The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-04-25
The Cholera Shin.


The following private letter from young lady
passenger on board the steams hip Virginia
throughout her recent fatal voyage and her de-
tention in our harbor will be read with vivid,
painful interest.
OF course her structures on our quarantine
arrangements are harsh but are they not natu-
raj? The burning of our Quarantine buildings
on Staten Island was a disgrace to civilization
the refusal of New Jersey to allow US to recon
struct them on the desolate sandspit known as
Sandy Hook is scarcely less inhumanly selfish
and cowardly. These 90 not fairly excuse, but
they explain, our long delay in rebuilding. We
have not rebuilt our quarantine establishment,
simply because we could find no place whereon
to do it but one which New Jersey M eanly re-
fused Us. And our new Health Com mission had
not time to prepare for the apprehended vista
ton before IL was actually upon u.s. Such is the
simple truth. And now 20 the letter.
NEW YORK HARBoR, STEAMSHIP VIRGINIA
April 20, 1866-Dear Uncle:-9 on have seen bv the
papers that we are uuaranlned on account of
cholera among our steerage passengers We have
had a terrible vo, age The disease appeared the
eighth day out, and deaths occurred daily, four and
FIX at time finding graves at sea. IL was awful!
But am of brave hearted stock, and have had no
We, of the cabin are in perfect health; but have,
of course, suffered great anxletes, which we sup
posed ended when, on Wednesday afternoon at
three O'Clock we happily entered New York 8ay.
how we have suffered since agones OF suspense,
while the inefficient "New York Board OF Health"
discussed state, and LETT totally alone IN
misery! 1t was baTbarous, inhuman. About an hour
after Our arrival at the Quarantine grounds, the Off
tgated the state Of the ship, then left Then two
more came out, and they also investigated and lett
sending out to u.s. however, as succOr in our great
need sic barrels of SatDdust aud since that tme for
thirty SIX long hours not soul has approached us,
till just now, couple of mild individuals are having
the sick removed to hulk they have fitted
up for their reception. We remained through Wed
nesday night where we first anchored, expecting, of
course to hear from the shore; and next morning
went, by orders gwen by the Heath Officers during
their visit out to few miles-went in tear and
repdation; for twice we were in peril of mutiny
among our steerage passengers. We fired guns for
aid 10 come. No response was made; all the world
was in trouble, as well as injected The hours were
aRonizingly long. Day and night the passengers
thronged the decks ,retusing to 60 bellows and oh !
such sad sights as have seen! We could not bury
our recent dead and in the hot sun we towed them
behind the ship. You know there are certain
regulations about bura In harbor. am ashamed
OF New York city and our country. Why were they
not prepared, when all America has anticipated the
cholera this sprngS and why has not a quarantine
building replaced the one two years ago burned!
Why could not the New York Board OF Health have
convened before 3 O'Clock yesterday afternoon! No
other nation could be so slow, or so unpreparel,
and it If no civilized race of people could so
ignore distress as the New Workers have done in the
case the Virginia and now. If you could see the
manner in which the poor sick are being taken
aboard the hulk Instead ot bringing 1t to us, our
great steamer had to get up steam and come in.
Thena The hulk Is not in deep water each poor
ture has to be lowered over the ships side In tub
chair into the one small row-boaE sent for tins duty
and at the hulk hauled up again My heart s tortured
by the sights, and groans, and cries. one poor
woman died just now, during the process. Had the
gently carried aboard. 1t Is now afternoon and IN
this tedious the really few sick may by night
be disposed Of What do you think OF ttE Our cap
tain is now using his boats too; but suppose the
wFetches who to get three dollars for carrying
each person do not approve Of this course. The
other hulk which is to receive the well OF the steer
are, has not yet appeared, and the poor people
| desperate. We of the cabin may remain here day
OF two, as our quarters are pure and safe.
The New York papers are here full OF sensa'
tional writing and fashes Tor they sp eaS OF 'yeGe,
tables and provisions" etc, sent to us one would
imagine q constant communication was kept up
with us Our good Captain Prowseis man shall
ever respect, for one could nave done more tnan
him; four times IN a night has he given proper
burial to the ad: and TINS treatment here almost
too much for him to bear. He expects much trouble
from Ithe steeTage passengers IN regard TO every
nothing could satisfy them. He organized tran
quIzlng committee among them, and OF themselves,
| and they are better to-day; but tneY were like a
powder magazine. This is an experience l shall
long remember - m
10 do this little service to-day IL is well co have an
opportunity 10 send letters and get brandy. ETC. tor
cmos all is gone. The dead OF last Tuesday are yet
our little boat but tho Health Officers have II no
tied TO the hulk. The sun is powerfut-it is quite
summer-ke - :, ..,-
Captain Prowse should have Justice All this
deay the steerage OF course blame 10 him. while ne
| is utterly helpless in the hands of the New ork
Commissioners Inow understand "red tape" 0nly
hope we shall get the steerage passengers carried on
before there Is q riot; they're NOISY now.
It seems long time since we arrived; out " Is only
forty-eiRht very long hours. When all is arranged,
can patiently await the end OF the quarantine IN
diRnatiOn is my present sensation. ov- U,o.o u
| - -.
p. s. Il is now o'clock, Friday evening, and yet
no steamer TO carry away our paSehgeIs'[N -