The evening times., 1898-03-19
SAILORS TREATED BADLY
A British Sea Captain Charged
With Murder.
MOST NHUMAN CONDUCT
Suffering with Scurvy and Hack
ened with Bruises Caused by
Brutal Blows, the Crew OF an Eng
hsh Ship Complain Against Their
Commander.

New York. March 19.-The -sorriest-look-
ing crew that ever sailed into the harbor
of New York came yesterday on the
British bark Ancyra, 125 days out from
Hong Kong. Bruised. biackened. weak
from lack Of food. some having broken
bones and other touched by that dread
disease. scurvy, they tell a story OF hard
shin and brutality that would pass belief
did not their bodies bear mute witness TO
its truth.
They charge even murder against the
CAPTAIN of the craft-his name IL l. T.
Morris. a giant in stature and in strength
and say that they win make affidaNits
OF the facts to the British consul
reporter found these sailors in the
dark forecastle Of the big four-master,
viii b was anchored of Staten l. lanl The
captain had come to New York TO report
TO the agents of the ship. Several Of the
berths were occupied by men who called
uiteously for a doctor. Most OF them
were covered with unhealed wounds and
running sores. and several with the dread
ful signs of seurVy.
The men they charge with inhuman
conduct are Capt Morris, the first mate,
+. {. Robinsin: the second mate. \. Cuno,
and the boatswain. Edward Shelinur.
Alexander McCausiand from his bunk
begged the reporter 10 get him doctor
and a lawyer.
weak. I am starving right here in New
York harbor.
From the day that We left HOng-kong
we have been starved and beaten. /
have without provocation, been struck
again and again by the captain ana
second ruatp. We have had no fresh
vegetables at all. our daily rations being
two sea biscuits and a little meat IL
we asked for better food we were
cluhbed / have seen every sailor on the
ship struck by one officer or another
.'Tbe implements used were a chain.
q large bamboo club a bucket an OAK
club kept for purposes Of chastiseHent-
the handle Of a MOP or broom. l have
seen as many as FIVE men with black
eyes ar the same time. We did not dare
to strike back lest We be shot.
Seaman Edward Simpson told Of the
alleged murder of Seaman Hansen Pc
ter Hansen" he said was killed by
brutality and starvation. The officers
say that he died Of dropsy. This Is now
he died. The second mate seemed 10 nave
a particular gludge against him. and so
did the captain. They used TO take turns
knocking him about. Then they would do
il together.
Hansen finally got sick and feverish.
I{o was covered with black and blue
marks and was weak from lack Of food
Like the rest of us. he only got two
crackers and a thin slice Of meat a
dav. while the officers had canned
fruits and vegetables to keep of th'
ScurNy.
The officers said that Hansen wa:
shamming. They went 70 his bunk and
called him. but he was too weak to ge
up. So the captain yanked him out OF
bed and dragged him out ON deck in Tho
presence Of the second mate and boat
swain. Then the captain picked him up.
You're sick, are you? he said, call
frg him vile names. I'll make yOu
sicler when / speak TO you move.
and that quick
Then the captain slammed him down
on the deck again. This he repeated
three times. cursing violently all the
while. Hansen groaned. but made no
answer. In half an hour he was dead.
This was last Sunday"
The truthfu,ness Of this narrative was
vouched for by Sailor William Smith.
Edward Thompson. Pierre Daniel. Fred
IanEstrom and Fritz Streecy. all Of
whom declared that they would swear
10 the facts as soon as they had an
opportunity.