The evening Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1902-1902, 1902-09-02
BALDWIN'S FAILURE
Story Of Feud In Arctics Told
by Swedish Captain.
LONG STRUCGIE WITH SHIPS CAPTAIN
Trouble on the America Began at
Dundee Over the Engineer "A
Question of Who Was Mas
ter of the Ship.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Sept. q
The Tidningen publishes long inter
Wow with Captain Dreiiick, a Swedish
member of the Baldwin-Zeisler arctic
! expedition.
in this interview Captain Dreilick
says the difficulties between Mr.. Bald
win and Captain Johanssen of the
America began at Dundee in dis
agreement us to the fitness of the en-
gineer of the vessel. Captain Johars-
sen, according to Captain Dreilick, Ill
treated the crew of the America, who
made no complaint. Upon arriving at
Tromeo, 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 al,
ways declined. Captain Johanssen
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 Johanssen
reasonably refused to anchor, ma
neuver which, according to the ice
pilots, would have been dangerous. A
heated controversy then arose between
Mr.. Baldwin and Captain Johanssen,
the former insisting that the captain
was not master of the America, but
only smiling master. Captain Johans-
sen produced his papers to prove that
he was master of the ship.
Further trouble arose when the cap
tain wanted certain explosives removed
from underneath the cabin. This was
violently opposed by Mr.. Baldwin, but
the explosives were eventually re-
moved as the captain desired.
The climax was reached one night
during terrific storm. The ships an
chor was dragging, and Captain Johans-
sen offered MI. Baldwin the choice of
losing the anchor or the bowsprit. TO
this Mr.. Baldwin answered 'Bosh"
The vessel was ordered astern, and the
reversing Of her engines broke the an
Choir chain. She narrowly cleared
some icebergs which were descending
upon her.
The captain was discharged March
%, and Mr.. Baldwin. who was start
ing on sleigh 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 Johans-
sen. Mr.. Baldwin then threatened the
crew with punishment for mutiny
against him, the owner and leader of
the expedition. Captain Johanssen ad-
vised the crew to avoid trouble.
On returning from the sleigh expcdi-
ton May u 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
Johaassen telcgraphcd the agent Of
William Zeigler of New York not to
forward money to Mr.. Baldwin. Mr..
Zeiglcr is the financial hacker of the
expedition. Mr.. Baldwin received, |
however. $1O,SOO, which he deposited !
at Gothenburg, Sweden to the credit
of the Swedish crew of the America.
The failure of the Baldwin expedition
Is ascribed by Captain Drelick to in |
ternal troubles and Mr. Baldwin's in
as leader.
1t should be noted that the American /
OF the expedition were for.
hidden by the terms of their contracts
TO make any communications to the
while the Swedish mem.
bCrs We're not so bound. !