Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-06-15
STORY OF AGALLEY SLAVE
trhuman Practice Was Continued in France Even IN
18th Century In the Case Of the Huguenots'

last OF european VeSSciS "hcio LII"
tians were employed as slaves. Inc
Moorish galleys had Christians as
rowers I'D almost to our own time, ana
the Maltese held Turks and MoOrs to
that hard labor, but the Fref1ch of the
Louis Quaturae period chaified to the
same bench felot1s who had been re-
prieved from the gallows-ffiurdersrs
and robbers-and those whose only
fault was that they wished to worship
God in their own way. The oars OF
first-class galley were about so in Num-
Der and from 45 to so feet long. each
being pulled by six men, who sat on
benches on deck placed little
obliuuely to the keel. These oars were
never taken inboard while the galley
was at sea, but when not In use were
cock-billed by depressing the looms
and making them fast with a togsIe.
The large and heavy loom had grips
bolted to 1t SO that the slaves could
easily grasp them. Along the middle
of the deck between tho benches ran
fore and aft a raised bench or walk
called the "coursier,' upon which an
officer called the ''comite" walked BACK
and forth, armed with long wn'p.
with which he enforced silence anu
stimulated the slaves 10 the utmost
exertion at the oar.
While the galleys were in service the
slaves were never allowed to leave
their benches. to which they were
chained, eating and sleeping III inc
exact place where they toiled at the
oar. In very rainy or cold weather an
awning was tented over the galley anu
stopped to the gunwa.e. Th1s was
generally gayly striped. victor Huso
somewhere says that the galleys OF
Louis XIV answered the same purpose
as the steamers Of our day; and' IN
deed, first-class galley. going ~
steamer speed over the smooth. blue
Mediterranean, gayly painted win siit
carving, streaming pendants, truihPetS
sounding and armore1 soldiers at tneir
posts, must have been teautlfui slsnt
to those who could close their eyes 10
the wretched, emaciatcd creatures VINO
toiled at the cars.
Each of the rowecs' benches was III
or II feet long, covered with coarse
sacking Of baize, ami extending from
the .coursier' to the side. To eacn
ring about the ankle. There was 4
foottoard or stretcher for keeping their
feet out of the water when seas were
taken on board. AS has Teen sald, inc
oars were about so feet long. balance1
SO that 10 feet of their length was IN
board and 81 feet out. The 'comite,' or
boatswain, had his post aft, near the
captain, while his mates. or SOUS
comites,' were on the 'coursier,' armed
with long and heavy whips. When the
captain gave the order to move the
boatswain used his silver whistle or
call which was repeated by his mates
and the slaves gave way together, tho
so oars rising and falling like one ma
chine. They ceased rullin~ at the
same signal and great precision was
absolutely necessary to prevent the
slaves of the next bench being struck
by the loom Of the neavy oar
1.-The labor of galley slave-the
most fatiguing possible--has passed
into a proverb. Six naked men for
they were clothed only when not at
work., with shaven heads. chained to
a bench, one foot on the stretcher, the
other on the bench before them. bend
ing forward toward the stern of the
galley and pushing the car at arms
length above the back of those in front
of them, raise the loom. dip the oar and
fall back upon the seat with their fuii
weight. This often continued for
many hours without intermission. ana
when there was danger OF utter ex-
haustion pieces of bread clipped in wine
were crammed into their mouths by
the souscomites.' If one of them fell
dead, as not infrequently occurred, the
signal was given. rowing suspended
for a moment, the shackles knocked OIL
and the body pitched overheard
A most interesting account of life i'll
the French galleys has been left us i'll
the little work entitled Memories dun
Protestant Condamme aux Galeres dc
France" first published in Rotterdam
in 1857 anonymously. but now known
to have been written by Jean Mar
teilhe of Bergcrac. Martcilhe's suffer-
ings-most of the time i'll the galleyS-
endured from the year 100 to 111S.
momcntOus period iii the history OF
Europe. Born at Bcrgcrac. in Perigord.
in 1884, Marteilhe, with many other
huSueIlOtS VI Tic hOoN' "N-'
driven by the unheard-of cruelties of
the Duke De La Force who rivaled on
the Dordogne the performances of the
Of the Ccvennes-to en-
deavor to flee the country. He was
only 16 years of age, hut well grown
and strong. His father was in prison.
the younger children imprisoned in
his mother forced to abjurc
her faith and g Dragons quartered
upon her for an indefinite time.
Flight from the country was declared Il
capital crime, but Marteine and a COM
p;inion managed to leave Bergerac and
made their way to Paris. where they were
advised to make for Holland. by way of
Meziercs and CharlcrOl. After IL number
of harbreadth escapes from arrest they
were finally imprisoned and reported to
the Marquis de la Vrilliere as IluguenOtS
escaping from France and this report
was speedily followed by their comdemna-
ton to the galleys for being found on the
frontier without a passport. In spite of
the terrible prospect of the gall.ys they
refused to conform. and in January. 17O2
they, with many others. were sent in
chain of convicts to Dunquerque where
they were placed on board the galley
l. Heureuse, the "capitane" or flagship of
the squadron of six galleys belonging to
the port. Here they were chained to
separate benches. so as to prevent com
and fhcy x,ifp cod tho v,,,v,