Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-07-27
A HORRIBLE VOYAGE.
Preachers Experience in a Chinese
Hold in aTfdSlceau


The Rev. T. f. Clark, who circumnavi-
gated the globe with staff and knapsack,
says the Syracuse Standard, told an audi
ence filing the Brown Memorial Church
last night how he crossed the Pacific
Ocean. On arrival at Japan his scanty
store Of money was so depleted that he
was obliged to ship for san Francisco on
Pacific Mail steamer as a steerage pas
senger. With him in a dungeon below
were several hundred Chinese Immigrants.
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. Only a
natare as desperately courageous as that
Of the American traveller would have en-
countered the subsequent hariships and
prIvatiOns without breaking. The voyage
was extremely rough, for days and days
the vessel being at the mercy Of the ele-
ments as she tossed in the tempest Of the
billowy deep. AS a matter Of safety it
became necessary 10 fasten the matches
over the Storage. Mr.. Clark thus be-
came prisoner in the bowels Of the ship,
a prisoner in a pit reeking with the filth
of small army. The noisome character
Of the horrible place was rendered more
and more uncomfortable by the shocking
habits Of the Orientals and the continu-
ance Of their confinement. Seasickness
was generally prevalent among them.
This alone would have contaminated the
air beyond a possibility Of healthfulness.
What was worse, a type Of varioleld broke
out among the heather, who suffered the
fortunes Of the damned in the ag0nies OF
the disease. There was no relief what
ever, the officers Of the ship seeming 70
M m
things.
Aware Of the danger to which he was
exposed. Mr.. Clark applied 10 be removed
TO another part Of the vessel, Offering as
security for the ultimate payment Of his
passage more than its value in gold
watch and chain and collection Of Curl
osities 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 begged,
prayed pleaded, tor his release from the
horrors Of his situation. There was. how
ever, no hope of escape. The storm ragged
undated in 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. Hell could
not be crowded with scenes more horrible.
One Of the poor fellows lay dying in his
bunk near Mr.. Clark for several days.
The fortunes he lived through were pitiful.
No attention was paid 10 him by his fell
lows, who were either too stupid with
opium or too sick themselves TO care for
their best friend. One morning Mr.. Clark
found the unfortunate heather dangling
out Of his berth, corpse, his eyes staring
in semi-darkness with fearful agony, show
ing what his end must have been. Word
was got to the deck Of the death. Three
or four hulking seamen came below 10 re-
move the body. II was pulled down by
the hair Of the head, falling 70 the defled
floor with a thud. II was preserved in a
refrigerator until land was reached. The
steamship company, under the contract
allowing il TO land in Oriental ports, guar
antees burial on land 70 all Chinese.
Owing 10 the fact being noised about
that an American was in the steerage,
enough Of a protest was raised among the
passengers 20 have Mr.. Clark brought up.
He had been in the chamber Of horrors
three days. Another day would have re-
suited in death. 1t was several days be-
fore he was able 10 stand upon his legs.
A compassionate passenger consented 10
take Mr.. Clark into his berth at the cost
Of FORGETTING his own right TO 90 into the
saloon. The prevalence Of TariOlOid in
the hold necessitated this precautiOn. The
remainder OF the voyage was made with
more comfort.