Heinrich LINDEMANN [1878-1900]

A cook on board the German sailing vessel R.C. Rickmers who died tragically whilst saving a drowning colleague in Hong Kong. 

“A Life for a Life

This afternoon the funeral took place, at Happy Valley of Heinrich Lindemann, a native of Kiel, Germany, late cook on board the German sailing vessel R.C. Rickmers, who found his death by drowning under peculiarly sad circumstances. On Friday morning last Lindemann was busy writing a letter to his relatives at home whilst some of the sailors were enjoying a swim. Suddenly one of the swimmers got cramp and shouted for help. A lifebelt was thrown to him but he was too weak to reach it, and whilst the first officer was busy lowering a boat the cook rushed on deck to see what was the matter and, recognising his comrade’s danger, he immediately plunged into the water and swam with the belt to the drowning man who caught hold of it and was saved. The cook, who was a good swimmer, started for the ship by himself when he suddenly disappeared and could not be found. The cook had been ill lately and it is surmised that he died from failure of the heart’s action. The noble deed had been seen and admired from the ship’s company at its tragic ending. The body was found yesterday near Stonecutters. Messrs Rickmers, Bremerhaven, who are represented in the Colony by Messrs Arnhold, Karberg and Company, are to pay the funeral expenses. Pastor Kriele attended.”

Source: The China Mail, page 2, 16th July 1900