Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-04-30
n. We remained through Wednesday


night where we first anchored, expecting,
of course, to hear from the shore; and
next morning went, by orders given by
the Health Officers during their visit out
to sea q few miles-went in fear and
trepidation for twice We were in peril
of a mutiny fmong our steerage passen-
gers. We fired guns for aid to come. No
response was made; all the world seemed
careless of the ship they must have known
was in trouble, as well US infected. The
hours were agonizingly long. Day and
night the passengers threnged the decks,
refusing to go below; and, oh such sad
sights as l 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 burial
in a harbor. l am ashamed of New York
city and Our country. Why were they
not prepared, when all America has an
ticipated the cholera this spring. and why
has not Il quarantine building replaced the
one two years ago burned? Why could
not the New York Board of Health have
convened before three o'clock yesterday
afternoon? No other nation could be so
slow, or so u~nprepared, and it seems as if
no civilized race Of people could SO ignore
distress as the New Workers nave done in
the case of the Virginia; and now, if you
| could see the in which the poor
sick are being taken aboard the hulk In
stead of bringing it to us,our great steamer
had TO get up steam and come in. Then,
as the hulk is not in deep water, each poor
| creature has to be lowered over the ships
| side, in a tub-chair, into the one small row.
boat sent for this duty, and at the hulk
hauled up again. My heart is tortured by
the sights, and groans and cries. One
poor woman died just now, during the
process. Had the hulk came to our ships
side they would have been gently carried
aboard. 1t is now afternoon, and in this
tedious name the really few sick may
by night be disposed of. What do you
think Of it? Our captain is now using
his boats tooi but l suppose the wretches
who arc 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 steerage, has not yet appeared,
and the poor people are desperate. We
| of the cabin may remain here a day or
two, as our quarters are pure and safe.
The New York papers are here, full OF
sensation writing and f~alsities, for they
| speak of vegetables and provisions, etc,
sent to US. One would imagine a con-
slant communication was kept I'D with
Us. Our good Captain Prowse is Il man l
| shall ever respect, for no one could have
done more than he. Day and night his
anxities have weighed upon him four
times in a night has he given proper bu-
rial to the dead and this treatment here
is almost too much for him TO bear. He
expects much trouble from the Storage
passengers in regard to everything, him
self, the ship, the food, everything; for
nothing could satisfy them. He organized
4 tranquIlizing committee among them.
and OF themselves, and they are better to-
day but they were like a powder maya
zine. This is an experience l shall long
remember.
l am glad the Health COMMITTEES has
ever managed TO do this little service to-
day 1t is well 70 have an opportunity to
send letters and get brandy, etc; for al
most all IS gone. The dead Of last Tues
day are yet in our little boat, but the
Health Officers have it now tied to the
hulk The sun is powerful IS quite
summer-like.
Captain Prowse should have Justice.
All this delay the steerage, of course,
blame to him, while he is utterly helpless
in the hands Of the New York Commits
sioners. 1 now understand 'red tape" ]
only hope we shall get the Storage pas
sengers carried off before there is a riot
they're noisy now.
1t seems a long time since we arrived /;
but 1t is only forty-eight very long hours,
When all is arranged, 1 can patiently
await the end Of the quarantine. Indig-
nation is my present sensation.
Afectionately, your niece.