SUFFOCATION OF STOWAWAYS ON A STEAMER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2805, 5 July 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

SUFFOCATION OF STOWAWAYS ON A STEAMER.

Tun mail which has just arrived from Hong Kong brings news of a shocking fatality on board a Japanese steamer arrived at that port, by which eight persons lost their lives. The steamer was the Fushiki Karn, whioh took in coals at Nagasaki. A bad smell was noticed by the engineer of tho vessel in their messroom, and as it increased in spito of constant cleansing all over the vessel, it was decided to open a manhole which gave access to tho water tanks beneath the room. This hole was nover opened, and was almost hermetically sealed. On unscrewing the plate, after some difficulty, a rush of foul air took place, which rendered the workmen insensible. On looking through tho hole a number of naked legs were perceived, and signals were made to tho shore for poliee aud medical assistance. Meanwhile the coal in tho main hold was rapidly discharged in order to get at tho sliding door which was the proper and ordinary entrance to the tank. On opening this the swoollen bodies of eight Japanese, stark naked, were seen lying in all postures, with eyes and tongue protruding. The heat and stench from the apartment were so great that no one could be induced to enter, until it was seen that there were four women within, also quite naked, who showed signs of life. With mouths covered, the sailors removed these and found them conscious. Their skin was found to bo quite raw with violent prickly heat, but after a short time in the open air and under medical treatment they quickly revived. Seven of the bodies were those of girls, while one was that of an old man. The highest part of the tank is only three feet, while the roof sloopes to about 18 iuches. The width was only a couple of feet. There was no ventilation, the tank being supposed to be air-tight, and twelve people, dead and living, had been in it for a week. At the inquest a medical witness stated that the only air that could get in was what leaked through the coal cargo. From the evidence of the survivors there was no doubt the man was procuring all the girls for purposes of prostitution in Hong Kong ; and the fact that a Japanese law forbids women leaving the country without passports induced the man to secrete the girls as stowaways on board a steamer.