The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-02
A Swedish Member Of the Bald
win-Zeigier Expedition
Gives His Version of the Row
on the America.
INTERNAL TROUBLES
And Baldwin's IncOmpetency
Assigned as Reasons
For the Unsatisfactory Termi-
nation Of the Voyage.

Stockholm, Sweden, Sept. 2.-The It'd
ingen yesterday published an interview
with Captain Dreilick, a Swedish MEM
Der of the win-Zeigler Arctic ex-
petition
In this interview Captain Dreilick
says the difficulties between Mr.. Bald
win and Captain Johanssen of the
America began at Dundee in dis
agreement as to the fitness of the engi-
neer of the vessel. Captain Johanssen,
according to Captain Dreilick. ill-treated
the crew of the America. Upon arrival
at TrCmsoe. on the outward trip, MI
Baldwin proposed to the mate of the
America that he take command of the
ship. This offer was repeated at Vad-
soc and Archangel, but it was always
declined. Captain JohanSsen overWork-
ed the crew and Mr.. Baldwin did not
interfere.
Continuing, the Swedish captain says
that one day when the America was
surrounded by ice Captain Johanssen
reasona bly, refused to anchor, a maneu-
yer which, according to the ice pilots
would have been dangerous heated
controversy arose between Mr.. Baldwin
AMI the captain, the former insisting
that the captain was not master of the
America, but only sailing master. Cap
tain Juhanssen produced his papers to
prove that he was master of the ship
Further trouble arose while the cap
tain wanted certain explosives removed
from under cabin. This was opposed
by Mr.. Baldwin, but the explosives were
eventually removed as the captain de-
sired.
The climax was reached one night
during a terrific storm The ships an
Choir was dragging and Captain Johans-
sen offered Mr.. Baldwin the choice of
losing the anchor or the bowsprit. To
this Mr. Baldwin answered: "Boss!'
The vessel was ordered astern and the
reversing of her engine broke the am
| Choir chain. She narrowly cleared some
icebergs which were descending upon
| hel.
The captain was discharged March
| 20, and Mr.. Baldwin, who was starting
on a sleigh expedition, ordered the
crew to obey Hart, the engineer: The
mate and the crew replied that such
| action would be mutiny, as they had
made their contracts with Captain Jo-
hansen. Mr.. Baldwin threatened the
crew with punishment for mutiny
| against him, the owner and leader OF
the expedition. Captain Jonanssen ad-
vised the crew to avoid trouble.
| On returning from the sleigh expedi-
| ton, May 81, Mr.. Baldwin communicate
| ed in writing to Captain Johanssen the
announcement of his discharge, and
Captain Johanssen requested the mate
of the America to take command Upon
returning to Norway, Captain Johans-
Zeigler Of New York not to forward
money to Baldwin. Mr. Zeigler is the
/ financial hacker of the expedition. Mr..
Baldwin received, however, 100000
which he deposited at Gothenberg,
Sweden, to the credit of the Swedish
| crew of the America The sleighing ex-
| petition referred to above reached a
| point within one days travel of the de-
! pot of the Duke de Abruzzi, but nc
search was made for the lost sailors
| of that expedition.
The failure of the Baldwin expedition
is ascribed by Captain Dreilick to inter-
| nal troubles and Mr.. Baldwins incom-
| potency as leader 1t should be noted
| that the American members of the ex-
petition were forbidden by the terms OF
| the contract to make any communica-
| lions to the newspapers while the Swed-
| ish members were not SO bound.