The New York herald., 1873-12-31
THE vIRGlNlUs' LAST VOYAGE.
On BOARD THE q. S. STEAMSHIP OssIPEE, |
NEW YORK HARBOR, Dec. 20, 1873

u.
NEW YORK HARBoR, Dec. %, 1873.
From the time OF the arrival OF the man-oi.war
steamer Ossipee at Key West until the hour OF her
departure she was kept in constant readiness for
sea- her destination being as much matter Of
conjecture to those on board as it was matter Of
uncertainty to those on shore.
Az moment when least expected the order
came for us to leave at once our anchor was
weighed, our sails were set, and by eight O'Clock
on the morning OF December l6 we were sailing
rapidly out towards sea, We took with
MS the schooner Matte A. Hand, loaded
with coal, and at five O'Clock p. M. on the
same day, after rapid and easy sail across very
moderate sea, we came to anchor directly or
Fort Jefferson, which stands on the island OF Tor
tugas, leaving the schooner to come to rest at q
short distance ahead. On the 18th inst, at IL 80
r. NJ, we sighted the steamer virginius coming in
with the steam yacht Despatch, and at one
r. N. Doth vessels came to anchor-the
Virginius directly alongside the coal schooner
Matte A. Hand and the Despatch upon our
starboard beam. AS soon as the two vessels
had come to anchor the virginius began to coal,
the Ossipee sending draft OF men on board to
assist in the work. This was the first indication
we had that our steamer, the Ossipee. was to take
charge or the virgnius. and no sooner had the
bevy Of men been ordered to the ship than Lieu
tenant u. c. woodrow was sent from the Ossipee
to take command of the virginius, along with
Aidshipman Fred Tyler and E. b. Underwood as
watch Ofncers and Second Assistant Engineer A.
Kirby, Of the Ossipee's engineer department..
At i've O'Clock A. NJ, on the 18th inst, the vir-
ginius having just finished coalng, the Ossipee
took up anchor, steamed alongside Of the Matte
A. Hand and began to take coal for ourselves.
While we were engaged at this We ran hose to
the virglnius In order that we might relieve her
OF much OF the
WATER THAT WAS WEIGHING HER DOWN
from numerous leaks. ! would state, In this con-
nection. that the virgnius was in terrible condi-
tion reeking in manure and infested with vermin
OF every description, SO that she was really unfit
for any service whatever, and almost too filthy to
be boarded. During the afternoon Of this
same date we sent water and provisions aboard OF
her sufficient for ten days. rations, and imme-
diately made every preparation for going to sea
the next morning. AS the afternoon gradually
wore away, and before the duskiness OF evening
came on, your correspondent was afforded an op-
portunity of boarding the virgnius and of ascer-
tanning for himself what credence should be placed
In numerous rumors which had reached oil ears
concerning her. never knew the uil meaning of
the term "abominable" until saw the condition
OF this filthy and stinking ship. In her forward
water-tight compartment l found water to the
depth of six eet in her holds to the depth OF two
and ahalf feet while in the fire room the flood rose
almost as high as the CRATE bars. The Spanards
had left on board OF her few empty tanks, barrels
and casks, which, along with stale provisions and
other refuse matter, were fioating and knocking
against each other in the dirty brine. Filth OF
every description was seen on all Sides so that q
fair and impartial description OF the ship s ZOO dis
gusting to be given. As soon as the actual state
OF affairs was fully comprehended gangs OF men
were sent on board OF her with buckets
TO BAIL HER OUT,
but, though theywere steadily working for many
hours, the water which came in through her bot
tom seemed to exceed the amount which was
hurled out over her sides. Going below, found
myself in the apartments which were the former
quarters Of the lamented Captain Fry. along with
the other 0ficers who with him were made the
victims OF spanish wrath The condition OF
these rooms was terrible -sop buckets, broken
bottles, portions OF mattresses, spittoons, cigar
stuwps, along with masses OF human excrement
rendered the stencil uncomfortable, so much so that
the strongest disinfcctants were resorted to in
order to render the ylrglnius habitable for the
omcers placed on board OF her. Everything of the
least value. everything that could be utilized for
any purpose, whatever had been
CARRIED AWAY BY THE srANARps.
and all that they could not remove they had rem
dered entirely useless. They had deEaced the
furniture cut holes In the tanks cleaved all the
wires communicating with the engine ROOM de-
stoyed all time pieces and steam gauges, emptied
human flth and ofial upon the engines, and had
done all in their power to render the vlrginius
UNFIT TO NAVIGATE ANY SEA
and too loathsome and abomIDable to be boarded
by civilized men. Your correspondent was eager
to quit her deck as we're all the parties who went
with him, while the feelings OF all who went ON
board we're more bitter to those who had reduced
her to such q condition tnan they were when the
news OF the slaughter was first made known for
here we saw with our own eyes the
BRUTALITY OF SPANISH VOLUNTEERS
and the extremity Of their hatred toward the
United States.
Returning on board the Ossipee. gang OF 25
men were found preparing 10 board the vlrginius