A PEST SHIP IN NEW YORK.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1391, 2 August 1872, Page 2

A PEST SHIP IN NEW YORK.

(From the New York Standard, 25th May.) The bark Athena arrived at this port on the 14th inst. from Bremen, after one of the roost disastrous voyages that has been recorded tor many years. The vessel sailed from the above port on the 4th of April, with merchandise and 475 passengers. Two days after leaving port one of the seamen fell sick, and in a day or two it became evident that it was small-pox. The captain of the ship-, Captain Christopher—an able and experienced seaman—at once took every precaution to prevent the spread of the disease. Unfortunately, there was no* doctor on board. Captain Christopher was provided with a medicine chest, but it does not apppear that he is possessed of any medical knowledge, and it is quite certain that his duties as skipper could leave but little time tor the practice of medical pursuits. The sailor died, and was buried. &ine day* afterwards another case occurred, and it became evident that all attempts tosmoiher the pestilence had failed. As if small-pox was not bad enough, measles and scarlet fever broke out among the children, of whom there was a great number on board. The log of the ship bears painful testimony to the ravages of disease among the helpless infants. Twenty children, some mere babies, died before the ship reached Sandy Hook. The majority fell victims to measles, but scarlet fever and small pox also (lid their work. Five adult passengers and one seamen died of small-pox, and one seamen of scarlet fever during the voyage—twenty-seveu; deaths in all. The Athena dropped anchor in the lower bay on the 14th inst, and was of course promptly quarantined. The doctors caused (ho removal of the sick to the Hospital, and the vessel was thoroughly cleansed and fumigated. Five children have died since the ship has been in port. At Castle Garden there seems to be an impression that the mortality on board the Athena was caused by the inferior quality of the food. Mr Thcodor Roger, the consignee, says that this impression is wholly groundless, that all provisions put onboard the »hip ac Bremen were thoroughly examined by Government o.l.cials as usual, and were of the best quality. Capt. Christopher also declares that the provisions were both good and abundant. The captain seems to think that the disease was fostered by the dirty habits of the emigrants, who were chiefly Poles. Nothing, he declares, short of physical violence could induce them to wash. On their arrixal here they were told that if they did not wash they vould be sent to prison Men and women then washed on deck and began to clean themselves with great earnestness. The captain distributed a quantity of soap among them, but regretted his generosity when he was informed that the men, after examining it carefully, deliberately ate it, under the impression thai it was cheese.