A STOWAWAY IN AN OCEAN STEAMER.

Evening Post, Volume XVII, Issue 311, 4 January 1879, Page 1 (Supplement)

A STOWAWAY IN AN OCEAN STEAMER.

4 (From New York Tribune.) The hatches on the steamer City of Chester, of the Inman line, that came into port on Friday, were opened during the evening to allow the unloading of the freight to begin. When the men descended into the lower hold they were amazed at finding there a man lying on a pile of freight boxes. He presented a famished appearance, and at first glance the workmen thought he waa dead. The conclusion was natural, for the man must of necesaity have been where he was during the entire voyage across the sea, the hold having been undisturbed during all that time. He was brought to the deck, and as he waa still breathing, restoratives and food were administered, with the effect of bringing him to consciousness after a time. Being questioned by those who stood around him, he said that his name waa Donnelly, and that he wav from Scotland, and twenty-three years old. Ho had watched hia chance when the Bteamer was taking in her cargo at her dock in Liverpool, and had secreted himself in the hold, with the purpose of coming to this country, having no money to pay hia fare. Elaven days the trip lasted, and Donelly starved in darkness. He had no food, and the foul air Blowly but surely overcame him. He suffered intense agony from thirst. At last he lost his senses, and in that condition was found when the hold waa opened and daylight waß let in. He waa sent to St. Vincent's Hospital, after being ted on the ship. Donnelly was able to tell a portion of his experience on Saturday. When discovered he could not speak audibly, and waa only partially restored to consciousness when he waa Bent St. Vincent's Hospital. Donnelly stated on Saturday that be was from Dunbarton, Scotland ; that he left there on 21st September, with about 40 cents in hia pocket, with which he paid his fare to Greenock. He arrived at Liverpool on Sunday, and after being without food for 48 hours, asked one of the longshoremen to hide him on the vessel. This was refused until he had given the man a bottle of beer. In a half-hour afterwards Donnelly waa fastened in the hold among the freight with neither food nor drink. After suffering the most intense agonies from hunger and thirst, he scraped the dirt off the boxoB ; this contained a certain amount of salt, and although tho taste waa repulsive hia hunger was so great that he swallowed it. After a lapse of six days he fainted, and knew nothing more until he found himaelf on deck under the doctor's charge. He often cried for help, but his • cries were not heard by anyone except a dog, that would go to the hatch and bark. The barking of the dog was an annoyance to the passengers, and he was removed to the upper deck. Donnelly Bays he has an uncle in Olneyville, R.1., who is captain of the police, and other relatives on Long Island.