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I was standing on the starboard side, I watched the boat as it came alongside and noticed that the convicts appeared eager to get up the side. I believe that three or four convicts ascended and got on board. I then observed that convicts crowded to get up the side and that there was a surge backward against other convicts. I believe that this was the chains of those desiring to ascend becoming entangled with the chains of others who were in the boat, with the consequence that there was crowding to the outer side of the boat, which lunched, and the convicts were thrown over, and went into the water. I threw a rope over the side to which some of the convicts clung, at the time the convicts were exhibiting great eagerness to ascend. I was the only person at the port gangway.
I had a stick in my hand. I had been smoking and had a short pipe. I was certain that no person threatened or struck any of the convicts with a stick. I made gestures to the convicts to keep them in order.
Maximiano Antonio Collaço, ... swam