New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-05
A PLAGUE or RATS AT SEA.

UNHAPPY EXPERIENCES OF A PASSENGER ON A
MEDTTERRANEAN STEAMER.
A passenger on ono of the small steamers
engaged the fruit trade and touching various ports
along the Mediterranean, tells the following story his
experiences the voyage from Leghorn this city
Coming on board ut Leghorn was favorably n.
pressed by the general appearance OF the steamer
somewhat surprised to find few passengers only i've
or six statsrooms being engaged. For some
days all went well and the voyage along
the shores OF Italy with CLASSY sea
and perfect weather all that was delightful
But my pleasure 10 the dreamy languor Of an Italian
summer tho heat tempered by the fresh sea breezes
was receive a check from what at first was
simply annoyance but which finally became so In
tolerable that sleep became almost aud safety
could only be found at the cost OF uuceang vigilance
The secret OF all trouble Is given In one word-rats
On shore II house is filled with these beasts there IL
remedy at hand at least there always the last
resort OF flight But a there Is escape and for
person cursed with unuieraoe loathng for this
of vermin the knowledge that he is shut up hope
lessly consigned TO their tender mercies is simply
intolerabe.
"As passed down the coast stopping at half doz on
different ports and never at moro than q day or
two there comparatively little trouble though II
noticed that traps continually set and one Of
the sailors, being questioned, said they had caught
great number of rats since leaving Leghorn. and he
added that he thought the rats increasing num-
Der, coming on board at each port However be.
you'd occasionally hearing them at night and o general
feeling that the ship contained far moro than her fair
allowance, tho passcngers-two ladies only be.
ing included In the number-took little
notice or the matter and nothing serious
occurred until left Gibraltar Then the trouble be-
gan The cargo, which consisted almost entirely of
oranges and lemons, was OF almost untouched
and when VIC three days out, tho rats becoming
holder by hunger, began to make their presence known
IN q manner which was decidedly unpleasant To give
some Idea OF tho number IL was unusual for IRON
thirty to nfty TO be caught and drowned In q single
number At frat they confined their voyages 10 tho
hold and forecastle, but finally invaded the saloon
and statorooms Going 10 ones at night was at
last ioat requiring some nerve and couragethe moro
30 NJ had generally TO be done In pitch darkness IL
WAS not Mt all unusual step down ioto the saloon aud
away at your approach. Sleep became luxury TO be
enjoyed only by day. for the staserooms were unbear
able finally Soap. shoes, trunks clothes, everything In
fast eaten and destroyed by this rayenos horde.
numbers. Several OF the sailors were severely
bitten In their Sleep and good sized dog had shown
intense hatred for the pests, ut the beginning OF the
voyage became shy OF going below at night. and the
last len days before reaching New.York passed his
1t would not be possible TO estimate the number Of
rats on board but IL must have reached we'll Into
figures and many of the, sailors said they had
never known in all their voyages
Norwegian variety. When we reached New.York, for
days leaving the ship nc all hours, many
hundreds escaping to the docks IN this way The
for the presence OF 90 unusual and derce horde Was
xmssiys which consisted ssssly q ro7isions Sad