Orphan Train Tragedy

by Rachel Wesson

  Frieda looked away. She couldn’t agree to do that. She knew her chances of becoming a doctor were low–she didn’t have the money and for all her brave words, there were few female doctors. But to give up on her dream of working in a hospital helping people? No that was something she couldn’t do. She loved her father, but she was entitled to have a future of her own making. He had to listen to her. But next time, she would wait until he wasn’t as tired.

  But her father wasn’t content with silence.

  “Frieda, do you hear me? I want your word you will stop this nonsense.”

  “I love you. But I’m sorry, I can’t give you my word. Working in a hospital means everything to me. I want to help people like Lottie. Maybe stop people like Mutti and baby Otto from dying.”

  “Tsk. You think you are God. Where are you getting these ideas from? Who is filling your head with this rubbish?”

  “Please, let’s just enjoy our day and forget about this for now. People are staring at us.”

  They were and not all of them were sympathetic toward her. She saw more than one look of disapproval from her neighbors. Still, she kept her head up. She was going to work at a hospital one way or another. Maybe she could become a Catholic and join a nursing order. Then she pictured William’s face. No, the life of a nun was not for her. But what would he think about her thoughts about her future? Would he have the same reaction as her father?

  Chapter 63

  Charlie turned the automobile into the pier and parked. They got out and enquired as to where they could find the General Slocum. Kathleen guessed it may be the boat she saw on the water, there seemed to be lots of people on board having a party, but she didn’t say anything.

  As it turned out, they only just missed the boat. It seemed Rev. Haas had waited for some stragglers.

  “Look at those poor children, they must have missed the sailing.” Lily pointed to some children standing on the pier.

  “Nah missus, their ma took them off. They is ever so upset. But their ma kept screaming something was going to happen. She is a bit cuckoo if you ask me.”

  The sailor wandered off. Kathleen took in Lily’s white face. “Come on Lily. Charlie, could you drive us somewhere to get a cup of tea? I think we could all benefit.”

  Charlie nodded. Kathleen took Lily by the arm and pulled her toward the car. The last thing her friend needed was to talk to that woman.

  On board the boat, Hans ran to his family.

  “Papi,” he said, breathless. “There’s a fire downstairs.”

  “Hush Hans. You will frighten people saying things like that.”

  “But Papi, I saw it.”

  “Yes son, I told you before that they need to burn coal to make the steam to help the boat to move down the river.”

  Hans gave his father a look as if to ask how stupid he believed him to be. “Papi, it’s not the coal bunkers but a real fire. I told the man and he didn’t believe me but then he opened the door and the flames came out. He told me not to tell anyone, but I had to tell you.”

  Papi pulled Hans closer. “He opened the door after you told him about the smoke?”

  Hans nodded.

  “The stupid man. He should have kept it closed. Wasn’t he taught the basics of fire safety? At the last factory I worked at, we told all our new people never to open a door if you suspect a fire.”

  Horrified, Frieda looked at Hans and then in the direction from where he had come. There was a little smoke for sure, but was her brother telling lies? Was he trying to create a little bit of panic because he was bored? Was he pretending to be a newspaper reporter? Her father’s face was a calm mask, but she saw terror lurking in his eyes. He believed Han’s story. She wanted to ask what happened next, but her voice wouldn’t work. Her father spoke first.

  “What did he do then?”

  “He told me to go away Papi and I did. But…”

  “But what, son?”

  Embarrassed Hans looked at his feet, “I looked behind me. He threw some coal on the fire and it went out. No more flames.”

  Frieda noted Hans seemed a little disappointed, but whether it was over the fact the fire had gone out or the man had sent him away, she wasn’t sure. Then she glanced at her father to see terror lurking in his eyes. It was gone so quickly she was convinced she imagined it.

  “Frieda, try to find Reverend Haas and ask him to meet me at the top of the stairs. Don’t mention anything to anyone else. We don’t want to cause a panic. Hans, sit here and don’t move.”

  “Do I have to? Can I not go back for another look?”

  “Hans you will do as you are told.”

  “Yes Papi.”

  Hans took his seat, his legs swinging. Frieda could see how much her little brother wanted to be in the middle of the action, but he had no concept of danger. Fire was dangerous anywhere. What if it took over the boat? She pushed those thoughts from her head as she went in search of Reverend Hass.

  Chapter 64

  “Frieda don’t go on the lower decks. I will search there. You stay up here and if a panic breaks out, make your way back to your brother. I will find both of you.”

  “Yes, Papi.”

  Surprised when he kissed the top of her head, she looked up at him.

  “I am proud of you Frieda. You have a cool head.”

  And then he was gone. She went in search of the reverend. Many people had seen him, but nobody could place him at that exact minute. She wandered about the deck, but there was no sign of him or her father. Should she return to Hans? She heard some people say they were coming up to the Gates of Hell, a place on the river where boats regularly went aground. The men said the captain knew what he was doing, he’d been sailing boats up and down the river for the last thirty years. Frieda didn’t pay any attention, she figured if there was a fire onboard, it was more worrying than anything out in the water.

  As she glanced toward the pilot house, she saw a boy trying to get the captain’s attention. The boy was shouting, Frieda couldn’t hear him over the music played by the band, but she could read his lips. He was shouting “fire” and pointing to the stairwell behind him. There she could see smoke but was it from a fire or the engines? She waited to see what the captain would do. If it were serious, he would leave the pilot house wouldn’t he? A crewmember ran past her, pushing against her, but didn’t apologize. She wouldn’t have been able to describe what he looked like, he moved that fast. He seemed to be looking for someone as well.

  Some people came up on deck complaining that smoke filled the room where beer was being served.

  “How many lifeboats are on board?”

  “Do you have life preservers for everyone?”

  “I can’t swim.”

  “What should we do?”

  “Can’t you stop the fire?”

  Everyone spoke at once, but the crew didn’t appear to hear any of them. Frieda wanted to ask questions too, but her father had told her to return to find Hans if people started to panic. She pushed her way through the crowd heading toward their seats, apologizing as she bumped into people. At times the swell of people carried her forward or to the side. Sometimes it was as if she couldn’t feel the deck beneath her. She bit her lip and counted down from ten in an effort not to panic. As she moved, she realized the band had stopped playing. She didn’t want to question why. She kept moving forward, refusing to look behind her. Maybe if she didn’t see the fire, it wouldn’t hurt them.

  Chapter 65

  Just as Frieda reached where her brother had been sitting, a burst of flame exploded out of the steamer’s lower port side. People screamed. Men, women and children. Frieda turned, frantically calling Hans’ name. “Hans, come here. Where are you? Papi, are you there?”

  But nobody answered. Frieda headed for the stairs, forgetting her father had told her to stay on the upper decks. But that was a disaster. She watched the captain take a couple of steps downward before he was forced by the heat and flames to retreat.

  “Mother of God
, please don’t let Papi and Hans be down there,” she prayed as she made her way back to their seats in the desperate hope her family had come back. There was a crowd gathering nearby as it was the farthest side from the flames, but no sign of her father or brother.

  Then she spotted Reverend Haas. He seemed to be instructing people to move to the stern of the boat. She tried to push against the swarm of people now moving toward her. If she could speak to Rev Haas, he might know where her father and Hans were. She pushed, but the crowd was too much for her. Women clung to children with a death like grip. Frieda had to accept she wasn’t going to get near to Reverend Haas. Not yet, anyway.

  Terrified, Frieda stood near the stern, waiting and hoping her father and brother would find her. Women and children screamed around her. Some told of horrible experiences as they fought their way up from where the ice-cream room was. She heard the sounds of loud splashes. Moving closer to the rail, she saw people in the water. Why had they jumped? Then she looked over their heads to see what her eyes couldn’t understand. A giant wall of flames. The people in the water had been left with little choice: jump or burn.

  Frieda watched as panic broke out around her. People ran screaming to find children, others headed for life preservers. Some flung their children overboard and jumped in after them. She stood silent, watching and waiting, although she couldn’t say why.

  “Stay calm, stay calm,” Reverend Haas shouted at his flock over and over again.

  Frieda watched the man they all loved and respected move in the direction of the fire, against the way the crowd was moving. What was he doing?

  “He’s trying to close the doors of the main cabin. Maybe he thinks it will stop the fire?”

  Frieda glanced at the man speaking. From what he wore, he looked like a member of the ship’s crew.

  “Can’t you help him?

  “Nah miss, he’s wasting his time. We ain’t got any way to beat a fire that big. Can you swim? That’s your best bet now.”

  Frieda turned away in disgust. She saw some of the adults in the church trying to launch a lifeboat, but it seemed to be stuck. One of the men used a knife on some ropes but nothing seemed to work. She scanned the entire area again, not seeing her family in the faces of fear looking back at her.

  Freida glanced back at the water, there was a tugboat coming toward them. Would it be able to rescue anyone?

  Chapter 66

  Charlie drove to a point farther up the river where he knew of a nice café. They parked the car and sat watching the activities around them as they enjoyed three iced teas.

  “This spot is perfect. They will be through hell’s gate in a few minutes and we will be able to wave at our boy,” Charlie said.

  “Hell’s gate?” Kathleen queried.

  “It’s a piece of water that can be difficult to navigate.” Charlie seemed to realize what he was saying. “Only for those who aren’t used to the river. The captain has been sailing the East River for over thirty years. He knows it like the back of his hand. No cause for alarm.”

  Kathleen glanced at Charlie’s face, but he appeared to be genuinely unconcerned.

  “See, there they are, coming through just fine.” He turned to his wife. “I know you are annoyed with Teddy, but it’s nice to get outside and just sit for a while, isn’t it? Without the children looking for attention or work worries.”

  “Yes, Charlie it is. Isn’t it, Lily?”

  Lily was staring at something in the distance. Kathleen poked her friend in the arm. But Lily ignored her and stood up.

  “What’s up with you? You won’t be able to see Teddy from here.”

  “Charlie, why is there smoke coming out of that boat?” Lily pointed. “Charlie, that’s the General Slocum. There’s smoke belching out of it. Oh my God, please help our baby. It’s on fire.”

  Charlie ran as close to the edge of the water as he could as Kathleen gripped Lily’s arm. “They have to fuel the engines, darling. It could just be that.”

  “Kathleen, don’t be an idiot,” Lily retorted. “Look at the reactions of the tugboats. People are stopping and watching. Something is wrong. Teddy can’t swim. The captain will have to get them on shore. Why isn’t he making for shore?”

  Kathleen didn’t know what the captain was doing. It was impossible to see that far away, but she didn’t dare voice that opinion. Lily was never unkind, but she was distraught. She looked around for Charlie but couldn’t see him.

  “Lily, let’s get back to the car. Charlie is probably waiting for us there.”

  Lily couldn’t move but remained frozen in place. Her cries had attracted the attention of some others. Kathleen saw a policeman. She hitched up her skirts and ran to him.

  “Can you help us please. There seems to be trouble on the water. See?” Kathleen pointed in the direction of the boat. Black plumes of smoke were rising out of the stricken vessel leaving nobody in any doubt, there was a serious fire onboard.

  “I will ring for help, missus. Don’t go trying to be brave. Leave it to the professionals.”

  He was gone before Kathleen realized he thought she was going to try and swim. In this dress, she wouldn’t get more than a few feet. She turned back to find her friends.

  “Kathleen, one of the river men reckons the captain will try to get her to land, but finding a safe spot might be difficult. Please stay with Lily while I try to find out more,” Charlie said.

  “Of course. Good luck.” Kathleen walked to find Lily, all the time praying for the ten-year-old boy she adored.

  Chapter 67

  Frieda climbed up on the rail, intending to use the height to try to pinpoint her family, but instead she was pushed over the side. She gripped the railing as tight as she could. If she let go, she would land in the water. Some mothers beside her were putting life preservers over their children’s heads and then throwing them into the water. Frieda didn’t see any of those thrown come back to the surface which is what should have happened when using life preservers. A female passenger passed her a life float.

  “Put this on girl, it’ll help you float.”

  Frieda shook her head. She didn’t need one. She could swim. Should she jump? But what if Papi and Hans were looking for her?

  “Have you seen my father? Or Hans?” she asked anyone she recognized but they shook their heads. She bit her lip, wondering what to do. People raced from one side of the steamer to the other to find their loved ones. Panic bread panic.

  She looked down at the water. More people were jumping. Some by choice, some because the crowd pushed them in. Again, and again, she saw people landing on other swimmers, pushing the poor unfortunates into the water. If she was to have a chance, she had to jump far enough out to be able to swim alone. The ship didn’t seem to be stopping, if anything it seemed to be moving faster. Why wasn’t the captain heading for shore?

  Frieda tore off her shoes, gave a last look around her, and taking a deep breath, jumped as far out as she could. The freezing water forced the air from her lungs, but she kept her mouth shut, holding her breath waiting to come back up to the surface.

  As her head broke through, she saw she had landed well away from some of the bigger groups. She treaded water as she got her bearings. Then she started swimming toward a tug boat which seemed to be on their way to help.

  “Help, please help,” a woman screamed. Frieda turned in time to see the woman go under water, but she quickly resurfaced. “I can’t swim. I’ve a baby.”

  Frieda couldn’t let the woman die. She had to try and help her. Swimming carefully, she moved slowly toward the woman.

  “Don’t grab me, you’ll pull both of us under,” Frieda told her. “Give me the baby.”

  “No!” the woman said something else but as she was swallowing water, Frieda couldn’t make out what she said. The woman went under again. Frieda tried to dive down to help her but there wasn’t enough space. She broke through the water and, relieved, spotted the woman doing the same. Frieda held out her hand. “Try to floa
t on your back, I will hold you, but you have to do what I say.”

  The woman nodded, terror making her eyes wide.

  Frieda swam nearer the woman and anchoring her arm under the woman’s chin, fought to carry them both toward the tug boat. The woman kicked and screamed, causing both of them to go under. Frieda let her go, only to try to go back and grab her again.

  “Please trust me,” she begged the woman. Whether the woman heard her or had fallen unconscious, she didn’t know, but she pulled her toward the tug boat. As they got alongside it, some men helped pull the woman and child onboard. The woman still refused to release her baby.

  “Come on girl, grab my hand.”

  Frieda shook her head. “I have to find my brother. Please help us. There were over a thousand people on the boat.”

  “A thousand?” the man looked to the Slocum which was like a blazing inferno by this stage.

  “Yes. A lot of children. Please help them.”

  Chapter 68

  Before he could argue with her, Frieda turned and swam back toward the fiery boat. She encountered two small children, trying to swim but she could see the older child was tiring fast. He’d been using his strength to keep the younger one’s face out of the water.

  “Let me help. I’ll take him, you swim to that boat. See it?”

  The older boy nodded and reluctantly gave over his young charge to Frieda. She did the same as she had done with the woman, thanking her mother and father for making her learn to swim all those years ago.

  Back and forth she went with another man from the tug boat. He was the only crew member who could swim. Together they got about ten people out of the water. On her last turn out, Frieda felt something grab her legs and pull her under the water, she kicked out, but the person held onto her. She was going to drown if she didn’t get free. She kicked again with all her might and prayed hard. Suddenly, she felt the grip slacken and with an almighty shove she got free. By the time she broke the top of the water, she was breathing heavily.