New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-03-01
EMIGRANT SHIPS.

n, ~ FSifs, Of IN Trttvss.
SIR: Having been q witnefs OF some OF the abuses
suffered by emgran's, on our emgrant ships, while
crossing the Atlantic few Year, since, feel called
upcp now that the subject is before the Legislature,
10 make public OF my observations First, then,
q, The commencement of the passse, there vas no
such terror Of the law before the captain IS to prevent
his sailing from Liverpool with 600 passengers with
out physician. A ply sicisn was engaged; but he
wa. behlnc hand, and the ship sailed wthou. him.
Cholera broke out on the ship before We had been
msny cays out and the negro cook ac'ed for Il ne
a. doctor, relying principally upon large doses Of rhu
barb. Then it was discovered that German in the
second cabin was physician, and he was engaged 10
act in the capacity Of ship doctor for the remainder Of
the passage. This be did very faithfully, but neces
EARLY tempered by his want OF knowledge OF Engish
Within three weeks fifty passengers died. During the
next three weeks-tbe remaining half Of the passage
there was little disease on board.
Secondly: The hospital accommodations IN the ship
were altogether inadequate. There WAS what Was
called Hospitals closet with just sufficient room for
tiI bertha The rest Of the sick bsd 10 remain below
poisoning the cir for the we'll Whether the law has
worked reform ia this respect eince the time of which
speak do not know. But there ous ht certainly to
be provision for separating larger portion OF the SICK
from the rest and thus preventing the spres1 oi DIS
eete.
T1irdly: The Inconvenience, and even suffering,
occssoned by the necessity the passengers were un
der Of cooking for Themselves too apparent 10 be
overlooked. No one who has seen how the System
works can doubt il. In rough westher II was almost
mpo for the passengers TO get TO the kitchen;
they often lost their footing, women among the rest,
ara we're bruised AZ sintt the bIlwMks And the ca
bose once eache ed they had to wait the hour, oft
En- in wind ard RAIN TO take their turn or eat heir
food upcooked II was altogether miserable strug-
Gle from beginning end. Thst the passengers pre-
fer this system stated by the shpownets, Is Alto
gerber Incredible. The law shoud reqaire that they
be furnisbed with food ready cooked. There csn be
no auction of the correctness OF your view on the
subject Let the cooking be done a. economically IS
possible only single article of cooked food to meal,
IL more would occasion too much expense bu! let II
be cone by tie ships COOK.
Fourthly There is no question 81 to the frequent
brutal and licebtiOns conduct OF eaors and sub0rii-
nate officer on board our emigrant ships. Yet the
poor euigrants fear to inform lest they should meet
with further violence. As q consequences much of
this conduct never comes to the ears Of captains.
These facts should be known ct least whether the law
furnishes any remedy or not
Or more point. At the very time that the atmot
pierre Of the seersge the passage referred to,
ost ps stt ntis Lot half Of the well passengers would
come on deck even IN fine weather. Tney chose
breeoiry more cnnisgion. Captains should have and
exercise authority in this matter. One captain Of an
emgrapt ship, the writer knew, who was eonsciea-
sciously energetic In this respect, and who 81 about
the time of the above passage brought over snl
larger number Of sfeersge passengers sitho single
death. He hsd rarely lost passenger though he had
commanded an emis ran, ship for years.
favorable opportunity DOW offering. this letter Is
written in discharge OF duty to emigrans, which
the writer bss felt mperlou,ly imposed upon him, BY
the knowledge Of the fscts above stated. P.
Nse York Feb. Is, 1855