New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-05
HER CAPTAIN DEFENDS HIS SHIP AND
SAYS THE TROOPS ON BOARD
WE'RE LAZY

The transport Allegheny arrived her. yesterday
from Montauk Point. having landed tbs 9th Massa-
chusetts Volunteers at Camp Wikon, on her trip
there from Santiago fourteen deaths occurred on
board the Transport Captain Nickerson. or me
transport was exceedingly indignant yesterday
over the stories OF the condition of his ship when
II brought the soldiers North. and after the Ale
ghany had been inspected and passed BY the
Health Officer OF the Port he said
This Is cat,e-ship. the 'post-ship' Is she?'
She doesn't look Ike one. does she?
The Allechanv. in justice 10 Captain Nickerson.
ia ono Of the Cleancst transports arriving in New
York Harbor since the returning transports have
stopped at Quarantine for examination. She was
first employed by the Government to carry horses
10 Santiago She also carried General Wheeler and
his staff to the front On returning 70 Tampa all
the woodwork between decks torn out. and the
vessel was thoroughly scrubbed and cleansed.
Stanchions were put In between decks. and two
rows OF hammocks were hung fo- the troops. The
compartments had iron decks and all tho sides
whitewashed making the quarters swee. and
clean Captain Nickerson said yesterday:
When the troops embarked at Santiago many OF
them, according to the surgeon In charge,
suffering from malaria ana general debility inc!
dental TO the campaign in Cuba. The surgeons
feared that many would die before reaching Mon.
tauk Thirteen men did die and were buried at
sea- and man Jumped overheard and was lost
The transport washed. swept and cleansed
officers. The troops made not the least effort to
help themselves. nor did they Try TO keep clean
arranged give them facilities for salt water
baths, but for three days no advantage was taken
Of the fine, warm salt ocean water which
pumped board for the soldiers special benefit.
Many OF the men opened canned goods and threw
the tins under their hammocks. headlights, six
feet apart pierced the vessels side throughout the
quarters but the troops appeared Indifferent 10
their comfort and cleanliness, that they failed
TO throw their waste and refuse through the port
holes into the ] asked the officers In charge
how he kept his camp clean. and he answered
oh the men do that But while on board my
ship they would DO nothing "a help themselves
They only ate and slept. and altogether in
different to the Ills and needs OF their comrades
and themselves.
II have heard the men call for ice water, but
could get no to bring II 70 them, until my chief
engineer disguised al the laZness OF the com
rades OF these poor sufferers helped them with all
the water they required II has been said the
transport had no ice The ship had ice and used II
freely and we now have six tons OF ice board
II offered the ships stores for the use OF the
sick and served out oatmeal in abundance and
whiskey. The latter of course. was paid for. The
men would cut off thick slices Of bread bite pieces
and throw the remainder down anywhere they
chose We threw enough bread ana other food
overheard 10 feed the whole lot during the entire
voyage. The waste great that times
ghany IL open to inspection. and defy any man 20
that there is has been anything unwhole-
some about her or that or my crew have not
zone everything possible TO make the troops on
board comfortable during the voyage. Fine
weather was experienced throughout the trip and
at time there than eight-knot
breeze The sea was quite smooth. with the ex-
ception OF about two hours of Cape May"