228
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.
228
the ove
vercrowding of these steamers but it is appalling to think of the loss of life that would happen in the
of fire
with
tvev
1,000
Even
probably
deaths
of wreck
board a steamer
coolies on board.
causeless panic would
and
injuries. It is im- for washing steamers
possible for en
20
ever
carry sufficient boats
life rafts to
lives of
a
save the
quarter of the pas-
sengers in the
foundering.
the
G
case
of the skamer
But leaving
reshin
alore
of accident and
possible disaster,
sider what
let
-a
voyage
steamer with
under
able
ale
cov
ow
board
with 1,500 coolies
the most favour-
they
circumstances
carried now The coolies
board with
luggage but
ragged
7-20
bundle.
of bedding apiece. Each crawls
into the most attractive corner:
that he
car
find. It is a
case
of first come, first served,
there
to them.
are
by
220
berths allotted
the officers of the
ship. A man
his
corner
having
chosen
Letv
ains there.
til he gets to his destination,
userally
and
The
too sea
sick to move,
vomiting where he lies.
of the lakinnes is disregarded, and the state of the ship at the journey's
may
end
imagination.
be left to the Forterrately all the enigeants
erver-
Women do not
them. It is also.
ccompany them
good thing that in Afril
to be feared:
heat is
It is
not
cold that has to be con-
comme
છે ન
fended.
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