SUFFERINGS OF A SHIP’S CREW.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2155, 27 January 1891, Page 3

SUFFERINGS OF A SHIP’S CREW.

Melbourne, Dee, 31,

ihe narrative of the voyage of the ship Kelton, which left Eio Janeiro twenty-six days ago, bound for New Caledonia, and yesterday afternoon made her way into Port Phillip Heads, with her captain and chief officer down with the smallpox, five of the crew also prostrated with the same disease, and the remainder endeavouring to navigate the ship whilst in a still convalescent state, should, when it comes te be fully known, form a very thrilling tale of the sea. Yesterday afternoon Mr C. A. Topp, President of the Board of Public Health, received a telegram from Hr Browning, the Health Officer at Queenscliff, stating that a large four-masted ship from Eio Janeiro was ashore near Point Nepean, inside the Heads, and that there were six cases of smallpox on board, and, further, that he was endeavoring to tow the vessel off with the steam launch. In reply to a telegram asking for further particulars Dr Browning stated that the ship was bound from Eio Janeiro to New Caledonia, and that she was twenty-six days out from port. There was a crew numbering thirty on board, but no passengers. The whole of the crew, including the captain and officers, had had the smallpox in a mild form, and six of them were still suffering from it. The ship appeared to be short of provisions, for a telegram had been sent up to Melbourne asking the agent to supply food. Dr Browning asked for a doctor and two nurses, and added that the ship would be towed off and brought into the quarantine station next morning. Dr Browning proposes to land the sick men and take them to the Quarantine Hospital as soon as the nurses arrive. The remainder of the crew will also be quarantined and detained there as long as safety requires, besides being vaccinated. The ship was being piloted in by a pilot from a launch towed behind when she took the ground in twelve feet of water. It was expected that she would be got off at daylight this morning, the powerful tug Eagle having gone to her assistance.