Arkansas intelligencer., 1858-05-07
The Epidemic on Board the susquehanna.

The Epidemic on Board the Susquehanns.
the Susquehanna has been absent about
| two years, during which tine she has visited
the Mediierrauean, taken part in the Atlantic
1 telegraph expedition, and for the last six
months been on the coast f Central America.
/ The fever originally broke out on the 10Th OF
March, but cruise check u il until the Soth,
when it began to rage so violently that con-
sultation was held by the captain, surgeon,
and other officers of the deck, and it was de-
cided to run for Pensacola, that being the
nearest hospital in the United States. One
who was on board writes;
The vessel was then headed TO the north
( fever still on the increase; aad, 10 make it
worse. it was fouGd on the 3d that the Goals
were running short, and there would not be
sufficient to carry us 10 Pensacola. The medi-
cines also were short, besides the want Of
proper nougishment for the SICK These cir
cumstauces induced the captain to make for
/ Port Royal, Jamaca, then wlhIn four hun
dred miles. The speed WAS increased to nine
and ten knots, for now 1t had become a ques-
ton of life and death with every one on board.
The 4th of April poor Lieut.. Henry W.
Queen, well known in Washington, Of the
marine corps; died, after an illness offire days,
which terminated in the black vomit. His
remains were committed 10 the deep amidst
the tear and regrets Of his shIpmates. Far
better ~ aid ii have been had he died in the
battle upon tue plains o! California, where he
on several occasions distinguished himself be-
fore the enemy during the Mexican war.
The night of the 9th saw u at anchor in
the EarbOr of Port Royal, where Her British
MJc>ty's ship of the line Indus Was bearing
the flag Of Vice Aduira! Sir lIou,t N Stew
art, who Immediately communicated with u,
and when he heard Of our distressed condition
having nearly seventy down with the fever
he gave orders at once that the naval hos
pital on shore should be put in order for the
reception Of our sick. These orders were most
faithfully carried out by the sergeons, VINO
worked all night, SO that by O'Clock in the
morning six officers and ffty-seven men were
transported to the hospital, where everything
WAS provided for their comfort that would
tend TO their recovery.
''Ihe 9th and 7th were employed in coal
ing ship, aud some twenty more sent 10 the
hospital. The S.h we got under way from
Kingston aud anchored abreast of the naval
hospital at Port Royal; sent ten men and It,
Howell there. Ueard also that four Of our
men had died d-they were very sick when
they left the ship Mr.. Howell had "a 81. .ht
attack, and as the ship as infected he was
advised + leave her. At this place we re
ceved on board from the Indus assistant sur
geon Frederick H. Rose, Of the royal navy.
As an additional medical officer, having vol
unteered TO serve IN our ship, which had be
come pest house. Mr. Rose came by per
mission OF Vice Admira! Stewart; certainly "a
most pralseworthy act, and one that >houla
not be forgotten by the American people
Surgeon IIn&ney in consequence of his at
tcutioU to the sick, was scu~d wl;h f.yri: lut
his place has been we'll fl ,d by Dr. AIaccuua.
Out oI ten ward room officers six were taken
sich; Of eig,, ell u,.aeers only two on duty.
= othlug Ju, coming north saved the SUP
yiyors. Hal We gone TO Pensacola tuare J.,
ta.iing a. tAa number Of 1ea.ts dat y.,.,.L
have taken Place. Erery surgcua. ashore and
ahoat, JumruG a,i oug -o.u. north Z, ..,,,lI
climate .2I tIe result has proved Jgt. Wisdom
Of that advice, for We have lost bat un. Ran
since leaving hing-tgu-J Read. sui
makers mat. IL. poor fellow. a..- taken
with a relapse, and .d OF black yolu.l uu Tie
ll,h.
The Sua luehanna has al ways l3eu in OK
ccleut ogdor-uot even Tie yellow fever could
impair T. discipline Of the ship. Inc effect
Of this could be seen ly the alacrly wiki
which man would perform the dgty Of ole
stricken down with the fever, and in many
Instances eolunteer to do il.