A STOWAWAY IN AN OCEAN STEAMER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 14, 16 January 1879, Page 4

A STOWAWAY IN AN OCEAN STEAMER.

The batches of the steamer City ot Chester, of the Inman line, that came into port on Friday, were opened during the evening to allow tbe unloading of the freight to begin. "When the men descended into the lower hold they were amazed at finding there a man lying on a pile of freight boxes. He presented a famished appearance, and at the first glance the workman thought he was dead. The conclusion was natural, for tbe man must of necessity have been where he was during tbe entire voyage across the sea, the hold having been undisturbed during all that time. He was brought to the deck, and as he was still breathing, restoratives and food were administered, with the effect of bringing him to consciousness after a time. Being questioned by those who stood around him, be said that his name was Donnelly, and that he was from Scotland, and twenty-three years old. He had watched his chance when the steamer wa3 taking in her cargo at her dock in Liverpool, and had secreted himself in the hold ; with tho purpose of coming to this country, having no money to pay his fare. Eleven days the trip lasted, and DoHnelly starved in darkness. He bad no food, and the foul air slowly but surely overcame him. He suffered intense agony from thirst. At last he lost his senses, and in that condition was found when the hold was opened and day-light let in. He was sent to St. Vincent's Hospital, after being fed on the ship. Donnelly was able to tell a portion of his experience on Saturday. When discovered he could not speak audibly, and was only partially restored when sent to St. Vincent's Hospital. Donnelly stated on Saturday that he was from Dumbarton, Scotland; and that he left there on 21st of September, with about 40 cents in his pocket, with which he paid hie fare to Greenock. He arrived at Liverpool on Sunday, and after being without food for forty-eight hours, asked one of the longshore-men to hide hin on the vessel. This was refused until he had given the man a bottle of beer. In a half-hour afterwards Donnelly was fastened in the hold among the freight with neither food nor drink. After suffering the most intense agonies from hunger and tbirst, he scraped the dirt off tbe boxes; this contained a certain amount of salt, and although the taste was repulsive hia hunger was so great that he swallowed it. After a lapse of sis days he fainted, and knew nothing more until be found himßelf on deck under the doctor s charge. He often cried for help, but his cries were not heard by any one except a dog, that would go to the hatch and bark. The barking of the dog was an annoyance to the passengers, and he was removed to the upper deck. Donnelly says be has an uncle in Olneyville, R. 1., who is captain of the police, and other relatives on Long Island. — New York Tribune.