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the overcrowding of these steamers but it is appalling to think of the loss of life that would happen in the event of fire or wreck with 1,000 coolies on board a steamer. Even probably deaths and injuries caused by a causeless panic would be enormous. It is impossible for steamers to ever carry sufficient boats or life rafts to save the lives of even a quarter of the passengers in the event of the steamer foundering.
But leaving aside the risk of accident and possible disaster, let us consider what a voyage on a steamer with 1,500 coolies on board is like under the most favourable circumstances as they are carried now. The coolies come on board with their luggage, but not much more than a ragged bundle of bedding apiece. Each crawls into the most attractive corner that he can find. It is a case of first come, first served, and there are no berths allotted to them by the officers of the ship. A man having chosen his corner usually remains there till he gets to his destination, too sea-sick to move, vomiting where he lies. The state of the ship at the journey's end may be left to the imagination.
Fortunately, all the emigrants are men; women do not accompany them. It is also a good thing that in April it is not cold that has to be contended with; the heat is not to be feared.