The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-10-12
A SAILORS DEATH.
Some Queer Stories of
CareIessneSS.
NEGLECTED ABOARD SHIP.
So He Died Last Week at the
Marine Hospital.
DR.. LAwLOR's NAME QUOTED.
And Captain Richie of the British
Ship Strathgryfe Summoned
Before the Consul.

captain hlUe0l6 Oh the DTlIiS0 sup
Strathgryfe has been before the British
Consul 10 answer to charges made against
him by several persons, including the Rev.
Mr.. Fell of the Seeman's institute. 1t is
declared that he was neglectful of the
health of Apprentice Charles Aysc0ugh of
the vessel named.
The charges are of serious nature. AS
young AyscOugh has been buried from the
Marine Hospital, and as Doctor Lawlor,
Quarantine Officer a this port, is roasted"
by the captain and his crew, the story has
become of no small Importance. 1t is
liable TO cause great deal of notoriety for
all hands coacerned.
When the Strathgryfe was anchored in
the stream, about four weeks ago, Appren-
ice Ayscough was taken i'll. He was
visited by Doctor Lawlor, who is paid $40
for medical services by nearly all the
British ships entering port. The sailors
say that the doctor pronounced the case
an attack of la grippe aud prescribed for
the patient accordingly.
For nearly a week from that time it is
said that DR.. Lawlor failed to visit the
ship and the patient grew worse. He
complained OF stomach disorder ana inter
nal pains. He Continued TO grow worse
until Captain Richie was obliged to send
for the physician again, requesting at the
same time that the boy be sent to the
Marine Hospital
Some days later the lad was removed to
the hospital on DR.. LawloT's order, and
there he remained until his death.
The Rev. Mr.. Fell says that on one occa
sion the lad was obliged 10 come ashore,
= lob he tn hn I'm md han
return to the ship again. MIR. Fell, feeling
convinced that there was something
wrong, called the attention OF the British
Consul to the case and asked that it be in-
vestigated. He seemed 10 be inclined to
think that the Quarantine Officer was to
blame.
Consul DonohOe looked at the matter in
a different light. He held that Captain
Richie was entirely TO blame and cited
him TO appear at the consulate to answer
to charges of gross neglect"
The Consul does not think the doctor is
to blame even If the sailors do, for he de-
clares that Captain Ritcnie should have
seen that the boy received proper atten-
ton. One of the strange features of the
story is the report from the Marine Hos
pital that the apprentice when admitted to
the hospital was suffering from acute in
f1ammation Of the kidneys. If such is the
case there is no getting around the fact
that the physician should have been able
TO have discovered the symptoms of the
disease when Re was first called upon to
examine the patient. The boy died last
week and was buried Friday afternoon.
His death took place just ten days after be
entered the hospital.
Two months ago the lad Was perfectly
we'll and strong and bad he been carefully
looked after he might have been saved.
The incident, if Incident IL can be called,
brings to light the lax system at present in
vogue for the protection of the lives and
healt.! Of sailors and apprentices.
1t was only last winter that this paper
was forced TO call attention to the fact
that certain ship captains kept their ap-
prentice boys waiting for them at thu
Folsom street float. in some cases. from 2
o'clock III the afternoon until 3 O'Clock the
following morning. The masters in Ques-
ton would row ashore in their cutters and
force the lads to wait In the rain for them
until such time as they felt DESTROYS of
| going on board ship again.
The story was copied in every paper in
London and Liverpool. 1t created great
deal of comment among nautical papers
and was denied to certain extent Denials
Notwithstanding. the story was only too
true, and to this day British ship captains
are not any too careful of the welfare of
| their students.
| II must be admitted that there are fewer
cases Of neglect of sailors health on board
English ships. however, than there are
| among Americans. Cases without num-
Der have been reported of seamen being
completely broken In health as a result of
neglect during an ineipient illness that had
grown serious through lack of attention.
Returning to Ayscough's case. When
the lad was taken to the hospital he was
pronounced almost too far gone to save
1t is even stated by one who claims to be
an authority that he was so dosed with
ouinine that he was stupid. he may pos
prescription from any one.
The poor lad died lingering de ath
though a number of his friends did al
they could 10 comfort him. He gave
thought to his home in England, and must
have thought sorrowfully Of the robust
health he enjoyed before he sailed upon
his voyage of death.
Even if nothing comes of the investiga.
ton of the young mans demise his fate
should be warning 10 all in command Of
ships to look out sharply for the sly tricks
OF the disease fiend.
1t is thought that Doctor Lawlor viii
have a satisfactory explanation 10 offer 81
far as his connection with the case is con
| carnad