:

A  —d.

THE OCEAN PLAGUE:

A VOYAGE TO OUEBEC IN AN IRISH EMIGRANT VESSEL.

THE 9H1F-PEST1I.ENCE OF THAT FATAL YEAR.

BY A CABIN PASSENGER.

' To throw starving and diseased paupers under the rock at Quebec, ought to be punishable as murder."
Loed Sydenham.

BOSTON:
COOLIDGE AND WILEY, 12 WATER STREET.
1848.

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THE OCEAN PLAGUE.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1848, by
ROBERT WHTTE,
Id the Clerk's office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

CONTENTS.

INTEODUCTION. CHAPTER I.
Parting. — On board. — Weighing anchor. — Introductions. —
Antrim coast. — An intelligent youth — his capabilities. — A
contrast. — The mate. — The mistress. — A discovery. — An ex
tra passenger. — A muster. — Rations. — A treasure. — Fishing.
— An unanticipated deprivation. — Departure.
CHAPTER II.
The ocean. — A medicine chest. — Observations. — Cookery.
— Sailor's employment. — New acquaintances. — Geographical
knowledge. — Boundary line. — Ocean's inmates. — Charts. — A
practical joke. — Sunday. CHAPTER III.
One having authority. — Company. — A warning. — The little
shoemaker. — A brilliant exploit. — A puzzle. — The cabin. —
Alarming news. — Bad water. — Insubordination. — An inuendo.
— The hold — An extinguisher.

VI CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.
An unwelcome follower. — A cheerless Sabbath. — A tempting
cask. — Spread of fever. — Death and burial. — Sudden attacks.
— Awful position. — Tough yarns. — A horrid spectacle. — A
convalescent.
CHAPTER V.
Fog. — A scene of horror. — Speaking. — Sounding. — Death
of two brothers. — Their burial. — Silent grief. — Phosphores
cence. — Cod fishery. — The banks of Newfoundland. — Sickness
among the crew. — Newfoundland coast. — Effect of fear. — An
inheritance. — An auction.
CHAPTER VI.
Bearings. — Capes North and Ray. — Isle St. Paul. — En
trance of the gulf. — Jacques Cartier. — The Bird and Magdalen
Islands. — Mackerel breeze. — Great take. — Anticosti. — Gas-
pe\ — The river. — Aurora borealis. — A birth. — North shore. —
A gale. CHAPTER VII.
Calm after storm  More deaths. — A take-in. — Charming
vistas. — A delirious patient. — Kempt road. — Trois Pistolles. —
A friendless burial. — Scarcity of water. — Mirage.
CHAPTER VIII.
A friemlly sail. — Beautiful sunset. — A trial of patience. —

CONTENTS. vii
Village bells. — A youthful visitor. — The charm broken. — Lake
St. John. — The Saguenay.
CHAPTER IX.
Night sail. — Karaouraska. — Malbaie. — Lovely panorama. —
Floating with the tide. — Preparations. — Isle-aux-coudres. —
St. Anne's. — Evening. — The Traverse. — St. Thomas'. — Ar
rival at Grosse Isle. — Signal.
CHAPTER X.
A hasty visit. — An old friend with a new face. — Blighted
hopes. — A polluted stream. — Steamers. — Canadian priests. —
Beauty of the isle. — Transmission of patients. — Funerals. —
Friends.
CHAPTER XI.
Another death. — Doctor s second visit. — Separations. — Af
flicting scene. — Walk on Grosse Isle. — Doctor's residence. —
A Fort. — Delightful prospect. — A store. — An untimely
dance. — A rash vow. — Vessels in quarantine. — A busy scene.
CHAPTER XII.
An inspection. — Deep affliction. — A chase. — German emi
grants. — A recognition. — Seamen's hospital. — Clean Bills. —
Vesper hymn. — Departure. CHAPTER XIII.
Sail Ttp the river. — Scenery. — Canadian Cottages. — Short

Viii CONTENTS.
tacks. — L'isle d' Orleans. — Monster ships. — Falls of Mont-
morenci. — Quebec. — Harbour-master and physician. — Dis
charge from quarantine. — Sail to Montreal.
CHAPTER XIV.
Inefficacy of the quarantine system. — Mortality among doc
tors and clergymen. — Montreal. — Toronto. — The emigrants. —
Their sufferings. — Duty of protecting them.
APPENDIX.

INTRODUCTION.
Men judge by the complexion of the sky,
The state and inclination of the day :
So may you by my diill and heavy eye,
My tongue hath but a heavier tale to say.
I play the torturer by small and small
To lengthen out the worst that may be spoken. SHAKSPEARE.
Emigration has for a long time been considered by
British political economists the most effective means of al
leviating the grievous ills under which the Irish peasantry
labor. It is not our province to inquire into its expedi
ency ; but viewing the subject with the single eye of com
mon-sense, it is difficult to see the necessity of expatriating
the superfluous population of a country wherein hundreds
of thousands of acres of land susceptible of the highest
culture, lie waste, — whose mines teeming with wealth
remain un worked, — and which is bordered by more than
two thousand miles of sea coast, whose banks swarm with
ling, cod, mackerel, &c, while salt-fish is largely imported
from Scotland.
Many years previous to legislators taking up the matter,
emigration from Ireland existed, and that of a class of
persons which could be badly spared from the already
impoverished island ; consisting as it did of small but
substantial farmers, who perceiving but a gloomy prospect
before them, sold off their land, and, turning their capital
into cash, availed themselves of the opportunities that
-2

10 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
existed to find comfort and independence by settling in
America. The majority of these adventurers being successful in
their undertakings, they induced their relatives and friends
to follow them ; and thus a strong tide of emigrants, whose
number gradually increased each season, set toward the
""West. This progressive and natural system of emigration,
however, gave place within the last few years to a violent
rush of famished, reckless human beings, flying from their
native land, to seek food in a distant and unknown country.
The cause of this sudden change is easily ascertained.
Every one is familiar with the wretched lot of the Irish
peasantry, — obliged to work for a miserable pittance, their
chief reliance was upon the crop of potatoes grown by
each family in the little patch of ground attached to their
hut; a poor dependence indeed, not only as regards the
inferiority of the potato as the sole diet of a people, but
from the great uncertainty always attending its propagation.
The consequences of even a partial failure — an event of
common occurrence — being of the most serious nature.
In the year 1822, the deficiency was so general that the
price quadrupled, and the peasantry of the south and west
were reduced to actual starvation. To alleviate the distress
a committee was formed in London, and sub-committees
throughout England ; and such was the benevolence of
individuals, that large funds were in a short time at their
disposal. By the end of the year subscriptions had been
raised in Great Britain amounting to £350,000 ; to which
parliament added a grant of £300,000 ; while the local
collections in Ireland were £150,000 ; making altogether

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. U
£800,000, — a large sum, but how inadequate to meet the
wants of some three or four millions of starving people ?
This serious warning it should be supposed would have
opened the eyes of the country to the necessity of having
something else as a resource under a similar emergency ;
but a plentiful season lulled them into forgetfulness of what
they had suffered, and apathy concerning the future.
So abundant was the produce of the seasons 1842 and
1843, that the poorest beggar refused potatoes, and they
were commonly used to manure the land.
But the blight of the crop of 1845, and the total destruc
tion of that of 1846, brought the country to the lowest ebb,
and famine with its attendant, disease, stalked through
the land.
Charity stretched forth her hand from far and near.
America giving liberally of her abundance. But all that
could be done fell far short of the wants of the dying
sufferers. The government stepped forward, and advanced
funds for the establishment of public works ; this was
attended with much advantage and mitigated a great deal
of distress ; but unfortunately, all the money had to be re
turned in the shape of onerous taxation upon the landowners.
The gentry became seriously alarmed, and some of them
perceiving that the evil was likely to increase year after
year, took into their consideration what would be the surest
method of terminating it.
At length it was discovered that the best plan would be
to get completely rid of those who were so heavy a burthen
upon them, by shipping them to America; at the same
time publishing to the world, as an act of brotherly love
and kindness, a deed of crafty, calculating selfishness, —

] 2 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
for the expense of transporting each individual was less
than the cost of one year's support in a workhouse.
It required but little argument to induce the prostrated
people to accede to their landlords' proposal, by quitting
their poverty-stricken country for " a land flowing with
milk and honey," — poor creatures, they thought that any
change would be for the better. They had nothing to
risk, every thing to gain. " Ah ! Sir," said a fellow-pas
senger to me, after bewailing the folly that tempted him
to plunge his family into aggravated misfortune, — "we
thought we could'nt be worse off than we war ; but now
to our sorrow we know the differ ; for sure supposin we
were dyin of starvation, or if the sickness overtuk us. We
had a chance of a doctor, and if he could do no good for
our bodies, sure the priest could for our souls ; and then
we'd be buried along wid our own people, in the ould
church-yard, with the green sod over us ; instead of dying
like rotten sheep thrown into a pit, and the minit the
breath is out of our bodies, flung into the sea to be eaten
up by them horrid sharks."
It cannot excite the least surprise that these wretched
beings should carry with them the seeds of that plague
from which they were flying ; and it was but natural
that these seeds should rapidly germinate in the hot-bed
holds of ships crammed almost to suffocation with their
distempered bodies. In short, nothing was wanted to en
courage the speedy development of the direst disease and
misery ; but alas ! every thing that could check their spread
was absent.
My heart sickens when I think upon the fatal scenes of
the awfully tragic drama enacted upon the wide stage of the

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 13
Atlantic ocean, in the floating lazar houses that were wafted
upon its bosom during the never-to-be-forgotten year 1847.
Without a precedent in history, may God grant that Ihe
account of it may descend to posterity without a parallel.
Laws for the regulation of passenger ships were in ex
istence ; but whether on account of difficulty arising from
the vast augmentation of number, or some other cause,
they (if at all put in force) proved quite ineffectual.
What a different picture was presented by the Germans
who migrated in large bodies? who, — although the trans
mission of human beings from Fatherland must always be
attended by more or less pain and trouble, — underwent
none of those heart-rending Irials reserved exclusively for
the Irish emigrant.
Never did so many souls tempt all the dangers of the
deep, to seek asylums in an adopted country ; and, could
we draw a veil over the sad story of the ship pestilence,
" this migration of masses, numbering of late years more
than 100,000 annually, now to nearly 300,000 annually,
not in the warlike spirit of the Goths and Vandals who
overran the Roman Empire, and destroyed the monuments
of art and evidences of civilization, but in the spirit of
peace, anxious to provide for themselves and their children
the necessaries of life, and apparently ordained by Provi
dence to relieve the countries of the old world, and to
serve great purposes of good to mankind, — is one of the
most interesting spectacles the world ever saw."*
The reader must not expect to find any thing more in
these pages than a faithful detail of the occurrences on
board an emigrant vessel. The author has no desire to
* Immigration into the United Stales. By J. Chickering. Boston, 1848.

14 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
exaggerate, were it possible to do so. And he who wishes
to arrive at any conclusion as to the amount of suffering,
must calculate, from the affliction that I have faintly por
trayed upon a small scale, what must have been the unut
terable " weight of woe " in ships whose holds contained
five or six hundred tainted, famished, dying mortals.
The following extract from the London Times news
paper presents a faithful and graphic review of the dire
tragedy. " The great Irish famine and pestilence will have a place
in that melancholy series of similar calamities to which
historians and poets have contributed so many harrowing
details and touching expressions. Did Ireland possess a
writer endued with the laborious truth of Thucydides, the
graceful felicity of Virgil, or the happy invention of De
Foe, the events of this miserable year might be quoted by
the scholar for ages to come, together with the sufferings
of the pent-up multitudes of Athens, the distempered plains
of northern Italy, or the hideous ravages of our own great
plague. But time is ever improving on the past. There
is one horrible feature of the recent, not to say present
visitation, which is entirely new. The fact of more than
a hundred thousand souls flying from the very midst of a
calamity across a great ocean to a new world, crowding
into insufficient vessels, scrambling for a footing on a deck,
or a berth in a hold, committing themselves to these worse
than prisons, while their frames were wasted with ill fare
and their blood infected with disease, fighting for monlhs
of unutterable wretchedness against the elements without
and pestilence within, giving almost hourly victims to the
deep, landing at length on shores already terrified and

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 15
diseased, consigned to encampments of the dying and the
dead, spreading death wherever they roam, and having no
other prospect before them than a long continuance of
these horrors in a still farther flight across forests and lakes
under a Canadian sun and a Canadian frost — all these are
circumstances beyond the experience of the Greek historian
or Latin poet, and such as an Irish pestilence alone could
produce. " By the end of the season there is little doubt that the
emigration into Canada alone will have amounted to 100,-
000 ; nearly all from Ireland. We know the condition in
which these poor creatures embarked on their perilous
adventure. They were only flying from one form of death.
On the authority of the Montreal Board of Health we are
enabled to say that they were allowed to ship in numbers
two or three times greater than the same vessels would
have presumed to carry to an United States port.
" The worse horrors of that slave-trade which it is the
boast or the ambition of this empire to suppress, at any
cost, have been reenacted in the flight of British subjects
from their native shores. In only ten of the vessels that
arrived at Montreal in July, four from Cork and six from
Liverpool, out of 4,427 passengers, 804 had died on the
passage, and 847 were sick on their arrival; that is, 847
were visibly diseased, for the result proves that a far larger
number had in them the seeds of disease. ' The Larch,'1
says the Board of Health, on August 12th, 'reported this
morning from Sligo, sailed with 440 passengers, of whom
108 died on the passage, and 150 were sick.
'" The Virginius sailed with 596 ; 158 died on the pas
sage, 186 were sick, and the remainder landed feeble and
tottering; the captain, mates, and crew, were all sick.'

16 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.

" The Blackhole of Calcutta was a mercy compared to
the holds of these vessels. Yet simultaneously, as if in
reproof of those on whom the blame of all this wretched
ness must fall, foreigners, Germans from Hamburg and
Bremen are daily arriving, all healthy, robust, and cheerful.
" This vast unmanageable tide of population thus
thrown upon Montreal, like the fugitives from some bloody
defeat, or devastated country, has been greatly augmented
by the prudent, and, we must add, most necessary precau
tions adopted, in time by the United States, where most
stringent sanitary regulations, enforced by severe penalties,
have been adopted to save the ports of the Union from
those very horrors which a paternal government has
suffered 1o fall upon Montreal. Many of these pest ships
have been obliged to alter their destination, even while at
sea, for the St. Lawrence.
" At Montreal a large proportion of these outcasts have
lingered from sheer inability 1o proceed. The inhabitants
of course have been infected.
" A still more horrible sequel is to come. The survivors
have to wander forth and find homes. Who can say how
many will perish on the way, or the masses of houseless,
famished, and half-naked wretches that will be strewed on
the inhospitable snow when a Canadian winter sets in ?
" Of these awful occurrences some account must be
given. Historians and politicians will some day sift and
weigh the conflicting narrations and documents of this
lamentable year, and pronounce with or without affecta
tion, how much is due to the inclemency of heaven, and
how much to the cruelly, heartlessness or improvidence of
man. The boasted institutions and spirit of the empire
are on trial. They are weighed in the balance.

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 17

" Famine and pestilence are at the gates, and the con-
science-slricken nation will almost fear to see the 'writing
on the wall.'
" We are forced to confess that, whether it be the fault
of our laws or our men, this new act in the terrible drama
has not been met as humanity and common-sense would
enjoin. The result was quite within the scope of calcula
tion, and even of care."
Miscalculation, and want of care, are terms far too mild
to apply to such wanton negligence as resulted in the
immediate sacrifice of upwards of 25,000 souls, four fifths
of whom fell upon their way to Canada. From the report
issued at the end of the season, it appears that, of the
98,105 (of whom 60,600 were Irish) that were -shipped for
Quebec, There died at sea, 5,293
At Grosse Isle and Quebec, 8,072
In and above Montreal, 7,000

Making 20,365,
besides those who afterwards perished, whose number can
never be ascertained. Allowing an average of 300 per
sons to each, 200 vessels were employed in the trans
mission to. Canada of Irish emigrants alone ; and each of
these vessels lost one third of her living cargo ere she
again set sail upon her return to Europe.
If we suppose those 60,000 persons to be an army on
their way to invade some hostile power, how serious would
appear the loss of one third of their number before a
battle was fought ? Yet the 40,000 who landed upon the
Canadian shores had to fight many a deadly battle before
2*

18 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.

they could find peace or rest. Or, in order to make the
matter sensible to those who know the value of money
better than of human life, let us multiply 20,000 by 5, the
cost in pounds sterling of the passage of each individual,
and we perceive a loss of £100,000,.or $500,000 dollars.
But it may be thought that the immolation of so many
wretched starvelings was rather a benefit than a loss to the
world. It may be so. Yet — untutored, degraded, fam
ished, and plague-stricken, as they were ; I assert that there
was more true heroism, more faith, more forgiveness to
their enemies, and submission to the Divine Will, exem
plified in these victims, than could be found in ten times
the number of their oppressors.

CHAPTER I.
Each moment plays
His little weapon in the narrower sphere
Of sweet domestic comfort, and cuts down
The fairest hloom of sublunary bliss.
Bliss — sublunary bliss ; — proud words and vain,
Implicit treason to divine decree,
A bold invasion of the rights of heaven,
I clasp'd the phantoms, and I found them air.
O, had I weighed it ere my fond embrace,
What darts of agony had miss'd my soul. YOUNG.
May 30th, 1847.
Many and deep are the wounds that the sensitive heart
inflicts upon its possessor, as he journeys through life's
pilgrimage ; but on few occasions are they so acutely felt,
as when one is about to part from those who formed a
portion of his exislence ; deeper still pierces the pang as
the idea presents itself that the separation may be for ever ;
but when one feels a father's nervous grasp, — a dear sis
ter's tender, sobbing embrace ; and the eye wanders
around the apartment drinking in each familiar object,
until it rests upon the vacant chair which she who nursed
his helpless infancy was wont to occupy, then the agony
he wishes to conceal becomes insupportable. But as the
skilful surgeon tears off the bandage which the hand of
affection gently withdraws from the wound, — thereby un
consciously inflicting greater pain ; so it is better not to
linger upon the affecting scene ; but rush suddenly away.
It was a charming morning on which I left dear old Ire-

20 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
land; — the balmy new-born day, in all the freshness of
early summer, was gladdened by the beams of the sun
which rose above the towers of the city, sunk in undisturb
ed repose. It was a morning calculated to inspire the droop
ing soul with hope ; auguring future happiness.
Too soon I arrived at the quay, and left my last foot
print on my native land. The boat pushed off, and in a
few minutes I was on board the brig that was to waft me
across the wide Atlantic.
There was not a soul on deck ; but presently the grizzled
head of the captain was protruded from the cabin ; and
from the uninviting aspect of his face I feared that he
would prove an unsocial companion for a long voyage.
He received me as kindly as his stubborn nature would
allow ; and I-was forced to admire the manly dignity of
the rude tar, when, from Ihe bent attitude he was obliged
to assume while ascending ihe companion ladder, he
stood upright on the deck. The sailors now issued from
the forecastle, and the mate came up and introduced him
self to me.
The captain having given the word to weigh anchor, a
bustle immediately arose throughout the vessel ; the sea
men promptly proceeded to their work, with apparent pleas
ure ; although (being ihe Sabbath) ihey did not accompa
ny the action with the usual chant. The chain having
become entangled in the cables of some fishing boats, it
was a considerable while before the anchor was hoisted.
At length, the top-sails were unreefed, and our bark glided
through the beauteous bay.
In a short time we rounded the promontory of Howth ;
having taken the north channel as the wind was southerly.

THE OCEAN PLAGUE.

Tire captain then led me down to the cabin for brealf-
fast, and introduced me to his wife, who, he informed
me, always accompanied him to sea, and whom I shall for
the future designate as the mistress, — as by that term she
was known to both crew and passengers. Feeling' an in
clination towards squeamishness, and being much more
sick at heart, I retired to my state-room ! and lying down
upon the berth, fell into a dreamy slumber, in which I
remained until aroused ; when I found it was late^in the
afternoon, and tea was ready. I felt somewhat revived by
the grateful beverage; and accompanied the captain on
deck. We were off Carlingford, and Ihe mountains of
Mourne. The passengers were cooking their evening
meal at their fires upon the fore-deck; and the sailors
discussing their coffee in the forecastle. I endeavored to
enter into conversation with the captain, but he was pro-
vokingly taciturn ; however, we were soon joined by the
mistress, who was not unwilling to make up for her hus
band's deficiency. The sun set; and twilight subsided
into darkness ; a cold night breeze also told that it was
time to go below. Monday, May 31st.
I rose early, and inhaled the fresh morning air. We
made good progress during the night, and the bold cliffs of
the coast of Antrim were visible on one hand, the Scotch
shore on the other. At 8, A. M., the bell rang for break
fast, and I took my seat opposite the captain. The mis
tress sat in an arm-chair, and the mate on a stool next me,
completing the cabin circle. We were attended by Simon
the cabin-boy, whom at first sight I took to be a " darky."
His face was coated with smoke and soot, streaked by

22 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
the perspiration that trickled from his brow, which was
surmounted by a thicket of short, wiry black hair, standing
on end ; his lustreless brown eyes I cannot better describe
than by borrowing a Yankee illustration : they were " like
two glass balls lighted by weak rush lights;" — his lips
were thick, straight, and colorless ; his complexion, (when
unveiled) was a grimy yellow ; — and the expression of
his wide flat face, idiotic. He wore a red flannel shirt,
and loose blue pilot trowsers ; but neither shoes, nor
stockings ; his movements were slow, except at meals,
when he seemed to regain his suspended animation ; and
it was a goodly sight to see him gulping coffee, bolting
dodges of fat pork, and crunching hard biscuit, as raven
ously as a hungry bear.
No two specimens of human nature could possibly pre
sent more striking contrasts than Simon and his fellow-
apprentice Jack. The latter was about 15 years of age,
remarkably small and active. Squirrel never climbed tree
more nimbly than Jack could go aloft ; and in the accom
plishments of chewing and smoking he might compete
with the oldest man aboard ; his fair skin was set off by
rosy cheeks ; and his sparkling blue eyes beamed with —
devilment. He was a favorite of every one except the
mistress, with whom his pranks did not pass, being there
fore exempt from the menial offices of cabin boy, which
devolved upon Simon ; his principal amusement consisted
in persecuting that genius.
The mate was a very little man, not more than five feet
high ; but in excellent condition, as seamen generally are ;
he was lame in one leg ; which deformity he took great
pains to hide ; causing a constrained limp that was ex-

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 23
tremely ludicrous ; he was well-looking, and sported a
capacious pair of black whiskers, the outline of which he
frequently altered. He had been a " captain," but unfortu
nately, loving the bottle, he lost his "caste." There existed
little confidence between him and the captain ; and both
being of a warm temperament, there were occasional
symptoms of collision ; but they were prevented from
ending in open rupture by the timely interference of the
mistress, on whom the captain would let loose his wrath,
which though expressed in no gentle terms, she bore with
exemplary patience.
The mistress was small, ruddy, and sun-burnt ; having
seen some sixty winters, forty of which she had spent at
sea, — generally in the home trade; but varied occasionally
by a voyage to Russia, or to America. She was in the
habit of keeping a private log, in which she noted the
incidents of her travels. I was allowed to look into this
interesting production, which amused me no less by the
originality of the orthography, than its elegance of diction.
Being a native of Cumberland, her pronunciation was
not particularly euphonious ; she also, when addressing her
husband, the mate, and all familiar acquaintances, used
the terms " thee " and " thou," invariably reversing their
grammatical order. Tuesday, June 1st.
After breakfast, the mate invited me to see the depot of
provisions. I accordingly followed him, descending by a
ladder into an apartment partitioned off from the hold, and
dividing it from the cabin.
By the light from the lantern I perceived a number of
sacks, which were filled with oatmeal and biscuit. The

24 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
mate having proceeded to prepare the passengers' rations
for distribution, I sat down upon one of the sacks, from
beneath which suddenly issued a groan. I jumped up5
quite at a loss to account for the strange sound, and looked
at the mate, in order to discover what he thought of it. He
seemed somewhat surprised ; but in a moment removed
two or three sacks ; and lo ! there was a man crouched up
in a corner. As he had not seen him before, the mate at
once concluded that he was a "stowaway," so giving him
a shake to make him stand upright, he ordered him to
mount the ladder, bestowing a kick upon the poor wretch
to accelerate his tardy ascent.
The captain was summoned from below, and a council
immediately held for the trial of the prisoner, who con
fessed, that not having enough of money to pay for bis
passage, he bribed the watchman employed to prevent the
possibility of such an occurrence. He had been concealed
for three days, but at night made his. way into the hold,
through a breach in the partition : his presence was there
fore known to some of the passengers. He had no clothes
but the rags he wore; nor had he. any provisions.- To
decide what was to be done with him was now the con
sideration, but the captain hastily terminated the delibera
tion, by swearing that he should be thrown overboard.
The wretched creature was quite discomfited by the
captain's wrath, and earnestly begged for forgiveness. It
was eventually settled that he should be landed upon the
first island at which we should touch ; with which decision
he appeared to be quite satisfied. He said that he was
willing lo work for his support; but the captain swore
determinedly that he should not taste one pound of the

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 25
ship's provision. He was therefore left to the tender mer
cies of his fellow-passengers.
In consequence of this discovery, there was a general
muster in the afternoon, affording me an opportunity of
seeing all the emigrants; and a more motley crowd I never
beheld; — of all ages, from the infant to the feeble grand-
sire and withered crone.
While they were on deck, the hold was searched, but
without any further discovery, no one having been found
below but a boy, who was unable to leave his berth, from
debility. Many of them appeared to" me to be quite unfit
to undergo the hardship of a long voyage ; but they were
inspected and passed by a doctor, although the captain, as
he informed me, protested against taking some of them.
One old man was so infirm, that he seemed to me to be
in the last stage of consumption.
The next matter to be accomplished was to regulate the
allowance of provisions to which each family was entitled.
One pound of meal or of bread being allowed for each
adult, — half a pound for each individual under fourteen
years of age, — and one third of a pound for each child
under seven years. Thus, although there were 110 souls,
great and small, they counted as 84 adults. That was,
therefore, the number of pounds to be issued daily. On
corning on board, provisions for a week were distributed ;
but as they wasted them most improvidently, they had to
be served again to-day. The mate consequently deter
mined to give out the day's rations every morning.
Wednesday, June 2nd.
We made but little progress during the night, and were

26 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
still in the channel, within sight of the Mull of Cantire,
and the northern shore of Ireland.
Having but a few books with me, I seized upon a greasy
old volume of sundry magazines, which I found in the
cabin. I also commenced the study of a book of naviga
tion. These, varied with the Book of books, Shakspeare,
and Maunders Treasuries, kept me free from ennui.
When tired of reading, I had ample scope for observation.
The mistress spent the forenoon fishing, and the after
noon in curing the mackerel and gurnet she caught. We
had some at tea, when I met with a deprivation I had
not anticipated ; — there was no milk ! and I did not at all
relish my tea without it. One cup was quite enough for
me; but I soon became habituated to it. Having rounded
the long promontory of Donegal, the outline of the shore
became indistinct ; and making our calculations not to see
land again for some time, the mate took his " departure "
from Malin Head.

CHAPTER II.
Boll on, thou dark and deep blue ocean, roll !

BYRON.

June 3d.
When I came on deck this morning, I found that we
were sailing upon the bosom of the broad Atlantic, no object
being visible to relieve the vast expanse of water and sky,
except the glorious sun ; and as I turned my eyes from the
survey of the distant horizon, and fixed them upon the
little bark that wafted us, a sensation akin to that of the
" Ancient Mariner " possessed my mind.
" Alone, alone, all, all alone,
Alone on a wide, wide sea."
As the boy who was unable to attend the muster still
continued ill, and was reported to be feverish, the mistress
and I reviewed the medicine chest. We found it to con
tain a jar of castor oil, epsom salts, laudanum, hartshorn,
&c. ; also a book of directions, which were by no means
explicit, and they so perplexed the mistress, even with the
aid of her spectacles, that as she was nothing the wiser of
the study, she resolved to trust to her own experience in
the concoction of a dose. The mate took his first observa
tion at noon ; and as he stood peering through the eye-hole
of the quadrant, he reminded me forcibly of poor old uncle
Sol's little midshipman.

28 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
The passengers' fire-places, upon either side of the
fore-deck, furnished endless scenes, sometimes of noisy
merriment, at others of quarrels. The fire was contained
in a large wooden case, lined with bricks and shaped
something like an old-fashioned settee; the coals being
confined by two or three iron bars in front. From morn
ing till evening they were surrounded by groups of men,
women and children ; some making " stirabout," in all
kinds of vessels, and others baking cakes upon extempo
rary griddles. These cakes were -generally about two
inches thick, and when baked were encased in a burnt
crust coated with smoke, being actually raw in the centre.
Such was the unvaried food of the greater number of these
poor creatures. A few of them, who seemed to be better
off, had herrings, or bacon. The meal with which they
were provided was of very bad quality; — this they had
five days; and biscuit, which was good, two days in the
week. Friday, June 4th.
The sailors and apprentices were (as the mate expressed
it in his log) variously employed, — mending sails, tarring
ropes, spinning yarns, &c. Sailors sit and sew very differ
ently from tailors; instead of doubling up their legs under
them, they stretch them out straight before them as they sit
upon the deck. Their thimble is also peculiar, not bein°-
worn on the top of the finger, but upon the ball of the
thumb, to which it is fastened by a leather strap, buckled
round the wrist. I was surprised at the expedition and
neatness with which they sewed, with their coarse needles
and long threads.
Jack created some diversion by daubing a " gossoon's "

THE OCEAN PLAGUE.. 29

face with tar, and shaving him with a rusty knife. It was
exhilarating to hear the children's merry laughter; — poor
little things, they seemed quite reconciled with their situa
tion ! I learned that many of these emigrants had never
seen the sea nor a ship, until they were on board. They
were chiefly from the county Meath, and sent out at the
expense of their landlord, without any knowledge of the
country to which they were going, or means of livelihood,
except the labor of the father of each family. All they
knew concerning Canada was, that they were to land in
Quebec, and to go up the country ; moreover, they had a
settled conviction that the voyage was to last exactly three
weeks. In addition to these there were a few who were
going to try their fortunes on their own account. One of
the latter was a Connaught " boy," who having lived upon
the coast and spent his time partly in fishing, made himself
useful about the brig, and thereby ingratiated himself into
favor with the captain, and the consequent jealousy of his
fellow-passengers, who, thinking him rather soft, took
pleasure in teasing him. Two young men from Kilkenny,
and one from the county Clare, completed the list. The
former used to astonish the Meath-men with the triple
wonders of their native city. Saturday, June 5th.
As the passengers had a great inclination to infringe
upon the after-deck, the captain drew a line, the penalty
for crossing which was the stoppage of a day's water.
I observed the sea to be crowded with myriads of slimy
looking objects, which the sailors called " slobbs." They
varied in size, form, and color ; some of them resembling
a lemon cut in half. How beautiful also was the lumi-

30

THE OCEAN PLAGUE.

nous appearance of the water at night, which I delighted
to watch, as we glided through the liquid fire:
Nor was it less pleasing to observe the " Portuguese men
of war," with their tiny sails set to the breeze, and sur
mounting the crests of the rolling billows. I had a rum
mage through the charts, and enjoyed a practical lecture
upon them, with illustrative lectures by the mistress, enliv
ened, by way of episode, with occasional contradictions
by the captain, who with rule and compass traced our
progress daily upon the great chart of the North Atlantic
ocean. We had two ships in company with us all the
day ; but they were too distant to distinguish their names.
One of the passengers having thrown the Connaughtman's
hat overboard, the captain gave him a blue and white
striped night-cap, with which on his head he strutted about,
much to the amusement of the youngsters, one of whom
attached a rope to the tail of his coat ; this he dragged after
him for some time, until Jack changed the scene by cut
ting the tail off. When Paddy discovered his loss, he was
outrageous, and made a grievous complaint to the mate,
who doctored the coat by abstracting the other tail, thereby
transforming the garment into a jacket. When the matter
came to the captain's ears, he presented Paddy with an old
pilot jacket, which made a great coat for him ; he was
therefore no loser by the affair. Sunday, June 6th.
The favorable breeze that carried us out of the channel
having forsaken us, the little progress we made was gained
by tacking, which kept the sailors constantly employed.
The passengers were dressed in their best clothes ; and pre
sented abetter appearance than I expected. The sailors also
donned their holiday toggery in the afternoon.

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 31

A group of young men being at a loss for amusement,
began to wrestle and play " pitch and toss ; " but the mate
soon put a stop to their diversions ; at which they grum
bled, saying that " they did'nt think that Mr. Mate would
be so hard."
Very few of them could read ; neither did they seem to
have any regard for the sanctity of the Sabbath. In the
evening they had prayers in the hold ; and were divided
into two parties, — those Who spoke Irish, and those who
did not ; each section having a leader, who gabbled in
his respective language a number of " Paters and Aves,"
as quickly as the devotees could count their beads.
After these religious exercises they came upon deck,
and spent the remainder of the day jesting, laughing, and
singing. We had a clear and beautiful sunset ; from which the
captain prognosticated an easterly wind.

CHAPTER III.
Thou shalt not be afraid for any terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth
by day; for the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor for the sickness that
destroyeth in the noon-day. — psalms of david. June 7th.
The passengers elected four men to govern their com
monwealth, the principal of whom had the title of " Head
committee." The other three being inactive, the sole
authority was wielded by him, much to the terror of the
little boys, who were often uproarious, and to keep whom
in order he frequently administered the "cat."
The other duties of this functionary consisted in seeing
that the hold was kept clean ; in preventing smoking below,
settling differences, &c. He was also the medium of com
munication with the " other house," he and Paddy alone
being permitted to go aft. Tuesday, June 8th.
We steered a southward course, but gained very little
longitude. The two ships were again in sight ; one was the Tamer
lane of Aberistwyth ; the other the Virginius of Liverpool ;
both fine vessels, with passengers.
The head committee reported that two women were ill ;
they were therefore dosed according to the best skill of the
mistress, who was desirous of going into the hold to see
them ; but the captain peremptorily desired her upon no

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 33
account to do so ; and kept a sharp lookout, that she
might not visit them unknown to him.
The boy, whom nothing ailed but sea-sickness and
fatigue, had recovered. 1 saw him upon deck, — a miser
able looking little animal, with a huge misshapen head,
sallow, lantern-jaws, and glassy eyes; — apparently about
twelve years of age ; but his father said that he was twenty.
I could scarcely credit him, but was assured of the fact by
his neighbours, who said that he always had the same
emaciated appearance, although he never before com
plained of illness. He went by the name of " The little
shoemaker." Wednesday, June 9th.
As we were seated at dinner, in the cabin, discussing a
savory dish of " Lobscouse " made by the mistress, we
were alarmed by the shouting of men, and screaming of
women. We hurried on deck, thinking that some one was over
board, and judge of .our terror, when we saw the fore part
of the brig in a blaze. All hands having assisted, a plen
tiful supply of water in a short time subdued the fire,
which extended no further than the caboose ; it arose from
the negligence of Simon, who fell asleep, leaving a lighted
candle stuck against the boards. This was the only bril
liant act of which he was guilty during the voyage, and as
a reward for which the mate bestowed upon him a rope's
end. Thursday, June 10th.
The only incidents of the day were, breakfast, dinner,
and supper, — the meridional observation, and the tempo
rary stir consequent on the captain corning upon deck after
3

34 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
a " snooze," and shouting out " 'bout ship." Some more
cases of illness were reported ; and the mistress was kept
busy mixing medicine, and making drinks; hoping that by
l early attention the sickness might be prevented from
spreading. Friday, June 11th.
As I was pacing the deck in the afternoon, I observed
one of the passengers, — a well looking man, with fine
brown eyes, timidly approach me. After looking about
him, to assure himself that the captain was below, he
doffed his hat and addressed me as follows : " I beg your
honor's pardon, but I hope it's no offence." Having told
him that he had given me none, he proceeded, — " Well
then master, is'nt it mighty quare intirely, and how can the
likes of us know the differ; but I hope your honor il's all
right ? " I replied that I was not aware of any thing being
wrong, and desired him to say what was the danger he
feared, which caused him to ask ; " Aragh ! why thin are we
goin back to ould Ireland ? " I demanded his reason for
such a supposition ; when after scratching his head, and
casting a glance towards the cabin, looking rather per
plexed, he went on, " That little gossoon of mine, your
honor, — a mighty smart chap he is too, and a great
scholiar entirely, he tould us, — but faith! I dunno how to
believe him, — though he got his larnin at the national
school, and can cast up figures equal to the agint, and can
read the whole side of a book without stoppin, — he says
sir, — that the sun, God bless it, sets in ihe wist." Here
he paused and looked earnestly at me, as if for a confir
mation of the fact. I therefore said that the boy's knowl
edge was pretty accurate. Seeming encouraged, he con-

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 35
tinued — " Moreover than that, he says that Ameriky,
where we all are goin to, if the Almighty God spares us,
(here he crossed himself) glory be to his name ! it's in the
wist of the world too." He again paused, and looked
enquiringly. " Well," said I, " he is pretty right there also,
America is west from Ireland." " Then master, here's
what we want to come at, you see. If Ameriky is in the
wist, musn't the sun set in it, — then why is it, your honor,
that instead of followin it, we're runnin away from it as
hard as we can lick?" Such was the fact, — a fresh
northerly breeze compelling us to bear to the south-east. I
now saw the nature of the problem he wished to have
solved, and explained the matter as explicitly as I possibly
could ; but it was some time before he comprehended me.
At length he seemed to become enlightened on the subject,
for, giving his thigh a slap of his open palm, he ex
claimed, " Och I by the powers, I see it all now ; it's as
plain as a pike-staff; and I'm sure I'm obleeged to your
honor, and so is the gossoon too. — Oh, that divil's clip, —
Jack ; wait till I ketch him. If I don't murder him it's no
matter. What do you think your honor, he tould the little
chap, when he axed him all about it? 'Why,' says he,
' sure we're goin back again for the mistress' nittin needles,
that she forgot.' So as he wouldn't tell him, nor none of
the sailors, I made bould to ax your honor, as the little
chap was loth to make so free."
On the conclusion of the dialogue, Jack, — who was
over our heads, in the shrouds, — burst into a hearty fit of
laughter. Iu which I could not but participate, when I
noticed the comicality of the arch sailor-boy's appearance,
and the simplicity of my interlocutor, who, hearing the

36 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
captain's heavy step coming up the ladder, hastily retired,
vowing vengeance upon Jack. Saturday, June 12th.
I amused myself taking a sketch of the cabin " inte
rior." It was about ten feet square, and so low that the
only part of it in which the captain could stand upright,
was under the skylight. At either side was a berth ; both
of which were filled with the mistress' boxes, the captain's
old clothes, old sails, and sundry other articles, which were
there stowed away, and concealed from view by chintz
curtains, trimmed with white cotton fringe. The ceiling
was garnished with numerous charts rolled up, and con
fined by tapes running from beam to beam ; from one of
which, — carefully covered by a cotton handkerchief, —
was suspended the captain's new hat. A small recess
above the table contained a couple of wine glasses, one of
them minus the shank ; also an antique decanter, resting
upon an old quarto prayer-book, and guarded by a danger
ous looking blunderbuss, which was supported by two
brass hooks, from one of which hung a small bag contain
ing the captain's spectacles, rule, pencil, and compass. At
each side of this recess was a locker : one of them con
taining a crock of butter, and another of eggs, besides
tobacco and soap ; the other held a fine Cheshire cheese,
a little keg of sprats, and other articles too numerous to
mention. An unhappy canary, perched within a rusty
cage, formed a pendant from the centre of the sky-light,
but a much more pleasing picture decorated one of the
panels, — a ' still-life, admirably delineating an enormous
flitch of bacon, which daily grew — less. A small door led
into the captain's state-room ; the ceiling of which was

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 37

tastefully ornamented by several bunches of dipt candles ;
while the narrow shelves groaned under the weight of, —
jars of sugar, preserves, bottled porter, spices and the other
usual necessaries for a long voyage. I was disturbed in
the progress of my portraiture by the mistress, who came
down to warm a drink at the stove, for some of the sick
folks. The two women who first became ill, were said to
show symptoms of bad fever ; and additional cases of
illness were reported by the Head committee. The
patients begged for an increased allowance of water;
which could not be granted, as the supply was very
scanty ; two casks having leaked. Sunday, June 13th.
The reports from the hold became very alarming ; and
the mistress was occupied all day attending the numerous
calls upon her. She already regretted having come the
voyage ; but her kind heart did not allow her to consult
her ease. When she appeared upon deck, she was beset
by a crowd of poor creatures, each having some request to
make ; often of a most inconsiderate kind, and few of
which it was in her power to comply with. The day was
cold and cheerless ; and I occupied myself reading in the
cabin. Monday, June 14th.
The Head committee brought a can of water to show
it to Ihe captain : it was quite foul, muddy, and bitter from
having been in a wine cask. When allowed to settle it
became clear, leaving considerable sediment in the bottom
of the vessel ; but it retained its bad taste. The mate
endeavoured to improve it by trying the effect of charcoal,
and of alum ; but some of the casks were beyond remedy,

38 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
and the contents, when pumped out, resembled nauseous
ditch water. There were now eight cases of serious ill
ness; — six of them being fever and two dysentery; —
the former appeared to be of a peculiar character, and very
alarming : the latter disease did not seem to be so violent
in degree. Tuesday, June 15th.
The reports this morning were very afflicting, and I felt
much, that I was unable to render any assistance to my
poor fellow-passengers. The captain desired the mistress
to give them every thing out of his own stores that she
considered would be of service to any of them. He felt
much alarmed ; nor was it to be wondered at that con
tagious fever, — which under the most advantageous cir
cumstances, and under the watchful eyes of the most skil
ful physicians, baffles the highest ability, — should terrify
one having Ihe charge of so many human beings, likely to
fall a prey to the unchecked progress of the dreadful dis
ease ; for once having shown itself in the unventilated hold
of a small brig, containing one hundred and ten living
creatures, how could it possibly be stayed, — without suit
able medicines, medical skill, or even pure water to slake
the patient's burning thirst ?
The prospect before us was indeed an awful one ; and
there was no hope for us but in the mecry of God.
Wednesday, June 16th.
The past night was very rough, and I enjoyed little rest.
No additional cases of sickness were reported : but there
were apparent signs of insubordination amongst the healthy
men, who complained of starvation, and the want of water

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 39
to make drinks for their sick wives and children. A depu
tation came aft to acquaint the captain with their griev
ances, but he ordered them away, and would not listen
to a word from them. When he went below, the ring
leader threatened that they would break into the provision
store. The mate did not take any notice of the threat, but re
peated to me, in their hearing, an anecdote of his own
experience when a captain ; showing with what determi
nation he suppressed an outbreak in his vessel. He con
cluded by alluding to cutlasses, and the firearms in the
cabin. And in order to make a deeper impression on
their minds, he brought up the old blunderbuss, from which
he fired a shot, the report of which was equal to that of a
small cannon. The deputation slunk away, muttering
complaints. If they were resolute, they might easily have seized up
on the provisions. In fact, I was surprised how famished
men could so patiently bear with their own, and their
starved children's sufferings ; but the captain -would wil
lingly have listened to them if it were in his power to re
lieve their distress. Thursday, June 17th.
Two new cases of fever were announced, and from
the representation of the mate, — -the poor creatures in the
hold were in a shocking state. The men who suffered
from dysentery were better; the mistress's prescription —
flour porridge with a few drops of laudanum — having '
given them relief. The requests of the friends of the fever
patients were most preposterous ; — some asking for beef,
others wine. They were all desirous of laudanum being

40 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
administered to them in order to procure sleep ; but we
were afraid to dispense so dangerous a remedy, except
with extreme caution. Our progress was almost imper
ceptible, and the captain began to grow very uneasy, there
being at the rate of the already miserable allowance of
food, but provisions for fifty days. It also now became
necessary to reduce the complement of water, and to urge
the necessity of using sea water in cookery. Friday, June 18th.
The fire-places were the scenes of endless contentions.
The sufferings they endured appeared to embitter the
wretched emigrants one against another. Their quarrels
were only ended when the fires were extinguished, at 7
o'clock, p. m. ; at which time they were surrounded by
squabbling groups, preparing their miserable evening meal.
They would not leave until Jack mounted the shrouds of
the fore-mast, and precipitated a bucket full of water on
each fire ; when they snatched up their pots and pans, and,
half blinded by the steam, descended into the hold, with
their half cooked suppers. Although Jack delighted in
teasing them, they never complained of his pranks, how
ever annoying.

CHAPTER IV.
I saw the seven angels which stood before God ; and to them were given
seven trumpets 
And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to
sound 
And the seventh angel sounded 
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it ; and death and hell delivered
up the dead which were in them : and they were judged everv man. . . .
Bevelations. June 19 th.
A shark followed us all the day, and the mate said it
was a certain forerunner of death. The cabin was like an
apothecary's shop, and the mistress a perfect slave. I en
deavoured to render her every assistance in my power.
The mate also was indefatigable in his exertions to alleviate
the miserable lot of our helpless human cargo. Not
having seen the " stowaway " on deck for some time, upon
inquiring after him, I learned that he was amongst the
sick, and was very bad ; but he was kindly attended by
the young man from the countyClare, who devoted him
self to attending the afflicted, some of whom the members
of their own families neglected to take care of.
Sunday, June 20th.
Having hinted to the captain the propriety of having
divine service read upon the Sabbath, he said that it could
not be done. Indeed, the sailors seldom had a spare mo
ment, and as to the mate, I often wondered how he got
through so much work. This day, therefore, had no mark

42 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.

to distinguish it from any other. The poor emigrants
were in their usual squalid attire; neither did the crew
rig themselves out as on former Sundays.
All were dispirited, and a cloud of melancholy hung
over us.
The poor mistress deplored that she could not get an op
portunity of reading her Bible. I pitied her from my
heart; knowing how much she felt the distress that sur
rounded us, and her anxiety to lighten ihe affliction of the
passengers. Monday, June 21st.
I was surprised at the large allowance of food served out
to the sailors. They had each 1 1-2 lbs. of beef, or pork,
daily, besides coffee, and as much biscuit as they pleased ;
but it being a temperance vessel, they had no grog, — in
lieu of which they got lime-juice. However, there was a
little cask of brandy in a corner of the cabin ; but the cap
tain was afraid to broach it, knowing the mate's propensi
ty. I noticed the latter often casting a wistful glance at it
as he rose from dinner ; and he did not fail to tell me that
it was the best possible preventive against the fever.
Tuesday, June 22nd.
One of the sailors was unable for duty, and the mate
feared he had the fever.
The reports from the hold were growing even more
alarming, and some of the patients who were mending, had
relapsed. One of the women was every moment expected
to breathe her last, and her friends, — an aunt and cousins,
— were inconsolable about her; as they persuaded her to
leave her father and mother, and come with them. The

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 43
mate said that her feet were swollen to double their natu
ral size, and covered with black putrid spots. I spent a
considerable part of the day watching a shark that followed
in our wake with great constancy. Wednesday, June 23d.
At breakfast I inquired of the mate after the young wo
man who was so ill yesterday, when he told me that she
was dead ; and when I remarked that I feared her burial
would cause great consternation, I learned that the sad or
deal was over, her remains having been consigned to the
deep within an hour after she expired. When I went on
deck I heard the moans of her poor aunt, who continued
to gaze upon the ocean as if she could mark the spot where
the waters opened for their prey. The majority of the
wretched passengers, who were not themselves ill, were
absorbed in grief for their relatives ; but some of them, it
astonished me to perceive, had no feeling whatever, either
for their fellow creatures' woe, or in the contemplation of
being themselves overtaken by the dreadful disease. There
was a further addition to the sick list, which now amount
ed to twenty. Thursday, June 24th.
Being the festival o'f St. John, and a Catholic holiday,
some young men and women got up a dance in the even-
in<*, regardless of the moans and cries of those who were
tortured by the fiery fever. When the mate spoke to them
of the impropriety of such conduct, they desisted and re
tired to the bow, where they sat down and spent the
remainder of the evening singing. The monotonous howl
ing they kept up was quite in unison with the scene of des
olation within, and the dreary expanse of ocean without.

44 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.

Friday, June 25th. 43 deg. 24 min. N. lat., 40 'deg. 4 min. W. Ion.
This morning there was a further accession to the names
upon the sick roll. It was awful how suddenly some were
stricken. A little child who was playing with its compan
ions, suddenly fell down,, and for some time was sunk in a
death-like torpor, from which, when she awoke, she com
menced to scream violently, and writhed in convulsive ag
ony. A poor woman who was warming a drink at the
fire for her husband, also dropped down quite senseless,
and was borne to her berth.
I found it very difficult to acquire precise information
respecting the progressive symptoms of the disease, the dif
ferent parties of whom I inquired disagreeing in some par
ticulars ; but I inferred that the first symptom was generally
a reeling in the head, followed by a swelling pain, as if the
head were going to burst. Next came excruciating pains
in the bones, and then a swelling of the limbs, commencing
with the feet, in some cases ascending the body, and again
descending before it reached the head, stopping at the throat.
The period of each stage varied in different patients ; some of
whom were covered with yellow, watery pimples, and oth
ers with red and purple spots, that turned into putrid sores.
Saturday, June 26th. 44 deg. 21 min. N. lat., 41 deg. 36 min. W. Ion.
Some of those who the other day appeared to bid defi
ance to the fever, were seized in its relentless grasp; and a
few who were on the recovery, relapsed. It seemed mi
raculous to me that such subjects could struggle with so
violent a disease without any effective aid.
Sunday, June 27th. 44 deg. 9 min. N. lat., 42 deg. 10 min. W. Ion.
The moaning and raving of the patients kept me awake

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 45
nearly all the night ; and I could hear the mistress stirring
about until a late hour. It made my heart bleed lo listen
to the cries for " Water, for God's sake some water." Oh !
it was horrifying ; yet, strange to say, I had no fear of tak
ing the fever, which, perhaps, under the merciful provi
dence of the Almighty, was a preventive cause. The mate,
who spent much of his time among the patients, described
to me some revolting scenes he witnessed in the hold ; but
they were too disgusting to be repeated. He became very
much frightened, and often looked quite bewildered. Monday, June 28th.
The number of patients upon the list now amounted tp
thirty, and the effluvium of the hold was shocking.
The passengers suffered much for want of pure water,
and the mate tried the quality of all the casks. Fortunately
he discovered a few which were better, and this circum
stance was rather cheering.
Tuesday, June 29th. 43 deg. 24 min. N. lat., 46 deg. 37 min. W. Ion.
The wind kept us to the south, but though occasionally
becalmed, we were slowly gaining longitude.
I could not keep my mind fixed upon a book, so I was
obliged to give over reading, and spent the day watching
the rolling of the dolphin, the aerial darts of the flying-fish,
with the gambols of numbers of porpoises that danced in
the waters around the prow. It being the mate's watch, I
remained upon deck until midnight, listening to his yarns.
Some of them were rather incredible, and upon expressing
such to be my opinion, he was inclined to take offence.
Being the hero of some of his stories himself, I could not
doubt the veracity of them, though they were not the least
marvellous. Although a well informed and intelligent

46 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
man, he was very superstitious. But it is not uncommon
for sailors to be so.
Wednesday, June 30th. 43 deg. 48 min. N. lat., 48 deg. 6 min. W. Ion.
Passing the main hatch, I got a glimpse of one of the
most awful sights I ever beheld. A poor female patient
was lying in one of the upper berths — dying. Her head
and face were swollen to a most unnatural size ; the latter
being hideously deformed. I recollected remarking the
clearness of her complexion when I saw her in health,
shortly after we sailed. She then was a picture of good
humor and contentment; now, how sadly altered ! Her
cheeks retained their ruddy hue, but the rest of her distorted
countenance was of a leprous whiteness. She had been
nearly three weeks ill, and suffered exceedingly until the
swelling set in, commencing in her feet, and creeping up
her body to her head. Her afflicted husband stood by her
holding a "blessed candle" in his hand, and awaiting the
departure of her spirit. Death put a period to her existence
shortly after I saw her. And as the sun was setting, the
bereaved husband muttered a prayer over her enshrouded
corpse, which, as he said " Amen," was lowered into the
ocean. Thursday, July 1st. 44 deg. 36 min. N. lat., 48 deg. 38 min. W. Ion.
The wind was still unfavorable, but we gained a little
by constantly tacking, and were approaching the banks of
Newfoundland. Some new cases were announced, mak
ing thirty-seven now lying. A convalescent was assisted
on deck, and seemed revived by the fresh air. He was a
miserable object. His face being yellow and withered,
was rendered ghastly by the black streak that encircled his
sunken eyes

CHAPTER V.
About midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country,
and sounded. — Acts of the Apostles. Friday, July 2nd.
We were enveloped in a dense fog, and had a horn
sounding constantly. One of the patients, who was repre
sented to be dying, sent for the mate, and giving him the
key of his box, in which there was a small sum of money,
requested him to take charge of it, and, upon his return to
Ireland, send it to his (the sick man's) mother.
The mate promised to do so, but did not consider the
poor fellow as bad as he himself feared he was. Saturday, July 3d.
Any idea I ever formed of complete horror, was excelled
by the stern reality of the frightful picture which the past
night presented. The gloom spread around by the impen
etrable fog was heightened by the dismal tone of the fog
horn, between each sound of which might be heard the
cries and ravings of the delirious patients, and occasionally
the tolling of a bell, warning us of the vicinity of some fish
ing-boat, numbers of which were scatlered over the banks.
The mate being unable to make an observation, we
were obliged to depend upon his " dead reckoning." Sunday, July 4th.
We enjoyed a favorable breeze, and the fog having

48 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
cleared off at noon, the mate had an observation, by which
we were in 45° IP N. lat., 51° 40* W. Ion. No new cases
of sickness were reported, but some of the patients were
said to be very bad.
We spoke a bark and a brig, both homeward bound;
and differed but little in longitude. There was something
exciting in listening to the friendly voice from the deep
toned speaking-trumpet, and in beholding the board
marked with the longitude. In a few moments the ensigns
were lowered, and each pursued its course.
The day was exceedingly cold ; so much so, that the
captain supposed that we were in the neighbourhood of
icebergs ; and I hoped to see one of these castellated float
ing masses, lifting its pinnacles on high, and glittering in
the rays of the sun.
Monday, July 5lh. 45 deg. 21 min. N. lat., 53 deg. 52 min. W. Ion.
The morning was foggy, and we were near running
into a French fishing-boat.
The captain having given orders for sounding, Jack was
sent to find the reel and line, which he brought up from
the depths of the lazaretto. This receptacle for all sorts of
commodities was situated below the cabin ; and it afforded
me some amusement to see the boy, by the faint lio-ht of
the lantern, groping among beef casks, pork barrels, paint
and tar pots, spars, and rusty irons. The sails having
been put aback, so that the brig stood motionless upon the
bosom of the water, the reel was held by a man at the
stern, and the line being uncoiled, was drawn outside the
ropes of the rigging, until it reached the bow. The lead
was then attached, and carried by a seaman to the point of

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 49
the bowsprit, where the sailor sat swinging the weight,
like a pendulum, until, upon the order to heave, he cast it
forth upon its mission. Bottom having been found at
thirty-four fathoms, the line was placed upon a pulley and
drawn up ; when there was found imbedded in the grease
with which the lead was filled, fine white sand, as laid
down in the chart.
The sails were again set to the breeze, and we were
once more gliding through the water, the momentary com
motion soon settling down into the usual inanity.
Tuesday, July 6th. 45 deg. 37 min. N. lat., 54 deg. 53 min. W. Ion. 7 deg.
During the past night there was a heavy fall of rain,
which left the atmosphere clear and cool.
Two men (brothers) died of dysentery, and I was awak
ened by the noise made by the mate, who was searching
for an old sail to cover the remains with. In about an
hour after, they were consigned to the deep, a remaining
brother being the solitary mourner. He continued long to
gaze upon the ocean, while a tear that dropped from his
moistened eye told the grief he did not otherwise express.
I learned in the afternoon that he was suffering from the
same complaint that carried off his brothers. Wednesday, July 7th.
The phosphorescent appearance of the ocean at night
was very beautiful. We seemed to be gliding through a
sea of liquid fire. We passed a great number of fishing-
boats, chiefly French, from the isles Miquelon and St.
Pierre. They were anchored at regular intervals, for the purpose
of catching cod-fish, which, allured by the vast numbers of
worms found upon the bottom, abound upon the banks.

50 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.

The vessels generally are large sloops, and have a platform
all round, with an awning over the deck. When a fish is
taken, it is immediately split and cleaned; then it is thrown
into the hold ; and when the latter is full, the fishermen
return home, and land their cargo, to be dried and saved-
Owing to these processes being sometimes too long
deferred, the bank fish, though larger, is considered inferior
to that taken along the coast of Newfoundland.
Great variety of opinion exists respecting the nature and
origin of these submarine banks, but none of them appears
to me so natural as this : — The stream which issues from
the Gulf of Mexico, commonly called the " Florida gulf
stream," being checked in its progress by the southern
coast of Newfoundland, deposits the vast amount of mat
ter held in suspension. This by accumulation formed the
Banks, which are still increasing in extent. The tempera
ture of the water upon the Banks is higher than that of
the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and of the ocean ; and its evap
oration causes the fog that almost perpetually prevails.
The afternoon was clear, with a gentle breeze, which
formed a ripple on the surface of the water, and gave a
beautiful appearance lo the reflection of the declining sun,
looking like jets of gas bursting from the deep.
Thursday, July 8th. 45 deg. 24 min. N. lat, 57 deg. W. Ion.
Another of the crew was taken ill, thereby reducing our
hands when they were most required. The captain had
a great dread of the coast of Newfoundland, which being
broken into deep bays, divided from each other by rocky
capes, is rendered exceedingly perilous ; more especially,
as the powerful currents set towards this inhospitable

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 51
We kept a lookout for some vessel coming from the
gulf, in order to learn the bearings of land, but did not
perceive one during the day.
# Friday, July 9lh. 46 deg. N. lat., 58 deg. W. Ion.
A few convalescents appeared upon deck. The appear
ance of the poor creatures was miserable in the extreme.
We now had fifty sick, being nearly one half the whole
number of passengers. Some entire families being pros
trated, were dependent on the charity of their neighbours,
many of whom were very kind; but others sSemed to be
possessed of no feeling. Among the former, the Head-
committee was conspicuous. The brother of the two men
who died on the sixth instant, followed them to-day. He
was seized with dismay from the time of their death, which
no doubt hurried on the malady to its fatal termination.
The old sails being all used up, his remains were placed
in two meal-sacks, and a weight being fastened at foot,
the body was placed upon one of the hatch battens, from
which, when raised over the bulwark, it fell into the deep,
and Was no more seen. He left two little orphans, one of
whom, a boy seven years of age, I noticed in the evening,
wearing his deceased father's coat. Poor little fellow ! he
seemed quite unconscious of his loss, and proud of the
accession to his scanty covering. The remainder of the
man's clothes were sold by auction, by a friend of his who
promised to take care of the children. There was great
competition, and the " Cant," as they called it, occasioned
jibing and jesting, which it was painful to listen to, sur
rounded as the actors were, (some of whom had just risen
from a bed of sickness) by famine, pestilence and death.

CHAPTER VI.
The floods are risen, 0 Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice ; the floods
lift up their waves. The waves of the sea are mighty and rage horribly : but
yet the Lord who dwelleth on high is mightier. David.
July 10th, 46 deg. 36 min. N. lat., 59 deg. 36 min. W. Ion.
We spoke a wherry which was conveying cattle from
Nova Scotia to Newfoundland, and learned from the
steersman the bearings of St. Paul's Island. We shortly
afterwards passed a large fleet, coming from the gulf, and
in the afternoon descried Cape North.
The passengers expressed great delight at seeing land,
and were under the impression that they were near their
destination, little knowing the extent of the gulf they had
to pass, and the great river to ascend. Early in the even
ing we saw Isle St. Paul, and indistinctly the point of
Cape Ray, between which and Cape North is the passage
into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. St. Paul's Island lies
about ten miles to the north of the latter cape, in latitude
47° 14* north, and longitude 60° 11* 17** west. It is a
huge rock, dividing at top into three conical peaks. Rising
boldly from the sea, there is a great depth of water all
round it, and vessels may pass at either side of it. It has
been the site of numerous shipwrecks ; many vessels,
carried out of their reckoning by the currents, having been
dashed against it when concealed by fog, and instantly
shattered to atoms.

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 53
Human bones and other memorials of these disasters are
strewed around its base. We passed the light of this
dangerous island, at 10 p. m., entering into the "goodly,
great gulf, full of islands, passages, and entrances, towards
what wind soever you please to bend." *
This gulf was first explored by John Cabot, in 1497,
who called the coast of Labrador Primavista. The Por
tuguese afterwards changed the name of that desert region
to Terra Coterealis ; and the gulf they designated as that
of the " Two Brothers,'' in memory of Gaspar and Michael
Cotereal, the first named of whom not having returned
from the second expedition he commanded, the latter went
in search of him; but neither of them were afterwards
heard of.
Jaques Cartier having entered it upon the festival of St.
Lawrence, gave to the gulf and the river flowing into it
the name they still retain. Sunday, July 11th.
We had a fair wind, and were going full sail at 7 knots
an hour. At noon we passed the Bird Islands, which are
low ledges of rocks, and swarm with gannets, numbers of
which were flying about. They were as large as geese,
and pure white with the exception of the tips of the wings,
which were jet black. Some of Mother Carey's chickens
were following in our wake, and it was highly amusing to
watch the contentions of the little creatures for bits of fat
thrown to them.
We had a distant view of the Magdalen Islands, which,
although lying nearer fo Nova Scotia, are considered as
* Cartier.

54 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
belonging to Canada ; and form a portion of the circuit
within the district of Gaspe, a court being held at Amherst
harbor annually, from 1st to 10th of July. The largest, of
the group are Bryon, Deadman's, Amherst, Entry, and
Wolf islands, which are inhabited by a hardy race of
fishermen. The huge walrus may at times be seen upon
their shores. Monday, July 12th.
In the morning we were becalmed, the water being
smooth as glass, and of a beautifully clear, green hue.
A breeze sprung up at 12 o'clock, and the captain having
provided himself and me with lines, we spent the afternoon
fishing for mackerel, which were so plenty that I caught
seventy in about two hours, when I had to give over, my
hands being cut by the line. The captain continued, and
had a barrel full by evening. They were the finest mack
erel I ever saw, and we had some at tea, which we all
enjoyed as a delicious treat after six weeks of salt beef and
biscuit diet. Many of the passengers having noticed
our success, followed our example, and lines were out from
every quarter; all the twine, thread, &c. that could be made
out, being put into requisition, with padlocks and bolts for
weights, and wire hooks. Even with such rude gear, they
caught a great number ; but their recreation was suddenly
terminated, a young man who was drawing in a fish having
dropped upon the deck quite senseless, and apparently
dead. He was carried below and'put into his berth, there
to pass through the successive stages of the fever.
Tuesday, July 13th.
We were again becalmed during the forenoon, but a

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 55
breeze that soon became a gale arose about one o'clock, p.
m., and lasted until evening, being accompanied by thun
der and lightning, and followed by a heavy shower of rain.
The clouds cleared away at sunset, when we were within
10 or 12 miles of the eastern point of the island of Anticosti,
which when the captain perceived, he gave the order to
sheer off on the other tack. This island is particularly
dangerous, being surrounded by sunken reefs. It is of
considerable extent, being 130 miles in length from east to
west, and 30 miles across its greatest breadth. Its surface
is low and level, and covered with a pristine forest, through
which prowls the bear, undisturbed, except when hunted
by Indians, who periodically resort hither for that purpose.
The sterility of its soil offering no inducement to the
white man, it is uninhabited, except by the keepers of the
lighthouses, to which are attached small establishments
for the purpose of affording relief to shipwrecked mariners.
The name Anticosti is probably a corruption of Natiscotee,
which it is called by the aborigines. Cartier named it
"L'isle de 1' Assumption. Wednesday, July 14th.
We had the bold headlands of capes Gaspe and Rosier
on our left, and had entered the majestic river St. Lawrence,
which here, through a mouth ninety miles in width, after
a course of upwards of 2,000 miles, disgorges the accu
mulated waters of the. great lakes, swollen by the acces
sion of hundreds of tributaries, (some of them noble rivers,)
draining an almost boundless region.
The reports of the sufferings in the hold were heart
rending. Simon and Jack were both taken ill.

56 THE OCEAN PLAGUE. Thursday, July 15th.
Last night I was suddenly wakened by the captain,
shouting "get up! get up! and come on deck quickly."
Somewhat alarmed, I obeyed the summons as speedily as
possible, and was well recompensed for the start, by the
magnificence of the glorious scene I beheld. The northern
portion of the firmament was vividly illuminated with a
clear though subdued light, while across it shot fiery me
teors from different directions ; now rushing against each
other as if engaged in deadly warfare ; again gliding about
in wanton playfulness.
Disappearing for a while, and leaving behind a faintly
luminous trail, they would again burst forth upon their
stage, lighted up by a sudden flash for the igneous perform
ers. I watched with delight until the lustrous picture was
finally enshrouded in darkness, when I returned to bed.
There was a birth on board this morning, and two or
three deaths were momentarily expected. The mate's ac
count of the state of the hold was harrowing. It required
the greatest coercion to enforce any thing like cleanliness
or decency ; and the Head committee had no sinecure of
fice. I spent the greater part of the day upon deck, admir
ing the numberless jets d'eau of the bottlenosed whales that
plunged about in the water. The poor mistress was
greatly grieved about Jack and Simon ; and the captain
was savage for lack of assistance. , Friday, July 16th.
We were tacking about all day, which though tedious I
enjoyed, as it afforded an opportunity of seeing both shores
of the noble river. That to the north is indescribably grand ;
rugged mountains rising precipitously from out the water,

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 57
and indented by sweeping bays, in which are numerous
islets. Towards evening we were in view of Seven Islands
bay, lovely though desolate. No human eyes behold this
region of unbroken solitude, save now and then those which
can but lightly appreciate its grandeur. I cannot describe
the effect produced by the mist that sometimes completely
hides the mountains — rolling up their sides, and re
sembling gracefully festooned drapery.
The sailors who could work were greatly harassed by
being obliged to tack repeatedly. The mate, especially,
was one moment down in the hold waiting on some dying
fellow-creature ; the next, perhaps, stretched across a yard,
reefing a top-sail. Although lame, he was surprisingly ac
tive, and used to astonish the emigrants, one of whom said
to me, " Och ! your honor, isn't Mister Mate a great bit of

a man

?»

Saturday, July 17th.
The morning was fine, and shortly after breakfast I was
upon deck admiring the beauty of the pine-clad hills upon
the southern shore of the river, when the captain came up
from the cabin, and after looking about gave the word to
" double reef top-sails and make all snug." Not long
after, the sky, which had been quite clear, became black,
and a violent gale arose, lashing the water into tremendous
waves, which tossed us mercilessly about ; one moment
borne up by an angry billow ; the next, plunging into a
deep abyss. The roaring wind was drowned by the tre
mendous noise of successive peals of thunder, while the
forked lightning played about in zig-zag lines, and the rain
descended in torrents.
At 5, p. m., the wind abated, and the waves began to
4

58 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
subside. About an hour after, the leaden clouds parted,
and, as if in defiance of the contending elements, the sun
set in gorged us splendor. The poor passengers were
greatly terrified by the storm, and suffered exceedingly.
They were so buffetted about that the sick could not be
tended ; and after calm was restored a woman was found
dead in her berth.

CHAPTER VII.
So frequent death,
Sorrow he more than causes, but confounds ;
For human sighs, his rival strokes contend,
And make distress, distraction. young.
Sunday, July 18th.
I was enchanted with the extraordinary beauty of the
scenery I beheld this morning, when I came on deck. —
The early beams of the sun played upon the placid surface
of the river, here forty miles wide, the banks on either
hand being moderately elevated, and covered with firs.
On the north was Cape des Monts, terminating in a low
point, on which stood alight-house and diminutive cottage.
On the south Cape Chat rose to a considerable height ; the
outline of its summit being broken by sudden gaps, giv
ing to it a character that to me was unique.
An unbroken stillness reigned around, as if nature Were
at rest after the storm of the previous day ; and our brig
lay almost motionless upon the water.
I occupied myself again and again noting, so as to im
press upon my mind, the peerless beauty I am unable to
portray, and in reading the Acts of the Apostles. I felt a
renewed interest in the account of St. Paul's voyages, as I
could now appreciate by experience the force and accuracy
of their description. We made no way, and it was with
difficulty we retained our position against the current.

60 THE OCEAN PLAGUE. Monday, July 19th.
Another death and burial. A few who had been ill,
again appeared on deck, weak, and weary. The want of
pure water was sensibly felt by the afflicted creatures, and
we were yet a long way from where the river loses its
saltness. In the morning there came alongside of us a
beautiful little schooner, from which we took a pilot on
board. When he found that we had emigrants, and so
much sickness, he seemed to be frightened and disap
pointed; as he had avoided a large ship, thinking we had
not passengers. However, he could not nor dare he re
treat. The first thing he did was to open his huge trunk,
and take from it a pamphlet, whi6h proved to be the quar
antine regulations ; he handed it to the captain, who spent
a long time poring over it. When he had read it I got a
look at it — one side was printed in French, the other in
English. The rules were very stringent, and the penalties
for their infringement exceedingly severe ; the sole con
trol being vested in the head physician, the power given
to whom was most arbitrary. We feared that we should
undergo a long detention in quarantine, and learned that
we could hold no communication whatever with the shore
until our arrival at Grosse Isle.
The pilot was a heavy, stupid fellow — a Canadian,
speaking a horrible patois, and broken English ; he was
accompanied by his nephew and apprentice, Pierre, a fine
lad. The wind favored us for some hours, and towards even
ing we saw Mount Camille upon the southern bank, ris
ing above the surrounding hills lo a height of 2036 feet.

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. G 1
Tuesday, July 20th.
Our course lying more to the southern bank of the river,
I could observe minutely the principal objects upon that
side. Many charming tributary streams rolled along sweet,
valleys, enfolded in the swelling hills, whose sides . were
clothed with verdure. I would fain explore each of Ihese
enchanting vales ; but too soon we passed them, and some
jutting cape would hide from view the little settlements at
each embouchure. The most considerable of these, was
that upon Point aux Snellez, near the mouth of the river
Metis, about 200 miles from Quebec. Here commences
the Kempt road, which terminates at Cross point on the
river Restigouche, — a distance of 98 miles. A new road,
connecting this with Grande Nouvelle on the Bay of Cha-
leur, completes the communication with Halifax.
Wednesday, July 21st.
' A thick fog concealed every object from view, at times
so low as only to hide the hulls of vessels, by whose rig
ging we could perceive them tacking like ourselves ; the
sky being unclouded. A strong wind blew down the river,
which together with the forcible current kept us back.
One of the sick sailors reappeared upon deck, but was too
weak to resume duty ; the other man was still very bad ;
as were also Simon and Jack.
Simon got up from his berth in a delirious fit, and ran
down to the cabin, where his wild appearance nearly
frightened the life out of the mistress. It was with diffi
culty he was laid hold of ; and he resisted violently while
he was carried back lo his hammock, in the forecastle,
where he was strapped down.

62 THE OCEAN PLAGUE. Thursday, July 22nd.
Soon after retiring to my berth last night, I heard a
grating noise, accompanied by a tremulous motion of the
brig, and felt, alarmed, fearing that we had grounded upon
some bank ; but my anxiety was relieved, by learning that
it was caused by the dropping of the anchor, it being
useless to contend against both wind and current. The
latter here being strengthened by the vast body of water
discharged from the river Saguenay. When I came on
deck this morning, I found that we were anchored off the
village of Trois Pistolles, with Cape L'Orignal to the east,
and Basque Isle on the west. Being the first Canadian
village I had seen, I was delighted by the rural aspect of
the pretty white cottages with red roofs, scattered over the
sloping bank, each surrounded by a small garden. The
captain was impatient, and though the pilot said it would
only tend to harass the sailors, we weighed anchor at
noon, and after beating about all the day, again came to,
near the same spot as before. A child, one of the
orphans, died and was buried in the evening, no friend
being by lo see the frail body committed to its watery
grave. The water could not be used by the wretched
emigrants, and but half a cask of that provided for the
cabin and crew remained ; they were therefore obliged to
use the saline water of the river. Friday, July 23d.
We remained at anchor all day, a fresh breeze blowing
down the river. Some of the recovered patients who were
slowly regaining strength, had relapsed into the most vio
lent stages, and three new cases were announced, showing
exceedingly virulent symptoms.

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 63
The wind abated at noon, and it was quite calm for
about an hour. During this period I was upon deck, and
on looking across the river was greatly astonished at per
ceiving something resembling an island, which I had not
before noticed. It was circular, and quite black. I spent
some time in conjecturing what it could be ; the captain
could not tell ; and the pilot was asleep. At length two
vessels sailing down the river, when they came near this
object, assumed a similar appearance, from which I imme
diately inferred that it was a ship at anchor, transformed
by mirage.
As the vessels sailed along, they underwent extraordi
nary metamorphoses — sometimes the bow and stern were
turned up like those of a Chinese junk ; at others the hulls
were up in the air and the masts seemingly in the water ;
the latter being twisted and curved. A cottage upon the
north bank stood apparently upon the surface of the river,
and the light-house on Bic island had a duplicate of itself
perched upon it, the copy being inverted, lantern down
and base up. The illusions occurred only within certain
limits, which were defined by an appearance distinct from
the surrounding atmosphere. The difference being some
thing like that presented by clear water and the empty
space within a half filled vial,

CHAPTER VIII.
These are miracles, which man,
Cag'd in the bounds of Europe's pigmy plan,
Can scarcely dream of ; which his eye must see,
To know how beautiful this world can be. moore.
Saturday, July 24th.
We once more weighed anchor this morning, and beat
about all the day between Trois Pistolles and the mouth
of the river Escamin, which discharges itself nearly opposite,
upon the north shore. We had a large fleet of ships,
barques, and brigs in company, two of which were trans
ports with troops. It was a pleasing sight to see such a
number of vessels, continually passing each other, and
each evidently endeavoring to gain upon the rest, every
tack. In the afternoon a brig hoisted her ensign as a signal of
recognition, and upon the next tack we passed near enough
to speak ; when the captain turned out to be a particular
friend of our captain and the mistress. They kept up a
regular conversation the rest of the day, every time we
met, which was pretty often ; each inquiring of the other,
the number of deaths? — what sickness? — how many
days out? — from what port? &c. &c. We learned, much
to our surprise, that she had a greater number of
deaths than we ; and this news was very consoling to the
mistress. Towards evening the wind abated, and we were
in hope that it was about to change. It died away alto-

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 65
gether, and the vessels that before shot past one another,
were now almost motionless, and scattered over the surface
of the river, which here is twenty-five miles wide. At
sunset we lay at the north side, and could almost reach the
trees covering the bank. I have seen many a beautiful
sunset, but all fade before the exquisite beauty of that
which I witnessed this evening. The glorious luminary
sunk behind the dark blue hills, upon the summits of
which seemed to rest the border of heaven's canopy, dyed
in crimson sheen, softening down to a light orange tint, that
imperceptibly blended with the azure sky, which was here
and there hid by fleecy vermilion clouds. Cape L' Orignal
was clothed in a vesture of purple, of every shade, from
violet to that of the deepest hue, o'ershadowing the village
of Trois Pistolles. There was not a ripple upon the water,
but gentle undulations heaved its bosom, decked in a tissue
of carmine, ultramarine, and gold. Such vividness and
variety of colors I never before conceived, or since experi
enced. Oh ! thought I, why is not Danby here to fix them
upon imperishable canvass ? As night came on the pilot
grew uneasy, there not being good anchorage at that side ;
however, a slight breeze from the old quarter wafted us
across, to the very spot where we before lay, and where
we again dropped anchor in the midst of our consorts.
Sunday, July 25th.
We lay at anchor all day, the wind blowing strongly
against us. It was exceedingly trying to be detained here
within a few miles of the tidal influence, having once
gained which, we would be independent of the wind. The
poor patients, too, were anxiously looking out for the quar
4#

66 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
antine station, where they hoped to find some alleviation
to their sufferings. The mistress and mate were uneasy,
as the cabin water was nearly out, and they feared to let
the captain know of it. I was obliged to remain below,
the effluvia from the hold being quite overpowering. I
could hear the tolling of the village church-bell, and its
sweet tone induced me to go on deck for a few moments,
where I was charmed with the appearance of the showily
dressed Canadians, some standing in groups, talking ; oth
ers seated upon benches, while caleshes were momentarily
arriving with "habitans" from distant settlements, who,
after tying up their horses under a shed close by the "pres-
bytere," joined the chatting parties until the bell ceased,
when all retired within the church. Monday, July 26th.
The wind was not so strong, and the effluvia not quite
so unpleasant. I was therefore not so much confined to
the cabin. The captain was desirous of sailing, but the
pilot would not consent ; and the latter proved to be right,
as two of the vessels weighed anchor in the morning, and
after beating about for a couple of hours were obliged to
come to. A pretty stream, — the mingled waters of the
Abawisquash and Trois Pistolles rivers, — flows into the
St. Lawrence, adjacent to the village. Like all the fribu-
taries upon the southern side, it is of inconsiderable length,
the hills in which they have their sources lying at no great
distance from the bank. But many of those which empty
themselves at the north side, as the Manicouagan, Bustard,
Belsiamites, Portneuf, &c, are fine rivers, rising in the ele
vated ridge that divides Canada from the Hudson's Bay
territory ; and in their courses through the untrodden for-

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 67
ests expanding into large lakes. After dinner the mistress
carried the baby that was born on board, down to the cab
in. The captain at first was very angry ; but a smile upon
the face of the little innocent, softened his heart, and he
soon caressed it with all the endearments he was in the
habit of lavishing upon the canary ; when tired of which
amusement, he opened the locker and took therefrom an
egg, which he held up to the light and looked through, to
see if it were good. Not being satisfied on that point, he
tried another, and then another, until he got one to please
him. He next got some salt, and opening the infant's litt'e
hand, placed it upon the palm, and gently closed the tiny
fingers upon it. He then performed a similar operation
upon the other, enclosing a shilling in lieu of salt. The
egg he handed to the mistress to send to the mother, and
acquaint her that he wished Ihe child to be called "Ellen,"
after her.
The mistress, kind to all, was particularly so to the little
children, about twenty of whom we had aboard. One
poor infant, whose father and mother (neither of whom
were twenty years of age) were both ill and unable to take
care of it, she paid a woman for nursing; and I could not
believe it to be the same child when I saw it clean and
comfortably covered with clothes she made for it. Jack
came upon deck. Poor fellow! he was sadly altered. Si
mon also was reported to be better, but unable to leave his
hammock. The mate began to complain, and the brandy
cask, (which had been broached,) supplied his remedy.
Tuesday, July 27th.
The wind veered about five o'clock last evening, and the

68 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.

vessels, one by one, sailed away. Our pilot saying that it
would again change in a short time, was not inclined to
weigh anchor, but the captain insisted upon doing so. At
6 p. m. we were once more in motion, and in a few min
utes were in full sail, going seven knots an hour. Basque
island was soon left behind, and stemming the dark waters
discharged by the Saguenay, as day was fading, we
were before Tadousac, a settlement at the mouth of that
grand river. The Saguenay ranks second amongst the
tributaries of the St. Lawrence ; indeed, although its course
is not so long, it is supposed to convey a larger body of
water than the Ottawa. At its juncture with the St. Law
rence it is about a mile wide ; but in some parts it expands
to three. At a distance of one hundred and forty miles it
receives the waters of lake St. John, which is the reservoir
of numerous rivers, some of which are precipitated into it
by magnificent rapids and falls. This lake, which is about
one hundred miles in circumference, is remarkable for its
shallowness, from which cause the navigation of it is fre
quently dangerous ; as the least wind produces a ground
swell and breakers. Its water is said to be tepid, and it
abounds with a variety of fish, great quantities of which
are taken at the mouth of the Ouiatchouan river, where
there is a station, at which they are salted and packed for
traffic. The climate is very salubrious, and the soil of the
great valley that borders the lake is susceptible of the high
est culture. A few Indians wander over this fine tract of
country, which it is the intention of the provincial govern
ment to open to French Canadians, whose laws acknowl
edging no right of primogeniture, they have overpopulated
many of the old settlements. The Indians call this fine-

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 69
sheet of water, " Piegougamis," signifying " the flat lake."
First-class ships can ascend the Saguenay to Chicoutimi,
a distance of sixty-eight miles. There is a small settle
ment here, the communication between which and the
lake, being broken by rapids, can only be overcome by ex
perienced " voyageurs " in canoes. At Ha-Ha Bay, eigh
teen miles below Chicoutimi, there is a pretty large settle
ment, and here the river assumes its grand and romantic
feature, passing for the remainder of its course between
almost perpendicular cliffs, from one thousand to fifteen
hundred feet in height. Its great depth is another charac
teristic; bottom not being found near the mouth with a
line of three hundred and thirty fathoms ; while the depth
of the St. Lawrence at the junction is but two hundred and
forty feet. However, its great rapidity renders it impossi-,
ble accurately to learn its soundings.

CHAPTER IX.
But soft ! the tinges of the west decline,
And night falls dewy o'er these banks of pine.
Among the reeds in which our idle boat
Is rock'd to rest, the wind's complaining note
Dies, like a half breath'd whispering of flutes.
Along the waves the gleaming porpoise shoots,
And I can trace him like a wat'ry star,
Down the steep current, till he fades afar
Amid the foaming breakers' silvery light,
Where yon rough rapids sparkle through the night. — mooke.
July 27th.
Feeling somewhat excited by the sudden acceleration
of our progress, I determined to remain on deck until the
turn of the tide would compel us to come to an anchor.
There was something also most enchanting in being waft
ed by both wind and tide, at the rate of ten knots an hour,
watching the lights upon the different islands, and the
myriads of bright stars that studded the firmament, and
were reflected in the darkened surface of the broad river,
which upon the north side was overshadowed by the
mountainous banks, while the southern shore might be
traced by a continuous line of flickering lamps within the
cottages upon its border. We soon left Green island be
hind us; then Hare island and Riviere du Loup, upon
which is a large settlement with a population of about fif
teen hundred. There are some large saw-mills here, and
a "portage" leading through Madawaska to the lower
provinces. After passing the Pilgrims, a group of rocky

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 71
islets, I went below, and had not long " turned in" when I
heard and felt the dropping of the anchor.
In the morning I found that we lay off Kamouraska,
which is charmingly situated in a rich district, at the base
of a chain of hills that rise behind the village, and stretch
far beyond it. This lovely spot, being one of the healthiest
places in Lower Canada, attracts many visitors during the
summer season. It is also enriched by the fisheries estab
lished upon the numerous islands that lie immediately in
front, supplying abundance of shad, salmon, herrings, &c.
Directly opposite, upon Ihe other side of the river, is Mur
ray Bay, into which flows the Malbaie River, upon whose
banks reside the descendants of Wolfe's highlanders, many
of whom settled there, after the campaign.. The bay is
environed by an amphitheatre of majestic hills, cultivated
to the very summits, their sloping sides being dotted over
with comfortable abodes.
We weighed anchor at noon, and gently glided through
a scene of indescribable loveliness. The noble river here
unbroken by islands, presented a lake-like expanse, bound
ed by the lofty Cap Diable, and Goose Cape. Village
succeeded village upon the soulh shore ; and the gigantic
hills upon the north were adorned by sweet alpine cots,
surrounded by cleared patches of land, embosomed by
the dark green pines. The weather was very warm, and
nature basked in uninterrupted sunshine. Oh ! what a
contrast to this magic beauty was presented within our
floating pest-house ; not that matters were worse than they
had been ; there was rather an abatement in the violence
of the fever, and I perceived some faces, that I with diffi
culty recognized, so changed were they since I saw them,

72 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
before their illness. Simon and Jack were both on deck, the
former being deprived of memory, and partially deranged
in his mind. Poor fellow! having, the previous voyage,
fallen from the topsail yard, and injured his head, his intel
lect was thereby impaired, and the fever confirmed the
insanity, which had not left him when I quitted the brig,
some three weeks after. Being now in fresh water the
passengers were relieved of one calamity, and the women
who were able, were busy washing; two or three men
were also similarly engaged, their wives being unable ; and
we endeavoured to impress upon them the fact, that the
length of our detention in quarantine would greatly depend
on the cleanliness of their persons, and of the hold. There
were still some very bad cases, and the poor Head com
mittee w&s in great trouble about his wife, who was dying.
The mate still kept up, being afraid of going to hospital,
but it was quite evident that he was very ill indeed.
We passed two steamers that were going down the
river to tow up ships. We also had a Scotch brig, the
" Delta," in company.
At 6 p. m., the tide being on the ebb, we once more an
chored, opposite lo the Isle aux Coudres, which lies in
front of St. Paul's bay. This beautiful island was so
named by Cartier, who found upon it a profusion of fil
berts. A smaller island lies inside of it, whose origin is
thus accounted for m a manuscript belonging to the Jesuit
college of Quebec ;. which relates the effects of the earth
quake felt throughput Canada in 1663 : — " Near St. Paul's
bay (fifty miles below Quebec, on the north side,) a moun
tain about a quarter of a league in circumference, situated
on the shore of the St. Lawrence, was precipitated into

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 73
the river ; but, as if it had only made a plunge, it rose from
the bottom and became a small island, forming with the
shore a convenient harbour, well sheltered from all winds."
The same authority says, " Lower down the river, towards
Point Alouettes, an entire forest of considerable extent
was loosened from the main bank, and slid into the river
St. Lawrence, where the trees took fresh root."
The rivers Du Gouffre and Des Marees. empty them
selves into St. Paul's bay, flowing through luxuriant val
leys, intervening between the detached mountains.
Delightfully located upon an eminence, on the south
bank, stands the village of St. Anne, at the head of a bay
of the same name, into which flows the river Ouelle. It
is large, and has a Catholic College, and some handsome
churches. The surrounding country is highly cultivated, presenting
every feature of softness and beauty that can adorn a land
scape. The evening was a charming one, — clear and still, — the
water smooth as a mirror, in which gleamed the reflection
of the tin covered roofs and spires, that glittered in the rays
of the setting sun ; while occasionally a huge snow-white
porpoise rose above the surface, plunging again beneath the
water, which closing, formed circles, becoming larger and
larger, until the unwieldy creature again appeared and
formed them anew. I remained on deck long after all
had retired to rest, and watched the gray twilight creeping
over day, until it was illumined by the pale moon, which
soon smiled upon one of earth's most beauteous pictures.
I retired to my berth, and took a short repose; which
was broken shortly after midnight by the weighing of the

74 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
anchor. As I wished not to lose the sight of the least
part of the river (which I loved to look upon by night as
well as by day), I hurried on deck.
We passed through the Traverse • — an intricate channel,
marked by floating lights — and by the Pillars, a group of
dangerous rocks on one of which is a revolving light. At
day-break we were passing Goose island, which at low
water is connected with Crane island, on the northern
extremity of which is the handsome residence of the sei
gneur. The southern bank presented the same charm
ing features, and in the distance I discerned the chain of
hills claimed by the United States as the boundary of the
State of Maine. In a short time we arrived before the
village of St. Thomas, picturesquely situated on the banks
of Riviere du Sud, in which were anchored some vessels
which were being freighted with lumber from the several
saw-mills. The soil in this neighbourhood is exceedingly
productive, and is well cultivated ; on which account it is
called the granary of the lower province. The village is
of considerable extent, and is composed of white houses,
clustering around a pretty church. A few miles further
sail brought us among a number of beautiful islets — so
beautiful that they seemed like a fairy scene ; their verdant
turf was almost level with the blue water that wound
amongst them, submerging not a few, so that the first that
grew upon them appeared to rise from the river. A vast
fleet of vessels lying at anchor told that we had arrived at
Grosse Isle; and after wending our way amongst isles
and ships, we dropped anchor in the ground allotted for
vessels upon arrival, and hoisted our ensign at the peak
as a signal for the inspecting physician to board us.

CHAPTER X.
And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me ; and, lo, a roll of a
book was therein ;
And he spread it before me ; and it was written within and without ; and
there was written therein, lamentations, and mourning, and woe. — Ezekiel.
Grosse Isle, July 28th.
By 6. a. m., we were settled in our new position before
the quarantine station. The passengers that were able to
be up were all busy, cleaning and washing, some clearing
the hold of filth, others assisting the sailors in swabbing
the deck. The mistress herself washed out the cabin last
evening, and put every thing in order.
The captain commenced shaving himself at 7, and
completed the operation in about an hour and a half. The
mate was unable to do anything, but kept repeatedly calling
to the mistress for brandy, and requested that his illness
should be kept from the doctor, as he was sure he had not
fever. Breakfast was speedily despatched, and anxiety was
depicted on every countenance. At 9 o'clock a boat was
perceived pulling towards us, with four oars and a steers
man with a broad leafed straw hat and lea! her coat, who
the pilot told us was the inspecting physician. In a few
minutes the boat was alongside, and the doctor on deck.
He hastily enquired for the captain, and before he could be
answered was down in the cabin where the mistress was
finishing her toilet. Having introduced himself, he en
quired if we had sickness aboard? — Its nature? — How

76 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
many deaths ? — How many patients at present? These
questions being answered, and the replies noted upon his
tablet, he snatched up his hat, — ran up the ladder, — along
the deck, — and down into the hold. Arrived there, " ha ! "
said he, sagaciously, " there is fever here." He stopped
beside the first berth in which a patient was lying, — felt
his pulse, — examined his tongue, — and ran up the ladder
again. As he passed by me he handed me some papers
to be filled -up by the captain, and to have ready " to
morrow or next day." In an instant he was in his boat,
from which, while the men were taking up their oars, he
shouted out to me lhat I was not obliged to remain in
quarantine, and might go up to Quebec when I pleased.
I brought the papers to the captain, who remained in the
cabin, supposing that the doctor would return thither, in
order to give directions for our guidance ; and when he
learned that that gentleman had gone, he was desperately
enraged. The mistress endeavored to pacify him by sug
gesting that it was likely he would visit us again in the course
of the day, or at least that he would send a message to us.
When I acquainted the mistress that I was at liberty to leave
the brig, she looked at me most pitifully, as if she would say,
" Are you too going to desert us." But I had no such in
tention, and was determined to remain with them, at all
events until they reached Quebec. The poor passengers
expecting that they would be all reviewed, were dressed in
their best clothes, and were clean, though haggard and
weak. They were greatly disappointed in their expecta
tions, as they were under the impression that the sick would
be immediately admitted to the hospital, and the healthy
landed upon the island, there to remain until taken to

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 77
Quebec by a steamer. Indeed, such was the procedure to
be inferred from the book of directions given to the captain
by the pilot, when he came aboard.
When the mistress appeared on deck, I scarcely knew
her. She usually wore a black stuff gown, a red worsted
" bosom friend," which she told me (at least once a day,)
was knit for her by her neice; — with a cap having three
fall borders, which projected beyond the leaf of the little
straw bonnet, covered with the accumulated stains and
smoke of many a voyage. Now, she had on a new fancy
striped calico dress, as showy as deep reds, yellows, blues
and greens could make it, — a black satin bonnet, with no
lack of red ribands, and a little conservatory of artificials
around her good natured face, — not forgetting her silver
spectacles. All day long we kept looking out for a mes
sage from shore, and in watching the doctor's boat, going
from vessel to vessel ; his visit to each occupying about
the same time as to us, which was exactly five minutes.
We sometimes fancied that he was making for us, but the
boat the next moment would be concealed by some large
ship ; then we were sure we would be the next ; but no,
the rowers pulled for shore. The day wore away before
we gave up hope.
I could not believe it possible, that here within reach of
help we should be left as neglected as when upon the
ocean ; — that after a voyage of two months' duration, we
were to be left still enveloped by reeking pestilence, the
sick without medicine, medical skill, nourishment, or so
much as a drop of pure water ; for the river although not
saline here, was polluted by the most disgusting objects,
thrown overboard from the several vessels. In short,

78 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.

it was a floating mass of filthy straw, the refuse of foul
beds, barrels containing the vilest matter, old rags, and tat
tered clothes, &c, &c. The Head committee was greatly
grieved for his wife, whose death he momentarily expect
ed. He had looked anxiously forward to the time when
we should arrive here, hoping that at least the doctor
would see her; but his hopes, as well as those of others,
were suddenly blasted. The brig that arrived with us
sailed for Quebec immediately after the doctor's visit, pos
sibly not having had any sickness : five other vessels also
were discharged. How long they were detained, we could
not tell; but the captain was so provoked, that he vowed
he would sail without permission. The pilot, who did not
well understand his hasty disposition, ventured to remon
strate with him, and fell in for a hurricane of curses and
abuse ; to which, though ignorant of many of the expres
sions, he replied in French, not finding himself sufficiently
eloquent in the English tongue.
Four vessels arrived with the evening tide, and hoisted
their signals, but were not visited. Several sailed by us
without stopping, not having passengers, and a vast num
ber went down the river during the day. Two huge
steamers also arrived, and in the afternoon brought off
hundreds of human beings from the island. Thursday, July 29th.
This morning a boat was perceived making towards us,
which at first was thought to be the doctor's ; but when it
approached nearer there appeared but two persons in it,
both of whom were rowing. In a few minutes more the
boat was alongside, and from the cassocks and bands of

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 79
the two gentlemen we learned that they were Canadian
priests. They came on deck, each carrying a large black
bag. They inquired for the captain, who received them
courteously, and introduced them to the mistress and to
me, after which they conversed awhile in French with the
pilot, whom they knew; when, having put on their vest
ments, they descended into the hold. They there spent a
few minutes with each of the sick, and administered the
last rites to the dying woman and an old man, terminating
their duties by baptizing the infant. They remained in
the hold for about an hour, and when they returned com
plimented the captain on the cleanliness of the vessel.
They staid a short time talking to us upon deck, and the
account they gave of the horrid condition of many of the
ships in quarantine was frightful. In the holds of some of
them they said, that they were up to their ancles in filth.
The wretched emigrants crowded together like cattle, and
corpses remaining long unburied, the sailors being ill, and
the passengers unwilling to touch them. They also told
us of the vast numbers of sick in the hospitals, and in tentsi
upon the island, and that many nuns, clergymen and doc
tors, were lying in typhus fever, taken from the patients.
They were exceedingly intelligent and gentlemanly men,
and telling us that we had great cause of thankfulness in
having escaped much better than so many others, they
politely bowed, and got into their little boat, amid the
blessings of the passengers, who watched them until they
arrived beside a distant ship.
The Head committee expressed himself satisfied that
his wife saw a priest before her death, which occurred
about an hour after ; and as the pilot said that the remains

80 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.

should not be thrown into the river, there being a burial
ground upon the island, the corpse lay in the hold until
the next day.
The mate continued to grow worse, and the mistress
was unceasing in her attention to him. The day was ex
ceedingly hot and sultry, and I could not have remained
on deck, but the captain spread an awning over it, which
kept the cabin cool. We lay at some distance from the
island, the distant view of which was exceedingly beautiful.
At the far end were rows of white tents and marquees, _
resembling the encampment of an army ; somewhat nearer
was the little fort, and residence of the superintendent
physician, and nearer still the chapel, seaman's hospital,
and little village, with its wharf and a few sail boals ; the
most adjacent extremity being rugged rocks, among
which grew beautiful fir trees. At high water this portion
was detached from the main island, and formed a most
picturesque islet. But this scene of natural beauty was
sadly deformed by the dismal display of human suffer
ing that it presented ; — helpless creatures being carried by
sailors over ihe rocks, on their way to the hospital, — boats
arriving with patients, some of whom died in their trans
mission from their ships. Another and still more awful
sight, was a continuous line of boats, each carrying its
freight of dead to the burial-ground, and forming an endless
funeral procession. Some had several corpses, so tied up
in canvass that the stiff, sharp outline of death was easily
tracpable ; others had rude coffins, constructed by the sail
ors, from the boards of their berths, or I should rather say,
cribs. In a few, a solitary mourner attended the remains ;
but the majority contained no living beings save the rowers.

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. gi

I could not remove my eyes until boat after boat was hid
by the projecting point of the island, round which they
steered their gloomy way. From one ship, a boat pro
ceeded four times during the day ; each time laden with a
cargo of dead. I ventured to count the number of boats
that passed, but had to give up the sickening task.
The inspecting doctor went about from vessel to vessel,
six of which came in each tide, and as many sailed.
We expected him to visit us every moment ; but he did
not come near us.
In the afternoon a boat made for our brig, and the mis
tress, who was on deck, was greatly delighted to find that
it contained two " captains," one of whom was her nephew.
One arrived the day before we came ; the other a day pre
vious. They were as ignorant of the course of proceeding
as we ; and before they went away it was agreed on, that
they, our captain, and I, should wait on the superintendent
physician the next day.

CHAPTER XI.
As from the wing no scar the sky retains,
The parted wave no furrow from the keel,
So dies in human hearts the thought of death.
,E'en with the tears which nature shed
O'er those we love, we drop it in their graves. Yotjng.
s Friday, July 30th.
This morning, when I came on deck, a sailor was busily
employed constructing a coffin for the remains of the
Head committee's wife; and it was afflicting to hear
the husband's groans and sobs accompanying each sound
of the saw and hammer, while with his motherless infant
in his arms he looked on. About an hour after, the boat
was lowered, and the bereaved husband, with four rowers,
proceeded to the burial ground to inter the corpse ; and
they were followed by many a tearful eye, until the boat
disappeared behind the rocky point.
At 10, a. m., we descried the doctor making for us, his
boatmen pulling lustily through the heavy sea ; a few min
utes brought him alongside and on board, when he ran
down to the cabin and demanded if the papers were filled
up with a return of the number of deaths at sea? how
many cases of sickness ? &c. He was handed them by
the captain; when he enquired, — how many patients we
then had ; he was told there were twelve ; when he wrote

THE OOEAN PLAGUE. g3

an order to admit six to hospital ; saying that the rest should
be admitted when there was room ; there being 2500 at
that time upon the island, and hundreds lying in the va
rious vessels before it. The order written, he returned to
his boat, and then boarded a ship lying close to us, which
lowered her signal when he approached. Several other
vessels that arrived in the morning, had their ensigns flying
at the peak, until each was visited in turn.
Immediately after the doctor left us, the captain gave
orders to have the patients in readiness. Shortly after,
our second boat was launched, and four of the passen
gers volunteered to row; the sailors that were able to
work, being with the other. O God ! may I never again
witness such a scene as that which followed; — the hus
band, — the only support of an emaciated wife and helpless
family, — torn away forcibly from them, in a strange land ;
the mother dragged from her orphan children, that clung to
her until she was lifted over the bulwarks, rending the air
with their shrieks ; children snatched from their bereaved
parents, who were perhaps ever to remain ignorant of their
recovery, or death. The screams pierced my brain ; and
the excessive agony so rent my heart, that I was obliged to
retire to the cabin, where the mistress sat weeping bitterly.
The captain went in the boat, and returned in about an
hour ; giving us a frightful account of what he witnessed
upon the island.
The steamers returned, and all the afternoon were en
gaged, taking the healthy passengers out of some of the
vessels ; they went alongside several until their cargo was
complete, when they sailed for Montreal, their decks thickly
crowded with human beings; and most extraordinary to

84 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
relate, each of them had a fiddler, and a dancing party in
the prow.
Early in the evening the captain's nephew came to take
us in his boat, on shore. After a long pull through a heavy
swell, we landed upon the Isle of Pestilence ; and climbing
over the rocks passed through the little town, and by the
hospitals, behind which were piles upon piles of unsightly
coffins. A little further on, at the edge of a beautiful sandy
beach, were several tents, into one of which I looked, but
had no desire to see the interior of any others. We pur
sued our way, by a road cut through a romantic grove of
firs, birch, beech, and ash, beneath the shade of which grew
and blossomed charming wild flowers, while the most cu
rious fungi vegetated upon odd, decayed stumps. The path
led us into a cleared lawn, passing through which, we arriv
ed in front of the superintendent physician's cottage, placed
upon a sloping bank at the river's side, on which were
mounted two pieces of ordnance guarded by a sentinel.
The view from this spot was exquisitely beautiful ; — upon
the distant bank of the broad river were the smiling, happy-
looking Canadian villages, backed by deep, blue hills, while
the agitated water in front tossed the noble vessels that lay
at anchor, and which were being swung round by the turn
ing tide.
The doctor not being within, we walked about until his
return ; when he invited us into his cottage and heard what
the captains had to say ; after which he promised to dis
charge our friend the next day, and that he would send a
steamer to take our passengers. He also gave the captain
an order for the admission of the mate to the seaman's hos
pital. Our mission having been so successful, we thanked

THE OCEAN PLAGUE.

the doctor and departed. Upon our return we called at
the store licensed to sell provisions upon the island. It
was well stocked with various commodities, anions which
were carrion beef, and catiish mutton, bread, flour, cheese,
6cc. Although the captain wished to treat the mistress to
fresh meat, he declined purchasing what we saw, and
merely bought some flour. The storekeeper did not lack
better customers, however, for there was a vast concourse
of mates, stewards, seamen, and boys, buying his different
articles, and stowing them away in their boats. The de
mand for bread was very great ; and several batches were
yielded from a large oven, while -we remained.
Hearing the music of a fiddle accompanied by the stamp
ing of feet in time with the tnne, I walked np to the shed
from which it issued. There were two men dancing a
jis: one of them a Canadian, the other a sailor, — both
fine fella— s. who were evidently pitted against each other,
in a trial of skill. The former wore huge boots coming
above the knees, and drawn over his gray trowsers com -
posed of -etoffe dn pays," — alight blue flannel shirt
confined at the waist by a scarlet scarf, whose parti colored
ends hung at one side. On his head was a woollen "bon
net rougey' whose tassel jumped about with the wearer's
movements. His brilliant black eyes lighted np his sallow
visage, and his arm? were as busily engaged as his legs.
The sailor was rigged out in pumps, white trowsers. bine
jacket, and straw hat with streaming black ribands ; his
ruddy face glowing with the exercise. The fiddler's cos
tume was similar to that of his brother Canadian, except
that hi? -bonnet" was bine; he stood upon a barrel; and
around the dancers was a circle of " habitans " and sailors,
¦who encouraged them by repeated •¦ bravos." I did not

86 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
remain long, nor could I enjoy the amusement in such a
place; and therefore joined my companions in the boat;
where we were detained a few moments, while one of the
men returned for lime, which the captain had forgotten to
procure. He soon returned, and again ploughing through
the waves, we shortly arrived beneath the " Leander ;" after
examining which noble ship, the captain and I returned to
the brig, and acquainted the mistress with the issue of our
adventure. Our boat returned, just at the same time ; the men hav
ing been away all fhe day. It appeared that they could
not find the burial ground, and consequently dug a grave
upon an island, when as they were depositing the remains
they were discovered, and obliged to decamp. They were
returning to the brig, when they perceived several boats
proceeding in another direction, and having joined them,
were conducted to the right place. The wretched husband
was a very picture of desperation and misery, that in
creased the ugliness of his countenance; — for he was
sadly disfigured by the marks of small pox, and was blind
of an eye. He walked moodily along the deck, snatched
his child from a woman's arms, and went down into the
hold without speaking a word. Shortly after, one of the
sailors who was with the boat told me, that after the grave
was filled up, he took the shovels and placing them cross
wise upon it, calling heaven to witness said, " By that
cross, Mary, I swear to revenge your death; as soon as I
earn the price of my passage home, I'll go back, and shoot
the man that murdered you, and that's the landlord."
Saturday, July 31st.
It was with great reluctance the mate consented to go to

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 87
hospital, and as he went into the boat he charged the cap
tain, the mistress, and me with cruelty. The captain went
with him, and gave him in charge of a doctor.
In consequence of the superintendent's promise to send
a steamer to take our passengers, and to give us clean bills
if the vessel were well whitewashed between decks, the
passengers' births were all knocked away, and the filthy
boards thrown into the river ; after which four men worked
away cleaning and whitening all the day; but no steamer
arrived that day. One which lay over night, took 250
passengers from the captain's nephew, who sailed not
long after. Vessels were arriving with every tide ; two
ships from Bremen came in the mprning and were dis
charged at once, having no sickness ; some others sailed
up with the evening tide, after which there were more
than thirty in quarantine. Boats were plying all day long,
between the several vessels and the island ; and the sea
being high the miserable patients were drenched by the
spray ; after which they had to clamber over the slimy
rocks, or were carried by sailors. There was also an
almost unbroken line of boats carrying the dead for inter
ment ; then there was the doctor's boat unceasingly shoot-
ino- about; besides several others containing captains of
ships, many of whom had handsome gigs with six oars,
and uniformly -dressed rowers. It was indeed a busy
scene of life and death. To complete the picture, the
rigging of the vessels was covered over with the passen
gers' linen, hanging out to dry ; by the character of which
as they fluttered in the breeze, I could tell with accuracy
from what country they came ; alas ! the wretched rags of
the majority told but too plainly that they were Irish.

CHAPTER XII
O the tender ties,
Close twisted with the fibres of the heart,
Which broken break them, and drain off the soul
Of human joy ; and make it pain to live. Young.
Sunday, August 1st.
The passengers passed a miserable night, huddled up, as
they were without room to stretch their weary limbs. I
pitied them from my soul, and it was sickening to see
them drink the filthy water. I could not refuse to give one
or two of them a mouthful from the cask upon the quarter
deck, which fortunately was filled lower down the river.
They asked for it so pitifully, and were so thankful ; but I
could not satisfy all and regretted the disappointment of
many. They had on their best clothes, and were all clean, with
the exception of one incorrigible family. The doctor came
on board in the forenoon, to inspect the passengers, who
were all called on deck, but those who were unable. Plac
ing himself at a barrier, he allowed each to pass, one by
one ; making those he suspected of being feverish, show
their tongues. This proceeding lasted about a quarter of
an hour; when the doctor went into the hold to examine
those below, and to see if it were clean; he then wrote out
the order to admit the six patients to hospital, and promised
to send the steamer to take the remainder; after which we
should have clean bills. When he had gone, the patients

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 59
were lowered into the boat amid a renewal of the inde
scribable woe that followed the previous separations. Two
of them were orphan sisters, who were sent for by a brother
in Upper Canada. Another was a mother, who had tended
all her family throngh illness, — now careworn, and heart
broken, she became herself a prey.
In the early part of the voyage, I observed the unfilial
conduct of a boy, who frequently abused, and even cursed
his mother, following the example set by his wretched
father. On one occasion, his hand was raised to strike her,
when his arm was arrested by a bystander; but the poor wo
man begged of the man not to punish him, and wept for the
depravity of her son. It was she who was now being car
ried to the boat ; while the boy who cursed and wonld
have stricken her. clung to her, crying, and imploring her
blessing and forgiveness ; but she was unable to utter a
word, and by an effort raised her arm feebly and looked
sadlv upon the afflicted boy, who seized her hand and
bathed it with his tears, until he was torn away, and she
dropped into the boat, which a moment after rowed off.
I felt much for the poor fellow, who was conscious that he
should never again see his mother ; for there was no hope
of her recovery ; and I liftle thought that any one could be
so heartless as to aggravate his sufferings, as did two or
three women who surrounded him, one of them saying,
"Ha! yon villain, there's the mother you abused, and
cursed, yon rascal! yon may now lake your last look at
her." He followed the boat with his eyes, until it reached
the shore ; when he beheld the inanimate figure borne to
the hospital. It was evident from fhe poignancy of his
sorrow, that his heart was not depraved, but that his mis-
5*

90 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
conduct arose from education. The morning was fine,
clear and warm, and many of the vessels were decorated
with their flags, giving a cheerful aspect to the scene,
which alas, was marred by the ensigns of two ships (one
on either side of us), which were hoisted half-mast high,
the captain of one,, and the chief mate of the other, being
dead. While the captain was away with the boat the
steamer came alongside of us to take our passengers. It
did not take very long to Iransship them, as few of them
had any luggage. Many of them were sadly disappointed
when they learned that they were to be carried on to Mon
treal, as those who had left their relatives upon Grosse Isle,
hoped, that as Quebec was not far distant, they would be
enabled by some means to hear of them, by staying there.
Each of them shook hands with Ihe mistress, and all
heaped blessings upon her head ; and as to the captain,
one of them remarked that " though he was a divil, he was
a gintleman." The steamer pushed off, amid the cheers of her motley
freight, and was soon out of sight. The mistress was
quite overcome by the expressions of the poor creatures'
gratitude for her unceasing, and otherwise unrequited
attention, and benevolence. Tlie captain returned, and
after dinner he and I went ashore for our clean bills of
health. We saw Dr. Douglass, who informed us that the
inspecting physician, Dr. Jaques, had them, and that he
was going his rounds among the vessels; with the inten
tion of calling at the brig. But as we considered that it
would probably be late before he would reach her, we
pulled for a barque, beside which we descried the well
known boat. Before we were half way, it was gone and

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 91
making for a ship some distance off; however, wc still
followed, and again were disappointed. We determined
not to give up the chase, and at length caught the doctor
on board a German emigrant vessel. He was inspecting
the passengers, of whom there were 500, — all of them
(without a single exception.) comfortably and neatly clad,
clean, and happy. There was no sickness amongst them,
and each comely fair haired girl laughed as she passed the
doctor, to join the group of robust young men who had
undergone the ordeal.
Although it was pleasing to see so many joyous beings,
it made me sad when I thought of the very, very differ
ent state of mv unfortunate compatriots : and I had be
come so habituated to misery, disease, and death, that the
happiness that now surrounded me was quite discordant
with my feelings. The doctor having completed his task,
countersigned our clean bills, and handed them to fhe cap
tain ; we therefore thanked him and took our leave. Before
returning to the brig, we called to see the mate, who was
lying with his clothes on, upon a bed; the next one to
which contained a figure writhing in torture, and, as the
face was turned towards me. I recognized to my great
surprise and dismay, the sailor, who, but the evening but
one before, was dancing with the Canadian. When
the mate perceived us, he rose from the bed, and taking
the captain by one arm, and me by the other, walked us
both out of the hospital, to the porch ; saying that we had
no business there, as there was fever upon all sides of us.
The hospital was a large chapel, transformed to its present
use, and was exceedingly clean and well ventilated, the
large windows were all open, causing a draught of air that
was agreeable ; the evening being very sultry.

92 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
We did not remain long with the mate, who raved con
siderably in his conversation, though he said he was quite
well ; so, the captain giving him in charge of the attendant,
with pressing injunctions to have every attention paid to
him, and saying that he hoped he would be able to join
the brig upon his return, we departed. As we got into the
boat, we made a signal to the pilot (who was desired to be
on the lookout,) to weigh anchor, so_ as not to lose the tide
by any unnecessary delay. As we repassed the German
ship, the deck was covered with emigrants, who were sing
ing a charming hymn, in whose beautiful harmony all took
part ; spreading the music of their five hundred voices upon
the calm, still air, that wafted it around. The vessel being
discharged, began to move almost imperceptibly, so that
we quickly passed her; but she gradually gained speed,
and was ahead of us by the time we reached the brig, and
as the distance between us increased, the anthem died
away, until it became inaudible. It was the finest chorus
I ever heard, — performed in a theatre of unrivalled mag
nificence. The mistress was delighted when she learned that we
were free, and all were glad to leave behind the Isle of
Death, though we regretted leaving the mate there. The
sailors that had been ill, still continuing very weak, the
captain induced two young men to remain, in order to as
sist in working the vessel. At 7 p. m. the anchor was
weighed, the sails unreefed, and we glided slowly along.

CHAPTER XIII.
Sail on, sail on, thou fearless bark,
Wherever blows the welcome wind ;
It cannot lead to scenes more dark,
More sad, than those we leave behind. Moore.
Monday, August 2d.
Jt was indeed with gratefulness to the Almighty for hav
ing preserved me scathless in the midst of the dread
pestilence, that I left Grosse Isle ; and a more beautiful
panorama I never beheld, than the country through which
we passed, — the churches of St. Thomas' and St. Pierre's,
surrounded by handsome cottages and beautiful fields;
on our right Isle Madame, the largest of the numerous
islands that clustered in the centre of the river, embo
somed in the mighty stream, beyond which rose Cap
Tourment, with the village of St. Joachim at its base.
And Mount St. Anne, sheltering its village also ; both of
these lofty hills being of a deep purple hue. At sunset we
had reached the eastern extremity of the Isle of Orleans ;
and an hour after, dropped anchor before St. Francois, —
a sweet village composed of quaint looking cottages, whose
walls were as white as snow; with red roofs, bright yellow
doors, and green Venetian window blinds. Such was the
universal style, all of them appearing as if they had been
newly painted.
We again set sail, soon after day-break this morning,
with a breeze against us, which compelled us to tack about.

94 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
I did not regret this, as I had many near views of the
southern bank of the river, and of the beautiful shore of
Orleans island, with its luxuriant orchards and well culti
vated farms, sloping down to the water's edge ; and dark
forest upon the crest of its elevated interior. This fine
island, which is 20 miles in length, and five in width, is
divided into five parishes, and has a population of 5000
Canadians. While it is an object of the greatest beauty,
it is at the same time of great usefulness, affording shelter
to the harbor of Quebec on the east side, and producing
large supplies of fruits and vegetables of the finest descrip
tion. The northern shore consists of low and marshy
beaches, that abound with game. It is surprising that there
is no regular communication between the island and the
city, during the summer season ; but in winter it is easy of
access, over the frozen river, when the inhabitants convey
their produce to market. When Cartier visited it in the
year 1535, the island was covered with vines, on which ac
count he called it the Isle of Bacchus. It was on it, also,
that Wolfe look up his quarters previous to the attack upon
Quebec. At 8 a. m. we passed St. Vallier and St. John's ;
the latter upon the island, consisting of entirely white cot
tages, which are chiefly inhabited by the branch pilots,
upwards of 250 of whom find lucrative employment in the
river navigation during the season, enabling them and
their families to live comfortably through the long winter,
in which they are unemployed.
At noon, we dropped anchor again, before St. Michel's,
where we lay until 6 p. m., when we once more renewed
our tacks, passing the sheltered cove called Patrick's hole,
in which a fine ship rode, previous to leaving port for sea.

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 95
This little natural harbour is very valuable, as it securely
shelters vessels that arrive before the winter's ice is suffi
ciently broken up to allow them to gain the cily.
At Anse au Maraud, — which is adjacent, there were
launched in the year 1824, two enormous ships — the Co
lumbus and the Baron of Renfrew, which were built with
the intention of being broken up in England, the projectors
thinking thereby to save .the duty on the limber of which
they were constructed : but their object was frustrated by
the decision that a voyage should previously be made out
of an English port. The Columbus traversed the Atlantic,
and returned in safety ; but was wrecked upon her second
voyage. The Baron, in whose construction six thousand
tons of timber were consumed, was 309 feet long, and of
proportionate breadth.
She sailed for London on the 25th of August, 1S25, with
a cargo (it is said of 10,000 tons) of lumber, her four masts
crowded with sails, and followed down the river by a fleet
of steamers and pleasure yachts. After a voyage of fifty
days, she arrived at Dover, where she took on board both
Deal and river pilots ; but her draft of water being thirty
feet, she could not be taken through the queen's channel,
which is safe for ships of war. She was therefore obliged
to remain outside of the Goodwin sands, near the entrance
of the king's channel. Having encountered a violent gale,
she grounded upon the Long sands, but was got off on
the following day. She safely rode out a second gale upon
the 19th of October, but successive storms, and strong
northerly winds, eventually drove her upon the Flemish
banks, and after being buffeted for several weeks by the
waves, she was shattered to atoms ; the fragments of the

96 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
wreck and her cargo being wafted along the coast from
Calais to Ostend.
Such was the history of these monster ships, whose ill
fortune deterred Canadian builders from again constructing
such unwieldly vessels.
We next passed Beaumont, where the south bank be
comes elevated, increasing in height to Point Levi, the tin
spire of whose church was visible ; and on Orleans Island,
St Famille.
The magnificent fall of Montmorenci then was revealed
to view, in a sheet of tumbling snow-white foam, ^set be
tween the dark green banks, covered with fir and other
trees. As we approached nearer, the low thundering sound
of the " many waters " broke on the ear, which died away
as we sailed upon the other tack ; and night spread its cur
tain over the splendid picture, when we reached the mouth
of the river St Charles, where we dropped anchor.
Tuesday, 3d August.
I was charmed with the splendid prospect I enjoyed this
morning when I came on deck.
The harbour was thickly covered with vessels, many of
them noble ships of the largest class.
The city upon the side of Cape Diamond, with its tin
covered dorrfe and spires sparkling in the morning sun,
and surrounded by its walls and batteries bristling with
cannon, was crowned by the impregnable citadel, while a
line of villages spread along the northern shore, reaching
to Beauport and Montmorenci. The lofty Mount St.
Anne bounding the view upon the east. Opposite the city
lay Point Levi, with the village of D' Aubigne ; crossing

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 97
the river were steam ferry-boats, horse-boats, and canoes ;
and up the stream, — far as the eye could reach, the banks
were lined by wharves, and timber ponds, while the breeze
wafted along a fleet of batteaux, with great while sails ;
and numberless pilot boats were in constant motion.
We could not go ashore, neither dare any one come on
board, until we were discharged from quarantine by the
Harbour Master, and Medical Inspector. These function
aries approached us in a long six-oared boat, with the
Union Jack flying in her stern. When they came on
board, they demanded the ship's papers, and clean bills of
health, which the captain gave them ; in return for which
he received a release from quarantine. Soon after they
left us, a butcher brought us fresh meat, milk, eggs and
vegetables, to which we did ample justice at breakfast;
when I went with the captain on shore.
I remained with the brig during her stay in Quebec
harbour, and sailed in her for Montreal, on the evening of
Thursday, 5th August. We were towed up the river by
a steamboat; and by daylight the following morning were
passing the mouth of the river Batiscan.
The sail during the day was extremely pleasing; Irue,
the St. Lawrence did not present the same grand features
as below Quebec, but there was something of exceeding
interest or beauty to be seen every moment. The banks
varied in height, but did not gain any great elevation, and
were lined by an almost unbroken chain of settlements,
with villages upon either side at intervals of about ten
miles. N At noon we sailed by Trois Rivieres, upon the
river St. Maurice, which divides into three branches before
it empties itself into the St. Lawrence, forming two pretty

98 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
islands, connected with each other and the main land by
three handsome bridges. A couple of hours brought us
into Lake St. Peter, which is an extension of the river, and
of intricate navigation, affording but a narrow channel,
which is marked out by buoys and beacons ; towards its
western extremity it is full of low marshy islands, sur
rounded by rushes, between which lies the winding pas
sage. At sunset we had a charming view of Sorel, upon
the eastern bank of the Richelieu, which discharges the
waters of lakes George and Champlain.
The river again narrowed, and presented similar features
as below the expansion. We anchored for the night, and
early next morning were forcing our way through the rap
ids called current St. Mary, passing the village of Longueil,
and the charming isle St. Helens. Montreal then opened
to our view, and by 8 a., m. we were moored to its fine
quay. The brig having completed her cargo, sailed for
London, on the 19th of August, when I bade the captain
and the mistress adieu, and followed them some distance
down the river; until the favorable breeze that filled her
sails, wafted ihe brig out of sight. I have represented these
worthy people just as they appeared to me, and if I have
spoken too plainly, I would crave their pardon, should
Ihey ever recognize their lineaments in these sheets, (which
I do not think probable). Indeed, I should much regret
causing their displeasure, having received from them every
attention ; their conduct towards me extending even to un
wonted kindness, and for which I shall never cease to feel
grateful. I was anxious to learn if the mate recovered, and
in compliance with my desire the captain wrote to me
from Quebec, and also from Green Island. The first of

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 99
these letters was dated August 23d, and the following is an
extract from it :
" I got doun hear on salterday and saled all the way
down which was a great saving to me it was bubful sale
we Ankered all night and saled in the day which gave hus
opertunety of seeing every Curisity we went on Shore and
got Eags and milk and sead a little of the Contry this
Mornning I am gowing on Shore if there be any Letters
for you I will foward them to you I have not heard of my
Mate Ariving hear yet which Disapoints me Greatly I
wish you had bean with hus Yesterday we had a Drive in
the Countrey 9 Miles which was a plesent drive and toke
tea in the Countrey a long with Cpt  . I will sale on
Tusday Morning My Wife Joyns me in Cinde Regards
to you." In justice I must also quote the postscript, "you
must Excuse this as I am in a hury."
The second letter was written on August 27th. In it the
captain says, " I am sorey to inform you of my Mate being
so hill I coled at Grass He for him and went on shore and
it would have hurt you much to have sean him he was
mostly but a Skellitan, but though as hill as he was, I
should have brought him on Boord if the Docter would
Aload me, I have not any hopes of him, he got nerely
well, and mite have come up to the ship but as I told you
made two frea with is self putting Bottel to is head Docter
to my Wife and me we are all well at present which I
hope you cape your Helth, my Wife Joyns me in Cind
regards to you."
I learned with satisfaction that the brig arrived at her
destination in safety, but of the mate's fate I still remain
ignorant.

100 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
Of the passengers I never afterwards saw but two,
both of them young men, who got employment upon the
Lachine canal. The rest wandered over the country,
carrying nothing with them but disease ; and that but few
of them survived the severity of the succeeding winter,
(ruined as their constitutions were,) I am quite confident.

CHAPTER XIV.
Of comfort no man speak.
Let's talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs ;
Make dust our paper, and with rainy eyes
Write sorrow on the bosom of the earth.
Let's choose executors, and talk of wills ;
And yet not so, — for what can we bequeath,
Save our deposed bodies to the ground t shakspeare.
That the system of quarantine pursued at Grosse Isle
afforded but a very slight protection to the people of Can
ada, is too evident from the awful amount of sickness, and
the vast number of deaths, that occurred amongst them
during the navigable season of 1847. From the plan
that was adopted, of sending the majority of the emigrants
from the island directly up to Montreal, Quebec did not
suffer so much as that city. However, during the three days
I was there, in the month of August, too many signs of
death were visible ; and upon a second and more pro
longed visit, later in the season, it presented an aspect of
universal gloom ; the churches being hung in mourning)
the citizens clothed in weeds ; and the newspapers record
ing daily deaths by fever contracted from the emigrants.
To their honor and praise be it spoken, these alarming
consequences did not deter either clergymen or physicians
from the most unremitting zeal in performing their duty,
and it is to be lamented that so many valuable lives were
sacrificed. A paper of the month of September contained
the following paragraph: — "Quarantine Station — Grosse

102 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
Isle. The Rev. J. Butler, missionary at Kingsey, went
down on tuesday morning, to take his turn in attendance
upon the sick at the quarantine station.
" The Rev. Richard Anderson and Rev. N. Gueront came
up on the evening of the same day. The former felt in
disposed, and thought it prudent to remain in town for ihe
benefit of medical advice. If he should have an attack of
fever, the precaution thus early taken will, it is hoped,
prevent its proving severe. We regret to say that the
Rev. C. J. Morris, recently returned from the station, is
now seriously ill with Typhus Fever." The death of the
last gentleman is recorded as follows : "Died, this morning
at the private hospital at Beauport, of typhus fever, the
Rev. Charles J. Morris, A. M., missionary of the church of
England, at Portneuf in this district. Mr. Morris contract
ed the disease which has thus proved fatal to him, in his
ministrations lo the sick at Grosse Isle. The funeral will
take place in the Cathedral church, to-morrow afternoon, at
3 o'clock." The Rev. Mr. Anderson also died, within a few days of
the same period ; and that the mortality continued to a late
part of the season, appears by the following, from the Bos
ton Journal of December 1st. " We learn from Quebec
that Drs. Painchaud and Jackson, and seven or eight Nuns
of the Hotel Dieu were sick with the ship fever. One of
the Quebec physicians says that mortality among the
physicians during the past season has been greater than it
was during the Cholera." On Sunday, October 10th, I
had the pleasure of listening to a discourse delivered in
St. Patrick's chapel by Rev. Mr. McMahon, before he
commenced which, he read a list of the names of several

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 103
persons, (emigrants) who were separated from their
families, and who took this method of endeavoring to find
them out; the Rev. Gentleman also acknowledged having
received several sums of money remitted from parties in
Ireland to friends in Canada, amongst which he said were
some without signatures, and one of these was directed
" To my Aunt Biddy," upon which his Reverence re
marked that people should be more particular where
money was concerned.
Although (as I have already stated) the great body of
emigrants were sent out to Montreal by steamers, all of
them could not be so transferred, and many were detained
in Quebec, where the Marine and Emigrant Hospital
contained during the season, several hundreds, the number
that remained upon October 2nd, being 443, of whom
93 were admitted during the week previous, and in which
time there were discharged 132, and 46 died.
One of the first objects that appeared to my view upon
my arrival in Montreal, was the Emigrant Hospital, upon
Point St. Charles, a low tract of ground cut off from the
city by the Lachine canal, and on which the Indians were
in the habit of encamping every summer before it was
turned to its present purpose. On the day I arrived,
August 7th, it contained 907 patients, 16 having died dur
ing the last 24 hours. An official return of burials in the
city was furnished up to the same day, by which it ap
peared, that during the previous nine weeks the number
was 1730, of which 924 were residents, and 806 were emi
grants. Exclusive of these there died in the sheds, 1510
emigrants, making a total of 3,240, being 2,752 more than
occurred during the corresponding period of the preceding

104 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
year. Upon August 23rd the emigrant sheds contained
1330, 27 having died during twenty-four hours ; and so late
as October 11th, there remained 746 patients in them.
Montreal lost many of her most valuable citizens in
consequence of the contagion, among whom were Dr.
Cushing, and the mayor. Neither was the pestilence
stayed here, for the inhabitants of Kingston, By town,
Toronto, and other places were infected, and a great num
ber died of the fever, amongst whom was the Rev. Dr.
Power, R. C. Bishop of Toronto, who contracted the
disease in the discharge of his sacred functions among the
sick. The following extract, taken from the Toronto Stan
dard, serves to show the manner in which the people of
Canada suffered, and their sympathy for those who brought
so much woe amongst them. " The health of the city
remains in much the same state as it did several weeks
ago. The individual cases of fever have abated nothing
of their violence, and several families have caught the in
fection from having admitted emigrants into their houses.
The greatest caution should be observed in this respect, as
it does not require contact alone, to infect a healthy person
with the deadly virus of the fever. Breathing the same
atmosphere with the infected, or coming under the influence
of the effluvia rising from their clothes is, in some states of
the healthy body, perfectly sufficient for effecting a lodg
ment of the disease in the human frame. On Monday
evening last, the report of the Finance Committee, on the
subject of erecting a House of Refuge for the destitute
persons who have sought refuge in our City, was received
by the Council. This committee report in favor of erect
ing immediately such a building as would shield those

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 105
gers from the severities of winter, and recommend that
a sum not exceeding £5,000 should be expended for that
purpose, and that this sum should be put under the joint
superintendence of the Board of Works and the Finance
Committee, so that now we have from the praiseworthy
benevolence and alacrity of the Council, an assured hope,
that the emigrants will not be exposed to any hardships
which it is in the power of the city authorities to ward off."
The reader will bear in mind, that the above relates to
the city of Toronto, in Western Canada, at a distance of
upwards of 500 miles from the Quarantine station, whose
stringent regulations were intended to protect the country
from contagion.
It now only remains for me to say a few words respect
ing the people that endured and reproduced so much trib
ulation. The vast number of persons who quitted Europe, to
seek new homes in the western hemisphere, in the year
1847, is without a precedent in history. Of the aggregate
I cannot definitely speak, but to be within the limits of truth,
they exceeded 350,000.
More than one half of these emigrants were from Ireland,
and to this portion was confined the devouring pestilence.
It is a painful task to trace the causes that led to such fatal
consequences ; some of them may, perhaps, be hidden, but
many are too plainly visible. These wretched people
were flying from known misery, into unknown and tenfold
aggravated misfortune. That famine which compelled so
many to emigrate, became itself a cause of the pestilence.
But that the principal causes were produced by injustice
and neglect, is plainly proved. Many, as I have already
6

106 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
stated, were sent out at the expense of their landlords;
these were consequently the poorest and most abject of the
whole, and suffered the most No doubt the motives of
some landlords were benevolent ; but all they did was to
pay for the emigrants' passage — this done, these gentlemen
washed their hands of all accountability, transferring them
to the shipping agent, whose object was to stow away the
greatest possible number between the decks of the vessels
chartered for the purpose. That unwarrantable induce
ments were held out to many, I am aware, causing some
to leave their homes, who would not otherwise have done
so. They were given to understand that they would be
abundantly provided for during the voyage, and that they
were certain of finding immediate employment upon their
arrival, at a dollar per day. Another serious injury was
done many families, who had previously experienced the
blessings of temperance, from being, upon their arrival
at the different ports where they were to embark, obliged
to lodge in public houses of the worst description ; whose
proprietors, knowing that they possessed a little stock of
money, seduced them to violate their " pledge," under the
specious pretext that they were no longer bound by its
obligations, and that whiskey was the very best preventive
of sea-sickness. After a detention — often of many days,
the vessel at length ready for sea, numbers were shipped
that were quite unfit for a long voyage. True, they were
inspected, and so were the ships, but from the limited
number of officers appointed for the purpose, many over
sights occurred. In Liverpool, for instance, if I am rightly
informed, there was a staff of but five or six men to inspect
the mass of emigrants, and survey the ships, in which
there sailed from that port 107,474. An additional heavy

THE OCEAN PLAGUE.

107

infliction was their sufferings on ship-board, from famine,
the legal allowance for an adult being one pound of food
in twenty-four hours; but perhaps the most cruel wrong
was in allowing crowds of already infected beings to be
huddled up together in the confined holds, there to propa
gate the distemper, which there was no physician to stay.
The sufferings consequent upon such treatment, I have
endeavoured to portray in ihe previous narrative, which
alas ! is but a feeble picture of the unmitigated trials en
dured by these most unhappy beings. Nor were their suf
ferings ended with the voyage. Oh ! no, far from it.
Would that I could represent the afflictions I witnessed at
Grosse Isle ! I would not be supposed to think, that the
medical officers situated there did not exercise the greatest
humanity in administering their disagreeable duties, which
consisted — not in relieving the distress of the emigrants;
but in protecting their country from contamination. Still
it was most afflicting, that after combatting the dangers of
the sea, enduring famine, drought, and sickness, the wretch
ed survivors should still have to lie as uncared for as when
in the centre of the Atlantic Ocean.
The inefficacy of the quarantine system is so apparent,
that it is needless to particularize its defects, neither need I
repeat the details of the grievous aggravations of their
trials, heaped by it upon the already tortured emigrants.
My heart bleeds when I think of the agony of the poor
families who as yet undivided had patiently borne their
trials, ministering to each other's wants — when torn from
each other. Painful as it was to behold the bodies of those
who died at sea, committed to the deep, yet the separa
tion of families was fraught with much greater misery.
And as if to reach the climax of endurance, the relatives

108 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
and friends of those landed upon the island were at once
carried away from them to a distance of 200 miles. On
their way to Montreal, many died on board the steamers.
There, those who sickened in their progress were received
into the hospital, and the survivors of this second sifting
were sent on to Kingston, — 180 miles further; from thence
to Toronto, and so on, — every city and town being anxious
to be rid of them. Nor were there wanting villains, who
preyed upon ihese stricken people. — The Montreal Her
ald of October 13th thus writes. " The rapid closing of
the season of course diminishes the number of arrivals of
emigrants, and thus the hospitals and asylums are less
crowded than they have been at an earlier period of the
year. The statements are, however, still extremely dis
tressing. An assertion has been made in the Common
Council, and is generally believed to be true, that consider
able sums have been brought here by some of these people,
and consigned by them, in their last moments, to persons
who have in many instances appropriated the money to
their own use. An Alderman named Tully, who is known
to have the means of information, calculates the average
of the sums brought to Canada by emigrants at £10
each — we suppose heads of families."
In a tour which I made through Upper Canada, I met
in every quarter some of my poor wandering fellow-coun
try people. Travelling from Prescott to Bytown, by stage,
I saw a poor woman with an infant in her arms, and a
child pulling at her skirt, and crying as they went along.
The driver compassionately took them up, and the way
farer wept her thanks. She had lost her husband upon
the voyage, and was going to Bytown to her brother, who
came out the previous year, and having made some money

THE OCEAN PLAGUE. 109
by lumbering in the woods, remitted to her the means of
joining him; she told her sad tale most plaintively, and the
passengers all sympathized with her. The road being of
that description called " corduroy," and the machine very
crazy, the latter broke down within five miles of our des
tination, and as she was unable to carry her two children,
the poor creature was obliged to remain upon the road all
the night. She came into Bytown the following morning,
and I had the satisfaction to learu that she found her
brother. A large proportion of the emigrants who arrived in
Canada crossed the frontiers, in order to settle in the United
States. So that they were to be seen in the most remote
places. At St. Catherine's, upon the Wetland canal, 600
miles from Quebec, I saw a family, who were on their
way to the western part of the state of New York. One
of them was taken ill, and they were obliged to remain by
the wayside ; with nothing but a few boards to protect
them from the weather. There is no means of learning
how many of the survivors of so many ordeals were cut
off by the inclemency of a Canadian winter, so that the
erand total of the human sacrifice will never be known
but by " Him who knowelh all things."
As I cannot so well convey my sentiments in my own
language, I will conclude with the following quotation from
England's most popular writer, and would that his sug
gestions uttered five years before the commencement of
the tragic drama, had been attended to in time: if they had,
much evil had been spared humanity. " The whole sys
tem of shipping and conveying these unfortunate persons
is one that stands in need of thorough revision. If any
class deserve to be protected and assisted by the govern-

HO THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
ment, it is that class who are banished from their native
land in search of the bare means of subsistence. All
that could be done for those poor people by the great com
passion and humanity of the captain and officers, was
done, but they require much more. The law is bound, at
least upon the English side, to see that too many of them
are not put on board one ship ; and that their accommoda
tions are decent, not demoralizing and profligate. It is
bound, too, in common humanity, to declare that no man
shall be taken on board without his stock of provisions
being previously inspected by some proper officer, and
pronounced moderately sufficient for his support upon the
voyage. It is bound to provide, or to require that there be
provided a medical attendant; whereas in these ships there
are none, though sickness of adults and deaths of children
on the passage are matters of the very commonest occur
rence. Above all, it is the duty of any government, be it
monarchy or republic, to interpose and put an end to that
system by which a firm of traders in emigrants purchase
of the owners the whole 'tween-decks of a ship, and send
on board as many wretched people as they can get hold of
on any terms they can get, without the smallest reference
to the conveniences of the steerage, the number of berths,
the slightest separation of the sexes, or any thing but their
own immediate profit. Nor is this the worst of the vicious
system; for certain crimping agents of these houses, who
have a per centage on all the passengers they inveigle, are
constantly travelling about those districts where poverty
and discontent are rife, and tempting the credulous into
more misery, by holding out monstrous inducements to
emigration which never can be realized."*
* Dickens. American Notes.

APPENDIX.
Immediately a place
Before his eyes appear'd, sad, noisome, dark j
A lazar-house it seem'd ; wherein were laid
Numbers of all diseased ; all maladies
Of ghastly spasm, or racking torture, qualms
Of heart-sick agony, all feverous kinds,
Marasmus, and wide-wasting pestilence,
Dropsies, and asthmas, and joint-rackingrheums,
Dire was the tossing, deep the groans : Despair
Tended the sick, busiest from couch to couch ;
And over them triumphant Death his dart
Shook, but delay'd to strike, though oft invoked
With vows, as their chief good, and final hope.
Sight so deform what heart of rock could long
Dry eyed beheld 'f Milton.
The intention of this appendix is, by the means of a few
extracts from newspapers, hospital returns, reports, &c, to
furnish some further general information respecting the
ship pestilence.
But as the previous narrative is not designed to present
a history of that sad subject, so neither will this sequel
supply complete statistics regarding it. The extracts go
no further back than the beginning of August ; but will be
found sufficient to elucidate the events from that time until
the termination of the season.
" Grosse Isle. — II y avait samedi dernier a la Grosse
Isle 2148 malades ; du ler au 6 aout 130 personnes sont
mortes." — La Reveu Canadierme. " Monday Afternoon, August 9.
" Since my last, the wind has been blowing fresh from

112 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.

the northeast, and several vessels have arrived in port, the
names of which you will find enclosed. Four have just
arrived, but are not yet boarded. I make out the names
of three, viz : — Bark Covenanter, Bark Royal Adelaide,
and Schooner Maria, of Limerick. The Zealous has not
yet made her appearance.
" The accounts from Grosse Isle since my last, are not
of a favorable nature, and the number of deaths is much
the same. The building of the new sheds there is advanc
ing rapidly.
" A letter was received this forenoon, from the mate of
the bark Naparima, with passengers, from Dublin, dated
off Bic, last Friday, announcing that the Captain, Thomas
Brierly, died on the 3d instant, and was buried on the same
day. She was then fifty days out, and short of provisions,
— about 20 of the passengers were sick, but were recover
ing when the mate wrote, and he intended to put into
some convenient place for supplies. There was a pilot
on board, and every exertion would be made to get her up
to the Quarantine Station as soon as possible."
— Quebec Correspondence of the Montreal Herald.
" We are in possession of the latest news from Grosse
Isle. The hospital statement yesterday, the 9th, was 2240.
There is a large fleet of vessels at the station, and amongst
them some very, sickly, as it may be seen from the follow
ing statement : —

Bark Ellen Simpson, Limerick,
Brig Anna Maria, "
Bark Amy, Bremen,

Passengers.
184

Deaths. 4

119

1

289



APPENDIX.

113

Brig Watchful,

Hamburg,

145

,

Ship Ganges,
Liverpool,
393
45
80
Bark Corea,
u
501
18
7
Bark Larch,
Sligo,
440
108
150
Bark Naparima,
Dublin,
226
7
17
Bark Britannia,
Greenock,
386
4
25
Brig Trinity,
Limerick,
S6
all well.
—
Bark Lilias,
Dublin,
219
5
6
Bark Brothers,
u
318
6
—
"A full rigged ship just coming in — not yet board
ed. " The hospitals have never been so crowded, and the
poor creatures in the tents (where the healthy are), are
dying by dozens! Eleven died on the night of the
Sth, and one on the road to the hospital yesterday morn
ing. " Captain Read, of the Marchioness of Breadalbane,
died in hospital on the 7th. The Captain of the Virginius
died the day after his arrival at Grosse Isle.
" We regret to learn that the Rev. Mr. Paisley is in a
critical state. He was dangerously ill this morning.
" Since writing the above we learn that 60 new cases
were admitted into hospital, and 300 more, arrived on the
8th and 9th, remain to be admitted!"
— Quebec Mercury, August 10th, 1847.
" The Steamer St. George arrived from Grosse Isle yes
terday afternoon, but brought nothing of importance. The
cool temperature of the last few days has had a favorable
effect on the sick in the tents, and fewer cases of fever
had appeared. 6*
114 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
" The Ship Washington from Liverpool, 9th of July,
had arrived at the station yesterday. She has one cabin,
and 305 steerage passengers, had 22 deaths and 20 sick.
She reports 15 vessels with passengers in the Traverse.
— Quebec Chronicle.
" Hospital return — Grosse Isle, September lAth, 1847.
Remaining on 14th, 1386,
Died 12th to 13th inst, * 41."
" Hospital return — Grosse Isle, from 19th to 2$th of Sept.
Remaining on 19th, 1196, Discharged, 234,
Admitted since, 436, Died, 121,

1632 355
355

1277

" Deaths at the sheds, where the healthy passengers are
landed, during the same period — 10.
" There are 1240 cases of fever, and 37 cases of small
pox. Two men died whilst being landed from the Emi
grant, and 162 cases were admitted into hospital from Ihe
same vessel." " Hospital statement to the 28th :
Men, 473
Women, 441
Children, 349
Total, 1263

APPENDIX. 115

Grosse Isle. — Return of sick in hospitals 1st October.
Discharged. Died. Remaining.
Men, 414 103 7 304
Women, 412 156 3 253
Children, 326 109 1 216
1152 368 11 773
(Signed) I. M. Douglas^, Med. Sup.
" About 400 convalescents went up to Montreal in the
Canada on Thursday last, and 35 came up to Quebec in
the Lady Colborne on Friday.
" This has enabled the Medical Superintendent to close
another hospital ; and this day the services of two more
medical men, with their staff of orderlies and nurses will
be dispensed with."
" Hospital statement, 5th October.
" Men, 230 — Women, 124— Children, 150 — Total, 504-
" There were then three vessels with emigrants at the
station."
" A Melancholy Tale of Woe.
» On Saturday last, 30th October, the Lord Ashburton,
from Liverpool, 13th September, with general cargo and
passengers, arrived at Grosse Isle in a most wretched state.
» When sailing she had 475 steerage passengers, and be
fore her arrival at the Quarantine Station, she had lost
107 by dysentery and fever; and about 60 of those re
maining were then ill of the same complaints. So deplora
ble was* the condition of those on board that five of the
passengers had to remain to work the ship up from Grosse
Isle » — Quebec Mercury.

116 the ocean plague.
" Emigration from Liverpool.
" The amount of emigration "from Great Britain and Ire
land has this year far surpassed that of any previous year,
as will be seen from the following returns, made up on
the 6th instant, of emigration from this port alone : —
United States, 77,403
Canada, 27,666
New Brunswick, 1,479
Nova Scotia, 171
Prince Edward's Isle, 444
Other places, 311

Total, 107,474
" Of this vast number of emigrants, two thirds were Irish,
and of the remaining one third, two fifths were Scotch and
English, and one fifth German, of whom a larger number
than formerly left this port during the past season."

Reports of the following vessels upon their arrival at

Grosse Isle ; namely,

Passengers.
Deaths.
Sick.
Sir Henry Pottinger,
Cork, 399
98
112
Bark Wellington,
Liverpool, 435
26
30
Bark Sir Robert Peel,
" 458
24
12
Schooner Jessie,
Limerick, 108
2
16
Bark Anne Rankin,
Glasgow, 332
7
3
Bark Zealous,
London, 120
1
5
" We are glad to learn that the Sceurs Grises,* amongst
* The Gray Sisters, a community of charitable Nuns.
APPENDIX. H7

whom sickness and death have made such fearful havoc,
during their self-immolating ministrations to the dying
emigrants, are again pursuing their charitable labors at ihe
Sheds at Point St. Charles. We are happy to learn, also,
that the sickness in Griffintown is rapidly on the de
crease.'' — Montreal Pilot.
The following advertisement is a specimen of many of
a similar nature, that daily appeared in the newspapers ;
and requires no comment.
" Information wanted of Abraham Taylor, aged 12
vears. Samuel Taylor, 10 years, and George Taylor, S
years old, from county Leitrim, Ireland, who landed in
Quebec about five weeks ago — their mother having been
detained at Grosse Isle. Any information respecting them
will be thankfully received ! y their brother, William Taylor,
at this office." — Montreal Transcript, September 11th, 1S47.
'• The • Quebec Chronicle" having obtained permission
to copy them from the official records, has commenced the
publication of the names of all the unfortunates who have
died in the hospital at Grosse Isle, with their ages and the
names of the vessels in which they came to Canada, as
well as the date of the decease. The ' Chronicle ' deserves
well of the community, for thus affording the relatives of
the poor sufferers the means of knowing what has become
of them." — Montreal Courier.
" The immigration commissioners report that 94 vessels
have landed in the Province of New Brunswick, the pres
ent season, 15,269 passengers. The deaths at sea on board
these vessels, were six hnndred and sixty two."

118 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
" The schooner Victoria, from Quebec, with 20 passen
gers, anchored at the Quarantine ground on Tuesday last.
She had three cases of typhus fever on board. The pas
sengers and crew were landed on Middle Island this morn
ing, the captain securing the maintainance of the healthy
passengers and crew until discharged." — Miramichi
Gleaner, 27th July.
" Emigration to New York. — We have received from
Senator Folsom a printed copy of the report forwarded to
the Legislature by the Commissioners of Emigration at
this port It is dated October 1st, 1847. The board of
Commissioners having been organized on the 8th May
last, Robert Taylor being appointed agent, and William
F. Havemeyer, president — proceeded immediately to take
charge of the sick and destitute emigrants. Having filled
the Quarantine hospitals, all the spare rooms connected
with the City Almshouse department were hired at a dol
lar per week for each destitute emigrant, and a dollar and
a half per week for the sick. But the introduction of fever
patients at the Almshouse was attended with too much
risk, and buildings were erected for their accommodation on
Staten Island. These being still inadequate, the buildings
on the Long Island Farms were leased, but the fear of
contagion so alarmed the neighborhood, that the buildings
were burned by incendiaries.
The United States Government at once granted their
warehouses at Quarantine for the accommodation of the
sick. They were soon filled, as all the principal hospitals,
public and private, to which the Commissioners had to
resort. At this crisis, a large stone building was leased on

APPENDIX.

119

Ward's Island, which with buildings subsequently added
to it, afforded ample accommodation for the thousands de
pendent upon their benevolent undertaking.
" Many were destitute of clothing, and from May to
September, ten thousand three hundred and eight articles
of dress were made at Ward's Island and furnished to
them, by direction of the Commissioners. Hundreds have
been provided with employment in the interior of the statej
and many forwarded West at the expense of the Commis
sioners. " The number of passengers who anived from May
5th to Sept. 30th, inclusive, and for whom commutation
money was paid, or bonds given, was 101,546, of whom
only 25 were bonded.
" Of said passengers there were natives of

Germany, 43,208
Ireland, 40,820
England and Wales, 6,501
Holland, 2,966
France, 2,633
Scotland, 1,856
Switzerland, 1,506
Norway, 881
Belgium, 478
West Indies, 265
Of which number there were
Forwarded Temporarily
from the city. relieved.
427. 217.
Total, 6,505, of whom were

Italy, 130
Sweden, 119
Spain, 72
Denmark, 51
Portugal, 31
Poland, 21
East Indies, 6
Turkey, 1
South America, 1

Total, Sent to
Hospitals. 5,148.
Irish 3,792.

101,546

Sent to
Alms house.
713.

120 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
" Adding to the above 256 emigrants who were in Hos
pital at the time the Commissioners entered upon their
duties, we have 6,761, the total number under their care up
to the date of this report.
" Of these, seven hundred and three died between the 8th
of May and the 1st October. The names, ages, and places
of birth, of the" dead, are not given. This is an oversight
which ought to be corrected.
" It seems, also, that no provision was made for the erec
tion of any memorial over their graves." — New York
Paper. " Ship Fever. — The British ship India, Gray, (late
Thompson), arrived yesterday from Liverpool, after a pas
sage of 57 days. Captain Thompson died of the ship
fever on the 14th inst., (January, 1848) and during the pas
sage 39 of the passengers died of the same disease. The
chief officer of the ship, and a large number of the passen
gers are now sick. When the India left Liverpool she
had two hundred and seventy passengers." — New York Express.
" The British Ship Viceroy, arrived at New Orleans on
the 5th instant, with 286 immigrants.
" Fourteen had died on the passage, and many others
were very sick, and sent to the Charity Hospital. The
Orizaba, which arrived from Liverpool on the 31st ult.,
had shipped 170 ; 24 of whom died, and most of the rest
were sent to the Hospital." — Boston Mail, Jan. 19th, 1848.

APPENDIX. 121

" Report of Deer Island Hospital, Boston, for the week
ending January 26th, 184S.
Number remaining as per last week's report, 311
Admitted since, 28
Total, — 339
Discharged, 36
Died, 13 49
Remaining, 290
Whole number admitted to this date, 2,230
Whole number buried on the Island, 347
Of whom were brought from the ship dead, 20
Died the day of their reception, 8 '
In carriage, 2"
¦ — Boston Journal.
"Foreign Emigrants. — A communication from the
State Department was laid before the House of Represent
atives on Friday last, reporting the number of passengers
who arrived from foreign countries on shipboard, during
the year ending the 30th of September last. The number
of males was 139,166 ; females, 99,325 ; sex not reported,
989 ; total, 239,480. The prospect is that the number will
be much larger the present year.
" Of the above number of passengers, 145,838 landed in
New York; 20,848 in Massachusetts; 5,806 in Maine;
14 777 in Pennsylvania; 12,018 in Maryland; 34,803 in
Louisiana, and 3,873 in Texas." — Boston Journal.
Abstract statement of payments on account of the ex
penses attending emigration, in the Province of Canada,
during the season 1847. Taken from the Inspector Gen
eral's report.

122 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.

Amount paid for the erection of Hospital Sheds.
At Grosse Isle, £10,609, 11, 7
At Quebec, 1,120, 0. 0
At Montreal, 15,914, 17, 5

£27,644, 9, 0
For transport of emigrants inland, includ
ing cost of provisions, 35,450, 0, 0
For Boards of Health.
Canada, East and West, 60,220, 19, 7
Expenses at Quarantine Station, 15,465, 17, 6
Emigration Agent for transport, 10,502, 4, 5
Board of Health, and Emigrant Hospital
at Quebec, 8,000, 0, 0

Total, £157,283 10, 6
Table showing the comparative number of emigrants
to the ports designated, viz :

Quebec,

1846
32,753

1847
98,105

Increase 1847
65,352

New York,

97,843

145,890

48,047

New Orleans,

22,148

40,442

18,294

Boston,

14,079

20,745

6,666

Philadelphia,

7,236

14,763

7,527

Baltimore,

9,327

12,018

2,691

183,386 331,963 148,577
" Emigration to British North America.
" Emigration returns just issued by order of her Majesty,
state that the numbers who embarked in Europe, in 1847,
for Canada, was 98,006. Viz :

APPENDIX. 123

* From England, 32,228
From Ireland, 54,329
From Scotland, 3,752
From Germany, 7,697

98,006

Of the whole number 91,882 were steerage passengers,
684 cabin, and 5541 infants. Deducting from this aggre
gate the Germans and the cabin passengers, the entire
number of emigrants who embarked at British ports was
89,738, of whom 5,293 died before their arrival, leaving
84,445 who reached the colony. Of these it is estimated
that six sevenths were from Ireland. Of the 84,445 who
reached the colony alive, no less than 10,037 died after
their arrival. Of the remainder no less than 30,265 were
admitted into Hospital for medical treatment. Up to the
12th of November last, the number of destitute emigrants
forwarded from the agency at Montreal to Upper Canada
was 38,781." — Neio Orleans Price Current.
As the conduct of Irish landlords has been severely
commented upon, in the foregoing pages, it is but just
to inform the reader of a most honorable exception ; and
which it affords the author extreme gratification to be en
abled to do, by transcribing the following article from the
" British Canadian." " Last Season's Emigration.
" Among the landlords who last summer were desirous of
providing an asylum for a portion of their tenantry, was
# It may be necessary to remark that many of the Irish emigrants sailed
from English ports.

J24 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
one who was actuated by far other motives than merely
getting rid of so many people. We trust there were others
urged by similar motives, but there were some not very
creditable exceptions. Steven E. De Vere, Esq., a gentle
man of fortune, and the proprietor of some estates in the
South of Ireland, having heard a great deal about the evils
and benefits of emigration to this Province, and hearing
also of the sufferings of many poor people who had been
sent from the country, determined to try 1he experiment
himself. This he came to the conclusion to do, not
by making arrangements for the transport of so many
hundreds of thousands of his tenantry, and remaining at
home to hear as much, or as little as might be, of their
fate ; but he would see for himself. He accordingly picked
some dozen volunteers from among the numbers who
would gladly have accompanied him, and with ihem took
shipping for Quebec, in the steerage of one of the regular
passenger ships. Landlord and Tenant fared alike, the
former taking careful notes of the events of the passage.
Of the voyage we need say nothing more than that il was
of the average character — there was all the disease, ill
usagp, and wretchedness of which our readers have often
been made perfectly aware; — ihe slate of ihings which
imported the fever that carried off many of our most
valued friends and citizens. At Quebec, proceedings were
commenced against the Captain, which were ultimately
compounded upon his paying a certain amount for the
benefit of ihe suffering Emigrants. Mr. De Vere proceeded
to Upper Canada, and closely observed the whole process
of transportation, to ihe very last destination — the graves
of the fever-stricken people. In Toronto this philanthropic

APPENDIX. 125

gentleman attended the emigrant office, and rendered much
assistance to the lamented and indefatigable agent, Mr. Mc
Elderly, boarding with him every steamer filled with the
wretched cargoes, and transmitting to the " proper au
thorities " the result of his laborious experience. He was
well pleased with the management of our hospitals ; but
shocked, as every one was, with ihe mode of transporting
the poor people hither. Some of the steamboat cargoes
were sufficient to recall to the mind the horrors of the sea
voyage. Mr. De Vere's people suffered from fever, but re
covered, receiving his constant personal attendance. The
fact of this gentleman's investigations being laid before the
Colonial Secretary, and some members of the House of
Lords, coming as they did from one well known, and who
could not possibly have any interest in writing, but the
benefit of his countrymen, has had a good effect, and he
merits well of the people of this Province, as well as the
emigrating population of the mother country.
Few men are found lo act from such pure disinterested
ness in these days, and it is gratifying to observe the result
of such labors.
Mr. De Vere returns shortly to England, and, by making
his views public, will, we hope, be the means of obtaining
further improvements, as those already made are by no
means sufficient. One fact is certain, his information may
be implicitly relied upon by government ; for he has ob
tained it himself, on the spot, and by the most careful, and
indeed dangerous investigation, as the above mentioned
facts fully show."
It was the author's intention to confine himself to the

126 THE OCEAN PLAGUE.
occurrences of the year 1847 ; but as the publication of
the foregoing narrative has been delayed longer than was
anticipated, it may here be observed that he had strong
hopes that judicious precautions would have been taken to
prevent the repetition this season, of the tragic scenes of
the last.
Some legislative enactments for the further regulation of
Emigrant ships have been passed by Great Britain, during
the last session of Parliament ; but it is much to be feared
that they will prove quite inefficient. It is painful to ob
serve the very unfavorable accounts from some of the
Ports of the United States, as well as of New Brunswick
and Nova Scotia.
As regards Canada the prospect is exceedingly gloomy,
to judge from the conduct of the executive government
in forbidding- the publication, or issue of any reports from
the Quarantine Station, respecting the state of things there.
Were not the trials of the wretched emigrant already
sufficiently great, that he must
" To such unsightly sufferings be debased 1 "
The Press has boldly taken up the matter, and it is 1o be
hoped that the appearance and repetition of such articles
as the following will tend to the repeal of the obnoxious
and cruel edict. " Grosse Isle Intelligence.
" The executive government have forbidden the transmis
sion of any news or statements from the island, except, we
suppose, to head quarters, that is, to themselves. This is a
proceeding as arrogant as it is absurd and mischievous.

APPENDIX. 127

Last year full reports were given to the public of ihe state
of the island and the proceedings there, as we!l»from of
ficial as from private sources. Why then interdict the
publication this year, when more than ever a faithful re
turn of the health and sickness prevailing at the quarantine
station is most desirable ?
If the prohibition be intended to prevent alarm, it is
founded upon false premises, as, in the absence of au
thentic information, wild and exaggerated rumors obtain
credence. The public have a right to be informed of what
is passing at Grosse Isle." — Kingston Chronicle, 17th
June, 1848.
It is unnecessary to bring forward any further evidence
of the popular indignation so warmly expressed against
such despotic cruelty. How long will
" Oppression, with her heart
Wrapp'd up in triple brass, besiege mankind ? "
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