The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-07-22
BESIEGED by MOsQUIToES.
Experience ora ship. Crew o,rcane M

Experience ofa ships Crew or Cape Ma,
PHILADELPHIA, July 2l.-The averags
mosquito is acknowledged by al with
whom he has come in contact 10 be an ex
ceedingly bloodthirs,y wretch; but Of al
the stories related concerning his viciou.
ways in all probability none can equal the
tale told by Captain J. W. Anderson, ol
the British bark Emmanuel Swedenbory
The swedenborg arrived at this port on
Saturday last from Spain with u cargo oI
iron. She was lying in the river until yes,
terday afternoon, when she was docked a,
Willow street wharf. Here it was that ,
reporter found the amiable skipper in
his cosy cabin, busily engaged in applying
poultices to bis face, hands, arms, neck and
ankles, in order TO aliay the pain and take
down the swelling caused by the bites OIL
the pestiierous insects.
When questioned the Captain said ~,
was about ) o'clock in the afternoon, wher
fifteen miles of Cape May, that we saw TO.
ward the north great cloud OF insects
bearing directly down on us. Three min.
utes after We sighted the moving mass on,
ship was encircled by hordes OF MOSQUITOES,
ihey must have been wearied by their
long. flight from land, for they i'm.
mediately took up positions on the
deck, on the sails and among the rigging,
At THIS Jnncture We picked up pilot,
whom We eagerly besought 10 explain
where the visitors came from, but he was
100 dumbiounded to make any reply. After
they began their feast on the exposed
parts OF us helpless souls it was terrible.
Some OF the men cried out in agony AT ,he
way they were bitten. Go where they
would it was all the same. Down in the
cabin many fled for relief, but it was Of
no avail, Tor It seemed as though there
were Us many below decks us there were
above. noticed that all that attacked me
were mean and thin.looking. Some had
bills half an inch in length. which ,hey
inserted in ones face and arms with
marked viciousness. II took buta second
or two for them 10 eat enough TO fattcn
them beyond belief. 1t look all our time
TO Kill the cristersas they ali.hted on MS.
AT the end OF the first half hour they began
piercing our clothes. When found tha,
the devilish fellows were actually CRAWLING
up my legs. l hastily went 10 the cabin
and put On pair Of big boots and climbed
into heavy winter overcoat. When sal.
lied out on the deck again ! thought was
proof against the mosquitoes. Not SC. how.
ever, They managed 10 bother me al
most as much as before. By this timf
many OF the crew had swathed their faces
and necks with shirts, leaving ONLY SPACE
enough to see. :.
~ was driven almost desperate and
climbed up to the maintop thinking tc
escape the ierocious animals. You may
Know how glad was when l found tha,
they had not got up so for. The first mate
called to me to know how it was up there
| told him TO come up and 10 bring
rs many OF the men aloit as could be
spared. This he did, and there VIC
stayed all night. When supper time
came our Chinese cook went below and
hiled basket OF cold victuals, which,
we hoisted up to ourperches in the shrouds
Inc men took liour-turns in going down on
deck and managing the vessel. We slept
alcit, as We feared to venture on the
deck. About O'Clock n stiff breeze
sprung up, and the mosquitoes began
leaving US. Many OF them s,aid on The
boat, however, until we reached Della.
ware. At the Breakwa,er attempted "a
send dispatch to the cousignees in phila.
delphia, but my hands were bitten so bad.
lyl was unable to write, and had TO ce,
lhe telegraph operator to pen the message
nope We viii never be compelled tc
sgsin endure such tormen,s rs We were
subjected 10 during the time We were on