A STOWAWAY IN AN OCEAN STEAMER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume 6, Issue 594, 8 January 1879, Page 2

A STOWAWAY IN AN OCEAN STEAMER.

The hatches on the steamer City of Chester, of the Inman line, that came into port on Friday, were opened during evening to allow tile 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 was dead. The conclusion was natural, for the man must of necessity 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 was 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 was Donnelly,* and that he was from Scotland, and twenty-three years old. He had watched his chance when the steamer was taking m her cargo at her dock m Liverpool, and had secreted himself m the hold, with the purpose of coming to this country, having no money to pay his fare. Eleven days the trip lasted, and Donnelly starved m darkness. He had no food, and the foul air slowly but sur§ ly overcame him. He suffered intense agony from thirst. At last he lost his senses, and m that condition was found when the hold was opened and daylight was let m He was sent to St. Vincent's Hospital, after being fed on the ship. Donnelly was able to pay a portion of his fare to Grenock. He arrived at Liverpool on Sunday, and after being without food for forty-eight hours, asked one of the longshoremen to hide him on the vessel. This was refused until h« had given the man a bottle of beer. In a half-hour afterwards Donnelly was fastened m the hold among the freight with neither food nor drink. After suffering the most intense agolT j§ from hunger and thirst, he scraped' the dirt off the boxes ; this contained a certain amount of salt, and although the taste was repulsive his hunger was so great that he swallowed it. After a lapse of six days he fainted, and knew nothing of his experience till Saturday. When discovered he conld not speak audibly, and was only partially restored to consciousness when he was Bent to St. Vincent's Hospital. Donnelly stated on Saturday that he was from Dumbarton, Scotland; that he left there on 21st September with about forty cents m his pocket, with which he paid his way until he found himself on deck under the doctor's charge. He often cried for help, but his cries were not heard by any one 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 says he has an uncle m Olneyville, R.1., who is captain of the police, and other relatives on Long Island. ,