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- 9538
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:14.842Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 9473
- text
- Then, thought I, the captain, who seems to affect to know nothing of
the proceedings of the sailors, has been aware of my absence.
“But turn to, sir, turn to,” added the mate; “here! aloft there, and
free that pennant; it’s foul of the backstay—jump!”
The captain coming on board soon after, looked very benevolently at
Harry; but, as usual, pretended not to take the slightest notice of
myself.
We were all now very busy in getting things ready for sea. The cargo
had been already stowed in the hold by the stevedores and lumpers from
shore; but it became the crew’s business to clear away the
_between-decks,_ extending from the cabin bulkhead to the forecastle,
for the reception of about five hundred emigrants, some of whose boxes
were already littering the decks.
To provide for their wants, a far larger supply of water was needed
than upon the outward-bound passage. Accordingly, besides the usual
number of casks on deck, rows of immense tierces were lashed
amid-ships, all along the _between-decks,_ forming a sort of aisle on
each side, furnishing access to four rows of bunks,—three tiers, one
above another,—against the ship’s sides; two tiers being placed over
the tierces of water in the middle. These bunks were rapidly knocked
together with coarse planks. They looked more like dog-kennels than any
thing else; especially as the place was so gloomy and dark; no light
coming down except through the fore and after hatchways, both of which
were covered with little houses called _“booby-hatches.”_ Upon the
main-hatches, which were well calked and covered over with heavy
tarpaulins, the _“passengers-galley”_ was solidly lashed down.
This _galley_ was a large open stove, or iron range—made expressly for
emigrant ships, wholly unprotected from the weather, and where alone
the emigrants are permitted to cook their food while at sea.
After two days’ work, every thing was in readiness; most of the
emigrants on board; and in the evening we worked the ship close into
the outlet of Prince’s Dock, with the bow against the water-gate, to go
out with the tide in the morning.
In the morning, the bustle and confusion about us was indescribable.
Added to the ordinary clamor of the docks, was the hurrying to and fro
of our five hundred emigrants, the last of whom, with their baggage,
were now coming on board; the appearance of the cabin passengers,
following porters with their trunks; the loud orders of the
dock-masters, ordering the various ships behind us to preserve their
order of going out; the leave-takings, and good-by’s, and
God-bless-you’s, between the emigrants and their friends; and the
cheers of the surrounding ships.
At this time we lay in such a way, that no one could board us except by
the bowsprit, which overhung the quay. Staggering along that bowsprit,
now came a one-eyed _crimp_ leading a drunken tar by the collar, who
had been shipped to sail with us the day previous. It has been stated
before, that two or three of our men had left us for good, while in
port. When the crimp had got this man and another safely lodged in a
bunk below, he returned on shore; and going to a miserable cab, pulled
out still another apparently drunken fellow, who proved completely
helpless. However, the ship now swinging her broadside more toward the
quay, this stupefied sailor, with a Scotch cap pulled down over his
closed eyes, only revealing a sallow Portuguese complexion, was lowered
on board by a rope under his arms, and passed forward by the crew, who
put him likewise into a bunk in the forecastle, the crimp himself
carefully tucking him in, and bidding the bystanders not to disturb him
till the ship was away from the land.
- title
- Chunk 2