A TRAGIC VOYAGE.
A MADMAN SEEKS COMMAND,
I According to advice received in Sydney the last Homeward voyage of tho Norwegian barque Fortuna —an old Australian trader, until quite recently known as tbs British strip Macquarie, ona of Messrs Devitt nod Moore’s fiao training vessels proved one of the most sensational in her long oireor. Oaprain Mikkelsen, in relating bis oxperioaces as the veaeol was discharging her cargo of Australian wheat last month a', tho Koval Victoria Dock, London, said that tbo Fortuna sailed from Melbourne on March 15, bound to Falmouth for orders.
i When at Melbourne Captain Mikkolson was askod by tbs II ]3aian Consul to give a saloon passage to England to a Russian shipmaster named Call Solerbalm, who bad previously beoa in command of the barque Pahrwohl. Captain Sodarbalm had been detained as ins iue, but was supposed tj have recovered wben he came on board the Foituca. Soon after the ship left po. t it was noticed that ho was acting in a strango manner. Ho beoame impressed with the idea that ho bad command of thß Fjrtuna, aud bo wished to turn the ship round and make for the Cape of Good Hopo,
A struggle ensued on fcho poop between Captain Mikkslsen and the madman, and the mate of the ship had to oomo to the rescao. Shortly afterwards, when the ship was ten days out from port, Captain Sodorh'tlm committed suicfdo by jumping over the tail;ail into the tea. The master of the l'ortuaa immediately backed the mailyards, stopped the way of the ship, and had a boat out to r il• ot a rescue if passible, but the d'meutod skipper eaok before bo could bo found. It was at midday, and in fine clear I wea'ber, wb'n this tragic event ooourred. Tho boat was levered instantly, and an hour h so sreb made, but nothing was ng -.in seen of the Russian shipmssto", and the vcesel was then put on her course again, Captaio Scdorha'm hailed from Abo, to which port lrs ship, the Fahrwold, which recently arrived in tho Channel from Melbourne, also belonged. |
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1839, 21 August 1906, Page 2
Word Count
353A TRAGIC VOYAGE. Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1839, 21 August 1906, Page 2
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