The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-27

and even the cabin was flooded with water during
the rough weather. Her midships were not strong,
and have very good authority Tor saying that,
even with the donkey engine working day and
night, she made from six to nine feet Of water per
day. know little about nautical matters, but per-
sons who understand them have informed me that
q vessel Is in dangerous condition that will make
such quantity OF water. Her decks were slippery
or sawdust and her crew was at least short fifteen
men. In the engine room ana other departments
growns short the end Of the and
II we had been at three or four DAYS longer we
would have been minus bread and other articles.
On the oath ult. christmas Eve), as my friends
had predicted the carpenters were ordered to re-
move the ''bunks' on the starboard side and on
the Goth both starboard and port sides OF the main
deck were completely cleared OF the "bunks''
which were erected at Havre. Where. you will
ask, were the 800 un 'ortunates placed2 The same
question suggested Itself to me when the 'bunks''
were being pulled down, and on investigation
was really horror stricken to find the poor crea-
tures-men, delicate women and little children
mercilessy hudded together on the damp and
loose planks of the mdshps. And such sight
Ny Godl The place looked
LIKE HUGE sEPuLCHRE
with dead bodies strewn on the floor In all direc-
tions, ana the two lamps which burned so dmly
made it look even more like charne house. 4
gentleman who fought for this great Republic dur
ing the civil war accompanied me and said he
never, during his entire career, witnessed any
sight so truly pitiable. Fortunately the sea was
little calmer rom Christmas, as, I'm the event OF
any great storm such as we had previously encoun-
tered the poor creatures would have been cast
about in all directions and not unlikely smashed
where these poor people lay, had been occupied up
to Christmas WI some hundreds OF tons OF coal.
have now. sir, brought under your notice and
that OF tile public few OF the grievances to which
steerage passengers are subjected on some OF the
Atlantic ocean steamships. will have this letter
translated from the HERALD and sent Tor publtca-
ton to friends OF mine who edit newspapers in
Ireland, England, Germany spain, Italy ana
France In order that those cruel practices may be
put an end to.
AS an freshman, take special interest in this
question: because cannot forget that many Of
II
womanhood OF lreland-were ruined, some In
body and too many In soul, crossing the Atlantic,
i am more, however, than an freshman. am
! cosmopolitan, and have heart TO feel for my
brethren OF Germany, France, Italy and other lands
and say that their treatment was inhuman, ana
the vessel itself no NJ place for any respectable
female. What think you, sir, at your sister,
language at which Billingsgate would grow
pale and st; Giles shudder ! am orced
matters, but will be happy to give them before a
commission. Personally have nothing to say
against the superior Officers OF the vessel The
Captain found courteous; the Purser, o cultured
gentleman Mr.. Strahan "a Scotchman), the Chief
Engineer, thanksgiving officer and an upright
Gregg. the Chief Steward, a hard worker and truly
good and kind hearted. My respect for those
u n os las hnc any M
subordinate to my respect for principles The ianlt
seemed to be in the system more than with in-
dividuals. From top to bottom there was
| NO APPEARANCE or DISCIPLINE,
and everything, consequently went wrong. MY
|
many by exposing abuses, which, in conclusion, l
shall endeavour to summarize.
SUMMARY OF WRONGS.
it was wrong to delay the passengers nearly five
days beyond the advertised time
II was wrong to erect "bunks'' and place luggage
ana barrels OF meat on the main deck.
1t was wrong to go to sea In an unseaworthy
condition.
1t was wrong to omit appointing men to the
1t was wrong 60 supply food unfit for human use.
| 1t was wrong to deceive the passengers by in
a gnl
In fifteen days, when in the best weather she has
taken more than that time from Havre.
1t was wrong to place females and children with
men In the fore part OF the vessel.
1t was wrong to go to sea without sufficient
| hands IN all departments.
1t was wrong for the captain not to visit the
steefage twice per day to hear complaints, &c.
II was wrong for the vessel to leave London
without larger quantity OF provisions
Ii was wrong that no proper screen was afforded
to married persons and single women Tor the pur-
pose OF dressing and undressing.
1t was wrong to supply the water In smaller
quantities than were advertised
1t was wrong not to send the sick persons to the
hospitals ana to give them proper nOurisnment.
II was wrong to leave the main deck without
sawdust or sand and so, to some extent, imperil
the lives OF passengers.
1t was wrong to leave the passengers on the
main deck without seats or tables and afterwards
| term them lazy for lying in their "bunks.n
1t was wrong to have closets especially the
female one, close to the "bunks'' on the man
deck and to have notices on the doors in foreign
languages, and IL was Infamous to have no better
place OF accommodation.
| 1t was wrong TO strike and Kick passengers
who were meek enough to bear with such treat
| ment.
1t was wrong to use language which one would
not expect TO hear In the most depraved quarters
Of all great cities.
1t was wrong to serve food in dirty vessels.
It was wrong to place human beings in cleared
ont coal vault without "bunksv OF any kind, on
flooring damp and loose, even for the purpose o.
screening an Illegal act.
1t was wrong tnat vinegar, water, bread and
other articles should have been sold to poor pas
sengers when they were entitled to those articles
free.
1t was wrong for the stewards to be often drunk
and IL was very wrong for the Captain not to Sec
that none of those things occurred.
Finally, IL was wrong Tor the National Steamship
Company to enter into an engagement with each
passenger and afterward shamefully break theiI
contract. 1t is time, sir, that the evils wen az
the advantages of the ocean steamships should be
made known and that people in America who pay
the passages Of their friends in Ireland, England
and the Continent should learn the duplicity whicf
is so frequently practIsed. / have no interest III
any OF the ocean lines, and therefore can speak
impartially; and do not believe that passengers
have ever been so treated on any other line. Let
the National Steamship Company mend its ways OF
let 1t be compelled to do so, and 1t will find in
an earnest supporter; but let it follow In It's Ole
course and it Will become q thing OF the past
j. p. MCDONNELL.
New YORK, Jan. 20, 1873.