HORRIBLE TREATMENT AT SEA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 85, 10 April 1874, Page 2

HORRIBLE TREATMENT AT SEA.

{From the New York Herald) . Richmond, Va., Dec 10, 1873. One of the most inhuman cases of cruel treatment at sea ever recorded wa3 developed here to-day in the instance of Seth Hollingsworth, a Lancashire lud of 19yeare, who shipped on board the British hat que Mugdalia, at Liverpool on the 3rd of October, as an able-bodied seaman for the voyage to Richmond and back. Hollingsworth states that he had been working in one of the Manchester cotton mills, and took a trip to Liverpool to spend a holiday. While in this city he was apptoached by Captain Fleming of the barque Magdalia, and asked to ship as able-bodied seaman for a voyage to this city end back, the captain agreeing to pay him tbe sum of £3 10s. He went on board about the 3rd of October, and was at once put. to work. From that hour not only the captain, but the mat«s, whos^ names are Beard, first mate, and Williamson, second mate, began a shocking system of brutality towards him. The voyage was a most tempestuous one,the barque being over 66 days at sea, during which time Hollingsworth whs kicked, cuffed, starved, and beaten in a manner that makes civilised humanity shudder. His fust experience ou shipboard that was serious wqb being knocked down on the deck, and left in a senseless condition, by a belaying pin in the hands of one of the mates. None of the officers or crew ever passed him without administering a blow, a kick, or a rope's end. After that, finding the poor youth submitted to these cruelties without complaint, the captain forced him to sign a paper agreeing to make the voyage for fl. He was never allowed to eat the regular ship's rations, but was given the remnants of each meal of the crew. Even this was denied him when the vessel was at sea about one month. It is impossible to relate the horrors to which the poor youth was subjected on this terrible voyage, for he is now unable to speak. The barque arrived at City Point yesterday, and here culminated the crowning outrage of the voyage. Hollingsworth, emaciated, bruised, and excessively feeble from his treatment, wns ordered by Captain Fleming to row him ashore. The poor wretch pulled away; but, not being able to make the boat move fast enough, was struck by the captain with an oar so often as to attract the attention of Captain Post, of the steamer Sylvester, who at once interfered in behalf of Hollingß worth. Captain Post rescued the lad and brought him to this city, and he is now at the police station in a dying condition. When he arrived his clothes and person were filthy, and exhibited a spectacle of wretchedness and misery rarely to be seen. His wounds are all gangrened, his flesh is swollen, bruises cover his body from head to foot. His eyes are blackened and nearly closed by blows from fists aud ropes ; his feet are covered with sores, and his mouth is so badly injured that he can speak only with the greatest difficulty. The police here supplied him with clean clothing, and showed him every attention possible. To-night, the British Consul here is taking active measures in his behalf, and the captain has been arrested by the local authorities at City Point.