LEPERS' DISCOMFORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21590, 7 September 1933, Page 10

LEPERS' DISCOMFORT

UNSEAWORTHY VESSEL SHOCKING CONDITIONS A message from Darwin, Northern Australia, states that Captain Scott, commanding the leper lugger W. S. Rolland, says that the vessel is unseaworthy and overcrowded, and that, owing to her condition, she almost foundered on a voyage from Broome, to Darwin. An inquiry of sorts was held at Broome, Captain Scott reported, but the officers did not board the vessel to sei the conditions of accommodation. There were 12 lepers on board, with accommodation for only eight; and as the roof was only four feet from the floor, the lepers were unable to stand. Water poured in on them through the open hatch during the .wholo of the voyage, and they slept in wet clothes and blankets. When the weather freshened, water also camo through the decking, which was patched with pieces of kerosene tins. After leaving Broome, the main rigging carried awa.v, but repairs were effected. Next night it was found that the pump was worn out, and had Captain Scott not insisted on getting a new pump at Broome, the boat would probably have foundered. The ship went aground on an uncharted rock off Troughton Island, but was refloated after three hours. While rowing a leper ashore in a dinghy at Darwin, two of the crew had to bail while ono rowed. Captain Scott said that ho could have made the journey from Broome in five days with a well-found vessel; but owing to tho condition of the W. S. Rolland, and the necessity for hugging the shore, it took 18 days.