Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-07-11
A HORRIBLE VOYAGE.

The Rev. L. Z. Clark, WHO cHcuhiuafi-
gated the globe with staff and knapsack,
told an audience filling the Brown Memoir
al church, in Syracuse, n. Y, how he cross
ed the Pacific ocean. On arrival at japan
his scanty store Of money was so depleted
that he was obliged to ship for San Francis
CO on Pacific Mail steamer q steerage
passenger With him in the dungeon be-
low were several hundred Chinese cmi-
grants. They looked upon the intrepid
preacher with wonder as he picked out
bunk in the dark recesses of the ships hold.
This was the beginning of an experience
which few men would have survived. On
ly nature as desperately courageous as
that of the American traveller would have
encountered the subsequent hardships and
priyations without breaking. The voyage
was extremely rough, for days and days the
vessel being at the mercy of the elements
as she tossed in the tempest on the bill
lowy deep. As matter of safety it be-
came necessaryito fasten the matches over
the steerage. Mr.. Clark thus became
prisoner in the bowels Of the ship, a prs-
oner in q nest of vermln, Il prisoner in a
pit reeking with the filth of a small army.
The noisome character Of the horrible place
was rendered more and more uncomfortable
by the shocking habits of the Orientals and
the continuance of their confinement. Sea-
sickness was generally prevalent among
them This alone would have contaminated
the air beyond q possibility of healthfulness.
What was worse, q type of varioloid broke
out among the heather, who suffered the
tortures Of the damned in the agonies Of
rTbora roliaf yvhatavnr tho
officers of the ship seeming to be powerless
to hetter the condition of things. Aware of
the dangers to which he was exposed, Mr..
Clark appealed to be removed to another
part of the vessel, Offering as security for
the ultimate payment of his passage more
than it's value in watch and chain and a
collection of curiosities and trinkets picked
up during the tour. Seven dollars was the
extent Of his ready money. The officers of
the ship, however, refused to allow him to
come forth on any consideration. He beg
ged, prayed, pleaded for release from the
horrors OF his situation. There was, how
ever, no escape. The storm ragged unahated
i'll the sea. Darkness reigned below, the
overpowering oppressiveness of the place
being broken in upon by the shrieks Of the
agonized passengers, which never ceased
by day or night. He'll could not be
crowded with scenes more horrible.
One of the poor fellows lay dying in
his bunk near Mr.. Clark for several
days Tho torturcs he lived through were most
pitiful. No attention was paid to him by his fell
lows, who were either too stupid with opium or
too sick themselves to for their best friend.
One morning Mr.. Clark found the unfortunate
hrathcn dangling out of his berth, 4 corpse, his
eyes staring in the semi-darkncss with fearful
agony showing what his end must have been.
Word was got to the deck of tho death. Three or
four hulking seamcu camc below to remove the
body. 1t was pulled down by the hair of the head,
falling to the dcllcd floor with thud. 1t was
preserved i'll refrigerator until land was reached.
The steamship company under the contract al-
lowing it to land in Oriental ports, guarantee
burial Oh land to all Chinese.
Owing to the fact being noised about that
American WAS in the stecrage, enough of protest
was raised among the passengers to have Mr..
Clark brought up. Ic had been in the chamber of
horrors three days. Another day would have re-
suited in death. 1t was several days before he
was able to stand upon his legs. compassionate
passenger consented to take Mr.. Clark into his
berth ut tho cost of forfcting his right to 20
intot the saloon. The prevalence of varioloid in
the hold nccrssitated this prccaution. The re-
mainder of the voyage was made with more COM
fort.