Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-12-09
a TALE OF THE SEA.
Brutal Treatment OF Sailors by British
Officers.

The latest tale OF horror, says the Portland
Standard is told by sailors who belonged 10
the British bark Josie Troupe, Capt. A. F.
Kenny, of St. Johns, N. F. The bark sailed
from an Eastern city with railroad ma
chinery and supplies for Guaymas, Mexico
During the voyage the captain and m ate SUBJ
jeced the sailors to such treatment that
when the vessel arrived the seamep, except
two, jumped overheard and escaped 10 land,
leaving their clothes and salaries. After
Gischarging and taking on rock ballast the
captain found ii hard matter to get crew
10 bring his ship TO Portland, his reputation
having been spread among the ssilors on
shore. He had Two greenhorns, besides the
ships carpenter, and by falsely representing
that he had about enough he succeeded in
getting three more to sign articles. the last
one was M. German, who was for long time
mate on the American bark California, which
ran into this port formerly. German
wanted $50, though the others had ship.
ped for $40, and the captain had to
come to his terms. Then there were
only five sailors where there should
have been eleven. When Gormsn
went aboard the officers began abusing him
shamefully, calling him the FIFTY dollar
-" and kicking and beating him until
he had to lie down. The vessel stood off
absut mile, but as soon az German was rest
ed some, though sore, he jumped into the sea
and struck out for shore. The Chinese cook
gave The alarm that man was overheard,
and the captain, ascertaning who he was.
sent a boat after him. The boat was seen 10
catch up with the man and stop awhile, but
returned without him, and no explanation
was made, the seauien on board not daring
TO make inquiry. The captain then put to
sea, but the abuse of The sailors was excru-
ciating all the way M. They were called
only by vile names. The ropes end and be-
laying pin were freely used for very slight or
no ofense. A sailor at the wheel was beaten
in the face by mate, and he did not dare TO
let go the wheel for fear OF worse punish
ment. His offense was not holding the ship
when the wind had settled to a calm. TIE
ships carpenter, while at work on the main
topgallant yard, was jerked from his hold by
an officer, and came near falling to the deck,
over 100 feet. A greenhorn was sent out 10 the
end OF hehying iIb-boom 10 do something he
did not understand, and one of the m ates fol-
lowed him out and beat him and told
him to jump into the sea, which he came
near dong. All. the sailors would have
jumped overheard had they been within
reach OF shore. After arriving in the CO.
lumbIa river the captain left his vessel in
the stream Tor three weeks instead OF coming
direcs 10 Portland, according to contract.
The bark arrived Saturday evening at Pa
ci6c wharf and the sailors dem anded and
received their discharges. Messrs. Hewitt
& Campbell will commence suit for extra
pay OF the sailors during their detention at
Astoria. Complaint has also been made to
the British consul, and he has promised to
look into the matter. The clothes of Cor
man are still on board the vessel. The un-
fortunate mans wife and family are sup
posed to be in San Francisco, and drew his
wages while employed on the bark California
from Richard Burchsrd, the owner. The
matter will be Investigated in some manner,
if possible TO ge. hearing.