"GHOST TWEETS FROM A COAL BUNKER"

STOWAWAY PLAYING PICCOLO SHOCKS SEAMAN TO DEATH

Hoboken, New Jersey (JFK+50) On December 10, 1922, the Evening Star reports that a transatlantic liner from Bremen* arriving here at Hoboken yesterday was carrying the dead body of coal passer Otto Schmidt who, according to the ship's doctor, died as a result of heart disease.

Mr. Schmidt's fellow coal passers, however, claim that the poor fellow was "shocked...to death" when he heard "a weird noise coming from a coal bunker."

The "tweet, tweet" coming from the bunker frightened all the other coal passers so that they appealed to the Captain to investigate.

They discovered a stowaway playing a piccolo.  His aspiration is to play in the orchestra at the opera.  Unfortunately, that is not to be as the Star reports, "He's going back."

*Bremen is a major cultural & economic hub in northern Germany.  It is known for its role in the maritime trade.

SOURCE

"Tweet of 'Ghost' Scares Seaman, One Falling Dead," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., December 10, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

Yamaha YPC32 Piccolo

2005

Photo by User: Caesura

"PLEDGES A NATION STRONG FOR WAR OR PEACE"

HARDING MOVED TO TEARS AT SIGHT OF AMERICAN DEAD

Hoboken, New Jersey (JFK+50) On May 23, 1921, President Warren G. Harding, speaking at Hoboken* Pier, "pledged...to make the United States a nation strong and efficient for war or peace."

The New York Tribune reported that the President was "moved to tears" as he appeared before thousands of American dead at the pier.

President Harding said...

"I do not pretend that the millennial* days have come and that there will be no more war.  I wish a nation so powerful that none will dare provoke its wrath." 

*Hoboken is located on the Hudson River in New Jersey.  It was founded and 1855 & became a major industrial port.  Today it is an integral part of the Port of New York & New Jersey.

**millennial denotes or relates to a period of a thousand years. 

SOURCE

"Harding, Weeping for War Dead, Pledges U.S. None Dares Provoke; Promises Part in World Affairs," The New York Tribune, May 24, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

   

 

Great Ocean Liners

at the Dock

Hoboken, N.J.

Robert N. Dennis Collection

NY Public Library Photo