The New York herald., 1878-11-17
ROMANCE OF 7HE SEA.
Sad Death Of Wealthy Scotch
Merchants Son.
ALLEGED CRUELTY OF THE MATE
Damaging Letter from the Victim
to a Friend.


The simple notific alton sent 70 tho Coroners' Office
last Friday OF the death OF saloa named John Bar
low twenty years of age, from Chagres fever
at No. 100 Cherry street has led TO develop
mcnts OF a sensational nsture. The de-
ceased had shipped before the mast on
board the chooner /. 4 VI. Donovan. from this
port on the 18th OF last August. bound for Cape
Haytien with a mixed cargo. Their outward passage
was devoid of interest. but their return trip
tain occurrences took place which have served to
make the voyage notable Captain Blake commanded
the craft aud he had for 1rst and second mates two
brothers George and Wi nfeld Brophy. Besides the
captain and his mates there were four hands who
worked before the nrast The only practical
OF this number was John Barlow whose ability was
taxed to the utmost in the long voyage to perform
services which ordinarily would fall to the lot Of
fhree men. The Others were tyros in the busi-
ness and could not be relied on in case of
emergency. 1t comparatively plain sail
ing until they had doubled Cape Hatteras,
and from that point until 5he vessel had entered the
harbor they had met with head winds. Added to this
delay was another exasIsrat,g drawback in the way
of scanty provisions and limited supply of water.
rpe after another the men stricken down with
the fever until the active working Of the craft
left TO the captain and his two mates The former is
spoken of as humane man, who bore these natural
Affections with seaman's exuanimity, but his i'm
mediate subordnates more rcstive under the
xudden affiction which deprived them of the serv-
ices OF the men whom they had depended upon to
work the craft during the voyage- The officers ex-
asperaton heightened by their prolonged labors
owing to the ndispostion Of their men. and they
used very vigorous efforts to induce the nyalids to
leave their hunks and go on deck
VICTIM TO ALLEGED BRUTALITY
There was one young stricken with the fever
whose case was not considered as dangerous as the
rest. He had shipped from this port the outward
bound passage, and regarded as green
hand. He gave his name as George s.. Over
and was about wenty-three years of age
While always willing to discharge faithfully the
duties assigned him. his execution fell below the
mark of what expected of seaman before the
mast. He was given to study in leisure moments.
and this fact in itself did not help to make him
favorite with his rough and ready companions he
was known to be accomplished scholar.
and his delight 70 con over certain cas-
sical books which he had brought on bca d.
These practices drew upon him the nncOnceaed con-
tempt of his less gifted companions, and he had to
bear their rcproaches for his studious habits
He however the last of the four seamen to sue
rumb To the spread OF the ship fever ana when ne
wss stricken down his hitherto dsregarded
usefulness began to be appreciated. While ms
from the first moment he was taken with the
Fever, he abandoned all hope and had prernonifon
that the hand of death upon him. While in thus
pitiable and helpless condition the alleged inhuman
treatment practised upon him. as related by one
of his fellow sufferers John Eedine The latter was
70 md yesterday al sailors boarding house in Cherry
street IN response to the reporters interrogatores
he relsted the following story =
AMATEUR SEAMAN.
"My mate fCieorre over was not much ok . sailor
He had tried hand at the business for few voy
ages but he had great deal to learn We all looked
upon him a man who was educated for different
profession, and took kindly to him when his
lncompetency was not an imposition on onsseSss, tma,
over my spell and was able to move about The frst
matc. George Brerhy, was in savage mood because
of no many Of the hands being laid up. He had NO
sympathy with Georges pretensons 70 Learning and
when the latter took sick the mate could not restrain
his prejudice saw the violence in trying
to pull George out If his berth. Failing in doing
the mate procured large scam needle and with II
probed the sick man in the body until he cried aloud
in agony. 1 heard him exclaim, For God sake do
not do that am too sick TO WORK have not long 10
Live The poor fellow died the following day, and
timed the sailor this VIII strike you as being
pretty rough but. AT you landlubbers say,
it i nothing when you get used 70 I.
But tell you it was pilng on the agony when saw
a dying tortured By being pricked with needle
because he too sick 70 90 on deck saw the hrst
mate niict this suffering on George over, put
could not ntefere / would get double bnnked for
my pains. When over asked to be let alone Us he
was too sick to work and was going fast. meaning
that he dying, the mate replied. i don't give
damn where you are going 80 Iong As you
get out OF your bunk and 90 to work.
ROMANTIC HISTORY.
From the slight information received regarding the
antecedsnts OF the unfortunate seaman, George =.
make Investigations TO ascertain what manner OF man
he was with the following results :-tteorge > over
was born in Dundee, scotland. i'll 1850 bis
father is a wealthy merchant in London, OF
the firm Of J. Il. over, No. Il Swan street
Minores who do thriving trade as
Supporters of wool from Australia. Young George
was educated in Paris and after his collegiate course
travelled through the principal cities OF Europe y
profession he civil engineer but, his
health falling him. he advised by his
family physician to adopt seafar1ng life.
His own nclinations prompted him TO the same
course it his ambition 10 learn how TO master
complishcd that TO learn theoretical navigation.
10 the end that when his health would be restored
and when he would receive his inheritance he would
purchase craft of his own and combine business
tances from home whenever his whereabouts were
known; but he led such erratic life hir parents
letters in the majority Of instances failed 70 reach
him and they were returned unopened.
That be was badly treated the voyage can I've
CLEANED from the following extract Of letter he had
written 10 q friend - get very wei with the
Captains steward and crew. but mean 10 say and l
prove that the mate Is nothing more or less tina
tyrant, who cannot give a civil answer 70 MS
brother and is more conccited than the mate OF an
Inman or White Star steamer. Two Of our men have
already been in irons and safely say would not
make another trip with such foul-mou utLed irdi-
vdual for $1,000 month.
The first mate, George Brophy was found on board
the schooner l.. 4 NJ Donovan at the foot OK Green
street, Greenpoint, last night, and when made ae-
quainted with these allegations denied that be had
used any violence to the deceased seaman. He ad-
mitted that he was compelled in order 10 pre-
serve discipline, 10 place two OF the sailors
irons. but this done, he said. with the sanction
" the American Consul at Barbados. The men had
become unruy through the too free indulgence in
liquor; they had. fact, placed themselves open
mutiny by refusing obey the instructions OF their
officers. and il therefore became necessary TO dis
cipline" them by placing them in irons.