The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-05-31
sm.ll-Po1 on ,he Ocean.

woe. 10 the dangers and perils OF the
seas were added the manifold terrors Of
the malignant smallpox. scarlet fever
and measles. which caused the death of
several Of the crew and many OF the pas
sengers. The vessel had been but two
days out OF Bremen when one of the
seamen was taken i'll, and in short time
his disease had 80 far developed that bis
shipmates were made aware that he was
suffering from smallpox. Huddled to-
gether on the ship were 474 passengers,
emigrants to this country. Precautions
were at once taken to prevent the spread
of the disease, but others of the crew
were already infected, and were forced
to succumb. Among the passengers
were many women and children. Soon
deaths began to be frequent. The sailor
who was first taken Ill died, and was
hastily sewed up in canvas and consigned
to the ocean. But few days, and an
other sailor died. Already had the
smallpox communicated itself to the
passengers. Strong men swoke in the
morning unable to leave their berths,
and the tell-tale red blotohes that soon
made their appearance told all too plain
~ why they were weak. Rapidly the
disease was inooulated into the systems
OF fellow.passengers. and each succeed
ing day brought fresh cases.
AS the bark was sailing vessel, the
provisions of the law did not demand
at its complement of officers include
physician. Captain Christopher, who
commanded, although an able sailor,
was better versed in navigation than in
medicine. The only antidotes obtaina-
BILE we're those which were in his medi-
cine chest. These were distributed as
was thought best, and every effort made
to prevent the general spread of the dis
ense. Hardly had the officers begun to
hope for success when new horrors were
added to the measure that seemed al
ready to be overfowing. Scarlet fever
and measles began to appear among the
children. Mothers were prostrated with
the smallpox, and the little ones, in
many instances, suffered for the care
that might have saved their lives. Many
Of them were mere infants, and their
little frames withstood the ravages of
disease but day or two at most. Thus
whole families perished, and one after
the other were sunk into the sea. The
log of the ship tells mournful tale of
mortality.
Twenty children, number of them
babes, who fell sick in their mothers
arms, died before reaching Sandy Hook.
The majority fell victims to measles.
but scarlet fever and smallpox also did
their work. Five adult passengers and
one seaman died of smallpox, and one
seaman of scarlet fever, during the voy-
age-twenty-seven deaths in all. Since
the arrival in port, five more children
have died. The coroners have been
notified of the fact. and propose making
thorough investigation of the cause Of
the calamitous events Of the voyage.
No sooner had the Athena dropped her
anchor, than she was quarantined, and
ordered to be fumigated and cleaned.
Those who were still suffering with
disease were removed to the hospital.
The latest communication received ut the
ooroner's Office yesterday in regard to
the matter, asked for an investigation
into the death of two children, Josefa
and frederick Schonberg, each aged two
years. The notification came from DR..
J. O. Hallock, resident physician at
Castle Garden, who stated that they were
t.- -aght there with five other dead
bodies, and sent to the morgue.
At Castle Garden, there seems to be
an impression that the mortality on
board the Athena was caused by the in
ferior quality of the food. Mr.. Theo-
dcre Ruger, the consignee. says that this
impression is wholly groundless; that all
provisions put on board the ship at
Bremen were thoroughly examined by
Government officials, as usual, and were
of the best quality. Captain Christie
pher also declares that the provisions
were both good and abundant The
captain seems to think that the disease
was fostered by the dirty habits OF the
emigrants, who were chiefly Poles.
Nothing, he declares, short of physical
violence, could induce them to wash.
On their arrival here, they were told if
they did not wash, they would be sent
to prison. Men and women then washed
on deck, and began to clean themselves
with great earnestness.
Captain Christopher is in possession
OF testimonial from number of the
passengers. thanking him for his kind
ness to them and expressing their plea
sure at the manner in which they had
been treated. The German Consul will
investigate the case. NeW Yorh: World.
AN ATRooIoUs MURDER IN BEECH ISL.