Crew of Norwegian bark Sichem harassed by beriberi according to the Dutch newspaper Rotterdamsch nieuwsblad dated 12 October 1898

An item dated Hamburg, Germany 10th reported that the mailer Itauri of the Kosmos shipping line hailed on 5 September on 5.15 North latitude and 28.30 West longitude the Norwegian bark Sichem underway from Florida, USA towards Buenos Aires, Argentine with a cargo timber. She was now 84 days underway and needed medical assistance. The Itauri send a boat with lemon juice and potatoes and her ships doctor. The Sichem was harassed by beriberi killing her captain, both steersmen and 3 sailors. On the 3rd were a steersmen and 2 sailors taken over from the Italian bark Speme of Genoa and was decided to enter Barbados as emergency harbour. On board were now 8 men. The Ituari continued her voyage. The Italian Speme was on the 3rd al ready 4,5 months underway from Iquique, Chile towards Genoa, Italy.