Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-09-22
From the New York Post.
Violation OF the Quarantine-The Cres-
cent City Run Away.

cent lily EtUh away.
The steamship Crescent City, which was taken
to the quarantine yesterday morning by order of
the city authorities, in consequence of having had
yellow fever board, ran away from Staten
Island during the afternoon, with passengers and
freight for Havana and New Orleans.
One of the health officers, it appears, went on
board the Crescent City at quarantine, about
o'clock, and told the pilot, the captain being abb
sent, that he must not allow any person to pass
to or from the vessel. He then left and went
ashore About an hour afterwards two steam
tugs one loaded with passengers, and the other
with freight, came from the city and hauled
alongside the steamer, into which they discharged
their cargoes. Suspecting that the steamer in
tended to sail in defiance of the quarantine laws,
the health officer repaired TO her in his boat, with
two of his officers. He got upon deck, and read
the law to Captain MCGOWAN, and informed the
passengers of the proceedings of the health officer
in regard TO the infected vessel But as the COM
missioner and his officers were not in sufficient
numbers and strength to offer any physical resis-
lance TO the captain and his men, they left to
procure assistance. Before they got off the
steamer, however, the passengers expressed their
dsapprobation and Indignation at the conduct of
the steamship company in sending them on board
of yellow fever vessel.
The health officer was fearful that he would not
have time TO go ashore for help, and so steered
his barge for the United States soop-of-war
made a statement of the facts to Commander
Wilson. The latter ordered his boats manned
and armed Immediately, and gave directions TO
board the steamer. While the men were lower
ing the boats, however, the paddle wheels Of the
Crescent City began to move.
IL was now four o'clock, and as the steam tug
cleared the way the steamer dashed off under
full head Of steam and proceeded to sea. The COM
mander Of the Cyane and the health officer then
came to the conclusion that il was useless to pur-
sue the runaway.
Captain MCGOWAN and the pilot of the Cres-
cent City, it is said, will be placed under arrest
upon their return to New York. The Health
Commissioners are in session to-day at the City
Hall in regard to this matter.
The owners Of the Crescent City have put for
ward the following rindication of their resistance
of the quarantine law:
"The Crescent City arrived at quarantine early
on the morning Of Thursday, the 18th instant.
Within six hours Of her arrival, her passengers
and the baggage, and such of the crew as we're
not on duty, were permitted TO land by authority
of the Mayor and Commissioners of Health; and
they came at once TO the city. The cargo, too,
was all discharged at quarantine in lighters desig-
mated by the health officer Some portions Of il
| Cotton only landed at the quarantine wharf.
Other cargo was at permitted to be taken to
foregn-bound ship lying at the foot Of Wall
street, These passengers were in the city, and
cargo delivered and conveyed from the steamer,
some thiryslx hours before it is alleged she came
into the city.
"Not single death occurred on board the ship
| during the voyage, and but one case of sickness,
| that Of the Purser, who, having been subject 10
bilious attacks, and to chills and fever, had a
return of his complaint. Notwithstanding the
ship entirely free from every indication Of
yellow fever, she was thoroughly scrubbed, clean
cd and fumigated, and every order Of the health
officer strictly executed.
eve conceive il due not less to the public i'm
preston in relation TO the health Of the city thar
to the owners and officers Of the steamer, that the
facts of this case should be rightly understood
and that unfounded reports, so well calculated t.
produce groundless alarm, should not be allowed
| to pass without correction.
"The Crescent City went to sea on Monday
her usual sailing day, The requirements of the Pos
Office Department being such as 10 forbid the idea
4 her remaining at Quarantine thirty days.