The New York herald., 1922-01-01

broken down several times and four oi
the engine crew We're in irons. IT was
then that Steinfelder was called in and
the officers took up watch below with
revolvers.
Despite all precautions our troubles
kept up More men were arrested. some
for pouring ashes into the pump and
some for pumping one of the fresh water
tanks into hold.
"In the meantime some other member
of the crew thought up the bright idea
of dipping rags in concrete and stuffing
them in the boiler flues. The result OF
that was that of the five boilers only
one was in commission. That was moi
sufficient to propel the ship and pump
water to the cabins on the upper decks
so every night at o'clock the ship
stopped while the one pump still work
ing pumped up enough water for the
passengers to bathe.
1--WE crept along for days, stopping
altogether occasionally and then oul
fresh water ran out. After that we had
to use salt water in our one boiler, and
that began to Corrode. so that IL was
difficult to keep up enough steam to
continue going. and our speed became
less and less. With our speed dying
the shortage Of water became acute
We had to resort to drinking wine only
and then braclSish water.
Finally we came within a short dis
tance OF the Azores, but seemed to be
unable to arrive. The crew were grow
ing more restless. Matters were ex-
tremely distressing. II was no longer
possible 70 bathe except by dipping salt
water from the sea in buckets. Santa
ton was out of commission, and ] can
not decently describe the condition that
- yIcf q
"Then one night a terrific explosion
awakened me. / dashed out on deck in
my pajamas. and found myself in
bedlam of madmen and hysterical wom-
en-. There was not a light burning IN
the ship and every corner was nlled
with live steam. People were trying to
jump overheard. The scene was more
horrifying than I can describe.
Families Separated on Ship.
"Families were scattered all over the
vessel. Mothers were wailing for their
children and wild youngsters were rae
Ing about screaming and trying to IND
their mothers.
when something approximating or
der had been restored it was discovered
that a piston head had blown out and
there was more engine trouble.
Capt. Patterson kept assuring us that
everything was all right. but, at length.
ex-senator Shafroth. a Mr. Botsford and
myself formed q committee and went to
the captain. Senator Shafroth knew an
American navy vessel was at Gibraltar
and we demanded that a wireless be sent
to her for assistance. The captain re-
fused TO send the message and would
not permit a wireless message of any
sort to leave the vessel.
meanwhile the vessels hold was fill
ing with water and the pump was in
adequate. The vessel sank lower and
lower and listed more. and the rats be-
gan to invade the cabins and lower
decks. IL became impossible for the
passengers TO stay in those cabins be-
cause of the rats. We used to organize
expeditions. armed with harpoons made
OF canes and umbrellas with knitting
needles lashed TO them and make war
on the rats. Il would not have been
such bad sport had 1t not been more in
the nature of necessity.
well. that's the sort OF n time we
had. After awhile we got to the Azores
and ultimately to Naples. One of the
crew committed suicide. and q stoerage
passenger died of fright. That was the
sort OF n trip Mrs Weidhaas and had
for our silver wedding anniversary.
Does Not Blame Captain.
81 wish 10 say. however. that Capt.
Patterson. / believe, did everything he
could in the circumstances. Despite
everything. thoigi:, we did have a won
derful congratulations party on the day
OF our anniversary. Mrs. Weidhaas and
were taking n nap on deck as the
steamer crawled along at four knots.
We were awakened by the ships band
playing the Wedding March, nnd all
the passengers marched by and took US
to the dining saloon, where we we're re-
married"
II took tho PoCahontas more than
forty days 10 make the trip 10 Naples
Capt. Patterson got her as far as Glib
raltar on the return trip. and there she
q 4 4 \ II L.