not in
terfere.
Continuing the Swedish captain says
that one day when the America was sur
rounded by ice, Johanssen reasonably re-
fused TO anchor, maneuvre, which, ac-
cording to the ice pilots. was danger
Gus. a heated controversy then arose
between Mr.. Baldwin and Capt. Johans-
sen. the former insisting that the cap
tain was not master Of the America,
hut only sailing master. Captain Johans-
sen produced his papers TO prove that he
v as master of the ship. Further trouble
arose when the captain wanted certain
explosives removed from underneath the
cabin. This was violently opposed by
Mr.. Baldwin. but the explosives were
eventually removed as the captain de-
sired. The climax was reached one night
during terrific storm. The ship anchor
was dragging and Captain Johanssen
offered Mr.. Baldwin the chance of losing
the anchor or the bowsprit. To this Mr..
Baldwin answered Both" The vessel
was ordered astern, and the reversing of
her engine broke the anchor chain. She
narrowly cleared some iceburgs. which
were descending upon her.
The captain was discharged March %,
and Mr.. Baldwin, who was starting on
sledge expedition ordered the crew to
obey Hart. the engineer. The mate and
mutiny, as they had made their contracts
with Captain Johanssen. Mr.. Baldwin
threatened the crew punishment for
mutiny against him, the owner and the
leader Of the expedition. Captain Johans-
sen advised the crew to avoid trouble.
On returning from the sleigh expedition,
May p, Mr. Baldwin communicated in
writing to Captain Johanssen the an
nouncement of his discharge and Captain
Johanssen requested the mate Of the
America to take command. Upon return
ing to Norway Captain Johanssen tele- !
graphed the agent OF the agent Of the w.
T. Zeigler, of New York, to forward
money to Mr. Baldwin Mr.. Zeigler is
the financial hacker of the expedition.
AR. Baldwin received. however. SlOS0O, 4
which he deposited at Gothenberg,
Sweden. TO the credit of the Swedish
crew of the America. The sleigh expo
liton referred TO above reached a point I
within one days travel of the depot Of
The Duke De Abruzzi. but no search was
made for the lost sailors Of that expedi-
ton.
The failure of the Baldwin expedition is
lscribed by Captain Dreilick 10 interna-
tional troubles and Mr.. Baldwins in
as a leader.
1t should be noted that the American
members of the expedition were forbid
len by the terms of the contract to make
any communications TO the newspapers.
while the Swedish members were not 50
bound.