Bad Seas Tossed Liner
New York Times, March 25, 1911
The President Lincoln Had a Tempestuous Voyage. Buffeted by seas the Hamburg American liner President Lincoln arrived yesterday from Hamburg a day late. Bad weather was almost continual during all of her twelve days’ trip. When the liner tried to stop at Cherbourg to take on passengers and mail, it was so rough that the tender could not get alongside and the vessel had to keep on her way. When longitude 28 degrees was reached she ran into the worst storm of the voyage. A hurricane kicked up such a sea that the vessel was raked by mighty waves. A hurricane kicked up such a sea that the vessel was raked by mighty waves. The ship was slowed down and oil was poured on the waters. Between decks a collection of animals made a great and continual din as the storm pounded the vessel. There was a wombat, a scappilala, hyenas, eight antelope, two llamas, five deer, a giant wart hog, a gnu and seven horses aboard. Besides, there were 2,000 canaries from the Hartz mountains. When the President Lincoln was running through a wild sea, Schlerme Levin, a Russian lad of eighteen, traveling alone in steerage, committed suicide by jumping overboard. He had attracted some attention because of his persistent talk that he was pursued by Cossacks and Russian secret police. Max Jablensky, a second cabin passenger, attempted suicide by cutting his throat. As soon as he cut himself he became remorseful and shouted for help. The ship’s doctor pulled him around and he will have to explain to the Immigration authorities why he attempted suicide before they will let him join his relatives in this city.