The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-11-06
WELCOME WITTEKJND
WITH A GREAT CARGO
THE CABIN PASSENGERS MAKE
GOOD PROPORTION,
Trip Marked by Some Rough Weather
Sanction Of Belgian Govern
ment Obtained by Mr.. Wat
son-Marriage and
Inspection.

The State.
Charleston, Nov. 4.-Thc much
heraldcd North German Lloyd Steam
er Wittelind arrived in port today
from Bremen with ATS passengers on
board, being the first of at least two
vessels which the big steamship cor
poratlon is to run to Charleston, in
the movement inaugurated by State
commissioner Watson to divert the
tide Of immigration from Northern
ports to Charleston, that these pco-
pie may be distributed through South
Carolina, supplying much needed ag-
11cultural, mechanical and labor
hands, where they are most desired.
1t Is probable that the Wittekind will
prove the first Of regular and per-
manoM line of steamships for both
passengers and freight between Char
lesion and Bremen, the permanence
of the line being in measure depen-
dent upon the success of the two first
vessels. The second vessel is due to
sail from Bremen on Dee. 27 for
Charleston
Sighted at s O'clock.
The Wittekind was sighted off
quarantine about 8 o'clock this morn
ing and shortly after the big vessel
had been seen, Commissioner General
Sargent, Surgeon, Stoner and Earle,
Deputy Commissioner Stump and a
number Of inspectors and other Off
cials of the United States immigra-
ton and labor department. boarded
the army steamer General French and
started down the harbor.
The steamer stopped off quaran-
tine, where Acting Quarantine Officer
O'DriScoll boarded the vessel and
made his inspection. The vessel had
clean bill of health and no detention
or fumigation was necessary. Then
DR.. O'Driscoll turned The vessel over
to the other government officials. The
inspectors Immediately began their
arrangements for the inspection of
the passengers. Collector Of the Port
Crum had given his permission for
the working of the vessel on Sunday,
it not being customary for vessel to
be entered on Sunday at the custom
house and consequently little or no
time was lost in getting the work
started. When the vessel got off the
lower water front on her way to
Union pier, the towboat Waban ran
up alongside and assisted in the dock
ing Of the vessel at the head of the
pier. The vessel was tied up shortly
before noon, when Mayor Rhctt and
the committee of the Commercial club
and Secretary Herbert Of Col. Wat
son Office passed through the gates,
guarded by police officers and
through the specially erected files,
over which the custom officers presid-
ed. Collector Crum himself was at tho
gang plank with deputy and later
he repaired aboard the steamer to
lend helping hand to the officials
Of the government and the local COM
mittcc and to generally assist in pro-
vidinG the desired facilities for the
handling Of the vessel, her passen-
gers and passengers effects. Later
on several of the representatives Of
the cotton mills were also permitted
to board the vessel for conferences
with Commissioner Watson and other
officials. On the adjoining wharves
were crowds Of spectators and more
or less excitement and confusion at.
tending the docking Of the vessel.
But on the steamer there was perfect
dccorum. The officials got busy and
the local committee went about their
work of arranging for the handling
Of the passengers, at the conclusion
Of the inspection. The officers Of
tho ship were about their work, and
a couple of dozen big, lusty longshore-
men began to remove the matches and
soon the effects Of the passengers
were being lowered to the pier for ex-
animation by the local custom house
officials. L..
Watson Equal to Occasion.
Col Watson was much in demand,
but he proved the hustler that he has