Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-10-07
BURlALS AT SEA.

BURlAl4S All SEA.
Opinions of Shipmasters as to the ENpediency
Of Preserving Bodies on Shipboard.
New York Sun
The recent burial at sea of humeward
bound passenger on one of the large
ocean steamers has given rise to some
discussion whether it would not be prac-
slcable for the big steamers, amply sup
piled with ice as they always are, to carry
TO land persons who die on the voyage
instead of committing them to the bosom
of the deep. Among the "old salts" who
frequent the maritime exchange, however,
there does not seem to be any difference
of opinion. They are very clearly OF
opinion that burial at sea of those who
die there, except under certain rare CON
ditions, is the proper and, indeed, only
practicable thing to do.
Capt. Taylor, an old retired master,
now a ship broker, said: 81 only remem-
Der, in all my experience, of one instance
in which a dead body was carried at sea
for any length of time That was ON
board the United States steamer Penob-
scot during the war. Our doctor was kill
ed of Wilmington. They put his body
In cask and filled the cask with whisky.
That preserved the body in good condi-
ton for three weeks, and until we could
deliver 1t TO his friends at home. A dead
body requires great deal of ice to keep
1t III good condition for any length of
time. Sailing vessels never have enough
ice for such use, and indeed they general
y have none at ALL Even the big steam
ers rarely have any more than is necessary
for the preservation of the food neces-
sary for their passengers. They must
keep large quantities of fresh provisions,
and ice melts away very fast 1t would
not be fair to expect them to always have
on hand such an excess as would enable
them to preserve the bodies of persons
who might die aboard. They might have
TO carry and waste hundreds of tons
of ice before one ton would be called
for to be used in that way. / don't know
that there is any question of superstition
among the common sailors compelling
the speedy putting overheard of dead
bodies If there is anything of the sort /
have never encountered it,
Capt Garrick, who has been first officer
and master for thirty years, said.
II have never seen a body buried at sea
in less than eight-and generally it is
twelve-hours after death. That is deem
ed long enough to show proper feeling
of respect for the dead, and then it is ad-
visable to get rid of the body as soon as
possible. | do not know that there is any
superstition about it, even in the minds
of the most ignorant common sailors.
An intelligent recognition of necessity
conpels burial at sea. The thing has got
to be done, and that's all there is about
it, Preservation of the health of the
living is OF more Importance than the
keeping of the dead. And as | know
from experience, the presence of a dead
body aboard casts damp over the pas
sengars affects them much more than il
does the crew Passengers prefer that
the burial shall take place as soon as pro
priety will permit, and surely there is no
form more impressive or solemn upon the
sea than that of committing the dead to
the keeping of the fathomless deep, when
ii is properly done, as it almost always
is, III presence of the passengers. | re-
call that once, while | was in command of
of one of the steamships of the Anchor
line, on our westward way, gen
tleman died suddenly. He had no friends
or relatives abroad to be consulted, so,
after the lapse of the customary time, il
the exercise of my own judgment ! caus-
him TO be buried in the ocean. Next n
very old lady died Her son, daughterin-
law, and family of grandchildren were
abroad. Age and sea sickness combined
killed her. We were then but three days
from New York and | was prepared 60 do
whatever the family desired to either
bury her at sea or bring her ashore, as
they might decide, MS | think most cap
tains would If circumstances happened TO
be such as to leave them at liberty to
consult the wishes of the survivors. |
consulted the son, and he said TO bury
her at sea, which we did. | do not see
why there should be any prejudice
against burial at sea. Surely, God, who
we are told takes note Of the sparrow's
fail, will no more lose sight of those who
sleep their long last slumber in the
oceans bed than if they were housed be
meath granite and marble monuments on
land"
Yes, it would be practicable for steam
ers and all passenger carrying vessels,
indeed to carry a supply of spirits suf-
ficient TO preserve dead body until port
was reached, but ] don't see that there
would be any particular good in 1t. Ger
tainly there would not be in a majority
of instances, anyway"