Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-10-20
C0NvlCTS on the SEA.

CONviCTS on the SEA.
We were about 800 miles south of til
Cape of Good Hope, and our ships hea,
pointed nearly due east. "Twelve knot
an hour" says I to the skipper, in repl
TO- "How much is she maklng?" Tn
tripping log line was rolled up and tn
time glass placed away in the pinnacle
An extra pull was taken on the braces
the yard presse hard against the STAYS
and right we'll did the old Marathon Il,
over from the heavy breeze that swelle,
our canvas to the greatest tension.
hove the log again.
How much now ?" says the skip
per.
g Twelve and half, sir"
guess that is about all we can gel
out of her with this wind; that extra pull
gave her the other half knot"
In ten days after passing Kergeulen,
Land the high and irregular coast O
Australia was raised from the masthead
by our first mate, Mr.. Bolter, who shout
ed the glad tidings to those on deck. NJ
sooner had the sound of his voice
died away than a bakers dozen were
running up the ratlines, eager to OBJ
tain even a distant view of the great
island.
A number Of us old salts, who hac
sailed for Australia before, contentei
ourselves with shutting the air like sc
many porpoises.
After We had passed between Ta smania
and the South Sea we caught q light
breeze on our quarter and headed fo1
Sydney. No sooner had we dropped ou1
right bower in the river just off the
town than our vessel was boarded by the
surgeon of the port, who examined our
papers, and being satisfied that we were
ID good health, our ship was allowed to
haul up nearer the city. The old man
went ashore to make his report to the
consul, but when he returned his face
wore troubled look. He called Mr..
Bolter and myself into the cabin, where,
to our surprise and chagrin, he stated
that the con sui informed him that when
the cargo was discharged he should have
to press our ship into service for the
government to carry a lot of convicts to
Van Diemen's Land. The vessel that
brought them was disabled, and could
proceed no further.
The skipper demonstrated against the
seizure, but it was Of no avail. The con-
sui said he was sorry, but it could not
be avoitled-our vessel being the only
one In port that would answer the pur-
pose, and the convicts must be got off
without delay. This news found its way
among the crew and several of them ran
away and took to the bush, not caring
to risk themselves at sea with lot Of
desperate men fresh from the prisons of
England. The skipper quoted the fears
OF the rest by telling them that there
was no danger that could possibly arise,
as the convicts would be heavily ironed
and placed between decks with a guard
over them.
On the following morning between
decks were prepared for the reception Of
our live freight. A strong double bulk
head was putup just forward of the cabin.
one just aft Of the cabin lockers, and ex-
ira bars and padlocks were procured for
the matches.
When I surveyed the work of the gov
eminent carpenters my mind felt some
what easier.
Everything being in readiness, our
guests were marched down, between files
of soldiers. Each convict was hand
cutfed, and on the right ankle of every
man an iron ring was fastened. to which
was attached heavy chain. Six of them
being fastened together, their movements
were quite slow and retarded. As they
filed up the gang plank to the deck, I
counted eighty-seven. Some were large,
powerful men; others were weak and
wore sickly expression, but they all had
look of logged determination, their
closely cropped hair and striped trousers
and jackets making them look all the
more savage. When number eighty
seven reached the deck, they we're drawn
up IN line and inspected by the superin-
tendent and his assistants. Each convict
was thoroughly searched in order to see
II he had any weapons.
Nothing Was found, however, but what
was proper for them to have. So the
inspector informed us that there would
be no danger, and that we would soon be
rid of them. The guard that was to &C.
company us had been selected with great
care, each one having musket, two re-
volvers and cutlas. Several extra
casks OF water we're got on board for fear
we would not have enough to last us
during the run. As no signs of our
runaways was to be had, the skipper was
obliged to slip several men in order to
fill his complement. One of these fell
lows was Misunderstanding customer,
and L asked the captain why he shipped
such man.
He replied that it was the best he
could do. Sailors were scarce, as nearly
every one was off in the mines or stock
raising. I told Captain Billows that 7
did not relish having such man on
board the Marathon, but he laughed at
my fears and said the man had been dis
charged from Liverpool ship some two
months before, and, as he wished to re-
turn home, he thought he would ship on
the Marathon.
The consul verified the mans state
ment, which satisfied the skipper, so he
had shipped him on the strength of this.
l said nothing more to the old man but
determined to keep weather eye on that
mans movements. We were to put out
to sea that night if the wind was favora-
BILE. The eighty seven men were placed
between decks to remain there until
morning, when they would be taken out
for an airing. The guard consisted OF
twenty-four men, half the number stand
ing watch, while the others turned in be.
low. >. :-s.:,
It was II o'clock before the wind was
IN our favor, and nearly eight bells when
we weighed anchor. I tell you 7 did not
sleep much in my watch below; the
shouts and curses Of the conyicts made q
perfect Bedlam and would have aroused
the seven sleepers. In vain thejglardS
Threatened them, but they only answered
derisiyely and dared the soldiers to shoot.
MIR. Bolter came to my berth when his
watch was out, and said he expected tc
find me awake, for no one could sleer
with those wretches bowling. Sol light.
ed my pipe and went on deck, preferrine
to remain above than on q level With t1is
famished Englishmen. Before daybreal
they were quiet enough, and no particu
lar one could be sifted out for creating
the disturbance, so the whole. eighty
seven went scot free. ''.--s,- =. '''-.
About 7 o'cock they we're led up or
deck for an airing and ,to+pass inspec
ton. After remaining three hours they