Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-03-13
BACK FROM AFRICA.
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Their Story Told

HALIFAX, n. s., March T. lSS0.-After an
absence of almost six months, the greater part
of which was spent in navigating dangerous
cataracts Of the Nile for Gen. Wolseley's ex-
petition, 26l OF Canadian boatmen returned
this morning to their native soil by the Allan
steamer Hanoverian. Their passage across
from Queenstown was a very stormy one.
From the time the ship sailed until she came
in sight Of the Nova Scotia coast there was a
continuation Of most violent gales. On Friday
last terrible hurricane was encountered, last
ing between six and eight hours, but no
damage of consequence was sustained. The
men say they were splendidly treated by the
officers of the HanOverian, their life on board
of her being entirely opposite Of their expert
ence on the transport Poonah, between Alex
andria and Queenstown, when the accom-
mediation provided, according to statements
made, was OF the most discreditable character
Two hundred Of them were placed in the hold
of the vessel in place unable to accommo-
date at the outside, over 80, and where
lamps had to be kept lighted both day and
night. Their meat was served out in a raw
state, and they were told that those who chose
could cook it themselves. On the second day
out the Canadians were ordered to "scrub up"
but the command was fatty refused in
language of a very decided character. Not a
ultth lu INC OnllAC hIlGdhs ldNOIhBly
of the captain of the Poonah. As soon as
possible, after the arrival of the Hanoverian,
the men were hurried ashore, passing from the
steamer over the gangway into large shed,
at the terminus of the Intercolonial railway.
The doors of this were all closed to prevent
the exit of any so inclined, and a special train
was in waiting to start them off for their vari-
Gus destinations.
About 10 hours after reaching the wharf,
49, a., Il .HA n I
of the cars, while the train was making the
distance between Halifax and Truro, a COR
respondent held long conversation with one
of the most intelligent of the voyageurs on
their experience in the Nile country The
boatman detailed Incidents of the expedition
from Wady Haia to Dongola, the dangers ex-
perienced in passing over the worst cataracts
and interesting and amusing occurrences of
the trip. The whalers used in the expedition
are described as unfit for service, being con-
structed of material far too light for such
waters, where but slight jar against a rock
would knock hole in the bottom of one and
ruin her. The pattern of the bouts also was
wrong their keel being far too deep, and in
other respects the crafts were unsatisfactory.
Many were wrecked beyond repair by striking
on rocks, and in some cases quantities of pro-
visions were lost. While the boats were occu-
pied by the soldiers, the Canadians, ono of
whom was placed in the bow of each, were
sole commanders, though a non-commissioned
officer wns in every case along with each boat
load. Nearly all the drowning accidents
that happened were by the swapping of
boats in passing cataracts, and in one instance
the voyageurs lay blame for the loss of life of
one of the Canadians by his submitting to an
order given by an officer on his boat. A num-
Der of boats had passed safely over the cataract
at Ambukol and Faulkner. A boatman in an
other was about following in exactly the same
course, when Lieut.. Harvey of the Cornwall
regiment told him to cross to the other side of
the river and make the attempt there. few
minutes later the boat was swamped and Faulk-
ner was drowned While the expedition was
in this locality soldier of the South Stafford
shire regiment attempted to scale very high
rock to examine an eagles rest, when he
slipped and fell to the stones below being
dashed to pieces.
After the whole force of troops had been
navigated to Dongola, the Canadian contin-
gent gathered at Abu Fetnea, when they pro-
ceeded back down river to Wudy Halfa. Here
| a day or two was spent, during which n series
OF sports was held by British soldiers stationed
| there and the Canadians were permitted to
enter some of the events. In every contest in
which they took part, they managed to carry
off the chief prizes On reaching Cairo on the
return, n grand reception was given the voy-
ageurs by the government, a whole day being
occupied in escorting them about the interest
ing points in the city, and in visiting the pyra-
mids in the vicinity. OF this holiday the men
preserve many curious relics, besides innumer-
able articles that they had gathered while up
the Nile.