SHIP'S DOCTOR "RAGGED"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 89, 8 January 1918, Page 8

SHIP'S DOCTOR "RAGGED"

EXTRAORDINARY INCIDENT ON ' STEAMER.. 1 A cast) of unusual interest was heard at the. Sydney Water Police Court recently j when! George Mackay, surgeon on an oversea steamer, proceeded against Glencoe Robson, Alexander Curry, Lancelot Richardson 1' redemk George Potts, and Richard Lester •Gadoa, merchantile apprentices, for .having-assaulted linn 011 the high sea , between Brisbane and Sydney. George Mackay-said that lie was sitting in the- smoke-room of • tlio steamer about 1.30 p.m. on December 6, when the live accused and other cadets came along to lum. He said vo them, "Havo you come for a lecture?" and they replied, No, wo yo come to rag you." They,caught Md of him, carried him down into the well deck of the ship, and threw him, boots, clothes and all, into a bath, which was half full of water. They then locked the door and inserted a hose through a hole, and squirted him. One of their number then put a. broomstick through the hole, and gave him four or five "welts" witli it. Tliey next forced tho door, and called on him to go out, and as ho passed through the doorway they smoto him with pillows stuffed with hay. They threw hinr down, and, tearing open his singlet, lathered lum with soap, and threw; feathers.over him. Oil returning to his cabin he found his possessions scattered all over tho place, while his cigars, safety razor, and other articles were missing. That afternoon the cadots were all smoking cigars, and some even went to him, congratulated him on his taste, and asked him if he would have ono. Ho had reported tho occurrence to tbs master of the vessel, and had asked that the offenders be flogged. Tho captain refused, but reprimanded several of tliem. Accused were fined £1 each, with costs.