Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-19

the origin anu progress vi tue uiseaee.
"Tbe Susquehanna had been ordered from
the Mediterranean, six months ago, to Grey
town, Central America, in consequence of
Walkers movement in that quarter. She
arrived too late to take part in the expedi
ton that led to his capture, but her orders
obliged her to lay in that harbor-a place
subject to influences of deadly character,
in the way of miasma, produced by lagoons
of fresh water. many OF them stagnant.--
This, with the brackish water Of the anchor
age, enfeebled the health of the officers and
crew to such an extent as to prepare them
ior any epidemic. 1t first showed itself by
causing fits of vomiting. Alas, this was the
forerunuer OF yellow fever, which made Its
appearance about the l9:h Of March--three
of the crew having died suddenly, within a
day of each other, and one from the black
vomit. The ship was then taken outside to
SEQ, in hopes that q change of climate would
prove beneficial, and it seemed to have that
effect for a few days, we only losing one man,
though cases of fever still occurred.
After cruising few days the ship anchor
ed outside of the harbor, some three miles
from Greytown, awaiting the arrival of the
j jamestown, that had been ordered some time
before to this place.
AS :he fever broke out on the 30th ultimo
with ed violence, it was deemed best to
get under way, and on the night of the lst it
ragged violently, and some four officers and
upwards of forty men we're on the sick list
A consultation was then held by the captain,
surgeon and officers Of the deck, and it was
decided to run for Pensacola, being the near
est hospital in the United States where the
sick could he landed and the ship broken
out. The vessel was then headed to the
nortb--fever still on the increase-and, to
make it worse, it was found on the Sd that
the Goals were running short, and there
would not be sufficient to carry US to Pensa-
cola. Tie medicines were also short, besides
the want of proper nourishment for the sick.
These circumstances induced the captain to
make for Port Royal, Jamaica, then within
four hundred miles. The speed was increas-
ed to nine and ten knots, for now it had be-
come a question of life and death with every
one on board.
On the 4th of April, Lieutenant Henry W.
Queen. of the marine corps, died after an Ill
ness of FIVE days, which terminated IN the
black yomis His remains were committed
to the deep, amidst the tears and regrets OF
his shipmates. Far better would it have
boen had be died in battle upon the plains Of
California, where he on several occasions dis
tinguished himself before the enemy during
the Mexican war.
The night OF the 5th saw us at anchor in
the harbor of Por, Royal, where her British
Maiesty's shp-ol-the-line Indus was bearing
the Asg Of Vice Admiral Sir Houston Stew
art who Immediately communicated with US,
aud when be heard OF our distressed condi.
tion-having nearly seventy down with the
fever-he gave orders that the naval hospital
on shore be put in order for the reception OF
Our sick. These orders were most faithfully
carried out by the surgeons, who worked all
night, 80 that by eight o'clock in the morn
ing, six officers and fitty-seven men were
transported to the hospital, where everything
was provided for their comfort that could
tend to their recovery. The boats OF the
English squadron from the Indus, lmaum,
and Devastation, nobly assisted in this duty;
they even came provided with cots for the
sick men. Surely, such conduct deserves
some suitable acknowledgment from Con-
gress. Vice Admiral Stewart, by this one
act of humanity, has won for himself repu-
tation that will contribute more to his fame
than oil the battles be has been engaged in,
covering long and brilliant career. Com
modore Kellett also comes in for bis share Of
our thanks and gratitude. All hail to these
nobe-hearted Englishmen, who generously
risked their lives 10 saving the crew OF this
vessel, for they did not hesitate to place them
selves in contact with the sick when occasion
demanded it.
The 9th and 18th were employed in coaling
ship, and some twenty more sent to the hos
pital. The 9Th we got under way from King
ston, and anchored abreast Of the naval hos
pital at Port Royal sent ten men and Lieut..
Howell there. Heard also that four of our
men bad died. they were very sick when
they left the ship. Mr.. Howell had slight
attack, and, as the ship was infected, be was
advised to leave her. At this place, we re-
ceived on board from the lrdus, Assistant
Surgeon Frederick H. Rose, of the Royal
navy, as an additional medical officer, hav'
ing volunteered to serve in our ship, which
had become o pest-house. MIR. Rose came
by permission of Vice Admiral Stewart;
certainly o most praiseworthy act, and one
that should not be forgotten by the Amer.
can people. Surgeon Pinkney, in conse.
auence Of his attention to the sick, was seiz.
ed with fever. but his place has been we'll
filled BY Dr.. Maccoun, " BIO has had much ex-
perience 10 this disease. Out of ten ward
room officers, six were taken sick; of eight
engineers, only two on duty--the third engi"
ueer being John Harris, q fireman, who has
acquitted himself handsomely; the same can
be said of the crew, who volunteered to dis
charge any duty they might be called upon
to do-mauy acting as iremen and coal
psssers.
Thus one-half of our crew were taken
down, nearly one hundred and fifty. Some
forty cases OF fever are still on board OF
milder form.
Nothing but coming north saved the sur
vivors. Had we gone to Pensacola there IS
no telling of the number of deaths that would
have taken place. Every surgeon, ashore
and afoat, recommended our going north to
q cold climate, and the result has proved the
wisdom of that advice, for we have lost but
,ne man since leaving Kingston.
The Susquehanna has always been III ex,
,ellent order; not even the yellow fever could
ID pair the discipline of the ship. The effect
If this could be seen by the alacrity with
which man would perform the duty oil one
stricken down with the fever, and, IN many
instances, volunteer to do it. Out OF guard
If marines mum bering some thirty-hve, only
light we're on duty. Nat. Int.