The record-union., 1897-11-09

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. S.-A tale
of cruelty and starvation on the hlsh
seas equaling, if not exceeding that re-
lated of the American ship A. u. Ropez'
with which the entire continent re-
sounded but a short time ago, was
told in the office of United States DIS
trict Attorney II. S. Foote by four or
five forlorn, weak and scurvy-str1cken
sailors, members of the American ship
John A. Briggs of San Francisco. They
told their story in straightforward
way 10 Assistant United States Dlstrlct
Attorney Bert SchleSsinger and ChleI
Clerk Sherrard and then sWore to a
complaint charging Captain j. w. Balch
with having misused and starved his
men. while First Mate Johnson also
will be arrested for cruelty beating and
wounding sailors on the high seas.
The ship John A. Briggs sailed from
Baltimore a little over five months ago,
bound for this port. Before month
had passed the potato supply was ex-
haustad, and from then until the close
of thsa voyage no vegetables of any sort
were served the sailors. OF this alone
they would not have complained, but
they say Captain Balch absolutely
starved them. Three times day the
crew was served with one-half of a
small loaf of bread, making about four
slices. and two thin slices of salt beef
or junk cut so thin that the poor sail
ors could almost see though it.
Day by day the men grew weaker and
weaker on this diet, and in a body they
complained to the Captain, asking for
more bread. The Captain promised to
give them a whole loaf. He kept his
promise. but previously gave orders to
the cock 70 reduce the size Of the
loaves.
Before Cape Horn had been reached
two Of the men, Charles Jarvela and
George Nichols, were attacked with
scurvy, and the entire crew had been
driven to such desperate straits that
in order to save their lives they were
compelled to eat the grease used to
lubricate the masts. All hands were
shortly in a horrible state, particularly
the two suffering from scurvy. They
were so weak they could scarcely work
the ship, and to make matters worse,
several storms were encountered.
On the 23d Of last July, Jarvela was
addressed by First Mate Johnson, who
ordered the seaman to move quicker.
At that time the poor fellow was near
ly dead from starvation, and his limbs
were so swollen with scurvy that each
movement of his body caused him ex-
cruciating pain. He replied to the mate,
saying that he was suffering so that
he cotAd not possibly move quicker,
wherAupon Johnson struck him. knock
ing MIN to the deck. In his fall Jar
vela dislocated his right arm at the
elbow, and while he was still down
Johnson proceeded to beat and kick
him numerically.
Again on August ID Johnson adminis-
tered a terrible beating to Jarvela, this
time breaking his nose. Later, for no
pretext whatsoever other than that
Abel Peterson had not obeyed quickly
enough, Mate Johnson beat the sea-
man into insensibility with the handle
of a broom.
Another seaman who was made the
recipient of much abuse was George
Nichols. who was terribly maltreated.
As seen to-day Nichols and Jarvela,
suffering from scurvy, presented a ter
1-ble sight. Their limbs hands and
faces were swollen, their skin bloodless
ano CHASTITY Both men are in the
United States Marine Hospital for
treatment.