New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-21
CADET LIFE AT SEA.
DEGRADATION OF THE PACIFIC MAIL SER
VICE

DEGRADATION OF THE PACIFIC MAIL SER
VICE.
INCIDENTS OF TIE VOYAGE OF TIE CITY or TOXIC,
As RECORDED IN THE JOURNALS OF THE CA
DIETS.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Immediately after passing our examl-
nation and reporting the steamship City OF TOXIC 10
Capt Je Maury for duty were set at work cleaning
brass work az beginning Not thinking this according
10 agreement we sent remembrance TO the waist
Office of which no Notice was taken soon afterward the
boys were ordered to help clean ont the bhges WORK
which the sailors would not dol and were obliged to do
IT, then to work the capstan then to polish the glass
skyghts next to carry IN lumber thus working from
$50 a m. until p m beside our night watches. We
we're compelled to work the wharf tfier NO. Az uhtn
IL O'Clock one night. After this had the sweeping
process-namely: sweep sweep, from morn I'LL night
The Sunday before Toxic sailed were kept on deck
from 6 m. p Except 20 minutes for meals) IN
a driving snow storm. Capt NJ claimed that we were
not cadets on his ship. but ships boys and were to be
treated such; ordered the Companys buttons from
our clothing The officers told that soon as we were
at sea things would be different and on that
assurance a great many started who wouid otherwise
have left the ship Some Of boys were violently yea
SICK but were compelled to do duty with the others
Christmas Eve, the watch deck, l2-four were maoe
10 hoysone the bridge ratngs for two hours in terri
BILE STORM the fourth officer standing US and refusing
to allow 70 below for our rubber SUITS Ater tnat"e
were ordered In the cattle and pig pens to clean them
worked two hours at that From the time we ieI
New-YOrk until We reached Aspinwal we worked Il
every other day, the intervening days only Is
hours giving hours sleep out Of As The captain
ordered us TO appear dress uniform at IL o'clock with
our Instruments the bridge We were forced To go III
the hold ransack trunks, and when we dld appear
told that the captain indsposed and we were
work hauling wet ogines in our white duck suts
After reaching port were refused permission 10
20 on shore the officers saying If We vent the sailors
would want to go. placing us on level with the
common sailors. Then We were told that the United
States Government did not recognize cadets
and that had signed common sailors papers. we
fhen requested PERMISSION 10 zee the American Consul
hut refused Maury saying that We could MAKE our
complaint to him. Two soldiers from the ON RACES were
stationed the gates with orders to shoot any one gong
out and of the ships company trying TO go out they
fired shots ~ him. Newly cars Day we were kept
on our hands and knees hOlystoning for eight hours IN
the broing sun. We were kept hauling llInch hav
until OF boys dropped exhausted no rsty
tbe nac OF our second officer tWalD were locked OUT
of orr rooms and left sleep deck all night We were
then set at works. o'clock the next morning
over ecayed vegetables potatoes, Caroluas Dees TAR
nips carrots cabbages aud onions from which the three
outside Layers had TO he stripped before we came 70
thing that was good. The captain promised Ia allow
an those who wished home on the scams nip henry
Chauncey. but failed 10 redeem his promise Henow
appeared telling those who wished to return 10 % ea
to accompany him TO the American COnsnIs re theh
told lis to write him letter requesting To go home OF
VIZ" bTia 5R request pcinion home for the pur
resignation csaleb III
, 10 (,spt left Naury steamship City Ut Toxic
.f7n rail, Jan
We asked capt. Marry TO -ct rs written discharge
knowing could slip again without one; thlS Ne
refused DO We obtained one, however aftei MS snip
had sailed. -
OF our trip home on the Colon and treatment, we can
on v speak in praise Of both Capt Isl Tanner and all
his officers no had in their power IL make very IN
pleasant for US instead OF which they teittu rs Wlh
Considerations acting the superstition mar we were
gentlemen and treating IA 81 sIch Capt Tanner person
ally advised rs the course TO pursue IN orut ~
obtain redress. -
We drew up statement OF our grievances, and on OH
arrival presented 10 Mr.. Alexandra then president OF
the Pacific Mail steamship Company Heexpressed nm
self surprised and grieved at our treatment ana prom
sed o investigate the and give Is all the redress III
his power The next heard Of him that he had
gone South. - ,.-.
Mr. l. b. Houston. the Assistant Managing Director
appealed to by our parents ana nc pfous 10
give the matter consideration. He affirmed ts nOthlhe
could be done until Capt Maury had been heard lrOnl
Fifteen cadets left tie snip at Aspnwali ~ ioow5
A. Mae bona ii. J. p White. T. Riley, {. l. Clark J. IL
Kcyser A. +. Oakly, c. H. COmstOck, ID. d. IOhpRtns D.
A. nowarth, j. L. Hart. Paul Wlets, T. Qmgiev T.. 40
bolt. l.. II. Maxwell +. stevens. CADLf
! Ae,c- York, May Is, $50