every duty entrusted to him, and if it should be found on inquiry from himself, what I myself entertain little doubt of, that he mustered and counted the Emigrants before sailing and it should also appear that the vessel carried others which were concealed from him, I apprehend the blame would fall on the Captain, owners, and securities of the Ship.
Next to the available space between decks - The Government Surveyors' Certificate states that the space between decks was 3,279 Superficial feet and that the Forecastle contained 242 feet making a total of 3,521 Superficial feet, upwards of 12 superficial feet for each of the 292 Emigrants cleared.
Mr. Grouby to Master Georgetown 15 April, 1859.
The Emigration Agent General of British Guiana on the other hand states "I was informed by the Commander that the Superficies of the Passenger's deck was 2,508 feet", and he bases all his argument on the deduction that "there was only 8 feet 1 inches of superficial feet available to each adult instead of 12 feet required by Statute"; but he demolishes his case at once by submitting the figures of 1st Officer in corroboration. There were 1291⁄2 feet for the length, with 26 feet 3 inches for the breadth, which with allowances for variation in the bow and Stern might give, as with the Surveyor, 3279 superficial feet. Dr. Johnstone also roughly estimates...
Dr. Johnstone's Measurement of "Royal George": Georgetown 18th April 1859.
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