The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-05
BRUTAL SEAMEN.

Complaints OF Passengers by a Packet
ship-The Commissioners OF Emigra-
ton Hold an InvcstiG ati0n-HOvv Jews
Are Treated by Christian Sailors-Thc
Charles ii. Marshall and How She IL
Provisioned-Tcstinao Adduccd.
The Commissioners OF Emigration, E. b. Hart
(chairman), Messrs. W. Wallack and George F. For
rest, yesterday continued the investigation at Cas-
tie Garden into the substantially Of the charges
preferred by number OF passengers who came to
this port in the packet ship Charles II. Marshall on
her last trip from Liverpool against the officers and
crew Of the vessel. II appears from the evidence
adduced that largo number OF Polish Jews took
passage in the vessel above mentioned; that the
captain, Charles F. Marshall, died from congestion
the brain when ten days ut sea, and that the crew
did not fully
APPRECIATE THE AUTHORITY
which became vested in the chief officer Mr.. For
roster, after the demise of his superior. The
sequence was that, principally on account of their
religion and their ignorance Of the English Ian
guage, these unhappy Israelites were subject to
much contumely. brutality and hardship Mr. Hub
bard appeared as cOunscl for the vessel.
Rubin Lewinson, o Polish Jew, was sworn ana
in the course of his examination, through an in
terpreter, testifed:-I was q passenger on the
Charles II. Marshall on her last voyage from Eng
food from the Christian passengers; spent S4 in
this way during the voyage; complained once to
the first mate, but he did not understand German
and only laughed at me; was beaten so severely
by one OF the crew that l was so weak could not
lit small can; this was one morning when went
after tea; he struck me in the neck and on the
breast and cheek with his fist,
KNOCKED Me DOWN
and knceled upon me; some of his comrades pued
him away; went below and was confined to my
bed for more than week; the second officer and
time or the assault IA sailor, John II. Morton,
was called In at this point, and identified by the
witness as being present though not participating
who struck me subsequently put me In q barrel
and threatened to ron me about; as 1t was, they
kicked and beat me until ! bled freely. John
Mitchell, the man now present, kicked me when
went down stairs; my coat was afterwards
CUT WITH A KNIFE,
and on one occasion some sailors came down with
q candle, tied rope under my arms and began
hauling me up and down until my cries attracted
the attention OF the mate, who ordered them to
desist; was hungry all the passage was sea-sck
for Ave days, and received no attendance.
Cross examined by counsel FOR the vessel was
never ut sea before; speak no English and do not
understand weights and measures, except those Of
pool eighty eight biscuits and 50 in "A. American coin
l spent all but So for food during the passage;
when the few potatoes supplied us were rotten we
got no substitute for them; the passengers did not
fight with or abuse me; we Jews bought provisions
nom the Christians; I could not eat the meat, so
| exchanged it Tor rice; did not resist
THE SAILORS BRUTALITY,
| fearing they would Kill rae; only the Jews would
nave a"eT @ ana ncy wee TOO TO 90
Ipr0cured in Liverpool; did not see the food dis.
ributed; the sailors took the bags and lled them.
Call Fischenin, swOrn-Was passenger in the
G. H. Marshall; was promised regular food accord
Ing to scale, Dnt did not nearly receive the stpu-
lated allowances took aboard with me ten
guilders' worth of rye bread, but had to pur-
chase provisions from other passengers, paying at
dny the 81 sailors SeoW and is
sweep the deck, and when refused they beat me
on the legs with broom until could not stand for
the two following days; three shirts, one vest and
pair Of pants were stolen from Inc during the
passage; a rope was tied around my shoulders and
was
noIsTED FROM MY FED;
| ! complained to the carpenter about the food,
which he dispensed, but not about the beatings 1
received was told to haul ropes and did co.
Cross-examned-rhe second mate told me to
work when we were three weeks out, and from
| then until arrival here had to do SO; scrubbed
the between decks, swept and hauled ropes; used
to lock my provisions up in vallse as soon as !
struck me with the broom; he did not put the rope
around me-
the testimony OF the previous witnesses as to the
poor quality and small quantity Of the food sup
piled he spent 50 for provisions during the pas
sage. by Commissioner lIart-The sailors cut my
coat and hat; after asking me for money they
wanted to rob me; they then held me,
HEAD DOwNwARDS OVER THE SIDE
Of the ship for long time l was hauled up from
below by rope tied around my waist; my back is
sti so painful that cannot work at my trade as a
| glazier; l recognize John Mitchell and Francis
John as the men who cut my clothes.
| CrosseXamined-When held over the side my
feet were in their hands; had no trouble with any
of the passengers.
Isaac Bass, an umbrella maker, was the next wit
ness, and his evidence was q mere reorganization
OF the cruelties and indgnites practised upon the
| Jewish portion OF the passengers by the crew Of
| the Charles II. Marshall
This closed the for the compliments, ten wit.
nesses III all having been examined. The mate OF
the vessel says that the Jews exaggerate their
grievances, and that the crew were only "skylark-
|
poor creatures are but poor reason, however, why
| they should have been abused and tOrmented.
The commissioners will hear evidence for the de.
fence at eleven O'Clock to-day.