New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-02
oUARRELS ON THE AMERICA
SWEDISH CAPTAIN TELLS OF THE DIS
PUTES BETWEEN BALDWIN AND
IOEI ANSSEN
.JOHANSSEN

Stockholm, Sept. THE ''Tidningen" to-day
publishes a long interview with Captain Drei-
lick Swedish member OF the Baldwin -Ziegler
Arctice expedition.
In this interview Captain Dreihck says the
difficulties between Mr.. Baldwin and Captain
Johanssen Of the America, began at Dundee
in a disagreement as to the fitness of the engi-
neer of the vessel. Captain Johanssen. accord
ing 10 Captain Dreilick, i'll treated the crew of
the America who made complaint. Upon
arriving at Tromsoe, Norway on the outward
trip Mr. Baldwin proposed 10 the mate of the
America that he take command Of the ship
This offer was repeated at Nadsoe and Arch
angel but il always declined. Captain
Johan nssen overworked the crew, and Mr.. Bald
win did not interfere
Continuing the Swedish captain says that one
day when the America was surrounded by Ice
Captain Jobanssen reasonably refused to an
Choir a manpuvre which according to the Ice
pilots, would have been dangerous. heated
controversy then arose between Mr.. Baldwin
and Captain Johanssen, the former insisting
that the CAPTAIN was not master Of the Amer
lea. but only sailing master. Captain Johanssen
produced his papers 10 prove that he was mas
ter of the ship
Further trouble arose when the captain
wanted certain explosives removed from under
meath the cabin. This was violently opposed by
Mr.. Baldwin but the explosives were eventually
removed as the captain desired
The climax was reached night during
terrific storm. The ships anchor dragging,
and Captain Johanssen offered Mr.. Baldwin the
chance of losing the anchor or the bowsprit. To
this Mr. Baldwin answered 'Bosh." The yes
sci was ordered astern. and the reversing of
her engines broke the anchor chain. She mar
rowly cleared some icebergs which were de-
scending upon her.
The captain was discharged March %. and
Mr. Baldwin. who was starting on a sleigh
peCition ordered the crew to obey Hart, the
engineer. The mate and the crew replied that
such action would he mutiny. they had made
their contracts with Captain Johanssen. Mr..
Baldwin then threatened the crew with punish
ment for mutiny against him, the owner and
lea der of the expedition Captain Johanssen
advised the crew to avoid trouble.
On returning from the sleigh expedition, May
Captain JohanSSen the announcement of his dis
charge, and Captain Johanssen requested the
mate of the America to take command.
Upon returning to Norway, Captain Johanssen
New-York, not to forward money to Mr.. Bald
win Mr. Baldwin received however. S10.S0D,
which he deposited at Gothenburg, Sweden to
the credit OF the Swedish crew of the America.
The sleigh expedition referred to above
reached a point within one days travel of the
depot of the Duke of the Abruzzi but no search
was made for the lost sailors of that expedition.
The failure of the Baldwin expedition is
ascribed by Captain Drelick TO internal troubles
and Mr.. Baldwlns incompetency leader.
1t should be noted that the American MEM
bers OF the expedition were forbidden by the
terms of their contracts to make any commu-
ncations- to the newspapers. while the Swedish
:rerlbers we're not so bound.