Captain Carl Graalfs 1926

The Atlantic was particularly unkind during the first few days of February, 1926. A storm which had been brewing for several days finally unleashed its gale force winds upon the Dutch freighter S.S.Aklaid. Fortunately for the striken vessel another ship, the Hamburg-American Liner Westphalia was in the vacinity and received the distress signal.

The freighter, with its 20 men aboard, was headed to Philadelphia from Rotterdam. The ship and her men were about 1,000 miles off the coast of New Foundland when the Westphalia, captained by Carl Graalfs, came alongside to rescue the stranded officers and crew. Captain Graalfs' ship had 248 very surprised and probably very seasick passengers on board at the time of the rescue. All crew and passengers made it safely to New York. This was just one story of rescue during the week of Atlantic mayhem. It was said up to 15 ships had to be rescued during this time.