The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-08-10

Over 200 persons visited the treat Eastern
in Annapolis Roads, Wednesday. and the boat
was filled all day long. In the aftefnooa the
crowd on BOARD, hearing that the Philadelphia
was about leaving for Baltimore made a rush
tor the narrow exit from the ship. The Balti-
more American thus describes the scene
The stairways were soon ehoked up with
the mas. of humanity. The apartment was
packed with men, women and children. Tho
air became stifling and many tainted. Foul
air rs hot as an eastern simeon, was the best
that sweating. sweitering humanity could
procure in this Black Hole. On the staircases
leading down 1t was no better, and on the
landings 1t was even worse, for here the peo-
ple received the full benefit of the sitting at
mosuhere from below. At length an oiffcer OF
he ship clarrbered part way up the banisters
| nf the lower stair way ana sho outed to the peo-
pie away up above TO 60 back. He announced
that the Philadelphia was not quite ready to
take passengers; that there was already sur
| fcent Eumbe to I'LL her; and that those on tue
stairs a nd landing must give way and go upon
deck In order 10 induce them 10 obey MS
suggestions the officer struggled to fierce his
way up aud break up the jam. 1t was, now
ever, all OF no Use. He only made matters
worse, and caused no little swearing from the
men whom he jostled ami disconcerted. Be-
sides it was impossible for the crowd to move
either one way or The other 1t commenced at
the very deck of the vessel and wound around
by the landings. SO that those at one end knew
nothing Of what was going on at the other end
OF he stream of people. Thus the jam was
only increased by the vain efforts of the officer
who sought 10 break it mp.
In frw moments. the iron trap-door,
through which passengers were allowed TO
transfer themselves on board the Philadelphia,
was thrown open and the rush commenced, A
SO uad of policemen were stationed at the en-
trance TO keep back the crowd, but the rush
was so great and the compartment COM
pletely packed with human beings that it was
a m al N m ~
The press of people in the rear was so violent
so continued and of such long duration, that
many ladies tainted and ha d 10 be borne in the
arms of their attendants through the gang
way. Many bad their dresses torn, others lost
articles of dress. Such scene of sweltering
strife to get out of the abominable hole was
never before witnessed. Two-thrds of the
women were in tears, and struggled until the
very life was nearly pressed ont of their
bodies-weak and thoroughly exhaus ted they
finally fell nting into the arms of some OF
the gentlemen waiting TO receive them on the
steamer.
The men, who We're purposelysheut In abey-
auce by the police, in order to allow egress 10
the ladies first, struggled with all their might
to get out, and cohseq uently met with some
violence. Frequent collisions ensued, and
though the contests were by no means serious
in their results, the entire mass Of people was
affected by the tumults attending them. Some
Were forced out of the gangway, hatiess, col
larless and almost shirtless. Not one escaped
without violence at least to his toilet.
man and his wife who had been standing
| in the midst of The throng, where the confusion
| and jostling was worse than elsewhere. be-
| came divided in opinion As TO which way they
| should run. The woman wanted to 60 down
stairs, as to get out of the ship quickly as
possible. The man thought it best TO go upon
deck. While they were quarreling the woman
| fell down with Others, who were knocked OFF
their feet by the drunken man. When she got
| up her husband attempted 10 force her away.
| She resisted and clCng 10 the banisters. Sew
hyo nf "a
| man, and being ignorant of the fact that he
| was only asserting his prerogative as a lord OF
| creation, interfered and whackei him across
| the head. lie then cried out. "She is my lady,
| my wife and I'll be - if l don't wear the
| britches, She shall go up and l will drag
| her''-which he proceeded to do, when they
| were both forced into little side chamber and
| lost to view.